Piscopo, Nadia (2023) Analysis and evaluation of ecosystem services and their role for the conservation of biodiversity and socio-economic benefits in the agro-ecosystems of the mediterranean biogeographical region. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

The work carried out during the XXXV cycle of the PhD in Cotutela between the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) and the Universidad de León (Spain) involved Dr. Nadia Piscopo in Italian and Spanish scientific teams. In a common context such as the Mediterranean Biogeographical Region, our thesis wanted to demonstrate that the different components of the agro-ecosystem play an active and passive role in providing Ecosystem Services or Disservices. The wild boar model studied between 2019 and 2022 involved one of the sites present in the Natura 2000 network. The presence of wild boar (Sus scrofa), a species considered one of the most invasive on the planet, in a Special Conservation Area/Site of Community Interest (SCA/SCI) affects the biodiversity present, both of particular conservation interest and on that considered least concern. This situation involves the sites present in the Natura 2000 network in all 27 countries of the European Union. Almost all of the existing bibliography reports the wild boar as a demographic surplus and as an agent responsible for damage to agriculture and, lately, for road accidents and invasion of urban centres. The innovative element that distinguishes the experimental research work consists in demonstrating that, together with the ecosystem disservices produced by the wild boar to human activities, there are a series of ecosystem services that the suidae provides to man and the ecosystem. The first part of the work was carried out to determine a numerical estimate of the wild boars present in a sufficiently large area. We then proceeded to identify an area of approximately 13,000 hectares defined as the "PSR Area" and, within this, a smaller area called the "Focal Area". The vegetation characteristics and biodiversity were described by the Standard Data Form of the SCA/SCI. Together with other operators, the areas of interest were checked with direct and indirect census methods. The results obtained made it possible to define a population of wild boars residing in the PSR Area equal to 244 specimens (average of the surveys between the years 2019 and 2022). The experience gained in the Regional and private Game Reserves of Castilla y Leon has made it possible to use the mathematical method of hunting effort (CPUE). The datum calculated thanks to field data produced a result comparable to that experienced in the field (264 specimens obtained from the average of the years observed). The negative effects consisting in damage to agriculture (413,950 Euros) and road accidents (25,000 Euros) were provided by the Campania Region and represented the items relating to the disservices caused by the wild boar. The positive effects consisting in the provisioning provided by the shot of wild boars in the PSR area (242,316 Euros) and the estimate of cultural factors (280,560 Euros) were calculated on an experimental basis and represented the Services connected to the presence of the wild boar. The resulting difference showed a weight in favor of disservices (-83,926 euros). This result could be reversed when the definition of the influence of wild boar on other living species (plants and animals) will be completed. At the moment, it has not been possible to quantify the monetary value of the biodiversity present in the habitat under study (Habitat/Biodiversity). However, direct observations have allowed us to ascertain the presence of 3/22 species indicated in the art. 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC. If we consider that there are 10 bird species described in the Natura 2000 site, the percentage increases to 30% (3/10). Another 17 species were observed including 10 birds and 7 mammals. Among the mammals, the description of the presence of Canis lupus was important. Three domesticated animal species frequented the same habitats as the animals listed above.

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