ESIA Italy â Section 6 Environmental, Social and Cultural Baseline

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Ordering Unit: Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG 

Owner: 

Environmental Resources Management 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0006 

Rev: 00 

Project Title: 

Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP 

Document Title: 

ESIA Italy – Section 6 

Environmental, Social and Cultural Baseline 

Rev. Purpose of Issue Remark/Description Orig. Date 

00 Issued for Implementation BEL 2012-03-13 

CONTRACTOR 

Originator Checked Approved 

COMPANY 

Name/Signature 

Bertolè, 

Lorenzo 

Strøm, 

Øyvind 

Falkeid, 

Svein Erik Accepted on Accepted on 

Date 2012-03-13 2012-03-13 2012-03-13 2012-03-09 2012-03-09 

Org. / Dept. ERM STATOIL STATOIL 

Document Status Preliminary Checked Approved 

Accepted 

(Commercial) 

Accepted 

(Technical)




ESIA Italy – Section 6 Environmental, Social and 

Cultural Baseline 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

6 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BASELINE 4 

6.1 Introduction 4 

6.2 Marine Biological and Physical Environment Baseline 5 

6.2.1 Introduction 5 

6.2.2 Geographical Scope of the Baseline 5 

6.2.3 Methodology and Sources of Information 5 

6.2.4 Video Methodology 6 

6.2.5 Legislation 8 

6.2.6 Regional Overview 13 

6.2.7 Italian Nearshore Project Area 51 

6.3 Offshore Socio-Economic and Cultural Heritage Environment 76 

6.3.1 Harbours, Marine Traffic and Fishery 76 

6.3.2 Archaeology 94 

6.3.3 Marine Ammunition / Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) 97 

6.4 Onshore Physical Environment 98 

6.4.1 Climate and Ambient Air Quality 100 

6.4.2 Acoustic Environment 122 

6.4.3 Surface Water 136 

6.4.4 Groundwater 142 

6.4.5 Geology and Geomorphology 161 

6.4.6 Soil and Soil Quality 174 

6.4.7 Landscape and Visual Amenity 182 

6.5 Onshore Biological Environment 193 

6.5.1 Terrestrial Ecology 193 

6.5.2 The System of Protected Areas 257 

6.6 Onshore Social Environment 260 


6.6.2 Historical and Political Overview 262 

6.6.3 Planning and Development 264 

6.6.4 Demographics 266 

6.6.5 Economy and Livelihoods 281 

6.6.6 Land Use and Ownership 311 

6.6.7 Infrastructure and Public Services 321 

6.6.8 Education and Skills 342 

6.6.9 Health 349 

6.6.10 Vulnerability 358 

6.6.11 Limitations 361 

6.6.12 Key findings 361 

6.7 Onshore Cultural Heritage 370 


6.7.2 Territorial Classification of the Project area 370 

6.7.3 Desk Research and Earlier Studies 371 

6.7.4 Objectives and Methods 372 

6.7.5 Inventory Summary 375 

6.7.6 Summary of Findings 387 

6.8 Summary of Baseline Key Sensitivities 395 

6.8.1 Offshore 395 

6.8.2 Onshore 397






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CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0001 – Section 1 Introduction 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0002 – Section 2 Project Justification 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0003 – Section 3 Legal Framework 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0004 – Section 4 Project Description 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0005 – Section 5 ESIA Approach and Methodology 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0006 – Section 6 Environmental, Social and Cultural Baseline 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0007 – Section 7 Stakeholder Engagement and Project Response 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0008 – Section 8 Assessment of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0009 – Section 9 Environmental & Social Management and Monitoring 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0010 – Annex 1 Scoping Advice from MoE 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0011 – Annex 2 Labour, Health and Safety Legislation in Italy 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0012 – Annex 3 Main Legislation on Energy and Gas Sector 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0013 – Annex 4 Soil Management Plan 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0014 – Annex 5 Baseline Data and Maps 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0015 – Annex 6 ESIA Baseline and Impact Assessment Methodology 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0016 – Annex 7 Landscape Impact Assessment 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0017 – Annex 8 Appropriate Assessment on Natura 2000 Sites 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0018 – Annex 9 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 

CAL00-ERM-643-S-TAE-0019 – Annex 10 References, Acronyms and Abbreviations






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6 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BASELINE 

6.1 Introduction 

This section provides an overview of information currently available on the existing natural, social 

and cultural environment which may potentially be affected by the TAP project in Italy, both by 

offshore and onshore activities. Where no data was available a field survey (onshore-offshore) 

was planned and performed to acquire the missing data. 

The methodology used to obtain the baseline data described in this section is reported in Annex 

6. 

The following aspects of the area were considered: 

• Offshore 

o Physical Environment 

o Biological Environment 

o Socio-Economic and Cultural Heritage Environment 

• Onshore: 

o Physical Environment 

o Biological Environment 

o Socio-Economic Environment 

o Cultural Heritage 

The description of the existing environment and social and cultural heritage draws on several 

sources of information such as: 

• desktop analysis: 

o Publicly available literature using international and national sources of information; 

o Government data (published by regional or national Agencies or Institutes) 

• Field surveys: specific surveys, depending on the aspects (environment, social and cultural 

heritage) being characterised. 

All these documents and reports are available for further consultation by request.






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6.2 Marine Biological and Physical Environment Baseline 

6.2.1 Introduction 

The following section presents the detailed baseline for the marine environment within which the 

Trans-Adriatic Pipeline will be positioned. Of key significance for the marine element of the 

project are the nearshore Albanian environment, the nearshore Italian environment and the 

offshore environment lying between these areas. This section addresses the Italian offshore and 

nearshore environments. It should be noted that the divisions are essentially artificial and in place 

to enable the reader to gain an understanding of progressive units from the nearshore to the 

offshore, and that in reality the Adriatic is a complex ecosystem with a variety of intrinsically 

linked physical and biological interactions. 

The marine biological and physical environmental baseline section is therefore laid out in the 

following way: 

• Geographical Scope of the Baseline; 

• An overview of the methodologies used and sources of information; 

• An overview of relevant legislation for the marine baseline; 

• A high level regional overview of the physical and biological key areas; 

• Analysis of the Italian coastal and nearshore environment; 

• Analysis of the Italian offshore environment. 

• A summary of the key habitats and species of importance from each of the sections will then 

be provided. 

6.2.2 Geographical Scope of the Baseline 

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline crosses the Albanian-Italian water boundary at approximately 750 m 

depth, and approximately 55 km from the Italian coastline. At about 95 m water depth, travelling 

from East to West, it enters the Italian territorial waters 12 miles boundary. The section of the 

closest to the shore, approximately 2,500 m long, at approximately 40 m water depth stretches 

along a very gentle and regular slope (< 3%) to reach a narrow beach located in an area North of 

San Foca village (commune of Melendugno, province of Brindisi, region of Puglia). 

6.2.3 Methodology and Sources of Information 

The overall aim of the TAP Marine Biological and Physical Baseline section is to provide a 

characterisation of the project area and identify key sensitivities which need to be assessed 

within the environmental and social impact assessment.






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The following provides an overview of the steps that were taken in developing the baseline to 

fulfil these aims. There were four main steps to this process, each of which is expanded upon in 

the sections below: 

• Initial review of existing desk top and historical survey data. 

• Gap analysis – to determine if sufficient data exists to fulfil the requirement for baseline 

characterisation for the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project. 

• A survey to fill the gaps that were identified. 

• Analysis of the desktop and environmental survey dataset to provide biological and physical 

characterisation of the area. 

6.2.4 Video Methodology 

A video survey of the near shore seabed northwest of San Foca harbour, in the vicinity of the 

proposed route for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) corridor, was conducted between 3 and 5 

November, 2011. The survey was conducted from a 7-m Cheetah marine survey catamaran, 

working out of San Foca harbour. A wide-angle drop video system was deployed from this vessel 

and either towed just above the seabed surface along pre-determined transect lines running 

perpendicular to the shore or, when sea conditions prevented this, dropped as a series of spot 

observations. 

The video image was viewed on a surface monitor in real time. Video footage was simultaneously 

recorded on tape to allow subsequent reviewing of images. 

6.2.4.1 Environmental Survey Methodology 

This survey took place during the first week of October 2011. Five sampling stations were 

positioned along 3 transects perpendicular to the proposed centreline at approximately 500 m 

intervals (typically 1 station 250 m upstream of the prevailing coastal current, 1 station on the 

centre-line and 3 stations downstream of the prevailing current at 250, 500 and 1,000 m from 

centreline) resulting in a total of 15 sample stations. In addition a control station was positioned 

outside of the area of influence to the North. The locations are shown in Figure 6-1 below






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Figure 6-1 

Sampling Stations of the 2011 Environmental Survey Campaign 

Source: ERM (2011) 

Each Station was sampled in triplicate for the benthic infaunal analysis, with an additional grab 

taken for sediment sampling. Water samples were taken also at these stations. 

A preliminary bathymetric survey by means of single beam echo sounder (SBES) was carried out 

along the environmental transects before sampling to verify water depth and to detect the 

position of the 30 m contour. 

The Environmental Survey scope of work included: 

• Sediment sampling for analyses of physico-chemical parameters; 

• Sediment sampling for macro-benthos analysis; 

• Seawater sampling for analyses of physico-chemical parameters; 

• Seawater profiling; 

• Chlorophyll-a sampling.






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The environmental sampling activities were carried out as follows: 

• sediment sampling using a Van Veen type grab; 

• water sampling using Niskin bottles. 

The sampling activities performed on each station were divided into two phases. During the first 

phase all sediment and benthic macro fauna samples were collected, while in the second phase 

all water sampling was performed (water sampling and CTD profiles). 

6.2.5 Legislation 

This section discusses the key aspects of legislation that has relevance for the biological and 

physical baseline. 

6.2.5.1 Designated sites 

Several legislative acts provide for the designation of areas for nature conservation purposes. In 

particular the European Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Flora and 

Fauna (92/43/EEC) (known as the Habitats Directive) as amended, 1992, allows for the 

designation of Special Areas of Conservation (in Italy this is translated as Site of Community 

Importance (SCI)). 

In the wider TAP Italy study area there are two Sites of Community Importance outlined below. 

The closest SCI, named Le Cesine SCI IT9150032, is located about 2 km north of the landfall 

and shore approach (Figure 6-2). This site has been placed under protection by the Italian 

Government through Ministerial Decree (DM) 05.07.2007 which provides the list of SCI within the 

Mediterranean bio-geographical region in Italy, pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC. The SCI 

consists of an onshore and an offshore section, the latter designed to protect priority habitat 1120 

“Posidonia oceanica (seagrass) meadows.” Further south is the SCI Alimini which is also 

protected for Posidonia oceanica (seagrass) meadows. Alimini is approximately 5 km south of the 

landfall in the region of Torre dell’Orso. 

Marine protected areas are introduced to Italy through law 979/1982 (art. 25-31) in the following 

text (art. 25): " Natural marine reserves are constituted by the marine environment, given by the 

waters, the depth and the facing coastal stretches that present a relevant interest for their natural, 

geo-morphological, physical and biochemical characteristics, with a particular focus on marine 

and coastal flora and fauna and on their scientific importance and ecological, cultural, educational 

and economic characteristics ". Laws 979/82 and 349/91 outlined 46 marine areas of particular






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natural value, of which 20 have subsequently been declared Marine Protected Areas (aree 

marine protette). 

Of the 46 marine areas outlined in Italy, the nearest to the TAP Italy project area is the Torre 

Guaceto Marine Reserve which was listed in 1991 as one of the Specially Protected Areas of the 

Mediterranean for the conservation of biodiversity. The area is protected for its P. oceanica 

meadows, the presence of Eunicella cavolina and Eunicella singularis corals, and the 

zooxanthellate anthozoa Cladocora caespitose. The Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve is about 50 

km north of the TAP Italy project area, in the Brindisi locality; thus, it is not anticipated that the 

TAP project will have any impact on its features of conservation importance. 

The shore approach and landfall of the route is shown in the Figure 6-2, below, which also 

indicates the location of the Le Cesine SCI. Up-to-date information regarding newly discovered 

P.oceanica occurrences in the immediate vicinity of the TAP landfall is presented and discussed 

in Section 6.2.7.2.2.






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Figure 6-2 

Landfall of the TAP Italy pipeline and Designated Areas 


6.2.5.2 Sensitive and Protected Habitats/Biocenoses 

In addition to the designated sites, the project area contains a number of sensitive and protected 

habitats, namely the seagrass meadows listed previously and coralligenous formations. 

The coralligenous formations are an important biodiversity reserve within the Mediterranean Sea, 

because they support many species. These formations are of community interest and are 

included in Annex I of Council Directive 92/43/EEC, indicated as “Reefs” (Habitat code: 1170). 

Due to the ecological importance of both Posidonia oceanica and coralligenous formations, 

additional information on both biocenoses is presented in Box 6-1and Box 6-2 below.






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Box 6-1 

Posidonia oceanica meadows 

Posidonia oceanica meadows typically develop in the infra-littoral, from a few metres to a depth of 25 – 

40 m (depending on water turbidity), and on soft as well as hard bottoms. 

The Posidonia oceanica meadows build up large quantities of sediment, because of the length and 

density of foliage (several hundred shoots per square metre when in good state of health and depending 

on the depth). The rhizomes react by growing vertically from a few millimetres to several centimetres 

yearly, thus erecting the so called “matte” formed of intertwining rhizomes and roots (very little 

putrescible) and the sediment which fills in the interstices. With time, the matte slowly rises above the 

initial level: about 1 m per century. 

Posidonia oceanica meadows are considered the most important ecosystem in the Mediterranean and 

are listed as a “priority” habitat type under Annex I of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC 

- Code: 1120; see Section 1.2). 

The mattes stabilise the sediment by trapping it, and thus are a sink for nutrients and carbon. The 

meadows weaken the hydrodynamic force (waves, swell) by about 50% (depending on depth), so that 

they help protect the beaches. The net primary production of P. oceanica is considerable (for example 

leaves and rhizomes with 500 to 1.300 grams of dry matter/square metre per year [gDM/m 2 /y] at a depth 

of 1 m), and a considerable amount (30 – 40%) of this production is exported to other ecosystems). As a 

comparison, a Quercus ilex (another habitat of community interest) forest in Sicily has a primary 

production of only 775 g/square metre per year. 

In the Mediterranean Sea, the meadows have dwindled considerably, in particular in the vicinity of large 

urban centres: Athens, Naples, Genoa, Nice, Toulon, Marseilles, and Barcelona. They are dwindling at 

the extremities of their depth range (rising of the lower limit primarily due to water turbidity) and at 

intermediate depths. The decline of Posidonia oceanica meadows is caused mainly by anthropogenic 

factors. The main known threats are infrastructure development on the littoral, pollution, increasing 

turbidity, anchorage, bottom trawling, uncontrolled development of aquaculture, laying of sea cables and 

pipelines, land reclamation, modification of sedimentary flow, accumulation of sedimentation originating 

from altered watersheds, sand extraction from the seabed and beach enlargement, and competition with 

native species. 

The potential impact on sea grasses of dredging, excavation, movement and disposal operations include 

the physical removal or burial of vegetation and the indirect effects of temporary increases in turbidity 

and sedimentation. 

In some cases, seabed impacts may be associated with the release of pollutants and nutrients from 

sediments, a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels and secondary effects from hydrographic changes. 

Changes in turbidity and sedimentation associated with anthropogenic activities will result in adverse 

environmental effects only when significantly larger than the natural variation of turbidity levels and 

sedimentation rates in the area. 

The primary effect of increased turbidity on sea grasses is a reduction in the amount of light available for 

photosynthesis. The tolerance of sea grasses to low light conditions depends on their minimum light 

requirements. The minimum light requirements (expressed as a percentage of surface irradiance - SI) 

reported in literature for Posidonia oceanica range from 4.4 to 16% of SI.






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Several studies have documented deterioration of sea grass meadows by smothering due to excessive 

sedimentation. The values reported in the literature for maximum allowable sedimentation rates for P. 

oceanica are on the order of 5 cm per year. 

Box 6-2 

Coralligenous formations 

The coralligenous formations are important habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. Coralligenous formations 

are of community interest and are included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (Direttiva Habitat 1170 

“Reefs”). 

The old interpretation of the “reefs” in the Directive was “rocky substrates and biogenic concretions 

which arise from the sea floor.” Given the importance of this type of habitat for the designation of 

offshore SCI under the Habitats Directive, a clarification was given to include all existing different types 

of reefs in EU waters. 

The definition has been revised, and the reefs can be either “biogenic concretions” or of geological 

origin. They are hard compact substrata on solid and soft bottoms, which rise from the sea floor in the 

sublittoral and littoral zone. Reefs may support a zonation of benthic communities of algal and animal 

species as well as biogenic concretions. “Biogenic concretions” are defined as: concretions, 

encrustations, coralligenic concretions and bivalve mussel beds originating from dead or living animals, 

i.e. biogenic hard bottoms which supply habitats for epibiotic species. This definition is consistent with 

that of the Mediterranean coralligenous formations, as they are biogenic hard bottoms built by 

Corallinales algae which supply habitats for a large number of species. 

The potential impact of dredging, excavation, movement and disposal operations on coralligenous 

formations include the physical removal or burial of animal and algal species and the indirect effects of 

temporary increases in turbidity and sedimentation. 

While algal recruitment and development increase where light irradiance is higher, sessile invertebrates 

tend to be more abundant on shaded surfaces. It has been recognized that shading attracts larvae and 

at the same time inhibits the development of erect algae probably because of decreasing rates of 

photosynthesis. Conversely, the inhibition of the growth of competing algae could facilitate the 

development of sponges, bryozoans and solitary ascidians.






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6.2.6 Regional Overview 

6.2.6.1 Introduction 

The following sections present the findings of the desktop study conducted to determine the 

baseline characteristics of the marine environment of the wider study area, mainly the South 

Adriatic to North Ionian Seas, that is relevant for the TAP project. The aim of the section is to 

provide an understanding of the general marine habitat of the wider areas of the project, given 

that the sea is a complex ecosystem with a variety of intrinsically linked physical and biological 

interactions. 

The desktop study has been conducted through the review of published and unpublished 

literature available in the public domain, which is detailed in the references section. 

6.2.6.2 Physical environment 

The study area is located in coastal Italian waters, approximately 15 km north of the transition 

between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The following sections provide an overview of the 

physical environmental parameters of relevance to the project at a wider regional scale. 

6.2.6.2.1 Seawater Temperature 

The following superficial seawater temperature refers to Puglia, location 58 km offshore (Lat 41° 

30’N; Long 17° 30’.5E): 

• Min: 5.6°C 

• Max: 31.0°C 

• Yearly average: 18.3°C. 

The correlation between these average data and those of the 2011 environmental survey are 

discussed in Section 6.2.7.






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6.2.6.2.2 Oceanography 

As shown in Figure 6-3, in general, the Adriatic Sea presents a cyclonic circulation of the water 

mass which is subdivided into three re-circulation cells which also present a cyclonic circulation 

located in the northern, central and southern basins (Poulain, 2001). 

Figure 6-3 

Marine Water Circulation in the Adriatic Sea






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The Adriatic circulation is dominated by two main currents, one which flows northwards along the 

Albanian – Croatian coast (Eastern – South Adriatic Current (E-SAd), and the other that flows 

southwards along the Italian coast. The western current (also referred to as the Western Adriatic 

Current - WAC) is subdivided into three currents (the Northern Adriatic Current, Western-Middle 

Adriatic Current, and Western-South Adriatic Current). The gyres and the coastal currents are 

stronger in the summer and autumn, whilst the WAC is weaker in the winter and spring (Poulain, 

2001) (see Figure 6-4).






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Figure 6-4 Superficial Currents of the Adriatic Sea and Strait of Otranto (Poulain, 2001) 

Winter 

Spring 

Summer 

Fall 

Source: CoNISMa (2008)






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Baroclinic current modelling 

In Addition to the above information, the Adriatic Sea undergoes baroclinic circulation. 

An analysis of the general circulation induced by baroclinic currents in the Ionian and Adriatic 

Sea, together with an analysis of temperature and salinity, has been carried out by processing 

data coming from the Mediterranean Forecasting System (MFS) database, which is available 

within the framework of MyOcean EU Project. 

MFS is a 3D global circulation model that provides daily analyses and 10-day forecasts of 

currents and temperature and salinity fields for the entire Mediterranean at approximately 6.5 km 

resolution. 

Figure 6-5 illustrates the current fields of the MFS Adriatic Sea circulation model through an 

example of surface temperature distribution over region. 

Figure 6-5 

MFS Adriatic model domain and current fields 

Source: the image is extracted from the GNOO (Gruppo Nazionale di Oceanografia Operativa) website, 

http://gnoo.bo.ingv.it/mfs/web_ita/contents.htm






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An analysis of the marine currents of the Lower Adriatic Sea and the Strait of Otranto was 

performed through the use of direct eulerian measures in 1994 – 1995. The location of the 

current meters and bathymetry of the area is reported in Figure 6-6. The study showed strong 

superficial currents along the coasts of Italy and Albania, and strong bottom currents in the 

deepest portion of the strait. 

Figure 6-6 

Bathymetry of the Lower Adriatic Sea and the Strait of Otranto 

Source: Digital Bathymetric Data Base Variable Resolution (DBDB-V) from the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office 

(NAVOCEANO)






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On the western continental shelf, the prevailing current flow is towards the south and is 

significantly stronger on the surface than in deeper waters. Along the eastern margin of the Strait, 

the prevailing current is towards the north and is stronger in surface and middle waters. In the 

middle of the strait and in the western portion, the prevailing bottom current flows toward the 

south and is characterised by the outflow of Adriatic Dense Water (ADW). In the centre of the 

basin, the flow is relatively low in the surface and intermediate layers and does not have a 

prevailing direction, as this is the transition zone between the outflow in the west and the inflow in 

the east. 

The water exchange between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea has shown a certain degree of 

seasonality. During the winter, the outflow of ADW along the western margin of the basin reaches 

its highest peak. In the eastern region, the inflow of water from the Ionian Sea prevails. During 

the summer and spring, this inflow is dominated by eddies and the exchange mechanism is 

weakened. During the fall, the outflow of ADW is high and it is associated to the contribution of 

dense waters formed in the northern basin of the Adriatic Sea (North Adriatic Dense Water) 

which reach the southern Adriatic depression six months after their formation (Gacic et al., 1996). 

6.2.6.3 Wind Regime 

The database used to analyze wind climate conditions comes from the Italian National Tide 

Gauge Network (RMN – Rete Mareografica Nazionale). This Network provides measurements in 

terms of water level time series, and wind time series, (speed and direction). In particular, the 

reference station used in the present study is located at Otranto, 20 Km south of the focused 

area. 

Wind data for the specified station is available for the time interval 01/01/2009 - 10/11/2011. 

The available wind data is illustrated in terms of a wind rose (Figure 6-7). The analysis of the 

wind data, in terms of wind speed and direction, clearly shows that the most frequent and the 

strongest winds come from the northwest (maximum wind speed ranging higher than 15 m/s) .






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Figure 6-7 

Wind Rose for the Wider Study Area 

Source: Source: processed on the basis of wind data coming from the Italian National Tide Gauge Network (RMN – 

Rete Mareografica Nazionale, www.mareografico.it), station: Otranto, period: 01/01/2009-10/11/2011 

6.2.6.3.1 Air Quality 

Data stations to assess the air quality for the offshore project area are not available; however, 

considering the nature of atmospheric emissions offshore, general conclusions about the offshore 

air quality conditions can be drawn. 

The offshore project area is characterized by the absence of continuous emission sources and 

the only emissions over the offshore Project area will be produced by ships and vessels in transit. 

Therefore, the atmospheric pollutants´ background concentration values for the marine 

environment can be reliably assumed to be the existing atmospheric pollutant concentration over 

the offshore Project area. Those concentration values are presented in the following Table 6-1 for 

the main primary macro pollutants: NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, PM10.






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Table 6-1 

Atmospheric Pollutant background concentration for marine environments 

Pollutants 

Background atmospheric concentration for marine environments 

NO 2 0,4 -9,4 µg/m³ (1) 

SO 2






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Figure 6-8 Directional Distribution of Wave Significant Heights recorded by the RON 

Station in Monopoli 

Source: RON Station Report (2008) 

The data from the RON station when analysed with the Bari Station data provide a breakdown of 

extreme wave events. 

The results are broadly aligned with the predicted wave height outcomes, with wave height 

generally characterised as being between 0.5 and 3 m, rarely exceeding 3 m, and it is observed 

that: 

• 16% of recorded events is a state of calm; 

• approximately 47.7% of the waves have a height less than 1 m; 

• more than 90.7% of the waves have a height less than 2 m; 

• since 1998, the average height has increased significantly each year to a maximum of 2.75 

m.






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6.2.6.3.3 Tides 

Tide analysis has been carried out by means of the MIKE CMAP tool, developed by DHI (Danish 

Hydraulic Institute). This tool provides, together with nautical charts data, water level time series 

(astronomical tide variations) for a very large number of tidal stations worldwide. 

The tidal station used as the reference for the present study is Otranto, 20 Km south of the 

focused area. 

Figure 6-9 illustrates the astronomical tide cycle, in relation to a period which can be considered 

representative of the local average tidal conditions. As shown in the figure, the tide is semidiurnal 

(two highs and two lows each day). During Spring Tide conditions, the tide amplitude is in 

the order of 0.25m, while during Neap Tide conditions the tide amplitude does not exceed 0.10m. 

Figure 6-9 

Astronomical tide cycle for the Otranto CMAP station 

Source: The time series is extracted from the database available in the tool MIKE C-MAP, part of DHI software 

package, station: Otranto, period: 01/12/2010-31/12/2010






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6.2.6.3.4 Geology 

The floor of the Adriatic Sea is a 30–35 km thick continental crust whose upper portion is mostly 

made of a thick succession of Permian-Paleogene platforms and basinal carbonates. 

The Adriatic Sea is bordered on the west and east by the flexural foredeep basins of the 

Apennines and Dinarides- Albanides, respectively, where several kilometres of synorogenic 

sediments were deposited during the Oligocene-Quaternary. The Mesozoic Adriatic domain has 

been considered a continental promontory of the African plate (Channel et al., 1979; Muttoni et 

al., 2001). This domain, also known as Adria, includes not only what is now the Adriatic Sea, but 

also portions of the Southern Alps, Istria, Gargano and Puglia. The Adriatic Sea comprises a 

narrow, elongated, epicontinental shelf space surrounding the 250-m deep Meso-Adriatic Deep. 

Current sediment input derives mainly from the Italian mainland. Rivers draining the Po Plain to 

the northwest supply the majority of this material, with drainage from the Apennine chain 

supplying most of the remainder (Trincardi et al., 1996; Cattaneo et al., 2003; Syvitski and 

Kettner, 2007). 

The rate of sediment supplied by the Po and Apennine rivers reflects climatic and human impacts 

on catchment erosion. The mineralogical composition of the Adriatic clay sediments consists, 

typically, of illite and smectite as main components (70-80% of the total), with minor amounts of 

chlorite and kaolinite, and occasional low percentages of serpentine. Investigations carried out on 

different areas of the basin have shown that the composition of the clay sediments changes in 

relation to their source and dispersal (Tomadin, 1981). 

In the marine environment, clay suspensions are transported by gradient currents (Jerlov, 1958; 

Buljan and Zore-Armanda, 1976; Franco and Bregant, 1983; Artegiani et al., 1989) and the finegrained 

size of clay minerals favours their dispersion in the Adriatic (Nelson, 1972; Brambati et 

al., 1973; Tomadin, 1975; Curzi and Tomadin, 1987). Its transportation consists of a series of 

impulses variable with time and seasons (Buljan and Zore-Armanda, 1976; Franco et al., 1982). 

In the Adriatic, sediment dispersal is driven primarily by cyclonic circulation that forces sediment 

to accumulate parallel to the Italian coast (Correggiari et al., 2001; Cattaneo et al., 2003; 2007). 

Evidence of this dispersion is recognisable in the elongated patterns of the grain-size distribution 

of the sediments (Brambati et al., 1983). In the northern and central Adriatic, a mud belt 30-40 

kilometres wide extends south eastward along the Italian coasts. South of the Middle-Adriatic 

Depression, on the contrary, mud spreads extensively over the entire southern Adriatic.






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6.2.6.3.5 Seabed Morphology 

The bathymetry and seabed morphological characterization of the wider area is based on 

information drawn from published literature. 

The analysis of Puglian Adriatic seabed morphology shows that, with the exception of the area 

between Brindisi and San Cataldo, the seabed is typically characterized by a steep slope 

between the coast and the 50 m isobath. The seabed is generally flat or gently sloping below the 

50 m isobath until it reaches the edge of the continental shelf around the 150 m isobath. 

For shallower depths (0 – 15 m), the bathymetric profiles can be grouped into 6 morphotypes 

according to their common characteristics: 

• Morphotype 1: the bathymetric profile slopes down quickly and the 15 m isobath is close to 

the shore. The morphology of the coast, convex sloping or steep cliffs, also extends 

underwater. 

• Morphotype 2: the bathymetric profile slopes down from convex to linear. The 15 m isobath is 

between 250 and 750 m from shore. The morphology of the coastline is characterized by 

cliffs carved into soft rocks with narrow sandy beaches, and beaches with large dune ranges. 

• Morphotype 3: the bathymetric profile slopes down with a convex trend, with slope breaks 

between 3 and 4 m. The 15 m isobath is an average 640 m from the shoreline. 

The coastal morphology is mainly characterized by sandy beaches with dunes in the upper 

limit. 

• Morphotype 4: the bathymetric profile slopes down to 15 m with a linear trend. The 15 m 

isobath is an average 1,770 m from the shoreline. The slope is characterized by three series 

of slope breaks (between 3 – 5 m, 7 – 7.5 m and 9.5 – 11 m) typically followed by terraces 

which range between 150 m and 750 m in width. 

• Morphotype 5: the 15-m isobath is located at an average distance of 1,240 m from the 

coastline. The average sloping gradient is 1.2%. A slope break divides the seabed profiles 

into two parts, with the portion characterized by a steeper slope located between the 

shoreline and a depth of 8 – 10 m. The coast is characterized by narrow sandy beaches and 

cliffs carved into inconsistent rocks, or beaches fringed by one or more series of dunes. 

• Morphotypes 6: the average distance of the 15 m isobath is 1470 m from the coastline with 

an average slope gradient of 1.3%. The coast is characterized by sandy beaches bordered by 

dune ranges with evident erosion at the foot. The most evident common feature is the sharp 

break of slope that leads to the verticality of most of the profiles in the section between a 

depth of 7 and 15 m.






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The pipeline route crosses a portion of coast between Torre Specchia Ruggeri and San Foca 

which is characterized by Morphotype 3. Further detail regarding the bathymetry of the local area 

is presented in Section 6.2.7.1. 

6.2.6.3.6 Sediment analysis 

A review of the literature regarding contamination of the surrounding area shows that the 

occurrence of metals is low, especially compared with that reported in other coastal areas 

affected by human activities, with the exception of iron. Further to this the presence of mercury, 

cadmium, lead and iron in the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus reflected concentrations found in 

local algae do not exceed the limits fixed by Italian legislation (Storelli et al 2001). 

6.2.6.3.7 Water quality 

The characterization of the marine water quality of Puglia has been conducted with reference to: 

• Annual Report regarding the quality of bathing water 2009 ("Rapporto Annuale sulla Qualità 

delle Acque di Balneazione 2009”), issued by the Ministry of Health; 

• Report on the environmental status 2009 (“Relazione sullo Stato dell’Ambiente 2009”), issued 

by ARPA Puglia. 

• And the recent baseline study conducted as part of the ESIA process. 

The following section will be broken into the presentation of bathing water quality data and the 

baseline data. 

Bathing Water Quality 

Table 6-3 highlights the bathing water quality data for the coasts of the Puglia Region (Puglia 

ARPA, 2009).






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Table 6-3 

Parameter 

Bathing Water Quality of Puglia Region 

Unit of 

Province 

Measure Foggia Bari Taranto Brindisi Lecce 

Total 

Puglia 

Region 

Coast km 222.9 147.4 118.0 115.8 260.9 865.0 

Uncontrolled Coast km 9.6 31.8 32.5 32.8 46.3 153.1 

Monitored Coast km 213.3 115.6 85.5 83.0 214.6 711.9 

Polluted Coast km 1.7 11.4 0.0 0.0 1.4 14.5 

Bathing Coast 

km 211.6 104.2 85.5 83.0 213.2 697.5 

% 99.2 90.1 100.0 100.0 99.4 98.0 

Source: Annual Report regarding the quality of bathing water (2009) 

The data reported in the table above, shows that bathing is forbidden on about 2% of the 

controlled regional coastline. The worst situations were found in the province of Bari, with the 

most adverse conditions found mainly close to channels, waterways, and medium - large coastal 

towns (more than 50.000 inhabitants) , typical of the Adriatic coast of Bari province. 

Focussing on the Province of Lecce, of 260,9 km of coastline, only 1,4 km of coast is revealed as 

being polluted of a 215 km monitored coastline with 46 km currently being uncontrolled which 

translates as 99.4% of the monitored coastline as being of a suitable quality for bathing. 

As reported on the Ministry of Health web site (http://www.portaleacque.it), in the period 2007- 

2011, the project area of Torre Specchia has a bathing water quality recorded as ‘excellent’. 

Bacteriological Quality Index 

In Addition to the above analyses, the bacteriological quality index is also used to describe the 

quality of bathing water. For the calculation of this index (BQI), the APAT/CTM_AIM method has 

been applied, monitoring two indicators of bacterial contamination, fecal coliforms and fecal 

streptococcus. The final BQI value is derived by the frequency with which these indicators appear 

in the samples, and the absolute amounts compared with the predefined thresholds. BQI is 

compared against a scale of five quality classes (Uncontaminated, Sufficient, Poor, 

Contaminated, and Heavily Contaminated). The score for BQI reflects the rating system and does 

not reflect actual numbers of coliform, a higher score indicates a better quality of seawater for 

bathing. 

The BQI of Apulia area bathing water is reported in Table 6-4.






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Table 6-4 

Bacteriological quality of bathing water of Apulia Region 

Province BQI Quality class Classification 

Foggia 105 2 Sufficient 

Bari 60 3 Poor 

Taranto 120 1 Uncontaminated 

Brindisi 120 1 Uncontaminated 

Lecce 125 1 Uncontaminated 

Source: Report on the environmental status (2009) 

As can be seen, the province of Lecce presents the highest BQI value, corresponding with an 

‘uncontaminated’ status, followed by Taranto and Brindisi. With regard to the project area itself, 

based on the Ministry of Health web site (http://www.portaleacque.it), the analysis carried out 

during the period 2007-2011 defines an uncontaminated situation with negligible concentrations 

of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococcus. 

TRIX Index (trophic status of marine and coastal waters) 

To characterize the current levels of marine water quality affected by the project, the Report on 

the environmental status 2009, prepared by ARPA, has been consulted in order to analyse the 

results of marine-coastal water monitoring. Monitoring was conducted in 15 different areas 

located along the entire Puglian coastline. According to the technical report (ARPA, 2009), the 

monitored zones have been considered representative for geo-morphological, bionomic and 

thalassographic aspects. For each zone, ARPA has monitored three sampling stations located 

along the coast-wide axes at progressive distances from the coast. Monitoring sites that fall close 

to the project area are S. Cataldo and Alimini Lakes. 

The analytical results for each sampling point have been analyzed for physical and chemical 

characteristics, using the TRIX index, which is used to classify the status of marine and coastal 

water quality in relation to trophic state. It is based on parameters such as concentration of 

chlorophyll "a", the concentration of macro-nutrients and the percentage of oxygen saturation in 

water (difference from 100%). The TRIX values are then used for classification, based on the 

categories shown in Table 6-5. The cholorophyll-a and saturated oxygen levels monitored within 

the study area are presented in Section 6.2.7.1.2.






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Table 6-5 

TRIX index 

TRIX Quality class Classification 

2






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Figure 6-10 Average Winter Nitrate Concentration at 10 m and 125 m Depth (mg/l) 

Source Siokou-Frangou et al. (2010) 

At 125 meters there is a significant change in nitrate concentration at about 36°N, where it begins 

a south-oriented decreasing gradient of nutrient availability. This implies that the study area, 

which is located north of this transition area, has a consistent supply of nutrients, which is 

reflected in a concentration of phytoplankton higher than that of the south-eastern areas (see 

Figure 6-11). 

Figure 6-11 Mediterranean Distribution of Chlorophyll a (mg/l) 

Source D’Ortenzio and Ribera d’Alcalà (2009) 

In general, considering the west-east oligotrophy gradient, the study area falls in the oligotrophic 

region (Siokou-Frangou et al. 2010). 

The existing data on phyto and zoo plankton within the wider project area are limited. Most of the 

information is provided from the data collected in October 2000 and May 2001, within the 

framework of the Interreg II project (CoNISMa, 2002). The study focussed on specific planktonic 

groups, namely copepods, ostracods and coccolithophorids.






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In the samples collected in October 2000, copepods were the predominant group, followed in 

number of individuals by Chaetognatha, Ostracoda, Appendicularia, eggs of invertebrates, 

Doliolida, Cladocera and other taxa. The 2001 study recorded an increase in copepod numbers. 

In terms of number of individuals, copepods were followed by the Salps, Ostracoda, 

Chaetognatha, Echinoderm larvae, Cladocera, eggs of invertebrates, Appendicularia and other 

taxa. 

Although the surveys recorded a high abundance of ostracods, only 12 taxa were identified, 

including 8 species and 4 subspecies. 

Coccolithophorids include single-celled algae, protists and phytoplankton belonging to the phylum 

Haptophyta. The surveys recorded differences in the absolute abundance of coccolithophorids 

between the upper photic zone and the lower photic zone. The decrease in the number of 

coccospheres per liter vertically in the water column, starting from 100 m depth, was mainly 

related to the physiological characteristics of this group, most species of which typically develop 

their life cycles between 0 – 60 m. A number of species, however, develop their life cycles in 100 

– 200 m depth, with the most abundant species being Florisphaera profunda. The cosmopolitan 

species Emiliania huxleyi was found to be highly predominant. Significant abundance was also 

recorded for species of the Syrachosphaera genera (especially S. pulchra) and Rhabdosphaera. 

6.2.6.4.2 Benthos 

A first complete description of the Puglia marine habitats (also referred to as biocenoses or 

biological assemblages) was prepared between 1982 and 1984 by ENEA 1 researchers. 

The study identified 12 biocenoses (see Table 6-7), most of which are present within the study 

area. 

1 Ente per le Nuove tecnologie, l’Energia e l’Ambiente (National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and 

Sustainable Economic Development)






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Table 6-7 

Habitats Observed along the Puglian Coast and Surface Area of the Habitats 

N° Habitat Hectares 

1 Sand 275 

2 Cladophora prolifera on coralligenous formations 1870 

3 Pelite sediments 3037 

4 Dead “matte” of Posidonia oceanica 4950 

5 Cymodocea nodosa on sand 14529 

6 Sublittoral assemblages of hard bottoms 16656 

7 Posidonia oceanica 32619 

8 Coastal detritic sediments (DC sensu Pérès & Picard, 1964) 37951 

9 Coralligenous formations 43018 

10 Well-Sorted Fine Sand (SFBC sensu Pérès & Picard, 1964) 68942 

11 Ecotone between SFBC and VTC (Terrigenous mud) 103849 

12 Terrigenous Coastal Mud (VTC sensu Pérès & Picard, 1964) 181184 

Source ENEA, 1984 

Between 1999 and 2001 an updated study prepared by ENEA identified six biocenoses, and a 

detailed biocenotic map was produced within an INTERREG (Italy – Greece) Project 1 . 

The following biocenoses were highlighted within the Salentino area: 

• Coralligenous biocenosis (C); 

• Biocenosis of well sorted fine sands; 

• Biocenosis of coastal terrigenous mud; 

• Biocenosis of encrusting Corallinaceae (maerl); 

• Biocenosis of Posidonia oceanica meadows; 

• Biocenoses of infralittoral algae (AP) comprising overgrazed facies with encrusting algae and 

sea urchin and photophilic algae on hard bottom. 

The well sorted fine sand biocenosis is typically found at depths ranging between 0 and 20 m and 

often supports sea grasses. The abundance of organisms hosted by the sea grass meadows 

(particularly P.oceanica) and their key ecological role in the coastal marine systems are well 

known. Another sea grass, Cymodocea nodosa, is sporadically present (particularly above the 

upper distribution limit of P. oceanica and in areas where P. oceanica does not survive). 

In deeper waters (between 14 and 40 m), hard bottom communities acquire considerable 

importance. The maerl assemblage is of particular ecological relevance as this is an active phase 

of bio-construction sometimes present on coastal detritic bottoms with strong currents. Maerl sea 

beds are relatively rare in the Mediterranean and are still poorly understood. 

1 EU-funded programme that helps Europe’s regions form partnerships to work together on common projects. See 

references - (Boero et al, 2001)






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The biocenosis of the terrigenous coastal mud (VTC) extends seaward from the biocenosis of 

encrusting corrallinales in waters below 40 - 45 m deep. This biocenosis shows strong 

homogeneity of composition throughout the Mediterranean. In shallower waters, hard bottoms 

are characterized by the biocenosis of photophilic algae or by encrusting coralline red algae and 

sea urchins. Chimenz et al., (1993) found that pycnogonid (sea spiders) diversity and abundance 

was richest on the photophilic algal biocenosis, closely followed by the coralligenous and 

seagrass meadow biocenoses which displayed high abundance but were less diverse than the 

photophilic algae. 

For benthic data at depth, based on box core samples collected along bathymetric transects 

spanning the length of the Mediterranean, De Rijk and coworkers (in Danovaro et al., 2010) 

reported a broad peak in species richness between 200 m and 1.,000 m, below which richness 

decreased to 4.,000 m, the maximum depth sampled. When bathymetric distributions of 

individual species are considered, the upper and lower depth limits are usually found to be 

shallower in the more oligotrophic eastern basins than in the more eutrophic western basins. 

Despite the differences in size fractions analyzed, when taken together, this data reveals a clear 

trend of decreasing species richness with depth, particularly in the South Adriatic Sea. 

Specific desk top information on the benthic environment of the deeper portions of the South 

Adriatic comes from two marine surveys conducted by the Italian research institue, the CoNISMa 

(Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare) in 2000 and 2001 within the 

framework of an Interreg II Project Italy – Albania (CoNISMa, 2002). 

The depth at the survey stations ranged from 12 m to 1.166 m. In the batial zone (200 – 1000 m) 

species diversity and abundance drops significantly when compared to those of the circalittoral 

area (40 – 200 m). The upper batial area (200 m – 500 m) shows some similarities with the lower 

circalittoral, with the presence of bivalve associations and pteropod muds. Most of the 

tanatocenosis (associations of fossils present in the sediments) are related to the biocenosis of 

offshore detritus (Detrito del Largo – DL) (Pérès & Picard, 1964). In the lower bathyal (500 m – 

1000 m), starting from 500 m depth, yellow muds appear, consisting of Globigerina and 

Dentalium(tusk shell molluscs). In deeper waters (700 m – 1200 m) the tanatocenosis of 

pteropods, bivalve Abra longicallus, scaphopod Dentalium agile and the pennatulacean 

Funiculina quadrangularis are the most common. Foraminiferan associations are very poor in 

benthic forms and characterised by a predominance of shells of planktonic species. 

Deep coral






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The white coral biocoenosis in the area of the Ionian Sea/Adriatic Sea interphase consists of 

living corals mainly represented by the framework builders Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora 

oculata. The solitary corals Desmophyllum cristagalli and Stenocyathus vermiformis have also 

been obtained alive from trawl fishing The polychaete Eunice norvegica is another characteristic 

species of the biocenosis. The coral community is markedly affected by the cold and dense water 

masses of the Adriatic flowing into the Northern Ionian Sea (Lacombe and Tchernia, 1972). 

There are also a number of offshore deepwater coral sites that have been found in recent years. 

Bari deepwater gorge (Figure 6-13), a colony of living corals off Puglia, now known as the Santa 

Maria di Leuca (SML) reef province, was known from dredging done during the famous Adriatic 

expedition of the Austrian ship Pola in 1891 (see review by Taviani et al., 2005a). This area 

became a coral hotspot in 2000 following the Italian Puglian Plateau Bank Ecosystem Study 

(APLABES) project (see Tursi et al., 2004; Taviani et al., 2005b). In the Adriatic, only subfossil 

and fossil white coral communities have been found off Bari and in the Jabuka Trough off Croatia 

(Zupanovic, 1969; Bombace and Froglia, 1972; Trincardi et al., 2007). The ramplike shelf south 

of Santa Maria di Leuca, northern Ionian Sea, is part of the Puglian Plateau that rises from about 

2.400 m to about 200 m water depth and is characterized by westward-dipping faults (Merlini et 

al., 2000; Figure 6-12). The large, almost symmetrical depression in front of the Puglian Plateau 

marks the Taranto trench, which reaches about 2500 m water depth (Figure 6-12). Ongoing 

surveys in that area have revealed the existence of hundreds of coral mounds with a mean depth 

range of 300–1100 m (Taviani et al., 2005a). Fusi et al. (2006) extended the lower limit of 

probable coral mound occurrences down to about 1600 m water depth by analyzing 

hydroacoustic data and gravity cores. This area is now known as the Santa Maria di Leuca (SML) 

reef province and represents the largest occurrence of a living white coral community known in 

the Mediterranean to date.






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Figure 6-12 Santa Maria di Leuca Reef Province 

The Adriatic sub-basin is part of the Oligo-Miocene to Early Pleistocene foreland domain of the 

Apennine belt (Ricci Lucchi, 1986), bordered by the Gargano Promontory in the north and by the 

Otranto Strait in the south. 

Major seabed features that were visually inspected by Friewald et al., in the search for white coral 

communities are concentrated along the southwestern Adriatic margin, the Bari Canyon, the 

Gondola Slide, and the Dauno Seamount (Figure 6-13). In the bathyal zone of this section of the 

margin, the circulation brings currents from the north with some force. 

The Gondola Slide area from 710 – 674 m water depth is characterised by slump blocks varying 

from a few to more than 500 m across and 300 m wide. These giant blocks, or olistoliths, are 

derived from the upper shelf and still contain the original sedimentary sequences with Late 

Pleistocene Pseudamussium peslutrae beds in situ— but they have slid down into bathyal depths 

(Verdicchio and Trincardi, 2006). The nearly flat seabed consists of sand waves stabilized by 

hard-grounds which are colonized by both colonial and solitary scleractinians.






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The largest olistolith in the slide area is 870 m long and 91 m high and is covered by thick hardgrounds 

that serve as substrate for a large white coral reef rich in sponges. 

Figure 6-13 Bari and Gondola Slide Study Areas 

In summary, the ROV dives performed during R/V Meteor cruise M70-1 yielded evidence of far 

more living white coral occurrences than previously thought for the central Mediterranean Sea. 

There are two habitats of interest, the steep deep water canyon and a mesohabitat of the gently 

inclined shelf, such as the Puglian Plateau and the SML reef province comprising hundreds of 

elongated mounds covered by a veneer of coral thickets growing in an almost upright position. 

At closer look, the most intense coral growth is observed on the up-current, exposed mound 

summits and eastern flanks that face the intermediate water outflow from the Otranto Strait on 

the northern side. 

6.2.6.4.3 Fish and Crustacea 

Rare and endangered Species 

An analysis of the IUCN Red List shows that the Adriatic is home to one Endangered species, the 

Adriatic Salmon, and one Critically Endangered species, the Adriatic sturgeon. The Adriatic






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Salmon Salmo obtusirostris occurs at very limited locations in the Adriatic, with a known 

distribution in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. In all of these locations, it is being 

threatened by overfishing (sportfishing and for food) and hybridisation with introduced trout. 

The Adriatic Sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) in Italy is considered to be extinct as a wild population 

as the species almost totally depends upon stocking, and there is no evidence of spawning from 

stocked or wild individuals. (The last known natural spawning probably occurred in the early 

1980s.) The few animals occasionally captured in the wild are probably of aquaculture origin and 

were probably released within the last few years. 

At present, as a consequence of a recovery plan carried out by several public institutions from 

1990 to 2007, specimens have been recorded in the Po River and its inflow rivers (Ticino, Adda, 

Oglio, Mincio), and in the Adige, Livenza, Piave and Tagliamento Rivers. It was last recorded in 

Albania in 1997 in the Buna River. Due to the limited distribution of these species and 

considering that there is now no wild population, they are not considered important for the study 

area. 

Apart from those, several species of shark have been recorded in the wider study area, of which 

17 belong to the IUCN Red List, as globally threatened species. 

Species of Commercial Importance 

The majority of the information available for fish is that provided by the two experimental trawling 

campaigns carried out within the National projects Group demersal Resources (GRU.ND) and the 

Mediterranean International trawl Survey (MED.ITS) from 1995 to 2006. 

Both campaigns collected data on demersal organisms of high commercial value in the Adriatic 

Sea. In the 18 th geographical sub area (GSA) defined as Southern Adriatic by the CGPM, the 

survey focused on the following species: 

• Hake (Merluccius merluccius); 

• Red mullet (Mullus barbatus); 

• Parapenaeus longirostris 

In Addition, a list of priority commercial species of the Italian waters of the Southern Adriatic Sea 

has been reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) General Fisheries 

Commission for the Mediterranean and ADRIAMED (Scientific Cooperation to Support 

Responsible Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea) (ADRIAMED, 2008). The list includes vertebrates and






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invertebrates, pelagics and demersals, shallow and deep water species and is presented in Table 

6-8. 

Table 6-8 

Key Commercial Species According to AdriaMed 

Scientific Name Common English Name Common Italian Name 

Eledone cirrhosa Curled Octopus Moscardino bianco 

Eledone moschata Musky Octopus Moscardino muschiato 

Loligo vulgaris European squid Calamaro comune 

Lophius budegassa Black-bellied Angler Budego 

Lophius piscatorius Angler Rana pescatrice 

Merlangius merlangus Whiting Merlano 

Merluccius merluccius Hake Nasello, merluzzo 

Mullus barbatus Red mullet Triglia di fango 

Nephrops norvegicus Scampi, Norwegian lobster Scampo 

Pagellus erythrinus Common Pandora Pagello 

Parapenaeus longirostris Deep water rose shrimp Gambero rosa 

Sepia officinalis Common Cuttlefish Seppia comune 

Solea vulgaris Common Sole Sogliola 

The geographical distribution of two of the highest commercial interest species, hake Merlucius 

merlucius and deep water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris are reported in Figure 6-14 to 

Figure 6-19 (ADRIAMED, 2008) as shown below.






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Figure 6-14 Merluccius merluccius Distribution – Recruits 

Figure 6-15 Merluccius merluccius Distribution –Total






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Figure 6-16 Merluccius merluccius Distribution –Spawners 

Figure 6-17 Parapenaeus longirostris Distribution – Total






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Figure 6-18 Parapenaeus longirostris Distribution – Recruits 

Figure 6-19 Parapenaeus longirostris Distribution – Adult Spawners






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Some of the commercial species on a regional scale are the same as those in the Puglia region, 

in particular hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), and the deep water rose 

shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), Other demersal and pelagic important resources, both in 

terms of commercial importance and of the percentage of fish caught are: anchovy (Engraulis 

encrasicolus), Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis), clams 

(Bivalvia), octopus (Eledone cirrhosa and Eledone moschata), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and 

squid (Loligo vulgaris) (MAFFP Irepa, 2009). Modelled spatial distribution of hake, red mullet and 

Parapenaeus longirostris according to MEDIT, 2001 and GRUND surveys 2001 and 2003 is 

presented in Figure 6-20 to Figure 6-22.






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Figure 6-20 Hake Distribution over the Puglia Region 

Source: Grund Survey 2003






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Figure 6-21 Red Mullet Spatial distribution over the Puglia Region 

Source: Grund Survey 2001






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Figure 6-22 Parapenaeus longirostris Spatial Distribution over the Puglia Region 

Source: Medits 2001






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Pelagic fish resources are classified as small pelagic fish (i.e. sardines - Sardina pilchardus) and 

large pelagic fish (i.e. Swordfish - Xiphias gladius). The pelagic fishery in the Adriatic Sea, as well 

as in other major fishery areas in the world, faces the problem of large fluctuations of small 

pelagic fish resources, either because of fishing pressure or environmental factors that affect 

both recruitment and mortality rates. The most important small pelagic fish species in the Adriatic 

are anchovy, sardine and sprat. (Ticina et al 2005) 

The drifting longline fishery is a relatively new fishery for the Adriatic, developed during the 1970s 

and 1980s, and mostly targets swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga) (De 

Zio et al., 1986; Marano et al., 1988a; Marano et al., 1988b). 

Information on the distribution and fishing activities of large pelagic fish is collected by the Fishing 

Authorities of Mola, Monopoli, Savelletri and Otranto. The most representative large pelagic in 

the central and southern Adriatic Sea are swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and albacore (Thunnus 

alalunga). The areas of swordfish fishing are large, and extends to the edge of Albanian territorial 

waters, as shown in Figure 6-23, as far as the trench of the Lower Adriatic Sea (1.222 m), at a 

distance from the coast between 30 and 70 miles (Marano et al., 1983). 

Figure 6-23 Distribution of Regional Sword Fish Fishery 

Source: Marano et al., 1983






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Very limited published literature and baseline information is currently available to characterize the 

small pelagic fish present in the project area. The only known study of small pelagic fish is the 

SARDONE project. The latter aims to estimate, through underwater acoustic surveys, stocks of 

small pelagics - sardines and anchovies – across the Mediterranean in order to define nursery 

areas, but results from this study are not yet available. 

The outputs of the AdriaMed Working Group on demersal fisheries resources (Rome, March 

2007) and the follow-up on demersal fisheries resources (Kotor, June 2008) presented in Ungaro 

et al., (2008) found that there were a number of shared resources across GSA (Geographical 

Sub-Area) 18. The Large Pelagic fishes included in the list of priority shared species across the 

regions proposed by the ninth session of the General Fisheries Commission for the 

Mediterranean Sub Committee on Stock Assessment GFCM – SAC (FAO, 2006) were: Thunnus 

alalunga, Thunnus thynnus (bluefin tuna), Xiphias gladius, Isurus oxyrhincus (shortfin mako 

shark), Lamna nasus (Porbeagle), and the Small Pelagic fishes (European anchovy) Engraulis 

encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus (Sardine). 

6.2.6.4.4 Mammals and Reptiles 

The only sea reptiles in the Adriatic Sea are sea turtles. Three turtle species have been recorded 

in the Adriatic Sea, namely the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the green turtle (Chelonia 

mydas) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). While the loggerhead and green 

turtles nest within the Mediterranean basin, the leatherback turtle is considered a rare visitor 

(Lazar et al, 1998). 

Table 6-9 

Adriatic Sea 

Conservation Status and Known Distribution of Turtle Species Present in the 

Common name Scientific name Conservation Status Adriatic Distribution 

Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta Endangered Nesting Population in 

Albania and Greece 

Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Endangered Recorded juveniles 

Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea Critically endangered Rare visitor 

Source: adapted from IUCN Red List 

Lazar et al., 2010 discuss findings of the green turtle in Albania and Greece, and suggest the 

existence of an Ionian-Adriatic developmental pathway of green turtles from reproductive habitats 

in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.






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Lazar et al., (2004) suggest that the high concentration of tag returns in the shallow northern 

Adriatic highlights this region as an important feeding habitat, in particular for the population 

nesting in Greece. 

The suggested distribution of loggerhead turtles during pelagic, demersal and nesting activities is 

shown in Figure 6-24. Lazar et al., (2004) suggest that the Ionian–Adriatic loggerheads form an 

important management sub-unit of the nesting population. 

Figure 6-24 Distribution of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean Sea 

Source: FAO http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5750e/y5750e0b.jpg 

Recent information from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Italy reports loggerhead turtle 

nesting on Italian beaches, most abundant in the region of Calabria. Over the last five years, 60 

out of 86 nests (or 70%) have been dug on the shores of the southern region (in 2011 confirmed 

hatchings in Galati beach, near Reggio Calabria, and in Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Jonio). Nests 

are also found in the neighbouring regions of Puglia and Sicily - especially the islands of Linosa 

and Lampedusa - and Sardinia. Nesting beaches vary from year to year, and the nesting period 

in the Eastern Mediterranean occurs between June and September. 

Migration routes, represented by numbers of juvenile captures, of the loggerhead turtle are 

shown in Figure 6-25.






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Figure 6-25 Juvenile loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta Migratory Routes 

Source: Margaritoulis et al., 2003) in FAO.org http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5750e/y5750e04.htm 

With regard to cetaceans, approximately 21 cetacean species have been recorded in the 

Mediterranean and Black Sea (Reeves and Notarbartolo di Sciara, 2006). Moreover, a number of 

species have also been cited in the literature as being potentially present in the Adriatic and 

Ionian sea; among those the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the striped dolphin 

(Stenella coeruleoalba) are considered to be regular inhabitants of the Adriatic Sea, the Strait of 

Otranto and the Ionian Sea. 

Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are considered extremely rare in the Adriatic and Aegean 

Seas, and in the Levant Basin. Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) have been observed in the 

eastern Ionian Sea (Greece), around the western side of Crete and in the western Ionian Sea 

(Sicily); a few strandings have also been recorded in the northern Adriatic Sea. Sperm whales 

(Physeter macrocephalus) are considered vagrant in the Adriatic Sea. Cuvier’s beaked whales 

(Ziphius cavirostris) have been described as regular inhabitants of the Hellenic Trench and the 

southern Adriatic Sea based on frequency of strandings. 

The conservation status of the cetacean species of the Adriatic are presented in Table 6-10.






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Table 6-10 

Conservation Status of Cetacean Species in the Adriatic Sea 

Common Name Scientific Name Conservation Status Distribution 

Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops tursiops Least concern 

Northern and southern 

Adriatic common sightings 

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered Rare sightings 

Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus Least concern Occasional visitor 

Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus Vulnerable Occasional visitor 

Cuvier’s beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris Least concern Frequent sightings 

Humpback whale 

Megaptera novaeangliae 

Single sighting of a pair in 

1989 

Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba Least concern 

Southern Adriatic, limited 

northern Adriatic sightings 

Source: adapted from IUCN Red List 

According to information collected by the Museum of Natural Science and in accordance with the 

data reported by ACCOBAMS, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is regularly reported 

all along the Puglia coast. The distribution of both the bottlenose dolphin and striped dolphin is 

shown in Figure 6-26 and Figure 6-27. 

Figure 6-26 Mediterranean Distribution of the Bottlenosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 

Source: ACCOBAMS 2006






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Figure 6-27 Mediterranean Distribution of the Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 

Source: ACCOBAMS, 2006 

6.2.7 Italian Nearshore Project Area 

The definition of this area is the last 2-3 km of the pipeline until reaching the landfall, 

approximately from a depth of less than 40 m to shore 

6.2.7.1 Physical 

6.2.7.1.1 Oceanography 

Barocline models for the Italian Landfall 

MFS (Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System) data is available under MyOcean project for the 

period 01/01/2006 to date, and has been extracted for the model point of coordinates LON 

18.500°, LAT 40.375°, located about 10 km offshore (Figure 6-28) at two different depths 

(surface, and approximately 20 m).






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Figure 6-28 Location of MFS point (LON 18.500° LAT 40.375°) 

Source: ERM 2011 

The data for the currents, at both surface and 20 m depth, have been processed and are 

illustrated in terms of yearly current roses (Figure 6-29 and Figure 6-30) and seasonal current 

roses (Figure 6-31 and Figure 6-32). 

From the analysis of the surface current rose, it clearly appears that the strongest and most 

frequent currents come from the northwest (maximum current speed about 0,5 m/s), generally 

flowing along the Puglia coast. 

The analysis of the current rose at 20 m depth shows that the strongest and most frequent 

currents come from the northwest, similar to those that occurs at the surface, but there is a higher 

frequency of currents coming from the southeast. In general the currents at 20 m depth are 

weaker than the surface currents. 

The seasonal analysis (for both surface and 20 m depth) confirms the yearly behaviour. During 

Spring, a highest frequency of southeaster currents can be observed at 20 m depth.






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Figure 6-29 Surface yearly current rose generated using MyOcean Products 

Source: Source: processed on the basis of the oceanographic data downloaded from MyOcean website 

(http://www.myocean.org/) for the point of coordinates LON 18.500°, LAT 40.375° for the period 01/01/2006- 

01/11/2011






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Figure 6-30 20 m depth current rose generated using MyOcean Products 

Source: processed on the basis of the oceanographic data downloaded from MyOcean website 


01/11/2011






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Figure 6-31 Surface seasonal current roses generated using MyOcean Products 



01/11/2011






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Figure 6-32 20 m depth seasonal current roses generated using MyOcean Products 



01/11/2011. 

