Deliverable D.T2.2.6
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Project number: 639 Project acronym: trAILs Project title: Alpine Industrial Landscapes Transformation DELIVERABLE D.T2.2.6 Environmental context assessment report: pilot site in Borgo San Dalmazzo, Italy Work package: T2 – Assess AILs: assessment procedure (pilot-based) Activity: A.T.2.2 – Co-assessment of AILs actual conditions and socio- economic context Authors: Katharina Strobl, Kerstin Bär, Umberto Fava, Sonia Abluton, Valentina Curato Organization: Technical University of Munich (Chair of Restoration Ecology); LAMORO Development Agency Deliverable date: December 2019 Version: FINAL Dissemination level: Project partners and public Dissemination target: Project partners and public This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Alpine Space programme CONTENT 1 FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................... 3 2 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY ............................................................................................. 5 3 PART 1: RESULTS OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT .................................................................................... 6 3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT – POTENTIALS AND PROBLEMS ................................................................................... 8 4 PART 2: PERFORMANCE OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT ...................................................................... 13 4.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 13 4.2 ANALYSIS ELEMENTS REVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 17 4.3 PERFORMANCE CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 22 5 PART 3: FEEDBACK OF THE REGIONAL PARTNER ........................................................................ 23 6 APPENDIX............................................................................................................................................ 25 7 LITERATURVERZEICHNIS .......................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Page | 2 1 FOREWORD The assessment report has two parts. First part is a document providing essential knowledge of a specific AIL pilot area and second part is a record of reflection on the assessment method performance in the AIL pilot site. With the ‘learn-by-doing’ approach on four different pilot area, research project partners identify and gradually specify key elements of individual assessments that work for the AILs. Assessment reports are part of the activity WP T2: Co-assessment of AILs actual conditions and in a set of five thematic assessment reports, five different deliverables for each pilot area: D.T2.2.2 – Existing policies on local/regional level assessment reports D.T2.2.3 – Spatial and landscape assessment reports D.T2.2.4 – Socio-demographic assessment reports D.T2.2.5 – Economic context assessment reports D.T2.2.6 – Environmental context assessment reports Together with mini reports - D.T2.2.1, the assessment reports form an input for the workshops in the WP T3 (figure 1). The template of the assessment report is structured to facilitate two main parts of the Co- assessment of AILs: Part 1 – Assessment of AILs which constitutes main findings of the AILs actual conditions, results of the assessments, conclusions and recommendations. Its purpose is to be used for the activities in the WP T3 (the dossier) - workshops with relevant stakeholders. Part 2 – Performance of the Assessment that investigates how the Assessment and its parts performed on the given AIL site. It is conducted through a reflection questionnaire for the research partner and regional partner of that AIL. Its purpose is to evaluate the analyses used in the assessment process and to monitor variability of the assessments throughout the AIL pilot sites. Page | 3 Figure 1: Scheme of the WPT2 Assessment Framework with the general structure of the assessment reports, their input source (WP T1 and site visits) and output purpose (workshops). Page | 4 2 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY Alien plant = Plant taxa that occurs in a given area outside its region of origin due to intentional or accidental introduction as a result of human activity (RICHARDSON et al. 2000). Habitat type = A unit in an ecosystem that is defined by a unique vegetation structure and comprises an environment for specific species and species assemblages. Ecosystem function = Energy, matter and information fluxes linking ecosystem compartments (MEYER et al. 2015). Ecosystem service = Functions and products of an ecosystem that directly or indirectly benefit humans; often ecosystem functions are considered a service when they can be attributed an economical value (MEYER et al. 2015). Indicator species = One or more taxa selected based on high sensitivity to a particular environment attribute, and then assessed to make inference about that attribute (SIDDIG et al. 2016). Invasive plant = Naturalized plants that sustain viable populations over many generations without human intervention and produce reproductive offspring often in very large numbers providing the species with the potential to spread over large areas (RICHARDSON et al. 2000). Succession = Process of change observed in an ecological community in relation to species structure and assemblage with time after disturbance (CONNELL & SLATYER 1977). Page | 5 3 PART 1: RESULTS OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT 3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY Brownfields can be ecologically valuable. Since they often host a mosaic of numerous habitats within a small area, they are also susceptible to host a high diversity of plant and animal species. But they might also be polluted due to former use and are often colonized by invasive alien species that are potentially affecting human health, economy or biodiversity. Brownfields in the Alpine region could be an enrichment of the local biodiversity, but also threaten the largely undegraded and often rare Alpine ecosystems. Therefore, an ecological assessment of former brownfield sites is a prerequisite when aiming at their transformation. For the industrial site “Italcementi” in Borgo San Dalmazzo we analysed data and literature on its geographical situation, connectivity, potentially occurring animal species and pollution. We assessed habitat units on aerial photographs and sampled plant species in the field within the accessible perimeter. The site is located within the valley of river Gesso, which is a largely undisturbed, dynamic Alpine river with a high wilderness potential as habitat and migratory corridor for many species. While at present the site is (partly) structurally disconnected from the river area by constructions, it could largely benefit from a better integration within the landscape. Also, there is a flooding risk within a large part of the site, which should be taken into account by not planning any use that is vulnerable to flooding. We found that more than half of the site is vegetated and another sixth is not sealed by roads or buildings. These areas have considerable potential as habitats for plants and animals. We assessed eleven different habitats. Their high diversity is correlated with a high number of species. Thus, we could identify 83 plant species outside the fence and over 100 potentially occurring animal species, that should be considered during the planning process. However, we also found seven invasive alien species, two of them with potential negative impacts on native biodiversity (black locust – Robinia pseudoacacia) and health of livestock (narrow-leaved ragwort - Senecio inaequidens). Their development and potential negative impacts should be further observed, so that eventually a suitable management can be applied. The future use of the site should also take into consideration, that cement plants are a source of soil and air contamination and cause high CO2 emissions. Diverse and unique plants and animals in eleven habitats Consider conserving habitat and species diversity of the site while planning transformation Natural river dynamics as well as grazing increase species diversity 70% of non-sealed surfaces with high ecological potential Conserve a large proportion of vegetated areas of different successional stages by keeping some of them unmanaged and imitate industrial disturbance on others Page | 6 Location of the site within the valley of the river Gesso, but lateral connectivity of the river is disconnected by a wall and constructed embankment High ecological potential when connecting the (currently partly disconnected) site to the river landscape 30% of asphalted and built-up surfaces concentrated in the Western part of the site Vegetation, particularly trees, would improve the microclimate, especially cooling, and at the same time generate habitats for wildlife Seven occurring invasive alien plants, among them two might be problematic Observe their development and impacts If necessary, decide on adequate management measures in order to reduce/ eradicate them Location of the site within the flooding zone of the river Gesso No use that is potentially vulnerable to