Italy has added four wetlands to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, bringing to 61 its total number of “Ramsar Sites”. 

Foce dell’Isonzo – Isola della Cona (Site no. 2569 on the “Ramsar List”) stretches along the downstream 15 kilometres of the River Isonzo, including the river mouth at the far north of the Adriatic Sea and a considerable area of shallow sea. The Site regularly hosts significant numbers of waterfowl and other rare animal and plant species, and is a reproduction site for fish such as the marbled trout Salmo marmoratus and birds including the greylag goose Anser anser. It is important for ecotourism, especially birdwatching, with over 50,000 visitors a year, and for environmental education and research.

Foce dell’Isonzo – Isola della Cona © Comune di Staranzano, 2007

The marshes of Padule Orti-Bottagone (Site no. 2571) are among the most important elements of a network of coastal wetlands along the Mediterranean flyway, due to their considerable size and position relative to other wetlands. The Site is composed of two contiguous but hydrobiologically different wetland areas: the brackish marsh of Orti, dominated by salicornia, and the freshwater marsh of Bottagone, characterized by reed beds, open water areas and flooded meadows. It is an important biodiversity hotspot and habitat, especially for aquatic birds during their autumn and spring migrations and during nesting, moulting, and wintering periods.

Ex Lago e Padule di Bientina (Site no. 2570) extends over a vast agricultural plain which was created by the reclamation in the 19th century of a large lake and marsh system that stretched for about 40 square kilometres between the Monti Pisani range to the west and the Cerbaie hills to the east. The area still preserves residual natural and semi-natural marsh habitats, with zones of temporary, seasonal or permanent flooding. The Site plays a crucial role as a stopover for migratory and wintering birds, and many wetland plant and animal species are found, including the giant snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) and the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex).

Ex Lago e Padule di Bientina © Fulvio Durante, 2024

Lago di Sibolla (Site no. 2572) is a small natural lake which is part of the same network of wetlands which includes the Ex Lago e Padule di Bientina Site. It is important both for its plants, with relict species such as the water violet Hottonia palustris and habitats of conservation interest including forests of Italian oak Quercus pubescens, and for its animals, with notable species including the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola). The lake now hosts the most important population of herons in peninsular Italy, and it is also important for wintering waterbirds, particularly the common teal (Anas crecca). It features a wealth of insect species and noteworthy reptiles such as the European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis).

Source: the Convention on Wetlands

https://www.ramsar.org/news/italy-names-four-wetlands-international-importance