Project identity

BACKGROUND

The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a diurnal raptor that is a priority for conservation in Europe, where its breeding population stronghold is located in the Mediterranean region. The species suffered of a marked population decline in the second half of the twentieth century. According to niche modelling exercises, ongoing climate change is expected to result in range contraction in the Southern breeding range and expansion towards the north-east in the near future. The Central-Eastern Mediterranean region will thus play a crucial role for any future northward expansion, which will likely be triggered by those populations located at the North-Eastern distribution range margins. However, the persistence of these small and isolated populations is currently negatively affected by both intrinsic (e.g. small population size) and extrinsic (e.g. destruction of nest sites) threats.

PROJECT REFERENCE	LIFE17 NAT/IT/000586
DURATION	01/07/2018 – 31/12/2023
TOTAL BUDGET	1,652,269.00 €
EU CONTRIBUTION	1,103,064.00 €
PROJECT LOCATION	Alsace (France), Eastern Macedonia & Thrace (Greece), Epirus (Greece), Northern Aegean (Greece), Lombardia (Italy) Emilia-Romagna (Italy), Lazio (Italy)

BENEFICIARIES

Coordinator	CNR-IRSA National Research Council – Water Research Institute
Partners	Hellenic Ornithological Society, Greece Association des Agences de la Démocratie Locale, France Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale – ISPRA (sede periferica ex-INFS), Italy

 

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

• Nature protection and Biodiversity
• Directive 79/409 – Conservation of wild birds (02.04.1979)

 

TARGET SPECIES

Falco naumanni