In addition to Currents data, Temperature and Salinity data coming from the MyOcean database 

was extracted and processed. Figure 6-33 and Figure 6-34 show monthly temperature and 

salinity trends for the surface and 20 m depth, respectively. 

Monthly temperature averages range from 13,0°C (February) to 26,4°C (August). As expected, 

significant differences in temperature between surface and 20 m depth can be found exclusively 

during summer (when the water column is stratified). 

Monthly salinity averages range from 38,1 PSU (October) to 38,4 PSU (Feb to May). Between 20 

m depths and the surface, the salinity stratification can be considered irrelevant.






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Figure 6-33 Monthly sea temperature generated using MyOcean Products 



01/11/2011. 

Figure 6-34 Monthly sea salinity generated using MyOcean Products 



01/11/2011. 

The chemico-physical parameters measured during the 2011 environmental survey were 

temperature (°C), salinity (psu), conductivity (mS/cm), dissolved oxygen as concentration (mg/l) 

and pH (unit). The main report can be seen in Annex 5.






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The temperature profiles did not show any water column stratification connected to a thermocline 

until the maximum surveyed water depth of -35,7 m, at station TAP_ENVC1. The recorded 

temperature ranged between 20,13°C, measured at a depth of -1,2 m at station TAP_ENVC3, 

and 20,34°C, measured at a depth of -1-2 m at station TAP_ENVA1, showing a very small 

difference between the maximum and minimum values. This profile is expected, given the early 

autumn survey period when mixing of the water column takes place. The salinity trend, likewise, 

did not show a halocline in the water column. Its value ranged between 38,33 psu at a depth of - 

1,2 m at station TAP_ENVA3, and 38.58 psu at a depth of -21 m at station TAP_ENV_ITREF. 

The maximum and minimum values showed very little variation. Niether did the dissolved oxygen 

as concentration show any gradients with depth. Its values ranged between 3,81 mg/l at a depth 

of -1,4 m at station TAP_ENVA3, and 5,07 mg/l at a depth of -3,0 m at station TAP_ENVB1. The 

maximum and minimum values showed a very small difference. The pH measured showed very 

limited variations at different stations, ranging between 8,27 unit at a depth of -1,0 m at station 

TAP_ENVA3, and 8.38 unit at a depth of -4,0 m at station TAP_ENVC1. 

6.2.7.1.2 Water Chemistry 

The following parameters were analyzed to assess water quality: chlorophyll a, turbidity, 

suspended solids, aluminum, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, 

vanadium, zinc, methylmercury, total organic carbon and total hydrocarbons. 

Chlorophyll “a” 

Chlorophyll a showed high concentrations which can be connected with euthrophicated marine 

coastal areas, this dataset represents a single snapshot in time and it is recognised that there is 

much variability of chlorophyll-a within marine waters. Its values ranged between 2 µg/l (stations 

TAP_ENVA3_BOT, TAP_ENVB1_BOT and TAP_ENVREF_TOP) and 5 µg/l (stations 

TAP_ENVB1_TOP and TAP_ENVC1_BOT). This compares with regional assessments as having 

a very high concentration for the Mediterranean but comparable to the Atlantic and Baltic (Figure 

6-35).






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Figure 6-35 Regional Concentrations of Summer Chlorophyll a 

Source: European Environmental Agency 

Turbidity and Suspended Solids 

Turbidity showed values that correlate well with the high transparency of the sea water. Its values 

ranged between 0,3 NTU in the more nearshore stations and 14,6 NTU at the more offshore 

station TAP_ENVC1_BOT). 

The suspended solids concentration showed values normally expected in coastal waters. 

The values ranged between 7,4 mg/l at station TAP_ENVC3_MID, and 9,5 mg/l at station 

TAP_ENVC1_TOP. The suspended solids concentrations showed a small variation among all the 

stations. 

Metals 

The detected aluminium concentrations correspond to what would normally be expected in 

coastal waters. The values ranged between 4,9 mg/l at station TAP_ENVC3_MID (middle layer), 

and 16,6 mg/l at station TAP_ENVA3_TOP (top layer). Some differences among the three 

different water layers (top, middle and bottom) were detected at station TAP_ENVA3, where 

respectively the values of the top and bottom layers differ with regard to the trend of the other 

stations.






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The detected barium concentrations correspond to what would normally be expected in coastal 

waters. The values ranged between 5,1 mg/l at station TAP_ENVC1_TOP (top layer), and 54,2 

mg/l at station TAP_ENVB1_BOT (bottom layer). The values showed high variations at stations 

TAP_ENVB1 and TAP_ENVB3, where barium concentrations respectively at the bottom and the 

midwater layers showed a high difference with the top layers at the same stations. 

The detected cadmium values did not show deviations from the natural conditions. The values 

ranged between 0,3 mg/l and 0,4 mg/. The values are homogenous within the three different 

layers (top, middle and bottom) at the various stations. 

The detected chromium concentrations did not show anomaly. The values ranged between






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The methyl mercury concentration showed values below the instrument detection limit (0,1 mg/l), 

with the exceptions of stations TAP_ENVA1_TOP and TAP_ENVA1_BOT where concentrations 

of respectively 0,2 and 0,1 mg/l were recorded. 

The iron concentrations showed values below the instrument detection limit set as less than 5 

mg/l. 

The lead concentrations showed values below the instrument detection limit, set as less than 0,1 

mg/l, with the exceptions of stations TAP_ENVC1_REF_BOT, TAP_ENVC1_BOT, 

TAP_ENVA3_TOP, TAP_ENVA3_BOT, TAP_ENVB3_TOP, TAP_ENVB3_MID, 

TAP_ENVB3_BOT, TAP_ENVC3_TOP and TAP_ENVC3_BOT, with respective values of 0,6, 

0,2, 0,3, 1,2, 0,5, 0,2, 0,3, 0,2 and 0,1 mg/l. These values correspond to what would normally be 

expected in coastal waters. 

6.2.7.1.3 Total Organic Carbon 

The total organic carbon showed concentrations corresponding to what would normally be 

expected in coastal waters. Its values ranged between 2 mg/l at station TAP_ENVC1_MID, and 

3,4 mg/l at station TAP_ENVC1_BOT. The detected values are homogenous within the three 

layers of the same stations and among the different stations. 

6.2.7.1.4 Total Hydrocarbons 

The total hydrocarbons showed concentrations corresponding to what would normally be 

expected in coastal waters. The values ranged between 2 mg/l and 5,0 mg/l. 

6.2.7.1.5 Geology-Morphology 

On the basis of the information shown in the Italy’s Geological Chart, sheet 214 “Gallipoli”, the 

seabottom shoals fair gently in the studied marine area. The 5 m isobath is located at about 0,4 

km from shoreline and the 20 m isobath is located at about 1,0 km offshore (the average slope is 

about 1,5°).






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This part of the coast is now eroding, with withdrawing and collapse of the escarpment. These 

phenomena are also related to the wide karst features of the mainland that result in erosion by 

the sea. From the geological point of view it is worth noting that this coastal area has been 

characterized by the following main phases that have defined its structure: 

• marine ingression and quaternary sedimentation (from 5 million years B.P to 700,000 years 

B.P.); 

• new emersion with sea retiring up to the actual position (from 700,000 years B.P. to present). 

With the above introduction in mind, the Italian landfall of the TAP project can be categorised in 

the following way. 

Shallow sediments within the survey corridor are characterized by medium to high backscatter. 

They were interpreted as rocky outcrops in the coastal area and sand in the offshore zone, 

confirmed by seabed samplings and laboratory tests. Based on literature, the rocky outcrops 

could be correlated to the “Calcareniti del Salento” formation, that mainly consists of calcarenites, 

coarse carbonates and sandy carbonate. Sandy ripple fields were identified between the rocky 

outcrops as shown in the snapshots and videos recorded during the survey. The limit between 

rocky outcrops and SAND was traced using the differences in SSS backscatter response. 

Several depressions, with size ranging between 5 and 25 m, were identified in the central part of 

the survey corridor, between kp 0.580 and kp 0.780 (Figure 6-36). A number of medium 

backscatter patches were found within the depression area. These features, together with the 

snapshots from the underwater videos, indicate that sediments are highly bioturbated. 

An area of sediment waves was detected between kp 0,780 and kp 0,950 (Figure 6-36). These 

features have a wavelength that varies between 50 and 110 m, and amplitude of less than 1 

meter. The crests, N-S oriented, are 50 to 100 m long. They are located at a water depth that 

ranges between 14,5 and 17,5 m. 

Few depressions were found along the steep slope located between kp 0,980 1,025. The largest 

one along the slope is characterised by high backscatter.






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Figure 6-36 Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) Data for the Survey Area 

The drop down video survey described in Section 6.2.4 highlighted, in addition to the sedimentary 

analysis, the presence of rocky reefs and outcrops in the area. 

6.2.7.1.6 Sediment 

Concentrations of metals and other sediment characteristics were investigated as part of the 2011 environmental survey. The 

sediment parameters analyzed during the survey can be grouped according to three variables: 

• Nutrients, including redox potential, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, organic matter and total 

organic carbon; 

• heavy metals (including aluminum, barium, cadmium, total chromium, copper, iron, lead, 

nickel, vanadium, zinc); 

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, 

fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, 

benzo(a)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, 

benzo(ghi)perylene, methylmercury.






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The nutrient variables did not show organic enriched sediment. All the values fall in a normal 

range for coastal areas. 

The redox potential values ranged between -252 mV at station TAP_ENV_IT_C5, and -68 mV at 

station TAP_ENV_IT_A1. The values are all negatives showing a reducing sediment. 

The total nitrogen showed values ranging between 0,008 % at station TAP_ENV_ITB5 and 0,049 

%, at station TAP_ENV_IT_C5. In general, the stations located near the coast showed lower 

values of concentration compared to the more distant stations. 

The total phosphorus values ranged between 67 mg/kg, TAP_ENV_ITB3 station, and 255 mg/kg, 

TAP_ENV_ITC4 station; the stations near the coast showed lower values than the others. 

The organic matter and total organic carbon concentrations showed almost the same values and 

the same trend. The organic matter values ranged between 0,104 % at station TAP_ENV_ITA4 

and 0,741 % at station TAP_ENV_ITB1. The total organic carbon values ranged between 0,102 

% at station TAP_ENV_ITA4 and 0,75 % at station TAP_ENV_ITC3. In general, the stations 

located near the coast showed lower values of concentration compared to the more distant 

stations. 

The detected concentrations of the heavy metals group correspond to what would normally be 

expected in coastal waters. 

The aluminium values ranged between 17 mg/kg at station TAP_ENV_ITA1, and 6587 mg/kg at 

station TAP_ENV_ITC4 station. In general, the stations located near the coast showed lower 

values of concentration compared to the more distant stations. 

Full details of the heavy metals analysis are available in Annex 5. 

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration values correspond to those normally 

expected in coastal waters. The total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations ranged 

between






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Contaminants can adversely impact organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems. 

Anthropogenic contaminants, e.g. industrial chemicals and biocides, do not occur naturally in the 

marine environment, and ideally their concentrations should be zero. Other pollutants, such as 

heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, occur naturally at background levels within 

the earths crust, but their concentrations can be dramatically increased due to releases caused 

by human activity. 

6.2.7.1.7 Morphology 

The preliminary phase of the 2011 environmental survey, using the methodology outlined in 

Section 6.2.4.1 provided data on the bathymetry of the study area. This was obtained to inform 

the sampling protocol and provides useful baseline data on the seabed morphology of the area, 

as can be seen in Annex 5. A precise representation using the 2011 MBES data is shown in 

Figure 6-37. 

Figure 6-37 Baseline Bathymetry Survey Results 

Source: ERM (2011






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As can be seen by comparison of the baseline bathymetry results and previous bathymetry 

baselayers there are a number of anomalies which the new data rectifies. This reflects the mobile 

nature of coastal seabeds with sandy substrata which are subject to winter storms and annual 

coastal processes that will result in apparent changes over time. 

6.2.7.1.8 Air Quality 

Air Quality for the nearshore area is derived from onshore surveys or data and is presented in 

Section 6.4. 

6.2.7.2 Biological 

6.2.7.2.1 Introduction 

The following section outlines the nearshore baseline environmental condition of the Nearshore 

Italian project area. It begins by discussing protected habitats and species, before discussing in 

greater detail the primary elements of the nearshore environment – plankton, benthic 

communities, fish communities and finally mammal and reptile communities. The protected 

habitats and benthic communities’ information are both complemented by the additional 

environmental survey and drop down video survey data acquired in 2011. 

6.2.7.2.2 Protected Habitats and Natura 2000 

Seagrass Habitat 

The current proposed pipeline route (Base case route) is located approximately 2 km southeast 

of the Le Cesine Site of Community Importance (IT9150032). This site was placed under 

protection by the Italian Government through Ministerial Decree (DM) 05.07.2007, which provides 

the list of SCI within the Mediterranean bio-geographical region in Italy, pursuant to Council 

Directive 92/43/EEC. The SCI consists of onshore and offshore sections. The latter was designed 

in order to protect priority habitat 1120 “Posidonia oceanica meadows.” The shore approach and 

landfall of the pipeline is shown in Figure 6-39, which also indicates the location of the P. 

oceanica meadows (green section) and the south-eastern perimeter of the SCI. It should be 

noted that the Posidonia oceanica found within the location of the landfall appears to be patchy in 

nature rather than the meadow form which typically has greater shoot density, and a larger 

spatial extent.






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Because of the protected status of the seagrass bed and initial field investigations which revealed 

the presence of the P.oceanica in the project area, TAP decided to conduct a full video survey 

which would provide data on the spatial extent and general quality of the seagrass meadows. 

Using the methodology highlighted in Section 6.2.4 the survey area extended from between two 

and four metres depth out to beyond the 25 m depth contour. Along the proposed pipeline route 

this was extended out to the 35 m depth contour. An additional two spot drops were conducted at 

a 30 m depth along the REF transect line and the 04B transect line to confirm there was no 

seagrass beyond the surveyed transect lines. Posidonia oceanica (hereafter referred to as 

Posidonia) was found in two depth zones within the survey area, between 4 and 14 m depth and 

also at around 19 m depth. Posidonia did not appear to form continuous bands within these 

zones, rather it appeared as discrete clumps varying in size from






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Figure 6-39 Spatial Extent of the Area Containing Patches of Posidonia oceanica with 

Depth Contours 

Notes: Red circles denote waypoints where Posidonia was recorded., the gaps are areas where No Posidonia 

oceanica was recorded. 


Cymodocea was found to occur in an almost continuous band parallel to the shore; however the 

width of this band varied considerably across the survey area. C. nodosa has a tropical origin, 

nowadays restricted to the Mediterranean and scattered locations in the North Atlantic from 

southern Portugal and Spain to Senegal, including Canary Island and Madeira. Southern 

Portugal constitutes the current northern geographic limit of its distribution within the Atlantic 

(OSPAR 2010). Posidonia oceanica appears to be a purely endemic species to the 

Mediterranean and provides a more architecturally heterogeneous habitat for nursery fish 

species. The inner boundary was found to lie between 4 and 14 m depth, the outer boundary 

between 15 and 25 m. Small patches of Cymodocea were found shallower than 5 m; no 

Cymodocea was found deeper than 25 m.






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Figure 6-40 Spatial Extent of the Area Containing Patches of Cymodocea nodosa with 

Depth Contours 

Source: ERM (2011 

The final analysis of the video survey data allowed a composite map of the project area to be 

constructed, showing the distribution of Posidonia, Cymodocea and coralligenous reefs.






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Figure 6-41 Composite Map of the Project Area with Posidonia and Cymodocea 

Notes: Grey circles indicate waypoints along transects or spot drops where seabed features were noted (the spot drop 

at 30 m depth along the REF line does not show on this map). 

Source: ERM (2011 

Coralligenous reefs 

According to Boero et al. (2001), shallow water hard substrates, such as the rock environment 

found between the depth contours of 25 and 27 m (Figure 6-42) are characterized by the 

biocenosis of photophilic algae or by encrusting coralline red algae and sea urchins, and would 

be considered a EU habitat. This is found as an individual rock outcrop on the pipeline route, 

which will not in fact be affected by the project due to the micro-tunnelling solution . 

Examples of the seagrass and rock environments present on the pipeline route are presented in 

Figure 6-42.






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Figure 6-42 Seagrass and rock environments present on the pipeline route






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6.2.7.2.3 Plankton 

There is no specific existing data on phyto and zoo plankton for the nearshore area. However, 

the regional information provided in Section 6.2.6.4 is applicable to the nearshore area. 

6.2.7.2.4 Benthos 

According to the findings of Boero et al. (2001), hard substrates such as those found in the 

shallow waters of the study area are characterized by the biocenosis of photophilic algae, or by 

encrusting coralline red algae and sea urchins. In the shallow sublittoral habitat from the 

shoreline to 7 – 10 m depth Cystoseira amentacea should be the dominant species. Protected 

species such as Pinna nobilis 1 , Astroides calycularis 2 , Lithophaga lithophaga 3 , Ophidiaster 

ophidianus 4 , and Paracentrotus lividus 5 could be recorded along the pipeline corridor. 

As outlined in Section 6.2.4.1 an environmental survey was conducted on the Italian nearshore 

environment to provide detail on the physico-chemical benthic conditions, physico-chemical water 

conditions and the benthic infaunal community. The survey stations were located across the 

survey area, providing data on the representative communities and parameters of the pipeline 

route and in the direction of the prevailing currents highlighted above, as can be seen from Figure 

6-1. 

The preliminary results of the benthic infaunal analysis for the pipeline route, and not the 

surrounding areas, were analysed using standard laboratory techniques. 

The macro-benthic assemblages found in the four stations showed small differences in the 

number of taxa and significant differences in the number of individuals. The station with the 

maximum number of taxa was TAP_ENV_B2 and with the minimum number of taxa was 

TAP_ENV_A2. The maximum abundance was found at station ENV_TAP_ C2, while the 

minimum was found at station TAP_ENV_ A2. 

No rare or protected species were found during the 2011 sampling campaign. 

Polychaeta were the most abundant taxon in all the stations (Figure 6-43). At station 

TAP_ENV_A2, the Echinodermata and species belonging to others taxa were not detected. 

1 Annex 4 - 92/43/EEC and Annex II ASPIM 

2 Annex II ASPIM 

3 Annex 4 92/43/EEC and Annex II ASPIM 

4 Annex II ASPIM 

5 Annex III ASPIM






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At stations TAP_ENV_B2 and TAP_ENV_C2 all the taxa were identified. At station 

TAP_ENV_REF, Echinodermata and Mollusca were not detected (Figure 6-43, below). 

Figure 6-43 Benthos 

At station TAP_ENV_A2, 110 individuals belonging to 8 species, not considering Polychaeta, 

were detected. The most abundant taxa was the Polychaeta family Orbinidae and the species 

found with the maximum number of individuals within this station was the Mysida Gastrosaccus 

sanctus, followed by Apseudopsis latreillii, characteristic of sand/mud bottom (Tomassetti e 

Chimenz Gusso, 1998) and Iphinoe inermis. The majority of the identified species are 

characteristic of sandy bottoms, representative species of this include: Iphinoe trispinosa, 

Perioculodes longimanus longimanus, Nassarius (Sphaeronassa) mutabilis and Owenia 

fusiformis characteristic of the Well Sorted Fine Sand bioceonosis.






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At station TAP_ENV_B2, 340 individuals belonging to 12 species, not considering Polychaeta, 

were detected, while Echinodermata were not found. The most abundant taxa was the 

Polychaeta family Glyceridae and the species found with the maximum number of individuals was 

the Tanaidacea Leptochelia savignyi, living on hard bottoms. The species found are 

characteristic of different substrata: Anapagurus breviaculeatus, characteristic of biocoenosis of 

coarse sands and fine gravels under bottom currents (SGCF); Siphonocetes dellavallei and 

Corbula gibba, adapted to organically enriched bottoms; Ophiura ophiura and Phyllophorus urna, 

inhabiting soft bottoms; Pitar rudis, characteristic of Shelf-Edge Detritic Bottom bioceonosis (DL); 

Polinices nitida, inhabiting sandy bottoms. 

Station TAP_ENV_C2 had 465 individuals and 12 species (Table 2.1). The Polychaeta families 

Hesionidae and Lumbrineridae were the most representative as number of individual and the 

species most abundant was the Echinodermata Ophiura ophiura, characteristic of soft bottom. 

The other species found, and not yet discussed in the results of the previous stations, were: 

Callianassa subterranea, living in muddy bottoms; Acrocnida brachiata, inhabiting sandy bottoms; 

Tellina distorta, living on substrata organically enriched; Tellina nitida, characteristic fo Well 

Sorted Fine Sands. 

In the REF station 430 individuals belonging to 8 species, not considering Polychaeta, were 

found, Echinodermata and Mollusca were absent. The dominant taxa was the Polychaeta family 

Paraonidae and the found species with themaximum number of individuals was the Tanaidacea 

Leptochelia savignyi. 

6.2.7.2.5 Fish and Crustacea 

Previous information at the regional scale has shown the key commercial species in the area. 

The local fishery in the nearshore area is predominantly artisan, with a concentration of local 

small vessels targeting species in and around the seagrass beds with set nets and line fishing. 

6.2.7.2.6 Mammals and Reptiles 

The Puglia coastal population estimates for mammals and reptiles are primarily based on 

numbers of beached turtles and dolphins. The most common beached species on the Puglia 

coast are sea turtles, especially Caretta caretta, whereas beached cetaceans are less frequent. 

The sightings of cetaceans refer almost entirely to beached carcasses. Over a period of 9 years, 

1,589 reports were collected, of which 60% were turtles, 33% dolphins, and the remaining 7% 

other species includes whales, sharks and other marine mammals.






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Data from the Puglia Regional Ecological Department report on beached sea turtles, which 

focused on beached sea turtles phenomena occurring in the municipalities of Vernole and 

Melendugno from 2000 to 2007. Figure 6-44, below, has been taken from the Si.Di.Mar web site 

and shows the localization of beached sea turtles along the Puglia coast. 

Figure 6-44 Beached sea turtles closest to the Project area 

Source: Si.Di.Mar 

Data on beached cetaceans in the municipalities of Vernole and Melendugno during the 1987 to 

2009 period highlights that there have been 2 Tursiops trunctus washed up in the vicinity of 

Melendugno during that time, 12 Stenella coeruleoalba, and 2 Grampus griseus and 1 Ziphius 

cavirostris. Of these records 8 were made in 1991, and 4 occurred between 2007 and 2009. 

In terms of loggerhead turtle nesting, which as previously described, has been reported in the 

Puglia region, the San Foca beach is not included in the list of Puglia beaches were this nesting 

has taken place. In any case, these vary from year to year, within very sporadic activity. 

The characteristics of the landfall beach morphology and sediment material do not favour turtle 

nesting. 

6.2.7.2.7 Seabirds 

The seabird population in the study area is not very abundant. Apart from the typical seagulls 

prevalent in any Mediterranean coastal area, mainly black headed gull (Larus ridibundus), 

Mediterranean gull (Larus melanodcephalus), yellow legged gull (Larus michahelli) and others. 

The only species that have any degree of threat or protection are the wintering little tern (Sterna






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albifrons), and sandwich tern (Sterna sanvicensis), both of low concern but included in Annex I of 

Directive 79/409/EEC. Also present in winter is the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo 

sinensis) in small numbers in Le Cesine coastal lagoon. 

6.3 Offshore Socio-Economic and Cultural Heritage Environment 

6.3.1 Harbours, Marine Traffic and Fishery 

Data presented on the Study Area has been gathered from publicly available secondary sources 

along with primary data gathered during field visits to the project area during January, July, 

September and October 2011. Additional information on primary and secondary data sources can 

be found in Annex 6. 

In this chapter data collected on the fishing activities in the Study Area and on harbours close to 

the Study Area will be presented. A detailed description of the social environment of settlements 

situated close to the 4.9 km pipeline route and other project facilities (i.e. Pipeline Receiving 

Terminal, Main construction sites and work sites), can be found in section 6.6. 

6.3.1.1 Harbours and Marine Traffic 

There are 2 main harbours, Otranto and Brindisi, and 2 marinas, San Foca and San Cataldo, 

located near the Study Area (Figure 6-45).






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Figure 6-45 Harbours located near the Study Area 

Source: ERM Mapping (2011) 

Brindisi 

The Brindisi harbour is located around 60 km north of the corridor and is an important tourist, 

commercial and industrial harbour. In the last few years, Brindisi has developed its port areas, 

creating new docks and new space ashore to be used for goods and passengers, as well as for 

petrochemical and energy industrial activities. Every year, 2 million tons of oil and oil derivatives 

and 800,000 tons of liquid gas are moved through the port. 

Brindisi harbour is divided into external (outer), medium (middle) and internal (inner) docks. 

External docks are dedicated to supporting industrial activities, medium docks are dedicated to 

commercial traffic, and internal docks are available for all other marine traffic (Figure 6-46, Figure 

6-47).






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The Inner Port covers more than 700,000 m 2 , 2 km of docks which can simultaneously host 8 

ferries. It is mainly dedicated to tourism, hosting the Extra-Shengen area dedicated to Ro-Pax 

ferry service to Albania. The Middle Port is dedicated to commercial activity and covers 1.2 

million m 2 . The Outer Port, 3 million m 2 , stretches from Isole delle Pedagne di S.Andrea, from 

Molo di Costa Morena to Punta Riso dam down the entire coast to Cerano. Its role is essentially 

industrial and it hosts receiving primary materials for petrochemical pole. 

Figure 6-46 

Map of the Brindisi Harbour 

Source: www.porto.br.it






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Figure 6-47 

View of the Brindisi Harbour 

Source: www.porto.br.it 

Brindisi harbour represents one of the main trasporting corridors connecting Italy to a variety of 

destinations in the East Mediterranean Sea, such as Albania, Greece and Turkey. The harbour of 

Brindisi recorded a decrease of approximately 50% in the number of passengers between 2000 

and 2006. However, from 2008 the harbour experienced a more positive trend, reaching in 2009 

a total number of approximately 500,000 passengers (Table 6-11). 

Table 6-11 

Traffic of Passengers from/to Brindisi Harbour 

Type of passengers 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

A - Total passengers (A1+A2) 

A1 - Passengers boarded and 

disembarked (B+C) 

571,469 456,790 424,614 504,533 524,499 

560,827 454,298 414,311 502,529 522,009 

B – Passengers on ferries 551,085 444,500 399,982 493,159 522,009 

to Albania 92,171 91,606 97,079 133,344 162,812 

to Greece 406,359 326,157 294,040 348,707 359,197






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Type of passengers 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

to Turkey 52,555 26,737 8,863 11,108 0 

C – Passengers on catamarans 9,742 9,798 14,329 9,370 0 

to Albania 0 0 6,238 0 0 

to Greece 9,742 9,798 8,091 9,370 0 

A2 – Cruise passengers in transit 10,642 2,492 10,303 2,004 2,490 

Source: Harbour of Brindisi, Harbour Authority 

With regard to the traffic of goods from and to Brindisi harbour, data show a relatively positive 

and stable trend over the last few years (Table 6-12). 

Table 6-12 

Traffic of Goods from/to Brindisi Harbour 

Type of goods 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

D1 – Total tons (D2+D3+D4) 11,517.610 11,494.580 12,126.345 12,962.068 11,019.749 10,116.792 

In 9,647.940 9,874.589 10,252.348 10,870.371 9,355.403 8,538.898 

Out 1,869.670 1,619.991 1,873.997 2,091.697 1,664.346 1,577.894 

D2 – Bulk liquid goods 2,826.987 2,763.158 2,792.110 2,886.735 2,419.070 2,726.727 

In 2,272.313 2,193.604 2,184.187 2,331.623 1,991.694 2,225.927 

Out 554,674 569,554 607,923 555,112 427,376 500,800 

D3 – Bulk solid goods 7,069.282 7,463.168 7,785.389 8,160.367 7,058.752 6,006.183 

In 6,618.264 7,089.914 7,378.421 7,612.981 6,612.108 5,640.336 

Out 451,018 373,254 406,968 547,386 446.644 365,847 

D4 – Packaged goods 1,621.341 1,268.254 1,548.846 1,914.966 1,541.927 1,383.882 

In 757,363 591,071 689,740 925,767 751,601 672,635 

Out 863,978 677,183 859,106 989,199 790,326 711,247 

Source: Harbour of Brindisi, Harbour Authority 

Otranto Harbour 

The Otranto Port is located about 20 km south of the corridor and consists of an inlet protected 

by the pier of San Nicolas. In the past it was particularly important for commercial and military 

purposes, and until 1999 ferries connected the port of Otranto with Greece and Albania. Today 

only private boats and small commercial and fishing fleets dock in it (Figure 6-48).






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Figure 6-48 View of the Otranto Port 

Source: www.panoramio.com 

San Foca and San Cataldo Harbours 

The San Foca marina is located about 2 km south of the corridor. Boats longer than 25 meters 

are not permitted at this marina. As discussed in the economy section, this marina is important 

for small-scale fishermen operating in the Study Area (Figure 6-49). 

The San Cataldo marina is located around 10 km north of the corridor and has 3 floating docks 

that are 50 meters in length. Boats longer than 12 meters are not permitted at this marina.






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Figure 6-49 

View of the Harbour of San Foca 

Source: ERM field visit (October 2011) 

6.3.1.2 Fishery 

National Overview 

In 2009 the total fishing catch of the EU-27 (the 27 member states of the European Union) was of 

approximately 5 million tonnes and 7 Member States (Denmark 15.4 %, Spain 15.1%, United 

Kingdom 11.6 %, France 8.6 %, Netherland 7.5%, Ireland 5.3% and Italy 5.0%) accounted for 

about 70 % of the total fishing catch. Figure 6-50 shows a drop in the fishing catch between 1995 

and 2009 (37%), mainly due to Danmark, France, Spain and the UK producers.






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Figure 6-50 

Catches - Total all Fishing Areas 

8,000,000 

7,000,000 

EU-27 (tonnes live weight) 

Italy (tonnes live weight) 

6,000,000 

5,000,000 

4,000,000 

3,000,000 

2,000,000 

1,000,000 

0 

302,155 

310,403 

269,852 

295,704 

279,081 

297,899 

315,962 

286,643 

235,758 

253,001 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Source: Eurostat Database 

The total volume of landings by the Italian fishing fleet in 2009 was 242.4 thousand tons of 

seafood. The Adriatic Sea and Sicily Channel supply almost two thirds of the national landings. 

Bottom trawling and small-scale fisheries represent the 39.5% and 28% respectively of the total 

Italian landings. In term of tonnage, engine power and annual landings bottom trawling 

represents the most important fishery in Italy. 

In 2011 the Italian fishing fleet consisted of approximately 13,000 registered vessels with an 

average age of around 29 years. The number of vessels, crew wages and profits decreased in 

the last few years. The increased fuel prices, the restrictions on fishing activities and the increase 

of the minimum distance from the coast, are likely to be some of the reasons sustaining the 

decline of fishing activities and the decrease in vessel numbers (European Union, 2011). 

The rise in the fuel prices was expected to induce fishermen to limit fishing days in order to 

reduce costs; however, Italy reported the highest number of days at sea in 2009 with 34% of the 

total EU-27 and 1,782.8 thousand days spent by the fishing fleet at sea (European Union, 2011). 

Concerning the level of employment in the Italian fishing fleet, data show a decrease between 

2002 and 2009 (Figure 6-51).






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Figure 6-51 

Italian National Fleet Key Indicators: Number of Vessels (2002-2011) and 

Number of employees (2002-2009) 

45.000 

40.000 

Number of vessels 

Total employed 

35.000 

30.000 

25.000 

38.284 

38.062 

35.195 

32.174 

30.351 

30.214 

29.349 

30.091 

20.000 

15.000 

10.000 

16.150 

16.556 

15.628 

15.112 

14.367 

13.804 

15.038 

14.977 

14.969 

13.515 

5.000 

0 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

Source: European Union, 2011 

In 2009 the total number of fishing enterprises in the Italian fleet was 8,663. 89% of which own a 

single vessel, 8.6% owns 2 to 5 fishing vessels, 2.4% owns 6 or more fishing vessels (European 

Union, 2011). 

The equipments most utilised on board are longlines and trawl nets (Table 6-13).






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Table 6-13 Main and Secondary Equipment on Board (Active Fleet until 31/12/2008) 

Main equipment 

Gillnets 

(anchored) 

Secondary equipment 

No 

secondary Longlines Purse seines 

equipment 

Other 

secondary 

equipment 

Longlines 4,688 26 - - 320 5,034 

Trawl nets 466 1,281 555 559 303 3,164 

Gillnets (anchored) - 1,834 - - 639 2,473 

Purse seines 239 97 1,660 - 59 2,055 

Dredges drawn by boats 194 177 53 27 261 712 

Other main equipment 171 36 - - 6 213 

Total 5,758 3,451 2,268 586 1,588 13,651 

Source: Inail, MIT, 2010 

Total 

As shown in Table 6-14 the catch composition of the Italian fishing fleet is extremely 

heterogeneous, and is mostly due to the biodiversity of aquatic resources and the different fishing 

gear utilised in Italy. 

Table 6-14 

Main Species Caught 

Group Species Scientific name 

Pelagic species 

Demersal species 

Source: FAO, 2011 

anchovy 

sardine 

bluefin tuna 

albacore 

swordfish 

red mullet 

hake 

cuttlefish 

octopus 

horned octopus 

rose shrimp 

spottail mantis shrimp 

Engraulis encrasicolus 

Sardina pilchardus 

Thunnus thynnus 

Thunnus alalunga 

Xiphias gladius 

Mullus barbatus 

Merluccius merluccius 

Sepia officinalis 

Octopus vulgaris 

Eledone cirrhosa 

Parapenaeus longirostris 

Squilla mantis 

The fishing sector is highly fragmented in Italy and structural and technical differences in vessels 

can be recorded in each geographical area.






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Regional Level 

In 2009, Apulia was at the 2 nd position for capture and income, after Sicily, reaching a value of 

approximately 16% of the total Italian captures and 17% of the total Italian incomes (Table 6-15). 

Table 6-15 Captures and Incomes for each Region, 2009 

Region 

Capture 

Income 

Tons % Million € % 

Sicilia 49,679 21.4 314.93 27.1 

Apulia 37,894 16.3 196.14 16.9 

Veneto 25,022 10.8 76.44 6.6 

Marche 24,991 10.8 115.25 9.9 

Emilia Romagna 22,288 9.6 77.76 6.7 

Campania 14,126 6.1 64.61 5.6 

Molise 12,904 5.6 51.54 4.4 

Calabria 11,724 5.0 56.46 4.9 

Toscana 10,703 4.6 46.9 4.0 

Sardegna 8,246 3.6 61.76 5.3 

Lazio 5,737 2.5 44.07 3.8 

Friuli V. G. 4,733 2.0 22.86 2.0 

Liguria 4,164 1.8 32.69 2.8 

Abruzzo 1,871 0.8 17.55 1.5 

Total 232,211 100 1,161.41 100 

Source: Mipaaf – Irepa 

In the same year, the Apulia Region produced 37,894 tons of seafood, 50% of which was caught 

utilising the trawl nets system and 20% by pelagic trawling . In terms of regional income the trawl 

nets system is the most profitable, followed by small-scale fishery and pelagic trawling (Table 

6-16).






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Table 6-16 Capture, Income and Prices by Fishing System in Apulia Region, 2009 

Fishing system 

Capture Income Price 

tons % Million € % €/kg 

Trawl nets 19,128 50.5 122.71 62.6 6.42 

Pelagic trawling 7,721 20.4 15.08 7.7 1.95 

Small-scale fishery 4,529 12.0 37.26 19.0 8.23 

Hydraulic dredges 2,270 6.0 6.7 3.4 2.95 

Purse seines 2,183 5.8 4.14 2.1 1.9 

Passive fixed gears 1,471 3.9 5.86 3.0 3.99 

Longlines 592 1.6 4.39 2.2 7.41 

Total 37,894 100 196.14 100 5.18 


Figure 6-52 Capture by Fishing System in Apulia Region, 2009 

Passive fixed gears; 

3.9% 

Longlines; 1.6% 

Purse seines; 5.8% 

Hydraulic dredges; 

6.0% Trawl nets; 50.5% 

Small-scale fishery; 

12.0% 

Pelagic trawling; 

20.4% 


Regarding the fishing fleet, in the Apulia Region the small-scale fishery fleet predominates 

(53.6%) and is followed by trawl nets (35.4%) (Table 6-17).






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Table 6-17 Features of Fishing Fleet in Apulia Region by Fishing System, 2009 

Fishing system 

Units Tonnage Crew 

N. % GT % N. % 

Small-scale fishery 905 53.6% 1,674 7.4% 1,547 38.9% 

Trawl nets 599 35.4% 15,510 68.5% 1,730 43.5% 

Hydraulic dredges 76 4.5% 819 3.6% 152 3.8% 

Pelagic trawling 34 2.0% 2,839 12.5% 238 6.0% 

Longlines 31 1.8% 546 2.4% 72 1.8% 

Passive fixed gears 29 1.7% 371 1.6% 110 2.8% 

Purse seines 16 0.9% 882 3.9% 129 3.2% 

Total 1,690 100.0% 22,641 100.0% 3,978 100.0% 


The Apulia region has followed the negative national trend in fishing production, and shows a 

decrease in capture between 2004 and 2009 (25%) (Figure 6-53 and Figure 6-54). 

Figure 6-53 Annual Fisheries Catch in Apulia Region –2004-2009 Period 

60 

50 

50 

48 

Tonnes (x 1,000) 

40 

30 

20 

42 

39 35 

38 

10 

0 

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Years 

Source: Mipaaf – Irepa






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Figure 6-54 Annual Fisheries Catch in Italy – Period 2004-2009 

350 

300 

288 

268 

286 

267 

Tonnes (x 1,000) 

250 

200 

150 

217 

234 

100 

50 

0 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Years 


The available catch composition data indicate that between fish, molluscs and crustaceans the 

most caught species are Hake (Merluccius spp) and Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) among 

fishes, Cuttlefish (Sepia spp), Octopus (Octopus spp) and Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria, Venus 

mercenaria) among molluscs, and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and White shrimp 

(Parapenaeus longirostris) among crustaceans (Table 6-18)






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Table 6-18 Capture of Fish, Molluscs and Crustaceans in Apulia Region, 2009 

Species 


tons % on total € (x 1,000) % on total €/kg 

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) 8,776 23.2% 17,683.54 9.0% 2.01 

Pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) 722 1.9% 477.13 0.2% 0.66 

Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) 555 1.5% 608.87 0.3% 1.1 

Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga, Germo alalunga) 372 1.0% 1,265.10 0.6% 3.4 

Bonito tuna (Sarda sarda) 363 1.0% 1,161.74 0.6% 3.2 

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) 240 0.6% 3,025.92 1.5% 12.59 

Other tuna 591 1.6% 815.92 0.4% 1.38 

Bogue (Boops boops) 592 1.6% 604.84 0.3% 1.02 

Gurnard (Triglidae) 403 1.1% 2,711.19 1.4% 6.73 

Poor cod (Trisopterus minutus capelanus) 175 0.5% 222.35 0.1% 1.27 

Mullet (Mugil cephalus) 174 0.5% 466.76 0.2% 2.69 

Picarel (Spicara spp, Maena spp) 22 0.1% 47.53 0.0% 2.12 

Whiting (Meriangius merlangus) 15 0.0% 34.40 0.0% 2.32 

Hake (Merluccius spp) 4,580 12.1% 31,591.84 16.1% 6.9 

Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) 36 0.1% 339.61 0.2% 9.32 

Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) 230 0.6% 348.06 0.2% 1.52 

Rajiformes 54 0.1% 313.69 0.2% 5.79 

Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) 585 1.5% 5,026.10 2.6% 8.6 

Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) 18 0.0% 137.05 0.1% 7.52 

Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) 1 0.0% 9.67 0.0% 11.36 

Sole (Solea vulgaris, Solea solea) 5 0.0% 89.88 0.0% 17.6 

Sharks 95 0.3% 119.84 0.1% 1.26 

Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) 461 1.2% 409.85 0.2% 0.89 

Red mullets (Mullus barbatus) 1,227 3.2% 6,225.98 3.2% 5.07 

Surmullet (Mullus surmuletus) 521 1.4% 6,532.84 3.3% 12.53 

Other fishes 4,370 11.5% 26,293.67 13.4% 6.02 

Total fishes 25,183 66.5% 106,563.37 54.3% 4.23 

Squid (Loligo spp) 450 1.2% 4,720.36 2.4% 10.49 

Purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) 465 1.2% 680.81 0.3% 1.46 

White octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) 808 2.1% 3,299.29 1.7% 4.09 

Musky octopus (Eledone moschata) 976 2.6% 4,608.97 2.3% 4.72 

Octopus (Octopus spp) 842 2.2% 6,849.3 3.5% 8.14 

Cuttlefish (Sepia spp) 1,662 4.4% 15,963.86 8.1% 9.6 

Flying squid (Todarodes sagittatus) 1,154 3.0% 2,539.59 1.3% 2.2 

Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria, Venus mercenaria) 2,230 5.9% 6,592.43 3.4% 2.96






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tons % on total € (x 1,000) % on total €/kg 

Other molluscs 114 0.3% 117.28 0.1% 1.03 

Total molluscs 8,701 23.0% 45,372.10 23.1% 5.21 

Crawfish (Palinurus vulgaris) and European lobster 

(Homarus gammarus, Homarus vulgaris) 

46 0.1% 2,043.87 1.0% 44.77 

White shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) 1,261 3.3% 9,431.37 4.8% 7.48 

Red shrimp (Aristeomorpha foliacea) 134 0.4% 2,352.98 1.2% 17.58 

Blue shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) 113 0.3% 2,972.65 1.5% 26.24 

Caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) 111 0.3% 2,130.38 1.1% 19.17 

Mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis) 1,056 2.8% 4,601.97 2.3% 4.36 

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) 1,176 3.1% 20,369.56 10.4% 17.33 

Other crustaceans 114 0.3% 303.08 0.2% 2.67 

Total crustaceans 4,011 10.6% 44,205.86 22.5% 11.02 

Total 37,895 100.0% 196,141.33 100.0% 5.18 


Fishing in the Study Area 

The analysis of data gathered during the field visits to port facility allows TAP to drow up a profile 

of the fishing activity in the area interested by the Project. 

The Port of Otranto and the Port of San Foca (Melendugno) are the landing ports used by 

fishermen working in the Study Area. While the Port of Otranto is mostly used by fishermen 

employed in the large-scale fishery, the Port of San Foca is a centre for small-scale fishing. 

Fishermen venturing into coastal waters between Torre Specchia Ruggeri and San Foca are 

generally employed in both sectors. 

In the Port of Otranto, there are more large-scale fishing vessels which come from several places 

on the coast of Apulia (i.e. Brindisi, Manfredonia, Monopoli, Bari, Gallipoli). These Fishermen 

practice bottom trawling and typically travel anywhere from 3 miles to 12 miles1 off the coast to 

fish. Bottom trawling is a diversified fishing method which uses numerous types of gear designs, 

sizes, rigging and operational methods to catch fish (Figure 6-55). 

1 “The use of trawls, seines or similar nets is prohibited within 3 nautical miles of the coast or within the 50 m isobath 

where that depth is reached at a shorter distance (Article 3.1 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1626/94 of 27th June 

1994). However, the use of dredges for catching shellfish may be authorized irrespective of the distance from the coast 

and depth, provided that the catch of species other than shellfish does not exceed 10% of the total weight of the whole 

catch (Article 3.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1626/94 of 27 June 1994).” Cfr. www.faoadriamed.org.






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Figure 6-55 

Bottom Otter Trawling – Single Trawl Rigging 

Source: Valdemarsen, Jørgensen, and Engås, 2007 

Fishing vessels used by large-scale fishermen have a length of approximately 23 meters and an 

average crew of 5 persons. Bottom trawling is the most important fishing technique in terms of 

tonnage (51% of the total) in Italy 1 . During the summer months (June to September), the work 

day starts at 3 am and ends at 7 pm. During the winter months (December to May), the work day 

starts at 6 am and ends at 5 pm. Fishermen work from Monday to Friday and the salary of crew 

members ranges from 800 Euros to 1,500 Euros per month (or 9,600 to 18,000 per year). 

The Port of San Foca is an important centre for small-scale fishermen (see Section 6.3.1.1). Two 

fishermen’s organisations (cooperatives) which represent professional small-scale fishermen of 

Melendugno are also based in the Port of San Foca. These cooperatives, Il Delfino and La 

Folgore, provide important support to members as they serve to assist with administrative duties 

and protect fishing rights. Il Delfino cooperative is the more prominent of the two and includes a 

significant proportion of the fishermen of the south Adriatic and Ionic coast (from Brindisi to 

Gallipoli), with a total of 186 members. Il Delfino coperative in San Foca is comprised of 

approximately 25 boats and 40 professional fishermen. The small-scale fishing vessels in San 

Foca range from approximately 6 to 10 meters in length and the crews vary from 1 to 3 persons, 

depending on the vessel size. These fishermen work every day if weather allows. At 3 pm the 

nets are laid into the sea, at 4am they are drawn and at 7 am the boats return to the port to sell 

the product. These fishermen typically venture distances of 3 miles off the coast to fish. 

1 FAO 2004-2011. Fishery and Aquaculture Country profiles. Italy. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department 

[online]. Rome. Updated 5 August 2004. [Cited 31 October 2011]. http://www.fao.org/fishery/countrysector/FI- 

CP_IT/en.






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Fishermen interviewed stated that during winter time they can work around 15-20 days per 

month, and during summertime they can work every day. Fishing incomes are based on the size 

of the fishing vessel. For a 5-meter sized vessel operating on the coast, in some years income 

does not reach 5,000-6,000 Euros per year in profit, whereas other boats can earn from 7,000 up 

to 10,000 Euros per year. The ability of these vessels to catch fish varies with the type of gear 

used. 

Figure 6-56 and Figure 6-57 show two different type of fishing gear used in the Study area. 

Figure 6-56 

Gill Net 

Source: Michigan Sea Grant






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Figure 6-57 Boulter or Palamito (a Long Stout Fishing Line to which Many Hooks – Max 

200 – are Attached) 

Source: www.pescanautica.it 

Fishing is seasonal, and there are specific regulations for different techniques or types of fishing. 

The use of gill nets and bottom trawling are the main techniques used in the Study Area and are 

permitted year round. Fishing activities using the bottom trawling method can be practiced up to 

11 months per year. The non-fishing month changes every year, according to a decision by 

relevant authorities. For example, in 2010 the non-fishing month was September, and in 2011 it 

was the month of October. 

Key informants reported that illegal fishing is a problem and that local authorities are currently 

working to address this issue and that cuttlefishes and blue fishes are the main species caught 

by local fishermen: 

• Cuttlefishes in March, April and May; 

• White bream, gilthead bream, common dentex in May, June, July and August; 

• Blue fish, mullet, greater amberjack, garrick from August to November. 

6.3.2 Archaeology 

Based on official data presented in the “Register of underwater archaeological sites in the 

Southern Italian regions of Campania, Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria” of the Ministry of Cultural 

Heritage and Activities (http://www.archeomar.it/), the area of interest is not characterized by 

evidence of submerged archaeological sites, except for 3 sites located north of the landfall and 

presented in Figure 6-58.






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Figure 6-58 Areas of Interest 

Source: ERM mapping (based on Archeomar and published papers, December 2011) 

However, archaeological findings have been reported over the years in the waters facing the 

town of St. Foca as described as follow and presented in the previous figure (red dot 

representing amphorae location). Recent underwater surveys carried out by TAP failed to locate 

archaeological remains, but it is thought that this is mainly due to the fact that the seabed of the 

area has been frequently visited and looted by (recreational) divers.






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Nevertheless, in the sea between S. Foca and Otranto, at a depth of c. 100 m, amphorae have 

been discovered, often fortuitously, by fishermen using bottom trawlers. Given the great depth, it 

is likely that these finds come from rather well preserved archaeological sites. Among the 

artifacts recovered, which belong to the same groups of items, some Corinthian-Kerkyrian items 

produced in the fourth century B.C. and some contemporary “Ancient Graeco-Italic” amphorae 

are especially noteworthy, but some Roman amphorae of Late Republican Lamb. 2, Dr. 6A type, 

some transitional shapes, and even Dr. 2-4 types have also been recovered. Among the 

collection there are also amphorae of Eastern origin such as Late Roman Amphora 1 and some 

North African amphorae, dating from the Late Imperial Age. Finally, from the sea in front of St. 

Foca come some amphorae dating from the Medieval Age (tenth, and first half of the eleventh 

century A:D.). 

Potentially, San Foca played a role during historic times as a secondary port-of-trade, due to its 

position at the mouth of the Adriatic and its proximity to Albania and northwest Greece. Both the 

shipwrecks and amphorae findings highlight the archaeological sensitivity of the waters around 

southern Puglia. Even if these findings are not in proximity of the pipeline and landfall area, a 

residual potential for unknown findings should be considered. 

Figure 6-59 Amphorae discovered in the sea between San Foca and Otranto 

Source: Auriemma, R. (2004)






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6.3.3 Marine Ammunition / Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) 

Different periods in the recent history of Southern Adriatic Sea airspace were characterized by 

intensive military activities. During the Second World War, the Brindisi area was heavily bombed 

due to the presence of important industrial installations. More recently, during the Kosovo War in 

the 90’s, many airborne missions involved military installations located in the Puglia region in the 

southern part of Italy. 

Frequently, during military operations, useless and obsolete ammunitions, explosives and war 

materials of every description have been dumped at sea. Among these military ordnances, 

chemical weapons (CWs) and uncontrolled agents represent a significant percentage. 

Despite of the potential risks associated with dumped military material (i.e. identification during 

project construction phases, and pollution) and despite the presence of different international 

initiatives dealing with it (Dumping Protocols of the Barcelona Convention in 1976, London 

Dumping Convention in 1996, Decision No. 2850/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the 

Council of 20 December 2000), information regarding areas impacted by dumping actions is not 

completely available, as there is no legal obligation on EC Member States or non-EC 

Mediterranean States to provide it. Even though nautical charts and pilot books provide details 

about many dumping sites and shooting practice areas in the Mediterranean Sea, many other 

sites remain uncharted and little data on quantities and types of ordnance dumped is made 

available. 

In 2006 MED POL, the marine pollution assessment and control component of the Mediterranean 

Action Plan (MAP), produced a first assessment of dumping site locations in the Mediterranean 

Sea. In 2008 an updated version of this report was published showing different types of dumping 

areas in the Adriatic Sea based on consultation of national military and civilian archives, nautical 

charts, sailor notices, fishermen interviews and nautical institutions documentation (i.e. ICRAM, 

CoNISMa, CETLI, IBIM-CNR). 

The results of this quite detailed survey, even if not exhaustive due to the difficulty in accessing 

such types of information, identifies different types of dumping areas (i.e. chemical weapons, 

conventional weapons, unexploded ordnance, and white phosphorous weapons), shipwrecks and 

firing practice and exercise areas.






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Based on this survey and focusing on the area of interest represented by the southern part of the 

Adriatic Sea, the offshore route path is not intersecting above mentioned types of areas as 

reported in Figure 6-60. 

Figure 6-60 Location of Dumping Areas and Military Practice Areas in Southern Adriatic 

Sea 

Source: “Ammunitions Dumping Sites in the Mediterranean Sea”, UNEP/MAP (2009) and Marittime Office of Otranto 

(Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo di Otranto - 2003) 

6.4 Onshore Physical Environment 

The baseline for the onshore physical environment aims to characterize existing environmental 

conditions prior to the project execution, thus allowing the assessment of environmental impacts 

potentially produced by the Project. 

The following environmental aspects of the study area have been considered: 

• Climate and ambient air quality;






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• Acoustic Environment; 

• Surface water; 

• Groundwater; 

• Geology and Geomorphology; 

• Soil Quality; 

• Landscape and Visual Amenity. 

Environmental components were characterised by means of: 

• desktop analysis: 

o Publicly available literature using international and national sources of information; 

o Government data (published by regional or national Environmental Protection Agencies) 

• Environmental field surveys: specific surveys depending on the environmental aspects being 

characterised. 

This section presents desktop analysis and field survey results for the environmental component 

analysed, providing the environmental baseline for the onshore physical environment.






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6.4.1 Climate and Ambient Air Quality 

6.4.1.1 Climate 

6.4.1.1.1 Desktop Analysis 

The climate characterising the Project area was identified by means of desktop analysis, and the 

majority of the data used for the preparation of this section was taken from the Italian Air Force 

Climate Atlas 1971-2000. It should be noted that although the project will affect a limited area in 

the province of Lecce, climate conditions have been identified for the entire province. 

Orography and altitude influence climate. Figure 6-61 presents a topographic map of the Lecce 

province. As shown in Figure 6-61, the province of Lecce is mainly flat, with higher elevations 

characterising the southwest part of the province and a central depression area extending from 

the city Lecce to the municipalities of Galatina and Maglie. Therefore, the local orography does 

not affect the province climate while the sea assumes a predominant role determining mitigation 

effects and sea breeze systems (ISAC-CNR & Provincia di Lecce 2007). 

Figure 6-61 Topographic map of the Lecce Province 

Source: ISAC-CNR U.O. Lecce (December 2007)






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The Lecce province has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters, and long, warm, dry 

summers. Seasonal temperature variation is low for coastal areas which benefit from the sea 

mitigation effect, and higher in the hinterland characterised by a continental-temperate type of 

climate. Solar radiation is generally high over the province. 

Meteorological data from the Air Force Meteorological Service observation station of Lecce- 

Galatina, 20-25 km from pipeline route (lat: 40°17’, long: 18°17’, alt: 53 m. a.s.l.), are available 

from the Italian Air Force Climate Atlas for the reference period 1971-2000. 

Figure 6-62 Lecce-Galatina station 

Source: ERM (November 2011) 

The following part of this section provides an overview of the annual variation of the main 

meteorological variables for the Lecce-Galatina station.






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Figure 6-63 shows the annual variation in mean temperature, the mean minimum temperature 

and the mean maximum temperature, for the station of Lecce- Galatina (introduced above). 

Statistics are based on hourly data available for the Lecce-Galatina station over the reference 

period 1971-2000. 

Figure 6-63 Lecce-Galatina mean temperature, mean maximum temperature and mean 

minimum temperature annual distributions. (Period of reference 1971 - 2000) 

Tm: Average temperature °C ((Maximum Temperature + Minimum temperature)/2); 

Txm: Maximumum tempearture °C, monthly average; 

Tnm: Minimum tempearture °C, monthly average. 

Source: Italian Air Force Climate Atlas 1971-2000. 

The annual distribution of temperatures ranges from a minimum value of 0 °C – 5 °C in the winter 

and 15 °C-20 °C in the summer, to a maximum value of 10 °C-15 °C in the winter and 30 °C-36 

°C in the summer. 

Figure 6-64 presents mean and maximum precipitation values per month, for the station of 

Lecce-Galatina, based on the reference period 1971-2000.






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Figure 6-64 Mean and maximum precipitation (Period of reference 1971 - 2000). 

[RQ4 Fourth quintile of the precipitation distribution, RTot Total average monthly precipitation 

(mm), RQ1 First quintile of the precipitation distribution, Maximum precipitation (mm) in 24 h.] 

The quintile is a statistical value, defined as one of the four values that divide a frequency distribution of a given 

data set into five equal parts. 

The first quintile is the number below which lies the 20 percent of the bottom data, thus RQ1 is the 

precipitation values below which lies the first 20% of the precipitation values distribution. 

The fourth quintile is the number below which lies the 80 percent of the bottom data, thus RQ4 is the 

precipitation value below which lies the fourth 20 % (and the 80%) of the of the precipitation values distribution. 

Source: Italian Air Force Climate Atlas 1971-2000 

Precipitation values range from 500 mm to 700 mm per year, and precipitation events are 

temporally localised over winters. The highest total average monthly precipitation values occur in 

November and are about 90 mm, whereas the lowest average monthly precipitation values occur 

in July and are about 20 mm.






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Figure 6-65 depicts the annual variation in relative humidity minimum and maximum values for 

the station of Lecce-Galatina, based on data available over the reference period 1971-2000. 

Figure 6-65 Lecce-Galatina maximum and minimum relative humidity annual 

distributions (Period of reference 1971- 2000) 


Relative humidity is on average always higher than 35% and varies noticeably during the year. 

For inner parts of the province relative humidity decreases in July (e.g. Lecce, Galatina), while for 

coastal areas it reaches a value of about 70% in that month (ISAC-CNR & Provincia di Lecce 

2007). 

Figure 6-66, presents the seasonal wind roses for the station of Lecce Galatina. For each season 

the wind rose at 00:00 UTC, 06:00 UTC, 12:00 UTC and 18:00 UTC is given.






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Figure 6-66 Seasonal wind roses 


As shown in the previous figure (Italian Air Force Climate Atlas 1971-2000) and confirmed by the 

technical publication (Ruggiero & Zuanni, 1989) the main winds in the province of Lecce blow 

from the N - NW and from the S - SW 

Table 6 -6-19 presents the percentage of wind calm at 00:00 UTC, 06:00 UTC, 12:00 UTC, 18:00 

UTC for the four seasons, for the station of Lecce-Galatina. Statistics are based on hourly data 

available for the Lecce-Galatina station over the reference period 1971-2000.

Page 106 of 399 

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Table 6 -6-19 Percentage of Wind calm (Period of reference 1971- 2000) 

% Wind Calm (1971- 2000) Winter Spring Summer Autumn 

Percentage frequency of occurrence at = 00 UTC* 44 51 61 54 




Percentage frequency of occurrence per season 31.5 29.8 29.3 36.3 

Annual Percentage frequency of occurrence 31.7 

UTC: Coordinated Universal Time 


Wind calms are more frequent in spring and summer at 00:00 UTC, 06:00 UTC, 12:00 UTC, 

whereas at 18:00 UTC wind calms are more frequent in winter and autumn than in summer and 

spring. The annual percentage of wind calm is approximately 31.7 %. 

6.4.1.2 Air quality 

6.4.1.2.1 Air Quality Legal Framework 

At the international level, air quality standards are defined by the Environmental Health and 

Safety Guidelines: General EHS Guidelines: Environmental Air Emissions and Ambient Air 

Quality; the latter refers to Air Quality Guidelines published by WHO (World Health Organization). 

At the European level the Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe 

establishes a common framework for air quality, defining air quality standard. At a national level 

the Legislative Decree 155/2010 harmonises the Italian Environmental Law with the European 

Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality, setting air quality limits for NO X , SO 2 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , 

Benzene, Pb, O 3 , CO. 

The following Table 6-20, Table 6-21, Table 6-22 and Table 6-23 summarise the normative limit 

concentration values at international, European and national level for the macro pollutant emitted 

by the Project NO 2 , NO X , PM, CO.






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Table 6-20 

IFC, EU and National NO2 air quality standard 

Averaging Period 

Value 

[µg/m³ ] 

One hour 200 guideline 200 

IFC EU National 

Value 

Value 

Type 

Type 

[µg/m³ ] 

[µg/m³ ] 

Not to be 

exceeded more 

than 18 times per 

calendar year 

200 

Type 

Not to be 

exceeded more 

than 18 times per 

calendar year 

Three consecutive 

hours 

400 Alert threshold 400 Alert threshold 

Calendar year (1) 40 guideline 40 40 

Notes: 

(1)Calendar year: arithmetic mean of minimum 183 and maximum of 365 measurements per year, from 24 hours each 

(covering 50 to 100 percent of the year) 

Table 6-21 

IFC, EU and National NO x air quality standard 



Value 

Value 

Value 

Type 

Type 

Type 

[µg/m³ ] 

[µg/m³ ] 

[µg/m³ ] 

Calendar year (2) 30 (1) 30 (1) 

Notes: 

(1) Protection of Vegetation and natural Ecosystem 


(covering 50 to 100 percent of the year)






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Table 6-22 

IFC, EU and National PM air quality standard 


24-hours (2) 

Value 

[µg/m³ ] 

150 

100 

75 


Type (1) 

Value 

Value 

Type 

[µg/m³ ] 

[µg/m³ ] 

interim 

target 1 

interim 

target 2 

interim 

target 3 

50 

Not to be exceeded 

more than 35 times 

per calendar year 

50 

Type 

Not to be exceeded 

more than 35 times per 

calendar year 

50 guideline 

Calendar year (3) 

70 

50 

30 

interim 

target 1 

interim 

target 2 

interim 

target 3 

40 40 

20 guideline 

Notes: 

(1) Interim targets are provided in recognition of the need for a staged approach to achieving the recommended 

guidelines. 


