AITA – Avifauna and Impacts of Tourism and Climbing.
Staff
04/12/2025
Project sheet
TheAITA (Avifauna and Impacts of Tourism and Climbing) project stems from a desire to turn a territorial conflict into an opportunity for dialogue and awareness by guiding stakeholders who live in and use the area toward greater sensitivity and understanding of its value in order to achieve shared and responsible management. At the heart of the initiative is the protection of biodiversity-a concrete commitment that takes shape through monitoring activities, research and direct community involvement. The focus is on the most vulnerable species and the most fragile habitats, deploying innovative conservation strategies for fauna and flora. In addition, the project aims to create a bridge between institutions, associations and local realities, fostering a collaboration that recognizes and enhances the complexity of the territory, with an innovative method of interaction with local communities.
Keywords
Enhancement
Project name
AITA – Avifauna and Impacts of Tourism and Climbing.Duration
19 months
Location
Liguria
Responsible organisation
NBFC
Partners
ARPAL – Regional Agency for the Protection of the Ligurian Environment.
Goals
The project has three complementary objectives, aimed at improving knowledge and protection of the area while promoting more conscious land management:
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The first objective is the characterization of the rock fauna, with a focus on chiropterauna and avifauna. Monitoring will be conducted using traditional methods and innovative bioacoustic techniques, which will be useful in collecting more precise data on the species that frequent the cliffs.
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The second objective concerns the protection of the habitat SAC 8210, which consists of limestone walls with chasmophytic vegetation. Assessment of its conservation status will be carried out through the use of drones, which will allow observation of even the most difficult-to-reach areas.
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The third objective addresses theimpact of outdoor activities and the associated land conflict. It aims to raise awareness among stakeholders-hikers, climbers, and local entities-by promoting responsible behavior and constructive dialogue.
Overall, the initiative integrates research, technology and social involvement to ensure ecosystem conservation and more balanced enjoyment of the area.
Stakeholders involved
The stakeholders involved represent the different souls of the area:
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Tourism operators, who experience the enhancement of the area on a daily basis
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Climbing associations, directly interested in the enjoyment of rock faces
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Castel Bianco municipal administration, responsible for local management
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Environmental associations, committed to the protection of habitats and biodiversity
Together, these actors form the essential network to ensure constructive dialogue and shared management of the area.
Main expected results
The main results expected from the project concern both scientific knowledge of the area and the definition of tools useful for its future management. Comprehensive data will be collected on bird and bat populations, which are essential for outlining targeted protection measures. This will be complemented by a report on the validity of the methodologies adopted, with a comparison between innovative techniques and traditional monitoring, useful for assessing which tools are most effective in the specific context.
The project will also produce a report on the applicability of the methods used, designed as a basis for building ongoing monitoring over time. Finally, one of the most relevant outcomes will be a contribution to the resolution of land conflict, through a zoning proposal that clearly distinguishes usable areas from those that should be kept banned, thus ensuring a balance between conservation and outdoor activities.
Dissemination results
With regard to the dissemination and repeatability of results, Objectives 1 and 2 offer strong potential: bioacoustic techniques and the use of drones for monitoring can in fact be easily replicated both over time and in other territorial contexts. This approach makes it possible not only to continue the activities on an ongoing basis, but also to transfer the method to other areas with similar characteristics, fostering more effective and innovative management of rock habitats.
