TRETAMARA

In the northern Adriatic, there are marine and littoral habitats that favour and support animal and plant biodiversity, such as the biogenic-geogenic outcrops in the FVG and Veneto regions, the dead corallites of Cladocora caespitosa on the Slovenian side, and the numerous coastal SPAs. Based on the results of previous projects, it was possible to assess the ecological status of geo-biogenic formations recognised as Sites of Community Interest due to the presence of priority habitats such as coral, rhodolith and marl beds. In Slovenia, the Cladocora caespitosa formations are located on the borders of the marine protected areas Punta Grossa Natural Monument and Strunjan Natural Park. The main objective of TRETAMARA was to prepare a transnational analysis document for the management plans of marine and coastal protected areas in the upper Adriatic. This document aims to provide the technical-scientific support for the elaboration of common guidelines at transnational level for an integrated management plan for marine habitats of high ecological value, in perfect synergy with the overall objective of the programme, which is to promote transboundary sustainability and governance. An equally important objective was to promote social awareness of the high ecological value of treces, tegnue, detrital environments and cladocora formations in order to raise awareness among a wide range of potential users of these habitats, such as economic stakeholders, bodies/administrations responsible for their management/monitoring, research institutes, local associations, etc. Currently, the project has been completed and all the objectives set in the planning phase have been achieved. The most important result was the preparation of a study based on the transnational analysis of the management plans of marine and coastal protected areas in the Northern Adriatic. All pilot actions were completed in relation to the calcareous algae Pinna nobilis and Cladocora caespitosa (sampling, geophysical surveys, structure-from-motion surveys). The collected data were analysed and used in the different dissemination activities. The consolidated partnership under the project brings together different but complementary competences in the field of marine research and management and ensures relationships with professionals from both countries. The participation of numerous associated partners spread throughout the territory ensured the involvement of decision makers and ensured the transferability of the project results and their application in concrete actions.

WP3.1 - Elaboration of transnational common guidelines for an integrated management plan for marine and littoral habitats of high ecological value.
The area of 2500 ha of habitat co-funded to achieve a better conservation status was affected by the harmonisation of existing management plans at the level of the Northern Adriatic through the drafting of a transnational analysis document of the management plans of the marine and littoral protected areas of the Northern Adriatic.
WP 3.1 - Pilot biodiversity actions that can be effectively replicated and that will improve transboundary cooperation also in terms of conservation of species and habitats that are still poorly known.
SSS, MB, photogrammetric geophysical methods have been used for monitoring and mapping P. nobilis and seagrass beds. User-friendly techniques were perfected to mitigate the effects of climate change on a species of great importance to the Adriatic Sea, such as the cushion madrepore (Cladocora caespitosa). Special attention was paid to enhancing the biogeological uniqueness of the Adriatic Coral Sea by studying methanogenic lithification processes and colonisation of bioconstructors, including experimental activities for transplantation of calcareous algae. Work was carried out on the restoration of seagrass beds with Cymodocea nodosa and Pinna nobilis, and a project was developed for the creation of the Tegnùe di Chioggia marine geoplan.

Promotion of social awareness of the ecological value of Trezze, Tegnùe, detrital environments and Cladocora formations.
During the implementation of the TRETAMARA project, participatory processes were activated, ranging from the communication dimension (creation and dissemination of information) to the vision dimension (building a shared vision and long-term planning) and the decision-making dimension (participation in concrete decisions, in the operational implementation and in the management of the follow-up processes). New immersive and 3D visitation systems have been developed using underwater videoconferencing.

The Project started on 03/02/2020 and concluded on 31/07/2022