(covering 50 to 100 percent of the year) 

(3)24 hour/8 hour values should not be exceeded during 98% of the year. However, in the remaining 2% they may 

exceed these values (a total 7 day / year , but not two successive days) 

Table 6-23 

IFC, EU and National CO air quality standard 

Averaging 

Period 

Value 

[µg/m³ ] 

8-hours (1) 10 


Value 

Value 

Type 

Type 

[mg/m³ ] 

[µg/m³ ] 

8-hours daily 

maximum 

10 

Type 

8-hours daily 

maximum 

Notes: 

(1) 24 hour/8 hour values should not be exceeded during 98% of the year. However, in the remaining 2% they may 

exceed these values (a total 7 day / year , but not two successive days) 

6.4.1.2.2 Desktop Analysis 

Similarly to what was previously stated for the climate desktop analysis, the air quality desktop 

analysis focused on the Lecce province, although the Project will only affect a limited area. 

The air quality monitoring framework for the Puglia region is set by the Air Quality Regional Plan 

(hereafter PRQA as per the Italian acronym), issued in May 2008 by the Regional Environmental 

Protection Agency, (ARPA Puglia, hereafter). 

The PRQA’s main objective is to guarantee that air pollutant concentration values remain below 

the legal concentration limit values. Special attention is given to PM 10 , NO 2 and Ozone, 

concentrations of which exceeded the normative concentration limit values in 2005.






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In order to achieve this objective the PRQA defines a zoning scheme classifying the Apulian 

regional area in four different zones. 

The classification is based on the state of air quality in each zone, and on the measures to be put 

in place to guarantee the respect of regulatory concentration limits. 

The four zones are defined as follows: 

• Zone A: sites subject to high traffic emissions, where pollutant concentration values exceed 

the air quality regulatory concentration limits. Therefore, remediation measures based on 

traffic emissions reduction are required for these zones. 

• Zone B: areas characterised by the presence of industrial plants regulated by the IPCC law. 

Industrial remediation techniques apply to these zones. 

• Zone C: Areas where the pollutant concentration values exceed the regulatory limits because 

of traffic emissions and characterised by the presence of industrial plants regulated by the 

IPCC law. 

• Zone D: Areas which cannot be included in the previous zones. Air quality maintenance plans 

are required for these areas. 

Figure 6-67 presents a map of the Puglia air quality zoning scheme. A red circle highlights the 

project area.






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Figure 6-67 Puglia air quality zoning scheme 

Source: Puglia Air Quality Regional Plan, ARPA Puglia (2008) 

As shown in Figure 6-67, the project area involves exclusively D zones. 

The regional air quality monitoring network, managed by ARPA Puglia, covers the province of 

Lecce with 15 monitoring stations. Of these 15 stations, those closest to the project area are 

located in the municipalities of Galatina and Maglie (Figure 6-68). These stations are both 

classified as suburban, thus they are located in sites typical of residential areas on the outskirts 

of a town or city and they monitor CO, NO 2 , O 3 , SO 2 and atmospheric particulate matter (PM 10 ).






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Figure 6-68 ARPA Puglia air quality monitoring station in the province of Lecce 

Source: http://www.arpa.puglia.it/ 

Air quality data for the province of Lecce are available on annual basis from the regional state of 

the environment report, (hereafter RSA per the Italian acronym), developped by ARPA Puglia. 

The most recent RSA available on the ARPA Puglia website refers to the year 2009. 

The Puglia 2009 RSA defines the following as air quality indicators: PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , O 3 , 

Benzene, PAHs and heavy metals. The level of atmospheric concentration for each indicator is 

given at a provincial scale and compared with the normative concentration limit. 

Moreover air quality monthly reports for the year 2010 are available from the ARPA Puglia 

website; they provide monthly data for each regional air quality monitoring station. 

The following sub-sections provide an overview of 2009 PM 10 , NO 2 and O 3 atmospheric 

concentrations in the province of Lecce taken from the ARPA Puglia – 2009 RSA, along with 

2010 PM 10 , NO 2 and O 3 for the stations of Galatina and Maglie. The latter (Figure 6-68) are the 

only stations of the regional air quality monitoring network located in the proximity of the project 

area and thus representative of its air quality conditions.






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For additional information or explanations about the legislative limits reported above, please refer 

to the Legal Framework (Chapter 3). 

PM10 

Figure 6-69 presents the mean and maximum number of instances of PM 10 in excess of the daily 

concentration limit (50 µg/m 3 , not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year) monitored in 

2009, by province. 

It is clearly noticeable from Figure 6-69 how 2009 PM 10 daily concentrations in the province of 

Lecce never exceeded the legal limit. 

Figure 6-69 PM 10 - Number of days exceeding the daily concentration limit - Mean and 

maximum values for Apulian provinces (BA: Bari; BR: Brindisi; FG: Foggia; LE: Lecce; 

TA: Taranto). 

N. Days 

Mean value 

Maximum 

value 

Limit value 

Source: ARPA Puglia RSA (2009) 

Figure 6-70 shows the PM 10 annual concentration profile for the 2006-2009 period. 

The legal limit on PM10 annual concentration is of 40 µg/m 3 . The trend from 2006 to 2009 is of 

decreased concentrations in the province of Lecce. Only in the in 2006 the legal limit was 

exceeded.






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Figure 6-70 PM10 – Annual concentration profile 


Table 6-24 presents PM10 annual mean value for the year 2010, along with the number of days 

exceeding the daily concentration limit of 50 µg/m 3 during 2010, for the Galatina station. There 

are no 2010 data available for the Maglie station. 

Table 6-24 

PM10: 2010 annual mean and number of days exceeding the daily 

concentration limit for the Galatina and Maglie stations 

ARPA Puglia monitoring station 2010 Annual Mean 

[g/m 3 ] 

Number of days exceeding the daily 

concentration limit 

Galatina 21 7 

Source: ARPA Puglia - Air quality Report December 2010 

Table 6-24 shows that PM10 concetrations monitored at the Galatina station comply with air 

quality standards on PM10 annual and daily concentrations.






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NO2 

Figure 6-71 presents the mean and maximum values of NO 2 concentrations in 2009. Similarly to 

what is observed for PM 10, the 2009 NO 2 concentration in the province of Lecce never exceeded 

the legal limit for annual concentration of 40 µg/m 3 ; highlighted with a red line. 

Figure 6-71 NO 2 – Annual concentration: mean and maximum values for Apulian 

provinces (BA: Bari; BR: Brindisi; FG: Foggia; LE: Lecce; TA: Taranto). 

Mean value 


Maximum 

value 

Limit value 

Figure 6-72 shows the NO 2 annual concentration profile for the period 2006-2009. Concentration 

values range between 11 and 14 µg/m 3 for the analysed time period .






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Figure 6-72 NO2 – Annual concentration profile 


Table 6-25 presents NO 2 annual mean value for the year 2010 along with the number of 

exceedances of the regulatory limit on hourly concentration (200 µ/m 3 not to be exceeded more 

than 18 times per year) during 2010, for the Galatina and Maglie stations. 

Table 6-25 

NO2 - 2010 annual mean and number of days exceeding the regulatory limit 

for hourly concentration for the Galatina and Maglie stations 

ARPA Puglia monitoring station 2010 Annual Mean 

[µg/m 3 ] 

Number of hours exceeding the hourly 


Galatina 10 0 

Maglie 10 0 

Table 6-25 shows that NO 2 concetrations monitored at the stations of Galatina and Maglie 

comply with air quality standards on NO 2 annual and hourly concentrations. 

O3 

Figure 6-73 presents the number of days exceeding the O 3 concentration limit for human health 

protection (limit on the maximum 8-hours moving average concentration per day, of 120 µg/m 3 , 

not to be exceeded more than 25 times per year). The 2009 O 3 concentration in the province of 

Lecce exceeded the above mentioned O 3 concentration limit value.






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Figure 6-73 O 3 - Number of days exceeding the concentration limit for human health 

protection 

N. Days 

Maximum value 

Limit value 


Table 6-26 presents the number of exceedances of the above mentioned O 3 concentration limit 

for human health protection monitored in 2010 at the Galatina and Maglie stations. 

Table 6-26 

O3 - Number of days exceeding the concentration (8 hours mobile mean) 

limit for human health protection in 2010 at the Galatina and Maglie stations 

ARPA Puglia monitoring station 

Number of days exceeding the hourly mobile mean 


Galatina 27 

Maglie 26 

Table 6-26 shows that O 3 concetrations monitored at the Galatina and Maglie stations do not 

comply with air quality standards set on O 3 concentrations for human health protection.






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6.4.1.2.3 Field Survey 

Overview 

The air quality desktop analysis has been complemented with a specific air quality field survey 

carried out along a 2-km wide corridor centred on the pipeline, including the PRT site. 

It should be noted that the PRT will not produce significant atmospheric emissions (under normal 

conditions, only a few hours of emissions from the heaters can be assumed), and that the 

atmospheric field survey aims exclusively to characterise the air pollution level at receptors over 

the Project area. The atmospheric survey focused on monitoring NO 2 , which is a ubiquitous air 

pollutant and one of the most prominent. 

The following parts of this section present a detailed description of the air monitoring equipment 

used, logistics and timing of the air quality survey and final results. 

Air monitoring equipment 

The survey has been performed by experts, by mean of NO 2 diffusion samplers. These samplers 

are designed for passively monitoring gaseous airborne NO 2 and consist of small plastic tubes or 

box containing a chemical which reacts with NO 2 present in the air. Once in place, diffusion tubes 

have one end left open to the atmosphere, and are retrieved after the exposure period and sent 

to a laboratory for the analysis. 

In particular the diffusion tube used for this field survey, the components of which are shown in 

Figure 6-74, consists of a cylindrical adsorbent material (Figure 6-74a), a support plate (Figure 

6-74b) and a diffusion body (Figure 6-74c).The cylindrical adsorbent filter, specific for the 

pollutant being monitored (NO 2 ), is inserted inside the diffusion body and positioned on the 

support plate.The diffusion tube is then placed inside a box designed for protecting the tube from 

adverse meteorological conditions. The box is securely fixed to a vertical support, (such as 

electric posts, drainpipes, tree branches) at a height of approximately 2.5 m from the ground. 

Figure 6-75 shows an example of a diffusion tube affixed to an electric post.






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The duration of exposure can vary from one to two weeks, depending on the type of adsorbent 

filter being used. It is one week for the specific type of adsorbent filter used in this field survey. 

After exposure, the adsorbent filter is analyzed in the laboratory using specific techniques. 

The analysis needed for the present survey have been performed by the chemical and biological 

laboratory THEOLAB s.p.a (http://www.theolab.com) in compliance with the UNI CEI EN ISO\IEC 

17025. 

Figure 6-74 Diffusion tube components 

Source Radiello ® Manual 02-2003 Padua Centre for Environmental Research-Maugeri Foundation






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Figure 6-75 Diffusion Tube placed on a drainage pipe 

Source: Field Survey ERM (October 2011) 

Logistics and Timing 

Six suitable locations for diffusion tubes were selected after adequate site inspections and 

consultations with local authorities. The choice of the diffusion tube locations was based on the 

following criteria: 

• The proximity to sensitive receptors (settlements, schools, recreation areas): in order to 

provide a close-up picture of existing NO 2 air quality conditions at receptors within a 2-km 

wide stripe centred on the pipeline. 

• Avoidance of temporary and local sources of NO 2 emissions, such as vehicular traffic, road 

crossings, parking spaces, household heating, in order to characterize the background NO 2 

concentration without the influence of local emissions, especially traffic, on the results. 

Figure 6-76 shows the locations of the 6 air quality monitoring sites, where diffusion tubes have 

been placed, and highlights the 2-km wide corridor centered on the pipeline and the PRT 

location.






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Figure 6-76 Air quality monitoring sites 


As previously mentioned, the exposure period for the specific type of diffusion tubes used, is one 

week. The diffusion tubes were placed in the aforementioned locations from 11 - 13 October 

2011, and the air quality survey lasted four weeks. It included a weekly replacement of every 

sampler. Samplers were periodically collected and sent to the chemical Laboratory THEOLAB 

s.p.a. 

Annex 5 presents a detailed description of the 6 air quality monitoring sites, providing UTM 

coordinates, geographical information, satellite picture of the area and a picture of the diffusion 

tube. 

Results 

The analysis provided NO 2 concentration data at the selected locations, enabling an overview of 

the current atmospheric pollution from NO 2 level.






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Results were analyzed at each location for each diffusion tube, thus for each monitored week and 

for the whole monitoring period. Table 6-27 presents the air quality monitoring field survey 

results, showing NO 2 monitored concentration against in force air quality standards (annual 

average), for each monitored week and for the entire monitored period. 

Table 6-27 

Air quality monitoring field survey results 

Air Quality monitoring sites 

Week 

13/10/11- 

20/10/11 

NOx Average Concentration [µg/m 3 ] 

Week 

27/10/11- 

3/11/11 

Week 

20/10/11- 

27/10/11 

Week 

3/11/11- 

10/11/11 

Entire period 

AQ1 4.53 5.12 8.42 7.04 6.28 

AQ2 4.92 5.12 8.96 5.70 6.18 

AQ3 5.06 5.35 9.14 4.09 5.91 

AQ4 6.36 7.72 20.54 4.86 9.87 

AQ5 5.46 6.60 13.91 4.36 7.58 

AQ6 4.49 7.09 13.35 7.74 8.17 

NOx Maximum Annual Average ConcentrationD.Lgs 155/2010 Limit : 40 µg/m 3 

It is clearly noticeable from previous Table how NO 2 observed concentration values are always 

below the normative concentration limit on NO 2 annual concentration of 40 µg/m 3 set by the 

D.Lgs 155/2010. 

The highest weekly concentration value, of 20.54 µg/m3, was observed at the AQ5 location on 

the third week, and might be attributable to vehicular traffic, as the AQ5 monitoring site is located 

close to a street.






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6.4.2 Acoustic Environment 

This Section is intended to describe the spatial planning and the status of the noise climate in the 

area surrounding the project site. 

6.4.2.1 Legislative Framework 

A brief description of noise legislation is reported in the following paragraphs in order to define 

the noise limits for the project site and the surrounding areas. 

6.4.2.1.1 National Legislation 

At national level, Law n. 447 of 26 th October 1995 “Legge quadro sull'inquinamento acustico” 

(Law on noise pollution) establishes a common framework for noise, defining acoustic limits on 

the basis of territorial characteristics. Law n.447/95 states the main principles to protect the 

environment from noise pollution caused by fixed or mobile sources; the definition of the criteria 

to be adopted for the acoustic planning and recovery makes reference to ministerial decrees, 

regional laws and local regulations, as listed below: 

• DPCM 1 March 1991 “Limiti massimi di esposizione al rumore negli ambienti abitativi e 

nell’ambiente esterno” (Maximum noise levels allowable indoor and outdoor); 

• DPCM 14 November 1997 “Determinazione dei valori limite delle sorgenti sonore” (Definition 

of noise limits for noise sources); 

• DM 16 March 1998 “Tecniche di rilevamento e di misura dell’inquinamento acustico” 

(Measurement techniques for noise pollution); 

• Regional Law of Puglia, LR n.3 of 12th February 2002 “Norme di indirizzo per il contenimento 

e la riduzione dell’inquinamento acustico” (Regulations for control and reduction of the noise 

pollution). 

According to Law n.447/ 95 and Ministerial Decrees, every municipality approves an Acoustic 

Zoning Plan classifying the territory into acoustic classes on the basis of land use (current or 

forecasted) and territorial characteristics (residential, commercial, industrial areas, etc.). 

However, this classification lets to group into homogeneous classes areas needing the same 

level of acoustic protection, as reported in Table 6-28.






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Table 6-28 Acoustic Classes 

Class 

Description 

I 

II 

III 

IV 

Protected areas 

Residential areas 

Mixed areas 

Areas with intensive human activity 

Hospitals, schools, parks, rest houses, areas of urban and 

architectural interest, protected areas 

Areas with local traffic road, low-density residential area, 

small commercial activities, absence of artisan and 

industrial activities 

Areas with local and crossing traffic road, medium-density 

residential areas, offices, commercial and small artisan 

activities, agricultural areas and absence of industrial 

activities 

Areas with intensive traffic road, high residential density, 

several commercial and artisan activities; areas in proximity 

of highway and railway; harbour areas; areas with small 

industrial activities 

V Principally industrial areas Industrial areas with low residential density 

VI Only Industrial areas Industrial areas with absence of residential buildings 

Source: DPCM 01/03/91 

DPCM 01/03/91 introduces 2 criteria to be taken into account for defining the noise level in 

correspondence of receptors: 

• Absolute Noise Limit Criterion: noise limit to be compared with the noise cumulative impact 

produced by all the noise sources affected an area; 

• Differential Noise Limit Criterion: defined as the difference between ambient noise level 

and background noise level and calculated principally in correspondence of residential 

buildings. 

o Ambient noise level: noise level produced by all the sources affecting an area in a range 

of time. It is calculated as the sum of the background noise level and each source 

contribution; 

o Background noise level: noise level monitored in absence of specific noise sources (e.g. 

absence of industrial activity or traffic road). 

If the acoustic zoning plan has not been approved yet, DPCM 01/03/91 defines noise limits for all 

municipalities’ territory, as reported in Table 6-29.






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Table 6-29 

Noise Limits in Absence of the Acoustic Zoning Plan 

Zone 

Absolute Noise Limits 

Leq dB(A) 

Day 

Night 

(06:00-22:00) (22:00-06:00) 

Differential Noise Limits (2) 

Leq dB(A) 

Day 

Night 

(06:00-22:00) (22:00-06:00) 

All national territory 70 60 5 3 

Zone A (D.M. 1444/68) (1) 65 55 5 3 

Zone B (D.M. 1444/68) (1) 60 50 5 3 

Industrial areas 70 70 - - 

Notes: 

(1) Zones as for DM 2 April 1968, article 2 

• Zone A: residential areas with historic, artistic and environmental value; 

• Zone B: residential areas, totally or partially developed, different from Zone A. 

(2) Defined as the increase of noise above background level due to project’s activity. It is calculated at receptor as the 

difference between cumulative noise level (background+project contribution) and background level (residual noise). 

Source: DPCM 01/03/91 

DPCM 14/10/97 introduces the following noise limits that have to be applied to the classes 

identified with the acoustic zoning plan: 

• Emission Noise Limit: maximum noise level that can be produced by a source, monitored in 

proximity of the same noise source (reported in Table 6-30). 

This value is related only to the specific acoustic characteristics of the single source and it’s not 

influenced by other factors, such as the presence of other sources. 

• Immission Noise Limit (Absolute and Differential): maximum noise level produced by one or 

more noise sources that can affect an area (indoor or outdoor), monitored in proximity of the 

receptors (reported in Table 6-31). 

This value takes into account the cumulative effect of all souces and the background noise level 

that characterises the area in absence of the sources.






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Table 6-30 

Emission Noise Limits 

Class 

Noise Limits - Leq in dB(A) 

Day (06:00-22:00) Night (22:00-06:00) 

I – Protected areas (Aree particolarmente protette) 45 35 

II – Residential areas (Aree prevalentemente 

residenziali) 

50 40 

III – Mixed areas (Aree di tipo misto) 55 45 

IV – Areas with intensive human activities (Aree di 

intensa attività umana) 

V – Areas mainly dedicated to industrial activity 

(Aree prevalentemente industriali) 

VI – Industrial areas (Aree esclusivamente 

industriali) 

60 50 

65 55 

65 65 

Source: DPCM 14/11/97 - Table B 

Table 6-31 

Immission Noise Limits 

Class 

Noise Limits - Leq in dB(A) 

Day (06:00-22:00) Night (22:00-06:00) 

I – Protected areas (Aree particolarmente protette) 50 40 

II – Residential areas (Aree prevalentemente 

residenziali) 

55 45 

III – Mixed areas (Aree di tipo misto) 60 50 

IV – Areas with intense human activities (Aree di 

intensa attività umana) 

V – Areas mainly dedicated to industrial activity 

(Aree prevalentemente industriali) 

VI – Industrial areas (Aree esclusivamente 

industriali) 

65 55 

70 70 

70 70 

Source: DPCM 14/11/97 - Table C 

Law on noise pollution does not establish specific noise limits for activities and equipments 

involved in the project construction phase. As established by Law 447/95 - art.6, the mayor can 

establish, with specific municipal decrees, the possibility to temporarily exceed, only for 

construction activities, the noise limits defined by the acoustic zoning plan or DPCM 91. These 

new limits shall be decided according to the environmental context in which the project is located 

and the intended use of the surrounding areas and buildings.






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The Proposer, if necessary, can conservatively require the authorization for temporary activities 

to exceed the established noise limits; this request has to be applied to the municipality for 

approval. The authorization request should contain the project phase duration, a list of all the 

equipments in activities and all the available techniques implemented in order to reduce the noise 

impact. 

DM 16 March 1998 describes the monitoring of noise pollution and its sampling techniques, 

explaining how performing noise, specifying the parameters to be monitored and the different 

methodologies depending on the source. 

6.4.2.1.2 International Standards 

International Standards (IFC, 2007) considered for the Project sets two levels of sensitivity of the 

area where the project could be implemented, defining for each area different noise levels during 

day time and night time: 

• Industrial and commercial; 

• Residential, Institutional and educational. 

According to IFC, noise impacts should not exceed the levels presented in Table 6-32, or result in 

a maximum increase in background levels of 3 dB at the nearest receptor location off-site. 

Table 6-32 

Noise Level Standards 

IFC World Bank Group 

Period 

Residential, institutional and 

Industrial and commercial 

educational 

Day-time (07:00 -22:00) 70 dBA 55 dBA 

Night-time (22:00 - 07:00) 70 dBA 45 dBA 

Source: IFC 2007 

Referring to noise measurements, IFC gives several specifications on noise monitoring programs 

design, as follow: 

• typical monitoring periods should be sufficient for statistical analysis and cover an appropriate 

time period according to noise variation (24h, hourly or more frequently); 

• monitors should be located approximately 1.5 m above ground and no closed to reflecting 

surface.






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6.4.2.2 Acoustic Characteristics of the Project Site 

The onshore pipeline considered in the present study is approximately 5 km long and its route is 

entirely within the Province of Lecce, crossing the Municipality of Melendugno. The PRT site is 

mainly contained in Melendugno’s territory, with a small portion in Vernole’s territory. 

Along the pipeline and within the 2 km buffer from the route, areas characterised by different land 

use are identified, as residential areas, touristic services in correspondence of the landfall and 

agricultural fields with a predominance of fields dedicated to olive trees cultivation. 

Neither Melendugno Municipality nor Vernole Municipality have approved the Acoustic Zoning 

Plan as established by Law 447/1995. Consequently, the noise limits for the project area are 

regulated by Ministerial Decree DPCM 01/03/1991 and reported in Table 6-29. 

Considering the agricultural nature of the site, the territories of Melendugno and Vernole 

potentially affected by the project belong to Zone 1 “All national territory” characterised by the 

following noise limits: 

• 70 dB(A) for day time; 

• 60 dB(A) for night time. 

6.4.2.3 Sources and Receptors Localization 

The area potentially affected by noise from pipeline activities (construction and operational 

phases) is assumed to be within the first 1,000 metres of distance from the pipeline route, the 

work areas and the PRT. 

6.4.2.3.1 Noise Sources 

In addition to the future noise sources related to the project, in the study area the main noise 

emissions derives from road traffic, even if no relevant noteworthy infrastructure affects the 

corridor, and agricultural activities. 

In detail, along the 5 km of the pipeline, the route crosses areas with a variable presence of 

residential areas. With regard to the noise component, the territory can be schematized in 2 

macro-homogeneous sections, showed in Figure 6-77 and described as following: 

• The first 1 km starting from the landfall of the pipeline in the Municipality of Melendugno is 

characterised by a moderate anthropic influence in correspondence of the land fall and Torre 

Specchia (Melendugno’s hamlet) residential areas. The main noise source is the road traffic 

on Strada Provinciale n.366, Strada Comunale Torre Specchia and on local roads; 

• From km 1 to the PRT the area is destined principally to the agriculture, characterised by 

olive trees yards, with sporadic residential buildings that are mainly uninhabited. In this case, 

the main noise sources are agricultural activities.






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Figure 6-77 Acoustic Macro-homogeneous Sections 

Source: Puglia CTR Modified by ERM (2011) 

6.4.2.3.2 Sensitive Receptors 

Along the pipeline and in proximity of the PRT, several receptors, principally residential buildings, 

have been identified in a corridor of 2 km centered on the pipeline route axis. These receptors 

have been identified previously by a desktop analysis of the local cartography or satellite images 

and then chosen by means of site visit to verify the state of the building and the presence of 

inhabitants. Among these receptors, the most sensitive ones are (Table 6-33): 

• Residential buildings in Punta Cassano at approximately 100 m from the land fall; 

• Residential buildings and an uninhabited masseria within the first 50-100 m from the pipeline 

route (both to the north and to the south), in Melendugno Municipality; 

• Residential buildings at approximately 200 m from the PRT, in Melendugno and in Vernole.






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Other receptors, situated further from the route but representative of the settlements near the 

project area, are a civil building, a church and a Bed&Breakfast in Vernole. Also the 

archaeological site of Acquarica in Vernole has been taken into account. 

In correspondence of the points listed above, a noise monitoring survey was carried out in 

October 2011. For more details, refer to Table 6-33 and Figure 6-78 that reports the localization 

on the map of the monitored receptors. 

Table 6-33 

Noise Monitoring Sites 

ID 

Receptors 

X coordinate 

UTM 34 N [m] 

Y coordinate 

UTM 34 N [m] 

Minimum 

distance from 

the route [m] 

NOI 1 Archeological sites of Acquarica in Vernole 272692.6 4464958.6 900 

NOI 2 "Madonna del Buon Consiglio" Chapel in Vernole 272771.1 4465415.2 750 

NOI 3 Residential building "Villa Elena" - Locality San Basilio 277795.2 4465410.1 190 

NOI 4 Residential building in Melendugno (bicycle path) 277060.4 4465603.2 20 

NOI 5 Masseria in Punta Cassano 277569.7 4465999.6 290 

NOI 6 Masseria “Dragone” (currently uninhabited) 273574.4 4465912.8 450 

NOI 7 B&B - Masseria “La luna dei Messapi” 272767.6 4464623.3 950 

NOI 8 Storage Buinding in Vernole 272498.5 4465460.5 1000 

NOI 9 Residence Punta Cassano 277749.8 4465716.6 90






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Figure 6-78 Noise Monitoring Sites. Map Localization 

Source: ERM Field Survey (October-November 2011) 

6.4.2.4 Field Noise Survey 

ERM carried out a noise survey during October and November 2011 in order to monitor the 

background noise levels of the areas that will be potentially affected by the TAP project’s 

impacts. 

The noise survey was performed by an Acoustic Technician according to DM 16/03/98. In Annex 

5 the acoustic technician certification is attached. In the following sections a detailed description 

of the methodology and the results of the survey are explained. 

6.4.2.4.1 Noise Survey Methodology 

The noise measurements have been performed according to the prescriptions established in the 

Ministerial Decree 16/03/1998 “Techniques of measurements for noise pollution”.






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According to the National Legislation all the noise measuraments were been performed by an 

authorized acoustic technician; the official certificate about his qualification is reported in the 

Annex 5. 

According to DM 16/03/98, the noise levels in proximity of sources or receptors were monitored 

through the use of a sound meter level Type 1, in compliance with EN 60651/94 and 60804/94 

regulations. 

The sound level meter was calibrated prior to use with a portable certified acoustical calibrator 

and the calibration was checked and verified after each period of use. 

In detail, for the noise survey of October-November 2011, the following instrumentation has been 

used: 

• 3 Sound Meter Levels: 

o Larson Davis 831; 

o Bruel&Kjaer 2260; 


• 3 Microphones/Preamplifier: 

o Larson Davis PRMLXT1; 



• 2 Calibrators: 

o Larson Davis CAL 200; 

o Bruel&Kjaer CAL 4213; 

• 2 Software: 

o Spectra Noise Work Win; 

o B&K Evaluator 7820. 

The instrumentation listed above is in compliance with legislation on noise measurements. In 

Annex 5 the certification documents for all instruments are reported.






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Figure 6-79 Sound Meter Levels 

Source: Internet Sites http://www.larsondavis.com/; http://www.bksv.com/ 

The noise measurements let to determine the Equivalent Noise Pressure Level (LeqA) in 

correspondence of a receptor in a specific reference time: 

T 

⎛ 1 p 

Leq( 

A) 

= 10log ⎜ 

10 

∫ 

⎝ T 

0 

p 

where: p is the instantaneous noise pressure level in correspondence of the receptor; 

p 0 is the reference noise pressure level; 

T is the integration period. 

2 

2 

0 

⎞ 

dt ⎟ 

⎠ 

The noise measurement can be performed considering the following reference time: 

• Long Term Time (TL): the duration is related to the variation of the noise produced by a 

source. It includes a several number of TR; 

• Reference Time (TR): day time (06-22) and night time (22-06) according to Italian 

Legislation; 

• Observation Time (TO): time period including the noise variation to be monitored; 

• Measurement Time (TM): noise measurement time; the duration of the measurement 

depends on the variability of the monitored noise.






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For the present study, the noise background levels have been monitored through short and long 

term noise measurements in correspondence of the sensitive receptors identified during the field 

survey. The measurements have been performed at 1.5 m above ground level, where possible, in 

the proximity of building’s façade, otherwise in open field areas as for archeological sites. 

. 

The noise measurements can be divided in 3 categories: 

• Short term measurements (TO) (20 minutes) during the day time, carried out at sensitive 

receptors along the route (residential buildings, church, masseria) in order to be able to 

compare the background noise levels with the future potential noise impact induced by the 

project during the construction phase of the pipeline (activities only during the day time); 

• Medium term measurements (TR) (8 hours – day time), carried in correspondence of an 

inhabited masseria near the landfall in order to be able to compare the background noise 

levels with the future potential noise impact induced by the project during the construction 

phase at the landfall (activities only during the day time); 

• Long term measurements (TL) (24 hours – day and night time), carried out at: 

o sensitive receptors in proximity of the PRT in order to be able to compare the background 

noise level with the future potential noise impact produced by the PRT operation (in activity 

continuously both day and night time); 

o sensitive receptors in proximity of the landfall (residential buildings in Punta Cassano) in 

order to be able to compare the background noise level with the future potential noise 

impact produced by the construction phase operation and the hydrotesting phase 

(compressors in continuous activity both day and night time). Where possible, to estimate 

the future impact of the hydro-test activity, the residential building chosen for the measure 

were the ones closest to the project area (PRT and route). 

The noise measurements points classified on the basis of measure typology are reported in 

Annex 5. 

The noise measurements have been performed according to DM 16/03/1998 and the following 

requirements: 

• absence of precipitations (rain, snow, etc.); 

• wind speed < 5 m/sec; 

• microphone with anti-wind foam cap; 

• microphone orientated vertically (random incidence) in order to record sources coming from 

all directions;






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• microphone positioned at a proper height (assumed receptors’ height), in this case 1.5 meters 

above ground level. 

6.4.2.4.2 Noise Survey Results 

The following Table reports the noise pressure levels monitored in correspondence of each 

receptor and the time of measurements. For every receptor where short term measurements 

have been performed, the noise level was monitored in 3 different day periods (morning, 

afternoon, evening) in order to characterise in a proper way the acoustic background of the site. 

The receptor’s ID (Table 6-34) is consistent with the numbering used in Figure 6-78. 

Table 6-34 Noise Pressure Levels at Receptors 

Receptor 

Measurement time 

Monitored Noise 

Pressure Levels 

Leq dB(A) 

Day 

(06:00- 

22:00) 

Night 

(22:00- 

06:00) 

Absolute Noise Limits 

National Limits 

Day 

(06:00- 

22:00) 

Night 

(22:00- 

06:00) 

IFC 

Day 

(07:00- 

22:00) 

Leq dB(A) 

Night 

(22:00- 

07:00) 

morning 41.6 - 

NOI 1 

20 minutes 

afternoon 34.2 - 

70 60 55 45 

evening 57.8 - 


NOI 2 

20 minutes 


70 60 55 45 


NOI 3 24 hours 44.8 39.3 70 60 55 45 


NOI 4 

20 minutes 


70 60 55 45 


NOI 5 8 hours 37.3 - 70 60 55 45 


NOI 6 

20 minutes 


70 60 55 45 

evening 56 - 

NOI 7 24 hours 44 37.3 70 60 55 45 

NOI 8 24 hours 41.8 33.6 70 60 55 45 

NOI 9 24 hours 41.0 35.4 70 60 55 45






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The main noise sources identified along the project area during field work were: 

• Vehicle movement on roads and pathways; 

• Human working activities in agricultural areas; 

• Animals. 

Table 6-35 highlights the main noise sources identified during each noise measurement by the 

acoustic technician in correspondence of each receptor. 

Table 6-35 

Noise Sources Identified During Noise Measurement 

Receptor Measurement time Main Noise Sources 

morning 

Agricultural activities (tractors), sporadic cars 

NOI 1 

20 minutes 

afternoon 

Agricultural activities (tractors), sporadic cars 

evening - 

morning 

Traffic road, voices 

NOI 2 

20 minutes 

afternoon 

Traffic road 

evening 

Traffic road, agricultural activities (tractors) 

NOI 3 24 hours Potential noise from dogs, car passing 

morning 

Sporadic cars, lawnmower 

NOI 4 

20 minutes 

afternoon 

Sporadic cars 

evening 

Sporadic cars 

NOI 5 8 hours Potential noise from horses 

morning 


NOI 6 

20 minutes 

afternoon 

Traffic road 

evening 


NOI 7 24 hours Dogs 

NOI 8 24 hours Storage building activities, dogs 

NOI 9 24 hours - 

The noise levels monitored at receptors are influenced by the characteristics and the land use of 

the analyzed area:






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• in rural zones where noise sources are not intense, the noise levels are generally below 45 

dB(A) and mainly related to agricultural activities; 

• higher noise levels have been monitored in proximity of roads, where noise levels reach also 

60 dB(A), as for receptor NOI2 and NOI6 located near Strada Comunale Torre Specchia; 

• in correspondence of sites NOI1 and NOI4, the increase from the average background level 

is associated with the movement of machinery in agricultural areas (i.e. tractors). 

Considering the noise limits established for the project area and reported in Table 6-34, all the 

background noise levels monitored during the field survey are in compliance with Italian noise 

legislation both for day time and for night time. 

Considering the more stringent noise limits established by IFC, the monitored background noise 

levels for day time are higher than limits in correspondence of few receptors where short term 

measurements have been performed. This is a consequence of the movement of machinery in 

agricultural areas. IFC standards for night time are, instead, respected at all receptors. 

6.4.3 Surface Water 

In the Salento Peninsula, the surface hydrography is represented, rather than by water courses in 

the real sense of the term, by flow lines into which the rainwater is channelled and which affect 

the lowest areas, with lithological outcrops that are predominantly sandy, sandy-clayey and 

calcarenitic, externally delimited by calcareous ridges. 

These lines drain rainwater by conveying it to doline-shaped hollows (so-called “cupe”) and/or to 

dolines and swallow-holes, areas often subject to flooding phenomena during heavy rainfall from 

which it is dispersed in the karstic subsoil. Along the planned route, the only watercourse crossed 

is at km 0.2. 

This is a small ditch that drains the waters of the extensive marshland (“Palude di Cassano”) 

immediately to the south of the route and which flows into the sea. In addition to the type of 

hydrography described above, it is also important to mention the existence of short, small 

depressions sparsely distributed on the upper surfaces and modelled in the Mesozoic terrains. 

These depressions bear witness to the existence of an ancient network, dismembered and 

largely erased by tectonic events and erosive processes, which must have been active in a totally 

different altimetric and geomorphological situation.






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Figure 6-80 Surface Water 


6.4.3.1 Surface Water Quality 

6.4.3.1.1 Overview 

The high permeability of a large part of the area’s outcropping rocks has hindered the 

development of extensive hydrographic networks. The planned route does not cross any major 

rivers. 

This section provides an evaluation of the small ditch that drains the waters of the extensive 

marshland (“Palude di Cassano”). It crosses the route approximately at km 0.2. 

Sampling activities were conducted in October. The sampling point was about 20 metres from 

road SP 366 and approximately 300 metres from the shoreline (Figure 6-80).






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The location appeared to be a semi dry channel and the water flow was very low. In any point of 

the bed the water appeared to be semi stagnant. The section examined was 15 to 20 m long, 1.5 

to 2 m wide and about 30 cm deep. Parts of the channel bed were covered with reeds. The 

stream bed consisted of clay and loam. Some metres downstream the watercourse flows into the 

sea. 

6.4.3.1.2 Methodology 

The methodology applied for surface water sampling followed the Italian guidelines for the 

execution of such activities. The technique used is the direct method. 

With the direct method, the sample taker fills a vial or bottle (provided by the lab) directly from the 

water body. The sample was collected directly from running water, and collection was made with 

the sample taker facing upstream. 

Figure 6-81 Surface Water Sampling 

Source: Field Survey ERM (October 2011)






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Measurements of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential and conductivity were 

performed before the sampling. The sample was sent to Theolab laboratory (Volpiano (Torino)) a 

qualified laboratory (ACCREDIA registered) used by ERM, for the other chemical analisys. 

The values of the measured parameters are reported in the table below. 

Table 6-36 

Field Measurements of surface water parameters 

Well ID pH Temperature 

(°Celsius) 

Electrical Conductivity 

(µS/cm) 

Redox Potential 

(milliVolts) 

Dissolved Oxygen 

(mg/l) 

AS1 8.1 17.6 1385 128 6.36 

Notes: 

mg/l = Milligrams per liter 

µS/cm = MicroSiemens per centimetre 


Samples were collected directly from the watercourse, packed in appropriate containers 

(provided by the lab) and sent under chain-of-custody procedures to Theolab Laboratory (5 

containers of 1 litre, 1 of half litre and 3 vials). 

The parameters have been judged in first instance against local, Italian environmental quality 

standards for surface waters, according to European directives (2000/60/EC e 2008/105/EC). 

The standards list, Italian and the international standards considered for the water quality limits 

are: 

• Annex 1, Environmental quality standards for priority substances and certain other pollutants, 

Directive 2008/105/EC. 

• Tables 1/A and 1/B, Annex 1, Part III of D.Lgs. 152/2006 and amendments (Ministerial 

Decree 260/2010). 

Box 6-3 

European Water Directive and Italian Standards 

The Water Directive (2000/60 EC), which provides a strategic framework for 

Community action on the subject, constitutes a major advance in European 

environmental policy, given that it regulates the concepts of “ecological status”, 

regarding water-body quality in terms of local responsibilities and of the “planning, 

management and governance of water on the watershed level”. 

Legislative Decree 152 (environmental measures), approved in Italy in April 2006, 

transposes the European directive into Italian.






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6.4.3.1.3 Analytical Results 

Due to the medium conductivity measured in the watercourse, the surface waters were 

catalogued as inland waters. This confirms that there is no exchange with marine water. Indeed, 

the conductivity of seawater is around 54000 µS/cm and approximately 35000 ppm TDS (total 

dissolved solids). The following table reports the results of analyses on the sample collected from 

the watercourse, compared to the threshold values listed in Tables 1/A and 1/B, Annex 1, Part III 

of D.Lgs.152/2006 and amendments. 

Table 6-37 

Analytical Results 

Method Analyte Units Value CSC* 

APAT CNR IRSA 2090 B Man 29 2003 total suspended solids mg/l 1 - 

APAT CNR IRSA 2090 A Man 29 2003 total dissolved solids mg/l 807 - 

APAT CNR IRSA 5040 Man 29 2003 total organic carbon µg/l 7240 - 

Anions 

APAT CNR IRSA 4050 Man 29 2003 nitrites µg/l 19 - 

EPA 9056A 2007 chlorides mg/l 2120 - 

EPA 9056A 2007 phosfates mg/l






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Method Analyte Units Value CSC* 

EPA 8260C 2006 1.1-dichloroethylene µg/l






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6.4.3.1.4 Conclusions 

The water sampled was considered inland water. The regulatory limits are reported in Tables 1/A 

and 1/B, Annex 1, Part III of D. Lgs, 152/2006 and amendments and matching with the target 

values defined in the Directive 2008/105/EC. No parameter above the limits was detected. 

6.4.4 Groundwater 

The following paragraphs describe the hydrogeological aspects of the examined area. 

The description is divided in two levels of detail. The first level focuses on the Apulia Region and 

in particular on the area bordered on the east by the Adriatic coast and on the west by the 

structural heights (horst) of the Serre. The second level analyzes the 2-kilometre corridor area (1 

kilometre on each side) and the Working Strip area. The first has the scope to give an overview 

of the Apulia Region and the Salento sub-region and introduce all the aspects that will be treated 

in the second level called Study Area. 

6.4.4.1 Hydrogeological Aspects 

6.4.4.1.1 Apulia Region 

The Apulia Region represents a complex hydro-geological environment. The Salento sub region 

is characterised by two aquifers: the first (the closest to the surface) is made up of Mio-Plio- 

Pleistocene sediments holding one or more bodies of groundwater. The geometry of the latter is 

often difficult to determine, since the sediments lie in limited intervals of permeable rock in a more 

general context of impermeable deposits. The second, deep, aquifer is made up of Mesozoic 

carbonatic formations. 

The hydrogeological structure of the territory of Vernole, Melendugno and Castri di Lecce (Figure 

Figure 6-82), is characterized by a tectonic disjunctive style regulated by systems of direct faults 

at apenninic and anti-apenninic orientation, that is, in NW-SE direction (there are minor faults in 

NE-SW direction), the planes of which are not always outcropping. This area is bordered on the 

east by the Adriatic coast and on the west by the structural heights (horst) of the Serre. 

The lithostratigraphic reconstruction of the area from the most ancient to the most recent is 

reported in the table below. The formations are described reporting principally hydrogeological 

aspects.






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Table 6-38 

Hydrogeological Asset 

Lithology Description Permeability 

Limestone 

This formation (Calcare di Altamura) is made up of 

alternating layers of variable thickness of compact limestones 

and dolomitic limestones of white and grey colour. The 

Cretaceous limestones are characterised by folding along a 

(Upper NNW-SSE axis, locally associated with faults. These 

Cretaceous) phenomena have created a system of faults forming small 

horsts (known as “Serre”) and Grabens. The Mesozoic rocks 

are always very permeable, due to both fracturing and karst, 

and hold the deep groundwater of Salento. 

Calcarenites 

(Miocene) 

Subappennini 

c Clays 

(Upper 

Pleistocene): 

Calcarenites 

(Pleistocene) 


This formation is devided in Pietra Leccese and Calcareniti di 

Andrano. The first formation is made up of compact and 

detrital limestones. Its thickness reaches the maximum value 

of about 80 m, based on data from wells. Andrano 

Calcarenite is made up of marl limestones and calcarenites 

of grey colour, with a maximum thickness of 50 m. The 

calcarenite is sometimes fine-grained and compact, while in 

other cases medium-grained, porous and friable. The Pietra 

Leccese represents an aquiclude that separates the 

multilevel shallow aquifers from the deep aquifer located in 

the “Calcare di Altamura” formation. 

The subappenninic clays form an aquitard that separates the 

shallow aquifer from a semiconfined aquifer located in the 

Calcareniti di Andrano. 

The shallow aquifer is located in the Calcareniti del Salento 

and Sabbie di Uggiano formations. Uggiano la Chiesa 

Formation is detritic and carbonatic and crops out along a 

strip near the Adriatic sea, with maximum thickness just over 

50 m. The Calcareniti del Salento formation is characterised 

by considerable lithological variability: marly, medium-to finegrained, 

poorly coherent calcarenite and coarse calcareous 

sand, more or less cemented and clayey, covered with very 

hard yellow or reddish hardpan. 

High (secondary permeability) 

Low-medium Pietra Leccese 

Medium Calcareniti di Andrano 

Very Low 

Medium 

In conclusion, the lithological units may be grouped according to their permeability, distinguishing 

primary permeability, due to pores, which consists, first and foremost, of incoherent deposits and 

calcarenitic formations, and secondary permeability, due to cracking phenomena and 

karstification, which consists of calcareous and calcareous-dolomitic rocky masses and welldiagenized 

calcarenite. The degree of permeability varies according to lithological composition, 

the degree of cementation and fracturation, and the degree of karstification of the rock. The 

general hydrogeological disposition of this area is characterised by the presence of a strong, 

deep groundwater located inside the limestone of the Mesozoic basement, permeable due to 

fracturation and karstification. This extends more or less continuously from the Adriatic to the 

Ionian Sea, normally circulating in an open flow, and it is supported at the base by sea water that 

has penetrated the mainland. Above the deep aquifer, there are various upper aquifers over vast 

areas. In general, terrains of different ages are affected in which, due to the existence of 

lithologies with varying degrees of permeability, water circulation is carried out on several levels,






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often in a rather independent manner. The areas endowed with upper aquifers correspond to the 

tectonically depressed areas characterized by Miocene rock outcrops or sandy deposits and/or 

Plio-Pleistocene calcarenites. The superficial groundwaters of the area under examination are 

found in the sandy deposits and Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene calcarenites, and are supported 

by marly or clayey levels or, close the coast, directly by the marine ingression waters. 

The superficial groundwater is characterised by fairly modest flows and scanty thicknesses. 

The development of the phreatic surface, and thus the flow directions of the circulation of the 

groundwater, is conditioned by the configuration of the impermeable substratum. 

Figure 6-82 Schematic geological and hydrogeological cross-section (W-E) 

Source: Calò et alii, 2005 

6.4.4.1.2 Study Area 

The lithostratigraphic asset of the study area, as already described in the previous paragraph, the 

aquifers are: 

• The shallow aquifer is located in the Calcareniti del Salento and Sabbie di Uggiano 

formations. Its charge is due almost exclusively to the precipitation falling on the outcrop in 

the territory. It shows a degree of permeability related to the percentage content within the 

sand, silt fraction and / or silty-clay. The storage capacity is generally not high. 

The water table is subject to seasonal variations level; 

• The subappenninic clays form an aquitard that separates the shallow aquifer from a semiconfined 

aquifer located in the Calcareniti di Andrano. It is connected with the shallow aquifer;






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• The Pietra Leccese represents an aquiclude that separates the multilevel shallow aquifers 

from the deep aquifer located in the Calcare di Altamura formation;the deep groundwater is 

thus confined in these Cretaceous deposits by the overlying Miocene sediments (generally 

impermeable). 

The shallow aquifer and the semi-confinated aquifer belong at the system called shallow multi 

level aquifer.The route crosses the morphologically depressed areas occupied by Plio- 

Pleistocene terrains. Here the multilevel shallow aquifer can be found. In particular, in the initial 

section km 0 – km 1.0, the water table is found at depths of approximately 4 metres (October 

2011), gradually increasing from the coast inland. Indeed, proceeding inland, the water table 

deepens further. This does not exclude the presence of discontinuous groundwater surface 

contained in the calcarenitic terrains and supported by marl levels of the calcarenitic-marly 

formations. 

The following map shows the isopotenziometric and isophreatic lines provided by PTCP 

(Provincial Coordination Territorial Planning) of Lecce. The direction flow of the shallow aquifer is 

indicated by the arrows (Figure 6-83). The figure shows the presence of drainage axes (SW-NE) 

that characterise the shallow aquifer.






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Figure 6-83 Flow Direction 

Source: PTCP – ERM (November 2011) 

6.4.4.2 Bibliographic Hydrogeological Surveying 

A summary of the Hydrogeological Surveying (1986 – 2003), taken from “Geophysical and 

stratigraphical research into deep groundwater and intruding seawater in the Mediterranean area“ 

is reported below. 

Fifteen multi-parameter measurements were taken in wells bored in the deep groundwater 

(Figure 6-84) located in the area managed by the Consorzio Bonifica Ugento and Li Foggi (CBU). 

Two cycles of measurements were carried out: in May 2003, the period when the recharging of 

the aquifers is at its height, and in September, at the end of the irrigation season and before the 

winter rains. In the course of the survey the depth of the piezometric level was also measured. 

Separate measurements were taken: O2, pH, temperature, TDS (salinity) and conductivity. 

A Hydrolab mini sonde 4 (MS 4) probe was used.






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Figure 6-84 Location of the Investigated Wells and of Geophysical Survey 

Source: S. Margiotta and S. Negri






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Table 6-39 Piezometric levels 

Well X WGS84 UTM33N Y WGS84 UTM33N Z P,L,–1987 P,L,–May 2003 P,L,–Sept, 2003 

CBU 11 2810575 4452846 43,69 25,38 21,42 21,37 

CBU 15 2808157 4455926 33,65 3,64 3,35 3,22 

CBU 21 2806105 4460473 34,78 4,61 4,06 3,94 

CBU 22 2807075 4461844 26,20 6,21 5,65 5,80 

CBU 26 2802113 4463997 46,56 3,18 2,75 2,75 

CBU 27 2798364 4464277 39,98 3,72 4,24 4,05 

CBU 28 2799323 4466101 37,20 3,55 3,40 3,04 

CBU 31 2793894 4468538 46,35 3,26 2,77 2,81 

CBU 32 2798657 4470256 39,21 3,33 3,01 2,97 

CBU 33 2795511 4470040 42,20 3,23 2,78 2,78 

CBU 34 2796200 4470835 36,71 3,17 2,81 2,85 

CBU 36 2795007 4470774 40,01 3,16 2,71 2,71 

CBU 37 2795643 4473167 35,85 3,57 3,05 3,05 

CBU 38 2790052 4475973 35,92 3,44 2,02 2,02 

CBU 40 2788720 4476641 34,96 2,32 1,93 2,01 

Source: S. Margiotta and S. Negri 

The publication highlights that a generalised decrease of the volume of fresh water available in 

the study area is in progress. The lowering of the piezometric levels and the rise in salinity 

unambiguously shows the deterioration of water resources in both quantitative and qualitative 

terms, driven essentially by over-exploitation and saline contamination. Furthermore, the pH 

values, together with the diminution of dissolved oxygen, point to the possibility of pollution 

deriving from substances from the soil. In order to support this hypothesis it would be necessary 

to conduct specific chemical and bacteriological tests. 

6.4.4.3 Vulnerability 

The following section is a summary of 

• Application of a geolithologic model for the management of groundwater quality in the coastal 

area of Salento, Giovanni Bruno et al.; 

• Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan of the province of Lecce. 

In the area that runs along the Adriatic coast of Salento Peninsula (Apulia, South-Italy), between 

the towns of Melendugno and Otranto there is a widespread saline contamination of the deep 

aquifer. The high conductivity of the cretaceous calcareous basement (where groundwater flows 

through fractures and karstic conduits) and the uncontrolled overexploitation of this resource, 

have caused during the last fifty years, a progressive contamination. Consequently in some area 

the high levels of salinity don’t allow the use of groundwater for irrigation.






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The shallow and semi-confinated aquifers (constituted by post–Mesozoic deposits) are subject to 

few contamination phenomena localized. 

The intrinsic vulnerability of the shallow aquifer may be attributed to the following aspects: 

• Lateral saltwater intrusion; 

• Up-coning Phenomena (saltwater intrusion) due to excessive deepening of the wells; 

• Saltwater contamination favoured by the presence of tectonic structures. 

The analysis of the pluviometric regime carried out for the 1971- 2003 period has pointed out the 

tropical character of the climate, with a relevant variability of the precipitations and prolonged 

periods of drought. During these periods excessive pumping alters the water equilibriums, 

provoking both the above mentioned contamination phenomena and the qualitative 

impoverishment of the resource. 

In order to evaluate the possible different dynamics of saltwater contamination that involve the 

shallow aquifer, the following map (Figure 6-85) reported the levels of salt content registered in 

32 samples taken from the indicated wells.






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Figure 6-85 Map of Contamination Monitoring Point 

Notes: 

(1) Surveys carried out on December 2007 

(2) Surveys carried out on 2006 

(3) not recent surveys 

(4) TDS < 450 mg/l, (5) TDS > 450 mg/l and < 2000 mg/l, (6) TDS > 2000 mg/l 

(7) wells intercept the deep aquifer 

(8) wells intercept only the shallow aquifers, 

(9) probably faults 

Source: Giovanni Bruno et al 

The figure above shows surveys carried out in December 2007 (1), surveys carried out in 2006 

(2), and non recent surveys (3). The total dissolved solids detected are reported in the legend. 

The study shows that generally the volume of fresh water available in the subsoil of the study 

area is decreased. The results of the surveys demonstrate the ongoing process of saline water






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intrusion into the deep groundwater, highlighting the need to address the issues of protection, 

conservation and correct management of the groundwater resources. In an area like Salento 

which is substantially lacking in surface water resources, groundwater constitutes the only 

renewable water resource. 

The PTCP (Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan) explain that the advancing intrusion of sea 

water (measured and assessed in recent years, e.g. in: Various Authors, Project for testing the 

quality of the strata, Provincial Administration of Lecce, May 2000, and Various Authors, 

Hydrogeological characteristics of the surface strata in the Salento Peninsula and evaluation of 

conduit vulnerability, Provincial Administration of Lecce, 1986) indicates that the conditions for 

continuing to pump groundwater from the coastal area no longer exist, nor is it advisable to go 

too near the floor of the cistern, i.e. the fresh water/salt water interface, when drawing the water. 

Apart from making the water undrinkable, the rising level of salinity in the wells indirectly 

determines a progressive impoverishment in the fertility of irrigated farmlands, resulting in their 

eventual abandonment and leaving them to the risk of desertification. 

By virtue of these considerations the Salento territory is divided into three different zones, each 

functioning in a different way: 

• The first zone (high vulnerability zone), where the entrance of sea water is more noticeable, is 

considered the safeguard zone. 

• In the second zone (medium vulnerability zone) called the recharge zone, identified on the 

basis of a tendency towards increasing infiltrations of salt water reported by monitoring. It is 

possible to draw groundwater from wells still uncontaminated by salt water, and close down 

the supply at the points affected by contamination. 

• Within the third zone (low vulnerability zone), identified as the supply zone, and which is the 

furthest inland from the coast, the largest volume of fresh water, specifically for drinking, can 

be drawn. 

The Study Area is located in the first zone and the area is catalogued with medium vulnerability 

(Figure 6-83).






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6.4.4.4 Groundwater Quality 


On 10 and 11 October 2011, ERM performed groundwater sampling at 4 privately-owned wells. 

The 4 wells were selected from existing wells (for agricultural use) within 500 m of the route. 

The scope of work was to collect one sample per well plus one replicate. 

The relevant characteristics and the location of the sampled wells are presented below. The 

samples have been collected on the shallow multi level aquifer. This aquifer the system is divided 

in the shallow aquifer (Calacareniti of the Salento) and in the semi-confinated aquifer (Calcareniti 

of Andrano). 

Table 6-40 

Sample Points 

Well ID Description WP Name Reported Depth Aquifer 

Kp 

(m bgs) 

Pz1 Agricultural Area HYDRO 1 > 50 Semiconfined 3,8 

Pz2 

B & B La Luna dei Messapi, Used 

existing pump 

HYDRO 5 - Semiconfined - 

Pz3 

Casa Colonica Fornelli, Used 

existing pump 

HYDRO 2 - Semiconfined - 

Pz4 

Well nearby marsh Punta 

Cassano 

HYDRO 3 5,6 Shallow 0 

m bgs = Metres below ground surface 

Source: Field Survey ERM (November 2011)






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Figure 6-86 Groundwater Sampling 

Source: ERM (October 2011) 


Before starting sampling operations, depth to groundwater was measured in each well by means 

of a dip meter. The depth to groundwater was measured from the top of the well. The dip meter 

was decontaminated after measurements at each well to avoid any possibility of crosscontamination.The 

methodology applied for groundwater sampling followed the Italian guidelines 

for such activities. 

Each well was sampled in dynamic conditions following the purging of the well.Purging 

operations lasted until pH, temperature, conductivity, redox potential and dissolved oxygen were 

stabilized.All the wells with the exception of Pz1 were purged by the pump already present in the 

well. 

For well Pz1 not equipped with a pump, the purging was performed with a submersible pump 

provided by ERM (Grundfos MP1 ø2”, specific equipment for groundwater sampling).






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At the end of purging operations, prior to sample collection, the flow of the Grundfos pump was 

reduced to a rate of about 1 liter per minute. 

During purging, groundwater was pumped through a flow-cell suitable for continuous 

measurements of groundwater parameters by a specific multiparametric probe (temperature, pH, 

dissolved oxygen, redox potential and conductivity), in order to evaluate parameter stabilization 

to confirm that appropriate conditions had been established for groundwater sample collection. 

Figure 6-87 Groundwater sampling 


Samples were collected directly from a pipe connected with the outlet of the pump, packed in 

appropriate containers (provided by the lab) and sent under chain of custody procedures to 

Theolob laboratory (6 containers of 1 litre, 1 of half litre and 3 vials).In addition to the standard 

groundwater samples, a quality control (QC) sample was also collected from Pz4, as a blind field 

replicate named Pz5. 

All samples were placed in a portable cooler (maintained at 4°C plus or minus 2°C), and sent 

under proper chain-of-custody procedures to the Laboratory.






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The parameters have been judged in first instance against local, Italian environmental quality 

standards for groundwaters, according to European directive (2000/60/EC). Furthermore to be 

consistent with the international standards are reported in Table 6-42, also the Dutch Standards. 

Box 6-4 

Dutch Standards 

The Dutch List (initially known as the "A B C List" but now modified to the New Dutch 

List) are environmental pollutant reference values (i.e., concentrations in 

environmental medium) used in environmental remediation, investigation and 

cleanup. Site concentrations less than Target Values indicate no restrictions 

necessary; concentrations between Target Values and Intervention Values suggests 

further investigation or restrictions may be warranted. Site concentrations exceeding 

the Intervention Value indicate remediation is necessary. 

6.4.4.4.3 Field Results 

Static depth to groundwater was measured in wells Pz1, Pz2 and Pz4. Depths to groundwater 

are approximately 30 m below ground surface (bgs) in Pz2, 12 m bgs in Pz1 and 4 m bgs in the 

Pz4. Pz4 intercept a shallow aquifer while the other wells intercept a semi-confinated aquifer. No 

stratigraphic or construction data was provided by the well owners. 

The results of groundawater parameters field measurements are listed in the following table. 

Table 6-41 

Field Measurements of groundwater parameters 

Well ID pH Temperature 

(°Celsius) 

Electrical Conductivity 

(µS/cm) 

Redox Potential 

(milliVolts) 

Dissolved Oxygen 

(mg/l) 

Pz1 7,35 18,4 521 400 5,26 

Pz2 - - - - - 

Pz3 6,67 18,1 490 270 7,3 

Pz4 7,33 21,2 1287 -28 0,3 

Notes: 

Field parameters in PZ2 were not measured 

mg/l = Milligrams per liter 

µS/cm = MicroSiemens per centimetre 


The electrical conductibility ranges between 490 (Pz3) and 1287 (Pz4). This parameter depends 

on the ionic components of the water and thus constitutes an indirect measure of its salt content. 

The higher value was recorded in the well located in the landfall area. 

Dissolved oxygen high values were detected in Pz1 and Pz3, indicating that no biodegradation 

process is occurring, while a low value has been detected in Pz4, indicating anoxic conditions.






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Dissolved oxygen values compared with redox potential values indicate a good correlation 

between these parameters. Positive and quite high redox potential values were detected in Pz1 

and Pz3, corresponding to high values of dissolved oxygen in the same wells. A negative value 

was detected in Pz4, corresponding to a low value of dissolved oxygen. 

The following table reports the results of analyses on the groundwater samples collected from the 

wells, compared to the threshold values listed in Table 2, Annex 5, Part IV, Title 5 of 

D.Lgs.152/2006 and amendments and Dutch Standards. 

