Start Date
End Date
Project Summary
LIFE RI.CO.PRI. focused on the recovery and conservation of over 450 hectares of dry grasslands through the removal of shrubs, eradication of alien and nitrophilous species, restoration of springs and naturalistic engineering interventions against erosion. Participatory grazing plans were developed, sheep were purchased and grazing management facilities were improved. Activities included ex-ante and ex-post monitoring of habitats and lepidopteran populations, the creation of permanent plots and the collection of seeds for ex-situ conservation. Environmental education activities were carried out, information panels were installed and conferences were organised, in addition to estimating the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by the habitats.
Themes
Biogeoghraphic Region
Objective
The main objective of LIFE Ricopri was to restore and improve the conservation status of priority dry grassland habitats in southern and central Italy by reversing shrub encroachment, combating invasive and nitrophilous species, restoring ecological processes, and reintroducing sustainable grazing systems. The project sought to demonstrate that integrated restoration combined with participatory livestock management could enhance biodiversity, preserve ecosystem services, and secure the long-term viability of traditional pastoral landscapes.
Good Practice Description
LIFE Ricopri implemented an integrated ecological restoration model combining habitat recovery, grazing management, biodiversity monitoring, and socio-economic assessment. Restoration measures included large-scale removal of encroaching shrubs, eradication of alien and nitrophilous plant species, and naturalistic engineering interventions to stabilise eroded areas. Springs were restored to improve hydrological conditions and habitat quality.
To ensure long-term sustainability, participatory grazing plans were developed with local stakeholders. Sheep were purchased to reintroduce or strengthen extensive grazing regimes, and grazing infrastructure was improved to support effective management. This restored herbivory as a key ecological process maintaining open grassland structure.
Scientific monitoring was conducted both before and after restoration (ex-ante and ex-post) to evaluate habitat recovery and the response of indicator species, particularly lepidopteran populations. Permanent monitoring plots were established, and seed collection activities were undertaken to support ex-situ conservation and safeguard local genetic diversity.
The project also incorporated ecosystem service valuation, estimating the economic benefits provided by restored habitats. Environmental education activities, conferences, and dissemination events were organised to raise awareness, while information panels were installed to inform visitors and local communities. Through this integrated approach, LIFE Ricopri demonstrated that ecological restoration, when combined with sustainable pastoralism and stakeholder engagement, can successfully recover degraded Mediterranean dry grasslands.
Tools and Equipment
Replication of LIFE Ricopri requires ecological restoration tools for shrub clearance and invasive species removal, equipment for erosion control and naturalistic engineering works, and materials for spring restoration. Grazing management implementation requires livestock acquisition, fencing systems, watering infrastructure, and basic pastoral facilities. Monitoring activities depend on vegetation survey kits, butterfly sampling tools, permanent plot markers, GPS devices, and data recording systems, as well as seed collection and storage materials for ex-situ conservation. Communication and awareness actions require educational materials And organisational resources for conferences and outreach activities.
Personnel
Successful implementation requires a multidisciplinary team including ecologists and botanists specialised in grassland restoration, entomologists for lepidopteran monitoring, hydrologists or environmental engineers for spring and erosion interventions, and grazing management experts. Livestock farmers and shepherds play a central role in implementing participatory grazing plans and maintaining restored habitats. Environmental educators and communication specialists are needed for outreach and dissemination, while economists or environmental analysts contribute to ecosystem service valuation.
Problems and Threats Faced
The dry grasslands targeted by the project were experiencing severe degradation due to land abandonment, shrub encroachment, invasive alien and nitrophilous species expansion, and the decline of traditional grazing practices. Reduced grazing pressure had altered vegetation dynamics, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat homogenisation. Soil erosion and deterioration of natural springs further reduced ecological functionality. Additionally, insufficient awareness of the ecological and economic value of these habitats contributed to weak management frameworks and limited public support for conservation actions.