Progetto SEEDFORCE

“Using seed banks to restore and reinforce the endangered native plants of Italy.”

ABSTRACT
The project is aimed at the conservation of 29 species of Annex II of the Habitats Directive with an unfavorable conservation status (U1 or U2), through concrete actions to reinforce and protect populations within 76 sites of the Natura 2000 network, in 10 Italian regions and 3 transboundary countries.

Specific conservation objectives:

• • Collect seeds/spores of the target species for propagation, also ensuring their long-term ex situ conservation.
  • Propagate at least 50,000 plants of the target species for subsequent translocations.
  • Improve habitat quality in 76 Natura 2000 sites through mowing, removal of shrubs and trees, eradication of alien species (including 2 of EU interest), according to international standards.
  • Reintroduce/enhance approximately 150 populations of target species at Natura 2000 sites.
  • Monitoring and maintaining in each Natura 2000 site the optimal conditions for the survival of translocated plants, in collaboration with the managing bodies.
  • Develop, in collaboration with ISPRA, specific guidelines and training for the management of the target species in each site, to ensure favorable conditions for the long-term survival of the target species.
  • Develop long-term agreements with the managing bodies of all Natura 2000 sites to ensure the long-term survival of the target species, thus implementing the national scheme for translocations (art. 12 DPR. 357/97, DMinAmb 2.4.20).
  • Provide Italy with an effective tool to address its contractual obligations and shortcomings related to the infringement procedure (2015/2163).
  • Reach out to and engage the public to increase support for plant conservation by targeting flag species unique to specific territories through the website, social media, print media, and city flowerbeds with target plants.

Additional goals that contribute to other EU policies are:

• Contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy by ensuring that the RDF includes actions for the Contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy by ensuring that the RDF includes actions for the conservation of Habitats Directive species and by stimulating the application of good practices in agriculture with the development of a quality label for virtuous farms in project areas.
• To stimulate economic development in the nursery sector, introducing native species such as garden plants into the market with specific marketing activities that also contribute to raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation.
• Contribute to education and training at all levels.

PROGRAM
LIFE20
TYPE OF ACTION
NAT/IT/001468
FULL PROJECT FUNDING
7.790.685 euro
EU CONTRIBUTION
4.671.420 euro
START DATE
01/10/2021
END DATE
31/12/2026

PARTNER
Università degli Studi della Tuscia
SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR
Laura Zucconi Galli Fonseca
DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY
DEB- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences