Special Protection Areas Research Articles

Decline in the Numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area

Decline in the Numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area

Semi-structured citizen science data reveal mixed effectiveness of EU Special Protection Areas (SPA) in Germany

Protected areas aim to conserve and restore populations of target species and their habitats, but it is challenging to quantify their effectiveness. Assessments of protected area effectiveness require long-term monitoring data, which are rarely available for all target species. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of semi-structured citizen science data to derive population trends of target species, and use these to assess the effectiveness of EU Special Protection Areas (SPA). We derived occupancy trends for 42 target species across the SPA network of Germany over a 11-year period. We found that 62 % of the target species were more likely to occur in SPA than outside, especially when these sites also comprised parts of other types of protected areas. 17 % of the species showed more positive occupancy trends (including slower declines) in SPA, whereas 21 % showed more negative trends than outside. We conclude that the German SPA network represents target species well approximately two decades after the designation of most SPA, but is currently only effective for a minority of studied target species.Our results contribute to mounting evidence of mixed effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network to maintain populations of target species in Europe. We therefore call for greater conservation efforts, especially for declining species. Our results can help to define priority species and initiate or optimize species-specific management. Thus, semi-structured data have the potential to inform national impact assessments when data from structured monitoring programs are lacking.

Using satellite tracking to assess the use of protected areas and alternative roosts by Whooper and Bewick's Swans

Protected areas are one of the major tools used in the conservation of biodiversity, but animals are unlikely always to remain within these human‐made boundaries. Understanding when and why species choose to leave protected areas can help us to improve the effectiveness of these management tools. Here, we investigate the use of protected and non‐protected areas by two migratory species undergoing rapid wintering population changes in northwest Europe: Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus and Bewick's Swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii. Global positioning system tags were fitted to 15 Whooper Swans in winter 2008/09 and to 18 Bewick's Swans from winter 2013/14 to 2014/15 at the Ouse Washes Special Protection Area (an internationally important roost for wintering waterbirds) and on adjacent fields in southeast England. Here, swans feed on farmland during the day but return to designated reserves to roost at night, where they receive protection from predators and disturbance within managed roost habitats. When swans roost elsewhere at alternative sites, they may face more adverse conditions, and so understanding the extent and causes of the use of alternative roosts is important for swan conservation efforts. The alternative roosting proportion, defined as the proportion of nights spent outside protected reserves, was 0.237 for Bewick's Swans and challenging to quantify accurately for Whooper Swans. A generalized additive mixed model to model repeated measurements on individuals showed that the proportion of time that Bewick's Swans spent at alternative roosts correlated positively with river level and negatively with temperature. Competition and foraging flight distances are thought to drive these relationships, as swans seek access both to roost space and to nearby feeding habitats. Our findings improve our understanding of the environmental conditions under which migratory waterbirds may choose to roost outside protected areas.

Heavy Metal Uptake and Hyperaccumulation in Some Wild Plant Species Köyceğiz Special Environmental Protection Area Located Around Old Chrome Mineral Deposits

In this study, the possible presence of heavy metals in the soil and wild plant species around the old Cr deposits of Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area (Sandras Mountain) was investigated. Possible anthropogenic risk factors to which wild plant biodiversity is exposed are also the subject of this research. Fe, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of soil, shoot and root samples of five wild plant species growing naturally in the region in question were investigated. These five species are: Alyssum masmenaeum (AM), Cytisopsis pseudocytisus (CP), Centaurea ensiformis (CE), Fumana aciphylla (FA), Phlomis angustissima (PA). The data obtained showed that heavy metals other than Ni, Cr and Co were found within normal limits in the soil samples. Particularly, soil Ni content is extremely high. Heavy metals except Ni, Cr and Fe were found within normal limits in shoot and root samples. One species (AM) for Ni and three species (FA, PA and CE) for Fe showed distinct hyperaccumulator properties. Ni hyperaccumulation detected in the Alyssum masmenaeum species is a particularly striking but well-known phenomenon. Since the research area has special environmental protection status, the soil structure and endemism of the region must be absolutely protected.

Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals in native lichen Xanthoria parietina around Salda Lake (Burdur – Turkey), a special environmental protection area

Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals in native lichen Xanthoria parietina around Salda Lake (Burdur – Turkey), a special environmental protection area

Microplastic contamination of intertidal sediment and cockles (Cerastoderma edule)

Microplastic pollution represents a new threat to both marine environments and the species that reside within them. This study examined the temporal concentrations of microplastics found in the commercially and ecologically important bivalve, Cerasastoderma edule and the presence of microplastics in intertidal sediment from the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protected Area (SPA) of Dundalk Bay, Ireland. A microplastic range of 1.55 ± 1.38 to 1.92 ± 1.00 g−1 and 3.43 ± 2.47 to 6.90 ± 3.68 ind−1 was reported between seasons. Microfibres dominated the shape of microplastics present in both sediment and cockles. While a wider range of polymers were identified in cockles than in sediment, microplastic concentrations recovered from both intertidal sites studied were approximately double the estimated safe loading levels for this pollutant. The potential of cockles to perform as shallow environment biomonitors of microplastic pollution was identified as they presented buoyant microplastics that were not identified in sediment samples.

Особенности организации экологического туризма в регионе

and Sports of the National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, PhD in Pedagogy, Associate Professor This article considers the peculiarities of ecological tourism development in the region on the example of Nizhny Novgorod region. The relevance of this publication lies in the assessment of tourist and recreational resources and the study of the potential of the created and formed special protected natural areas of the region. The paper presents the results of the experiment on activation of ecological and cognitive activity of students aimed at the expansion of ecological tourism. The authors believe that the most active part of ecotourism is the youth. Therefore, close attention is paid to this group. Tourism development programmes are given, according to which an eclectic development of ecotourism in Nizhny Novgorod region is proposed. To improve ecotourism it is proposed to use favourable factors of ecotourism of special protected natural areas and activation of cognitive and conscious attitude to nature. This is what the activities of government agencies should be aimed at.

The study of mineral distribution using hyperspectral Hyperion data along the shores of Lake Salda/Türkiye

Lake Salda is considered the most similar region on Earth to search for evidence of life on Mars, and its shoreline is home to microbialites containing some of the oldest known fossilized records of life on our planet. Understanding the historical process of Mars is also crucial for predicting the future of our planet, given its transition from a watery world to an arid one. In mineralogical studies to be carried out in sensitive areas such as private protected areas, it is a priority not to damage the area, and mineralogical research using remote sensing methods is frequently used in such studies. In this study, the mineralogical characteristics of the geological formations in and around Kocaadalar Burnu peninsula, located in the southwest of Lake Salda, were examined using remote sensing techniques. Mineral studies of Lake Salda were conducted using data from the Hyperion data of the Earth Observation-1 (EO-1) satellite, which can detect in 220 bands between 357 and 2576 nm wavelengths which is capable of hyperspectral sensing. The EO-1 satellite, the first spacecraft of NASA’s New Millennium Programme, which operated successfully from its launch in 2000 until the end of its mission in 2017, carried the multispectral Advanced Land Imager and LEISA Atmospheric Corrector sensors, in addition to the Hyperion hyperspectral sensor. The Hyperspectral Material Identification tool in the Tactical Hyperspectral Operations Resource module of the ENVI software, the United States Geological Survey spectral library, and the Adaptive Coherence Estimator algorithm were used in the study. According to the results of this study conducted on the shores of Lake Salda, in addition to the hydromagnesite mineral, the existence of which was previously detected by various researchers, trona, vermiculite, rivadavite and borate minerals such as ulexite, tincalconite and colemanite were also detected. The results of this study have shown that remote sensing methods can make significant contributions to research in special protected areas such as Lake Salda. It is thought that the presence of trona and boron minerals in the region will contribute positively to the understanding of the historical process of Salda Lake.

Are increasing roosting waterbird numbers responsible for eutrophication of shallow lakes? Examples from a Danish Ramsar site

AbstractThe Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires actions from European Union Member States to reduce external nutrient loading in lakes of moderate/poor/bad ecological status and restore their good ecological status. Several poor-quality Danish lakes have been exempted from WFD criteria (and more proposed), due to suspected major imported nutrient contributions from waterbirds, without supporting evidence. Here, we estimated relative nutrient contributions from increasing numbers of roosting waterbirds compared to total nutrient loadings in four brackish lakes (43–491 ha) at an internationally important Ramsar site/EU Birds Directive Special Protection Area. Combining night- and daytime counts of roosting numbers of the most numerous species with intake and faecal output models, we estimated roosting birds (mostly geese) contributed 0.2–0.4% of all N inputs (0.3–1.2 kg N/ha/year) and 0.6–2.0% of all P inputs (0.04–0.12 kg P/ha/year) in three lakes (one of which has been proposed exempted from WFD criteria), but potentially as high as 14% and 76%, respectively, at a fourth clearwater lake without direct inflow or outlets. These results confirm the need for case-by-case assessments of avian nutrient import relative to total nutrient balance before exempting lakes from WFD conditions due to supposed natural loading from waterbirds.

Species- or habitat- based assessments of vulnerability to climate change? Informing climate change adaptation in Special Protection Areas for birds in England

It is increasingly important to understand the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems to support the development of effective adaptation strategies. The impact of climate change will vary for different species and habitats, with some at greater risk than others in any given location. Assessments of climate vulnerability are frequently the starting point for adaptation planning but there are a variety of different approaches and it is not clear which is best in different circumstances.Protected areas are core to nature conservation and are the focus of this study. We compare two commonly used approaches, one focused on species, the other on the vegetation which forms the habitats these species utilise, to assess the vulnerability to climate change of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds in England. Our aim was to test whether the two approaches identify the same locations as being of high vulnerability and to inform the prioritisation of adaptation actions.The vulnerability of bird communities varied significantly between protected areas with differing predominant habitat types but there was no simple relationship between vulnerability of habitats and species. Bird communities in upland habitats were most vulnerable, with lower vulnerability found in other habitats and many species potentially able to benefit from climate change. In contrast the habitat vulnerability assessment showed that the upland habitats had relatively low vulnerability, but others, particularly coastal sites were more vulnerable.It is therefore important to develop adaptation strategies based on an understanding of the vulnerability of both the species and their habitats, with different prioritisations in different contexts.SPAs were grouped according to the vulnerability of bird species which they were intended to protect and the broad habitat type. Six broad habitat types were identified; freshwater/wetland, coastal, grassland, heathland, woodland and upland.These groupings were used to help determine which sites are at greatest risk and the type of action that may be required, particularly whether intervention should focus on adaptation for the habitats, the species or both.

Potential effects of avian predators on the behaviour of the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax during the display season in a cereal pseudo-steppe

The Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax is an endangered steppe bird whose last remaining breeding populations in Catalonia (NW Spain) are located in the Lleida plains. Although the decline in this population is mainly associated with habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural intensification and urban encroachment, the proliferation of predators, some favoured by hu- mans, may also be having negative effects on this population, either through direct predation or indirect effects on behaviour and survival. Here, we describe the type of behavioural response exhibited by Little Bustards during the display season when they encounter a potential avian predator and discuss the possible indirect effects of these interactions. During counts carried out in the springs of 2010–2022 in three Special Protection Areas in the Lleida plains, 88 encounters between Little Bustards and eight species of avian predators were recorded. Among them, the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus and the Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis were the most frequent species involved in these encounters, although only the Yellow-legged Gull conducted deliberate attacks in a consistent way. Irrespective of the predator or its attitude, most encounters resulted in the Little Bustard being flushed. The number of encounters were higher at the beginning of the mating season, which may prevent Little Bustards from settling in otherwise suitable areas of habitat. The flushing of the bustards may increase the risk of collision with power lines and reduce mating success. Since the number of encounters between Yellow-legged Gulls and Little Bustards seems to have increased in recent years in the study area, we believe that there is a need to conduct further studies to understand how these interactions affect the population dynamics and conservation of this endangered species.

Remote Sensing Evaluation Drone Herbicide Application Effectiveness for Controlling Echinochloa spp. in Rice Crop in Valencia (Spain).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple cereal in the diet of more than half of the world's population. Within the European Union, Spain is a leader in rice production due to its climate and tradition, accounting for 26% of total EU production in 2020. The Valencian rice area covers around 15,000 hectares and is strongly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. An important biotic factor affecting rice production is weeds, which compete with rice for sunlight, water and nutrients. The dominant weed in Spain is Echinochloa spp., although wild rice is becoming increasingly important. Rice cultivation in Valencia takes place in the area of L'Albufera de Valencia, which is a natural park, i.e., a special protection area. In this natural area, the use of phytosanitary products is limited, so it is necessary to use the minimum amount possible. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the possibility of using remote sensing effectively to determine the effectiveness of the application of the herbicide cyhalofop-butyl by drone for the control of Echinochloa spp. in rice crops in Valencia. The results will be compared with those obtained by using sterilisation machines (electric backpack sprayers) to apply the herbicide. To evaluate the effectiveness of the application, the reflectance obtained by the satellite sensors in the red and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, as well as the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), were used. The remote sensing results were analysed and complemented by the number of rice plants and weeds per area, plant dry weight, leaf area, BBCH phenological state, SPAD index values, chlorophyll content and relative growth rate. Remote sensing is validated as an effective tool for determining the efficacy of an herbicide in controlling weeds applied by both the drone and the electric backpack sprayer. The weeds slowed down their development after the treatment. Depending on the phenological state of the crop and the active ingredient of the herbicide, these results are applicable to other areas with different climatic and environmental conditions.

Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal.

With the increasing recognition of the significance of arachnid conservation, it is crucial to allocate greater efforts towards implementing targeted monitoring programmes. Despite recent studies, our understanding of arachnid populations in Portugal remains limited. This study serves as the initial inventory of arachnids (Araneae and Opiliones) within the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (SPA) located in Beja, southern Portugal. The surveys were conducted during the spring of 2012 across 80 open grasslands that were grazed by cattle and sheep. A total of 71 species of Araneae and two species of Opiliones have been identified. Notably, three spider species, namely Argennasubnigra, Civizelotesibericus and Walckenaeriacucullata, are documented for the first time in Portugal. Additionally, two harvestmen species (Dasylobusibericus and Homalenotusbuchneri) and 14 spider species (Cheiracanthiumpennatum, Haplodrassusrhodanicus, Marinarozelotesminutus, Tapinocybaalgirica, Agraecinalineata, Tibellusmacellus, Talaverapetrensis, Tetragnathaintermedia, Dipoenaumbratilis, Enoplognathadiversa, Neottiurauncinata, Ruborridionmusivum, Theridionpinastri and Xysticusgrallator) are recorded for the first time in the Beja District. The occurrence of each documented species within the SPA, including family and species details, is presented, underscoring the significance of the Castro Verde SPA for arachnid conservation. These findings contribute novel insights into the biodiversity of the Castro Verde SPA, emphasising the necessity of incorporating this area into arachnid diversity conservation efforts.

Plant Diversity in Archaeological Sites and Its Bioindication Values for Nature Conservation: Assessments in the UNESCO Site Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia (Italy)

In archaeological sites, plants can be a risk for monument conservation. However, in these sites, a refugium for plant biodiversity is often detected, such as in the UNESCO site Etruscan necropolis of “Monterozzi” in Tarquinia, which still holds a Special Protection Area for bats. In this site, we previously evaluated the positive and negative effects of vascular plants on the conservation of the hypogeal tombs. To contribute in assessing the role of archaeological sites in supporting plant diversity and interpreting its bioindication values for nature conservation, we analyse in this relevant place the floristic interest and richness and the plant communities growing on tumuli, trampled, and less disturbed areas. The results revealed the presence of several plants with high naturalistic interest, such as the community’s representative of synanthropic and natural Mediterranean grasslands, which arise both from the present and the past uses of the area. The high naturalistic values of the site are also assessed, considering its remarkable richness of species/area compared with the well-known archaeological sites of Rome. These findings further indicate that plant diversity needs to be considered in planning management activities in archaeological sites to also protect their natural values.

Using long‐term data series to design adequate protected areas that ensure the conservation of inconspicuous small petrel species

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely used tools for conservation and management. Their correct delimitation is challenging, especially when the target species are small, elusive and inconspicuous, as little data are generally available to adequately assess their distribution at sea. Therefore, currently designated MPAs may not effectively cover key areas for small seabirds, particularly during migration and wintering seasons. We used ensemble species distribution models (ESDMs) on a 15‐year time‐series data set of at‐sea census along the Atlantic Iberian arc to predict the potential distribution of the smallest European seabird, the European storm‐petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus), and compare it with official marine special protection areas (SPAs). Occurrence of European storm‐petrel was related to shifts in sea surface temperature, and to small distances from the coast over the continental shelf. Most relevant area for the species in the Atlantic Iberian arc was west‐central Portugal to north‐western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, with an additional key area in the Gulf of Cádiz. Both zones host significant SPAs, but they inadequately cover key areas for European storm‐petrels. Our findings support extending marine SPAs in the Atlantic Iberian arc to ensure their effective protection. The distribution of the species expands over the years, varying in both size and location. These changes might be attributed to dynamic oceanographic variables, such as sea surface temperature and biomass of micronekton, which seem to play a significant role in their foraging behaviour. Synthesis and applications. Our study highlights the importance of analysing long time series and ESDMs to design adequate protected areas, which ensure the conservation of small and highly mobile species such as storm petrels. Our results should be considered by decision‐makers to prioritise and update marine protected areas, while incorporating the dynamic nature of the ocean within an ecosystem‐based approach.

Further evidence of the occurrence of the Atlantic blue crab <i>Callinectes sapidus</i> (Rathbun 1896) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae) along the central Tyrrhenian coast

We report evidence of the occurrence of the alien invasive crab Callinectes sapidus along the coast of Latium (central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Original data refer to five adult females found in July 2022 in the Special Protection Area of “Torre Flavia” (Municipalities of Ladispoli and Cerveteri; IT6030020). Indirect evidence was obtained by web sources and personal communications by tourists and fishermen from the same site (including a juvenile reported on February 2023) and from neighbouring localities: Passoscuro (Municipality of Fiumicino), Santa Marinella, and Tarquinia. The Atlantic blue crab appears sparsely distributed along the coast of Latium, although its presence, even if still occasional, might prelude to a concerning scenario in relation to its high invasiveness. The Atlantic blue crab is known to have a severe impact on the invaded habitats, including the transmission of pathogens and parasites. Therefore, further monitoring aimed at collecting data about the distribution and population structure of this species are urgently required in order to develop strategies for the effective control of this non-native crustacean and the mitigation of its impact.

Using a visual deterrent to reduce seabird interactions with gillnets

Bycatch is one of the main threats to seabird conservation. In Portugal, there are alarming estimates of seabirds bycaught per year in bottom gillnet fisheries, which get entangled during fishing operations, when the gear is close to the surface. In this study, a visual deterrent (scarybird) was tested in a fishing vessel operating bottom gillnets near and within Berlengas Islands SPA (Special Protection Area). Trials were conducted between 2019 and 2020, with 18 control and experimental fishing trips monitored by a trained observer. The scarybird proved to be an effective bird deterrent measure, affecting both the numbers and distribution of seabirds and keeping a large portion of birds away from the vessel during fishing operations, making them potentially less vulnerable to bycatch. The deterrent device was more effective in the closest area to the vessel (0–20 m) where there was a significant reduction in the number of gulls (Larus michahellis/fuscus, −56 %) and northern gannets (Morus bassanus, −72 %) close to the vessel, by comparison to control fishing trips. The use of this aerial deterrent device had no impact on the fishery's target catches and revenue, which contributed to a good acceptance by fishermen. This simple and “easy to implement” deterrent device has potential to be further tested as a bycatch mitigation measure in bottom gillnets but also in other gears, whenever interactions with birds occur mainly close to the surface.

Range Contraction and Population Decline of the European Dupont’s Lark Population

The Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is an endangered passerine typical of Mediterranean shrub-steppes, whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. Here, we update the population size and distribution range of the species at a European scale and evaluate (i) the current status; (ii) the change in population size and distribution range of the species from 2004 to 2009 to the current period (2017–2022); and (iii) the effectiveness of the current network of special protection areas (SPAs) for protecting the Dupont’s lark. The European Dupont’s lark population showed a decrease of 29.9%, declining from ca. 3267 to 2289 territorial males from 2004 to 2009 to the current period. Moreover, the species has suffered a contraction in its distribution range of 35.9%, with only 39.3% of the species’ territories located within the current network of SPAs. Our findings agree with the previously described decline of the Dupont’s lark in Europe. The population decline was even larger in peripheral regions, which suggests that the species is suffering a centripetal process of contraction and extinction. These results indicate that if there is no change in present-day declining forces, several peripheral populations will reach extinction in a few decades and the overall population size of the species will continue decreasing. Our study should be considered as a last call for action and used for implementing urgent conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat. Future studies should focus on analyzing and managing the factors driving the species’ extinction and future actions for the conservation of the species should focus on increasing the percentage of the Dupont’s lark territories within protected areas, since the data are alarmingly low for a species that is facing clear risk of extinction.

A nationwide collapse of a priority grassland bird related to livestock conversion and intensification

Grassland birds are among the most threatened and fastest declining terrestrial vertebrate species in Europe, principally due to agricultural intensification and transformation. The little bustard is a priority grassland bird under the European Directive (2009/147/CE) that led to the classification of a network of Special Protected Areas (SPAs) in Portugal. A third national survey carried out in 2022 reveals a worsening of an ongoing population collapse at a national scale. The population declined by 77% and 56% compared to the previous surveys in 2006 and 2016, respectively. We found that the little bustard has greatly disappeared outside SPAs, while the remaining breeding population concentrated within the protected area network is showing a steep decline at a rate of 9% a year. This decline is now twice as fast when compared to the period 2006–2016. Analysis of the variation of the breeding densities between 2006 and 2022 at 49 survey sites revealed that those that initially had higher bustard densities and shifted toward a higher proportion of cattle among the total stocking rate experienced steeper declines. Areas where the density of roads increased also experienced declines over the course of the study period. Agricultural areas converted to or dominated by beef production likely relate to low breeding success and mortality of nesting females in fodder crops. Still, major habitat conversion outside SPAs to permanent crops led to overall habitat destruction, which contributed to the species decline and range contraction. Other threats are likely acting synergistically such as fragmentation, climate change and anthropogenic mortality. The extinction of the little bustard in Portugal is expected in the short term if no conservation actions are put in place.

Assessment of soil quality in wetlands in Eastern Sicily

Wetlands are of great importance for biodiversity as they support a rich variety of plant and animal species, and the presence of endemic and migratory species is frequent. It is therefore necessary to protect and monitor such areas. The work conducted, reported in the present paper, aimed to verify the quality of soil in most wetlands in eastern Sicily. Specifically, four areas were studied: three Oriented Nature Reserves (RNO), the Saline di Priolo, with the adjacent Penisola di Magnisi, the Saline di Siracusa, and the Faunistic Oasis of Vendicari11The Oasis takes the overall name of Vendicari, in reality it is made up of various localities that take on different names: Vendicari, Marianelli, Cittadella, Calamosche., and one Special Protection Area (SPA), the Biviere di Lentini. The study areas were sampled in 12 different sites, in spring and in autumn, to monitor soil fauna and assess the soil biological quality through the calculation of the QBS-ar. The results represent the first data relating to the QBS-ar in Sicily and, in particular, relating to wetlands.The QBS-ar values recorded were all higher, for both seasons, than the averages reported for land use by Menta et al., 2018. The statistical analysis regarding annual QBS-ar divides the sites into two groups: Saline di Priolo1, Marianelli1, Cittadella1, Vendicari1, Biviere di Lentini2 with a QBS-ar > 200 and Biviere di Lentini1, Saline di Priolo2, Penisola di Magnisi1, Penisola di Magnisi2, Saline di Siracusa1 and Saline di Siracusa2 with QBS-ar < 200; Calamosche1 site show no significant difference between the two groups. Although the number of individuals varied considerably in the two seasons, there are no seasonal differences in the number of taxa and in the QBS-ar.The chemical-physical parameters that influenced the fauna composition and the QBS-ar were mostly those related to the soil texture; some groups were positively correlated with the percentage of silt, while others were negatively correlated with the percentage of sand. The QBS-ar show the same correlations with silt and sand. Proximity or non-proximity to water did not determine variations in the fauna composition and in the QBS-ar values. Soil salinity appeared to be a factor influencing the fauna composition, but further studies are needed to confirm such relief.