Unsatisfactory Management of a Protected Wetland Area in Italy: Laghi di Conversano

The Special Area of Conservation (SAC) “Laghi di Conversano” was identified as priority habitat 3170* “Mediterranean temporary ponds”, which is an ephemeral habitat characterized by small-sized plant species and a peculiar fauna, all threatened and listed on the IUCN Red Lists. This habitat is subjected to ecological and anthropic pressures that may quickly modify it in the Mediterranean climate context. For this reason, surveys of vegetation, flora, and fauna were carried out using the modern investigation approach to update the Natura 2000 data form, evaluating the existing critical issues and providing possible solutions. The research highlighted how the lack of adequate management and policies, did not allow us to follow the guidelines proposed for the Natura 2000 site, leading to the disappearance of the red-list wild plants typical of habitat 3170*.