Table 6-42 


Method Analyte Units CSC* Target 

value 

APAT CNR 

IRSA 2090 B 

Man 29 2003 

APAT CNR 

IRSA 2090 A 

Man 29 2003 

APAT CNR 

IRSA 5040 

Man 29 2003 

Anions 

APAT CNR 

IRSA 4050 

Man 29 2003 

EPA 9056A 

2007 

EPA 9056A 

2007 

EPA 9056A 

2007 

EPA 9056A 

2007 

Metals 

EPA 6010C 

2007_(Ag) 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

total 

suspended 

solids 

total dissolved 

solids 

total organic 

carbon 


Interven 

tion 

value 

PZ1 PZ2 PZ3 PZ4 

PZ5 

(blind 

Pz4)** 

µg/l 121000






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EPA 6020A Total 

2007 chromium 

µg/l 50 1 30 2.03 0.558 0.591 0.362 0.325 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

iron µg/l 200 145 27.8 11 1150 1100 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

manganese µg/l 50 4.65 2.38 0.636 48.9 48.3 

EPA 6020A 

2007 

mercury µg/l 1 0.05 0.3






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EPA 8260C 

2006 

EPA 8260C 

2006 

EPA 8260C 

2006 

EPA 8260C 

2006 

EPA 8260C 

2006 

1.2- 

dibromoehtan 

e 

1.2- 

dichloroehtan 

e 

1.2- 

dichloroethyle 

ne (cis) 

1.2- 

dichloroethyle 

ne (trans) 

1.2- 

dichloropropa 

ne 

bromodichloro 

methane 


µg/l 0.001






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EPA 8270D benzo[k]fluora 

2007 nthene 

µg/l 0.05 0.004 0.05 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

chrysene µg/l 5 0.003 0.2 

EPA 8270D dibenzo[a.h]a 

2007 nthracene 

µg/l 0.01 

EPA 8270D indeno[1.2.3- 

2007 cd]pyrene 

µg/l 0.1 0.004 0.05 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

pyrene µg/l 50 

Nitrogenous Pesticides 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

total 

pesticides 

(DLgs 152/06 

- All 5 Tab2) 

µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

atrazine µg/l 0.3 0.029 150 

2007 

Chlorinated Pesticides 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

DDD (sum 

isomers 2.4' 

and 4.4') 

DDE (sum 

isomers 2.4' 


DDT (sum 

isomers 2.4' 


µg/l 0.1 

µg/l 0.1 

µg/l 0.1 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

2.4'-DDD µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

2.4'-DDE µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

2.4'-DDT µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

4.4'-DDD µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

4.4'-DDE µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

4.4'-DDT µg/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

a-HCH µg/l 0.1 0.033 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

alachlor µg/l 0.1 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

aldrin µg/l 0.03 0.009 ng/l 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

b-HCH µg/l 0.1 0.008 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

dieldrin µg/l 0.03 0.001 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

endrin µg/l 0.1 0.04 ng/l 

EPA 8270D g-HCH 

2007 lindano 

µg/l 0.1 

Chlorinated Pesticides (Chlordane) 

EPA 8270D chlordane 

2007 (cis+trans) 

µg/l 0.1 

EPA 8270D 

2007 

cis-chlordane µg/l 






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EPA 8270D 

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transchlordane 

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6.4.4.4.4 Conclusion 

Groundwater sampling highlighted: 

• In all the wells that intercept the semi-confinated aquifer all the parameters analysed were 

below the CSCs; 

• Sulphates and total iron were detected at concentrations higher than the respective CSCs in 

the shallow aquifer (in well Pz4); 

• The highest value of conductivity was recorded in well Pz4 located in the landfall area; 

• High concentrations of chlorides were detected in Pz4. 

6.4.5 Geology and Geomorphology 

The following sections describe geomorphological and geological aspects. The description is 

divided in two levels of detail. The first level focuses on the Apulia Region and in particular 

Salento sub-region, and the second level analyzes the 2-kilometre corridor area (1 kilometre on 

each side) and the working strip area (26 metres). The scope of the former gives an overview of 

the Apulia Region and the Salento sub-region, and introduces all the aspects that will be treated 

in the second level called Study Area. 

6.4.5.1 Geomorphology 

Apulia Region 

The Apulia region of southern Italy is the emerged southeastern portion of the Adriatic Carbonatic 

Plate which is formed by Jurassic-Cretaceous limestones and dolostones covered by Tertiary 

and Quaternary clastic carbonates and subordinate sands and clay. The following figure shows 

the geological sketch of Apulia: 

• Alluvial deposits, clays and calcarenites (Pliocene-Pleistocene); 

• Biclastic carbonate rocks (Paleogene) and calcarenites (Miocene); 

• Carbonate platform rocks (Cretaceous);






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Figure 6-88 Geological sketch of Apulia 

Legend: 

1 - Alluvial deposits, clays and calcarenites (Pliocene-Pleistocene) 

2 - Biclastic carbonate rocks (Paleogene) and calcarenites (Miocene) 

3 - Carbonate platform rocks (Cretaceous) 

Source: M, Delle Rose et al,: Sinkhole genesis and evolution in Apulia 

The geomorpological landscape is generally flat and characterized essentially by landforms of 

karst origin. Three main kasrt sub-regions can be identified in Apulia (Figure 6-88): from north to 

south, the Gargano Promontory, the Murge Plateau, and the Salento Penisula. In particular the 

Salento Penisula corresponds to the southernmost portion of the region, and is a NW-SE aligned 

peninsula, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the north-east and the Ionian Sea to the southwest. 

Notwithstanding the overall tabular landscape, it can be considered a wide horst fragmented by 

high dip NW-SE faults into uplifted and lowered blocks (Doglioni et al,, 1994). Due to 

configuration of the peninsula, Salento has long stretches of coastal areas, where coastal karst 

processes, and development of hyperkarst (Back et al,, 1979; Cigna, 1983) are particularly 

pronounced. The peninsula took on its present conformation starting from the Lower Pleistocene, 

when tectonic lifting produced lowering of the sea to its present position. The uplift took place 

discontinuously, and resulted during the Late Pleistocene in the formation of coastal plains on 

both the Adriatic and Ionian sides (Dai Pra, 1982; Palmentola, 1987). The coastal plains show 

elevation at most a few metres above sea level and extend inland for several kilometres, partially 

covered by swamps.






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6.4.5.1.1 Study Area 

The examined area is characterised by smooth morphology made up of rolling plains of various 

sizes, positioned at different altitudes and generally stretching in a NW-SE direction. 

The highest morphological structures are called "serre", and form plateaus alternating with the 

lower areas which are large plains. In general, the sides delimiting these structures coincide with 

the normal faults scarps or strata surfaces which have been pushed back to a greater or lesser 

degree by erosion. Along the sides of some of them and in the ledges underneath, especially 

near the current coastline, it is possible to distinguish terraces. The short slopes that recognise 

long stretches correspond to ancient shorelines and bear witness to several cycles of marine 

ingressions occurred in the region. Other important geo-morphological characteristics of the area 

are linked to karstification. On the surface, the effects of this phenomenon have led to the 

formation of doline-like depressions recognizable on all of the outcropping rocks of the area. 

Mesozoic calcareous rocks which for longer periods were exposed to the process of karstification 

are those which have undergone the biggest karst phenomena in these lithologies. 

The calcareous-marly and calcarenitic sediments of the Cenozoic-Pleistocene show that karst is 

less extensive but more frequent. These karst formations generally consist of groups of dolines, 

often coalescing, the distribution of which is often influenced by the tectonic lines. 

Phenomena connected with karstic processes that appear on the surface, especially in the form 

of hollows, depressions and dolines are found in a large part of the area affected by the route. In 

the subsoil, karstification appears in the form of hypogeal caves of various sizes, usually with a 

sub-horizontal course, that develop close to tectonic dislocations and/or along the interlayer 

surfaces of the calcareous formations or at the contact point between the Mesozoic limestones 

and the Cenozoic formations transgressing on them. The hypogeal caves can occasionally give 

rise to collapsing phenomena which are manifested through the formation of sink-holes. One 

example of such collapsing phenomena is the karst system called “Grotta della Poesia” located 

on the shoreline stretch of Roca Vecchia, approx. 4 km south of the route area. This karst system 

is a complex of three main caverns, and intervening galleries. The overall system some 150 m 

long, presents two collapse sinkholes (maximum diameter between 25 and 50 m) which 

correspond, respectively, to Grotta della Poesia Piccola and Grotta della Poesia Grande. 

According to a hypothesis by archaeologists, collapse of the roof of this cave could have been 

partly related to excavations from the surface, realized sometimes during the first or second 

millennium B.C.






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The route runs along the large bench slightly tilted towards the coast that extends up to the 

calcareous ridge N of Galugnano. This section is characterised by tabular outlines locally 

interrupted by slight undulations in the ground which create small cupola-shaped mounds and 

doline-shaped depressions. 

In this setting, the most significant morphological feature is the extensive depression in which 

groundwater emerges and which makes up a marshland, called "Palude di Cassano", located 

immediately to the south of the route, at approx. 1 km from the coast. Other morphological 

features observed are widespread depressions and hollows which, during the heaviest rainfalls, 

can create areas of flooding causing temporary pools of stagnant water. Close to these 

depressions, which are often dolines, considerable accumulations of eluvial deposits ("terra 

rossa"), the filling of the dolines themselves, are often found. 

Along the route, in the course of the survey, no interference with dolines was found. A terrain 

depression is located 300 m west of km 4.7. 

6.4.5.1.2 Coastal Morphology 

This section describes the morphological aspects of the coast in the area around the landfall. The 

plans analyzed are: 

• PRC: The Regional Coastal Plan defines the status of the Apulia coast, the existing 

structures and infrastructures, level of use, level of anthropization, geological and 

hydrological risks, instability phenomena and general criticalities. 

• PAI: the Hydrogeologic Planning includes the definition of the hydrogeogical hazards with 

regard to overflow and instability of sides; 

These Regional Plans have already been described in the Legislative Framework in section 3. 

Figure 6-89 shows a reconstruction of the results of PRC analysis for the coastal stretch affected 

by the Project. The results show that in general, the coastal stretch affected by the Project is 

characterised by geological erosion, alternating sandy coves with small rocky points associated 

with an average environmental sensitivity and a low criticality level (C3.S2).






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Figure 6-89 PRC planning concerning the study area 

Source: Regional Coastal Plan (July 2009) 

Figure 6-90 shows in detail the overlapping of the pipeline layout and the highlighted risk classes 

(PAI). From this Figure it can be noted that the first 72 m of the coastal stretch near the landfall 

point are classified as a very high geo-morphological risk area. In this respect, Art. 13 of the 

Technical Implementation Rules of the PAI allows “to carry out interventions required for the 

maintenance of public works or works of public interest”. For these interventions the Autorità di 

Bacino AdB requires, in order to assess the risk associated with them, the preparation of a 

geological and geotechnical compatibility study to review in detail the effects on stability in the 

affected area. In consideration of that, a detailed geological and geotechnical survey of the 

proposed route will be performed within 2012.






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Figure 6-90 Landfall Point (PAI, Territorial Hydrogeological Planning) 

Source: Hydrogeologic Planning and Field Survey ERM (October 2011) 

6.4.5.2 Geology 

The following sections explain the geology of the area. The geological and sedimentological 

aspects are divided into two different levels of detail, as previously described in the 

geomorphology section. 

Apulia Region 

The Apulian region, of which Salento is part, constitutes the area of the Apulian Foreland above 

sea level. This area appears poorly deformed and is characterised by sedimentary cover, resting 

on the continental crust. The outcropped part of this cover consists of calcareous platform 

dolostone from the Cretaceous period and of terrigenic and carbonate sequences dating to the 

Paleocene-Pleistocene period and quaternary draping.






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The Salento Peninsula, which represents the southernmost emerged part of the Apulian 

Foreland, has a structural arrangement with a disjunctive tectonic style, characterised by a 

system of normal faults running in a NW-SE and NE-SW direction. These dislocations have 

significantly affected the morphostructural arrangement of the territory, generating a series of 

structural relief features (horst) and tectonic and plicate depressions (graben, syncline) extended 

along the axial lines in a NW-SE direction. 

From the stratigraphic standpoint, the entire area of Salento is characterized by a powerful 

Mesozoic carbonatic basement dislocated and often covered in transgression by sedimentary 

deposits dating to the Cenozoic-Quaternary era. The thickness and the sequential succession of 

the post-Mesozoic cover, when existing, vary considerably according to the area, depending on 

the depth of dislocation of the carbonatic basement. By way of example, the Figure 6-82 shows a 

schematic geological and hydrogeological cross-section in a W-E direction, of the area located 

between the towns of San Foca and San Pietro in Lama, in an area adjacent to the instant route. 

The Lecce province is part of a complex hydrological system belonging to a regional graben 

tectonic structure. As a whole, the system is highly vulnerable to both flooding and groundwater 

pollution. 

Study Area 

The Study Area is officially described in Sheet 214 “Gallipoli” of the Geological Map of Italy on a 

scale of 1:100.000. 

The lithologic characteristics of the various units outcropped in the examined area and in 

particular those found along the instant route are described below, referring to the definitions of 

the aforementioned Geological Map of Italy. A number of these definitions were rendered 

obsolete by more recent geological-stratigraphic studies on the Salento area. In particular many 

Authors (ref. Bossio et al; Ricchetti et al.) suggest, with regard to Neozoic-Quaternary deposits, in 

some cases merging units of the geological map of Italy, and in other cases making even further 

distinctions based on recent lithological and stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental 

considerations.






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Figure 6-91 Geological Map 

Source: Geological Map of Italy on a scale of 1:100.000






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• Calcarenite and limestone from the Miocene period 

o Pietra Leccese (Stone of Lecce): the predominant lithological type of the formation consists 

of organogenic, fine-grained, homogeneous, marly calcarenite, generally porous and not 

very resilient, straw yellow, sometimes whitish in colour, often glauconitic. This formation is 

found between the towns of Acquarica and Vernole, approximately 1 kilometres west of 

PRT site. 

o Calcareniti di Andrano (Andrano Calcarenite): this formation consists of organogenic, lightgrey 

calcarenite, sometimes marly yellowish or slightly glauconitic; detritic, porous 

limestone, compact light grey and whitish, or bioclastic limestone. As a general indication 

along the route this formation is found in the section SE of Acquarica (even though in the 

latter, it is sometimes difficult to identify the transition between the Calcarenite of Andrano 

and the Pietra Leccese). The lithology is approximately 0.5 km west of the route identified 

from Kp 4.5 to 4.9. Furthermore it crosses a small part of the PRT area. 

• Calcarenite and sand from the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods 

o Sabbie di Uggiano (Uggiano Sand): the formation presents extreme lithological variability in 

the context of the carbonate-detritic rocks, passing from poorly cemented sandy-calcareous 

facies and detritic-organogenic calcarenite, sometimes marly, at varying degrees of 

cementation, generally more or less crumbly, to compact organogenic detritic limestone. At 

the base of the formation conglomerate levels can also be found. The formation is found 

approximately 1 kilometre south of Kp 4.0. 

o Calcareniti del Salento (Salento Calcarenite): this formation is characterised by 

considerable lithological variability: marly, medium-to fine-grained, poorly coherent 

calcarenite, generally yellow or grey in colour gradually changing to coarse fossiliferous 

calcarenite and coarse calcareous sand, more or less cemented and clayey, covered with 

very hard yellow or reddish hardpan. This lithological type is found continuously from the 

initial point up to the end of the route. It is the dominant lithology throughout the route and 

the PRT area. 

Figure 6-92, below, shows the chronostratigraphic extension of the Miocene-Pleistocene Lecce 

area formations and evaluation of the hiatus recorded. The stripes indicate the lacunes linked to 

the emersion and those recoginised within the Pietra Leccese and Leuca Formation. The Study 

Area of interest is Pliocene and Plesitocene deposits and in particular is characterised by 

Calacreniti del Salento.






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Figure 6-92 Chronostratigraphic extension (Miocene-Pleistocene) 

Source: Stratigrafia Neogenico-Quaternaria del settore Nord-Orientale della Provincia di Lecce (Bossio et al.) 

Along the line of the route, rocky formations are often outcropped or covered by scanty layers of 

soil, sometimes applied artificially in order to allow agricultural cultivation. These coverings, 

consisting of eluvial accumulations and “terra rossa” connected with the alteration in situ of 

calcareous and calcarenitic lithotypes, are concentrated first and foremost on the bottom of the 

depressions (often shaped dolina valley), and/or are more or less extended above the calcareous 

formations. In limited areas recent continental deposits can be identified. These are 

predominantly calcareous sands, greyish in colour, medium-to-fine grained, often clayey and 

sandy clays and dark grey silt. Near the coast they constitute the filling of the retrodunal 

depression and the relative outlet drain to the sea, which extends close to the initial part of the 

route.






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6.4.5.3 Tectonics 

The Salento Peninsula is characterised by a system of normal faults oriented NW-SE and NE- 

SW with a disjunctive tectonic structure. The result of these dislocations is been the 

morphostructural arrangement of the territory. Such phenomenon generated a series of structural 

relief features, (horst), as well as tectonic and plicate depressions, (graben, syncline), extended 

along the axial lines in a NW-SE direction. 

The tectonic phenomena involved firstly the calcareous Mesozoic basement and afterwards the 

post-Mesozoic deposits. At the end of the Cretaceous period the tectonic activity produced some 

faults, proved by the sharp faced rocks, by the friction breccias and by anomalous flat lying 

contacts. 

A new tectonic phase occurred between the end of the Miocene and the beginning of the 

Pliocene, reactivating such fault system. Some asymmetric ridges emerged and, as a 

consequence of this, extensional troughs were generated, giving new possibilities of movement 

to the sea. 

All the faults analysed in the target area are extensive and they are mainly characterized by a 

parallel or sub-parallel orientation towards the coastline. 

Figure 6-82 shows a schematic geological and hydro-geological cross-section in a W-E direction. 

It represents the area located between San Foca and San Pietro in Lama Towns, nearby the 

route. 

6.4.5.4 Seismic risk 

Throughout history, few earthquakes have been recorded in the Salento sub-region. This area 

can be catalogued as having low seismic activity based on the epicentre distribution of the 

historical events and/or the current Italian map of seismic hazard (Ordinanza PCM, 2006), where 

southern Apulia is characterized by 10% probability to exceed 0.025-0.075 g peak ground 

acceleration (PGA) value in 50 years (Figure 6-93).






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Figure 6-93 Seismic Hazard 

Source: INGV Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia 

In compliance with Italian Construction Regulation (Norme Tecniche NTC 2008), calculations 

were made of the maximum expected horizontal ground acceleration values at bedrock level in 

the area affected by the project (Table 6-43). Return periods (Tr) for a Damage Limit State [Stato 

Limite di Danno = SLD] and for a Life Safety Limit State [Stato Limite di Vita = SLV] were 

calculated, considering a nominal life of the pipeline equivalent to 50 years and a use coefficient 

of 2. 

Table 6-43 Maximum expected seismic horizontal ground acceleration values at 

bedrock level in the area affected by the route 

Municipality Tr (years) a g Bedrock (g) 

101 (SLD) 0.026 

Melendugno 

949 (SLV) 0.072






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As seen from the table above, the maximum expected seismic horizontal ground acceleration 

value at bedrock level in the area is equivalent to: 

• 0.026g for the Damage Limit State (Stato Limite di Danno, SLD), [Tr = 101 years]; 

• 0.072g for the Life Safety Limit State (Stato Limite di Vit, SLV), [Tr= 949 years]. 

Figure 6-94 shows the registered seismic events around the Study Area (271 B.C – 2002 A.D.). 

The epicentral intensity (MCS, Mercalli Scale) was reported with the aim of using this parameter 

as a homogeneous system to measuring tectonic activity. 

Figure 6-94 Major Earthquakes Recorded (Scale MCS) 

Source: CPTI04 Parametric Catalogue of Italian Earthquake






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The 1743 earthquake is parameterized by Working Group CPTI (2004; hereafter CPTI04) with an 

epicentral intensity Io=IX-X MCS, and an average magnitude Maw=6.9, its epicentre being 

located offshore of the southeastern Salento coast. CPTI04 report other earthquakes with the 

epicentres in Salento: 

• 1826, with light damage in Manduria and Crispiano 

• 1087, with damage in the Otranto area 

In conclusion, on the basis of the distribution of historical earthquakes in the area of interest and 

of the seismogenic characteristics of the region, the territory through which the planned route is 

to run presents a very low seismogenic index, both as regards the frequency of the events and as 

regards their magnitude. 

With regard to seismic risk, the maximum expected horizontal ground acceleration values at 

bedrock level for planned pipeline, defined according to the recent technical rules (NTC, 2008), 

are particularly low. 

6.4.6 Soil and Soil Quality 

6.4.6.1 Pedogenetic characters 

This section aims to define the pedogenetic characters of the area investigated. For this purpose, 

the following national and regional studies were analyzed: 

• The soil region data base ( 1:50,000,000), provided by Italian National Center for Soil 

Mapping (C.n.c.p.); 

• Soils Map of the Apulia Region on a scale of 1:50,000 (SIT Regione Puglia). 

The soils of the Apulia Region for taxonomic and morphological characteristics can be 

summarized into four groups: 

• Soils with clay petrocalcic horizon, present mainly on the Pleistocene deposits of the 

Tavoliere of Foggia; 

• The "Terre rosse" originated from Cretaceous limestones and calcarenites from the Plio- 

Pleistocene, spread mainly in the province of Bari; 

• Soils with clayey horizon and thick eluvial horizon, widespread on Plio-Pleistocene 

calcarenites (Calcareniti del Salento); 

• Soils of marine terraced deposits attributed to the different Pleistocene marine ingression.






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The Study Area is classified by Cncp. within the soil region “62.1 Capitanata and plains of 

Metaponto, Taranto and Brindisi”. The soil region data base provided by Cncp, on a scale of 

1:50,000,000, is the first informative level for the soil map of Italy. At the same time, it is the tool 

for soil correlation at the continental level. Soil region is a regional grouping of soils characterized 

by a typical climate and pedogenetic characteristics. 

The climate and pedoclimate of this area is Mediterranean subtropical. This means it has an 

annual air temperature of 12-17°C; and annual precipitation of 400-800 mm. The rainiest months 

are October and November, while the dry months are May to September. No months with mean 

temperatures under 0°C are present. Soil moisture and temperature regime are xeric and dry 

xeric, thermic. The lithology is characterised by quaternary alluvional and marine deposits, mainly 

clay and loam, with hollow limestone. 

The soil map provided by SIT Regione Puglia catalogues the Study Area as reported in Table 

6-44. 

Table 6-44 

Soil Classification of the Study Area 

System Group Environ Land Use 

Flat or slightly 

undulating surface 

characterized by 

alluvial deposits 

(Pleistocene)- 

Slightly wavy surfaces not affected by 

karst phenomena, characterized 

mainly by the action of marine 

abrasion 

Source: Sistema Informativo Suoli, Regione Puglia 

Marine abrasion platform, arranged 

on shelved structural terraces, 

locally cut by drainage lines. 

Substrate: calcarenites (Pliocene 

and Pleistocene) 

Seminative and 

grassland 

In detail, along the line of the route, the rocky formations are often outcropped or covered by 

scanty layers of soil, sometimes applied artificially in order to allow the agricultural cultivation. 

These coverings, consisting of eluvial accumulations and “terra rossa” connected with the 

alteration in situ of calcareous and calcarenitic lithotypes, are concentrated first and foremost on 

the bottom of the depressions (often shaped dolina valley), and/or are more or less extended 

above the calcareous formations. 

6.4.6.2 Field Survey 


In order to screen existing soil contamination, soil sampling was undertaken along the route, into 

the work site area at the landfall (Figure 6-95), and at the potential future location of the PRT. 

Samples were collected from the upper layers of the soil by using hand tools.






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The samples were kept in hermetic glass bottles, labelled and kept refrigerated in cool boxes until 

they reached the laboratory. Samples were sent to the laboratory along with the corresponding 

chain of custody form. Each sampling was georeferenced using GPS (Table 6-45). 

Table 6-45 

Sample Points 

WP Name Sample Name X UTM WGS84N Y UTM WGS84N KP Description 

(Laboratory) (m) 

(m) 

TS2 02/69448 TS 2 

N 

277780,7762 4465594,2271 0 Camp site at the landfall. 

Scherofyllous vegetation. 

TS3 03/69448 TS 3 276036,6858 4465139,7294 2 Olive trees area 

N 

TS4 04/69448 TS 4 274344,8492 4464929,5071 Arable land. Kp 2.0. 

N 

TS5 05/69448 TS 5 273396,7117 4465202,9107 4.5 PRT Option 1 

N 


The chemical analyses of soil and groundwater samples were carried out in Theolab laboratory, 

ACCREDIA registered, an ERM qualified laboratory. 

The sample points are reported on the following map.






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Figure 6-95 Soil Sampling Locations 



Soil sampling was carried out by qualified staff who worked according to ERM procedures. 

This procedure follows and integrates what is already provided for by Legislative Decree No. 

152/06 and amendments on Environmental Characterization. 

The procedures and criteria followed for soil sampling are described below. 

• no visual signs of contaminated soil were identified, therefore sample points were located at 

regular intervals along the routes and in relation to potential future locations of the PRT. 

• Sub-samples were collected from a shallow dig (about 30 cm deep) and the soil was sifted in 

order to discard coarse soil particles above 2 cm in diametre, according to Legislative Decree 

No. 152/06 requirements






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• The sub-samples were homogenized by mixing thoroughly. In the next step the mix was 

separated into 4 distinct quarters and 2 of the quarters were discarded. 

• The remaining 2 quarters were put in two sampling containers (a glass jar with at least ½ kg 

of soil and a vial). 

Figure 6-96 Sampling bottles and procedure 

Source:Field Survey ERM (October 2011) 

During the procedure, to ensure the representativeness of the samples and avoid crosscontamination, 

the following measures were adopted: 

• Use of disposable materials and equipment for each sampling point (acetonitrile gloves, 

polyethylene sheeting) 

• Decontamination of sampling equipment (aluminium paddle) between one sample and the 

next, using phosphate-free detergents and water; 

• Use of glass for the new sampling provided directly by Theolab; 

• Immediate labelling of samples, reporting the sample ID, date and time of sampling, the 

initials of the field geologist, analyses to be carried out;






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• Preparation of a chain of custody that accompanied the samples and included, for each 

sample, the same information written on the label and the analytical plan; 

• Preservation of samples within thermally insulated and refrigerated boxes, away from areas 

with potential contamination by air; 

• Limitation of time the samples remained in the field. 

The analytical determinations were performed on the fine fraction of each sample have been 

followed italian and international standards. The standards exist in Italian to soil pollution are set 

by Table 1-A, Annex 5, Part IV, Title 5 of D.Lgs, 152/2006, for residential use of the area. From 

an international point of view the “Dutch Intervention Values or New Dutch List” is widely 

accepted in Europe as a benchmark for soil pollution and remediation (Annex A of the 2009 Soil 

Remediation Circular: “Target Values, Soil Remediation Intervention Values and Indicative Levels 

for Serious Contamination“). 

6.4.6.2.3 Analytical Results 

All samples were sent to Theolab laboratory (Volpiano -Torino) a qualified laboratory (ACCREDIA 

registered) used by ERM. Soil sampling for VOCs analyses was carried out according to the 

ASTM D4547/02 “Standard Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organic 

Compounds” method. No values were detected above CSC (Threshold contamination 

concentrations set by Legislative Decree 152/06 and amendments). 

The following table reports the results of analyses on the soil samples, compared to the threshold 

in Table 1-A, Annex 5, Part IV, Title 5 of D.Lgs, 152/2006, for residential use of the area nad to 

the Dutch Standards for an international point of view.






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Table 6-46 


Analyte Units CSC* TS 2 TS 3 TS 4 TS 5 

dry weight at 105°C % 96.2 96.6 97.7 94.9 

sieved fraction






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Analyte Units CSC* TS 2 TS 3 TS 4 TS 5 

4.4'-DDT mg/kg






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6.4.7 Landscape and Visual Amenity 

The present Section analyzes the landscape quality of the Study Area, defined as the geographic 

area from which the project could possible be visible. It is composed by: 

• the 2-km corridor (1 km on either side) around the pipeline alignment, and 

• the 3-km area around the PRT (circle centred in the middle of the PRT and with a 3-km 

radius). 

The current landscape state characterization was performed through: 

• Definition of the analysis methodology; 

• Identification of landscape macroareas; 

• Present landscape characterization, on the site landscape feature; 

• Study Area landscape sensitivity analysis. 

The Landscape Assessment in Annex 7 contains also an historical overview and the analysis of 

landscape and territorial constraints identified in the Study Area. 

6.4.7.1 Analysis Methodology 

The methodology adopted for the landscape impact analysis comprises the identification of the 

landscape value of the area, defined as the Study Area Sensitivity and the subsequent evaluation 

of the landscape impacts associated to the project defined as the Magnitude of Impacts. The 

landscape impact level is determined by combining the obtained results for the Study Area 

Sensitivity and the Magnitude of Impacts (see Impact Assessment Section). 

The landscape sensitivity is evaluated based on the following components: 

• Morphologic and Structural component - the landscape sensitivity assessment is carried 

out elaborating and aggregating intrinsic and specific values of the following basic landscape 

patterns: morphology, natural features and level of protection; 

• Visual component – this takes into account the landscape perception of panoramic values 

and significant views. The characterizing elements of this component are the scenic 

viewpoints identified, known and used by tourists or locals as privileged observation points for 

panoramic observation, the landscape peculiarity and the negative effects caused by human 

activities;






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• Symbolic component - the landscape symbolic value, as perceived by local communities. 

The characterizing elements of this component are land use and historical and cultural 

values. 

Table 6-47 

Landscape Sensitivity Assessment – Synthesis of the Considered Elements 

Components Landscape features Evaluation criteria 

Morphological and structural 

Visual 

Symbolic 

Morphology 

Natural features 

Protection 

Scenic viewpoints 

Landscape peculiarity 

Negative effects caused by 

human activities 

Land use 

Historical and cultural values 

Visible peculiar landform elements 

Visible landscape system of natural interest (presence 

of ecological network or significant natural areas) 

Level and number of protected landscape and cultural 

elements 

Visibility of a wide landscape area/inclusion in scenic 

views 

Rarity of landscape elements and notoriety for artistic, 

historical or literary reasons (tourist attraction) 

Elements which degrade landscape value since they 

are incongruous 

Sign of human presence in the territory 

Presence of visible settlement elements of historical 

interest and visible signs of the cultural elements of 

the landscape 

In order to define the landscape state, a value (score) is assigned to each landscape feature; the 

sum of these scores defines the overall landscape value of the considered area. 

The following classification was applied for the synthetic assessment of landscape sensitivity: 

• 1 = Very low landscape sensitivity; 

• 2 = Low landscape sensitivity; 

• 3 = Medium landscape sensitivity; 

• 4 = High landscape sensitivity; 

• 5 = Very high landscape sensitivity. 

6.4.7.2 Landscape Macroareas 

The landscape macroareas in which the Study Area is located were identified on the basis of the 

classification produced by Ingegnoli in the textbook "Applied Ecology", edited by Roberto 

Marchetti (City University Editions, 2008). According to Ingegnoli the territory of the Study Area 

belongs to the landscape system named “of the Apulian - Campanian tableland”, which is in turn






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divided into two landscape subsets, the bottom tableland, where the site falls, and the high 

tableland. 

The bottom tableland subset is characterized by an anthropized environment, with not much 

native vegetation which belongs to the climax of the oleolentisceto, in the coastal zone, and of 

the lecceta termofila, in the sublittoral. Cereal crops and fodder, typical of the Apulian tableland, 

alternate with olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees. Built up areas are usually compact. 

6.4.7.3 Present Landscape Characterization 

The landscape analysis was conducted using information from planning instruments (see 

Legislative Framework, Section 3) and from a field survey carried out by ERM in October 2011. 

The current landscape state characterization was carried out at the Study Area and at Site levels. 

In this report the ”Study Area” is the geographic area from which the project could possible be 

visible, whereas the “Site” is the area on which the project directly stands. 

The Study Area, as shown in Figure 6-97, extends for 2 km around the pipeline (1 km on either 

side) and 3 km around the PRT and includes mostly agricultural areas (89.6% of land in the 

Study Area) and forested and seminatural areas (4.9% of land). Urban land use is limited to 2.3% 

and industrial, commercial and productive land use amounts to 1%. This information is derived 

from the CORINE 1 Land Cover database (level 4), GIS data on land use features, as well field 

observations (see Table 6-48). 

1 Coordinate Information on the Environment






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Table 6-48 

around the PRT) 

Land Use Typologies within the Study Area (2 km around the Pipeline + 3 km 

Macro 

category 

Artificial Surfaces 

(176.02 ha – 5.5%) 

Agricultural Area 

(2,867.73 ha 

89.6%) 

Forest and 

Semi-Natural Areas 

(156.82 ha - 4.9%) 

Detailed category Area [ha] % 

Road 34.70 1.08 

Scattered residential area 33.40 1.04 

Continuous residential area 31.01 0.97 

Unnatural soil 20.60 0.64 

Industrial or crafts settlement 12.64 0.39 

Discontinuous (grouped) residential area 9.01 0.28 

Farm 7.32 0.23 

Uninhabited area that is not in use 5.79 0.18 

Extraction site 5.49 0.17 

Cemetery 5.25 0.16 

Commercial 4.15 0.13 

Sport facilities 3.19 0.10 

Scattered and grouped residential area 1.89 0.06 

Large installation for public and private services 0.84 0.03 

Construction Site 0.51 0.02 

Canal and waterway 0.23 0.01 

Olive groves 2,063.29 64.47 

Arable land, non-irrigated 745.74 23.30 

Annual crops associated with permanent crops 38.74 1.21 

Fruit trees 11.03 0.34 

Land principally occupied by agriculture pastures 6.39 0.20 

Vineyards 1.44 0.05 

Complex cultivation 1.09 0.03 

Pasture areas, natural grassland, field and pastures with trees 73.66 2.3 

Bushes and shrubs 48.43 1.51 

Sclerophyllous vegetation 15.48 0.48 

Broad-leaved forest 8.16 0.26 

Grassland 5.08 0.16 

Field and pasture with trees 3.05 0.10 

Coniferous forest 2.95 0.09 

Total 3,200.58 100 

Source: Carta Uso del Suolo Regione Puglia, Manuale di foto interpretazione, vers.1.0






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Figure 6-97 Study Area (2 km around the Pipeline + 3 km around the PRT) 


The nearest main roads in the Study Area are the following: 

• SP 245, which connects Acquarica to the SP366 and runs next to the PRT site, at north; 

• SP 366 (San Cataldo-Otranto), which crosses the Study Area near the landfall; 

• SP 2 (Vernole-Melendugno), which is located about 2 km south-west of the PRT site; 

• SP1 (Lecce-Vernole), which is located about 3 km west of the PRT site; 

• SP 142 (Vernole-Acquarica-Vanze-Strudà-Pisignano), which is located about 1.2 km west of 

the PRT site. 

Other minor communal and country roads cross the Study Area, the latter sometimes quite 

narrow and bounded by stone walls. One country road, in particular, is a stretch of a cycling path,






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named Per Acaya dalle Cesine a Roca. This path overlaps the route of the pipeline in some 

places. 

The Study Area, analyzed in this Section, includes both a coastal area (the landfall) and an inland 

area (the pipeline). 

The coast is mostly rocky (Figure 6-98, at left), with long sandy beaches towards San Foca 

(Figure 6-98, at right), to the south, and small beaches toward the north. 

Figure 6-98 Rocky Coast at Torre Specchia Ruggeri (at Left) and Sandy Beach at San 

Foca (at Right) 


The nearest settlement is Acquarica (in the municipality of Vernole), which is about 1 km from the 

PRT site (Figure 6-99).






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Figure 6-99 Settlement of Acquarica 


In the territory of Acquarica, bordered to the east by the PRT site boundaries, there is also an 

important archaeological area, the Stone Landscapes Eco-museum of Acquarica (Figure 6-100).






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Figure 6-100 Eco-Museum of Acquarica 


Typical rural buildings, located inside of agricultural land in the municipal territory of Acquarica, 

are the barns (pagliare, see at Figure 6-101). They were built in according to the ancient 

traditions and they present two types of structures: 

• those with quadrangular foundations and truncated pyramidal cross-sections; 

• those with circular foundations and conical cross-section. 

They represent an important socio-cultural indicator and can be considered monuments of rural 

society, as well as the natural landscape. Some of these structures are very old (dating back to 

the seventeenth century).






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Figure 6-101 Barn (Pagliara) along the Route 


Around the inland project site vegetation consists mainly of olive groves (Figure 6-102, at left), 

sclerophyllous vegetation and bushes and shrubs (Figure 6-102, at right).






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Figure 6-102 Olive Trees Groves (at Left) and Sclerophyllous Vegetation, Bushes and 

Shrubs (at Right) 


The final photo (Figure 6-103) shows the PRT site, a flat uncultivated field bordered to south by 

the cycle path and to north by the Acquarica-Specchia communal road. 

Figure 6-103 PRT Site 

Source: ERM field visit (October 2011)






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6.4.7.4 Landscape Sensitivity Assessment 

Table 6-49 presents a synthesis of the landscape sensitivity assessment carried out. A detailed 

analysis of each landscape feature of the Study Area is reported in the Landscape Assessment 

(Annex 7). 

Table 6-49 

Study Area Landscape Sensitivity Assessment 

Components Landscape features Weight assigned 

Morphological and structural 

Morphology 

Natural features 

Protection 

Synthetic evaluation 

Scenic viewpoints 

2 – low 

3 – medium 

3 – medium 

3 – medium 

3 – medium 

Visual 

Landscape peculiarity 

3 – medium 

Negative effects caused by human activities 2 - low (*) 

Symbolic 

Final evaluation 


Land use 

Historical and cultural values 


3 – medium 

3 – medium 

4 – high 

4 – high 

3 - medium 

Note: (*) the score of negative effects caused by human activities must be subtracted from the overall landscape value 

The overall sensitivity of the Study Area is classified as Medium. 

This value represents the Study Area Sensitivity and it will be compared, In the Impact 

Assessment Section, with the value of the landscape impacts associated with the project, defined 

as the Impact Magnitude, in order to evaluate the overall Impact on the landscape.






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6.5 Onshore Biological Environment 

6.5.1 Terrestrial Ecology 

Three levels of investigation were defined for the biodiversity and ecological assessment: 

• Level 1 (Site Area): This is the highest level of detail found in close correspondence to the 

works planned; 

• Level 2 (Study Area): This is the intermediate level of detail, which includes the range of 2-km 

corridor (1 km on either side of the pipeline alignment); 

• Level 3 (Regional Area): This is the minimum level of detail, which includes the province of 

Lecce. Instead, for some taxonomic or ecological groups of species, we focused on the 

Apulia region. 

The Apulia landscape is particularly varied and complex as a result of its high environmental 

diversity. On the basis of specific environmental and anthropogenic characteristics, Apulia is 

divided into several sub-regions, which correspond to the “Tavoliere Salentino” (or “Tavoliere di 

Lecce”) and the “Salento delle Serre” (southern Salento) in the province of Lecce. Special 

attention was given to the Tavoliere Salentino area when taking into account certain naturalistic 

components of the Regional Area. 

6.5.1.1 Flora and vegetation 

6.5.1.1.1 Regional vegetation and bioclimate 

Salento is divided into three geographical zones from the climatic point of view: 

• The Adriatic territories north of Otranto, which have a relatively cooler climate due to the 

influence of impressive mountain chains, such as the Eastern Alps (mean annual 

temperature: 16.5-17.0°C); 

• The eastern territories, which extend far to the south of Otranto to S. Maria di Leuca, under 

the influence of the southern Aegean Sea (mean annual temperature: 18.0-18.5°C); 

• The territories of the Ionian coast, affected by the central Mediterranean climate and in 

particular by the warm winds from Tunisia and Libya (mean annual temperature: 17.0- 

17.5°C). 

In other words, the Adriatic coast has the mildest climate of all Salento. 

The rainfall data reveal abundant precipitation to the south, with maximum values greater than 

850 mm per year. From Otranto and moving toward the northern limits of Salento, rainfalls 

decrease, reaching values slightly under 650 mm per year. The precipitations are seasonally 

different. A single maximum value is detected during the winter and a near lack of rain is marked






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in summer, which determines a noticeable dryness. Salento has at least 105 days when the soil 

is dry in a portion between the depth reached by 25 mm of rain and that achieved by a rain of 75 

mm. Salento is, in fact, considered one of the areas at risk of desertification in Italy (Costantini et 

al., 2007). The arid climate also promotes fires, often deliberately set even in wet areas (Palude 

di Cassano, June 2011). 

The Rivas-Martinez ombrothermic index (Iov) is used to distinguish the Mediterranean bioclimate 

from the Central European bioclimate. Lov is defined by the ratio Ppv / TTV (where Ppv is the 

sum of the monthly average rainfall during June, July and August and TTV is the sum of monthly 

average temperatures in the same period). If Iov2 the 

bioclimate is temperate. The Iov values in the Salento Peninsula are always less than 1, 

confirming that the entiretly of Salento falls completely in the Mediterranean macro-bioclimate. 

The De Martonne aridity index (i = P / [T +10], where P is the annual rainfall in mm and T the 

mean annual temperature measured in °C) establishes desert vegetations for value






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The north-eastern Salento, from the border of the province of Brindisi to the south of Lecce, was 

characterized by forests of Quercus ilex. In these woods there was a mesophilous flora and 

Quercus calliprinos and species of Oleo-Ceratonion were virtually absent. Today there is only 

scrub in this area. 

Figure 6-104 Homogeneous meso-climatic areas in Salento region; the red line shows the 

Study Area 

mesophilous woodlands with Quercus trojana, Q. pubescens, Pyrus amygdaliformis, Crataegus 

monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Rhamnus saxatilis 

mesophilous woodlands with Quercus ilex, Q. pubescens, Q. trojana, Rhamnus alaternus, Pistacia 

terebinthus, P. lentiscus, Phillyrea sp., Pyrus amygdaliformis, Cistus incanus 

woodlands and scrublands with Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, Phillyrea latifolia, P. angustifolia, Pistacia 

lentiscus, Smilax aspera, Tamus communis, Ruscus aculetatus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Rubia peregrina, 

Lonicera implexa, Cistus monspeliensis, C. salvifolius, Carex distachya, Clematis flammula 

scrublands and maquis-garrigues with Quercus calliprinos, Rhamnus alaternus, Arbutus unedo, Daphne 

gnidium, Phlomis fruticosa, Calycotome spinosa, Phillyrea angustifolia, Pistacia lentiscus, Myrtus 

communis 

scrublands and maquis-garrigues with Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea angustifolia, Calycotome spinosa, 

Asparagus acutifolius, Pyrus amygdaliformis, Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Myrtus communis, Tamus 

communis, Smilax aspera, Thymus capitatus 

Pinus halepensis woodlands and maquis-garrigues with Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, Phillyrea sp., 

Pistacia lentiscus, Inula viscosa, Phlomis fruticosa, Smilax aspera 

Source:Macchia, 1984






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6.5.1.1.2 Flora and Vegetation in the Regional Area 

Tavoliere Salentino consists of a flat area corresponding to the central part of the Salento 

Peninsula. This is an area of widespread agricultural development, with olive plantations, 

vineyards and arable lands, where there are only small and isolated oak forests. The remaining 

natural environments occur in a stretch close to the Adriatic and Ionian coasts and are mainly 

represented by alo-psammophilous vegetation, wetlands and lagoons (Alimini Grande, Le 

Cesine), salt-tolerant meadows (Bacini di Torre Veneri, Palude del Capitano) and important 

remnants of Mediterranean maquis such as Macchia di Rottacapozza (Ugento) and Arne (Porto 

Cesareo and Nardo). The oak forests are few, degraded and of limited extent; they are relics of 

the ancient forest. Among these, the woodland of Rauccio is certainly the most interesting and 

best preserved. In the northern interior plains Cork Oak forests are found in limited but highly 

important sites (the most significant stands occur in the woodlands of Santa Teresa, I Lucci, 

Preti). These phytocoenoses are greatly important from a biogeographical point of view, because 

the Cork Oak reaches the outermost eastern border of its range. 

The southern Salento is the extreme part of the Salento Peninsula. The area is characterized by 

the small mountains of "Serre", low hill chains which resemble small Murge (northern Apulia hills) 

and reach a maximum altitude of 199 metres. In this sub-region, the prevailing presence of 

bedrock outcrops has allowed the survival of important stands of Mediterranean maquis and, in 

particular, of Quercus calliprinos communities, which sometimes forms woodlands: Boschi 

Casigliano, Macchia di Ponente, Pecorara. Spontaneous specimens of the Valonia oak (Quercus 

ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis) are limited to the area of Tricase; however, this species is 

doubtfully indigenous, since its range is mainly limited to the Balkans. In Italy, the Valonia oak is 

unique to the southern Salento, where it occurs in small groups, as in the famous "boschetto" of 

Tricase, about one hectare, or in rows on the edges of cultivated fields. In areas with deeper soils 

there are usually Holly oak woodlands with Quercus virgiliana and Q. amplifolia. Garrigues with 

Coridothymus capitatus or Euphorbia spinosa occur frequently where the soil is little evolved or 

degraded.






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Flora 

Apulia is an area of considerable interest for flora and vegetation, because of its geological 

history and geographical position. The number of plant subgeneric taxa is 2075, of which 785 

therophytes (38% of the whole flora), 616 hemicryptophytes (30%), 302 geophytes (15%), 175 

phanerophytes and nanophanerophytes (8%), 149 chamaephytes (7% ) and 38 hydrophytes 

(2%). With regard to chorological groups, there is a prevalence of steno-Mediterranean with 651 

species (31%), followed by Eurasiatic with 417 species (20%), euri-Mediterranean with 366 

species (18%) and 136 (9%) widespread species. 

Due to its geographical position, Salento is one of the most interesting floristic regions in Italy 

from a phyto-geographical point of view. In fact, it constitutes a sort of biogeographical zipper 

between eastern and western Mediterranean regions, supporting the hypothesis that there was a 

territorial continuity between Apulian coast and Balkan coast. This natural bridge facilitated the 

spread of species in both directions. This position makes the Salento rich in plant species. The 

Salento Region was subject to the identification of some IPAs (Important Plant Areas), that are 

"natural or semi-natural areas showing exceptional plant diversity and/or include coenoses of 

rare, threatened and/or endemic species and/or vegetation of high botanical value". The aim of 

the IPA program, developed under the project of the National Biodiversity Strategy coordinated 

by the Environmental Ministry - “Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare” 

(Blasi et al., 2009), is to identify a network of sites for conservation of plant diversity by using 

scientific and reliable criteria. In the Regional Area there are three IPAs (Figure 6-105), all lined 

up along the coast. The highest conservation value is always located along the coastline and 

never reaches the interior. 

Two IPAs (PUG5 and PUG6) are located near the Study Area, but they are not extended in this 

Area. The Study Area is situated in a square of high conservation value. The following figure 

shows the Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in the Regional Area (the blue line indicates the Study 

Area).






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Figure 6-105 Important Plant Areas (IPAs) 

Source: redrawn from Blasi et al., 2009 

The flora of Salento is composed of 1340 taxa, of which 307 at subspecific level, and divided into 

560 genera and 115 families. Pteridophytes are represented by 21 species, while Gymnosperms 

are present with only 6 entities. Among the Angiosperms, Dicotyledons constitute the largest 

taxonomic group with 992 species, while the Monocotyledons include 321 species. 

The chorological spectrum of flora shows the prevalence of steno-Mediterranean species, which 

represent 30% of the flora, followed by the chorological group of euri-Mediterranean (22%).






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The high natural and conservational value of the Salento is confirmed by the occurrence of 45 

endemic species. The chorological group of endemic flora is divided into several subgroups 

depending on the characteristics of their range. Therefore, there are species, the distribution of 

which is restricted to Salento, others only in Apulia and Salento, others in two or more Italian 

regions in addition to Apulia, and, finally, other species occur in Italian regions and in the 

neighbouring Balkan Peninsula. Table 6-50 reports the list of endemic species according to the 

characteristics of their range. 

Table 6-50 

List of endemic species reported for Salento 

1) Endemics of Salento 

Iris revoluta Colasante 

Centaurea japygica (Lacaita) Brullo 

Centaurea leucadea Lacaita 

Centaurea nobilis (Groves) Brullo 

Dianthus japigicus Bianco & Brullo 

Limonium japygicum (Groves) Pign. 

Ophrys tardans O. & E. Danesch 

Plantago grovesii Brullo 

Vicia giacominiana Segelberg 

2) Endemics of Apulia 

Serapias vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq. subsp. orientalis Greuter 

Limonium apulum Brullo 

Ornithogalum refractum Kit. ex Willd var. adalgisae (Groves) Groves 

Leontodon apulus (Fiori) Brullo 

3) Endemics of Apulia, Calabria and Lucania 

Anthemis hvdruntina Groves 

Crepis brulla Greuter 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench subsp. parvimaculata O. & E. Danesch 

Onobrychis alba (Waldst. & Kit.) Desv. subsp. echinata (G. Don) P.W. Ball 

Centaurea tenacissima (Groves) Brullo 

Helianthemum jonium Lacaita 

4) Endemics of Apulia and Sicily 

Micromeria tnicrophylla (Durv.) Bentham 

Centaurea deusta Ten. subsp. divaricata (Guss.) Matthas & Pign. 

5) Endemics of southern Italy (including Sicily) 

Micromeria canescens (Guss.) Benth. 

6) Endemics of middle and southern Italy 

Carduus chrysacanthus Ten. subsp. Chrysacanthus 

Centaurea deusta Ten. subsp. deusta 

Erodium nervulosum L'Hér. 

Phleum hirsutum Honck. subsp. ambiguum (Ten.) Tzvelev 

Polygonum romanum Jacq. 

Seseli tommasinii Rchb. f. 

Trifolium obscurum Savi 

Verbascum niveum Ten. subsp. niveum 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench subsp. apulica O. & E. Danesch 

Stipa austroitalica Martinovsky subsp. austroitalica 

Thymus spinulosus Ten. 

Antirrhinum siculum Miller 

Crepis bursifolia L. 

7) Endemics of southern Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia) 

Carduus corymbosus Ten. 

Biscutella maritima Ten. 

8) Endemics of Italy and Balkans 

Cytisus spinescens C. Presi.






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Aurinia leucadea (Guss.) Koch 

Trifolium mutabile Port. 

Bonannia graeca (L.) Halacsy 

Crocus thomasii Ten. 

Iris pseudopumila Tineo 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench subsp. candica E. Nelson ex Soó 

Serapias politisii Renz 

When the rate of endemics in Salento is compared with that occurring in the rest of Apulia, the 

following remarks can be made: 

• Salento encompasses a number of endemic species higher than those of the Gargano 

Peninsula, in contrast to what might be expected based on its apparent geographical 

uniformity. 

• Anfi-Adriatic species are rare among sub-endemics, except for Ophrys sphecodes subsp. 

garganica. 

• Only a few species seem to have connections to the West, among these Dianthus rupicola 

and Spergularia macrorrhiza. 

• There are few endemics of the Apennines, such as Cerastium scaranii. 

The most important species for the relationship with Illiria and Balkans are Quercus trojana, 

Quercus coccifera s.l. (in Salento represented by Quercus calliprinos), Periploca graeca, and for 

their character of endemism, species such as Alyssum leucadeum, Centaurea leucadea, 

Campanula versicolor. 

In order to consider the most important plant species of greatest conservation value potentially 

present within the Regional Area (and later in the Study Area), the following criteria were 

considered: 

• Species included in Annex II of EU Directive 92/43 titled "Habitat"; 

• Species considered at risk of extinction in Italy (Scoppola & Spampinato, 2005); 

• Strictly endemic species of Salento (group 1 in Table 6-50). 

The Apulia Region has no specific legislation for the protection of flora and therefore this criterion 

has not been taken into account. 

Due to the high number of species covered in the above criteria, we decided to consider mainly 

the species reported for the Adriatic coast of the Regional Area. Later 47 species of high 

conservation value were considered. Table 6-51 lists with particular reference to the Adriatic 

coast: dir.Hab., the species reported in Annex II of the Habitats Directive with the status, of 

species considered at risk of extinction in Italy (from Scoppola & Spampinato, 2005).






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Table 6-51 

Species of conservation value reported in the Regional Area 

Species Family dir.Hab. Status End. 

Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. Droseraceae II CR . 

Anthemis chia L. Asteraceae . VU . 

Anthemis hydruntina H. Groves Asteraceae . LR Southern Italy 

Aurinia leucadea (Guss.) Koch Brassicaceae . EN sub-endemics 

Baldellia ranunculoides (L.) Parl. Alismataceae . CR . 

Bassia hirsuta (L.) Asch. Chenopodiaceae . VU . 

Campanula versicolor Andrews Campanulaceae . LR . 

Carum multiflorum (Sibth. et Sm.) Boiss. Apiaceae . LR . 

subsp. multiflorum 

Centaurea leucadea Lacaita Asteraceae . LR Southern Salento 

Centaurea nobilis (H. Groves) Brullo Asteraceae . CR Salento 

Centaurea subtilis Bertol. Asteraceae . EN Southern Italy 

Convolvulus sabatius Viv. subsp. sabatius Convolvulaceae . CR . 

Cressa cretica L. Convolvulaceae . EN . 

Dianthus japigicus Bianco et Brullo Caryophyllaceae . CR Salento 

Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. Asteraceae . EN . 

spinosissimus 

Ephedra foeminea Forssk. Ephedraceae . LR . 

Erica forskalii Vitm. Ericaceae . VU . 

Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. Apiaceae . EN . 

Ipomoea sagittata Poir. Convolvulaceae . EN . 

Isoëtes todaroana Troia & Raimondo Isoetaceae . . Apulia and Sicily 

Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. Plumbaginaceae . VU . 

Limonium bellidifolium (Gouan) Dumort. Plumbaginaceae . VU . 

Limonium japigicum (Groves) Pign. Plumbaginaceae . . Salento 

Marsilea strigosa Willd. Marsileaceae II VU . 

Micromeria microphylla (d'Urv.) Benth. Lamiaceae . VU sub-endemics 

Nymphaea alba L. subsp. alba Nymphaeaceae . VU . 

Ophrys fuciflora (Crantz) Moench subsp. Orchidaceae . . sub-endemics 

candica Nelson 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench Orchidaceae . . Southern Italy 

subsp. apulica O.& E. Danesch 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench Orchidaceae . . Southern Italy 

subsp. parvimaculata O. & E. Danesch 

Ophrys oxyrrhynchos (Tod.) Soó subsp. Orchidaceae . CR Apulia and Basilicata 

celiensis O. et E. Danesch 

Ophrys tardans O. Danesch & E. Danesch Orchidaceae . . Salento 

Orchis palustris Jacq. Orchidaceae . EN . 

Ornithogalum adalgisae H. Groves Hyacinthaceae . EN Apulia and Basilicata (?) 

Periploca graeca L. Asclepiadaceae . VU . 

Pilularia globulifera L. Marsileaceae . CR . 

Plantago subulata L. var. grovesii Beg. Plantaginaceae . . Salento 

Potamogeton filiformis Pers. Potamogetonaceae . EN . 

Quercus ithaburensis Decne. subsp. Fagaceae . LR . 

macrolepis (Kotschy) Hedge et Yalt. 

Senecio gibbosus (Guss.) DC. subsp. Asteraceae . EN Southern Italy 

gibbosus 

Serapias orientalis Nelson subsp. apulica Orchidaceae . VU Apulia 

Nelson 

Stipa austroitalica Martinovský subsp. Poaceae II EN Southern Italy 

appendiculata (Celak.) Moraldo 

Triticum biunciale (Vis.) K. Richter Poaceae . CR . 

Triticum uniaristatum (Vis.) K. Richter Poaceae . EN . 

Umbilicus chloranthus Heldr. et Sart. ex Crassulaceae . VU . 

Boiss. 

Urginea fugax (Moris) Steinh. Hyacinthaceae . VU . 

Vicia giacominiana Segelb. Fabaceae . CR Salento 

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria L.W. Medicus Asclepiadaceae . VU .






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Species Family dir.Hab. Status End. 

subsp. adriaticum (Beck) Markgr. 

CR, critically endangered, EN, endangered, VU vulnerable, LR, lower risk; End., level of endemicity. 

The species included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive are only three (Aldrovanda vesiculosa, 

Marsilea strigosa and Stipa austroitalica). The species at greatest risk of extinction in Italy (CR, 

critically endangered) are nine (Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Baldellia ranunculoides, Centaurea 

nobilis, Convolvulus sabatius, Dianthus japigicus, Ophrys oxyrrhynchos, Pilularia globulifera, 

Triticum biunciale and Vicia giacominiana). Isoëtes todaroana Troia & Raimondo (synonimus I. 

iapygia Ernandes, Beccarisi & Zuccarello) is added to the list as a species recently described 

(Troia & Raimondo, 2010; Ernandes, Beccarisi, Zuccarello, 2010). 

In contrast to other Italian regions, the number of alien species in Apulia is not particularly high; 

especially considering the widespread presence of anthropic activities and the lack of natural 

vegetation cover that characterize the southern part of the region. According to the status of 

naturalization, alien species can be divided into the following categories: 

• Casual, alien species reproducing autonomously, but not forming stable populations and 

further introductions of propagules are necessary for its persistence in the site. 

• Naturalized, species that form stable populations independently from futher introduction of 

propagules. 

• Invasive, naturalized species that reproduce themselves at considerable distances from the 

sites of introduction and have the potential to expand into other areas. 

• Locally invasive, invasive species present only in few sites. 

Table 6-52 reports the main alien species in Apulia (from Celesti-Grapow et al., 2009). 

In total 36 species are recognized here.






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Table 6-52 

List of the main alien species in Apulia 

Species Family Status 

Acacia karoo Hayne Fabaceae N 

Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. Fabaceae N 

Agave americana L. Agavaceae I 

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Simaroubaceae I 

Amaranthus blitoides S.Watson Amaranthaceae C 

Amaranthus retroflexus L. Amaranthaceae I 

Aptenia cordifolia (L.fil.) N. E. Br. Aizoaceae N 

Arundo donax L. Poaceae I 

Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron Asteraceae I 

Azolla filiculoides Lam. Azollaceae L 

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. Moraceae C 

Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus Aizoaceae I 

Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. Aizoaceae C 

Cenchrus incertus Curtis Poaceae C 

Conyza albida Willd. Asteraceae I 

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. Asteraceae I 

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Asteraceae I 

Cupressus sempervirens L. Cupressaceae C 

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Poaceae N 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Myrtaceae N 

Euphorbia maculata L. Euphorbiaceae I 

Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr. Convolvulaceae N 

Lemna minuta Kunth Lemnaceae I 

Mirabilis jalapa L. Nyctaginaceae N 

Myoporum tenuifolium G.Forst. Scrophulariaceae L 

Nicotiana glauca Graham Solanaceae I 

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Cactaceae I 

Oxalis pes-caprae L. Oxalidaceae I 

Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. Poaceae N 

Paspalum dilatatum Poir. Poaceae I 

Paspalum paspaloides (Michx.) Scribner Poaceae I 

Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) W.T.Aiton Pittosporaceae N 

Robinia pseudoacacia L. Fabaceae N 

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Poaceae I 

Xanthium italicum Moretti Asteraceae N 

Xanthium spinosum L. Asteraceae N 

Status: C, casual, N, naturalized; I, invasive; L, locally invasive






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Vegetation 

The biogeographical factors concisely reported above, affect the vegetation in Salento, in 

addition to anthropogenic factors widespread in Mediterranean area, such as grazing, agriculture 

and fires, which have generated an extremely altered ecological condition. In addition to all these 

factors, other anthropic issues occur in the area nowadays, such as urbanization, industrial plants 

and tourist facilities. The anthropic actions, persisting for more than three millennia, led to a 

modification of the landscape. Today the original natural vegetation is consequently scarce or no 

longer exists. Man has changed the current distribution of natural vegetation. Vegetation 

physionomy is affected by the degraded surroundings and there are only small examples of 

climax forest of unimpacted habitats. In Salento the prevalent forms of vegetation are cultivated 

fields (olive plantations, vineyards, orchards, grain, tobacco, and vegetables), which occur in the 

better soils. The spontaneous plant communities are maquis and garrigues, representing 

degraded aspects of the forests which were widespread in the past. 

A classification of the vegetation is presented by means of the analysis of types in the "Map of 

Vegetation Series" (Blasi, 2010) (Figure 6-106).






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Figure 6-106 Vegetation series in the Regional Area 

Note:The yellow line corresponds to the Study Area 

[198] Neutro-basiphilous series of Italian Oak 

[238] Basiphilous series of Holly Oak 

[241] Calcicolous series of Palestine Oak 

[264] Hygrophilous geosigmetum of riparian vegetation in plains 

[271] Halophilous and sub-halophilous geosigmetum of coastal lagoons and ponds 

[273] Psammophilous and halophilous geosigmetum of dune systems 

Source: from Blasi, 2010 

[278] Halophilous and chasmophytic geosigmetum in coastal cliffs






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The three main series (238, 273 and 278 as shown in Figure 6-63) occurring in the Tavoliere di 

Lecce are explained below. In addition a series (279), which was directly detected in the field 

surveys, is further described. 

[238] Basiphilous series of Holly oak (Cyclamino hederifolii, Querco ilicis, Myrtus communis 

sigmetum) 

Distribution, litho-morphology and climate: Salento Peninsula and coastal areas of the province of 

Brindisi (south of Torre Canne). The series is developed mainly on calcarenitic substrates, but 

also on sand, in the thermo-Mediterranean sub-humid bioclimatic belt. 

