Monitoring reed vegetation in environmentally sensitive areas in Italy

Abstract

Remotely sensed and field data have been used to evaluate and monitor reed vigour in three lakes (Garda, Mantova, Trasimeno) and one brackish wetland (Goro) in Italy.Results show that reed vegetation is highly productive (high NDVI) although local factors, such as lake water level (Trasimeno), the presence of brackish waters (Goro) or the presence of eutrophic waters (Mantova) can influence reed growth and vigour. In the case of Lake Garda we evaluated the effect of winter mowing and results confirmed that management had no detrimental effect on reed vigour although its effect is often inter-related with other local factors.