Life + Montecristo 2010
One of the project’s main objectives is the eradication of several invasive species from two islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Montecristo and Pianosa. In the past, several plant and animal species were introduced to the islands, which are currently under the strictest protection regime. These invasive species are a threat to the native fauna and flora. In Montecristo, the project aims to eradicate the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and the Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima); the former species is the main threat to the Yelkouan Shearwater, a tubenose that breeds on the island with 400-700 pairs (10-20 % of the Italian population). The Tree-of-heaven is a plant that was introduced to Cala Maestra and subsequently spread to other parts of the island, replacing native plant communities and causing a loss of botanical biodiversity. The eradication of rats and Tree-of-heaven is expected to have great advantages going beyond the re-naturalization of Montecristo. It will help protect globally threatened bird species, and may create the conditions for re-colonization on the part of European Storm Petrels, a species that has not been recorded on Montecristo since the 1960s. Additionally, it is expected to boost the population of several invertebrate species, reptiles, and the Tyrrhenian Painted Frog. In order to protect the Montecristo Goat, the island’s most emblematic species, from possible negative effects caused by the rat eradication effort, both in situ and ex situ conservation measures will be taken. The eradication of Tree-of-heaven is expected to significantly benefit many native habitats, including Mediterranean temporary ponds and pseudo-steppe with annual therophytes. Other activities aim to protect the Holm Oak, of which unfortunately only a few stands are left, from threats caused by grazing and the presence of the Tree-of-heaven. This will be achieved through the recovery and fencing of existing stands, along with the planting of new trees. Eradication efforts on Pianosa will focus on three invasive plants: Ailanthus altissima, Carpobrotus sp., and Acacia pycnacantha. Finally, targeted interventions will aim to improve the conservation status of coastal Juniper (Juniperus turbinata) scrub, which is threatened by the expansion of Aleppo Pine. The latter species, which was recently introduced to the island and is found in planted groves or as isolated plants originating from these groves, will be removed from several experimental plots located near juniper scrubland. This activity is expected to help protect about 10 hectares of juniper scrub and two hectares of Mediterranean dune and rocky coast plant communities