Physionomy, structure and floristic characterization of mature stage: dense Holly oak woods, 

well-structured, with plenty of laurel (Laurus nobilis) in the tree layer and myrtle (Myrtus 

communis) in the shrub layer, which characterize the sub-association myrtetosum communis and 

show a greater oceanicity due to the more humid condition in climate. In addition to myrtle, the 

following shrubs are found: Hedera helix, Asparagus acutifolius, Rubia peregrina subsp. 

longifolia, Pistacia lentiscus, Smilax aspera, Ruscus aculeatus, Phillyrea media, Rhamnus 

alaternus, Rosa sempervirens. The herbaceous layer is poorly developed, with scarce 

occurrence of Carex hallerana, C. distachya and Brachypodium sylvaticum. 

Stages of the series: not known. 

[271] Halophilous and sub-halophilous geosigmetum of coastal lagoons and ponds (Zosteretalia, 

Ruppietea, Thero-Suaedetea, Salicornietea fruticosae, Juncetea maritimi, Phragmito- 

Magnocaricetea) 

Distribution, litho-morphology and climate: the geosigmetum occurs on slightly depressed areas 

with silty and sandy substrates, in meso- and thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic belts. 

Chain stages: the different types of vegetation are distributed in space according to a gradient 

that depends on water depth and salinity level: 

• Aquatic coenoses in brackish wetlands (Chaetomorpho-Ruppietum maritimae); 

• Monospecific community in slightly brackish-water basins (Ruppietum maritimae); 

• Annual community in depressed areas with high salinity (Salicornietum emeritus and Suaeda- 

Salicornietum patulae); 

• Perennial communities in higher parts of depressions, with high concentrations of salt 

(Puccinellia festuciformis-Sarcocornietum fruticosae); 

• Prostrate vegetation along the edges of depressions, with high concentrations of salt 

(Sarcocornietum deflexae);






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• Perennial coenoses in the lower and middle parts of depressions, suffering high salt 

concentrations and prolonged dry periods (Puccinellia convolutae-Arthrocnemetum 

macrostachyi); 

• Perennial community on well-drained soils, in conditions of moderate salinity, at the boundary 

between saline sector and hyper-saline sector (Puccinellia festuciformis-Halimionetum 

portulacoidis); 

• Perennial halo-nitrophilous association on the upper margins of prairies (Halimi portulacoidis- 

Suaedetum true); 

• Vegetation that occupies permanently moist sites (Puccinellia festuciformis-Aeluropetum 

littoralis); 

• Vegetation in depressions inundated by brackish water for long periods (Puccinellia 

festuciformis, Juncetum-maritimi); 

• Submerged vegetation in low-saline water for long periods (Inulo-Juncetum maritimi); 

• Vegetation in flooded areas, on moist soil during the summer (Plantagini crassifoliae- 

Caricetum extensae); 

• Community emerging on sandbanks after long-standing inundation (Lemon-narbonensis 

Artemisietum caerulescentis); 

• Association in conditions of low salinity and moisture, on higher areas of depressions 

(Elytrigio elongatae-Inuletum crithmoidis); 

• Association in intermediate halophilous conditions (Aeluropo litoralis-Agropyretum pungentis); 

• Vegetation in depressions of relict dunes, in more or less strongly saline conditions (Eriantho- 

Schoenetum nigricantis); 

• Vegetation on the margin of the dunes, with moderate presence of organic matter (Schoeno 

nigricantis-Plantaginetum crassifoliae); 

• Rushes associations (Juncetum subulati, Juncetum acuti and Juncetum maritimi); 

• Anthropogenic woods: reforestation of Aleppo Pine and Eucalyptus. 

[273] Psammophilous and halophilous geosigmetum of dune systems (Salsolo kali-Cakiletum 

maritimae, Echinophoro spinosae-Elytrigietum junceae, Crucianellion maritimae, Malcolmietalia, 

Asparago-Juniperetum macrocarpae, Quercetalia ilicis) 

This geosigmetum includes all of the perennial or annual psammophilous communities related to 

the classes Cakiletea maritimae, Ammophiletea and Quercetea ilicis.






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Distribution and litho-morphology: coastal areas, with low sandy shorelines. In some areas of the 

coastal region there are residual beaches of a few kilometres in size. The geosigmetum is found 

on grey-yellowish sands, in shifting or stabilized coastal dunes. 

Chain stages: we observe the following plant coenoses from the first section of beach colonized 

by vegetation to inland, 

• Communities of therophytes and halo-nitrophilous species, in the early portions of beach 

emerged after the aphytoic area, where an accumulation of organic matter occurs (Salsola 

kali-Cakiletum maritimae). 

• Annual association on layers of organic material rich in shells (Atriplicetum hastatotornabeni); 

• Association of herbaceous perennial species on emerging dunes, dominated by Elytrigia 

juncea (Echinophora spinosae-Elytrigietum junceae); 

• Perennial coenoses on shifting sand, in areas affected by wind deflation (Sporoboletum 

arenarii); 

• Association of herbaceous perennial species, dominated by Ammophila arenaria subsp. 

arundinacea, which grows on the white dunes and dune chains (Echinophora spinosae- 

Ammophiletum australis); 

• Chamaephytic association in the areas behind the dunes (Crucianelletum maritimae); 

• Junipers maquis on the stabilized dunes, where Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa 

prevails in the slope of the dune to the sea, whilst on the mainland Prickly Juniper is almost 

completely replaced by Juniperus phoenicia subsp. turbinata (Asparago acutifolii-Juniperetum 

macrocarpae). 

Where natural habitats are altered, an annual nitrophilous and psammophilous community 

(Sileno coloratae-Vulpietum membranaceae and Maresio nanae-Ononidetum variegatae) is 

present on the continental slope of the dune cordons. 

Anthropogenic woods: pine forests of Aleppo Pine and maquis of Acacia sp.pl. 

[278] Halophilous and chasmophytic geosigmetum in coastal cliffs (Limonietum japygici, 

Limonietum apuli, Crithmo maritimi-Inuletum crithmoidis, Arthrocnemetum glauci) 

The geosigmetum includes all the communities of rocky and salt-tolerant classes Crithmo- 

Limonietea (Limonietum japygici, Limonietum apuli, Crithmo maritimi-Inuletum crithmoidis) and 

Sarcocornietea fruticosae (Arthrocnemetum glauci). 

Distribution, litho-morphology and climate: in coastal areas, with low calcareous cliffs, in mesoand 

thermo-Mediterranean belt from dry to sub-humid bioclimate.






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Chain stages: halophilous pioneer vegetation, dominated by chamaephytes of the genus 

Limonium, occurs in crevices on coastal cliffs. Along the coasts of the region the following can be 

observed: 

• Crithmo Limonietum-Apulian, coenoses along the Adriatic coast in the Gargano Peninsula 

toward the South, on slightly sloping calcareous substrates; 

• Limonietum japygici, endemic communities of the Salento Peninsula, on calcareous cliffs; 

• Limonio virgati-Plantaginetum grovesii, association on marlstone, near the Alimini Lakes. 

[279] Hydrophilous and Helophytic geosigmetum in fresh-water basins (Charetea fragilis, 

Lemnetea minoris, Nymphaeion albae, Potamion pectinati, Magnocaricion elatae, Phragmition 

australis, Alnion glutinosae) 

Distribution and litho-morphology: geosigmetum is found in lagoons of natural origin, in contact 

with the sea, separated from it by a narrow sandy stretch. 

Chain stages: a range of community types are scattered in space according to different 

ecological conditions, as described below: 

• In flooded areas with highly saline water: Zosteretum marinae, Zosteretum noltii, 

Cymodoceetum nodosae and Chaetomorpho-Ruppietum maritimae; 

• In conditions of less saline water: Lemnion gibbae, Ruppietum maritimae, Lamprothamnietum 

papulosi, Charetum hispidae, Najadetum marinae, Potametum colorati, Potametum lucentis 

and Potametum pectinati; 

• Along the margins of basins and according to water depth (class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea): 

Scirpetum lacustris, Scirpetum compacto-littoralis, Scirpetum tabernaemontani, Scirpetum 

triquetri, Typhetum angustifoliae, Typhetum latifoliae, Phragmitetum australis, Holoschoeno- 

Juncetum subnodulosi, settl. with Juncus maritimus, Junco maritimi-Cladietum marisci, 

Cladietum marisci, Typho-Scirpetum tabernaemontani, Carici hispidae-Schoenetum 

nigricantis, Caricetum hispidae, settl. with Carex riparia and Carex gracilis, Scirpetum 

maritimi and Scirpo compacti-Juncetum subulati. 

Additional information is provided regarding forest vegetation, maquis and garrigues. 

The province of Lecce includes forest areas on about 2% of its territory; this rate corresponds to 

4% of the entire forest region (Regione Puglia, Piano regionale di previsione, prevenzione e lotta 

attiva contro gli incendi boschivi, 2004-2006). The most common types of woodland are attributed 

to the order Quercetalia ilicis, in the class Quercetea ilicis. In the Salento Peninsula this order is 

represented by the phytosociological alliance Quercion ilicis, which includes the Viburno- 

Quercetum ilicis and a settlement with Quercus calliprinos. In the past the association Viburno-






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Quercetum ilicis was the climax vegetation in the area; at present, it can be merely found in sites 

further away from the sea, where the typical physionomy is the high maquis. A degraded type of 

Holly Oak forest, mainly in the driest and most rocky habitats, is Quercus calliprinos coenoses, 

where the latter oak occurs abundantly in the shrub layer. The Holly Oak forests include a more 

evolved stage that is placed in Quercion ilicis; a very degraded stage, in which the typical species 

of Oleo-Ceratonion and Quercion are present all together; and finally a stage rich in Olea- 

Ceratonion species, but restricted in its range to Capo di Santa Maria di Leuca. 

In the Salento Peninsula the order Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alterni is represented by the 

Oleo-Ceratonion alliance, occurring both as a climax stage and as a replacement stage in areas 

where the Quercion ilicis was injured. The primary Oleo-Ceratonion is a sporadic relict of formerly 

more extensive vegetation. A typical community of the first stage is the Junipers stretch on dune 

system (Pistacio-Juniperetum macrocarpae). Another community of primary Oleo-Ceratonion is 

the vegetation with Euphorbia dendroides, whose distribution is strictly steno-Mediterranean and 

is found in Salento on vertical cliffs along the coastline at Gemini (Ugento), which represents the 

only locality on the Ionian coast, and from Santa Maria di Leuca to Capo di Otranto. These sites 

are very similar to those on the Slavic coast of the Adriatic Sea and for this reason they are 

placed in Oleo sylvestris-Euphorbietum dendroidis and in the sub-association coronilletosum 

emeroidis. Finally, Oleo-Lentiscetum s.l. is not widespread because it is usually replaced by 

garrigues or maquis with Thymus capitatus and is currently located only in the area of Capo di 

Leuca. The Oleo-Ceratonion replacement (secondary stage) is placed in the Calycotome- 

Myrtetum, which is an aspect of the modification of Viburno-Quercetum ilicis. 

Garrigues on calcareous substrates are found in the Mediterranean class Rosmarinetea 

officinalis. The class Cisto-Micromerietea, described for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, is 

sometimes included in the previous syntaxon. The typical coenoses in Salento are the garrigue 

with Thymus capitatus, the association with Poterium spinosum and Thymus capitatus and finally 

the garrigue with Erica forskalii. The Rosmarino-Thymetum includes the coenoses with Thymus 

capitatus, which is the vegetation of maximum alteration of Holly Oak forests and can be 

separated into two stages. The first is characterized by the absolute dominance of thyme and is 

the first attempt to recover the vegetation after its total destruction by recurrent fires. In the 

Euphorbia spinosa variant there is an extreme alteration of the substrate that is reduced to 

lithosols; the coenoses can be found along the coast, where continuous wind erosion and the 

action of the salt does not allow the vegetation to recover.






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6.5.1.1.3 Flora and Vegetation in the Study Area 

The lithological types in the Study Area are always sedimentary rocks. Near the coast 

calcarenites and detritical limestones are mostly prevalent. In general, the soils are calcareousclay. 

Bibliographic information was integrated with biological data collected in field surveys (early 

October 2011). The level of the study was negatively affected by the vegetative status of plants. 

For that reason, data should not be considered complete. 

Flora 

The floristic data were mainly collected by means of the desk-based literature review. 

The bibliographic data were also integrated during the baseline field surveys undertaken in the 

Study Area. 

The Regional Area is characterized by the presence of 47 plant species of conservation value 

(see Table 6-50). In order to verify the presence of these species in the Study Area, we analyzed 

the ecological requirements of each species in comparison to the types of vegetation mapped 

(see Table 6-55). The distribution of species was also established, according to the data 

available in bibliography and from the floristic study in field surveys. All this information was 

reviewed and is presented in Table 6-53. 

Table 6-53 presents the ecological requirements for each species of conservation value reported 

in the Regional Area in relation to the possible occurrence in the Study Area. The column 

"Apulia" reports the status of species at the regional level. The presence in the Study Area 

(column SA) was estimated on the following scale: "--" species most likely absent; "-" species 

probably absent; "+" species probably present; "++", species most likely present; “+++”, species 

recorded during field surveys.






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Table 6-53 

Regional Area 

Ecological requirements for each species of conservation value in the 

Specie Habitat Apulia SA 

Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. 

standing water in bogs, pH slightly acidic, Vanished -- 

oligotrophy, from 0 to 600 m 

Anthemis chia L. 

uncultivated lands and grasslands with Vanished -- 

therophytes, xerophitic conditions, on sand 

Anthemis hydruntina H. Groves dry pastures on limestone (0 – 1000 m) Occurring + 

Aurinia leucadea (Guss.) Koch calcareous cliffs near the sea Occurring - 

Baldellia ranunculoides (L.) Parl. wetlands, ditches, mires, from 0 to 500 m Occurring - 

Bassia hirsuta (L.) Asch. 

margins of lagoons, where deposits of organic Occurring -- 

matter occur 

Campanula versicolor Andrews shady calcareous cliffs, reaching 400 m in Occurring - 

altitude 

Carum multiflorum (Sibth. et Sm.) calcareous cliffs, reaching 300 m in altitude Occurring - 

Boiss. subsp. multiflorum 

Centaurea leucadea Lacaita calcareous cliffs overlooking the sea Occurring - 

Centaurea nobilis (H. Groves) Brullo sea cliffs (0 – 150 m) Occurring - 

Centaurea subtilis Bertol. calcareous cliffs (100 – 900 m) Occurring - 

Convolvulus sabatius Viv. subsp. calcareous cliffs (0 – 300 m) Not native - 

Sabatius 

Cressa cretica L. sub-salty sand Occurring - 

Dianthus japigicus Bianco et Brullo sea cliffs Occurring - 

Echinops spinosissimus Turra dry meadows, garrigues (0 – 400 m) Occurring - 

subsp. spinosissimus 

Ephedra foeminea Forssk. littoral cliffs and garrigues Occurring - 

Erica forskalii Vitm. littoral garrigues on calcareous substrate Occurring +++ 

Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. mires, bogs, mud, ponds (0 – 1000 m) Occurring + 

Ipomoea sagittata Poir. salt marshes behind the dunes Occurring + 

Isoëtes todaroana Troia & seasonal ponds, at sea level Occurring ++ 

Raimondo 

Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) salty or sub-salty littorals Occurring - 

Boiss. 

Limonium bellidifolium (Gouan) low coast on salty and arid soil Occurring - 

Dumort. 

Limonium japigicum (Groves) Pign. calcareous cliffs, at sea level Occurring - 

Marsilea strigosa Willd. standing water at sea level, to about 300 m Occurring - 

Micromeria microphylla (d'Urv.) crevices in the cliffs (calcicolous) (0 – 500 m) Not recorded -- 

Benth. 

Nymphaea alba L. subsp. alba oligotrophic standing water (0-1500 m) Occurring + 

Ophrys fuciflora (Crantz) Moench garrigues and pseudo-steppes Occurring + 

subsp. candica Nelson 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) in garrigues, maquis, woodland edges, to 1000 Occurring ++ 

Moench subsp. apulica O.& E. 

Danesch 

m in altitude 

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) maquis and pinewoods Occurring ++ 

Moench subsp. parvimaculata O. & 

E. Danesch 

Ophrys oxyrrhynchos (Tod.) Soó dry meadows, garrigues (0 – 1000 m) Occurring - 

subsp. celiensis O. et E. Danesch 

Ophrys tardans O. Danesch & E. in garrigues and clearings in maquis, to 400 m Occurring ++ 

Danesch 

in altitude 

Orchis palustris Jacq. marshes and moist meadows, also salty Occurring + 

Ornithogalum adalgisae H. Groves dry pasture (0 – 300 m) Occurring + 

Periploca graeca L. 

littoral moist woodlands; on soil constantly Occurring + 

damp but not waterlogged 

Pilularia globulifera L. 

standing water and ricefields from sea level to 

400 m in altitude 

Occurring -






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Specie Habitat Apulia SA 

Plantago subulata L. var. grovesii cliffs facing the sea Occurring +++ 

Beg. 

Potamogeton filiformis Pers. channel, water courses with clear water (0- Vanished -- 

2500 m) 

Quercus ithaburensis Decne. subsp. woodlands and cultivated lands (0 – 200 m) Occurring -- 

macrolepis (Kotschy) Hedge et Yalt. 

Senecio gibbosus (Guss.) DC. sea cliffs Not native - 

subsp. Gibbosus 

Serapias orientalis Nelson subsp. dry meadows along the coastline, to 200 m in Occurring ++ 

apulica Nelson 

altitude 

Stipa austroitalica Martinovský rocky, dry calcareous pastures (300 – 1900 m) Occurring + 

subsp. appendiculata (Celak.) 

Moraldo 

Triticum biunciale (Vis.) K. Richter dry pastures, clearings, uncultivated lands (0 – Occurring - 

900 m) 

Triticum uniaristatum (Vis.) K. dry pastures and uncultivated lands on Occurring - 

Richter 

calcareous substrata, to 300 m in altitude 

Umbilicus chloranthus Heldr. et rocky habitats and stone walls Occurring - 

Sart. ex Boiss. 

Urginea fugax (Moris) Steinh. arid slope (0 – 300 m) Vanished -- 

Vicia giacominiana Segelb. garrigues on calcareous substratum, to 300 m Occurring - 

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria L.W. 

Medicus subsp. adriaticum (Beck) 

Markgr. 

sunny cliffs, scrublands and woodland edges Occurring - 

Four species are actually considered to be missing from the entire regional flora (Aldrovanda 

vesiculosa, Anthemis chia, Potamogeton filiformis, Urginea fugax), and one (Micromeria 

microphylla) has not been recently collected. The presence of Pilularia globulifera is 

controversial, although it was recently reported from the locality of Frigole (Beccarisi et al., 2001), 

whereas, Convolvulus sabatius and Senecio gibbosus are considered to be non-native species in 

Apulia. 

Nine species are probably present in the Study Area (Anthemis hydruntina, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, 

Ipomoea sagittata, Nymphaea alba, Ophrys fuciflora subsp. candica, Orchis palustris, 

Ornithogalum adalgisae, Periploca graeca, Stipa austroitalica), but precise data is not available, 

or their occurrence was not observed during the floristic surveys in the Study Area. 

Seven species are certainly present in the Study Area: Erica forskalii, Isoëtes todaroana, Ophrys 

fuciflora subsp. apulica, Ophrys fuciflora subsp. parvimaculata, Ophrys tardans, Plantago 

subulata var. grovesii and Serapias orientalis subsp. apulica. 

Erica forskalii (Figure 6-107) has a wide distribution range that reaches east to Turkey and 

Cyprus, and is found in Italy only on the eastern coast of Salento and with only one site along the 

western coast at Gallipoli. Erica forskalii forms characteristic garrigues, where it is the 

predominant species. In the Study Area it is quite common and is found locally in populations 

with large numbers of specimens, but only between the Palude di Cassano and the coast.






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Figure 6-107 Erica forskalii (littoral zone of San Basilio) 


Isoëtes todaroana is a small terrestrial pteridophyte, which is found within dissolution pools on 

limestone where there is a small deposit of soil. It is an indicator species of the priority habitat 

3170 "Mediterranean temporary ponds". It is also a species new to science, recently discovered 

in Apulia (Ernandes et al., 2010), but previously described for Sicily (Troia & Raimondo, 2009). 

The species is reported occurring in the Palude di Cassano. 

Plantago subulata var. grovesii, elevated also to the rank of species, is a small plant that forms 

cushions in the areas closest to the sea exposed to wind and salt spray. It was observed along 

the coast and in particular along the sea cliffs in the Study Area. 

The remaining species, all orchids, grow in arid grasslands of scrublands (priority habitat 6220 

"Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea"), often overgrown by 

pines. They are mainly reported for the area between the Palude di Cassano and the littoral 

zones. The richness of orchids in these habitats is considerable, so that Turco & Medagli (2009) 

have recently described a new hybrid in the genus Serapias (S. x marchiori Turco & Medagli = S. 

bergonii E. G. Camus x S. politisi Renz), which was discovered in pseudo-steppe near the 

Palude di Cassano. 

The distribution of alien species was detected in the Study Area by means of the data available in 

the bibliography and from the floristic study in field surveys. All this information has been 

reviewed and presented in Table 6-54.






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Table 6-54 

Distribution of alien species (see Table 6-31) in Apulian habitats 

Habitats 

Species 1 2 31 32 33 4 5 SA 

Acacia karoo Hayne x x x - 

Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. x x x x x ++ 

Agave americana L. x x x x ++ 

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle x x x x x ++ 

Amaranthus blitoides S.Watson x x x ++ 

Amaranthus retroflexus L. x x x x x x ++ 

Aptenia cordifolia (L.fil.) N. E. Br. x x x x -- 

Arundo donax L. x x x x x x ++ 

Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron x x x x x x x ++ 

Azolla filiculoides Lam. x x + 

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. x x x x x x - 

Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus x x x x x ++ 

Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. x x x x + 

Cenchrus incertus Curtis x x x ++ 

Conyza albida Willd. x x x x x ++ 

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. x x x x x x ++ 

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. x x x x x x ++ 

Cupressus sempervirens L. x x x x ++ 

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. x x x + 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. x x x x ++ 

Euphorbia maculata L. x x x x x ++ 

Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr. x x x ++ 

Lemna minuta Kunth x x x ++ 

Mirabilis jalapa L. x x x x ++ 

Myoporum tenuifolium G.Forst. x x -- 

Nicotiana glauca Graham x x x x + 

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. x x x x ++ 

Oxalis pes-caprae L. x x x x x x + 

Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. x x x x x ++ 

Paspalum dilatatum Poir. x x x x x x x + 

Paspalum paspaloides (Michx.) Scribner x x x x x x x - 

Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) W.T.Aiton x x x x ++ 

Robinia pseudoacacia L. x x x x x x x - 

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. x x x x x x + 

Xanthium italicum Moretti x x x x x ++ 

Xanthium spinosum L. x x x x x + 

Habitats: 

1, artificial areas; 2, agricultural areas; 31, woodlands; 32, habitats with shrubs or herbaceous vegetation; 33, habitats 

with little or no vegetation; 4, wetlands; 5, water basins. The occurrence in the Study Area (column SA) was estimated 

based on the following scale: "--" species most likely absent; "-" species probably absent; "+" species probably present; 

"++", species most likely present or observed during the field surveys. 

The following should be noted among invasive species competing with native species and then 

altering habitats in terms of plant community, all of them recorded in the Study Area.






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• Acacia saligna: a shrub widely used for reforestation purposes in coastal sandy substrate. It 

actively reproduces by vegetative spread and seed. The Acacia is found frequently in 

communities that are dominated by juniper trees and characterize the stable dunes. It was 

recorded in these communities along the littoral zone of the Study Area. 

• Ailanthus altissima: a tree often used for the stabilisation of banks. It occurs widely for the 

abundant production of seeds and the asexual regeneration capacity. In the Study Area it is 

spread mainly in the interior. 

• Carpobrotus acinaciformis: succulent plant used for stabilisation of the sandy littoral. It may 

form extensive monospecific stands that compete with native vegetation. In particular it is 

found along the littoral on shifting dunes with Ammophila arenaria and in the areas dominated 

by annual plants. It was recorded in these communities along the coast of the Study Area. 

Figure 6-108 Carpobrotus acinaciformis (littoral zone of San Basilio) 


• Opuntia ficus-indica: succulent plant widely cultivated for the production of edible fruits. It is 

widely naturalized throughout the Apulia, where it occurs particularly in rocky and stony 

substrates. In the Study Area it was found mainly in agricultural areas, where it grows near 

stone walls.






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Vegetation 

In the Study Area the following physionomic plant formations were identified. 

The generic bibliographic information reported in the following text was integrated with biological 

data collected in field surveys (early October 2011), such as community structure and floristic 

composition (only qualitative; see Annex 5). Where possible from the filed surveys, details of any 

local impact on plant species and communities were cited. The level of the study was negatively 

affected by the vegetative status of plants. For that reason, data should not be considered 

complete. 

Coastal communities 

These are mainly indigenous vegetation along the coast, directly or indirectly influenced by the 

sea. They include four main types of communities. 

Sand dune vegetation 

This vegetation grows along the narrow coastal stretch with a sandy substratum. The aphytoic 

area occupies most of the shore, due to high human presence during the summer or sea storms 

that do not allow plant development, especially near the sea cliffs. The aphytoic area was, 

however, undistinguished on the vegetation map. The plant community is poorly structured, for 

the reasons mentioned above, and is often invaded by rubbish accumulated by sea storms or 

discarded by tourists. The dominant species is Ammophila arenaria, and Agropyron junceum and 

Sporolobus pungens are alos found with it. Other species are Cakile maritima, Calystegia 

soldanella, Euphorbia paralias, Inula crithmoides, Pancratium maritimum, Phleum arenarium, 

Plantago macrorrhiza, Silene vulgaris subsp. angustifolia, etc. The alien Carpobrotus 

acinaciformis is locally present. This vegetation is generally ascribed to the class Ammophiletea, 

whilst the occurrence of Puccinellia convoluta and Holoschoenus romanus indicates the 

presence of very small damp depressions (possibly a community of the class Juncetea maritimi). 

The community is equivalent to the habitat of Community interest 2120 "Shifting dunes along the 

shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes)".






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Figure 6-109 Vegetation of coastal dune with Ammophila arenaria (littoral zone of San 

Basilio) 


Cliff vegetation 

The vegetation of the class Crithmo-Limonietea is dominated by chamaephytes growing on 

coastal cliffs in direct contact with the sea, which determines edaphic conditions of salinity. In the 

Study Area the cliffs do not present, however, the vertical development that is present in adjacent 

areas (eg. Torre dell’Orso), although in many sections they reveal an extensive bedrock plateau 

forming a connection between the beach and the interior lands. Due to the high anthropogenic 

influence (eg. some areas have been used as parking), only fragments of Crithmo-Limonietea are 

found on the plateau and these remains are often limited to the extreme edge of the cliff 

overlooking the sea. In these conditions few typical species are found, such as Crithmum 

maritimum, Limonium virgatum, Plantago subulata subsp. grovesii and P. macrorrhiza. On the 

plateau there is also an accumulation of sand where many of the typical coastal dune species are 

present (Lotus commutatus, Phleum arenarium, Salsola kali, Sporolobus pungens, etc.). 

Otherwise, typical species of garrigue-maquis occur inward from the coast (Dactylis hispanica, 

Erica forskalii, Teucrium polium, Thymus capitatus, etc.).






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Figure 6-110 Vegetation on sea cliffs (litoral zone of San Basilio) 


Coastal garrigues and maquis 

Two types of these communities were identified: Juniper scrubland and Pine shrubland. 

The first type forms a blanket of variable width between the above vegetation in direct contact 

with the sea and the pine formations in the innermost areas. The scrubland grows on stabilized 

dunes. They are usually dense stands of woody plants (Myrtus communis, Phillyrea latifolia, 

Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, etc.). Although Tamarix africana and Juniperus oxycedrus 

subsp. macrocarpa are locally dominant; small areas of garrigue with bushes (Cistus creticus, 

Erica forskalii, Inula viscosa, Rosmarinus officinalis, Rubus ulmifolius, Satureja cuneifolia, 

Thymus capitatus, etc.) occur sometimes. The alien Acacia saligna is almost frequent and 

subordinately Pittosporum tobira. In more humid areas the invasive Arundo donax is found.






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Figure 6-111 Juniper shrubs (littoral zone of San Basilio) 


The pine shrublands are garrigue areas and coastal maquis invaded by Pinus halepensis, a 

species spreading from the adjacent artificial pinewoods. The floristic composition is therefore 

quite similar to that described above, although Tamarix africana and Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. 

macrocarpa are almost lacking and there are many shrubs (Arbutus unedo, Erica arborea, 

Quercus ilex, etc.), bushes (Dorycnium hirsutum, Fumana thymifolia, Helichrysum italicum, etc.) 

and herbs (Brachypodium caespitosum, B. distachyum, Carex hallerana, C. liparocarpos, Cirsium 

corymbosum, Cynosurus echinatus, Dactylis hispanica, Odontites lutea, Piptatherum miliaceum, 

etc.).






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Figure 6-112 Pine shrubland (campsite area, San Basilio) 


The maquis are generally related to the Oleo-Ceratonion alliance in the Pistacio-Rhamnetalia 

alliance (class Quercetea ilicis). Juniper scrubland is also related to priority habitat 2250 "Coastal 

dunes with Juniperus spp.". The garrigues are placed in the Cisto-Micromerietea class, according 

to some phytosociological authors included in the Rosmarinetea class; with special regard to 

coastal vegetation, they are related to habitat 2260 "Cisto-Lavenduletalia sclerophyllous dune 

scrubs". 

Coastal woodland 

Woodlands are only represented by pinewoods of Pinus halepensis along the coastline. This pine 

is a circum-Mediterranean species, growing in spontaneous coenoses or in areas reforested by 

humans. There are conflicting opinions on the indigenous position of this species and it is now 

recognized as spontaneous in many places of its range. In Salento the Aleppo pine woodlands 

are located in coastal areas and are essentially of artificial origin (reforestation). Cupressus 

sempervirens and Eucalyptus calmadulensis were also introduced locally in these pinewoods. 

From the floristic point of view, pine woodlands represent an impoverished stage of the garrigues 

and maquis previously described. However, there are elements of high conservation interest; for 

example, Ophrys fuciflora subsp. parvimaculata is reported in the pine forests of Melendugno 

(Ruggiero et al., 1988). Due to the artificial origin of these pine forests, their attribution to priority 

habitat 2270 "Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster" is uncertain.






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Figure 6-113 Pinewood (near the microtunnel, Masseria Le Sciare) 


Continental communities 

These are spontaneous communities in the interior areas of Salento, not or only marginally 

influenced by sea. They include three main types of plant formations. 

Swamp 

Palude di Cassano is the only wetland in the Study Area. The swamp is a large karst depression, 

which holds typical marshy vegetation dominated by Phragmites australis and, locally, by 

Cladium mariscus and Typha latifolia. In the swamp the dominant communities are all placed in 

the class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea. The Cladium mariscus community is related to priority 

habitat 7210 "Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae ".






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Figure 6-114 The three main species in the swamp: Cladium mariscus (foreground), 

Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis (background) (Palude di Cassano) 


The swamp has small areas characterized by temporary water pools in which a vegetation 

characterized by Isoëtes todaroana was reported (Regione Puglia - Department of Biology, 

University of Lecce). The vegetation pertains to the class Isoeto-Nanojuncetea and is therefore 

related to priority habitat 3170 "Mediterranean temporary ponds". Along the swamp margin the 

occurrence of pools with duckweeds (Lemna minor and the alien L. minuta) was observed 

together with an alga bloom of the genus Chara. On the swamp banks nitrophilous vegetation 

was also found with Cyperus fuscus, Lycopus europaeus, Lythrum salicaria, Mentha aquatica, 

Pulicaria dysenterica and the dominant Dorycnium rectum. This riparian community dominated by 

tall plants pertains to the class Filipendula-Convolvuletea.






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Figure 6-115 Tall riparian plants (Palude di Cassano) 


In the past the swamp was partially drained through an artificial channel leading to the sea. 

A monospecific community of Arundo donax occurs along this channel. The channel is shaded by 

juniper maquis along the coastline. In this site populations of Carex gracilis and the fern 

Adiantum capillus-veneris are present along channel banks, and a dense cover of an alga of the 

genus Nitella occurs submerged in water. 

Pseudo-steppe 

Semi-natural grasslands with sub-steppic features are habitats spread throughout almost all the 

Study Area. They prefer thermo-xeric conditions and shallow soils with outcrops of hard 

limestone. They are typical phytocoenoses in the Mediterranean belt, consisting primarily of 

cespitose perennial grasses (Cymbopogon hirtus, Dactylis hispanica, etc.), but rich in 

therophytes in their flora (Briza maxima, Dasypyrum villosum, Lagurus ovatus, Phleum 

subulatum, Tolpis umbellata, Tuberaria guttata, etc.), as well as other species: Anthyllis 

vulneraria subsp. rubriflora, Asphodelus microcarpus, Asperula aristata, Calamintha nepeta, 

Carlina corymbosa, Eryngium campestre, Pallenis spinosa, Petrorhagia velutina, Pteridium 

aquilinum, Salvia verbenaca, Scilla autumnalis, Sedum sediforme, Seseli libanotis, Teucrium 

chamaedrys, Urginea maritima. In spring these habitats are enriched with several species of the 

family Orchidaceae. For example, in addition to being the locus classicus of Serapias x marchiori, 

the dry meadows that surround the Palude di Cassano are areas with many species of orchids






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(Turco & Medagli, 2009), including Ophrys holosericea subsp. apulica, O. tardans and Serapias 

orientalis subsp. apulica. 

Figure 6-116 Pseudo-steppes (surroundings of Acquarica) 


From the dynamic point of view the phytocoenoses are of secondary origin, the formation of 

which is due to the removal of the pre-existing maquis and garrigue vegetation by means of fire 

and grazing. When these changes are particularly pronounced, the following species are found: 

Agropyron repens, Chondrilla juncea, Inula graveolens, I. viscosa, Hypericum perforatum, 

Plantago lanceolata, Reichardia picrioides, Verbascum sinuatum and more generally species of 

Artemisietea. When these disturbance factors are removed, a slow restoration of the species of 

garrigues and maquis occurs (Cistus creticus, Olea europaea subsp. sylvestris, Phlomis 

fruticosa, Pyrus amigdaliformis, Rubus ulmifolius, Satureja cuneifolia, Teucrium polium, etc.). 

Where dominated by perennial grasses, the pseudo-steppe communities are related to the class 

Lygeo Stipetea, and where therophytes are found, the grasslands are included in Tuberarietea 

guttatae. The latter can be attributed to the priority habitat 6220 "Pseudo-steppe with grasses 

and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea".






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Continental garrigues and maquis 

The interior garrigues and maquis show a floristic affinity with those of coastal habitats. This is 

especially true for the garrigues dominated by Rosmarinus officinalis, which is found closer to the 

coast. This is a community of further alteration of the maquis, which is sometimes still marginally 

present. Some species typical of maquis and Holly Oak forests occur, such as Asparagus 

acutifolius, Clematis flammula, Carex hallerana, Osyris alba, Rubia peregrina, Smilax aspera. 

Erica forskalii is, on the other hand, rare or absent. 

Figure 6-117 Garrigue with Rosemary (locality Caligregna) 


The calcareous garrigues that develop in the biogeographic regions of western and central 

Mediterranean are placed in the phytosociological class Rosmarinetea officinalis, and the maquis 

in the class Quercetea ilicis. 

Synanthropic communities 

These include communities whose floristic composition is related to recurring disturbance. 

Two main communities were identified in the Study Area.






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Weed community 

The weeds are plants found among crops, without direct intention of cultivation by the farmer and 

therefore considered unwanted. Plants are mostly annual and have always accompanied crops; 

for example, segetal archeophytes, which are weeds in wheat fields, are stable occupants in our 

flora for more than two millennia. In addition to these species, a massive group of neophytes or 

weeds introduced after 1500 must be appended. In the Study Area arable weeds include 

Anacyclus tomentosus, Anthemis arvensis, Ajuga chamaepitys, Calendula arvensis, Cenchrus 

incertus, Chrysanthemum segetum, Diplotaxis erucoides, D. tenuifolia, Delphinium halteratum, 

Kickxia spuria, Papaver apulum, P. hybridum, P. rhoeas, Sorghum halepense, Xanthium italicum, 

etc. From the phytosociological point of view, the weed communities belong to the class 

Stellarietea media. 

Figure 6-118 Arable field (vicinity of Acquarica) 







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The main cultivated crops are olive plantations. Activities used for weed control are mechanical 

(hoeing and then levelling the ground) and/or chemical (herbicides). Weed removal is linked to 

current techniques of harvesting olives, which involve placing a sheet on the ground. In these 

plantations the weed flora is usually more impoverished than that of arable fields, as a result of 

intense human activities. Nevertheless, there are situations in which typical species of arid 

grasslands of the pseudo-steppes are found. The main species are Bromus madritensis, Conyza 

canadensis, Cynodon dactylon, Dasypyrum villosum, Delphinium halteranum, Diplotaxis 

tenuifolia, Euphorbia maculata, Fumaria capreolata, F. officinalis, Heliotropium europaeum, 

Lagurus ovatus, Lamium amplexicaule, Lophochloa pubescens, Phleum grecum, Verbascum 

sinuatum. From the phytosociological point of view the community belongs to the class 

Stellarietea media. 

Figure 6-119 Olive plantations (surroundings of Acquarica) 


Some hedges occur along the boundaries of arable fields and olive plantations, especially where 

there are stone walls, formed by typical species of the Mediterranean maquis. 

These hedges are not always present, as they are contained with drastic pruning or completely 

eliminated by the use of fire. They are, however, the only elements of vegetation value in 

farmlands.






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Figure 6-120 Hedge in an olive plantation (surroundings of Vernole) 


Ruderal vegetation 

Ruderal vegetation is formed from spontaneous plants related to heavily populated habitats such 

as roadsides, farms, urbanized centres, etc. These communities, often poorly developed, are 

floristically very unoriginal and sometimes offer several aliens. Among their most common 

species are perennials or biennials, such as Allium atroviolaceum, Chondrilla juncea, Cichorium 

intybus, Cynodon dactylon, Daucus carota, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Inula viscosa, Malva sylvestris, 

Parietaria judaica, Picris hieracioides, Reichardia picrioides,Verbascum sinuatum, and among the 

annuals Amaranthus blitoides, A. retroflexus, Aster squamatus, Avena barbata, Chenopodium gr. 

album, Conyza albida, C. bonariensis, C. canadensis, Eragrostis minor, Euphorbia maculata, 

Heliotropium europaeum, Inula graveolens, Portulaca oleracea, Setaria verticillata, Solanum 

nigrum, Sonchus tenerrimus, Tragus racemosus, Tribulus terrestris. The communities dominated 

by short-cycle species are attributable to the class Stellarietea (or even to Polygono-Poetea in 

trampled places where microphytes prevail, such as Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Polygonum 

aviculare and Sagina apetala), whereas those dominated by perennials can be placed in 

Artemisietea vulgaris.






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Figure 6-121 Ruderal vegetation along a cart way (surroundings of Vernole) 


Annex 5 includes the Environmental map (vegetation map). Table 6-55 reports the areas 

occupied by each plant community in the Study Area.






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Table 6-55 

Area mapped for each plant community 

Group Physionomy Phytosociology Europ. 

Habitat 

Area 

(ha) (%) 

Coastal communities 98.75 8.4 

Sand dune vegetation Ammophiletea 2120 1.79 0.2 

Cliff vegetation Crithmo-Limonietea - 4.60 0.4 

Coastal garrigues and maquis 

Juniper scrubland Cisto-Micromerietea, 2250*, 

11.38 1.0 

Quercetea ilicis 2260 

Pine shrubland Cisto-Micromerietea, 

23.60 2.0 

Coastal 

woodland 

Quercetea ilicis 

Pine woodland Quercetea ilicis 2270* 57.38 4.8 

Continental communities 73.35 6.2 

Swamp 

Pseudo-steppe 

Continental garrigues and 

maquis 

Rosemary 

scrubland 

Phragmito- 

Magnocaricetea, 

Filipendulo- 

Convolvuletea 

Tuberarietea guttatae, 

Lygeo-Stipetea 

Rosmarinetea 

officinalis, Quercetea 

ilicis 

3170*, 

7210* 

15.95 1.3 

6220* 25.62 2.2 

- 31.78 2.7 

Synanthropic communities 1015.40 85.4 

Weed communities 

Arable fields Stellarietea mediae - 96.55 8.1 

Tree plantations Stellarietea mediae - 868.29 73.0 

Ruderal vegetation 

Artemisietea vulgaris, - 50.56 4.3 

Stellarietea mediae 

Total 1187.50 100.0 

Legend: 

Europ. Habitat: Natura 2000 code of the European Union Habitat (Council Directive 92/43/EEC); * = priority habitat 

type 

The largest area is occupied by synanthropic communities, which together make up nearly 85%. 

Among these communities, the largest area is occupied by tree plantations (olive plantations). 

As a result the vegetation in the Study Area is generally of low naturalistic value. The region 

closest to the coast is an exception, where the naturalistically most important communities are 

widespread. Pseudo-steppes, pinewoods and secondarily the Rosemary garrigues are among 

the communities most represented in terms of area.






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6.5.1.2 Fauna and Ecosystems 

6.5.1.2.1 Faunistic framework 

Apulia has a high environmental diversity and can be subdivided in the following different subregions: 

the Gargano, the Daunian Apennine, the “Tavoliere di Foggia”, the “Murgia alta”, the 

“Cimosa Litoranea”, South East Murgia or “Murgia dei Trulli”, the “Anfiteatro Tarantino”, the 

“Tavoliere di Lecce” and the “Salento delle Serre” (southern Salento) (Figure 6-122). Such a high 

environmental diversity fosters a remarkable richness in species of vertebrate fauna. 

Figure 6-122 Apulia sub-regions 

Source: modified by Medagli et al. 2007






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In this region, Amphibians (Table 6-56 and Table 6-57) are represented by 3 Urodela species of 

and 7-8 Anura species (Blasi et al. 2005 and Scillitani et. al. 2001). The highest diversity is 

recorded in the Gargano area (Foresta Umbra, 7 species) and in the Dauno Apennine (Roseto 

Valforte, 9 species), in which the rarest species (Salamandra salamandra, Rana italica, Rana 

dalmatina) are locally found. Two toads (Bufo bufo and B. viridis) and Rana klepton esculenta are 

the most frequent Amphibians found in the region. 

Table 6-56 

Occurrence of Amphibians in Apulia region 

URODELA AMSL Apulia region 

SALAMANDRIDAE 

Euproctus platycephalus 50-1800 

Salamandra atra 800-2800 

Salamandra lanzai 1300-2800 

Salamandra salamandra 0-1800 L 

Salamandrina terdigitata 50-1900 

Triturus alpestris 50-3000 

Triturus carnifex 0-1800 L 

Triturus italicus 0-1600 D 

Triturus vulgaris 0-1600 

PLETHODONTIDAE 

Speleomantes ambrosii 0-2290 

Speleomantes flavus 50-1040 

Speleomantes genei 0-600 

Speleomantes imperialis 0-1170 

Speleomantes italicus 50-1600 

Speleomantes strinatii 0-2430 

Speleomantes supramontis 100-1360 

PROTEIDAE 

Proteus anguinus 

Legend: 

L = localized in one third of the regional territory 

D = common 

The second column shows the elevation range reported for the Italian populations 

Source: modified from Blasi et al., 2005






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Table 6-57 

Occurrence of Amphibians in Apulia region 

ANURA AMSL Apulia region 

DISCOGLOSSIDAE 

Bombina variegata 0-1900 

Bombina pachypus 0-1650 L 

Discoglossus pictus 0-1600 

Discoglossus sardus 0-1750 

PELOBATIDAE 

Pelobates fuscus 0-400 

PELODYTAE 

Pelodytes punctatus 0-600? 

BUFONIDAE 

Bufo bufo 0-2200 D 

Bufo viridis 0-1200 D 

HYLIDAE 

Hyla arborea 0-1400 

Hyla intermedia 0-1550 D 

Hyla meridionalis 0-600 

Hyla sarda 0-1400 

RANIDAE 

Rana catebasiana 0-300 

Rana lessonae 0-1600 

Rana k. Esculenta 0-1600 

Rana bergeri 0-1600 D 

Rana kl. Hispanica 0-1600 D 

Rana ridibunda 0-350 

Rana kurtmuelleri 0-500 

Rana dalmatina 0-1500 L 

Rana italica 0-1500 L 

Rana latastei 0-450 

Rana temporaria 200-3000 

Legend: 


D = common 


Source: modified from Blasi et al., 2005 

In Apulia, 21-22 species of Reptiles (Table 6-58 and Table 6-59, Blasi et al. 2005 and Scillitani et. 

al. 2001) are present. The distribution of the rarest species (Anguis fragilis, Coronella girondica, 

Podarcis muralis) is limited to the Dauno Apennine and Gargano. Hierophis viridiflavus, Lacerta 

viridis and Podarcis sicula are the most abundant and widespread species.

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Table 6-58 Reptile survey in Apulia region (modified from Blasi et al. 2005) 

CHELONII AMSL Apulia region 

EMYDIDAE 

Emys orbicularis 0-1500 L 

Trachemys scripta 0-500 L 

TESTUDINIDAE 

Testudo hermanni 0-600 L 

Testudo graeca 0-200 L 

Testudo marginata 0-800 

CHELONIDAE 

Caretta caretta 

Chelonia mydas 

Eretmochelys imbricata 

Lepidochelys kempii 

DERMOCHELYIDAE 

Dermochelys coriacea 

Legend: 


D = common 



L 

Table 6-59 Reptile survey in Apulia region (modified from Blasi et al. 2005) 

SQUAMATA AMSL Apulia region 

GEKKONIDAE 

Cyrtopodion koischyi 0-450 D 

Euleptes europea 0-1350 

Hemidactylus turcicus 0-800 D 

Tarentola mauritanica 0-800 D 

CHAMAELEONIDAE 

Chamaeleo chamaeleo 

L 

ANGUIDAE 

Anguis fragilis 0-2400 

LACERTIDAE 

Algyroides fitzingeri 0-1800 

Algyroides nigropunctatus 0-400 

Archaeolacerta bedriagae 0-1800 

Iberolacerta horvathi 600-1750 

Lacerta agilis 1700-2300 

Lacerta bilineata 0-2100 D 

Lacerta viridis 0-1100 

Podarcis filfolensis 0-100 

Podarcis melisellensis 0-550 

Podarcis muralis 0-2300 L 

Podarcis raffonei 0-100 

Podarcis sicula 0-2000 D 

Podarcis tiliguerta 0-1800 

Podarcis wagleriana 0-1200






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SQUAMATA AMSL Apulia region 

Timon lepidus 0-650 

Psammodromus algirus 0-20 

Zootoca vivipara 200-3000 

SCINCIDAE 

Chalcides chalcides 0-1600 D 

Chalcides ocellatus 0-1500 

Chalcides striatus 0-600 

COLUBRIDAE 

Coluber hippocrepis 0-500 

Coluber gemonensis 0-400 

Coluber viridiflavus 0-2000 D 

Coronella austriaca 0-2250 L 

Coronella girondica 0-900 

Elaphe lineata 0-1600 L 

Elaphe longissima 0-2000 

Elaphe quatuorlineata 0-1000 D 

Elaphe scalaris 0-400 

Elaphe sicula 0-1260 L 

Macroprotodon cucullatus 0-50 

Malpolon monspessulanum 0-700 

Natrix maura 0-1000 

Natrix natrix 0-2300 D 

Natrix tessellata 0-1000 D 

Telescopus fallax 0-250 

VIPERIDAE 

Vipera ammodytes 0-1700 

Vipera aspis 0-2800 D 

Vipera berus 600-2500 

Vipera ursinii 1500-2400 

Legend: 


D = common 



In a recent study on birds (La Gioia et al. 2010), a regular presence (Category 1 AERC, species 

that have nested over at least 9 of the past 10 years) was verified for 256 species, of which 141 

were reported as regularly breeding. 

The Adriatic coastal wetlands of Apulia is a system of great importance for the conservation of 

wildlife species in the Mediterranean wetlands, especially for birds (Apulia Region - Wetlands 

Project). The 25 wetlands reach a total surface area of about 20000-22000 hectares and serve 

as important nesting, wintering and breeding areas along the migratory routes across the 

Mediterranean. In addition to the extension and varieties of habitats, the importance of wetlands 

is increased because of their central position and strategic role as a bridge between east and 

west in the Mediterranean basin.






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The wetlands in the province of Foggia are of particular interest, because there is a higher 

richness of wintering, migratory and nesting species. In the Lesina lagoon, 10 species of 

Community interest were reported to be reproducing, 17 in the Daunia-Risi-Frattarolo area, 4 in 

Valle San Floriano and 10 species in the saltern of Margherita di Savoia. Along the rest of the 

Apulia coast there are smaller wetlands, fundamental as resting places for migratory birds. 

The Punta della Contessa is an important wetland along the southern coast of Apulia, where 4 

species of Community interest are nesting and the diversity of migratory birds is high. 

Present knowledge on Mammals, on a regional level, is not very satisfactory (Bux et al. 2001); 

however, the authors collected data on 56 species of mammals (64% of the entire Italian 

Mammal fauna). Seven species belong to the order Insectivora, including two species endemic to 

Italy (Sorex samniticus and Talpa romana); 18 species (58% of the Italian bats) belong to the 

order Chiroptera (see Bux et al. 2003), of which 8 species and more than 6000 individuals were 

found in a system of cavities within the Gargano National Park; 3 species belong to Lagomorpha, 

of which only Lepus europaeus is widespread in the region (as a result of restocking for hunting) 

and Lepus corsicanus and Oryctolagus cuniculus are highly restricted in their range. 13 species 

belong to Rodents (48% of the species present in Italy), including Hystrix cristata which shows a 

decline in distribution and has disappeared in the last 30 years from the Gargano; 9 species 

belong to Carnivora (53% of Italian species), including the rare Canis lupus, occurring in the 

Subappennino Dauno, and Lutra lutra, with a residual population in Ofanto. Artiodactyla are 

represented by 5 species (55% of those known in Italy), including Capreolus capreolus on the 

Gargano with one of the few native populations of Italy.






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6.5.1.2.2 Fauna in the Study Area 

The study centred on vertebrate fauna, which is considered as a general indicator of the quality 

of zoocenosis. The data are derived mainly from bibliographical research of the main collections 

of data available. 

The interest in each species, in terms of conservation, was based on its inclusion in the national 

and international red lists and on its protection granted by international conventions and national 

legislation. 

Reference Legislation 

International reference legislation: 

• Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and 

flora, also know as “Habitats Directive”; 

o Annex B: animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the 

designation of special areas of conservation; 

o Annex D: animal and plant species of community interest in need of strict protection; 

o Annex E: animal and plant species of community interest whose natural habitat extraction 

and exploitation may be subject to management measures. 

• Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds; 

o Annex I: the species mentioned in Annex I shall be the subject of special conservation 

measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their 

area of distribution. 

• Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern convention) 

1979; 

o Appendix II includes species for which the capture, detention, killing, damage or destruction 

of breeding resting sites or, deliberate disturbance, destruction or collection of eggs and 

detention and trade in live or dead, stuffed animals, and parts and derivatives is prohibited; 

o Appendix III includes species for which laws and regulations must be applied so as not to 

compromise their survival. Such legislation should include periods of restrictionn and 

temporary or local prohibition of hunting regulations for the sale, possession, transport or 

marketing of live or dead wild animals. 

• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn) 

o Appendix I includes migratory species which are threatened; 

o Appendix II includes migratory species that are in poor condition and require international 

agreements for their conservation and management, and those for which the conservation 

status would greatly benefit from international cooperation.






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• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 

• Species of European Conservation Concern (SPEC) (Birds only). Species are given the 

following categories, based also on the IUCN criteria: 

o SPEC 1. European species of global conservation concern (i.e., classified as critically 

endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, or data deficient at a global level); 

o SPEC 2. Species having global populations concentrated in Europe and an unfavourable 

conservation status in Europe (i.e., classified as critically endangered, endangered, 

vulnerable, declining, rare, depleted, localized, or data deficient at a European level); 

o SPEC 3. Species having global populations not concentrated in Europe but an 

unfavourable conservation status in Europe (i.e., classified as critically endangered, 

endangered, vulnerable, declining, rare, depleted, localized, or data deficient at a European 

level); 

o Non-SPECE: Species having global populations concentrated in Europe but a favourable 

conservation status in Europe (i.e., classified as secure at a European level); 

o Non-SPEC: Species having global populations not concentrated in Europe and a 

favourable conservation status in Europe (i.e., classified as secure at a European level). 

IUCN RED LIST of Threatened Species 

IUCN - The World Conservation Union, through its Commission for the Survival of Species 

(Species Survival Commission, SSC), establishes the state of conservation on a global scale of 

species, subspecies, varieties and subpopulations in order to highlight taxa threatened with 

extinction and promote their conservation. Taxa in danger of extinction are reported as: 

• Extinct (EX); 

• Extinct in the Wild (EW); 

• Critically Endangered (CR); 

• Endangered (EN); 

• Vulnerable (VU); 

• Near Threatened (NT); 

• Least Concern (LC); 

• Data Deficient (DD); 

• Not Evaluated (NE). 

Status Check List of species of the Italian fauna 

The check list of species of the Italian fauna (Stoch, 2003), available online at 

http://www.faunaitalia.it/checklist/, drafted by a group of wildlife specialists with the support of the






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Ministry of Environment, contains the full list of species of Italian wildlife, presented in a 

systematic order. The list also contains information on endangered species (marked with an "M") 

and the endemic species of the Italian territory (indicated with an "E"). 

Italian Red List Status 

With regard to the conservation status of Vertebrates, the Red List of Italian Vertebrates, edited 

by WWF Italy (Bulgarini et al. 1998) was consulted. The Red List is an attempt to gather 

information concerning the status of threatened Vertebrates found in Italy in a single synoptic 

document that made reference to a well-established methodology, already used on an 

international scale in the preparation of IUCN Red List. 

This methodology indicates eight categories of risk: 

• extinct; 

• extinct in the wild; 

• critically endangered; 

• endangered; 

• vulnerable; 

• lower risk; 

• data deficient; 

• not evaluated. 

Defining the Area of Investigation 

The Province of Lecce was adopted as the Regional Area and as the area of reference and 

comparison for the analysis of faunal components at different scales of analysis. Unlike what was 

stated above about the regional territory, the Province of Lecce is relatively homogeneous in 

terms of habitats, because there is no mountainous relief. From the wildlife point of view, the 

habitat homogeneity is corroborated by the absence of endemism or rarity, at least in vertebrates. 

Nevertheless, many species included in the different annexes of protection are widespread in the 

province during the year (Province of Lecce. Management Plan SCI). 

The area where the pipeline route (TAP) is located, is in the sub-region of the Tavoliere 

Salentino, also known as Tavoliere di Lecce (the northern portion of the Province of Lecce, see 

Figure 6-122). This is a flat area corresponding to the central part of the Salento peninsula.






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The land has long been used for agriculture (especially tree crops and farmable land), due to the 

favourable morphology. The remaining natural environment occurs mainly on the coastal level, in 

beaches and dune complexes, in salt-tolerant meadows (Bacini di Torre Veneri, Palude del 

Capitano), in coastal wetlands and lagoons (Alimini Grande, Le Cesine and The Palude di 

Cassano within the Study Area) and, to a lesser extent, in limited stretches of tree-shrub 

vegetation and Mediterranean maquis in the hinterland, represented by Macchia di Rottacapozza 

(Ugento) and Arneo (Porto Cesareo and Nardo) and Rauccio. 

For the analysis of wildlife, we defined a reference area (Study Area) within the province of Lecce 

(Regional Area), corresponding to a 2-km corridor (1 km on either side of the pipeline alignment). 

The definition of the area of interest was made through appropriate surveys in October 2011; no 

specific measurement campaigns were undertaken (sedentary and migratory avifauna census, 

erpetological and mammalian census), because survey activities were conducted outside the 

appropriate time frame for such investigations. The study was then carried out by integrating the 

field data collected with that reported in other studies and that from sites near the Study Area. 

Faunal data were derived from the provincial data according the wildlife suitability in the Study 

Area. Wildlife suitability was estimated from the land use and ecosystem map, and also from the 

field surveys. Data on some groups (Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds) are published in distribution 

atlases for the entire province. Data distribution for this atlas is in according with the 10x10 km 

square grid system of the IGMI (Italian Geographical Military Institute) national maps. The Study 

Area is shown in the square coded BK76 (Figure 6-123).






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Figure 6-123 Overlay of the 10x10 km grid in the Regional Area 

Source: Italian Geographical Military Institute 

The tables report the lists of species present, or potentially present, in the Province of Lecce and 

also potentially present within the Study Area. 

Herpetofauna 

The collected data provide several species as present or potentially present and also some exotic 

species, such as Trachemys scripta (Fattizzo et al. 2002, Fattizzo 2004). Of 11 Amphibians 

reported for Apulia, 6 species are present in the province of Lecce (Table 6-60). They are the 

most frequent and common species in the region. Species related to mountains and to habitats 

with developed forest humus are lacking.






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Among the Urodela, Triturus carnifex e T. italicus are present with limited populations in the 

Regional Area, and their consistency seems to be decreasing. The reproduction of both species 

is related to the presence of water pools, as well temporary tanks, ponds, canals and ditches. 

Triturus italicus is endemic in the Italian Apennines. Both Triturus occur in the Le Cesine State 

Natural Reserve, located some hundreds of metres north of the Study Area. No data is available 

for the Study Area. The aquatic habitats of the Palude di Cassano and the channel which leads to 

the sea could be a suitable site for the reproduction of these species. 

Both representatives of the genus Bufo are widely distributed in the Regional Area, and they are 

often found at a considerable distance from wetlands, such as near houses and fields. 

Rana klepton esculenta is constantly found in canals, tanks, swamps and temporary ponds; Hyla 

intermedia is rare and restricted to a few stations mainly along the Adriatic coast, including the Le 

Cesine State Natural Reserve. Recent records of this species are not reported for the Palude di 

Cassano. 

Table 6-60 

labelled SA) 

Amphibians potentially present in the Regional Area and Study Area (column 

Species Common names (eng) Common names (ita) SA 

CLASS: Amphibia 

Order: Urodela 

Family: Salamandridae 

Triturus carnifex Italian crested newt Tritone crestato italiano x? 

Triturus italicus Italian newt Tritone italiano x? 

Order: Anura 

Family: Bufonidae 

Bufo bufo Common toad Rospo commune X 

Bufo viridis Green toad Rospo smeraldino X 

Family: Hylidae 

Hyla intermedia Italian tree frog Raganella italiana x? 

Family: Ranidae 

Rana klepton esculenta Edible frog Rana esculenta X 

LEGEND 

x potentially present in Study Area 

x? uncertain or probably limited to Le Cesine 

Source: Fattizzo & Marzano, 2002 

Of 22 species of Reptiles reported in Apulia, 17 occur in the province of Lecce, including the alien 

species Chamaeleo chamaeleon reported by only one station in the 1980s. 

The presence of Emys orbicularis is of some itnerest; small and extremely localized numbers 

have been recorded in the canals and coastal marshes of Salento. This species is also present in






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the Palude di Cassano (in the Study Area, Figure 6-124), although there is currently no data on 

the presence of younger turtles. A large breeding population of Emys orbicularis is present in the 

inner marshes, swamps, wells and drainage channels of the Le Cesine State Nature Reserve. It 

is still present in the SCI "Palude dei Tamari", although a smaller population is recorded in regard 

to past years; recent data reveals the lack of reproductive success. 

Trachemys scripta seems to be currently present in only three sites in the province of Brindisi. 

The American turtle is bigger than Emys, and also more opportunistic and aggressive. This exotic 

turtle is well adapted to the climate of southern Italy. 

Figure 6-124 Sites with the presence of Emys orbicularis in Salento 

Source: Flore et al., 2008






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Among the sea turtles, there are two breeding sites for Caretta caretta along the coast of Salento. 

There are also frequent sightings, strandings and incidental catches, and egg laying occurs on 

sandy beaches. Chelonia mydas and Dermochelys coriacea are of accidental occurrence in the 

marine waters of Salento. More detail information about sea turtles are reported in the specific 

offshore beseline section. 

Among geckos, the most common species are Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus 

(less abundant than Tarentola). The former species has benefitted from human presence. 

