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ALIEN SPECIES
| Eradication and control of invasive alien species |
The spread of invasive alien species (IAS), is currently regarded as one of the most important global threats to biodiversity; the costs of controlling it are very high, and the problem is receiving increasing attention from the government and the media.
NEMO Srl projects and guidelines:
- Eradication of rats and other mammals in insular areas
- Habitat and vegetation restoration through eradication and/or control of alien plants or locally introduced species
- Biosecurity, monitoring and information
- Regional and subregional plans and strategies on IAS.
Through a LIFE project carried out in the Tuscan Archipelago since 1998 and up to this date, NEMO Ltd. has collaborated to all the black rat (Rattus rattus) eradications realized to date in Italy, and to the first attempts to eradicate the house mouse
(Mus musculus) and an island population of feral cats. Molara, Giannutri and Zannone are the three largest Mediterranean islands where eradications have been carried out on rats (on the two latter the eradication has been confirmed); Molara is also the first European island where the baits have been distributed almost entirely by an helicopter (aerial bait distribution), according to the protocols developed in New Zealand and adopted in North America and many oceanic islands. This methodology had been replicated on sa Dragonera Island (Balearic, Spain), and will be adopted on Montecristo.
Most of the rodents eradications are carried out in collaboration with Dr. Nicola Baccetti ISPRA (ex INFS), Dr. Dario Capizzi of ARP (Regional Parks Agency of Lazio Region), whereas plant eradications/control in collaboration with Dr. Bruno Foggi, University of Florence.
All eradications require constant updating of scientific and technical skills, and good progress has been made in recent years. NEMO supports the participation of its members and key employees to seminars and conferences, and is in touch with experts from other countries. Some NEMO members and staff are involved in investigating alien bird species in Tuscany.
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2011 |
Numerical control of feral cats and Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) on Pianosa Island. On behalf of Ente Parco Nazionale dellArcipelago Toscano. |
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2010-11
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Field protocols and methodology for habitat restoration and for Seabird conservation (Balearic ShearwaterPuffinus mauretanicus) on Sa Dragonera island, including aid to Black rat eradication.On behalf of Consorcio para la Recuperación de la Fauna de las Islas Baleares (COFIB). |
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2010 (ongoing) |
Mapping alien species (Procambarus clarkii, Trachemys scripta, Leiothrix lutea, Myocastor coypus) and developing feasibility analysis to eradicate or control them within the wood of Selva di Paliano. |
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2010 (ongoing) |
Experimental investigation on the risk of the introduction of alien species in Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and the port of Civitavecchia. Survey on the risks of transport conveyance of non-native species to Pontine islands from mainland. On behalf of ARP Regione Lazio. |
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2010 (ongoing) |
Associated beneficiary within LIFE08 NAT/IT/000353 “Montecristo island 2010: eradication of invasive alien flora and fauna and protection of species and habitat in the Tuscan archipelago”; carrying out the following actions, independently or in partnership with the other beneficiaries: - eradication of Black rat Rattus rattus in Montecristo, survey and preliminary projects - preliminary survey and projects to eradicate Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima in Montecristo. - fauna, flora and vegetation monitoring - general project management - Relationships and exchanges of experiences with other LIFE projects |
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2010 (ongoing) |
Consulting and technical coordination of the Atlas of alien species in Tuscany. Paolo Sposimo personal commission, on behalf of University of Florence. |
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2009 – 2010 (ongoing) |
Executive planning and supervision for the removal of alien species of plant on Capraia island (Livorno). On behalf of Ente Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano. |
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2007 – 2010 (ongoing) |
Planning the Atlas of alien species of Latium. Including: - check list of alien animals reported in the area - analysis of the impact on biodiversity and human activities - action plans for single species or groups of species - feasibility study of the eradication of Black rat in Palmarola island (Ponziane archipelago, 125 ha) - survey on ferryboats of the line Ponza-Ventotene-Lazio ports to locate rodents - collaboration setting up a regional protocol for early intervention to alien species, identification of potential areas of entry of alien species (collections and farms, nurseries, ports and airports) - setting information and awareness stuff
Temporary Grouping of undertakings NEMO Ldt (lead partner), ARTS&altro sas, Studio Associato Piazzi. On behalf of ARP Regione Lazio. |
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2009 – 2010 |
