Memorandum submitted by the British Embassy,
Rome
1. Italy is one of the richest countries
in Europe and in the Mediterranean basin in terms of species biodiversity,
including over 57,000 species in its fauna and over 6700 species
in its higher plant flora (196 familiae and 1267 genera). Within
European countries, it has the highest number of plants, as well
as terrestrial and freshwater animals (46,200 species). As a whole,
Italian terrestrial and inland water animals represent more than
one third of the European fauna (35 per cent). Italy encompasses
three bio-geographical regions: Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean;
their co-presence and articulation are among the principal reasons
for the elevated biodiversity in this country.
2. The Italian Ministry of Environment,
Directorate for Nature Protection, published in 2005 a report
written by more than 100 researchers and experts (botanist, zoologist,
forestry, etc.) concerning the status and trends of Biodiversity
in Italy, which presents an up-to-date scenario of national knowledge
on biodiversity. The report shows the contribution and value of
Italian biodiversity (genetic, species and ecosystem) in Europe
and the world, and describes national scenarios based on the ecosystem
approach of CBD. In the same year was also produced a CD called
"GIS Natura" containing a national map and thematic
databases. Both these instruments are, at the moment, the most
exhaustive synthesis on biodiversity at national level and represent
an important baseline for action (local or national) in relation
to the 2010 target aiming to halt the biodiversity loss.
3. The physical and biological heterogeneity
of Italy determines the great variability of Italian landscapes.
One of the most important instruments for biodiversity protection
is the Nature 2000 Network; a co-ordinated and coherent system
of areas aimed at protecting different habitats and species of
Community interests. It follows the Habitat Directive of the EC
and a new report on the status of species in Italy is due to be
issued soon.
4. Although there are not yet national official
red lists, within a selection of 10,000 species of terrestrial
and inland water fauna, 4.4 per cent was estimated to be endangered,
8.5 per cent vulnerable, and approximately 20 per cent very rare
and considered nearly threatened. Finally, 46 species within this
small selection are to be considered regionally extinct. Regarding
plant flora, different studies have been undertaken to prepare
national lists of endangered species of vascular plant, lichens,
bryophytes, fungi and freshwater algae.
MAJOR FEATURES
OF NATIONAL
BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY
AND ACTION
PLAN
5. Italy's commitment in relation to the
CBD was put into effect through Law No. 124 of 14 February 1994,
which ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity. Upon ratification
of the Convention, the document entitled "Strategies and
Preliminary Programme to Implement the Convention on Biodiversity
in Italy" was drawn up, and then approved by the CIPE (Interministerial
Committee for Economic Planning) on 16 March 1994. This document
started several national activities on biodiversity through different
environmental policy instruments and financial resources available
at that time. The objectives of the strategy are grouped into
9 work areas and specific actions are associated with each objective.
The work areas are: (i) knowledge of Italian biodiversity heritage,
(ii) monitoring of the state of biodiversity, (iii) education
and training, (iv) in-situ conservation, (v) promotion of sustainable
activities, (vi) containment of risk factors, (vii) ex-situ conservation,
(viii) biotechnology transfer and safety, and (ix) international
cooperation and eco-diplomacy. There have been different attempts
to define a national Plan for Biodiversity, but it has not been
possible to find an agreement. In the last years, there have been
different actions to improve and spread the knowledge on biodiversity
as well as to sensitize different stakeholders regarding the objectives
of the Convention. These actions allowed a "new deal"
including a new national coordination of initiatives on biodiversity.
GLOBAL TAXONOMY
INITIATIVE—ITALIAN
ACTIVITIES
6. The Nature Protection Directorate of
the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory, being
the National Focal Point for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI)
has elaborated the thematic report on the implementation of the
work programme at national level.
The effort of managing and updating the databases
is carried out with the collaboration of the "Comitato Scientifico
per la Fauna d'Italia" (CSFI) for the zoological part, and
of the Società Botanica Italiana (SBI) for the botanical
part. The CSFI, in particular, has been coordinating, organizing
and supervising the publication of the "Fauna d'Italia"
volumes and the main taxonomic activities in the country since
1989.
The creation and implementation of such resources
will allow identifying the current gaps of the Italian taxonomic
production in terms of:
2.
geographic areas and/or environments, with reference
to the CBD cross-cutting issues
3.
knowledge instruments, also computerized ones, such
as check-lists, identification keys, data on fauna and flora.
RESOURCES:
Thematic report on taxonomy in Italy (2005)
http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/it/it-nr-gti-en.pdf
On-line databases:
Checklist of Italian Fauna
http://www.faunaitalia.it/checklist/
Checklist mapping
http://www2.minambiente.it/Sito/settori_azione/scn/CHM/data/Ckmap_53.zip
MEASURES TAKEN
TO ACHIEVE
THE 2010 TARGET
7. Italy, as a EU member state, is contributing
to implement at regional and national level the "EU Action
Plan to 2010 and beyond" annex I to EU Council conclusions
"Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010", adopted
in December 2006.
Furthermore, Italy has been the first Party
to commit as a Government at the IUCN/CE initiative called "COUNTDOWN
2010" (www.countdown2010.net). The initiative was launched
during the Malahide conference on Biodiversity in Europe, under
the Irish EU presidency in April 2004. The official Italian engagement
was signed on the occasion of the first meeting of the AHOEWG-PA1
in Montecatini.
8. In the last year, Italy is especially
focusing on the elaboration, by 2010, of a national strategy for
biodiversity through a participative process with national and
local institutions, as well as other stakeholders coming from
the private sector and civil society.
To achieve the 2010 target, it is necessary
to make a big effort in terms of organization and public awareness
on the status of Italian biodiversity, conservation and sustainable
use of its resources, according to the CBD objectives.
9. In 2004, Italy instituted the Inter-ministerial
Committee for Biodiversity whose mandate is going to be adapted
according to political environmental priorities on saving energy,
climate change and biodiversity itself.
USEFUL LINKS
Biodiversity in Italy—Ministry of Environment
Website:
http://87.241.41.49/index.php?id_sezione=1662
http://87.241.41.49/index.php?id_sezione=1707
Italian Clearing House Mechanism
http://87.241.41.49/index.php?id_sezione=1661
4 February 2008
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