Cyrtopodion kotschyi seems to prefer scarcely populated areas, dry stone walls, tree trunks, 

walls and tuff quarries and abandoned farm houses. Both lizards are present in the Study Area. 

Podarcis sicula is common in every kind of environment, including those which are heavily 

populated, while Lacerta bilineata, due to the alteration of the territory, is recorded in a smaller 

number compared to the past. It is found in areas that retain a certain level of untouched 

wetlands, woods and debris, preferring open, sunny places. 

Snakes are represented by 6 species of the 8 present in the region, all reported as potentially 

present in the Study Area. Hierophis viridiflavus is the most common in the Salento area, being 

found along the coasts, including those in rural areas better used in agriculture, and also in periurban 

areas and towns. Coronella austriaca has rarefied and localized populations which can be 

found along the coasts, in arid steppe and scrubland to pseudo-steppe or near wetlands. Elaphe 

quatuorlineata prefers forest and scrub areas but seems to have also begun to occur in the 

agricultural anthropic environment. Natrix natrix is still fairly common but is threatened by the 

scarcity of wetlands and pollution of the canals. Zamenis situla is still common in almost all the 

Salento and can be found in close proximity to rural residences. Vipera aspis can be found in 

dune habitats both in the presence of scrub and garrigue formations and marshy vegetation. It is 

present with rarefied populations and has been detected in a few sectors on the province of 

Lecce grid.






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Table 6-61 

Reptilia potentially present in the Regional Area and Study Area (column SA) 

Species Common names (eng) Common names (ita) SA 

CLASS: Reptilia 

Order: Testudines 

Family: Emydidae 

Emys orbicularis European pond terrapin Testuggine d'acqua X 

Trachemys scripta Red-eared slider Testuggine guance rosse 

Family: Testudinidae 

Testudo hermanni Hermann’s tortoise Testuggine commune 

Family: Cheloniidae 

Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Tartaruga caretta 

Chelonia mydas Green turtle Tartaruga verde 

Family: Dermochelydae 

Dermochelys coriacea Leathery turtle Tartaruga liuto 

Order: Squamata 

Family: Gekkonidae 

Cyrtopodion kotschyi Kotschy’s gecko Geco di Kotschy x? 

Hemidactylus turcicus Turkish gecko Geco verrucoso 

Tarentola mauritanica Moorish gecko Tarantola muraiola X 

Family: Lacertidae 

Lacerta bilineata Western green lizard Ramarro occidentale X 

Podarcis sicula Italian wall lizard Lucertola campestre X 

Family: Scincidae 

Chalcides chalcides Three-toed skink Luscengola 

Family: Colubridae 

Coronella austriaca smooth snake Colubro liscio X 

Elaphe quatuorlineata Four-lined snake Cervone X 

Hierophis viridiflavus Western whip snake Biacco X 

Natrix natrix Grass snake Natrice dal collare X 

Zamenis situla Leopard snake Colubro leopardino X 

Family: Viperidae 

Vipera aspis Asp viper Vipera commune X 

LEGEND 

x potentially present in Study Area 

x? uncertain or probably limited to Le Cesine 


Many of the elements found in the reference area are still dependent on natural elements of the 

landscape. Anurans, in particular, depend on the availability of good quality water bodies for 

reproduction (with the partial exception of the Edible frog), and snakes on the availability of prey 

(mammals), in turn linked to the quality of agricultural and forest environments. Even relatively 

tolerant species, such as the green lizard, actually require the presence of elements of 

diversification of the landscape such as hedgerows and stone walls.






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Birds 

The work of La Gioia et al. 2009 was adopted for the creation of the list of breeding birds. Only 

certain breeding species in the Regional Area (Province of Lecce) are listed (Table 6-62) here, 

indicating those potentially present as Study Area breeders. The table also indicates which 

species during the breeding period are more connected to a main Regional Area environmental 

type - and therefore potentially present. 

From the data collected for the Province of Lecce, an abundance of 64 species was recorded, 

approximately 45% of those regularly present as Apulia breeders. This data is a consequence of 

the relative homogeneity of the provincial territory, in both the morphological type (absence of 

important relief) and land use, as well as the limited presence of large and interconnected natural 

areas. Typical species found in large, mature woodlands are lacking in number, while those 

related to agricultural practices and urban areas are well represented, unlike those of open 

environments (pseudo-steppe, grassland, and scrubland). Other species are, on the other hand, 

associated with different environments present in coastal wetlands (reed beds, temporary pools 

of fresh water, brackish areas, and beaches). According to the atlas data, the number of species 

potentially present as breeding in the Study Area is reduced to 46, with 8 present, probably only 

within the Le Cesine State Nature Reserve (partially included in the mesh grid of 10x10 km where 

it falls within the Study Area). 

Of furhter interest is the report of the presence of Lanius senator and L. minor, uncommon in the 

province of Lecce. These species are associated with areas of open steppe with sparse trees 

and shrubs in rural and marginal areas. However these areas are poorly represented within the 

Study Area. Thanks to the presence of a wetland (Palude di Cassano) that, unfortunately, is in 

the process of silting, reed bed species (Common Reed-warbler and Great Reed-warbler) are 

also potentially present, while for others connected to open water (Common Coot, Little Grebe 

and Mallard), presence seems improbable at present. Several species are related to the 

presence of Olive plantations (see 0), the limited coastal forests and to the urban margins.






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Table 6-62 

Birds Potentially Nesting in the Regional Area and Study Area (Column SA) 

and Habitat Preferences during the Breeding Season 

Species Common names (eng) Common names (ita) SA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Order: Gaviiformes 

Family: Gaviidae 

Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe Tuffetto xC * 

Order: Ciconiiformes 

Family: Ardeidae 

Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern Tarabusino xC * 

Order: Anseriformes 

Family: Anatidae 

Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Germano reale xC * 

Order: Falconiformes 

Family: Falconidae 

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel Grillaio * * 

Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel Gheppio x * * 

Order: Galliformes 

Family: Phasianidae 

Coturnix coturnix Common Quail Quaglia * * * 

Phasianus colchicus Common Pheasant Fagiano comune 

Order: Gruiformes 

Family: Rallidae 

Rallus aquaticus Water Rail Porciglione xC * 

Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen Gallinella d'acqua xC * 

Fulica atra Common Coot Folaga xC * 

Order: Charadriiformes 

Family: Recurvirostridae 

Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt Cavaliere d'Italia * 

Family: Charadriidae 

Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover Fratino xC * * 

Family: Laridae 

Larus audouinii Audouin's Gull Gabbiano corso * 

Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull Gabbiano reale * 

Family: Sternidae 

Sterna albifrons Little Tern Fraticello * 

Order: Columbiformes 

Family: Columbidae 

Columba livia Rock Pigeon Piccione selvatico * 

Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian Collared-dove Tortora dal collare x * 

Streptopelia turtur European Turtle-dove Tortora x * * 

Order: Cuculiformes 

Family: Cuculidae 

Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo Cuculo dal ciuffo * * 

Order: Strigiformes 

Family: Tytonidae 

Tyto alba Barn Owl Barbagianni x * 

Family: Strigidae






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Otus scops Common Scops-owl Assiolo x * * 

Athene noctua Little Owl Civetta x * * * * * * 

Asio otus Long-eared Owl Gufo comune x * * * * * 

Order: Apodiformes 

Family: Apodidae 

Apus apus Common Swift Rondone x * 

Apus pallidus Pallid Swift Rondone pallido * 

Order: Coraciiformes 

Family: Meropidae 

Merops apiaster European Bee-eater Gruccione 

Family: Upupidae 

Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa x * * 

Order: Passeriformes 

Family: Alaudidae 

Melanocorypha calandra Calandra Lark Calandra * * 

Calandrella brachydactyla Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella * * 

Galerida cristata Crested Lark Cappellaccia x * * * * 

Family: Hirundinidae 

Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Rondine x * * 

Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow Rondine rossiccia * * 

Delichon urbica Northern House Martin Balestruccio x * 

Family: Motacillidae 

Motacilla alba White Wagtail Ballerina bianca x * * * 

Family: Turdidae 

Luscinia megarhynchos Common Nightingale Usignolo x * * 

Saxicola torquata Common Stonechat Saltimpalo x * * 

Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear Monachella * 

Monticola solitarius Blue Rock-thrush Passero solitario * 

Family: Sylviidae 

Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler Usignolo di fiume x * * * 

Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola Beccamoschino x * * * * * 

Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common Reed-warbler Cannaiola x * 

Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed-warbler Cannareccione x * 

Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler Occhiocotto x * * * * * * * 

Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap Capinera x * * * 

Family: Aegithalidae 

Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit Codibugnolo * * 

Family: Paridae 

Parus caeruleus Blue Tit Cinciarella x * * * 

Parus major Great Tit Cinciallegra x * * * 

Family: Certhiidae 

Certhia brachydactyla Short-toed Tree-creeper Rampichino x * * 

Family: Remizidae 

Remiz pendulinus Eurasian Penduline-tit Pendolino xC * 

Family: Laniidae 

Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike Averla cenerina x * * * 

Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike Averla capirossa x * * * 

Family: Corvidae






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Pica pica Black-billed Magpie Gazza x * * * * * * 

Corvus monedula Eurasian Jackdaw Taccola x * 

Corvus corone Carrion Crow Cornacchia x * * 

Family: Sturnidae 

Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling Storno x * * * 

Family: Passeridae 

Passer italiae Passera d'Italia x * * * * 

Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passera mattugia x * * * * * 

Petronia petronia Rock Sparrow Passera lagia * * 

Family: Fringillidae 

Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch Fringuello x * * * 

Serinus serinus European Serin Verzellino x * * * * 

Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch Verdone x * * * * 

Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch Cardellino x * * * * 

Carduelis cannabina Eurasian Linnet Fanello x * * * * * 

Family: Emberizidae 

Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting Strillozzo x * * * 

LEGEND 

x: potentially nesting in Study Area 

xC: probably limited to Le Cesine 

Environmental typologies 

1Oak woodland, pine woodland and reforestation 

2Maquis and gariga 

3Pastures and pseudosteppe 

4Beaches, dunes and cliffs 

5Wetlands 

6Tree crops 

7Herbaceous crops 

8Urban areas 


Mammals 

In-depth studies that establish the true extent and distribution of mammals in the Regional Area 

are lacking. For this class, a serious animal species survey and monitoring of populations is nonexistent 

(Province of Lecce. Management SCI Plan and Bux et al. 2001). The list of species 

potentially present in the Study Area (Table 6-63) was drawn from the database of the National 

Ecological Network WebGIS (REN, Boitani et al. 2002). For bats, the list of the work of Bux et al. 

2003 was consulted.






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Table 6-63 

Mammals potentially present in the Regional Area and Study Area 

Species Common names (eng) Common names (ita) 

CLASS: Mammalia 

Order: Insectivora 

Family Erinaceidae 

Erinaceus europaeus European Hedgehog Riccio 

Family: Soricidae 

Suncus etruscus Etruscan Shrew Mustiolo 

Crocidura leucodon Bicolored Shrew Crocidura ventre bianco 

Crocidura suaveolens Lesser Shrew Crocidura minore 

Family: Talpidae 

Talpa romana Roman mole Talpa romana 

Order: Chiroptera 

Family: Rhinolophidae 

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater Horseshoe Bat Ferro di cavallo maggiore 

Rhinolophus hipposideros Lesser Horseshoe Bat Ferro di cavallo minore 

Rhinolophus euryale Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat Ferro di cavallo euriale 

Rhinolophus mehelyi Mehely's Horseshoe Bat Ferro di cavallo di Mehely 

Family: Vespertilionidae 

Myotis emarginatus Geoffroy's Bat Vespertilio smarginato 

Myotis myotis Greater Mouse-eared Bat Vespertilio maggiore 

Myotis blythi Lesser mouse-eared bat Vespertilio di Blyth 

Myotis daubentoni Daubenton's Bat Vespertilio di Daubenton 

Myotis capaccinii Long-fingered Bat Vespertilio di capaccini 

Pipistrellus pipistrellus Common Pipistrelle Pipistrello nano 

Pipistrellus kuhli Kuhl's pipistrelle Pipistrello albolimbato 

Nyctalus leisleri Lesser Noctule Nottola di Leisler 

Nyctalus noctula Noctule Nottola commune 

Hypsugo savii Savi's Pipistrelle Pipistrello di savi 

Eptesicus serotinus Serotine Serotino commune 

Plecotus austriacus Gray Big-eared Bat Orecchione meridionale 

Miniopterus schreibersi Common Bent-wing Bat Miniottero 

Family: Molossidae 

Tadarida teniotis European Free-tailed Bat Molosso di Cestoni 

Order: Lagomorpha 

Family: Leporidae 

Lepus europaeus European Hare Lepre comune o europea 

Order: Rodentia 

Family: Arvicolidae 

Microtus savii Savi's Pine Vole Arvicola di savi 

Family: Muridae 

Apodemus sylvaticus Wood Mouse Topo selvatico 

Rattus rattus Black Rat Ratto nero 

Rattus norvegicus Brown Rat Ratto delle chiaviche 

Mus domesticus House mouse Topo domestico 

Order: Carnivora 

Family: Canidae 

Vulpes vulpes Red fox Volpe






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Species Common names (eng) Common names (ita) 

Family: Mustelidae 

Meles meles Badger Tasso 

Mustela nivalis Least Weasel Donnola 

Mustela putorius European Polecat Puzzola 

Martes foina Stone Marten Faina 

Source: Boitani et al., 2002 and Bux et al., 2003 

Fauna in the Site Area 

The fauna in the immediate vicinity of the gas pipeline route is the most represented across the 

Study Area (which is, as has been noted, very homogeneous), namely that linked to Olive 

cultivation. In such cultivation, the soil below the plants is usually kept perfectly clean and free of 

grass (Figure 6-125). The olive plants in the area crossed by the pipeline are in many cases very 

old and have the characteristic twisted trunk in which many cracks and cavities can be found.






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Figure 6-125 Physiognomy of olive trees at different maturity and detail of the trunk of a 

plant 


Furthermore, the various lots and properties are bordered by a rich network of dry stone walls 

(Figure 6-126), on which herbs and shrubs sometimes grow. These characteristics determine a 

discrete abundance of fauna, particularly, reptiles and birds.






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The system of dry stone walls, especially when coupled with the presence of grasses and shrubs, 

provides not only shelter and appropriate hunting ground to a number of snakes, lizards and 

geckos, but also their areas for reproduction and thermoregulation and even a whole 

passageway system. Many species of birds (such as the Hoopoe) find among these stones, and 

among the typical stone buildings, suitable nesting and feeding sites. A recent study showed a 

positive relationship between abundance of some species of birds (eg. Common Scops-owl, 

Great Tit, Blue Tit, Short-toed Tree-creeper, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch and European 

Serin) and asset coverage of olive groves (La Gioia 2009). 

The areas occupied by residues of spontaneous vegetation (such as small uncultivated 

herbaceous areas often with rocky outcrops, limited shrub vegetation with a few trees and solitary 

trees) are rare and restricted. More natural and complex elements are located only along a small 

portion of the area close to the sea. Here the pipeline route passes through the coastal pine 

forest. As can be seen in Table 6-62, several species of birds that nest in olive groves are also 

present in the coastal woods. The mature variety of bird species is due to the articulated structure 

that distinguishes these formations. Some species that prefer scrub vegetation and shrubs 

(European Turtle-dove, Nightingale, Cetti's Warbler) nest with other birds in the olive groves, 

while other species less related to closed formations (Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola, 

Lesser Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike) find these conditions less favourable. 

Figure 6-126 Typical dry stone walls and stone buildings 







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The pipeline route does not cross the wetlands directly (represented in the Study Area by the 

Palude di Cassano) and, therefore, is of no particular interest to the species inhabiting this 

environment. 

Significant Fauna Species 

Only the species reported as potentially present in the Study Area are taken into consideration. 

See Section 6.5.1.2.2 for references to laws and conventions. 

Herpetofauna 

Triturus italicus is an endemic species of the Central and Northern Apennines. 

In the list of species rigorously protected by the Bern Convention (Annex II) there are three 

amphibian species comprising two belonging to the Triturus genus and the green toad Bufo 

viridis. while Among reptiles Emys orbicularis, Cyrtopodion kotschyi, Podarcis sicula, Coronella 

austriaca, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Hierophis viridiflavus and Zamenis situla are found. 

Table 6-64 

Threatened Species: 

Species listed in the Council Directive 92/43/EEC and/or IUCN RED LIST of 

Species 92/43/EEC Annex IUCN Red List 

Triturus carnifex 

Triturus italicus 

Bufo viridis 

Podarcis sicula 

B, D 

D 

D 

D 

Emys orbicularis B, D LR/nt 

Cyrtopodion kotschyi 

Coronella austriaca 

Elaphe quatuorlineata 

Hierophis viridiflavus 

D 

D 

B, D 

D 

Zamenis situla B, D DD 

LEGEND 

92/43/EEC UE Council Directive: 

Annex B: animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas 

of conservation; 

Annex D: animal and plant species of community interest in need of strict protection 

IUCN RED LIST: 

Near Threatened (NT); 

Lower Risk (LR); 

Data Deficient (DD)






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Birds 

The Italian national law which regulates the protection of wildlife and hunting (Law 157/1992) 

considers diurnal raptors (Falconiformes and Accipitriformes) and nocturnal (Strigiformes) 

species as especially protected, to which the following Study Area nesting species belong: 

kestrel, barn owl, common scops-owl, little owl and long-eared owl. 

Table 6-65 

Species listed in directives, convention and red list 

Species UE BE BO SPEC LR 

Ixobrychus minutus I II - 3 - 

Falco tinnunculus - II II 3 - 

Coturnix coturnix - III - 3 - 

Charadrius alexandrinus - II II 3 LR 

Sterna albifrons I II II 3 VU 

Streptopelia turtur - III - 3 - 

Tyto alba - II - 3 - 

Otus scops - II - 2 LR 

Athene noctua - II - 3 - 

Merops apiaster - II II 3 - 

Upupa epops - II - 3 - 

Melanocorypha calandra I II - 3 LR 

Calandrella brachydactyla I II - 3 - 

Galerida cristata - III - 3 DD 

Hirundo rustica - II - 3 - 

Delichon urbica - II - 3 - 

Monticola solitarius - II - 3 - 

Lanius minor I II - 2 EN 

Lanius senator - II - 2 LR 

Sturnus vulgaris - - - 3 - 

Passer montanus - III - 3 - 

Carduelis cannabina - II - 2 - 

Miliaria calandra - III - 2 - 

LEGEND 

UE Council Directive 79/409/EEC: 

Annex I: species subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and 

reproduction in their area of distribution 

BE Bern convention: 

Appendix II species for which the capture, detention, killing, damage or destruction of breeding resting sites or, 

deliberate disturbance, destruction or collection of eggs and detention and trade in live or dead, stuffed animals, and 

parts and derivatives is prohibited; 

Appendix III species for which laws and regulations must be applied so as not to compromise their survival. Such 

legislation should include periods of restrictionn and temporary or local prohibition of hunting regulations for the sale, 

possession, transport or marketing of live or dead wild animals 

BO Bonn convention: 

Appendix II migratory species that are in poor condition and require international agreements for their conservation and 

management, and those for which the conservation status would greatly benefit from international cooperation 

SPEC Species of European Conservation Concern: 

2 Species having global populations concentrated in Europe and an unfavourable conservation status in Europe; 

3 Species having global populations not concentrated in Europe but an unfavourable conservation status in Europe 

LR Italian Red List Status:






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Species UE BE BO SPEC LR 

Endangered (EN); 

Vulnerable (VU); 

Lower Risk (LR); 

Data Deficient (DD) 

Mammals 

In the list of species rigorously protected in the Bern Convention (Annex II) on the Conservation 

of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1978, ratified by L.503/81) all species of 

Microchiroptera (insectivorous bats) are included, except Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Among 

mammals present in the Study Area, the following species included in Annex III of the Bern 

Convention are listed: Erinaceus europaeus, all the species belonging to genera Suncus and 

Crocidura, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and all the Mustelidae reported as potentially present. 

6.5.2 The System of Protected Areas 

Within the region there are 2 national parks and many other protected areas, as well as a number 

of areas identified as SCI and SPA. Table 6-66 lists these by type (excluding the Natura 2000 

Network). Areas that fall within the province of Lecce (Regional Area) are preceded by an 

asterisk (source: http://www. parks.it). The places affected by project works do not fall into any of 

these protected areas. 

Table 6-66 

Protected areas in Apulia (excluding Natura 2000 sites). * Areas which are 

partially or completely in the Regional Area (Province of Lecce) 

Typology 

Area 

National Parks 

Alta Murgia 

68.077 ha 

Gargano 

121.118 ha 

Regional Parks 

Bosco Incoronata 

1.060 ha 

* Costa Otranto - S.Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase 3.227 ha 

Duna di Torre Canne - Torre di San Leonardo 

1.069 ha 

Lama Balice 

502 ha 

* Litorale di Punta Pizzo e Isola di Sant'Andrea 685 ha 

* Litorale di Ugento 1.600 ha 

* Palude e Bosco di Rauccio - Sorgenti Idume 1.593 ha 

* Porto Selvaggio e Palude del Capitano 1.120 ha 

Salina di Punta Contessa 

1.697 ha 

Terra delle Gravine 

19.775 ha 

Fiume Ofanto 

24.883 ha 

Marine Protected Areas

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Typology 

* Porto Cesareo 16.654 ha 

Torre Guaceto 

Isole Tremiti 

State Reserves 

Torre Guaceto 

Falascone 

Foresta Umbra 

Il Monte 

Ischitella e Carpino 

Isola di Varano 

Lago di Lesina (parte orientale) 

Area 

2.227 ha 

1.466 ha 

1.000 ha 

48 ha 

399 ha 

130 ha 

299 ha 

145 ha 

930 ha 

* Le Cesine 349 ha 

Marinella Stornara 

Masseria Combattenti 

Monte Barone 

Murge Orientali 

Palude di Frattarolo 

Saline di Margherita di Savoia 

45 ha 

82 ha 

124 ha 

733 ha 

257 ha 

3.871 ha 

* San Cataldo 28 ha 

Sfilzi 

Stornara 

Regional Reserves 

Bosco delle Pianelle 

Bosco di Cerano 

Bosco di Santa Teresa e dei Lucci 

Laghi di Conversano e Gravina di Monsignore 

Litorale Tarantino Orientale (Foce del Chidro, Vecchia Salina e dune di Torre Colimena, palude 

del Conte e duna costiera, boschi Cuturi e Rosamarina) 

56 ha 

1.456 ha 

1.307 ha 

986 ha 

1.290 ha 

348 ha 

1.114 ha 

* Palude del Conte e Duna Costiera 878 ha 

Palude La Vela 

116 ha 

source: http://www. parks.it 

The following section provides an overview of Natura 2000 sites closest to the pipeline route. 

6.5.2.1 Natura 2000 Network sites 

Natura 2000 Network sites near the Study Area are shown in Figure 6-127. As can be seen from 

this figure, all sites are located along the coast.






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Figure 6-127 Spatial relationships between the Pipeline Route (red line) and the sites of 

the Natura 2000 Network: SCI (pink) and SPA (yellow) 

ERM (November 2011) 

Table 6-67 reports the distance of each Natura 2000 Network site from the Study Area. 

Table 6-67 

Distance of each Site of the Natura 2000 Network from the Work Areas of the 

TAP Project 

Site Code Name Distance 

(km) 

SCI IT9150032 Le Cesine 1.7 

SPA IT9150014 Le Cesine 2.6 

SCI IT9150022 Palude dei Tamari 3.4 

SCI IT9150004 Torre dell'Orso 5.6 

SCI IT9150033 Specchia dell'Alto 6.9 

SCI IT9150011 Alimini 7.8 

SCI IT9150025 Torre Veneri 8.7 

SCI IT9150030 Bosco La Lizza e Macchia del Pagliarone 10.9 

SCI IT9150003 Aquatina di Frigole 14.3 

SCI IT9150029 Bosco di Cervalora 15.4






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Only the sites whose distance is not greater than 6 km from the RoW were considered in the 

Impact Assessment. These Natura 2000 sites are: 

• SCI IT9150032 “Le Cesine” 

• SPA IT9150014 "Le Cesine"; 

• SCI IT9150022 “Palude dei Tamari”; 

• SCI IT9150004 “Torre dell’Orso”. 

The detailed description of these Natura 2000 sites is reported in Annex 8 “Appropriate 

Assessment”. 

6.6 Onshore Social Environment 


A baseline study was conducted in order to assess the socioeconomic conditions in and around 

the area of the proposed TAP project in Italy. 

This section provides an overview of socioeconomic conditions in Italy at a national level and 

provides a more detailed description of the social environment of settlements situated close to 

the 4.9 km pipeline route and other project facilities (i.e. Pipeline Receiving Terminal, Main 

construction site, work sites). 

Information at a national and regional level was gathered from secondary sources using publicly 

available information. Data presented on the Study Area has been gathered from publicly 

available secondary sources along with primary data gathered during field visits to the project 

area during January, July, September and October 2011. A two way communication flow 

between the project and the local community was established during the field visits, which will 

continue to be important in order to build trust between local communities and the project 

proponents. 

In January 2011 the field visit included a field observation. In July and September 2011, the field 

visits included scoping consultation and disclosure meetings. In October 2011, the field visit 

included a field observation, key informant interviews and focus group meetings. Stakeholders 

likely to be directly or indirectly affected by the Project were consulted to gather additional 

information at local level on the socioeconomic context as well as perceptions and concerns 

about the Project. Groups such as farmers, fishermen and key informants such as local 

authorities, NGOs, key business associations, research representatives, tourism operators, 

healthcare professionals, and community leaders were consulted. 

The social study area includes all Municipalities and Settlements totally or partially within a 2-km 

corridor (1 km on either side of the pipeline alignment) along the entire length of the pipeline. A 3-






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km corridor (1.5 km on either side of the pipeline alignment) will be utilised to identify settlements 

that are likely to be interested in the project outcome. To confirm the mapping information, a field 

observation was conducted to identify the exact number of structures populating the area and 

their characteristics. A more detailed study of baseline conditions was carried out within a 500-m 

corridor along the pipeline route, as this was considered to be the main area of impact where 

direct impacts are likely to occur. Additional information on primary and secondary data sources 

can be found in Annex 5. 

The study area is located in the southern part of Italy, in Lecce Province, which is one of the 

Apulia Region’s six provinces. This area includes parts of the municipalities of Melendugno and 

Vernole See Figure 6-128. 

Figure 6-128 Pipeline Corridor 

Source: ERM 

A detailed description of the project social study area is provided in Chapter 4 (Project 

Description).






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Information is presented in this chapter at a municipal and settlement level, with reference to 

other levels (e.g. regional and national where relevant). This Section is supported by a series of 

social maps presented in Annex 5 and referred to throughout this chapter. 

The remainder of the social environment baseline is presented in the following sections: 

• Historical and Political Overview; 

• Demographics; 

• Economy and Livelihoods; 

• Land Use and Ownership; 

• Infrastructure and Public Services; 

• Education and Skills; 

• Health; 

• Vulnerabilities; and 

• Limitations 

6.6.2 Historical and Political Overview 

6.6.2.1 Historical Overview 

Many major events, cultures and civilizations have characterised Italian history. After the collapse 

of the Roman Empire in the West in 5 th century A.D., the peninsula and islands were subjected to 

a series of invasions and the Italian political unity was lost. Italy became a succession of small 

states, principalities, and kingdoms, which fought among themselves and were subject to the 

ambitions of foreign powers. The Popes of Rome ruled central Italy and rivalries between the 

Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors, who claimed Italy as their domain, often led to conflicts. 

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 under the Kingdom of Victor Emmanuel II of the House of 

Savoy. Many relevant events succeeded from this date, namely World War I (1914-1918) and the 

Fascist Regime (1922-1943). In the early 1920s Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy 

and rapidly assumed dictatorial powers, eliminating all political parties in only a few years. During 

this period, the King remained a figure head of state with no effective powers. The alliance of Italy 

with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II (1940-1945) and in 1946, a democratic 

republic replaced the monarchy and economic growth followed. 

Italy is one of the High Income OECD member countries, was a charter member of NATO and 

the European Economic Community (EEC), and joined the European Monetary Union in 1999.






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6.6.2.1.1 The Apulia Region 

The region of Apulia, in the southern part of Italy, was an important area for the ancient Romans. 

During the Imperial Age, Apulia was a flourishing area for production of grain and olive oil, 

becoming the most important exporter to the Eastern provinces. 

In 1734, the coast was occupied at times by the Turks and by the Venetians. The French also 

controlled the region in 1806-1815, resulting in the abolition of feudalism and the reformation of 

the justice system. Liberation movements began to spread in the 1820s. In 1861, with the fall of 

Two Sicilies, the region joined Italy. 

6.6.2.2 Modern Political Context 

Italy’s political system is based on the 1948 Constitution. The Bicameral parliament, whose 

members are elected for five year term by universal suffrage, is formed by the Chamber of 

Deputies and the Senate, which each seven years, in joint session, elect the President of the 

Republic. The President is the head of State, but does not directly run the government. This duty 

is given to the Prime Minister. 

From 1942 to 1993, Italy’s political system was dominated by the Christian Democracy political 

party, Democrazia Cristiana (DC). During this time the opposition was led by the Italian 

Communist Party, Partito Comunista Italiano (PCI). From 1948 to 1970 the majority of Prime 

Ministers were from the DC party. 

In the early 1990s, government instability and a series of corruption scandals implicating a few 

governing parties elicited a political crisis and the development of new parties around two poles. 

During the latest parliamentary elections held in Italy in May 2008, the centre-right coalition won 

590 out of 630 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 308 out of 315 seats in the Senate of the 

Republic, and the Italian Prime Minister became Mr. Silvio Berlusconi. In November 2011, the 

Italian Prime Minister became Mr. Mario Monti. 

6.6.2.3 Local Administrative Structure 

Italy is administratively organised into 20 regions. Five of these regions (Aosta Valley, Friuli 

Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino Alto Adige) have a special autonomous status which 

entitles them to legislate on specific matters. The country is further divided into 110 provinces 

and 8,100 municipalities. 

The Apulia Region (whose capital is Bari) is made up of six provinces which are, from north to 

south: Foggia, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Bari, Taranto, Brindisi and Lecce. The Study Area is in the 

Province of Lecce, which has 97 municipalities and two of them, Melendugno and Vernole, are 

partially within the 2-km pipeline corridor.






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Table 6-68 

Administrative Details of Study Area 

Region Province Municipality 

Apulia 

Lecce 

Melendugno 

Vernole 

Each municipality is headed by a mayor who is assisted by a legislative body, the Municipality 

Council (Consiglio Comunale), and an executive body, the Municipality State (Giunta Comunale). 

The mayor and members of the Consiglio Comunale are elected by the residents of the 

municipality. Municipalities vary significantly in area and population, but all provide basic civil 

functions such as birth and death registry or contracting for local roads and public works. 

The political context of the Municipalities in the project area, in the Province of Lecce and the 

Apulia Region, is described in Box 6-5. 

Box 6-5 

Political Context 

The current mayors of the municipalities crossed by the pipeline are: 

- Mayor of Melendugno: Mr. Vittorio Potì, member of the civil list “Uniti per Melendugno e Borgagne”, elected 

in 2009 (recently deceased, successor to be announced); 

- Mayor of Vernole: Mr. Mario Mangione, member of the civil list “Impegno e Trasparenza”, elected in 2008; 

In 2009 Mr. Antonio Maria Gabellone (centre-right party, Popolo delle Libertà) was elected President of the 

Province. 

For the last five years, the Apulia Region has been ruled by a leftist alliance lead by Mr. Nichi Vendola. Mr. 

Vendola has shown a very strong commitment against pollution and misuse of land. Regional elections held 

on 28-29 March 2010, confirmed Mr. Vendola as President of the Apulia Region for the following 5 years. 

6.6.3 Planning and Development 

6.6.3.1 National Strategy for Development and Integration 

According to the “Document of Economy and Finance” approved by the government in April 

2011, the national development in the years to come has to focus on the following topics: 

• Fiscal reform 

• Development of Southern Italy 

• Work 

• Public infrastructures 

• Private constructions 

• Research and Development






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• Education and merit 

• Tourism 

• Agriculture 

• Civil trials 

• Reform of the public administration and Simplification. 

Each topic will be developed in order to contribute to the national development. 

Beside the topics identified by the government for the Italian development, a great importance is 

given to the financial stability, which is of great importance for Italy due to its remarkable budget 

deficits and public debt. In addition, being part of the Euro area puts a great legal burden on Italy 

to solve the financial accounts. 

6.6.3.2 Regional and Local Development Plans 

The Region Apulia, in the “Preliminary Strategic Document”, has identified three main macrotargets 

for the period 2007-2013: 

• to strengthen the factors of attractiveness of the territory, enhancing the accessibility, 

guaranteeing high quality services and safeguarding the environmental potential; 

• to promote the innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of the knowledge and 

innovation based economy; 

• to realise better conditions of employability, social cohesion and inclusion. 

The above-mentioned three targets are sustained through the realization of other major 4 general 

targets which are: 

• Environment; 

• Equal opportunities; 

• Territorial dimension of the development; 

• Cross-border, trans-national and inter-regional European cooperation. 

Several plans of intervention are planned for each point. Coming to more practical terms, the 

main projects which the Region intends to develop are: 

• Regarding the infrastructures, it is intended the realization of the railway connection Bari- 

Naples and the completion of the railway Taranto-Lecce along the Adriatic sea. The 

realization of the road connection Sele-Ofantino. New air route to connect Apulia with Europe, 

with the Mediterranean and the Balkans.






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• In the cities of Apulia, the deteriorated areas have to be redeveloped and the quality of the 

public services has to be improved. The basic services (water supply grid, sewage grid, 

energy, communications, and kindergartens) have to be made available to the whole 

population with adequate standards of the service. 

6.6.4 Demographics 

6.6.4.1 Population and Settlements 

As of January 2011, the Italian population was estimated to be just over 60.6 million. 

This represents an increase of 1.04% since the 2001 census, when the population was recorded 

at 57 million – evidencing the slow population growth in Italy as a result of an aging population 

and low birth rates. 

The Apulia Region has over 4 million inhabitants (about 7% of the Italian population). 

The Province of Lecce is the second most populous province in the Apulia Region (after the 

Province of Bari) with a population of about 815,600 people, 95,500 of which live in the provincial 

capital city of Lecce. Figure 6-129 provides population data related to the two municipalities of 

the study area (ISTAT, 1 st January 2011), as well as at the provincial, regional and national level. 

Table 6-69 Population at 1st January 2011 

Area 

Population 

% of provincial 

population 

Surface (km 2 ) 

Density (n. 

people/km 2 ) 

Melendugno Municipality 9,838 1.2% 91.06 108.04 

Vernole Municipality 7,404 0.9% 60.57 122.32 

Province of Lecce 815,597 19.9% (2) 2,759.4 295.57 

Apulia Region 4,091,259 6.7% (1) 19,358 211.35 

Italy 60,626,442 - 301,336 201.19 

(1) calculated on the Italian population 

(2) calculated on the Apulia Region population 

Source: ISTAT 

Over the last 11 years (January 2000-2011), the municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole have 

experienced different rates of population change (see Table 6-70). Since 2000, Melendugno has 

experienced population growth of 6%, while Vernole has experienced a 2.5% decrease in 

population. This may be due to a combination of better job opportunities and a more attractive 

tourism market, as the Municipality of Meledugno has a larger city centre and includes coastal 

areas which are a primary driver of tourism business.






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Table 6-70 Population Growth Rate by Municipality, Period 2000-2011 

Municipality 

Population at 

1 st January 2000 

Population at 

1 st January 2011 

% growth rate 

Melendugno 9,242 9,838 +6.1% 

Vernole 7,587 7,404 -2.5% 

Source: ISTAT 

As shown in Figure 6-129, the population of Italy remained mostly unchanged from 1982 to 2002, 

recording an overall growth of less than 1%. Between 2002 and 2011, population growth 

increased to over 6%. Population trends in the Province of Lecce (Figure 6-131) are similar to the 

greater Apulia Region (Figure 6-130), which both show steady growth from 1982 to 1998, decline 

during 1999-2002 and steady growth from 2003 to 2011. 

Figure 6-129 Population Trend in Italy, Period 1982-2011 

65,000,000 

60,000,000 

Population 

55,000,000 

50,000,000 

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 

Year 

Source: ISTAT






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Figure 6-130 Population Trend in Apulia Region, Period 1982-2011 

4,400,000 

4,200,000 

Population 

4,000,000 

3,800,000 

3,600,000 

3,400,000 

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 

Year 

Source: ISTAT






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Figure 6-131 Population Trend in Province of Lecce, Period 1982-2011 

900,000 

850,000 

800,000 

Population 

750,000 

700,000 

650,000 

600,000 

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 

Year 

Source: ISTAT 

The only settlement within the Study Area is Torre Specchia Ruggeri, which is located in the 

Municipality of Melendugno. The southern portion of the settlement is within the 2-km pipeline 

corridor, between kp 0 and kp 1. Torre Specchia Ruggeri is a typical coastal settlement in Italy, 

with holiday houses constructed along the beach. It has 10 inhabitants 1 , except during the 

summer period, when the population increases dramatically as a result of tourism activity. 

The settlements of San Foca (Melendugno) and Acquarica (Vernole), which have 1,009 and 267 

inhabitants 2 respectively, are partially within the 3-km corridor and are likely to be interested in 

the project outcome. 

6.6.4.2 Migration and Population change 

Italy, especially southern Italy, has a long history of emigration and a very short experience of 

immigration. 

1 www.comuniecitta.it 

2 www.comuniecitta.it






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6.6.4.2.1 Emigration 

The history of Italian emigration has started during the period 1861-1985, when over 26 million 

people emigrated, as presented in Table 6-71. It shows the regional contribution to emigration 

and its direction. 

Table 6-71 Emigration and Migration Rate (per 1,000) during the Period 1876-1985 

Emigration 

Migration rate 

1876-1885 1,315 4.56% 

1886-1895 2,391 7.76% 

1896-1905 4,322 13.06% 

1906-1914 5,854 20.60% 

1915-1918 363 2.44% 

1919-1928 3,007 7.70% 

1929-1940 1,114 2.20% 

1941-1945 4,121 0.32% 

1946-1955 423 5.24% 

1956-1965 3,166 6.28% 

1966-1975 1,714 3.20% 

1976-1985 861 1.53% 

Total 26,595 

Source: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), November 2003






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Table 6-72 shows the regional contribution to emigration and its direction. Emigration in the North 

of Italy was mostly to other areas in Europe, while the emigration in the southern regions was 

mostly to the United States, Latin America and Australia.






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Table 6-72 

Regional Contribution and Direction (per Cent National Migration) 

1876-1886 1887-1900 1901-1914 1915-1918 1919-1931 1932-1942 

Continental migration 

North Italy 87.4% 88.4% 76.8% 76.6% 79.0% 66.0% 

Central Italy 8.3% 6.4% 15.5% 15.1% 12.2% 11.7% 

South Italy 4.3% 5.2% 7.7% 8.3% 8.8% 22.3% 

Transoceanic migration 

North Italy 46.0% 32.8% 17.6% 13.6% 24.6% 24.2% 

Central Italy 5.7% 8.9% 11.2% 9.5% 10.0% 10.0% 

South Italy 48.3% 58.3% 71.2% 76.9% 65.4% 65.8% 

Source: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), November 2003 

Emigration during this time period was as result of the slow development of the Italian economy 

and the economic expansion characterising other countries between the second half of the 

nineteenth century and World War I. After World War II, Italians emigrated mostly towards 

Europe, especially Germany, to participate in the post-War economic boom. In the same years, 

the development of the industrial North stimulated significant internal migration from the South to 

the North-West. In these new areas, Italian immigrants were largely hired in sectors such as 

construction, railways and mining. 

Emigration declined sharply during 1970-1980 despite high unemployment rates. This may have 

been because the higher level of income of Italian households allowed unemployed family 

members to bear the long periods of unemployment, as well as due to the comparatively smaller 

household size with fewer children per family than in earlier generations. Nowadays, only few 

highly skilled and specialised workers leave Italy in search of better job opportunities. 

6.6.4.2.2 Immigration 

Since the 1970s, Italy has become a country of immigration. The number of foreign residents 

increased from about 144,000 in 1970 to about 1.5 million in 2000 (see Table 6-73). 

The composition of the immigrants changed significantly during the 1980s and 1990s. The 

incidence of immigrants who came from the European Union declined, while the proportion of 

immigrants from outside the European Union increased. Among non-European Union 

immigrants, the immigrants from Asia and Africa increased in absolute terms, but decreased in 

relative terms, outnumbered by the abundant migration flows from Eastern Europe (in particular 

Yugoslavia, Albania and Romania), which became the fastest growing immigrant group.






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Table 6-73 

Foreign Resident Population by Area of Origin 

Year 

Value 

Share of 

domestic 

population Africa Asia Europe 

By area of origin (%) 

Of which 

East EU 

1970 143,834 0.27% 3.3 7.8 61.3 - - 

1975 186,415 0.33% 4.7 8.1 60.5 - - 

1980 298,746 0.53% 10.0 14.0 53.2 - - 

1985 423,004 0.74% 10.5 15.4 52.1 - - 

Latina 

America 

1990 781,100 1.37% 30.5 18.7 33.5 5.6 8.4 

1993 987,400 1.76% 29.1 17.5 36.9 15.5 8.1 

1995 991,419 1.85% 26.7 16.6 40.8 21.0 8.0 

1998 1,250,214 2.01% 28.8 18.3 38.5 22.5 8.4 

2000 1,500,200 2.20% 29 18.6 38.0 27.1 8.3 

Source: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), November 2003 

Data reported in Table 6-74 shows the percentage of foreign residents to the total population at 

the national, regional, provincial and municipal level. Higher values are present at national levels 

(7.5%) compared to the Apulia Region and the Province of Lecce, which have similar proportions 

of foreign residents (2.2-2.3%). At local level, the presence of foreign residents is low; coming 

mainly from Romania, India and Albania. 

Table 6-74 

Share of Foreign Residents on Total Population 

Total 

population 

Foreign 

resident 

population 

Share 

Nationality of origin 

Melendugno 9,838 191 1.9% Romania (30.4%), Albania (16.8%) 

Vernole 7,404 59 0.8% Romania (30.5%), India (22.0%) 

Province of Lecce 815,597 17,747 2.2% Romania (18.1%), Albania (16.7%), Morocco (11.7%) 

Apulia Region 4,091,259 95,709 2.3% Albania (23.8%) Romania (23.6%), 

Italy 60,626,442 4,570,317 7.5% Romania (21.2%), Albania (10.6%) 

Source: ISTAT (2011) 

6.6.4.3 Age 

At a national level, the largest age group is between 40 and 44 years old for both male and 

female, followed by 35-39 and 45-49 years old, which also corresponds to the working age.






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The lack of a large cohort of younger workers shows the gradual aging of the Italian population, 

as a result of low birth rates and small family sizes. 

Figure 6-132 below provides the age distribution by gender in Italy in 2011. Similar trends are 

observed at the regional and provincial level (see at Figure 6-133 and Figure 6-134). 

Figure 6-132 Age Distribution by Sex in Italy (at 1st January 2011) 

Age class 

Male 

Female 

-8.07% 

-8.40% 

-8.17% 

-6.91% 

-6.95% 

-6.28% 

-6.16% 

-5.94% 

-5.44% 

-4.82% 

-4.91% 

-5.14% 

-4.94% 

-4.97% 

-4.97% 

-3.68% 

-2.52% 

-0.43% 

-1.28% 

≥ 90 

85-89 

80-84 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

1.20% 

2.54% 

3.85% 

4.65% 

5.39% 

5.15% 

6.34% 

6.14% 

6.76% 

7.73% 

7.91% 

7.64% 

6.46% 

5.52% 

4.91% 

4.56% 

4.39% 

4.42% 

4.43% 

-10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 

Source: ISTAT 

Percentage






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Figure 6-133 Age Distribution by Sex in Apulia Region (at 1st January 2011) 

Age class 

Male 

Female 

-7.51% 

-7.77% 

-7.74% 

-7.20% 

-6.17% 

-6.57% 

-5.99% 

-6.53% 

-6.41% 

-6.07% 

-5.53% 

-4.72% 

-5.24% 

-4.36% 

-4.86% 

-3.39% 

-2.34% 

-0.41% 

-1.18% 

≥ 90 

85-89 

80-84 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

0.93% 

2.06% 

3.42% 

4.25% 

4.91% 

4.92% 

6.28% 

6.09% 

6.67% 

7.49% 

7.59% 

7.43% 

6.80% 

6.08% 

5.76% 

5.34% 

4.93% 

4.71% 

4.34% 

-10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 

Percentage 

Source: ISTAT 

Figure 6-134 Age Distribution by Sex in Province of Lecce (at 1st January 2011) 

Age class 

Male 

Female 

-7.46% 

-7.67% 

-7.56% 

-7.18% 

-6.44% 

-6.14% 

-6.49% 

-6.34% 

-6.15% 

-5.85% 

-4.79% 

-5.07% 

-5.22% 

-5.00% 

-4.57% 

-3.79% 

-2.69% 

-0.38% 

-1.20% 

≥ 90 

85-89 

80-84 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

1.06% 

2.26% 

3.96% 

4.77% 

5.40% 

5.24% 

6.58% 

6.25% 

6.63% 

7.39% 

7.51% 

7.10% 

6.74% 

5.87% 

5.39% 

5.06% 

4.51% 

4.34% 

3.94% 

-10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 

Source: ISTAT 

Percentage






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Statistics show that the population in the Apulia Region (as well as the Province of Lecce) is 

slightly aging (see Table 6-75), reflecting the Italian trend. As of 2011, the Province of Lecce 

reflects a similar age distribution seen at the national level. 

Table 6-75 Population Structure (Period 2007-2011) 

Age class 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

0-14 years 14.1% 14.0% 14.0% 14.1% 14.0% 

Italy 

15-64 years 66.0% 65.9% 65.8% 65.7% 65.7% 

More than 65 

years 

19.9% 20.0% 20.1% 20.2% 20.3% 

0-14 years 15.5% 15.3% 15.1% 14.9% 14.8% 

Apulia Region 

15-64 years 67.0% 67.0% 66.9% 66.8% 66.7% 

More than 65 

years 

17.6% 17.8% 18.0% 18.2% 18.5% 

0-14 years 14.5% 14.3% 14.1% 13.9% 13.7% 

Province of 

Lecce 

15-64 years 66.1% 66.1% 66.0% 66.0% 65.8% 

More than 65 

years 

19.4% 19.7% 20.0% 20.2% 20.4% 

(1) calculated on the Apulia Region population 

(2) calculated on the Italian population 

Source: ISTAT 

Also at local level, the Municipality of Melendugno reflects the national trend, showing the highest 

percentages of population in the age categories between 30 and 49, whereas Vernole has the 

highest percentages between 50 and 54 years and between 30 and 34 years for males, and 

between 50 and 54, and 35 - 39 years, for females.






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Figure 6-135 Age Distribution by Sex in Melendugno (at 1st January 2011) 

Age class 

Male 

Female 

-7.85% 

-7.35% 

-7.56% 

-7.66% 

-6.70% 

-6.99% 

-6.05% 

-6.41% 

-6.14% 

-4.90% 

-5.45% 

-4.61% 

-5.15% 

-5.11% 

-4.73% 

-3.35% 

-2.26% 

-0.50% 

-1.21% 

≥ 90 

85-89 

80-84 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

1.13% 

2.19% 

3.16% 

4.27% 

4.92% 

4.80% 

6.26% 

6.40% 

7.41% 

6.91% 

7.45% 

8.20% 

6.89% 

6.81% 

5.73% 

4.35% 

4.38% 

4.72% 

4.03% 

-10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 

Source: ISTAT 

Percentage 

Figure 6-136 Age Distribution by Sex in Vernole (at 1st January 2011) 

Age class 

Male 

Female 

-7.42% 

-7.48% 

-7.96% 

-7.73% 

-6.80% 

-7.08% 

-7.08% 

-6.88% 

-6.12% 

-4.93% 

-5.47% 

-4.59% 

-4.76% 

-3.88% 

-4.14% 

-3.63% 

-0.54% ≥ 90 

-1.10% 85-89 

-2.41% 80-84 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

1.08% 

2.32% 

4.00% 

5.03% 

5.39% 

5.03% 

7.15% 

6.84% 

7.72% 

6.66% 

7.18% 

7.46% 

6.35% 

6.01% 

5.42% 

4.31% 

4.49% 

3.79% 

3.74% 

-10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 

Source: ISTAT 

Percentage






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6.6.4.4 Gender 

The Constitution of the Italian Republic states the principles of gender equality (Art. 3), equal pay 

(Art. 37) and equal opportunities for men and women (Art. 51): 

• Article 3 - All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without 

distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions. 

• Article 37 - Working women are entitled to equal rights and, for comparable jobs, equal pay 

as men. Working conditions must allow women to fulfil their essential role in the family and 

ensure appropriate protection for the mother and child. 

• Article 51 - Any citizen of either sex is eligible for public offices and elected positions on equal 

terms, according to the conditions established by law. To this end, the Republic shall adopt 

specific measures to promote equal opportunities between women and men. 

Despite these principles however, many women in Italy face challenges combining paid work and 

child care responsibilities. This could be one of the causes for Italy’s low fertility rate, which is one 

of the lowest in the OECD countries, at 1.41 percent. See Figure 6-137. 

Figure 6-137 Fertility Rate Percentage - OECD Member Countries 

3,50 

3,00 

2,50 

2,00 

1,50 

1,00 

0,50 

0,00 

1,39 

1,36 

1,32 

AUS 

AUT 

BEL 

CAN 

CZE 

DNK 

EST 

FIN 

FRA 

DEU 

GRC 

HUN 

ISL 

Source: OECD Database. Access October 2011 

IRL 

ISR 

ITA 

JPN 

KOR 

1,41 1,37 

1,14 

1,41 1,40 

1,40 1,32 

LUX 

NLD 

NZL 

NOR 

POL 

PRT 

SVK 

SVN 

ESP 

SWE 

CHE 

GBR 

USA






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Wage gaps between men and women are significant. According to an EU study looking at gender 

pay gaps in European markets, women in Italy had an almost 10% lower hourly earnings than 

men (Commission Staff Working Paper, 2003). Furthermore, Italy has a consistent 

unemployment rate which has been higher for women in the last decade. More recently, 

unemployment for both men and women in Italy is on the rise, reflecting a similar trend across the 

EU (See Table 6-76). 

Table 6-76 Unemployment Rate, Annual Average, by Sex and Age Groups (%) 

Sex Geo/Time 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

Males 

EU (27) 7.8 8.2 8.4 8.5 8.4 7.6 6.6 6.7 9.1 9.7 

Italy 7.1 6.7 6.5 6.4 6.2 5.4 4.9 5.5 6.8 7.6 

EU (27) 9.5 9.7 9.7 9.8 9.8 9.0 7.9 7.6 9.0 9.6 

Females 

Italy 12.2 11.5 11.3 10.5 10.1 8.8 7.9 8.5 9.3 9.7 

Source: EUROSTAT database. Access October 2011 

In Italy there are more females than males and this ratio is also reflected at the regional, 

provincial and local level. See Table 6-77. 

Table 6-77 Population Growth Rate by Municipality, Period 2000-2011 

Area Male Female 

Melendugno 48.5% 51.5% 

Vernole 47.7% 52.3% 

Province of Lecce 47.8% 52.2% 

Apulia Region 48.5% 51.5% 

Italy 48.5% 51.5% 

Source: ISTAT 

With respect to education in Italy, basic schooling is provided to all. At higher levels of education, 

women exceed men, with almost 70% of Italian women completing upper secondary education in 

2004, compared to only 60% of males (OECD, 2007). 

During focus group meetings and interviews held in the Municipalities of Melendugno and 

Vernole, participants indicated that there is equal decision-making power between men and 

women within the households. The needs of the family are managed by women and women 

contribute to household income. Some of them are entrepreneurs while others contribute through 

the value of the house works they make. Reflecting national indications of some workforce






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inequality, female participants stated that the main problem they face in the area is discrimination 

at work. Some indicated greater difficulty than men in finding employment and indicated the wage 

gap between males and females. While this can be seen as a State issue, unemployment rates 

are the regional level in Apulia are higher than the national average. In the Municipalities of 

Melendugno and Vernole, there are higher rates of unemployment among women compared to 

men (refer to Figure 6-159 and Figure 6-160 in the Economy Section). 

6.6.4.5 Ethnicity 

Italy has a relatively homogeneous population. The prevalent ethnic group is the Italians, but 

there are small clusters of German-Italians, French-Italians, and Slovene-Italians in the north and 

Greek-Italians and Albanian-Italians in the south. 

Two small Griko-speaking communities survive today in the Italian regions of Calabria (in 

Province of Reggio Calabria) in southern Italy and the Apulia Region. The Griko-speaking area of 

Salento comprises nine small towns in the historical region called “Grecia Salentina”; they are 

Calimera, Castrignano dei Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, 

Sternatia and Zollino, with a total of 40,867 inhabitants 1 . 

The Arbëreshë, or Albanian-Italians, live in 41 municipalities and 9 settlements, located in 7 

regions of central and southern Italy, with a total of more than 100,000 inhabitants. In Apulia 

Region these municipalities are Casalvecchio di Puglia (Kazallveqi in Albanian) and Chieuti 

(Qefti), in Province of Foggia, and San Marzano di San Giuseppe (Shën Marcani) in the Province 

of Taranto. 

6.6.4.6 Religion 

In Italy the Constitution sets forth freedom of religion. Article 8 states that “All religious 

denominations are equally free before the law”, although the Roman Catholic Church continues 

to play a major role in Italian society and (to a lesser extent) economy and politics. 

According to a 2005 survey by Eurispes, Roman Catholicism is the majority religion, with 87.8% 

of the population. There are also significant minorities, which include Protestants, Jews and a 

growing Muslim immigrant community. 

Considering the low percentage of foreign residents in the Study Area (less than 2% of the local 

population) and that these settlements have a long rural tradition, it can be assumed that most of 

population in this area identify with Catholic religion. 

If taking into consideration one of the religiosity dimensions (Church attendance), Italy shows an 

increase of non-Church goers over the past decade. 

1 ISTAT






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Figure 6-138 Percentage of People who not Attend a Church Service in Italy 

25,0 

20,0 

15,0 

10,0 

5,0 

0,0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

Source: ISTAT database. Access October 2011 

6.6.5 Economy and Livelihoods 

6.6.5.1 National Level Overview 

Following World War II, Italy’s economy underwent significant changes, rapidly transitioning from 

an agricultural-based economy to an industrialised economy. The development of the industrial 

economy has largely been driven by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced 

by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are family owned. To an extent, this 

industrialisation has mostly occurred in the northern regions, which built on their pre-War 

industrial bases to develop higher value-added manufacturing. Southern regions (including 

Apulia) are less industrialised and while it has become more developed, is mainly composed of 

small and medium enterprises. Today, Italy belongs to the Group of Eight 8 industrialised nations 

(G-8) and is a member of the European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation 

and Development (OECD), as well as the European Monetary Union (EMU). 

Italian public finances continue to show high budget deficits (see Figure 6-139) and high levels of 

public debt (see Figure 6-140).






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Figure 6-139 State Deficit as a Percentage of GDP 

Source: Eurostat Databases. Access October 2011 

Figure 6-140 State Debt as a Percentage of GDP 

Source: OECD Databases. Access October 2011 

The real GDP growth in Italy over the last decade has been following the trend of the EU 

economies, although growth has consistently been lower than the EU average (see Figure 

6-141). 

Figure 6-141 Real GDP Growth 

Source: Eurostat Databases. Access October 2011






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In 2009, the global economic crisis caused a recession in Italy, which led to a sharp drop in its 

import and export activity (see Figure 6-142). 

Figure 6-142 Italy Import and Exports (2000-2009) 

600.000.000.000 

Exports 

Imports 

500.000.000.000 

400.000.000.000 

300.000.000.000 

200.000.000.000 

100.000.000.000 

- 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Source: UN data, UN Comtrade database, International Merchandise Trade Statistics. Access October 2011 

There have been relatively moderate declines in private consumption as a result of measures 

taken by the State during the global economic crisis to support household income. Furthermore, 

exports are expected to return to positive growth, benefitting from the strengthening global 

recovery (European Commission, 2010). 

Italy is a major importer of raw material due to the lack of in country natural resources available 

for industrial use. In fact, Italy’s top 2 commodities in 2009 were petroleum products including oils 

obtained from bituminous minerals and crude, as well as cars and other motor vehicles. In 2009, 

Italy imported over $ 33 billion USD in petroleum products (8% of total commodities imported) 

and over $ 29 billion in cars and other motor vehicles (7% of total commodities imported). 1 

1 UN data, UN Comtrade database, International Merchandise Trade Statistics.






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Italy is characterised by regional disparities, particularly between Central, Northern and Southern 

regions. The table below illustrates the gap between the wealthier Northern regions compared to 

the South (see Table 6-78). 

Table 6-78 Growth Rate of Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita (at Chained 

Prices - 2000) 

Area 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

North-West -0.38 1.16 0.77 -2.44 -6.68 

North-East - 2.07 0.79 -2.20 -6.46 

Centre -0.46 0.67 0.26 -1.71 -4.82 

South -0.43 1.95 0.56 -2.28 -5.00 

Islands 1.50 0.86 0.88 -1.81 -3.10 

Italy -0.09 1.46 0.74 -2.07 -5.61 

Source: ISTAT database, Access October 2011 

6.6.5.2 Regional Level 

The main economic sectors in the Province of Lecce are agriculture, services (mainly tourism) 

and a network of small enterprises. The service industry (which includes tourism) is the largest 

generator of total added value, representing about 75% of all economic activity in the Apulia 

Region. However, the greatest number of registered companies are involved in trade and 

maintenance (i.e. mechanic shops) activities (21,277 businesses), followed by agriculture, 

hunting and forestry (almost 10,771 businesses) and construction activities (more than 9,384 

businesses). 

Table 6-79 provides the added value of each category of activity in the Province of Lecce 

compared to the Apulia Region, Southern Italy and Italy as a whole. Table 6-80 and Table 6-81 

provide information on the number of companies and employees working in each of the key 

sectors.






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Table 6-79 Added Value by Sector in 2007 (Millions €) 

Province of Lecce Apulia Southern Italy Italy 

Total Added Value 11,371 62,156 321,231 1,380,125 

- Agriculture 

232 2,246 11,111 28,341 

2.04% 3.61% 3.46% 2.05% 

- Industry 

1,513 9,812 45,272 295,256 

13.31% 15.79% 14.09% 21.39% 

- Construction 

1,114 4,779 21,722 84,120 

9.80% 7.69% 6.76% 6.09% 

- Industry + construction 

2,627 14,591 66,994 379,377 

23.10% 23.47% 20.85% 27.49% 

- Services 

8,512 45,318 243,127 972,407 

74.86% 72.91% 75.69% 70.46% 

Source: Istituto Tagliacarne, Atlante della Competitività delle Province e delle Regioni italiane, 2009. Database. 

Table 6-80 Employees by Sector in 2008 


Number of employees 247,195 1,286,776 6,481,602 23,404,683 

- Agriculture 

- Industry 

13,885 108,909 434,322 895,282 

5.62% 8.46% 6.70% 3.82% 

63,093 327,075 1,503,785 6,954,688 

25.52% 25.42% 23.20% 29.71% 

170,217 850,792 4,543,502 15,554,724 

- Other activities 

68.86% 66.12% 70.10% 66.46% 


Trade and maintenance businesses make up a greater proportion of registered companies in the 

Province of Lecce compared to broader regions of Italy. For example, 34% of registered 

companies are involved in trade and maintenance activities at the provincial level, compared to 

30.5% observed across the Apulia Region, 32% across Southern Italy or 27% across Italy as a 

whole (see Table 6-81). The ratio of agricultural companies at the provincial level to the total 

number of companies is lower in the Province of Lecce than in the Apulia region and Southern 

Italy, but higher than across Italy as a whole. Although agriculture employs approximately 5.6% of 

the workforce (see Table 6-80), the added value is as low as 2.0% of the overall added value in 

the province (see Figure 6-139).