Rodents control on Tavolara island and surrounding islets. Including rats and mice eradication on 4 islets (2,5 – 12 ha), survey on rodents aboundance and distribution and feasibility study of their eradication on Tavolara (600 ha). On behalf of Consorzio per la gestione dell’Area Marina Protetta (Association for the management of marine protected area) “Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo”. |
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2009
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Local eradication plan of coastal alien plants (Carpobrotus sp.), part of actions designed to restore the morphology of the dune system of the Gulf of Follonica. On behalf of Provincia di Livorno. |
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2006 – 2009
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Consulting to the plan and implementation of interventions to eradicate alien plants in dune habitat (Amorpha fruticosa, Yucca gloriosa), as part of the scientific and technical advice on the project LIFE05 NAT/IT/000037 "Conservation of coastal ecosystems of northern Tuscany. " On behalf of Ente Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli. Cost: read “Community conservation projects" division. |
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2008
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Techincal-scientific advice on Black rat eradication from Molara Island: coordination, intervention project by helicopter, advice on ante operam and post operam monitoring activities, protocol concerning re-colonization risk reduction. On behalf of Consorzio per la gestione dell’Area Marina Protetta “Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo”. |
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2005 – 2008
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Planning, and supervision of the preliminary experimental actions of Rattus rattus eradication on Giannutri island (ca. 240 ha) and local control on Pianosa, control of feral cat population on Pianosa (1,020 ha), under LIFE Nature project "Tuscan Islands: new actions for sea birds and habitat" (see "Community Projects for the Conservation of Nature). Personal commission of Michele Giunti and Paolo Sposimo, on behalf of Tuscan Archipelago National Park. |
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2005 – 2007
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Executive planning and supervision for the containment of introduced plant species (Pinus halepensis) on Pianosa (28 hectares), under LIFE Nature project "Tuscan Islands: new actions for sea birds and habitats (see "Community Projects for the Conservation of Nature). Personal commission of Michele Giunti, on behalf of Tuscan Archipelago National Park |
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2005 – 2006
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Techincal-scientific advice on black-rat eradication on Zannone island: coordination, operational plan, scientific monitoring, action plan for reducing the risk of recolonization. |
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2004 |
F easibility study for Black-rat eradication on Zannone. On behalf of Parco Nazionale del Circeo. |
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2003
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Techincal-scientific advice on feasibility plan drafting for Black-rat eradication on Montecristo. For Lynx Ldt, on behalf of INFS (Istituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica). |
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1998 - 2001 |
Black Rat Rattus rattus eradication on 7 islets (surface between 1 and 7 ha) under LIFE Nature project "Capraia and the smaller islands of Tuscany: conservation of biodiversity." On behalf of Regione Toscana, on co-financing of the EU. |
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1998 - 2001 |
Planning local eradication of alien plant from Capraia (Ailanthus altissima), under LIFE Nature project "Capraia and the smaller islands of Tuscany: conservation of biodiversity." On behalf of Regione Toscana, on co-financing of the EU. |
| SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS |
CFRANCESCATO S., CAPIZZI D., CECCHETTI M., FORCINA G., MASTROBUONI G., NOAL A., SPOSIMO P., ZERUNIAN S., 2010 - L’intervento di eradicazione del Ratto nero dall’Isola di Zannone. In: Zerunian S. (ed.) - L’eradicazione del Ratto nero dall’Isola di Zannone. Ufficio Territoriale per la biodiversità di Fogliano - Parco Nazionale del Circeo: 37-110.
Capizzi D., Baccetti N., Sposimo P., 2010. - Prioritizing rat eradication on islands by cost and effectiveness to protect nesting seabirds. Biological Conservation 143: 1716–1727.
Baccetti N., Capizzi D., Corbi F., Massa B., Nissardi S., Spano G., Sposimo P., 2009 - Breeding shearwaters on Italian islands: population size, island selection and co-existence with their main alien predator, the Black rat. Riv. ital. Orn., Milano, 78 (2): 83-98.
Mazza G., Abbazzi P., Andriolo L., Inghilesi A.F., Marsiaj G., Sposimo P., Zoccola A., Gherardi F., 2012 - Gonipterus scutellatus s. l. in Montecristo Island (Tuscany): should its first introduction to the Palearctic region be backdated to the 19th century? (Coleoptera Curculionidae). Boll. Soc. entomol. ital., 144 (1): 19-22
Puglisi l., Bosi E., Corsi I., Del Sere M., Pezzo F., Sposimo P., in stampa. Usignolo del Giappone, Bengalino & Co: alieni in Toscana. Alula.
SPOSIMO P., CAPIZZI D., GIANNINI F., GIUNTI M., BACCETTI N., 2008 – L’eradicazione del ratto nero (Rattus rattus) nell’isola di Giannutri. I Quaderni del parco, Docum. Tecn., 1 “Progetto LIFE Natura, Isole di Toscana: nuove azioni per uccelli marini e habitat”. Parco Naz. Arcipelago Toscano: 33 – 38.
