WG 1: Environmental conflicts and territorial planning in wetlands. The

case of the Regional Park of Molentargius – Saline.

A.Guaran, A.Järvet, M.Maritan, B.Paladini, R.Reimets, L.Ronczyk, S.Segura, E.Sepp, G.Tóth, S.Trestip, D.Zlatunova, M.Casu

Outline

• Introduction

• Location

• Problems & discussion

• Proposals

• Conclusions

1.IntroductionMolentargius

“molenti”, the Sardinian for donkey, which waswidely used in the salt carrying

1976 Ramsar Convention 1999 established as a Regional Park of Molentargius - Saline 2003 declared Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) rich variety of vegetal and animal species one of the most important European sites for the stop, wintering, and nesting of several species of aquatic birds (180 species, flamingos) diversified flora (many “Red List” of endangered species)

a lot has been done, but still many critical points: untreated wastewater, pollutants, illegal waste and illegal housing, lack of trails for ecoturism, change of ecological conditions

2.Location Urban area and hinterland of Cagliari, Southern Sardinia Municipalities: Cagliari, Quartu Sant'Elena, Quartucciu, Selargius 1,622 hectares

The freshwater areas: - Bellarosa Minore- Perdalonga Salty water areas:-Bellarosa Maggiore or Molentargius- Stagno di Quartu • Flat area with mainly dry features:-Is Arenas• Sandy complex of dunes (now strongly urbanized):- Poetto

Map

3.Problems & discussion

• 3.1.Urbanisation

• 3.2.Nature & Environment protection

• 3.3.Salt Production

• 3.4.Monitoring

• 3.5.Floods

• 3.6.Issues of Hydrologycal Modelling

3.1.Urbanisation

• Evolution 1950’s vs. 2008– Changes of land use, planning (agriculture,

industry)

• Border pressures

• Illegal residences– Pollution– Waste water

• Roads & Traffic: contamination

Land use:

Urban areas – 32%

Agriculture – 48%

Natural areas – 10%

Wetland – 5%

Waterbodies – 5%

Roads

3.2.Nature & environment protection

• Very artificial and human managed reservoir but…• The biggest and best preserved wetland on the south coast of

the island.• 21 % of the vegetal biodiversity in Sardinia.• One of the most important Italian nesting colony of flamingos

and other birds. • Hemorrhois hippocrepis, Horse shoe snake endangered.

Ecologic conflicts

• Noise because some urban areas, roads and beaches are around the park.

• Sediment balance that feeds the nearest beach is broken due to infrastructures.

• Eutrophication and nitrate pollution because of the crop surrounding area.

• Dogs attack nesting birds

• Some people fish and hunt in the area.

Importance of preservation• Many of the wetlands in the world are totally

artificial or controlled by human. • Doñana (SW Spain) marsh are regulated by dams.• Also big ungulates living there are regularly hunted

to control the number of individuals. • Marsh and mangroves around the world produce a

big amount of nutrients than maintain an important food chain.

– So transformed landscapes and reservoir

can have a very important roll in biodiversity

conservation.

3.3.Salt production - History

• Old tradition• 1898 state control• After II. World War

machines were introduced

• 1985 production finished, because of pollution.

Salt production area

Salt production - Problems

Channels and pumping plants in bad condition.

Water circulating system can not work.

Dikes broken.Fresh and salty water

get mixed.

Uncorrect supply of water.

Salt production – curicual issue

New development plan (restart salt production, rebuild dikes and the channels, thermal spa and cultural education centre.)

- estimated cost about 52 million Euros

Pros and cons:- probably economically not suitable- not adequate in protected areas+for the managing authorities a good idea+important habitat for birds+creates jobs

3.4.Monitoring

• The need to evaluate the system

• Water concentrated (quality/quantity)

• Flora & fauna studies sufficient

• Air monitoring / sound pollution

• Soil sampling needed

Data reliability example:

• Native park – 1400ha• Natura Bird Area – 1383ha• Natura Habitat Area – 1279ha• Land Use Cover – 1612ha• Ramsar Site – 1401ha

• In Molentargius PPT – 1466/1470ha• 1622 ha in an article

3.5.Flooding

Learning form past & Future safety

Once upon a time…About 80 000 years ago

People

Expanding the salt production

Pumping station for seawater

Evil twinbrother…

…Wastewater Treatment Plant

Ecosistema Filtro…is developed to help the people

E=?P=430 mm/year

Q1=?Q2=?

Q3=?

MINOREF=120ha

Vwater=?Vsed=?R=?Qin=?Qout=?Css=?

FILTERVegetation

F=?Vwater=?Vsed=?R=?Qin=?Qout=?Css=?

V – Volume

R – Retention time

Q – Runoff

C – Concentration

F - Area

OUT

Q=?Css=?BOD=?N=?P=?

WWTPQout=0,3-0,4m3/s

Css=?BOD=?N=?P=?

MAGGIOREVwater=?

Vsed=?

R=?

Qin=?

Qout=?

Css=?

?

Proposals• Improving co-operation between the different levels of

governance, streamlining the decision processes.• Integration of the Waste Water Treatment Plant with the

management of the Park, they need access to the data.• Improving and evidencing of the Park borders (with habitat and

landscape compatible barriers), restauration of old separation dikes – maintenance.

• Eventual salt production only for didactic purpose and/or in amount and periods not impacting the migratory fauna.

• Improving monitoring system with air (from the city) and soil pullution (Is Arenas).

• Improving environmental awareness on the local community (already started).

• Setting clear priorities seems necessary in order to improve efficiency of conservation.

Conclusions

• Preservation of the biggest wetland in Sardinia needed

• Many different problems related to the lack of the earlier planning

• There seems to be problems arising from the different views and expectations, or distorted perceptions of the area, by the various stakeholders

• The question of future planning between the urbanized and the protected area

Thank you for your attention!

P.S. The only solution is Revolution!