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Table 6-81 Number of Registered Companies in 2008 


Number of registered companies 63,118 342,636 1,738,981 5,316,104 

- Agriculture, hunting, forestry 

10,771 91,487 402,012 892,157 

17.06% 26.70% 23.12% 16.78% 

- Fishing, Aquaculture 

233 714 4,168 11,688 

0.37% 0.21% 0.24% 0.22% 

- Mining 

72 347 1,691 4,071 

0.11% 0.10% 0.10% 0.08% 

- Factories 

8,028 35,572 175,116 642,707 

12.72% 10.38% 10.07% 12.09% 

- Energy Production and Distribution 

20 191 1,054 4,111 

0.03% 0.06% 0.06% 0.08% 

- Construction 

9,384 41,834 218,253 808,052 

14.87% 12.21% 12.55% 15.20% 

- Trade and Maintenance 

21,277 104,509 557,.612 1,446,900 

33.71% 30.50% 32.07% 27.22% 

- Hotels and Restaurants 

3,309 14,579 80,237 278,584 

5.24% 4.25% 4.61% 5.24% 

- Transport, Storage 

1,243 9,402 52,447 190,092 

1.97% 2.74% 3.02% 3.58% 

- Finance 

1,151 5,451 28,883 108,163 

1.82% 1.59% 1.66% 2.03% 

- Real estate 

3,508 19,279 106,606 607,249 

5.56% 5.63% 6.13% 11.42% 

- Instruction 

246 1,243 7,773 19,797 

0.39% 0.36% 0.45% 0.37% 

- Health care 

335 1,508 10,451 26,431 

0.53% 0.44% 0.60% 0.50% 

- Other public and social services 

3,101 14,111 73,226 239,257 

4.91% 4.12% 4.21% 4.50% 

- Other unclassified companies 

440 2,406 19,430 36,769 

0.70% 0.70% 1.12% 0.69% 


6.6.5.3 Economy and Livelihoods in the Study Area 

The main economic activities in the Study Area are similar to those represented at the provincial 

level, which are agricultural, fishing, trade (wholesale and retail), maintenance and construction 

activities. These economic activities make up 72% of economic activities across both 

Municipalities of Vernole and Melendugno combined. As shown in Table 6-82 below, these 

activities are similarly proportioned when comparing between Melendugno and Vernole.






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Table 6-82 

Vernole, June 2011 

Number of Registered Companies per Economic Sector in Melendugno and 

Type of business Vernole Melendugno Total 

Agriculture, sylviculture, fishing 254 200 454 

Wholesale and Retail trade. Reparation of cars and motorbikes 116 260 376 

Construction 102 124 226 

Receptive structures and restaurants 43 116 159 

Manufacturing activities 37 57 94 

Other services 14 33 47 

Rentals, Travel agencies, services to the companies 7 19 26 

Professional, scientific and technical activities 9 9 18 

Artistic, sport, entertainment and leisure activities 9 8 17 

Transport and stocking 7 8 15 

Financial and insurance activities 7 7 14 

Estate activities 0 13 13 

Information and communication activities 1 5 6 

Health and social assistance 2 3 5 

Education 2 1 3 

Water supply, sewage network, trash management 0 1 1 

Not classified companies 0 1 1 

Total 610 865 1,475 

Source: Statistical Office of Province of Lecce 

In Vernole, there are slightly more businesses involved in agriculture, sylviculture (forestry) and 

fishing than in Melendugno, while Melendugno has more than 2 times the number of businesses 

involved in trade and maintenance activities. In Melendugno, there are also significantly more 

registered businesses engaged in service and tourism related activities. These trends may reflect 

the fact that Melendugno is a larger city centre than Vernole. While service related activities do 

not represent the majority of businesses in the study area, most interviewees consider tourism as 

the main economic sector. This is probably due to the fact that tourists are the primary endconsumers 

of agriculture, fishing and trade activities/products and that tourism economic spend 

is in many ways more ‘visible’ expenditure.






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6.6.5.4 Industry and Commerce 

In the study area, there is no presence of heavy industry, as illustrated in Table 6-82. The main 

economic activities are agriculture, fishing and tourism. 

There are 376 registered companies in the Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole, which 

represent 25% of total commercial activity. These are mainly retail companies which provide for 

the livelihood of the local population (e.g. supermarkets, garments shops, etc.). Fishing activities 

are discussed in more detail in the offshore section 6.4. 

6.6.5.5 Hunting 

Hunting is regulated at the national level by the EU 1979 Birds Directive and by the Italian Law n. 

157 of February 1992. Each province also applies more specific local hunting rules. Hunting 

licences (licenza di caccia venatoria) are allocated and issued at a provincial level. Each province 

sets areas where hunting is permitted. The regional authority also decides the hunting season for 

each year, the days when hunting is prohibited during the week (usually two per week) and the 

times when hunting is allowed. Hunting in the Study Area is practiced only as a recreational 

activity. 

6.6.5.6 Agriculture 

In addition to fishing, agriculture represents another main economic activity in the Study Area. 

Agricultural activities include olive cultivation, livestock rearing and other crop production. Olives 

are the most important crop of the area. 81.1% of land in Melendugno and 67.5% of land in 

Vernole is used to cultivate olives for olive oil production. There is also a small percentage of land 

used for growing arable crops and raising livestock. 

Cooperatives play an important role in the olive oil market as they process the olives for the 

production of the oil. Many farmers have experienced a drop in incomes from the price drops that 

have occurred in the olive oil market due to the price competition of other Mediterranean 

producers (namely Spain and Tunisia).






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Table 6-83 Province of Lecce (5th Census of Agriculture 2000) 

Area 

Used 

agric. 

Surface 

(ha) 

N° of 

farms 

Melendugno 4,613.98 131 

Vernole 3,773.6 196 

Cereals Horticulture Vineyards Olive groves Orchards 

(ha) 

Source: ISTAT – 5th Agriculture Census – 2000 

N° of 

farms 

(ha) 

N° of 

farms 

(ha) 

358.43 

165 

69.07 

67 

28.52 

7.8% 

1.5% 0.6% 

521.98 

118 

36.41 

5 

7.44 

13.8% 1.0% 0.2% 

N° of 

farms 

1,884 

1,234 

(ha) 

3,743. 

00 

81.1% 

2,545. 

99 

67.5% 

N° of 

farms 

110 

40 

(ha) 

40.33 

0.9% 

24.20 

0.7% 

6.6.5.6.1 Olive Production and Distribution 

Olive farming is a major agricultural activity in the Mediterranean region, where 95% of the 

world’s olive trees are cultivated. Italy is considered to be one of the main producing countries 

(along with Spain and Greece) of green and black table olives 1 . Production percentages, which 

are calculated based on the total production of EU member states, was 26.7% in 2000 and 

36.9% in 2004 2 . Figure 6-143 below shows olive production in Italy compared to overall EU 

production. 

1 FAOSTAT database. Access October 2011 

2 FAOSTAT database. Access October 2011






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Figure 6-143 Olive Production (Tonnes), Italy and EU 27 

Source: FAOSTAT Database. Access on October 2011 

The Apulia Region has a history of producing high quality olives and is the region with the highest 

harvested production of olives - and olive oil production - in all of Italy. Apulia is second to Sicilia 

in terms of table olive production. As shown in Table 6-84 below, the Province of Lecce has the 

highest harvested production of olives in the Apulia Region. From these harvested olives, the 

Province of Lecce also has the highest production of table olives and olive oil of all provinces in 

the Apulia Region.






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Table 6-84 

Olive Production in the Apulia Region 

Province 

Total 

Area 

(ha) 

Production 

Area (ha) 

Olives 

Total 

Production 

(Quintal)* 

Harvested 

Production 

(Quintal)* 

Table Olives 

Total 

Production 

(Quintal)* 

Olives for 

Oil 

Total 

Production 

(Quintal)* 

Oil of pressure 

Production 

Yield (%) 

Total 

Production 

(Quintal)* 

Foggia 52,500 52,450 1,468,600 1,395,170 2,000 1,393,170 16.0 222,900 

Bari 99,800 99,800 2,574,000 2,574,000 25,000 2,549,000 16.0 407,840 

Taranto 38,600 38,600 1,466,800 1,173,440 21,000 1,152,440 14.5 167,103 

Brindisi 63,600 63,000 1,600,000 1,300,000 4,000 1,296,000 18.0 233,280 

Lecce 90,550 89,400 3,218,400 3,200,000 80,000 3,120,000 15.0 468,000 

Barletta- 

Andria- 

Trani 

32,500 32,000 890,000 820,000 12,000 808,000 18.4 149,030 

Apulia 377,550 375,250 11,217,800 10,462,610 144,000 10,318,610 16.0 1,648,153 

* 1 quintal = 100 kilograms 

Source: ISTAT Production of olives and oil in Apulia 2010 

The Apulia Region is the second largest producer of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) 1 olive 

oil in Italy (after Tuscany) with over 1,500 farms, 16,000 ha and a very organised chain of olive oil 

millers and bottlers 2 . However, the Province of Lecce has a lower number of PDO designated 

olive producers and processors compared to other provinces in Apulia (see Table 6-85). 

1 

The PDO or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) classified products are considered higher value and are sold at 

a higher price compared to conventional products, as these classifications recognise and regulate the quality of olive 

production. 

2 ISTAT Agriculture database, 2010.

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Table 6-85 




PDO Classified Olive Production in Apulia 


Rev: 00 

Prov. 

Farm 

(n.) 

Producers Processors (n.) Operators 

Olive area 

(ha) Total Miller Bottlers Total 

Producers 

+ Processors 

Foggia 77 702.85 31 24 19 107 1 

Bari 770 6250.51 88 58 50 840 18 

Taranto 28 621.83 22 20 17 48 2 

Brindisi 52 668.52 12 12 11 60 4 

Lecce 37 571.04 19 15 16 44 12 

BAT* 593 7490.34 45 35 25 633 5 

Apulia 1554 16305.09 217 164 138 1672 55 

*Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani 

Source: ISTAT. PDO oil in Apulia, 2010 

The Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole are important areas for olive production. In the 

study area within the 2-km corridor along the pipeline alignment, approximately 857 ha (72% of 

total land) are utilised for olive farming. 

Olive groves usually reach full production after 9 – 10 years (production starts 3 – 4 years after 

planting). The amount of water needed by the crop vary greatly depending on seasons and 

rainfall. Olive trees commonly do not need much irrigation, and in areas with an annual rainfall of 

400 to 600 mm (and in some cases, 200 mm of rainfall), the crop can grow without human 

intervention in irrigation. For oil production there is a need of discontinued irrigation supply, 

provided early enough to give a dry period during ripening. This can have little effect on the oil 

content but can reduce the water content of the fruit. 

Except for a few plots, most of olive farm land in the Study Area is cultivated using traditional 

techniques with irregular planting distances. Olive groves in the Study Area were observed to 

have trees of different ages and different sizes which makes olive harvesting difficult to 

mechanise and inefficient to manage. In some cases figs and prickly pears were mixed in among 

olive tree crops. 

During key interviews, farmers and agricultural representatives of Melendugno and Vernole 

highlighted important milestones of olive crop production and when they typically occur during the 

year. See Box 6-6.






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Box 6-6 

Olive Crops, Relevant Seasons 

February: Pruning and fertilization both to the plant and to the roots with biological fertilizers 

March: Flowering starts and the second fertilization is made 

June: The olive start to grow 

August (end): last fertilization 

October (beginning): Harvesting and milling 

Source: Key informant interviews 

Olive trees can also have a special classification in Italy. A regional regulation is in place which 

strictly protects monumental olive trees from a landscape viewpoint (Regional Law n. 14 of 

04/06/2007). An olive tree can be defined as monumental depending on its age, trunk dimensions 

and position (e.g., proximity to historical/artistic elements). There are about 20 monumental olive 

trees located along the pipeline route, including a plot where a large number of monumental olive 

trees are concentrated. See Annex 5 (Land use map). 

A number of interviewees indicated that national and local institutions provided limited economic 

support to people working in the agricultural sector in the study area. During olive harvesting time 

there is a greater need for human resources, which varies from 4 to 6 persons under a short term 

contract. Such workers are mostly hired from the local population. Figure 6-144 is a photograph 

taken of a traditional olive farm operating within the pipeline corridor: Casa Montepiccioli.






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Figure 6-144 Fortified Farm House “Casa Montepiccioli” 


In Vernole there is also a cooperative, Cooperativa Oleificio Sociale Sant’Anna, which produces 

and distributes olive oil from the various olive farms in the area. This cooperative is outside of the 

pipeline corridor, but is important to note as it is the main olive oil distributor for olive farmers in 

Vernole and Melendugno to supply their produce to. Founded in 1967 and registered with the 

Ministry of the Agriculture, this cooperative works in close cooperation with olive farmers in the 

study area and sells olive oil at the local, regional and national level. The cooperative covers an 

area of 1,500 hectares with 80,000 olive trees and produces approximately 25,000 quintals 1 of 

olives per year. 

1 1 quintal = 100 kilograms






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Figure 6-145 Cooperative Sant'Anna (Oil Production) - kp 8.6, 500 m 


Many local farmers also rely on this cooperative as a source resource for enhancing capability in 

various agricultural methods. The Cooperative has approximately 940 members and most of 

them (about 800) are from Vernole. Remaining members are from surrounding villages (i.e. 

Castrì di Lecce, Lizzanello, Galatina, Melendugno etc.). Members of this cooperative are required 

to be owners or tenants of olive fields. Olive growers bring their produce to the Cooperative to 

produce high quality olive oil with an acidity index of 0.3 (oils with acidity levels between 0 and 

0.8 are considered extra-virgin oils; between 0.9 and 2, they are virgin oil). 

There are also 2 livestock farms located outside the Study Area. One of these farms, Masseria 5 

Santi, is a dairy farm which produces cheese from the milk of their animals. Although cheese is 

their primary product, they also sell meats. 

Part of their land is used for animal grazing and when not grazing, animals are housed in a 

modern barn. While olive farmers typically hire from the local population, dairy farmers typically 

hire long term workers from non-EU countries.






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6.6.5.7 Tourism 

In addition to fishing and agriculture, tourism represents another main economic activity in the 

Study Area. According to the data of the Local Tourism Authority (APT Lecce) it is growing 

considerably every year. Figure 6-146 shows the number of arrivals and presence of tourists in 

the area during 2010. 

Figure 6-146 Arrivals and Presence of Tourists in Melendugno and Vernole in 2010 

Arrivals 

Presences 

400.000 

350.000 

332.253 

300.000 

250.000 

200.000 

150.000 

100.000 

50.000 

44.460 

17.512 

66.842 

0 

Source: APT, Lecce 

MELENDUGNO 

VERNOLE 

According to the APT Lecce, visitors stay an average 7 days in Meledugno, and in Vernole 

visitors stay an average 3 days (see Figure 6-147).






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Figure 6-147 Average Stay (Days) of Tourists in Melendugno and Vernole in 2010 


Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) are the primary accommodation facilities in both Melendugno and 

Vernole. B&Bs are mainly run by families which allocate a certain number of rooms of their own 

house for B&B use. B&B accommodation comprises an important aspect of the rural economy, 

with many households supplementing their incomes (from agriculture, fishing or other economic 

activities) with tourism. 

Within the 2-km pipeline corridor there are seven tourism businesses which may be directly 

affected by the project. Specifically, there are 4 private beaches that rent out (beach chairs and 

umbrellas and provide other services (e.g. sell food and drinks) on a daily basis to tourists on the 

coast line: “La Caciulara”, “Lido San Basilio” “Kale Cora” and “Chicalinda”. There are also 3 

accommodation facilities in the Study Area: Punta Cassano” (1 residence/B&B), “La Luna dei 

Messapi” (1 Masseria/B&B), and “Le Sciare” (1 Masseria/camping/guesthouse). Table 6-86 

provides the location of these tourism businesses in relation to the pipeline corridor.






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Table 6-86 

Tourism Businesses within the 2-km Pipeline Corridor 

Name Municipality Position 

Distance from 

centreline 

Note 

Beach “La Caciulara” Melendugno kp 0 about 900 m tourism facility 

Beach “Lido San Basilio” Melendugno kp 0 about 400 m tourism facility 

Beach “Kale Cora” Melendugno kp 0 about 650 m tourism facility 

Residence Punta Cassano Melendugno kp 0 about 100 m tourism facility 

Beach “Chicalinda” Melendugno kp 0 about 550 m tourism facility 

Touristic masseria “La Luna dei Messapi” Vernole kp 5.3 about 900 m tourism facility 

Masseria “Le Sciare” Melendugno Kp 0.3 about 100 m tourism facility 1 

Source: ERM field interviews (2011) 

Each of the four private beaches that are located within the pipeline corridor are shown below in 

Figure 6-148 to Figure 6-151. With the exception of La Caciulara, these businesses are basic 

structures made of wood to store beach supplies for rent (chairs, umbrellas, etc.). 

1 Masseria “Le Sciare” rents accommodations to women sharing the project of “Nel Nome della Donna (In The Name of 

The Woman) Trust foundation.” The payment is made with a voluntary donation. “Nel Nome della Donna Trust” is a 

deed governed by English Law, by which the Settlers transferred the property of some assets to a third entity, named 

Trustee, who will manage them in favour of several classes of beneficiaries, women or women’s associations who will 

receive donations or loans. Cfr. www.nelnomedelladonna.org.






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Figure 6-148 Beach "Kalè Cora" 


Figure 6-149 Beach "San Basilio” 







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Figure 6-150 Beach "Chicalinda" 


Figure 6-151 Beach "La Caciulara" 







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As mentioned earlier, there are 3 accommodation facilities located within the pipeline corridor. 

During field research, the owner of “La Luna dei Messapi” B&B was not interviewed as he was in 

the process of selling his business (Figure 6-152). “Le Sciare” guesthouse was not interviewed 

during the fieldwork as it was not a fully registered tourism business. These stakeholder groups 

will be engaged prior to project implementation to understand any specific sensitivities or 

concerns. 

Figure 6-152 Fortified Farm House – "La Luna dei Messapi" 

Source: ERM field visit (October 2011), and www.lunadeimessapi.com 

The “Punte Cassano” B&B is located near the beach within the pipeline corridor and very close to 

where the pipeline route is planned (approximately just 30 meters away). Shown in Figure 6-153, 

this B&B has been in business for 5 years. The owner indicated that around 90% of tourists are 

Italians and 10% come from other areas outside Italy, reflecting statistical data gathered. Most 

tourists are families, and Italian tourists tend to vacation here more often during July- August, 

while other foreign tourists vacation here during other warm months (May-June, September- 

October). The owner is very concerned about what impact the Project will have on his business, 

particularly during construction, due to the close proximity of the planned pipeline. Stakeholder 

concern regarding the Project is discussed in more detail in the Social Impacts Section.






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Figure 6-153 Residence – ”Punta Cassano” 

Source: ERM field visit (October 2011) and www.puntacassano.com 

Interviewees reported that tourism developed very recently in the study area (around 3 years 

ago) and that the most important period for their business is during spring and summer months 

(May to September). Tourists are mostly Italians from Apulia and other regions of the country, 

with a small portion of foreigners (primarily from other parts of Europe). Figure 6-154 and Figure 

6-155 confirm this trend in the Province of Lecce. 

Figure 6-154 Figure Tourist Arrivals, Province of Lecce 

300.000 

250.000 

200.000 

150.000 

100.000 

Italian 

Foreign 

TOT 

50.000 

- 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

Source: APT, Lecce






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Figure 6-155 Tourist Presences, Province of Lecce 

1.800.000 

1.600.000 

1.400.000 

1.200.000 

1.000.000 

800.000 

600.000 

400.000 

Italian 

Foreign 

TOT 

200.000 

- 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 


According to perceptions shared by stakeholders during field research, there are several reasons 

why tourists choose to visit the coast between Torre Specchia Ruggeri and San Foca (in 

Melendugno). Stakeholders interviewed indicated that visitors are attracted to this area because 

of the following characteristics: the beauty of the sea side, a more pristine natural environment, 

the availability of low cost B&B and events organised by the municipalities (e.g. food feasts and 

concerts). 

There is also a cycling path which crosses the pipeline corridor. Although this is not considered a 

main attraction of the Study Area, it is used by a few local residents and every now and then for 

horse riding tours (see Figure 6-156).






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Figure 6-156 Cycling Path Crossing the Pipeline Corridor 


6.6.5.8 Employment 

The unemployment rate in the Province of Lecce has increased during the period 2004-2010 

from 14.7% to 17.7%. This province has shown a reverse trend compared to the whole of the 

Apulia Region, where the unemployment rate has dropped of two percentage points (from 15.5% 

to 13.5%) in the same period.






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Figure 6-157 Unemployment Rates 

20,0 

18,0 

16,0 

14,0 

12,0 

10,0 

8,0 

6,0 


Southern Italy 

Apulia 

Lecce 

4,0 

2,0 

0,0 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

Source: ISTAT database. Access October 2011.






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Figure 6-158 Unemployment Rate percentage by Region (2009) 

Source: ISTAT database. Access November 2011. 

Regarding unemployment rates in the Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole, the latest 

reliable data date back to the 2001 National Census. As shown in Figure 6-159, unemployment 

rates are high in the area with a notable gap between males and females. 

Unemployment is a problem particularly among young people (defined as people aged between 

15 - 24), as the unemployment rates reported in Figure 6-160 clearly show. Females of Vernole 

in this age class are the most affected group.






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Figure 6-159 Unemployment Rates Females and Males 

Females Males Total 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

58,65 

61,35 

50,31 50,12 

44,17 42,74 

0 

Melendugno 

Vernole 

Source: ISTAT Census 2001 

Figure 6-160 Unemployment Rates of Young People (Aged 15-24) 

Females Males Total 

35 

30 

28,07 

30,24 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

17,49 

Melendugno 

21,67 21,12 

15,35 

Vernole 


Agriculture and Industry are important sectors for employment (see Figure 6-161). However, 

analysis of primary data gathered by ERM in its field work indicates that tourism and associated 

activities represent an employment sector where a consistent number of inhabitants are 

employed or would like to be employed.






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Figure 6-161 Number of Persons Employed per Sector and Municipality 

Agriculture Industry Others 

2000 

1800 

1600 

1400 

1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

651 

592 

1659 

323 

522 

1414 

Melendugno 

Vernole 


6.6.5.9 Remittances and Social Assistance 

While Italy is categorised as a high income OECD country 1 , income inequality and poverty are 

high compared to other OECD countries. Since the 1990s, income inequality as grown 

significantly in Italy and trends are higher that the OECD average (see Figure 6-162). This is 

because wealthy households have benefited more from economic growth than poor or middleclass 

households. 

1 The World Bank classifies countries as high-income OECD where GNP per capita income is $ 9,266 or more in 2000.

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Figure 6-162 Annual Average changes in Gini 1 

between Mid-1980s and Late-2000, 

percentange. 

France 

Hungary 

Ireland 

Spain 

Greece 

Portugal 

Turkey 

Chile 

Slovenia 

Slovak Republic 

Denmark 

Norw ay 

Czech Republic 

Sw eden 

Finland 

Austria 

Belgium 

Luxembourg 

Sw itzerland 

Iceland 

Netherlands 

Germany 

OECD 

Estonia 

Poland 

Korea 

Canada 

Japan 

New Zealand 

Australia 


United Kingdom 

Israel 

United States 

Mexico 

- 0,8 - 0,4 0,0 0,4 0,8 1,2 

Source: Society at a Glance 2011: OECD Social Indicators - OECD 2011 

Social assistance in Italy is given to different social groups of the population (e.g. old age, 

unemployment support, physical disability, families, and survivors) for a number of reasons. 

In Italy, the relative poverty line for a two-member household in 2010 was equal to 992.46 Euros 

per month, which was around 9 Euros higher than the 2009 threshold (+1%). In Southern Italy 

and Islands, poverty rates are much higher, at 23% compared to North and Central regions of the 

country (see Table 6-87). 

1 The Gini coefficient is a standard measure of income inequality, that ranges from 0 in the case of “perfect equality” 

(each person gets the same income) and 1 in the case of “perfect inequality” (all income goes to the share of the 

population with the highest income). The Gini Coefficient in late-2000: 0.34 Italy, 0.31 OECD. Cfr. Society at a Glance 

2011: OECD Social Indicators.






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Table 6-87 

Relative Poverty Indicators 2009-2010 (in thousands and percentage values) 

Territory 

2009 Poverty Line Re-evaluated Poverty Line 2010 Poverty Line 

983.01 Euros 997.76 Euros 992.46 Euros 

Households Incidence (%) Households Incidence (%) Households Incidence (%) 

North 587 4.9 602 5.0 593 4.9 

Centre 288 5.9 322 6.5 311 6.3 

South and 

Islands 

1,783 22.7 1,867 23.5 1,829 23.0 

Italy 2,657 10.8 2,791 11.2 2,734 11.0 

Source: ISTAT Poverty in Italy 2010 (July 2011) 

The relative poverty incidence in the Apulia Region is 21% which is below the average observed 

across the Southern Italy and Island areas (23%). The index of relative poverty in Apulia has also 

remained stable, at 21.1% in 2010, compared to 21.0% in 2009 (ISTAT, 2011). However, poverty 

is higher in the Apulia Region than any other regions in the North or Central areas of Italy. 

In 2010, the relative poverty incidence was equal to 11%, whereas the absolute poverty was 

equal to 4.6%. In Italy, the incidence for relative poverty increased among households headed by 

a self-employed person or by a person with a medium or high educational level. In the South and 

Islands, the relative poverty among the households with three or more minor children is higher. 

From 2009 to 2010, the relative poverty among households with three or more minor children 

increased from 36.7% to 47.3% in Southern Italy and Islands (ISTAT, 2011). 

Table 6-88 

Relative Poverty Incidence among Households (Percentage Values) 

Territory 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

North-West 4.8 5.4 4.8 4.9 5.35 5.8 5.1 

North-East 5.4 5.2 4.5 4.1 5.05 5 4.6 

Centre 6.7 5.7 7.3 6 6.85 6.4 6.7 

South 23.5 20.7 24.3 22.5 20.86 20.5 22.4 

Islands 20.3 22.5 26.3 27.1 25.93 26.4 26.5 

Italy 11 10.6 11.7 11.1 11.13 11.1 11.3 

Source: European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC)






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Incomes at the local level can be analysed based on the tax declaration for each municipality. 

The average annual income of the taxable inhabitants of the Municipalities of Melendugno and 

Vernole are shown in Figure 6-163. On average, inhabitants of Vernole have higher incomes than 

Melendugno. This figure could perhaps be explained as due to differences in family size, in 

unemployment rate, in number of inabitants and in sectors of employment. Income levels have 

steadily increased during the period 2005-2009 for both municipalities. 

Figure 6-163 Average Annual Income 

2005 2008 2009 

€ 20.000 

€ 18.000 

€ 16.000 

€ 14.000 

€ 12.000 

€ 10.000 

€ 8.000 

€ 6.000 

€ 4.000 

€ 2.000 

€ - 

€ 14.080 

€ 16.778 

€ 17.004 

€ 15.056 

€ 18.157 

€ 18.639 

MELENDUGNO 

VERNOLE 

Source: Italian Ministry of Economy data 

6.6.6 Land Use and Ownership 

6.6.6.1 Land Use 

In many parts of Italy, land use is transitioning from agricultural-based to industrial-based 

activities. One of the reasons for this trend is the low price trends in agricultural produce and 

corresponding low profitability. The price of land across Italy reflects the regional variety of 

agricultural production and profitability. While higher prices are recorded in the north, across Italy 

as a whole, the price of agricultural land has slightly declined over the last 15 years. The price 

decline for agricultural land is mainly driven by demand factors. The lowest land prices are 

reported in Southern Italy and the islands. Among the reported values by land-use type, top 

prices range from 1,000 €/ha for grazing land in South Italy, to as high as 516,000 €/ha for 

vineyards (DOC) in Veneto (north) (Coaoan, D’artis and Swinnen, 2010).






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In the Province of Lecce, crop values varied between 5 and 9 €/m2 for non-irrigated olive groves 

in 2009 1 . Land and crop values are based on the law relating to expropriation (legislative Decree 

327/2001) that in recent years has undergone important changes. The most relevant of which is 

the amendment to article 40, which cancels the average agricultural values and instead places 

market values on agricultural land subject to expropriation or servitude (Sentence of the 

Constitutional Court . 181 10 th June 2011). 

Despite national trends of increasing industrialization, agricultural land use activities are dominant 

in the Study Area. Approximately 964 ha (81% of land in the Study Area) is used for cultivation. 

Urban land use is limited to 22.5 ha (2% of land in the Study Area) and industrial, commercial 

and transport land use amounts to 13.6 ha (1% of land in the Study Area). This information is 

derived from the CORINE 2 Land Cover database (level 4), GIS data on land use features, as well 

field observations (see Table 6-89). 

Table 6-89 

Land Use Typologies within the Pipeline Corridor (2 km) 

and 

Semi 

Macro 

category 

Artificial Surfaces 

(41.1 ha) 

Agricultural Area 

(964.3 ha) 

- 

Natu 

ral 

Area 

s 

Detailed category 

Area [ha] 

Continuous residential area 11.1 

Dis-continuous (grouped) residential area 9.9 

Scattered residential area 1.5 

Total residential areas 22.5 

Commercial 2.3 

Farm 0.4 

Road 9.8 

Uninhabited area that is not in use 1,1 

Total industrial, commercial and transport units 13.6 

Unnatural soil 3.2 

Construction Site 1.8 

Total mines, dumps and construction sites 5.0 

Arable land, non-irrigated 97.1 

Total arable land, non-irrigated 97.1 

Vineyards 0.7 

Fruit trees 7.6 

Olive groves 856.9 

Total permanent crops 865.2 

Annual crops associated with permanent crops 2.0 

Total heterogeneous agricultural areas 2.0 

Broad-leaved forest 30.1 

Coniferous forest 27.2 

1 www.inea.it 

2 Coordinate Information on the Environment






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Macro 

category 

Detailed category 

Area [ha] 

Total forest 57.3 

Pasture areas, natural grassland, field and pastures with trees 44.6 

Bushes and shrubs 8.6 

Sclerophyllous vegetation 62.6 

Total scrub and/or herbaceous vegetation associations 115.8 

Beaches, dunes sand 0.9 

Bare rock, rock faces 4.7 

Sparsely vegetated areas 0.8 

Total open spaces with little or no vegetation 6.4 

Total 1,184.9 

Source: Carta Uso del Suolo Regione Puglia, Manuale di foto interpretazione, vers.1.0 

A vast majority of the Study Area is used for olive tree cultivation. As shown in Figure 6-164, 

72.3% of the entire area is planted with olive groves, some of which are monumental 1 olive trees, 

which are protected under Italian law (Regional Law n. 14 of 4/06/2007). 

1 An olive tree can be defined as monumental depending on its age, trunk dimensions an position (e.g. proximity to 

historical/artistic elements).






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Figure 6-164 Extent of Olive Grove areas 

Source: ERM GIS Satellite Map (October 2011) 

The team was able to observe and document that olive farming is the main agricultural activity in 

the study area. The presence of active olive groves was verified during the field study, even on 

lands where the corresponding housing structure appeared to be uninhabited.






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Figure 6-165 Olive Groves (Representative of kp 3.9) 


The following pictures show other land use typologies identified during the field visit conducted in 

October 2011.






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Figure 6-166 Shrubs and Coniferous Forest (Representative of kp 0.0) 







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Figure 6-167 Vegetation Wetland (Representative of kp 0) 


6.6.6.2 Agricultural Land Tenure 

In Italy, article 822 of the Civil Code states that public property includes “the sea shore, the 

beach, bays and harbours, rivers, streams, lakes, other public waters and all the facilities for the 

national defence”. In addition, “roads, highways, railways, airports, aqueducts, the properties of 

artistic, historical, archaeological or ethno-anthropological interest, the collections of museums, 

galleries, archives and libraries” are considered state properties. 

Most of the land in the Study Area is privately owned agricultural land. Each individually owned 

parcel is typically characterised by the presence of rural complexes that, in Apulia Region, are 

named Masserias. These are old complexes that were traditionally built on large rural tenures 

(latifondi) with one owner and a large number of agricultural workers.






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The term Masserias refers to both the land holding type and the dominant housing structure. 

Masseria buildings are generally 2 floors, with the upper floor originally designated for the lord or 

massaro and the ground floor designated for worker lodging along and other working rooms. 

Today, many Masserias have been converted into large family accommodations, holiday ‘second 

homes’ or bed & breakfast (B&B) accommodations where the owners live in one portion of the 

house and rent out rooms to tourists. Masserias that have been converted into B&Bs are 

discussed in the Economy section. In some cases, Masserias may also keep their traditional role 

as agricultural complexes (e.g. olive farms, cheese factories). 

Agricultural complexes within the corridor were identified during desktop study using satellite 

images and then confirmed during the field observations. These agricultural complexes are 

summarised in Table 6-90 and were observed to be either inhabited or uninhabited. 

Table 6-90 

Agricultural Complexes in the Study Area 

Name Municipality Position 

Distance from 

centreline 

Masseria “del Buon Consiglio” Melendugno kp 3.7 about 100 m Under construction 

Masseria “Dragone” Vernole kp 4.9 about 450 m Uninhabited (historical building) 

Masseria “Coviello” Melendugno kp 4.5 about 500 m Uninhabited (historical building) 

Masseria “Casa Montepiccioli” Melendugno kp 4.3 about 600 m Inhabited, Olive farm 

Masseria “San Basilio” Melendugno Kp 0 about 800 m Inhabited, Olive farm 

Masseria “La Luna dei Messapi” Vernole kp 4.5 about 900 m Inhabited, B&B 

Masseria “Cassano” Melendugno kp 1.3 about 900 m Uninhabited 

Source: ERM satellite research and field study (October 2011) 

Note 

Only 1 Masseria (del Buon Consiglio) was detected within the 250-m buffer. Notably, this 

Masseria has been identified as currently being under construction. Other Masserias were 

located at a distance between 450 m and 900 m from the pipeline corridor. Three of them are 

inhabited and the others are uninhabited. Figure 6-168 – Figure 6-173 show photos of the 7 

agricultural complexes that exist in and near to the Study Area.






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Figure 6-168 Masseria “del Buon Consiglio” (Under Construction) 

Source: ERM field study (October 2011) 

Figure 6-169 Masseria “Dragone” (Uninhabited, Historical Stone Building) 


Figure 6-170 Masseria “Coviello” (Uninhabited, Historical Stone Building) 

Source: ERM field study (October 2011)






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Figure 6-171 Masseria “Casa Montepiccioli” (Inhabited) 


Figure 6-172 Masseria “San Basilio” (Inhabited) 

Source: ERM field study (October 2011)






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Figure 6-173 Masseria “Cassano” (Uninhabited) 


During the field study, it was observed that people working on the agricultural lands around the 

inhabited Masserias do not live on the property but instead reside in nearby villages. 

There are a number of tourist businesses in the Study Area, which are discussed in more detail in 

the Economy section. 

6.6.7 Infrastructure and Public Services 

6.6.7.1 National Road and Transport Infrastructure 

In Italy, the State is required by law (Law n. 59 of 1997) to undertake multi-year planning for 

roads. The same law also requires the State to undertake the planning, development and 

management of the national network of motorways and roads. This includes Italy’s major traffic 

routes that connect to neighbouring countries. For this reason, the Integrated National Transport 

System (Sistema Nazionale Integrato dei Trasporti – SNIT) was established and financed by the 

State, which integrates national interest infrastructure and services. These infrastructures and 

services constitute the foundation of the Italian transport system. The SNIT road network is made 

up of highways and roads which are the responsibility of the State as dictated in Legislative






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Decree 112/98. The State is also responsible for airports, freight terminals and main road-rail 

interchange centres (discussed later in this section). 

The length of Italy’s primary road network, excluding local roads, was 175,352 km as of 

December 2004. The primary road network is divided into regional and provincial roads, 

motorways and other nationally recognised roads, the lengths of each type of road areas follows: 

• 151,570 km of regional and provincial roads; 

• 6,532 km of motorways; 

• 17,250 km of other roads of national interest 1 . 

The length of Italy’s motorway system has slightly expanded to 6,661.3 km in 2009 and 

comprises of the following: 

• 1,632.7 km of 3-lane roads; 

• 77.5 km of 4-lane roads; 

• 267.4 km undergoing widening works; 

• 62.8 km new motorway construction 2 . 

The National Roads Department of Italy, or Azienda Nazionale Autonoma delle Strade (ANAS), is 

in charge of regulating road use and maintaining roads on motorways. These roads are mostly 

subject to the payment of tolls to support funding for these activities. 

1 Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, CNIT 2004 

2 AISCAT






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Figure 6-174 Italian Motorway System 

Operational km 6.661,3 

Under construction km 62,8 

Planned km 614,6 

Source: AISCAT (2009)






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Italy has a well established rail network which comprises domestic long-distance services along 

with connections within major metropolitan and urban centres. The railway network also connects 

with other domestic transport nodes (airports, ports, ferries) as well as international railway 

connections. Specifically, this includes the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T), and 

Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), FS national routes, FS support lines and non FS lines. 

TEN-T and FS are most used for the overall transport of passengers and goods. FS national 

routes transport traffic mainly travelling medium to long-distance connections. FS support lines 

provide connections between the main routes, and non FS lines enable goods and passenger 

itineraries at a national level and can significantly reduce travel times in comparison to the FS 

lines. 

As of December 2010, the length of Italy’s railway network is 16,703 km 1 . Figure 6-175 shows 

Italy’s railway system as of June 2010. 

1 RFI






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Figure 6-175 Italian Railway System 

Basic line 

Complementary line 

Junction line 

Source: RFI (2010) 

The railway system is well developed in the Apulia Region. The provinces of Bari, Brindisi and 

Foggia are more developed, while the provinces of Lecce and Taranto are less developed. 

The railway line is managed in the southern part of the region by FSE (Ferrovie del Sud Est), a






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private railway company operating in Apulia. The FSE rail network extends from Bari up to 

Gagliano del Capo, close to Santa Maria di Leuca (Figure 6-176). The railway line Lecce-Otranto 

runs around 11 km west of the 2-km buffer and stops at San Donato di Lecce. 

Figure 6-176 FSE Network: Railway (Coloured Lines) and Bus (Grey Lines) 

Source: www.fseonline.it 

Territories around the Study Area are not well equipped in terms of transport infrastructure. 

The main roads that connect to the Study Area are: 

• SS 16 connects Padova (in Veneto Region) to Otranto; it is the main Adriatica road and is the 

longest road in the Italian road network. It is a four lane road and it is located about 10 km 

west to the pipeline corridor. 

• SP 366 connects San Cataldo to Otranto; it is a two-lane road and crosses the 2-km buffer 

near the landfall. 

• SP1 connects Lecce to Vernole; it is a two-lane road and is located around 2.5 km west of the 

2-km buffer. 

• SP141 connects Vernole to Calimera; it is a two-lane road and is located around 2.5 km 

south west of the pipeline corridor. 

While major roads are paved and generally in good condition, other minor communal roads within 

the Study Area are mostly two-lane paved roads and some country roads are quite narrow and 

frequently bounded by stone walls. 

Regarding communal and other country roads, one of these in particular, is a stretch of a cycling 

path, named Per Acaya dalle Cesine a Roca. This cycling path comprises 36 km of asphalted 

road which starts from “Le Cesine”, a natural oasis about 12 km from Lecce, and reaches the






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coastal settlements of San Foca and Roca Vecchia. This path overlaps the route of the pipeline 

in some places (see Figure 6-177). Although this is not considered a main attraction of the Study 

Area, it is used by a few local residents and every now and then for horse riding tours (also see 

the Economy section to view a photo of the cycling path). 

Figure 6-177 Cycle Path Route 

Source: ERM Satellite GIS map (October 2011) 

There is a bus network (also shown in Figure 6-176) which passes through the Study Area. 

During the summer period (July and August) a bus leaves from Lecce towards San Foca, 

crossing Acquarica di Lecce, Acaja, Vanze, Torre Specchia and Villaggio Nettuno (one ride on 

the morning from Lecce and one ride on the evening from San Foca). 

Year round, about 20 buses leave daily from Lecce towards San Foca, stopping at Vernole and 

Melendugno; these buses travel more frequently between 11.00 – 15.00, when students and 

workers return home for the day.






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Airport infrastructure is also limited near the Study Area. The provinces of Lecce and Taranto are 

served by the Brindisi airport (Papola Casale or Aeroporto del Salento), which is located about 70 

km from the pipeline route. A military airport is also located at Galatina, about 16 km south-west 

from the 2-km buffer. 

6.6.7.2 Water and Sanitation 

In the last 20 years, important reforms have taken place in terms of Italy’s management of water, 

resources. These changes include: 

• the structure of water resources planning; 

• environmental regulation relating to water quality, and 

• the organization of public utilities in the water sector. 

A series of legislation passed in 1994 (Law Galli, Law n. 36/1994), 2006 (Decree 152/2006) and 

2009 (Law n. 13/2009) have all played a role in an effort to attain the transition of Italy’s public 

water supply management (and waste and wastewater management) from a highly fragmented 

system to an integrated one. Prior to this legislation, public water supply was managed by more 

than 10,000 different operators comprising of a mixture of municipality owned companies, 

consortia (water management responsibilities across multiple municipalities) and public boards, 

with unclear responsibilities among operators and enforcers and inefficient management. 

Currently, Italy is still in the process of eliminating the fragmentation of water services and 

providing for vertical integration of potable water, sanitation and wastewater into the EU’s 

integrated water service framework. Central government authorities oversee the general direction 

and control of all processes. Regions and local administrations are responsible for determining 

how municipalities are grouped and structured into optimised territorial areas (Ambito Territoriale 

Ottimale – ATOs). ATOs are responsible for initially choosing a single operator to manage public 

water services (private operators included) and setting up the integrate water service for the area. 

As a result, water services have been trending towards privatisation. 

However, in June 2011 the privatisation of Italy’s water was rejected by 96% of the voters 

(approximately) 25 million people, resulting in the end of a law requiring mandatory concessions 

to private-owned water companies. 

Italy has an abundance of natural water resources, estimated at about 191 km 3 per year (FAO, 

2003). The majority, almost 80%, of Italy’s drinking water comes from groundwater resources 

(Italian Ministry of Health, 2004). However, in Southern Italy (particularly the Islands) surface 

water is also a source of drinking water.






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Unlike water resources across Italy as a whole, in the Apulia Region, there are a number of 

challenges with water availability due to the semi-arid climate combined with the high water use 

by agricultural activities. Illustrating this point, the neighbouring region of Basilicata exports much 

of its water resources to Apulia. Although dated, the Table below further illustrates water scarcity 

in the Apulia Region (compared to other regions in Italy). Current figures are likely to remain 

similar to those presented in Table 6-91. 

Table 6-91 

Availability of Water Resources in Italy 

Hydrogeologic area Rainfall Storage Capacity 

Surface water 

available 

Underground 

water 

Total water 

available 

Po Basin 71,800 2,194 16,118 4,468 20,586 

North East 42,900 1,069 10,939 1,721 12,660 

Liguria 6,400 29 372 307 679 

Romagna-Marche 20,700 212 995 620 1,615 

Toscana 20,900 141 543 440 983 

Lazio-Umbria 24,100 452 1,399 1,126 2,525 

Abruzzo-Molise 11,900 603 2,454 248 2,702 

Puglia (Apulia) 13,200 397 523 325 848 

Campania 23,200 77 1,237 929 2,166 

Calabria-Lucania 24,000 1,131 2,514 595 3,109 

Sicilia 18,800 718 738 1,151 1,889 

Sardegna 18,800 1,403 1,841 217 2,058 

Italy 296,700 8,426 39,673 12,147 51,820 

Source: IRSA 1999 (values are expressed in thousands cubic meters) 

Water supply in Southern Italy differs from North Italy, impacting the different water use patterns 

between the two areas. In the South, water supply is largely interdependent, with large water 

storage and transfer schemes mostly operated by state-owned organisations. There is also local 

collection of water through its own collection and reticulation system. In the North, however, 

water systems are segmented and separate due to the fact that public supplies have been 

operated under municipal or inter-municipal organisations, often for a long period of time. 

Several Water-Related Disease (WRD) outbreaks have been documented from 1999 to 2005. 

For example, 192 outbreaks and 2,546 cases of WRD were reported to the NSS, averaging 

about 318 cases per year. Water contamination cases were associated with contaminated






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shellfish (58.79%), drinking water (39.94%) and agricultural products (1.25%). WRDs have been 

detected in 76% of regions: central and southern regions showed lower percentage of cases 

(35.4%) due to under-reporting (Blasi, Carere and Pompa, 2008). 

Most WRD cases in South Italy and coastal areas have been related to shellfish pollution. With a 

coastline of more than 7,000 km across Italy, shellfish harvesting is considerable, in particular for 

mussel and clam production in some regions (Pasolini, Alessi and De Medici, 2005). More than 

40% of the national shellfish are located in Veneto followed by the Liguria, Emilia Romagna, 

Apulia, Campania, Sardegna and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions (Italian Ministry of Agriculture, 

2007). A much smaller proportion of WRDs originate from agricultural products (e.g. fruits and 

vegetables) contaminated with polluted water. These trends indicate remaining gaps in the 

State’s public protection of water quality. 

6.6.7.3 Irrigation 

The geographic distribution of water varies by region in Italy. 65% of water available is 

concentrated in North Italy, 15% in the Centre, 12% in South Italy, and 8% in the Islands (Sicily 

and Sardegna). North and Central Italy have a history of irrigation and drainage due to greater 

water availability, while South Italy has faced water availability problems (in part due to its semiarid 

climate) and significant investment in water management infrastructure (e.g. dams) took 

place following World War II (OECD, 2005). 

There are 2.5 million ha of irrigated areas in Italy 1 . Several common problems exist between 

agricultural activities and water resources, including 2 : 

• fragmented irrigation services (both physically and jurisdictionally); 

• private irrigation activities and increases in groundwater withdrawals; 

• poor condition of irrigation nets; 

• inefficient management; 

• release of pollutants from agriculture to water bodies and reduced water quality. 

There are many small public agencies that are responsible for water management. The scope of 

responsibility among these agencies is often unclear and different competency levels contribute 

further to inefficient management. Private water use also adds a layer of complexity as these 

activities are not planned or controlled by public agencies. 

Infrastructure conditions for irrigation are also poor. Water losses anywhere from 30-50% are 

estimated during withdrawal from poor conditions of irrigation nets, insufficient maintenance and 

out-dated technological design 1 . 

1 ISTAT Census 2000 

2 Ibid






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In the study area, most farmers use their own wells for irrigation. The most popular irrigation 

method used is the drip irrigation system. See Annex 5. 

6.6.7.4 Waste Management 

Italy’s waste management system is currently in the process of integration with the water 

management system. As such, national laws govern Italy’s waste management system and 

general criteria are defined at central level while the territorial management plans of municipal 

waste and waste from economic activities (special waste) are issued by each region in conformity 

with the national laws. Different institutional bodies (State, Regions, Provinces, Municipalities) 

have a specific role in defining and regulating an integrated management system. 

Regarding to Municipal Waste (MW), regional authorities are in the process of defining waste 

management plans (i.e. targets on separation collection of municipal solid waste) to organise and 

integrate waste collection, treatment and disposal within ATOs which are defined by regional 

government. 

Regional authorities have also the responsibility of issuing regional regulation on special waste; 

the criteria are generally different from those for municipal waste. In some cases specific 

regional programmes for the management of packaging waste have been adopted. In other 

cases criteria for waste management is included in municipal waste and/or special waste 

management plans. Moreover, each region had developed a specific program for the reduction of 

the land-filling of biodegradable waste, which integrated the regional waste management plan, in 

accordance with the provisions of Decree 36/2003 on the landfill of waste. 

In Italy the legislation provides that waste management plans are developed at regional level. 

The Law of National Waste Framework provides general criteria for the implementation of such 

regional plans (article 199 of Legislative Decree 152/2006). 

The analysis of data concerning the urban waste per capita in 15 EU countries (Figure 6-178) 

shows higher values for Luxembourg at 673 kg of waste generated per inhabitant per year 

(kg/inhabitant/year), followed by Denmark at 662 kg/inhabitant/year, the Netherlands at 612 

kg/inhabitant/year and Ireland a 607 kg/inhabitant/year. 

Italy ranks in 10 th position with 516 kg/inhabitant/year, while Greece, with 431 kg/inhabitant/year, 

has the lowest per capita production of urban waste. 

1 Ibid






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Figure 6-178 Urban Waste per Capita in EU Countries (2001) 

800 

700 

600 

kg/ 

inhab*year 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Austria 

Belgium 

Denmark 


France 

Germany 

Greece 



Luxembourg 


Portugal 


Spain 

Sweden 

Source: Processing of APAT on data Eurostat: Energy, Transport and Environment Indicators, European Communities, 

2004






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Table 6-92 shows that landfills remain the most widespread way of disposal waste. In Italy, in 

particular, the use of landfills is still high (67%), despite the progresses achieved with regard to 

energy plants and other forms of waste management. According to directive 1999/31/CE and 

Decree 36/2003 of transposition, Italy has developed a national strategy regarding the reduction 

of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills. Each region has to establish its own plan for 

the reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfill, in order to ensure a suitable management 

of this kind of waste within the regional territory.






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Table 6-92 Management of Urban Waste in Europe (2001) 

Nation 

Municipal 

waste (1000 

ton/year) 

Recycling Composting Landfill Incineration Other 

EU-15 212,993 16% 11% 49% 18% 6% 

Austria 4,634 23% 37% 30% 10% 1% 

Belgium 4,746 19% 16% 27% 34% 4% 

Denmark 3,560 18% 14% 8% 60% 0% 

Finland 2,440 24% 0% 64% 11% 1% 

France 32,174 12% 13% 43% 32% 0% 

Germany 48,836 27% 15% 25% 22% 11% 

Greece 4,559 8% 1% 91% 0% 0% 

Ireland 2,376 11% 1% 87% 0% 0% 

Italy 29,409 9% 8% 67% 9% 8% 

Luxembourg 285 1% 14% 21% 44% 20% 

Netherlands 9,790 22% 23% 8% 33% 14% 

Portugal 4,696 7% 6% 69% 19% 0% 

United Kingdom 34,851 10% 2% 80% 7% 0% 

Spain 26,340 11% 10% 60% 6% 13% 

Sweden 3,930 29% 10% 22% 38% 1% 

Source: Eurostat: Energy, Transport and Environment Indicators, European Communities, 2004 

Figure 6-179 shows the trend of urban waste per capita in Apulia Region during the period 1996- 

2008; it is characterised by an increase in the waste production (+24%), reaching 523 

kg/inhabitant/year in 2008 (540 kg/inhabitant/year in Italy).






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Figure 6-179 Urban Waste per Capita in Apulia Region (Period 1996-2008) 

600 

500 

400 

kg/ 

inhab*year 

300 

200 

100 

0 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Source: data ISPRA Report Urban Waste, 2009 

At the provincial level, Bari produced in 2008 the greatest amount of waste, followed by Lecce, 

Foggia, Taranto and Brindisi (Table 6-93). The waste production per capita in province of Lecce 

was, in 2008, 501.0 kg/inhabitant/year, lower than regional and national value. 

Table 6-93 Urban Waste in Each Province (2008) 

Province Inhabitants (n.) Total waste (ton) 

Bari 1,601,412 831,998 519.5 

Lecce 812,658 407,128 501.0 

Foggia 682,260 336,597 493.4 

Taranto 580,481 320,236 551.7 

Brindisi 402,891 239,252 593.8 

Apulia Region* 4,079,702 2,135,211 523.4 

Waste per capita 

(kg/inhabitant/year) 

* The province Barletta-Andria-Trani (BAT) was established in 2004 and became operational in 2009-2010 (no data 

are available before 2010). 

Source: data ISPRA Report Urban Waste, 2009






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Figure 6-180 Urban Waste per Province (2008) 

Taranto 15% 

Brindisi 11% 

Bari 39% 

Foggia 16% 

Lecce 19% 

Source: data ISPRA Report Urban Waste, 2009 

6.6.7.5 Energy 

The Italian energy situation is unique to the European context. Italy is one of the top importers of 

solid fuels and oil of the EU-27. More than 86% of Italy’s energy is imported since Italy has few 

natural resources. Since 1996, Italy’s energy dependence has steadily increased, from 82.3% in 

1996, 84% in 2001, to 86.8% in 2006 (EUROSTAT, 2008). This is similar to trends seen across 

the EU-27 among other energy importing countries, although Italy exhibits the highest ratio of 

energy imports of the EU-27. 

When looking at the energy mix of Italy’s energy related imports, its dependence on natural gas 

has grown significantly over the last decade. In 2001, 77% of its energy dependence was from 

natural gas imports and this has increased to over 91% in 2006 (EUROSTAT, 2008). At the same 

time, oil imports have slightly decreased over the past decade, with an oil energy dependence of 

94% in 1996, to 92.5% in 2006 (EUROSTAT, 2008). This trend is likely to be a result of the 

renunciation of nuclear power through a constitutional referendum in 1987. In addition, Italy has 

gradually moved towards greater dependence on natural gas due to the reduced use of coal and 

to the still limited development of renewable resources in order to generate electrical energy. Italy 

is the country that, in proportion, uses the greatest amount of natural gas for its energy needs in 

Europe.






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Figure 6-181 Italian Total Primary Energy Supply 

Year 2009 

Year 2008 

coal 8% 

other* 12% 

oil 41% 

coal 9% 

other* 10% 

oil 41% 

gas 39% 

* Other: nuclear, hydro, geothermal, 

solar, combustible and renewable waste 

gas 40% 

Source: OECD/IEA (July 2010) 

As shown in Table 6-94, in 2009 Italy consumed a total of 78,051 mcm of natural gas, a decrease 

of 8% compared to the consumption in the previous year. In 2008, Italy consumed a total of 

84,883 mcm of natural gas, which is almost equal to the amount of natural gas consumed in 

2007. 

Table 6-94 

Italian Natural Gas Consumption and Production 

Basic Gas Facts 2009 2008 2007 2006 

Gas reserves (bcm) 70 94 94 .. 

Gas production (mcm) 8,016 9,255 9,706 10,979 

Gas consumption (mcm) 78,051 84,883 84,897 84,483 

Gas imports (mcm) 69,725 76,867 73,950 77,399 

Imports pipeline 66,385 75,312 71,519 74,210 

Imports LNG 2,890 1,555 2,431 3,189 

Import dependency (%)* .. .. 87 91.2 

Gas exports (mcm) - - 68 369 

Natural gas supply per capita (toe) 1.07 1.161 1.171 1.174 

Source: OECD/IEA (July 2010)






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Gas resources in Italy are very limited, comprising less than 0.04% of the world’s total reserves. 

Gas imports account for almost 89% of the total volumes of consumed gas, making Italy the 4 th 

largest gas importer in the world after the US, Japan and Germany. Almost all of Italy’s gas 

imports are transported via pipeline. Most of the gas pipeline imports originate mainly from 

Algeria, Russia and the Netherlands. The share of Russia and the Netherlands in Italy’s gas 

imports increased in 2009 to 32.8% and respectively 10.3% while the share of Algerian gas in 

Italy’s imports contracted to 32.6%, almost 1.3% less than 2008. 

6.6.7.6 Telecommunications 

Until 1992, telecommunications services in Italy were provided directly by the State. In 1997, 

networks and services by satellite were liberalised (Decree-Law 11 February 1997, n. 55), and 

the Italian Parliament enacted Law n. 249 on the “Creation of the National Telecommunications 

Regulatory Agency (Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni AGCOM)” and provisions on 

telecommunications and broadcasting systems. The Presidential Decree 318 of 19 September 

1997 completed full liberalisation of the telecommunications market. 

Box 6-7 

Brief History of Telecommunications Market Liberalisation in Italy 

Before 1992: Provision of radio and telecommunications services by the State either directly or through 

concessionaires. 

1992: The responsibility to provide all telecommunications services was given to the concessionaires. 

1994: All concessionaires were merged into a single company, Telecom Italia, with the exception of 

TELEMAR. 

1995: Liberalisation of telecommunications services except voice telephony, mobile and satellite services 

and network provision. Start of services of the second mobile operator (Olivetti). 

1997: Establishment of the regulator (AGCOM). Privatisation of Telecom Italia. Liberalisation of satellite 

services. 

1998: Liberalisation of voice telephony market. 

1999: Start of services of the third mobile operator (Wind). 

2000: Start of services of the fourth mobile operator (Blu). 

Source: OECD, 2001 

The telephone system in Italy is well developed. Further evidence of Italy’s fast and well 

developed telecommunication system is the presence of a consistent number of players 

competing in the Italian market in the telecommunication sectors. See Table 6-95.






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Table 6-95 Players in the Italian Communication System (2010) 

Mobile Line Internet Fix line 

Telecom Italia Telecom Italia Telecom Italia 

Vodafone Italia Wind Wind 

Wind Fastweb Fastweb 

3 Italia Vodafone Italia Vodafone Italia 

BT Italia 

Tiscali 

Source: AGCOM database 2011. Access in October 2011 

Based on 2009 data, Italy ranks 11 th in the world in terms of mobile phone usage (Greece ranks 

54 th and Albania ranks 102 nd ). See Table 6-96 below for more detail on phone and internet 

usage. 

Table 6-96 Telecommunication Usage in Italy (2010) 

Main line telephones in 

use 

Cellular telephones in 

use 

Internet hosts 

Internet users 

21.3 million 90.613 million 23.16 million 29.235 million 

Source: CIA, Factbook 

Italy shows one of the lower percentages of home access to the internet in the OECD, with only 

48,9% household penetration. See Figure 6-182.






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Figure 6-182 Households with Access to the Internet, 2010 or Latest Available Year 

(Percentage of all Households) 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

Korea 

Iceland 


Luxembourg 

Norway 

Sweden 

Denmark 

Germany 



Canada (2009) 

Switzerland (2008) 

New Zealand (2009) 

France 

Austria 

Belgium 

Australia (2008) 


United States 

EU27 

Slovenia 

Estonia 

Slovak Republic 

Japan (2009) 

Israel (2009) 

Poland 

Czech Republic 

Hungary 

Spain 


Portugal 

Greece 

Turkey 

Chile (2009) 

Mexico 

Source: OECD, ICT database and Eurostat, Community Survey on ICT usage in households and by individuals, 

November 2011. 

Within Italy, Apulia is one of the Italian regions with the lower internet access and broadband 

connection (Figure 6-183).






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Figure 6-183 Figure Internet Access and Broadband Connection in Households 

Source: OECD database. Access October 2011






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6.6.8 Education and Skills 

6.6.8.1 Education System and Infrastructures 

The administration of education at the national level is conducted by the Ministry of Education, 

University and Research (MIUR). In Italy, the length of compulsory education is 10 years (up to 

16 years of age) by law and implemented by Ministerial Decree 139/2007. Compulsory education 

includes 5 years of primary school (ages 6-11) followed by 3 years of lower secondary school 

(ages 11-14). The last two years of compulsory education (first two years of upper secondary 

education) can be fulfilled in all upper secondary school pathways, either a ‘vocational’ path or a 

‘professional’ path. See Table 6-97. 

Table 6-97 Pre-Higher Education in Italy (2009/2010) 

School Age of entry Age of exit 

Length of 

program in years 

Primary (Scuola Elementare) 6 11 5 

Lower Secondary (Scuola Media Inferiore) 11 14 3 

Technical Secondary (Istituto Tecnico) 14 19 5 

Upper Secondary (Liceo Classico, Liceo Scientifico, Liceo 

Linguistico) 

Specialised Secondary (Istituto Magistrale, Istituto Secondario 

Superiore per i servizi socio-educativi) 

14 19 5 

14 19 5 

Specialised Secondary (Liceo Artistico, Istituto d'Arte) 14 18 4-5 

Vocational (Istituto Professionale) 14 17 3 

Professional (Istituto Professionale) 14 19 5 

Source: MIUR 

Italian Law establishes that all citizens have the right to education and training for at least 12 

years, either at school or through initial vocational training, up to 18 years of age (Law 53/2003) 

(European Commission, 2009/10b). Enrolment and attendance in compulsory education is free of 

charge and though pre-school (before age 6) is not compulsory, tuition fees are not charged. 

However, upper secondary level pupils are expected to pay enrolment fees, examination fees 

and other contributions necessary for laboratories/workshops. If high performing pupils lack 

financial resources, have the opportunity to be financed by the State in the event that they attain 

the highest grades.






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In Italy, the higher education system is divided into State and non-State establishments. As of 

2010, higher education centres included 89 universities: 61 state universities (including 3 

polytechnics) and 28 non-state ones (including 11 online/telematics). See Figure 6-184 for a 

breakdown of higher education centres across Italy’s main regions. 

Figure 6-184 Higher Education Centres across Italy 

50,0 

40,0 

22,5 

30,3 

27,0 

30,0 

13,5 

20,0 

6,7 

10,0 

0,0 

North-West North-East Centre South Islands 

Source: MIUR database. Access October 2011 

Beginning in 1999, Italy underwent a reform process to better align its higher education system 

with other European countries. This higher education reform, known as “Bologna Process” is 

being implemented across Europe. 1 The Bologna Process unites 47 countries with a joint mission 

to create and maintain a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to ensure more comparable, 

compatible and coherent systems of higher education across Europe. 

