A landmark initiative in Annex I habitat monitoring: the Italian national parks experience. Oral communication.

Monitoring the habitats featured in Annex I of the 92/43/EEC ‘Habitats’ Directive requires robust, standardised, and scalable methodologies to assess their conservation status, structure, functions, and pressures. In this context, the Habitat Monitoring Project through vegetation surveys within Italian National Parks, in the context of the DigitAP PNRR Project* (https://digitap.nnb.isprambiente.it/), promoted by MASE and coordinated by ISPRA, aimed to develop a national-scale system for the collection, validation, and integration of floristic and vegetation data supporting a long-term monitoring framework consistent with ISPRA guidelines. A stratified sampling design based on the mapped distribution of Annex I habitats was adopted in 24 National Parks, selecting 1,857 grid cells. During the field seasons 2024-2025, 94 habitat types were surveyed and a total of 3,695 phytosociological relevés were done. Field protocols were defined through dedicated guidelines, to ensure consistency and reproducibility. Data collection was supported by mobile GIS applications, enabling georeferenced sampling, photographic and video documentation, and recording of habitatspecific ecological parameters. A multi-level validation workflow, supported by the Italian Botanical Society, involved territorial coordinators and expert groups under central supervision. Validation included cross-checking with scientific literature, habitat manuals, cartographic sources, and photointerpretation, ensuring data accuracy and consistency. Analyses involved habitat-specific indicators (e.g. typical species, disturbance indicators, alien species), structural parameters for forest habitats, and pressures based on the Art. 17 reporting classification under the EU Habitats Directive. Landscape-level assessments were performed, too. The project produced a harmonised and validated dataset representing one of the most extensive applications of habitat monitoring at national scale. Despite constraints such as suboptimal survey timing and adverse weather conditions, the expected spatial coverage was achieved. In some cases, repeated surveys across different seasons provided additional insights concerning habitat variability and dynamics. The validation process ensured high data reliability through consistent protocols and iterative feedback between surveyors and experts. This project represents a major advancement in the consolidation of habitat monitoring procedures in Italy. The integration of rigorous sampling design, digital tools, and expert validation resulted in a robust, transparent, and replicable framework, providing a solid baseline for long-term monitoring and supporting EU biodiversity conservation and restoration policies.