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SITES
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Scarlino, Italy Habitats on the Scarlino Site The wild areas form a network of important wildlife habitats across the site and include:
These habitats are of varying degrees of importance for wildlife,
although each of them supports particular species which are either
rare or absent from the other habitats. Overall the wildlife value
of the different habitats both in terms of biodiversity and degree
of conservation concern for the species present is: Wetlands [see Areas “C”, “H” and “K” in
Figure
21] The ecological importance of reedbed habitats, especially for birds, has been studied in many parts of Europe. These include southern Spain (Valverde 1958), the Camargue in southern France (Hoffmann 1958), Hungary (Vajada 1998) and the UK (Bibby & Lunn 1982, Hawke & Jose 1996, Brookhouse 1998, Lefeuere 1998). The utilisation of the reedbeds and wetlands at Scarlino is shown in Figure 22 and the feeding zones recorded for four important species of waterbirds, Black-winged Stilt, Squacco Heron, Little Egret and Purple Heron in Figure 23. With regard to the other wetland habitats on the site, the canalised Pecora River (Area “K”, Figure 21) that flows into the Padule di Scarlino supports a number of bird species, especially Acrocephalus Warblers (see Section Birds). However, the canal running along the western boundary of the site, based admittedly on limited surveys, seems to be of low value for birds although dragonflies are numerous and in July 2000 large numbers of Bee-eaters were exploiting this food source. The canal also holds large numbers of fish, principally Grey Mullet (Mugil labeo) [G. Best pers. comm.]. The canal receives the treated and buffered (to pH 8.5) effluent from the site that is eventually discharged to the sea. No effluent enters the Pecora that discharges directly into the Scarlino marshlands. Another river, the Airvoe, also flows through the site and discharges into the sea. It is canalised on the site and, although it receives no site effluents, its wildlife value (based on very limited data) appears to be low. Temporary wet areas resulting from surface water run off from other parts of the site - such as those to the north of the settling lagoons - appear to have limited value for bird life, although one or two Little Egrets were observed resting (but not feeding) in such areas during 26-28 May 1998. During migration periods and in the winter months, small numbers of waders and wildfowl are occasionally seen in these habitats (M. Caramelli pers. comm.). The only other wetland areas on the site are the active effluent settling lagoons. Between 26-28 May 1998 and during a very brief visit in October 1992, these lagoons were devoid of bird life with the exception of a few Yellow-legged Gulls resting on the surface. In July 2000 however, 12 Greater Flamingos were recorded on these lagoons, although it was unclear whether the birds were actually obtaining food from the site. Grasslands Sheep graze the grassland areas of the site and this appears to keep the vigorous species under control and encourages a higher diversity of plant life. This grazing is good for maintaining the ecological value of the site. The grazing regime seems to suit Skylark that is common on the site. Skylark is a bird of conservation concern in Europe (see Section Birds). Sheep also act as biological monitors - the wool, milk and flesh are regularly analysed for heavy metals to ensure that these potentially toxic substances are not bioaccumulating in the food chain. The banks of the old gypsum disposal sites, especially along the edges of site roads have developed a diverse and colourful flora. A particularly rich area is along the track bordering the western edge of the marshland (Area “J”, Figure 21). Yellow chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), common mallow (Malva sylvestris), common poppies (Papaver rhoeas), the scarlet flowered Italian sainfoin (Hedysarum coronarium) and various thistles and vetches are found here. Several species of birds such as Goldfinches, Serins and Turtle Doves are associated with these floral rich banks that also supported large populations of butterflies (see Section Insects). Faunal communities appear to be less diverse in the grass dominated sites, although butterflies such as Meadow Brown (Manida jurtina) - the larvae of which feed on various grasses - are quite abundant and several species of grasshoppers are known to occur. Skylark is an important bird of the grasslands and White Wagtails (Montacilla alba) were frequently found feeding where the grass was relatively short and on areas where sewage sludge had been deposited. The birds were feeding on the insects that were attracted by the sludge. Trees and Shrubs There is a fairly extensive tree planted area towards the south of the site and bordering raised open grassland adjacent to the Padule di Scarlino (Area “E”). A detailed botanical survey of these wooded areas has not yet been carried out but characteristic Mediterranean species such as Tamarix sp. and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) are well established. The Aleppo pine is a widespread tree around the Mediterranean and, being very drought resistant, thrives on rocky ground in coastal sites. The trees in Area “E” grade into a relatively small maquis or garrigue habitat zone (Area “G”) that is characteristic of hot, dry Mediterranean landscapes (Polunin & Walters 1985). Typical plants of maquis habitats are found in this zone on the Scarlino site. These include Cistus (probably C. monspeliensis), tree heather (Erica arborea), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and strawberry tree (Arbutus undeo). However, at Scarlino, vegetation in this habitat does not form the dense thickets that are often associated with such plant communities in other parts of the Mediterranean (Polunin & Huxley 1978). At Scarlino the scrub communities tend towards more garrigue type habitat, with less dense vegetation interspersed with open areas of bare soils. Characteristic plants of this type of community include the tongue orchids (Serapias spp.), of which at least one species - probably S. parviflora - is quite common on the Tioxide site in Area “G”. The Serapias have a very specialised reproductive biology, since they produce no nectar to attract pollinators. To compensate, the narrow tube (formed largely by the sepal hood) has an average temperature 1°-3°C higher than the ambient air temperature. On cool days several species of hymenoptera (mainly solitary bees and wasps) have been seen to congregate in these slightly warmer areas. When they leave the flower, these insects carry pollen with them and this eventually passes on to other blooms (Delforge 1995). The scrub vegetation grades into open grassland habitat towards the west similar to those previously described (Area “F”). Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) and Turtle Doves (Streptopelia
turtur)
were amongst the most numerous birds of the tree areas. Magpies (Pica
pica) were also common together with Italian Sparrows (Passer
demesticus italia) in some sections. Serin (Serinus serinus) and Spotted Flycatcher
(Muscicapa striata) were less common. Butterflies and other insects are well represented in the scrub zone habitats and, although as yet largely unstudied, lizards are numerous and snakes also occur. Bare and Open Ground The Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) prefers very bare sites
for nesting and several other species of birds often feed in very open
areas. At Scarlino these include White Wagtail, Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
and Black-eared Wheatear (Oenathe hispanica). |
