Lake Massaciuccoli (2756)
Italy, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Lago di Massaciuccoli
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.8500, Longitude: 10.3333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 37.97309
Protected area coverage (%): 60.98
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow lake, close to the town of Viareggio, 4 km from the Tyrrhenian coast. The lake is surrounded by a belt of reeds Phragmites of variable width and there is a large freshwater marshland (Padule) adjacent to the lake on the north side, consisting of stands of sedge Cladium with scattered pools and canals. The surrounding areas are intensively cultivated. Main land-uses are agriculture, nature conservation and tourism.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: An important breeding site for reedbed species, notably Botaurus stellaris (the main breeding site in Italy), and a key staging site for the globally threatened Numenius tenuirostris. Formerly much more important for wintering waterbirds, especially Fulica atra (tens of thousands); decline due especially to hunting and a reduction in the extent of submerged vegetation. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (max. 4 birds in winter).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (40%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 48 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Forest | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is the intensification of agriculture in the surrounding area, which is leading to water pollution, lowering of the water-table, and shrinkage of wetlands. Some or all of the site is covered by a management plan. There is a LIPU reserve on the east side of the lake.