SPOSIMO P., BACCETTI N., 2008 – La tutela della colonia di berta maggiore (Calonectris diomedea) dell’isolotto La Scola. I Quaderni del parco, Docum. Tecn., 1 “Progetto LIFE Natura, Isole di Toscana: nuove azioni per uccelli marini e habitat”. Parco Naz. Arcipelago Toscano: 29 – 32.
SPOSIMO P., CAPIZZI D., GIUNTI M., MUSCETTA G., 2008 – Studio di fattibilità per l’eradicazione del ratto nero nell’isola di Pianosa. I Quaderni del parco, Docum. Tecn., 1 “Progetto LIFE Natura, Isole di Toscana: nuove azioni per uccelli marini e habitat”. Parco Naz. Arcipelago Toscano: 16 – 28.
CAPIZZI D., BACCETTI N., CORBI F., GIANNINI F., GIUNTI M., PERFETTI A., SPOSIMO P., ZERUNIAN S., 2006 - Eradication versus local control Rattus rattus on Tyrrhenian island: ecologica aspects, field techniques and econimics. - Hystrix, Italian Journal of Mammalogy, Supp. pp: 33.
FRANCESCATO S., CAPIZZI D., CECCHETTI M., FORCINA G., MASTROBUONI G., NOAL A., SPOSIMO P., ZERUNIAN S., 2010 - L’intervento di eradicazione del Ratto nero dall’Isola di Zannone. In: Zerunian S. (ed.) - L’eradicazione del Ratto nero dall’Isola di Zannone. Ufficio Territoriale per la biodiversità di Fogliano - Parco Nazionale del Circeo: 37-110.
SPOSIMO P., CAPIZZI D., GIANNINI F., BACCETTI N., 2007 - Ratti e uccelli marini: esperienze sulle piccole isole del Tirreno. In: Angelici F.M., Petrozzi F. & Galli A. (Eds). Atti del Convegno Internazionale: Fauna problematica: conservazione e gestione. Montefiascone, 8 –9 giugno 2007. Viterbo: 18.
CORBI F., FRANCESCATO S., PINOS F., BACCETTI N., CAPIZZI D., FORCINA G., SPOSIMO P., ZERUNIAN S., 2005 - Intervento di controllo dei ratti nell’isola di Zannone (Parco Nazionale del Circeo) a tutela di una colonia di Berta maggiore Calonectris diomedea – In: Zerunian S. (ed.) - Habitat, flora e fauna del Parco Nazionale del Circeo. Uff. gestione Beni ex ASFD di Sabaudia - Parco Nazionale del Circeo: 245-252.
PERFETTI A., SPOSIMO P., BACCETTI N., 2001 – Il controllo dei ratti per la conservazione degli uccelli marini nidificanti nelle isole italiane e mediterranee. Avocetta, 25: 126.
FOGGI B., SPOSIMO P., GRIGIONI A., SANESI G., 2001 – Interventi per la conservazione della biodiversità: Capraia e piccole isole dell’Arcipelago Toscano. Inf. Bot. Ital. 33 (II): 109-112
SPOSIMO P., CORSI I., COLLIGIANI L., GIUNTI M., ROSSI F., 2001 - Nuove catture di Bengalino comune Amandava amandava nel Padule di Fucecchio (Pistoia). Avocetta, 25: 254.
SPOSIMO P., COLLIGIANI L., CORSI I., GIUNTI M., ROSSI F., 1999 – Catture di Bengalino comune (Amandava amandava) nel Padule di Fucecchio (Toscana). Avocetta 23: 166.
SPOSIMO P., 2010 - Gli uccelli marini nidificanti a Zannone e nelle altre isole italiane: biologia e problematiche di conservazione. In: Zerunian S. (ed.) - L’eradicazione del Ratto nero dall’Isola di Zannone. Ufficio Territoriale per la biodiversità di Fogliano - Parco Nazionale del Circeo: 23-36.
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POSTER |
nghilesi A.F., Aquiloni L., Francardi V., de Silva J., Mazza G., Monaco A., Pennacchio F., Sposimo P. & Gherardi F. Introduction of alien species through airports and ports in Italy. Tackling the Emerging Crisis of Invasion Biology, Monaco 8-10 March 2010.
Inghilesi A.F., Aquiloni L., Mazza G., Monaco A., Sposimo P & Gherardi F. Reshuffling communities: airports and ports are sources of aliens. Neobiota, Copenhagen (Danemark), 14-17 settembre 2010
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LINKS |
Global Invasive Species Program: Programma internazionale per implementare una strategia per le specie invasive a livello mondiale
IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group: Sito del gruppo specializzato in specie invasive dell'IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
DAISIE Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe: Inventario delle specie aliene invasive in Europa * WWF: Pagina del WWF sulle specie aliene e invasive.