Landscape planning and biodiversity conservation of river habitats require vegetation analysis and mapping: the case of Cilento National Park (Italy)

Riparian and freshwater ecosystems are strongly endangered throughout Europe as they suffer the ongoing human pressure, habitat destruction, pollution and eutrophication. Monitoring species and habitats is essential to address conservation efforts and to evaluate the results of restoration actions. In this context we present the main results of a two-year (2010-2011) research project funded by the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, focused on riparian habitat and vegetation mapping. Vegetation Mapping was performed within a 300 m width buffer along the main water bodies of the National Park; it was based on 2005 digital aero- images and GIS assisted; field surveys were stratified on water bodies, environmental unit and vegetation physiognomy and recorded using GPS with 2-5 m precision. We collected 273 relevès and detected 748 taxa of vascular plants (approx.1/3 of the overall regional flora) with several new findings for Cilento and Campania Region. A not negligible amount of these are alien species showing an invasive behavior in riparian habitats. 27 Natura 2000 habitats were identified accounting to 45% of the mapped area. The project results could contribute to assess the reference conditions of Southern Italian Peninsula water bodies to answer to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60 CE). Furthermore they represent a first step of monitoring actions of species and riparian plant communities of the National Park that are essentials to address conservation efforts and to evaluate the results of management and restoration policies, as explicitly requested by art. 11 of Habitats Directive.