The traditional University system previously consisted exclusively of Laurea Degree courses 

(Corso di Laurea – CL) which lasted from four to five years, depending on the faculty and the 

course, and the Research Doctorate. However, since 2007, the Italian University system has 

been divided into 3 cycles according to Ministerial Decree 270 of 2004. See Box 6-8. 

1 http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/pcao/index.htm






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Box 6-8 Italian University System 2010 

1st Cycle Qualification: Laurea obtained at the end of a three-year track 

2nd Cycle Qualification: Laurea specialistica/magistrale obtained at the end of a two-year track 

3rd Cycle Qualification: Research Doctorate obtained at the end of a three-year track 

Additional educational tracks are available at the university level: First level - Master universitario (2nd cycle 

prerequisite) and Second level - Master universitario (3rd cycle prerequisite), obtained at the end of an annual 

course; First level Diploma di specializzazione (2nd cycle prerequisite), which has a variable length. 

Source: MIUR 

Italy spends 4.43% of Gross Domestic Product (GPD) on education, ranking it at 21 st position 

among EU-27 countries, before of Czech Republic (4.25%), Spain (4.23%), Greece (3.98%), 

Slovakia (3.85%) and Romania (3.48%). 

Figure 6-185 Public Expenditure on Education as a Percentage of GDP - 2005 

Source: Eurostat database. Access October 2011 

6.6.8.2 Education Levels 

Education levels and literacy rates varies across the country and depend on a variety of factors 

including gender and geographic location. National literacy rates are high (98.5%). However, 

literacy rates are slightly lower in South Italy. For example, the percentage of illiterate people 

increases to 2.7% in the Apulia Region and in Melendugno and Vernole, illiteracy rates are 4.3% 

and 3.8% respectively. See Table 6-98.






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Table 6-98 

Resident Population (from 6 Years Old) by Level of Education 

Education level 

Municipality 

Degree 

Upper secondary 

education 

Lower Secondary 

education 

Primary 

education 

No educational 

qualifications 

Illiterate 

Italy 7.5% 25.9% 30.1% 25.4% 9.7% 1.5% 

Apulia Region 6.2% 22.6% 30.3% 25.2% 13.0% 2.7% 

Province of Lecce 6.3% 22.7% 29.2% 24.8% 13.9% 3.1% 

Melendugno 4.3% 20.1% 33.5% 27.6% 12.0% 2.5% 

Vernole 3.8% 19.9% 31.2% 30.0% 11.8% 3.3% 

Source: ISTAT (2001) 

Overall, there exists a significant gap between the North and South of Italy in terms of education, 

literacy and unemployment rates among individuals in the 30-34 years age group. The Apulia 

Region has some of the lowest numbers of individuals in this age group (30-34 years old) that 

hold university degrees. Only 3 other regions of Italy’s 20 regions show lower rates of either men 

or women (or both) who obtain university degrees: Aosta Valley (in North Italy), Sicily and 

Calabria (see Figure 6-186). What is consistent across all the regions in Italy, however, is a larger 

number of women achieving higher education (university degrees) than men.






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Figure 6-186 Population of 30-34 Years Old who hold a University Degree by Sex and 

Region (2010) 

40 

35 

Total Men Women 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Note: The autonomous region Trentino Alto Adige is divided into two autonomous provinces: Trentino (Province of 

Trento) and South Tyrol (Province of Bolzano). 

Source: ISTAT 

There are greater challenges to accessing primary education in Apulia compared both the South 

Italy regional and national average. Primary education is slightly more difficult to access than at 

both the regional and the national level. In slight contrast, secondary education is slightly less 

difficult to access in Apulia than at both the regional and the national level. 

Table 6-99 Households with Difficulties in Accessing Educational Services (2010) 

Area 

Primary School (%) Secondary School (%) 

Piemonte 7.2 23.4 

Valle d'Aosta/Vallée d'Aoste 12.8 31.8 

Lombardia 6.6 14.2 

Trentino-Alto Adige 16.6 23.1 

Bolzano/Bozen 17.0 18.6 

Trento 16.2 27.2 

Veneto 8.9 19.3 

Friuli-Venezia Giulia 6.7 15.0 

Liguria 13.2 20.7 

Emilia-Romagna 17.4 21.9






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Area 

Primary School (%) Secondary School (%) 

Toscana 15.7 29.2 

Umbria 14.4 11.7 

Marche 18.6 14.3 

Lazio 18.3 19.0 

Abruzzo 22.9 19.7 

Molise 25.8 25.8 

Campania 15.1 22.2 

Apulia 21.0 18.8 

Basilicata 24.3 20.7 

Calabria 24.2 31.8 

Sicilia 21.0 28.4 

Sardegna 16.4 19.0 

North-West 7.5 17.5 

North-East 12.4 20.3 

Centre 17.4 20.5 

South 19.2 22.5 

Islands 20.0 26.5 

Italy 14.8 21.0 

Source: ISTAT 

In the Study Area there is limited access to secondary and higher education centres. In the 

Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole, there are education facilities from kindergarten to 

lower secondary school (up to 14 years of age) but not upper secondary structures (beyond 14 

years of age). During field work, interviewees stated that students must travel to the nearby cities 

of Martano or Lecce to attend school. The nearest university is also in the city of Lecce, the 

University of Salento. See Table 6-100. 

Table 6-100 Number and Type of Education Facilities in Municipalities 

Municipality Pre-school Primary school Lower Secondary Secondary school 

Melendugno 3 public and 2 private 2 public 1 0 

Vernole 4 public and 4 private 3 public 1 0 

Source: Field observation and Key interviews in October 2011 and GIS






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6.6.8.3 Vocational training 

In Italy, vocational training falls under the Regions’ responsibility which delegates and transfers 

functions and tasks to the Provinces. This responsibility includes planning and providing an 

integrated combination of compulsory education and vocational training. 

Italy has established 3,600 vocational courses across the State to fulfill unmet local market 

needs. As shown in Table 6-101, there are a large number of vocational courses available to 

support training and capacity building in the industry and tourism sectors. Industry related 

courses make up 43% of all vocational courses across Italy and tourism related courses make up 

21% of all vocational courses across Italy. 

Table 6-101 Courses Financed since 2000 until 2009, Subdivided by Economic Sectors, in 

the Higher Level Technical Education and Training (IFTS) System 

Economic sectors 

Number of courses 

Agriculture 275 

Industry and handicraft – manufacturing 712 

Industry and handicraft – ICT 678 

Industry and handicraft – building industry 155 

Trade and tourism, transport – Transport 235 

Trade and tourism, transports – Tourism 526 

Cultural Heritage 261 

Public and private services of social interest – Environment 361 

Insurance-financial 25 

Other courses 372 

Total 3,600 

Source: Servizio IFTS – Agenzia Nazionale per lo Sviluppo dell’Autonomia Scolastica (former INDIRE) 

When assessing regional enrolment trends in vocational training, there is no gap between the 

North and South of Italy (like the gap observed when analysing the percentage of people that 

achieve university degrees) (ISFOL, 2009). Vocational courses are also accessible in the Study 

Area, with vocational offerings provided in the city of Lecce and Calimera.






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6.6.9 Health 

Italy’s National Health System (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN), is regionally based and 

provides universal coverage free of charge. Under the Italian Constitution, the national health 

care is a shared responsibility of both the State and the 20 administrative Regions. 

Italy’s health care system is divided into three levels: national, regional and local (see Figure 

6-187).






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Figure 6-187 Overview of Italy’s Health Care System 

Source: Lo Scalzo, Donatini, Orzella, Cicchetti, Profili, and Maresso, 2009






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The State is responsible for overseeing that Italy’s health care system follows the general 

objectives and the fundamental principles set out through framework legislation approved by the 

Parliament. The State is also responsible for setting basic health assistance standards (Livelli 

Essenziali di Assistenza -LEA) which must be ensured to all citizens. Italy’s health care system 

principles are set out in the National Health Plan (1998-2000) which have also been re-confirmed 

in the 2006-2008 Health Plan. These principles are outlined below in Box 6-9. 

Box 6-9 Italian National Health Systems Principles – National Health Plan 1998-2000 

• Human dignity. Every individual must be treated with equal dignity and have equal rights irrespective of 

his or her personal or social characteristics. 

• Health needs. Everyone in need has a right to health care, and resources should be allocated with 

priority given to satisfying the basic needs of the population. 

• Equity. The SSN resources should be used to eliminate geographical and/or economic barriers that 

represent an obstacle to citizens’ demand for appropriate services. Behavioural and information gaps 

among the population should be reduced to provide the same opportunity for access to health care 

services. 

• Protection. The SSN should give highest priority to protecting and promoting citizens’ health status. 

• Solidarity with the most vulnerable people. Resources should be allocated primarily to the individuals, 

groups or groups of diseases with the most relevant social, clinical and epidemiological impact. 

• Effectiveness and appropriateness of health interventions. Resources must be channelled to services 

with scientifically demonstrated effectiveness and to individuals who can benefit the most from them. 

• Cost-effectiveness. Services should be provided by the relevant organizations pursuing financial 

balance through efficient and effective management. 

Source: Lo Scalzo, Donatini, Orzella, Cicchetti, Profili, and Maresso, 2009 

Beyond ensuring that the above principles are aspired to on an ongoing basis, more specific 

responsibilities of the Ministry of Health include: 

• Health care planning; 

• Framework regulation; 

• Health care financing; 

• Monitoring; 

• General governance of the National Institutes for Scientific Research 1 . 

1 Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)






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Regional governments are responsible for delivering health services to the population through the 

management of Public Hospitals, Accredited Private Hospitals and Local Health Units. Regions 

are receiving more and more powers as a result of the decentralization process which is 

occurring in Italy. Regions now serve as legislative and executive functions in some areas, as 

well as technical support in the delivery of health care services. Some regions in Italy have 

formed 3 rd party health agencies to assess the quality of local health care services and provide 

technical support to the regional health department. Ten of the 20 regions across Italy have 

implemented this type of agency, including Apulia (in 2001). 

At the local level, local health enterprises (ASLs) are responsible for providing health services as 

well as financial support to Public Hospitals, Accredited Private Hospitals and Local Health Units. 

They are responsible for balancing the funding allocated by the regional health department with 

expenditure for services provided. ASLs are organised into health districts, which serve to 

promote improved access to and quality of health care, as well as the integration of health 

services and social services. 

6.6.9.1 Health Overview of the Study Area 

Health assistance figures in Apulia are in line with, and in some cases slightly more favourable 

than, the national average where comparable (see Table 6-102). However, at the regional level, 

citizen satisfaction surveys taken in 2005 indicated Apulia as one of the regions with the least 

satisfied respondents when surveyed about Italy’s health care services (along with Calabria and 

Sicily) (Lo Scalzo, Donatini, Orzella, Cicchetti, Profili, and Maresso, 2009).






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Table 6-102 Apulia Basic Health Assistance 

Datum Italy Apulia 

Local Health Enterprise (ASL) 157 6 

Health Districts 755 49 

General practitioner 46,510 3,305 

General practitioner (per residents) – value per 10.000 inhabitants 7.77 8.1 

Patients per general practitioner 1,124 1,082 

Paediatricians 7,649 586 

Paediatricians (per children






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Table 6-103 Health Indicators in the Province of Lecce. Year 2006 

Indicators 

Number 

Nursing institute 13 

- public 7 

- private 6 

Hospital Beds 2.706 

- public 2.282 

- private 424 

Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants 3,35 

- public 2,82 

- private 0,52 

Doctors 822 

- public 673 

- private 149 

Doctors per 1000 inhabitants 1,02 

- public 0,83 


Medical Staff per 100 beds 30,38 

- public 29,49 


Source: ISTAT 

Health services such as pharmacies and first aid support are more difficult to access in Apulia 

compared to the national average (see Table 6-104). 

Table 6-104 Households with Difficulties in Accessing Health Services (2010) 

Area 

Pharmacy (%) First Aid (%) 

Piemonte 21.2 52.5 

Valle d'Aosta/Vallée d'Aoste 28.2 54.7 

Lombardia 12.6 45.2 

Trentino-Alto Adige 23.0 39.7 

Bolzano/Bozen 21.0 32.1 

Trento 24.8 46.7 

Veneto 20.2 53.3 

Friuli-Venezia Giulia 17.1 41.1 

Liguria 21.1 55.1






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Pharmacy (%) First Aid (%) 

Emilia-Romagna 18.1 49.0 

Toscana 15.8 57.1 

Umbria 23.7 50.9 

Marche 21.0 42.7 

Lazio 21.3 52.7 

Abruzzo 24.5 60.1 

Molise 33.5 63.3 

Campania 30.1 70.3 

Apulia 22.0 60.6 

Basilicata 31.1 73.0 

Calabria 31.3 69.5 

Sicilia 28.9 67.8 

Sardegna 19.9 60.5 

North-West 16.1 48.5 

North-East 19.3 49.1 

Centre 19.7 52.7 

South 27.5 66.3 

Islands 26.7 65.9 

Italy 21.0 55.1 

Source: ISTAT, 2010 

The majority of the inhabitants of the Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole go to the local 

health unit in Martano for basic health services. When hospitalisation is required, people go to the 

hospital of Lecce. However, when more specific treatments are required, residents choose to go 

to the main hospital of the region, Bari. 

In terms of the health conditions in the Apulia Region, people rate their health standard in line 

with the national average, as shown in Figure 6-188.






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Figure 6-188 State of the Health of the Population 

Source: ISTAT 

However, during key interviews respondents indicated they were not satisfied with the quality of 

the health services in the Apulia Region. During focus group sessions with women and interviews 

with the elderly, it was reported that there is an insufficient number of staff to meet the health 

needs of the community. Apulia is among 8 regions that receive development support through an 

EU-funded plan to reduce the variability in health care quality between North and South Italy 

(“Quadro strategico nazionale 2007–2013”) and reduce waiting lists (Piano Nazionale per il 

contenimento dei tempi di attesa per il triennio 2006–2008). However, local stakeholders 

interviewed indicated that they experienced long waiting lists at the Public Hospital. For this 

reason, they continue to go to private care hospitals and clinics when emergencies or other 

health problems occur to receive better care and achieve faster recovery. 

In the Province of Lecce, the main cause of death is cancer, with higher incidences among men 

than women (see Table 6-105). The other main causes of death in the province are circulatory 

and respiratory systems diseases.






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The Local health authorities attribute the main reasons for cancer to the following external 

factors: smoking, radiations deriving from the adoption of new technologies, the gases coming 

from the industrial plants in Taranto and the dumping systems. To promote healthy communities, 

regional health authorities have commenced a series of programs focused on cancer prevention. 

The most important programs include school education about smoking prevention and healthy 

eating habits. The Melendugno and Vernole areas do not have any health problems that are out 

of the ordinary, as the local population health profile is in line with the national average. 

Table 6-105 Causes of Death Year 2008 

Death causes 

Province of Lecce 

Males Females Total 

Cancer 1,335 845 2,180 

Circulatory system diseases 1,075 1,613 2,688 

Respiratory system diseases 350 195 545 

External causes of traumatism and poisoning 162 126 288 

Nervous system and sense organs diseases 139 155 294 

Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases 114 232 346 

Digestive system diseases 114 124 238 

Genital-urinary system diseases 66 63 129 

Symptoms, sings, anomalous results and bad defined causes 47 76 123 

Infective and parasitical diseases 46 36 82 

Behavioural and psychic disorders 41 68 109 

Blood and hematopoietic organs diseases and immune disorders 18 16 34 

Congenital malformations and chromosome abnormality 9 4 13 

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissues disease 8 28 36 

Conditions stemming from the birth period 6 8 14 

Skin and under skin tissue diseases 5 7 12 

Pregnancy, birth and postpartum complications 0 0 - 

Total 3,535 3,596 7,131 

Source: ISTAT






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6.6.10 Vulnerability 

6.6.10.1 Vulnerability Assessment Methodology 

Vulnerability to social impacts is defined as the ability of local communities to adapt to socioeconomic 

or bio-physical change. Vulnerable individuals and groups are potentially more 

susceptible to negative impacts or have a limited ability to take advantage of positive impacts. 

Vulnerability is a pre-existing status that is independent of the project and may be reflected by an 

existing low level of access to key socio-economic or environmental resources or a low status in 

certain socio-economic indicators. 

This section identifies individuals and groups in the Study Area that are more vulnerable than the 

general population, whether this is due to a specific characteristic, or as a result of a broad range 

of factors. The understanding of vulnerabilities provided here is analysed in the Social Impacts 

section of this report in order to evaluate whether impacts are more significant for specific 

population groups and, where necessary, to develop additional targeted mitigation measures. 

Within every vulnerability assessment there are some population groups that are automatically 

considered due to their positioning within society and/or inherent characteristics that make them 

more susceptible to change. In addition, there may be other groups that are vulnerable due to the 

specific socioeconomic context. The main groups that have been identified as potentially 

vulnerable in the context of the TAP Project in Italy and the rationale for their identification are 

presented in Box 6-10 below.






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Box 6-10 

Vulnerable Groups 

Generic Vulnerability 

• Women: Due to the nature of domestic relations, women may be reliant on male members of the 

family for financial support; as such they are less likely to have access to financial assets. 

• Elderly/retired: Retired members of the community may have low income and are more likely to have 

reduced physical or mental capacity to cope with changes to their environment. Their incomes are also 

commonly fixed, so they may experience a relative loss in real income in cases where a project leads 

to job creation and local price inflation. 

• Youth: Youth may be vulnerable in terms of access to assets, education or employment opportunities. 

• Low-income Households: Low-income households have fewer resources to rely on and are less 

likely to have savings and/or access to credit, which make them vulnerable to shocks and change. 

• Disabled persons (physical or mental health disability): Those who lack physical mobility or who 

have mental health issues may be vulnerable to changes and unable to participate in decision making. 

This includes addicts such as those reliant on drugs or alcohol. 

Social Study Area Vulnerability: 

• Households dependent on low productivity fishing or agriculture: Households dependent on low 

productivity fishing or agriculture generally have a lower income and less access to resources and are 

likely to show low resilience to unexpected events, which make them more vulnerable to changes in 

land use and environment. 

A vulnerability framework was used as the basis for assessing vulnerability in the social study 

area. The vulnerability framework, which is drawn from policies and methodologies used by 

development and rights based organisations, is based on a set of indicators encompassing 

access to livelihoods resources and socioeconomic status. The impact assessment team used 

this framework as a guide to identify and characterise potentially vulnerable groups based on 

their understanding of the socioeconomic context. 

In the Study Area, the levels and causes of vulnerability for different stakeholders were assessed 

using the vulnerability assessment methodology. Stakeholder groups identified as likely to be 

vulnerable are as follows: 

• Women, including female headed households: Specific areas of vulnerability are related to 

women’s different ability to participate in decision making at the local level relative to men. 

• Elderly/retired: specific areas of vulnerabilities are related to income levels and limited ability 

to change or increase access to additional finances and access to health care. 

The limited accessibility to transport and social services make the elderly particularly 

vulnerable.






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• Low-income households: in the Study Area these are likely to be households reliant on land 

and its natural resources for small amounts of income. Low-income households have fewer 

resources to cope with change. They are less likely to have savings and access to credit and 

more likely to have lower education levels. In addition, within this group, there are individuals 

that are vulnerable including children, youth and the elderly. 

The results of the Study Area vulnerability analysis are presented in Table 6-106. 

Table 6-106 Results of Vulnerability Analysis 

Indicator Specifics Relevance within the Project 

context 

Vulnerable Groups or Individuals 

Access to key socio-economic or environmental resources 

Livelihoods 

Services 

Participation in 

Political and Civil 

Institutions and 

Decision Making 

Individual Status 

• Diversity of 

livelihoods 

• Productivity of 

assets 

• Health/medical 

services 

• Subsistence livelihood 

activities 

• Principal livelihoods are 

relatively unproductive, 

reliance on multiple 

livelihood strategies 

• Long waiting list at hospitals 

and health clinics servicing 

stakeholders 

• Insufficient number of staff 

to meet the health needs of 

the community 

• Transport • Low availability or quality of 

key services and 

infrastructure 

• Recreation • Lack of meeting places (in 

particular, a community 

centre for elderly) 

• Active 

Participation and 

meaningful input 

into decision 

making processes 

• Limits in ability to participate 

in governance and decision 

making systems at local 

level in a meaningful way. 

• Households with low-income 

levels 

• Households where head has 

low-level of education, is selfemployed 

or is retired 

• Female-Headed Households 

• Small-scale farmers 

• Small-scale fishermen 

• Households with intermittent 

access to health care 

• Households without access to 

transport 

• Elderly 

• Women 

• Elderly with limited ability to 

participate in settlement level 

decision making 

Health 

• Chronic illness 

• Senile diseases 

• Work-related diseases and 

health impacts (e.g. 

backache, lumbo-sciatic, 

arthritis) 

• High incidence of tumours 

• Poor respiratory health (e.g. 

bronchitis, asthma) 

• Fishermen 

• Farmers 

• Elderly






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Indicator Specifics Relevance within the Project 

context 

Vulnerable Groups or Individuals 

Financial 

Resources 

Labour Rights 

• Income 

• Credit 

• Savings 

• Access to 

employment 

• Low levels of income 

• Low levels of savings 

• Low levels of access to 

credit (or high levels of 

debt) 

• Gender gaps 

• Discrimination in the 

workplace 

• Fishermen 

• Elderly 

• Farmers 

• Women 

6.6.11 Limitations 

6.6.11.1 Data Adequacy and Uncertainty 

The social baseline primary data collection program has served to complement available 

secondary information and is considered to be adequate to inform the assessment of impacts 

and development of mitigation measures. However, there are certain areas where further 

baseline data collection is needed to appropriately assess the level of vulnerability among groups 

in the Study Area at the project progresses. Aspects where further baseline data collection and 

analysis may be necessary include: 

• Buildings and land use along the pipeline route: land use has been assessed based on 

high-resolution satellite images and field observations. The social team walked the entire 

pipeline route and, where possible, visited points along the route to ground truth land use. 

Land use will be subject to additional data collection by the land and easement team. 

Additional information will be collected from landowners during the Land and Easement 

Acquisition, which will be implemented in a transparent manner and in accordance with the 

EBRD performance requirments; 

• Disabled persons: Further investigation may be undertaken within the human rights baseline 

and impact assessment. 

6.6.12 Key findings 

6.6.12.1 National Level 

Historical and Political Overview: 

• Italy’s political system is based on the 1948 Constitution. The President is the head of State, 

but does not directly run the government. This duty is given to the Prime Minister. In 

November 2011, the Italian Prime Minister became Mr. Mario Monti. 

• Italy is administratively organised into 20 regions. Five of these regions (Aosta Valley, Friuli 

Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino Alto Adige) have a special autonomous status






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which entitles them to legislate on specific matters. The country is further divided into 110 

provinces and 8,100 municipalities. 

Demographics: 

• As of January 2011, the Italian population was estimated to be just over 60.6 million. 

• Italy, especially southern Italy, has a long history of emigration and a very short experience of 

immigration. Since the 1970s, Italy has become a country of immigration. The number of 

foreign residents increased from about 144,000 in 1970 to about 1.5 million in 2000. 

• The Constitution of the Italian Republic states the principles of gender equality (Art. 3), equal 

pay (Art. 37) and equal opportunities for men and women (Art. 51). Despite these principles 

however, many women in Italy face challenges combining paid work and child care 

responsibilities. Wage gaps between men and women are significant. 

• Italy has a relatively homogeneous population. The prevalent ethnic group is the Italians, but 

there are small clusters of German-Italians, French-Italians, and Slovene-Italians in the north 

and Greek-Italians and Albanian-Italians in the south. 

• At a national level, the largest age group is between 40 and 44 years old for both male and 

female, followed by 35-39 and 45-49 years old, which also corresponds to the working age. 

The lack of a large cohort of younger workers shows the gradual aging of the Italian 

population, as a result of low birth rates and small family sizes. 

• In Italy the Constitution sets forth freedom of religion. Article 8 states that “All religious 

denominations are equally free before the law”, although the Roman Catholic (87.8% of the 

population) Church continues to play an important role in Italian. 

Economy and Livelihoods: 

• Italy belongs to the Group of Eight 8 industrialised nations (G-8) and is a member of the 

European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 

(OECD), as well as the European Monetary Union (EMU). While Italy is categorised as a high 

income OECD country, income inequality and poverty are high compared to other OECD 

countries. 

• Italian public finances continue to show high budget deficits and high levels of public debt. 

• In Italy, the relative poverty line for a two-member household in 2010 was equal to 992.46 

Euros per month. In Southern Italy and Islands, poverty rates are much higher, at 23% 

compared to North and Central regions of the country. 

• Italy has a consistent unemployment rate which has been higher for women in the last 

decade. More recently, unemployment for both men (7.6%) and women (9.7%) is on the rise.






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• Italy is a major importer of raw material due to the lack of in country natural resources 

available for industrial use. 

Land Tenure and Ownership: 

• Land and crop values are based on the law relating to expropriation (legislative Decree 

327/2001) that in recent years has undergone important changes. The most relevant of which 

is the amendment to article 40, which cancels the average agricultural values and instead 

places market values on agricultural land subject to expropriation or servitude (Sentence of 

the Constitutional Court . 181 10 th June 2011). 

Infrastructure and Public Services: 

• The length of Italy’s primary road network, excluding local roads, was 175,352 km as of 

December 2004. 

• The length of Italy’s motorway system has slightly expanded to 6,661.3 km in 2009. 

• As of December 2010, the length of Italy’s railway network is 16,703 km. Italy has a well 

established rail network which comprises domestic long-distance services along with 

connections within major metropolitan and urban centres. 

• In June 2011 the privatisation of Italy’s water was rejected by 96% of the voters 

(approximately) 25 million people, resulting in the end of a law requiring mandatory 

concessions to private-owned water companies. 

• When looking at the energy mix of Italy’s energy related imports, its dependence on natural 

gas has grown significantly over the last decade. In 2001, 77% of its energy dependence was 

from natural gas imports and this has increased to over 91% in 2006 (EUROSTAT, 2008). 

This trend is likely to be a result of the renunciation of nuclear power through a constitutional 

referendum in 1987. 

• The telecommunication system in Italy is well developed. 

Education and Skills: 

• The administration of education at the national level is conducted by the Ministry of 

Education, University and Research (MIUR). 

• Italy spends 4.43% of Gross Domestic Product (GPD) on education, ranking it at 21 st position 

among EU-27 countries. 

• In Italy basic schooling is provided to all. 

• Enrolment and attendance in compulsory education is free of charge and though pre-school 

(before age 6) is not compulsory, tuition fees are not charged. However, upper secondary 

level pupils are expected to pay enrolment fees, examination fees and other contributions






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necessary for laboratories/workshops. If high performing pupils lack financial resources, have 

the opportunity to be financed by the State in the event that they attain the highest grades. 

• National literacy rates are high (98.5%). 

• At higher levels of education, women exceed men, with almost 70% of Italian women 

completing upper secondary education in 2004, compared to only 60% of males (OECD, 

2007). 

• In Italy, vocational training falls under the Regions’ responsibility which delegates and 

transfers functions and tasks to the Provinces. 

Health: 

• Italy’s National Health System (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN), is regionally based and 

provides universal coverage free of charge. 

6.6.12.2 Regional Level 


• The Apulia Region (whose capital is Bari) is made up of six provinces which are, from north to 

south: Foggia, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Bari, Taranto, Brindisi and Lecce. 

• The Region Apulia, in the “Preliminary Strategic Document”, has identified three main macrotargets 

for the period 2007-2013: to strengthen the factors of attractiveness of the territory, 

enhancing the accessibility, guaranteeing high quality services and safeguarding the 

environmental potential; to promote the innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of 

the knowledge and innovation based economy; to realise better conditions of employability, 

social cohesion and inclusion. 

Demographics: 

• The Apulia Region has over 4 million inhabitants (about 7% of the Italian population). 

• Two small Griko-speaking communities survive today in the Italian regions of Calabria (in 

Province of Reggio Calabria) in southern Italy and the Apulia Region. 


• The relative poverty incidence in the Apulia Region is 21% which is below the average 

observed across the Southern Italy and Island areas (23%). 

• The Apulia Region has a history of producing high quality olives and is the region with the 

highest harvested production of olives - and olive oil production - in all of Italy.






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• The Apulia Region is the second largest producer of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) 1 

olive oil in Italy (after Tuscany) with over 1,500 farms, 16,000 ha and a very organised chain 

of olive oil millers and bottlers. 

• A regional regulation is in place which strictly protects monumental olive trees from a 

landscape viewpoint (Regional Law n. 14 of 04/06/2007). 


• The lowest land prices are reported in Southern Italy and the islands. Among the reported 

values by land-use type, top prices range from 1,000 €/ha for grazing land in South Italy, to 

as high as 516,000 €/ha for vineyards (DOC) in Veneto (north) (Coaoan, D’artis and Swinnen, 

2010). 


• The railway system is well developed in the Apulia Region. 

• Unlike water resources across Italy as a whole, in the Apulia Region, there are a number of 

challenges with water availability due to the semi-arid climate combined with the high water 

use by agricultural activities. 

• Within Italy, Apulia is one of the Italian regions with the lower internet access and broadband 

connection. 


• Overall, there exists a significant gap between the North and South of Italy in terms of 

education. Literacy rates are slightly lower in South Italy. 

• The percentage of illiterate people increases to 2.7% in the Apulia Region 

Health: 

• At the local level, local health enterprises (ASLs) are responsible for providing health services 

as well as financial support to Public Hospitals, Accredited Private Hospitals and Local Health 

Units. 

• In terms of the health conditions in the Apulia Region, people rate their health standard in line 

with the national average. 

• Health assistance figures in Apulia are in line with, and in some cases slightly more 

favourable than, the national average where comparable. However, at the regional level, 

1 

The PDO or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) classified products are considered higher value and are sold at 

a higher price compared to conventional products, as these classifications recognise and regulate the quality of olive 

production.






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citizen satisfaction surveys taken in 2005 indicated Apulia as one of the regions with the least 

satisfied respondents when surveyed about Italy’s health care services. 

6.6.12.3 Local Level 


• The Study Area is in the Province of Lecce, which has 97 municipalities and two of them, 

Melendugno and Vernole, are partially within the 2-km pipeline corridor. 

Demographics: 

• The Province of Lecce is the second most populous province in the Apulia Region (after the 

Province of Bari) with a population of about 815,600 people, 95,500 of which live in the 

provincial capital city of Lecce. 

• Melendugno and Vernole have a population of about 9,838 and 7,404 respectively. 

• The only settlement within the Study Area is Torre Specchia Ruggeri, which is located in the 

Municipality of Melendugno. The southern portion of the settlement is within the 2-km pipeline 

corridor. 

• The settlements of San Foca (Melendugno) and Acquarica (Vernole) are partially within the 3 

km corridor and are likely to be interested in the project outcome. 

• Also at local level, the Municipality of Melendugno reflects the national trend, showing the 

highest percentages of population in the age categories between 30 and 49, whereas Vernole 

has the highest percentages between 50 and 54 years and between 30 and 34 years for 

males, and between 50 and 54, and 35 - 39 years, for females. 


• The unemployment rate in the Province of Lecce has increased during the period 2004-2010 

from 14.7% to 17.7%. 

• The unemployment rate in Melendugno and Vernole is high with a notable gap between 

males and females. 

• The main economic sectors in the Province of Lecce are agriculture, services (mainly 

tourism) and a network of small enterprises. The service industry (which includes tourism) is 

the largest generator of total added value, representing about 75% of all economic activity in 

the Apulia Region. However, the greatest number of registered companies are involved in 

trade and maintenance (i.e. mechanic shops) activities (21,277 businesses), followed by 

agriculture, hunting and forestry (almost 10,771 businesses) and construction activities (more 

than 9,384 businesses).






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• The Province of Lecce has a lower number of PDO designated olive producers and 

processors compared to other provinces in Apulia. 

• The main economic activities in the Study Area are similar to those represented at the 

provincial level, which are agricultural, fishing, trade (wholesale and retail), maintenance and 

construction activities. These economic activities make up 72% of economic activities across 

both Municipalities of Vernole and Melendugno combined. 

• In Vernole, there are slightly more businesses involved in agriculture, sylviculture (forestry) 

and fishing than in Melendugno, while Melendugno has more than 2 times the number of 

businesses involved in trade and maintenance activities. In Melendugno, there are also 

significantly more registered businesses engaged in service and tourism related activities. 

• In the study area, there is no presence of heavy industry. The main economic activities are 

agriculture, fishing and tourism. 

• The Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole are important areas for olive production. In the 

study area within the 2-km corridor along the pipeline alignment, approximately 857 ha (72% 

of total land) are utilised for olive farming. 

• Olives are the most important crop of the area. 81.1% of land in Melendugno and 67.5% of 

land in Vernole is used to cultivate olives for olive oil production. There is also a small 

percentage of land used for growing arable crops and raising livestock. 

• Many farmers have experienced a drop in incomes from the price drops that have occurred in 

the olive oil market due to the price competition of other Mediterranean producers (namely 

Spain and Tunisia). 

• Cooperatives play an important role in the olive oil market as they process the olives for the 

production of the oil. In Vernole there is also a cooperative, Cooperativa Oleificio Sociale 

Sant’Anna (940 members and most of them -- about 800 -- are from Vernole), which 

produces and distributes olive oil from the various olive farms in the area. This cooperative is 

outside of the pipeline corridor, but is important to note as it is the main olive oil distributor for 

olive farmers in Vernole and Melendugno to supply their produce to. 

• Tourism represents another main economic activity in the Study Area. According to the data 

of the Local Tourism Authority (APT Lecce), it is growing considerably every year. Primary 

data gathered by ERM in its field work indicates that tourism and associated activities 

represent an employment sector where a consistent number of inhabitants are employed or 

would like to be employed. 

• Within the 2-km pipeline corridor there are 7 tourism businesses which may be directly 

affected by the project. Specifically, there are 4 private beaches that rent out (beach chairs






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and umbrellas and provide other services (e.g. sell food and drinks) on a daily basis to 

tourists on the coast line. There are also 3 accommodation facilities in the Study Area. 

• Stakeholders interviewed indicated that visitors are attracted to this area because of the 

following characteristics: the beauty of the sea side, a more pristine natural environment, the 

availability of low cost B&B and events organised by the municipalities (e.g. food feasts and 

concerts). 


• In the Province of Lecce, crop values varied between 5 and 9 €/m2 for non-irrigated olive 

groves in 2009. 

• Approximately 964 ha (81% of land in the Study Area) is used for cultivation. Urban land use 

is limited to 22.5 ha (2% of land in the Study Area) and industrial, commercial and transport 

land use amounts to 13.6 ha (1% of land in the Study Area). 

• A vast majority of the Study Area is used for olive tree cultivation. 72.3% of the entire area is 

planted with olive groves, some of which are monumental olive trees, which are protected 

under Italian law (Regional Law n. 14 of 4/06/2007). 

• Most of the land in the Study Area is privately owned agricultural land. Each individually 

owned parcel is typically characterised by the presence of rural complexes that, in Apulia 

Region, are named Masserias. 

• Within the2-km pipeline corridor there are 7 Agricultural complexes (Masserias). Only one 

Masseria was detected within the 250 m buffer. Notably, this Masseria has been identified as 

currently being under construction. Other Masserias were located at a distance between 450 

m and 900 m from the pipeline corridor. Three of them are inhabited and the others are 

uninhabited. 

• People working on the agricultural lands around the inhabited Masserias do not live on the 

property but instead reside in nearby villages. 


• Territories around the Study Area are not well equipped in terms of transport infrastructure. 

While major roads are paved and generally in good condition, other minor communal roads 

within the Study Area are mostly two-lane paved roads and some country roads are quite 

narrow and frequently bounded by stone walls. 

• There is a bus network which passes through the Study Area. During the summer period 

(July and August) a bus leaves from Lecce towards San Foca, crossing Acquarica di Lecce, 

Acaja, Vanze, Torre Specchia and Villaggio Nettuno (one ride on the morning from Lecce and 

one ride on the evening from San Foca). Year round, about 20 buses leave daily from Lecce






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towards San Foca, stopping at Vernole and Melendugno; these buses travel more frequently 

between 11.00 – 15.00, when students and workers return home for the day. 

• Airport infrastructure is limited near the Study Area. The provinces of Lecce and Taranto are 

served by the Brindisi airport (Papola Casale or Aeroporto del Salento), which is located 

about 70 km from the pipeline route. A military airport is also located at Galatina, about 16 km 

south-west from the 2-km buffer. 

• In the study area, most farmers use their own wells for irrigation. The most popular irrigation 

method used is the drip irrigation system. 

• The waste production per capita in province of Lecce was, in 2008, 501.0 kg/inhabitant/year, 

lower than regional and national value. 

• There is a cycling path which crosses the pipeline corridor. 


• In Melendugno and Vernole, illiteracy rates are 4.3% and 3.8% respectively. 

• In the Study Area there is limited access to secondary and higher education centres. In the 

Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole, there are education facilities from kindergarten to 

lower secondary school (up to 14 years of age) but not upper secondary structures (beyond 

14 years of age). During field work, interviewees stated that students must travel to the 

nearby cities of Martano or Lecce to attend school. The nearest university is also in the city of 

Lecce, the University of Salento. 

• Vocational courses are accessible in the Study Area, with vocational offerings provided in the 

city of Lecce and Calimera. 

Health: 

• In the Province of Lecce, the main cause of death is cancer, with higher incidences among 

men than women. The other main causes of death in the province are circulatory and 

respiratory systems diseases. 

• The majority of the inhabitants of the Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole go to the 

local health unit in Martano for basic health services. When hospitalisation is required, people 

go to the hospital of Lecce. However, when more specific treatments are required, residents 

choose to go to the main hospital of the region, Bari. 

• During key interviews respondents indicated they were not satisfied with the quality of the 

health services in the Apulia Region. During focus group sessions with women and interviews 

with the elderly, it was reported that there is an insufficient number of staff to meet the health 

needs of the community.






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Vulnerabilities: 

• The main groups that have been identified as potentially vulnerable in the context of the TAP 

Project in Italy are: Women, including female headed households; Elderly/retired; Lowincome 

households (e.g. fishermen and farmers). 

Limitations: 

• There are certain areas where further baseline data collection is needed to appropriately 

assess the level of vulnerability among groups in the Study Area at the project progresses. 

Aspects where further baseline data collection and analysis may be necessary include: 

Buildings and land use along the pipeline route; Disabled persons. 

6.7 Onshore Cultural Heritage 


A Preliminary Cultural Heritage Risk Assessment for the Italian onshore section of the Trans 

Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP) was undertaken...... when give dates. The present research regards 

the final onshore segment of the pipeline in the territory of Salento for a total length of 4.9 km, in 

the area between northwest of S. Foca (Melendugno) and immediately east of di Acquarica 

(Vernole), Apulia, Italy. 

Archival and bibliographic resources along with new information obtained from an intensive 

cultural heritage survey have been studied and included in this report. 

Fieldwork consisted of a series of archaeological surface investigations prior to any ground 

disturbing activities. These investigations established the presence of archaeological evidence in 

the Project area. A summary of the settlement dynamics and cultural history of the region from 

the prehistoric to the medieval and post-medieval age has been drawn up. However, changes 

and clarifications resulting from the acquisition of new data through the use of different systems 

of investigation could lead to a modification of the data in the future. 

6.7.2 Territorial Classification of the Project area 

The area investigated corresponds to a narrow corridor between 50 and 100 m along the 4.9-km 

pipeline alignment, the instalment location for PRT. Considering the length of the pipeline and the 

changes in landscape across the Project area, the analysis has been divided into two sectors: 

Sector 1 and Sector 2. Sector 1 lies between kp 0.0 - 4.0, while Sector 2 lies between kp 4.0 until 

the location of the PRT.






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Figure 6-189: Cultural Heritage Field Survey Sectors 


6.7.3 Desk Research and Earlier Studies 

The portion of land affected by the TAP Project is characterized by the presence of substantial 

historical and archaeological evidence relating to various phases of ancient settlement in the 

Salento Region (southern portion of Apulia Region). Chronologically the cultural history ranges in 

date from the Bronze Age to modern times.






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Among the different archaeological sites, some settlement areas of remarkable importance, both 

on the coastline and inland, may be highlighted. There are some rural settlements whose 

occupation dates from the Hellenistic period (IV-III century B.C.) to the Roman Imperial Age (I-III 

century A.D.), but there are also some older burial mounds dating to the Middle Bronze Age 

(Protoappenninico B). A complex network of settlements defined by the widespread presence of 

small houses, churches, and farms date from the late Middle Age (XII-XV century) to the Modern 

Age (XVI-XIX century). This stage refers to the large number of rural buildings of dry stone, barns 

and small houses, distributed in the area and connected to farming characteristic of rural society 

of Salento. 

6.7.4 Objectives and Methods 

6.7.4.1 Research Methodology 

The purpose of this work is to catalogue and quantitatively and qualitatively assess historical and 

archaeological evidence connected with the ancient settlements of the territory affected by the 

project between the area northwest of S. Foca (Melendugno) and immediately east of Acquarica 

(Vernole). 

The work on the ground was carried out through an extensive archaeological survey, with the aim 

of total coverage of the area investigated 1 . 

6.7.4.2 Methods for Terrestrial Analysis 

Two closely interrelated work phases aimed to analyze the territory covered by the 

archaeological-topographical survey and at presenting the results according to the cataloguing 

standards requested by the Sovrintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Puglia and the mapping 

of archaeological and territorial data. 

1 Field research can follow two different methodologies: extensive and intensive. The systematic survey (extensive) of 

the entire area, or total coverage, consists of surveying the entire area, spacing rows about five meters apart and 

recording all the data: potsherds distribution, presence of ancient blocks, etc. The intensive survey (or sampling) is 

useful when it is not possible to survey the entire area, but only some portions of the territory. This method provides a 

preliminary subdivision of the land into smaller areas; the units to be sampled will be selected on the second survey. 

This kind of survey is based on the theory of sampling: it is enough to investigate a limited portion of the area studied 

chosen on the basis of statistical criteria, in order to be able to reconstruct the settlement population trend in different 

periods. (A. GUIDI, I Metodi della ricerca archeologica, Roma 1994, 16-41; F. CAMBI – N. TERRENATO, Introduzione 

all’Archeologia dei Paesaggi, Roma 1994, 121 ss.).






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Phase 1 – Drafting historical report: In this report, the archaeological sites are presented in the 

form of catalogue entries containing short descriptions of the remains included under the heading 

“archaeological evidence.” The catalogue entries contain information on the place-names of 

known sites; the topographical extent of sites; the types of archaeological evidence (i.e. area with 

pottery shards, settlement, burial mounds, etc.), the chronology and possible function of the sites, 

and the current preservation status of the sites. All sites within the area which are already 

currently protected by an archaeological or architectural constraint are included in this catalogue. 

These sites have been digitised and geo-referenced using digitised maps on a scale of 1:10.000 

(CTR). The pipeline path was likewise geo-referenced and plotted on the map (Annex 5). A total 

of 21 previously known sites of historical and archaeological relevance have been catalogued. 

Phase 2 - Archaeological field survey: Direct field survey through the analysis of aerial 

photographs (recent and historical aerial and satellite images 1 ) and inspection within the 

intervention area in a radius (buffer) between m 50 and 100 m along the edge of the pipeline 

path. 

The aerial photograph analysis is useful for reporting anomalies caused by the presence of 

buried archaeological remains, not visible on the ground, and their consequent mapping 

(Technical Map 5,000 or 10,000). 

These instruments have been used in order to investigate both the archaeological and geological 

aspects and hydrographical features that can provide important information in reconstructing the 

landscape and its transformations over the centuries. The analysis in the TAP Project 

intervention area and its immediately adjacent area was completed, moreover, to verify and to 

evaluate the archaeological evidence known from bibliographic and archival research and the 

anomalies identified after photo interpretation. 

The intensive archaeological survey was conducted in detail along the centerline and in the 

adjacent territory. The primary purpose was to define, classify and map possible new discoveries 

arising from the direct analysis of the area (Guaitoli et al., 1990). 

The direct and systematic analysis of the project area is, in fact, the only system that is able to 

provide a substantial contribution to archaeological knowledge through the acquisition of 

unpublished data. 

1 The aerial photographs were taken for different reasons, most often with military or war purposes, precisely dated, 

documenting in substance the history of the territory over time with regular continuity in the same areas; therefore, 

they represent a content of absolutely objective direct information, useful for historical analysis and for many different 

intervention areas regarding cultural heritage, but also for the analysis, design, conservation and "restoration" of 

landscape and the environment.






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The degree of visibility of archaeological data on the ground (Annex 5) and the different land 

uses (Annex 5) have been evaluated and graphically defined. Cataloguing archaeological 

evidence on the ground was conducted by preparing digitized "Topographic Units" in GIS (a GIS 

database which describes the surface context and ground visibility of archaeological findings - UT 

1 ). 

The archaeological evidence was positioned by GPS and entered into a GIS database (Annex 5 - 

Technical Regional Charter 5,000). The archaeological finds (ceramic materials, metals, etc.) 

were photographed, catalogued by class and chronology and left on site. 

The quantitative evaluation of the presence of ceramic fragments on the ground was then defined 

on the basis of the density of ceramic fragments per square meter in order to classify the different 

concentrations as scattered (< 5 fragments./ m²) or marked by low (1 - 5 fragments./m²), medium 

(5-10 fragments /m²) or high (> 10 fragments /m²) density of materials 2 . Work on the ground was 

completed by producing photographic documentation of the intervention area and of the 

archaeological contexts identified (Annex 5). 

6.7.4.3 Site Classification 

There are three classifications of sites which are used to organize cultural heritage sites: 1) 

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH); 2) Archaeological Sites (AS) and 3) Monuments (M). 

Intangible Cultural Heritage denotes aspects of oral history and cultural sentiments about the 

landscape. The category is not location specific, and represents a general view of the character 

of the ancient or modern landscape. Archaeological Sites denote pre-modern traces of human 

1 Maps produced for the baseline report relied on two main spatial datasets: 1) recorded archaeological sites, and 2) 

Topographic Units (UT). UT’s are spatially defined by modern land parcelling with clear boundaries denoted by stone 

walls. The ground conditions were identified and recorded for each UT. Specific conditions that were recorded were 

land use (i.e. olive grove, cultivated field, etc..) and ground visibility (i.e. good visibility, poor visibility, etc…). Beyond 

the UT GIS database a map denoting ceramic scatter density is provided in Annex 5 which indicates by the size of its 

icon the general density of ceramics within each UT (i.e. the larger the icon the denser the ceramic scatter). See A. 

RICCI, La documentazione scritta nella ricognizione archeologica sul territorio: un nuovo sistema di schedatura, in 

Archeologia Medievale X, 1983; A. RICCI, Ricognizione di superficie e scavo:dalle schede cartacee ad un sistema 

automatico al servizio dell'archeologia sul campo: il prototipo Argo, in Archeologia e Informatica, Atti del Convegno. 

Roma 3-4-5 marzo 1985, Roma, 77-83.. 

2 The definition of the density of surface ceramic material is of fundamental importance to determine the inhabited 

areas in ancient times from those in which there is only a sort of "background noise" characterized by a scattered 

presence of ceramic material on the surface as the result of occasional visits related to agricultural/rural use of the 

territory. Areas with higher levels of ceramic densities are more likely to represent ancient settlements than areas with 

lower ceramic densities which may only represent agricultural activity. See F. Cambi - N. Terrenato, Introduzione 

all’Archeologia dei Paesaggi, Roma 1994.






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activity or habitation. Monuments denote Historic or modern structures which are deemed as 

important by either the local or scientific community. While these terms are not used in this 

baseline chapter, they are used in the Impact Assessment and will be employed in Mitigation 

efforts and database management in future stages of the project. With that said, however, most 

sites identified by the present baseline study can be classified in either the AS or M categories. 

6.7.4.4 Archaeological Cartography 

The cartography realized for this work consists of four different types of map, that is useful, as 

already explained, for analysing and presenting both archaeological and environmental data: 

• Annex 5 – Map 9: Map of published evidence and of archaeological and architectural 

constraints (1:15.000); 

• Annex 5 – Map 10: Map of ground visibility and surface finds (1:10.000 ); 

• Annex 5 – Map 11: Map of land use (1:10.000 ). 

6.7.5 Inventory Summary 

Based on the assumptions and methodologies described above, an inventory summary of the 

terrestrial sites is presented below, describing the 20 significant findings identified through the 

aforementioned methodology. 

Site no. 1 is already described in §6.3 

• Site no. 2 - ceramic scatters (distance from the centerline: 0.5 km). Ceramic scatters (located 

500 m north of the pipeline landing point) and close to a rocky spur stretching into the sea 

(Valchera et al., 1997). 

• Site no. 3.- St. Foca (distance from the centerline: 1 km). Significant archaeological evidence 

suggesting human presence in ancient times is known within the territory of St. Foca. The 

archaeological site is situated on a small promontory located between two inlets on which a 

heavily eroded rocky spur called "Le Tare" stretches east of the XVI-century tower 1 . The most 

ancient evidence of human habitation in the area is from the Mesolithic Age. A series of stone 

tools, such as flints, cores, and other artefacts, suggests that the area had its own lithic 

industry and was seasonally inhabited (Cremonesi, 1972). The next habitation phase in the 

area is represented by a settlement/production facility of the Roman Age in which two 

inhabitation phases have been identified (D’Andria, 1980; Auriemma, 2004). The oldest 

habitation phase dates from the Late Republican to the Early Empire Age, and walls 

1 The tower acknowledged the particular historic and artistic interest was subject to the architectural constraint 

21/05/1982.






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constructed directly on the bedrock are associated with this phase. The settlement was 

abandoned at approximately the end of the I century A.D. The second habitation phase dates 

between the II and III centuries A.D. and is characterized by residential structures that 

housed a dozen people whose main working activity was related to fishing and shellfish 

farming, which is clear from the discovery of perforated shells, hooks, bronze nails for boats, 

and the classic stone weights used for fishing nets. This would, therefore, have been a small 

settlement whose inhabitants exploited local marine resources. During the Mediaeval Age the 

site was inhabited again with the construction of a new building on top of the Roman 

structures, perhaps a chapel dedicated to St. Foca. The artefacts recovered date the 

structure approximately to the XIII century. In the Mediaeval Age a small coastal tower was 

also built. This tower was apparently also related to local fishing activities, as the discovery of 

several "Byzantine" amphorae of local production testifies. Later, during the XVI century, the 

tower played a strategic role as a lookout centre, which ensured effective control of the 

territory at the time of the Saracen invasions. 

Figure 6-190 The tower of the XVI century 

Source: ERM (October 2011)






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• Site no. 4 - St. Basilio Farm (distance from the centerline: 0.75 km.). Fortified farmhouse 

dating to the XVI-XVII century with a two-storey tower, which represents the original nucleus 

of the building complex, separated by a frame and external stairs. Placed at the centre of a 

large fenced area, the tower's walls were used as foundations for several rooms that were 

used as stables and haylofts (Costantini, 1999). 

Figure 6-191 The tower of St. Basilio’s farm 

Source: Costantini, 1999 

• Site no. 5 - Messapian Farm, Pozzo Seccato (distance from the centerline: 0.5 km). The 

Messapian settlement of Pozzo Seccato 1 consists of a fortified Masseria (traditional 

1 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942; J-L. Lamboley, Recherches sur les messapiens, IVe-IIe siècle 

avanti J.-C., 1996, pp. 197, 332; A. Valchera, S. Zampolini Faustini, Documenti per una carta archeologica della Puglia 

meridionale, in Metodologie di catalogazione dei beni archeologici. BACT 1.2, 1997, p. 131-133; F. D’Andria, Ricerche 

recenti sugli insediamenti indigeni di Puglia e Basilicata, in La forma della città e del territorio. Atti dell’incontro di studio 

– S. Maria Capua Vetere 27-28 novembre 1998, Napoli 1999, pp. 110-112; V. Mellissano, Vernole (Lecce), Acquarica






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farmhouse) built in the late IV century B.C. completely surrounded by a large defensive drystone 

wall a little less than four meters thick. The wall-curtain exterior is lined with large 

squared limestone blocks. Study of the large defensive wall yielded a great deal of 

information on building methods and confirmed that the dry-stone wall and the outer facing of 

the wall were built at the same time. The entrance gate to the settlement, which has a small 

guardhouse attached, was identified on the east side of the fortifications. Researchers found 

a residential building with rooms used for everyday life (receiving guests, cooking, storage, 

etc.) and other rooms that were used for handicraft production in the area enclosed by the 

wall. A two storey tower, from which it was possible to observe the surrounding territory as far 

as the sea less than five kilometres away, was attached to the building complex. Another 

large chamber, 16 x 8 m, constructed to the west of the main building near the fortifications, is 

believed to have served as a storeroom for the conservation of foodstuffs produced in the 

nearby fields. The most recent investigations have also brought to light the southern side of 

the fortifications, which was previously unknown. The full dimensions of the settlement have 

now been obtained: it covered an area of just less than 5,000 square meters (72 m on one 

side and 67 m on the other). Two distinct phases in the life of the settlement have been 

recognized. The farm was built in the late IV century BC, and was the residence of a family of 

rich landowners for about a century. In the late III century BC, the settlement was abandoned 

and plundered time after time. After about thirty years, the area was reoccupied, and the main 

building was completely refurbished. The floors were lowered in all rooms, which now 

acquired new functions. For roughly two centuries the inhabitants of the settlement lived off 

the land, cultivating the fields and grazing flocks. The area was definitively abandoned 

towards the early I century A.D. 

di Lecce, Pozzo Seccato, in Taras, XIX, 1, 1999, p. 83; C. Notario Vernole (Lecce), Acquarica di Lecce, Pozzo 

Seccato, in Taras, XXIII, 1-2, 2003, pp. 207-209; R. Auriemma, Salentum a Salo. Porti, approdi, merci e scambi lungo 

la costa adriatica del Salento. Vol I, 2004, pp. 214.






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Figure 6-192 The fortification walls 


• Site no. 6 - Burial mound – locality Spaccuseddu (distance from the centerline: 0.7 km). 

Circular mound located next to the inhabited area c. 85 meters south of the contemporary 

mound of Petruse. It has a central chamber, probably rectangular in shape, made with large 

stone slabs. There is a pavement slab and a dromos entrance facing east with a 1.10-m wide 

floor made of beaten tuff earth. The dromos is flanked on either side by rows of small blocks 

and slabs. The low walls are 0.90 m high. The dimensions of the chamber and the length of 

the dromos are unknown. No graves have been reported 1 . This burial mound, excavated only 

in its central chamber, is located in uncultivated land and in a good state of preservation. 

Material associated with the mound dates it to the first centuries of the second millennium 

B.C. on the basis of typological comparisons with other sites dating to this period. 

1 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, pp.192-193; M. Cipolloni Sampò 

Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 78; M. A. Orlando, Presenze 

necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. a.C., in StAnt 8,2, 1995, p. 26; C. Notario, L. Traverso, 

Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296.






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• Site no. 7 - Burial mound in locality Petruse (distance from the centerline: 0.8 km). The nearly 

circular shaped mound contained a dolmen-type room made with large slabs placed side by 

side with an east-west orientation, and covered with other large shapeless slabs imperfectly 

placed side by side. The slab of the internal floor, a slab on the west end, and two slabs that 

formed the northern side were still in place until 1941. Evidence of the dromos was missing. 

The dimensions of the chamber are not documented. Fragments of human bones are 

reported 1 . The tomb was probably built on two different levels. 

The construction of the mound dates to early in the Middle Bronze Age (Protoappenninico B: 

1800 B.C.), and it was reused at the end of the Bronze Age. 

Figure 6-193 The remains of the mound 


1 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942, p. 10; C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia 

Italiana, 64, 1954-55 p. 203, 205, fig.16; M. Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze 

dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 80; M. A. Orlando, Presenze necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. 

a.C., in Studi di Antichità 8,2, 1995, p. 27-28; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad 

Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296; M. A. Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV, 

2, 1995, p.523; F. G. Lo Porto, Tombe a grotticella e a camera dolmenica del Salento in Studi di Preistoria e 

protostoria in onore di Luigi Bernabò Brea (a cura di M.C. Martinelli e U. Spigo), 2001, pp.201-204; R. Peroni, 

Introduzione alla protostoria italiana, 1996, p. 82.






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• Site no. 8 - Burial mound in locality Rinedda (distance from the centerline: 0.8 km). Circular 

mound with a dolmen-type chamber that at the time of excavation was already ruined. The 

internal floor slab survived with a small circular hollow pit sides and two fragments in the 

north and south sides. It contained a fragmentary remains of a child 1 . The 4-m height of the 

mound is a result of the accumulation of stones made by local farmers to clear the fields. 

There are no vestiges of the small containment-walls for the dromos. The mound is located 

about 200 m. west of the mound at Spacuseddu. And dates to early in the Middle Bronze 

Age. Today the mound is completely destroyed. 

Figure 6-194 The remains of small circular hollow pit 


1 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, p. 194-195 fig. 9; M. Cipolloni 

Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 79; M. A. Orlando, Presenze 

necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. a.C., in Studi di Antichità 8,2, 1995, p. 26; C. Notario, L. 

Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296.






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• Site no. 9 - Burial mound in locality Campisano (distance from the centerline: 0.9 km). Only 

the base slab of the dolmen-type room, situated almost in the centre of the mound, has 

survived. It measured 1.46 x 1.09 x 0.12 m. The remains of the lateral sides did not exceed a 

height of 0.30 m and 0.10 [m] in thickness. The tomb, which had an east-west orientation, 

preserved the remains of a skeleton in a contracted position on its right side, facing north. 

Neither remains of the dromos nor of the small walls which surrounded it have been found 1 . It 

is located c. 150 m north-east of Specchia Petruse. Today the mound is completely 

destroyed. The building material was for the most part removed when the littoral road was 

constructed in the 1970s and 80s. Farm work completely destroyed the site in the ensuing 

years. The mound dates to early in the Middle Bronze Age (Protoappenninico B), but was reused 

in the Late Bronze Age. 

• Site no. 10 - “Grotticella” Tomb in locality Madonna del Buon Consiglio (distance from the 

centerline: 1 km). “Grotticella” tomb A has an ovoid-shaped chamber and is carved into a 

slight rise in the local limestone without the access shaft. It contained scant remains of 

several graves 2 . The tomb dates from the Early Bronze Age (facies Cellino San Marco), but 

was reused in the Middle Bronze Age (Protoappenninico B). 

• Site no. 11 - “Grotticella” Tomb – locality Conche I (distance from the centerline: 0.7 km). The 

“Grotticella” tomb is an ovoid-shaped chamber containing a few human bones 3 . It is located 

1 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942; C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 

64, 1954-55, p. 197-198, fig.12; M. Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze 

dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 79; M. A. Orlando, Presenze necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. 

a.C., in Studi di Antichità 8,2, 1995, p. 27; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica 

di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996,p. 296; M. A. Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV, 2, 1995, p. 

524; F. G. Lo Porto, Tombe a grotticella e a camera dolmenica del Salento in Studi di Preistoria e protostoria in onore 

di Luigi Bernabò Brea (a cura di M.C. Martinelli e U. Spigo), 2001, p. 204. 

2 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942, p. 11 figg. 5,7; C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di 

Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, p. 213; M. Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze 

dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p.83 fig.9; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce 

(Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296; M. A. Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV, 2, 1995, p.525; F. G. 

Lo Porto, Tombe a grotticella e a camera dolmenica del Salento in Studi di Preistoria e protostoria in onore di Luigi 

Bernabò Brea (a cura di M.C. Martinelli e U. Spigo), 2001, p. 188-189; si veda da ultimo: A. Valchera, S. Zampolini 

Faustini, Documenti per una carta archeologica della Puglia meridionale, in Metodologie di catalogazione dei beni 

archeologici. BACT 1.2, 1997, p. 133-134. 

3 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, pp.213-214; M. Cipolloni Sampò, 

Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 83 nota 139; C. Notario, L. Traverso, 

Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296; M. A. 

Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV, 2, 1995, p. 525; F. G. Lo Porto, Tombe a grotticella e a camera dolmenica






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ca. 500 m south-west of the “grotticella” tomb near the church of Madonna del Buon 

Consiglio. The exposed bedrock in the area in front of and behind the cave has been reused 

in modern times. Indeed, locality Conche has been a limestone quarry since the 60s. The 

tomb dates to the Early Bronze Age (facies Cellino S. Marco). 

Figure 6-195 The remains of the tomb and the limestone quarry 


• Site no. 12 - “Grotticella” Tomb in locality Conche II (distance from the centerline: 0.7 Km). 

This “Grotticella” tomb is almost completely destroyed. The chamber has an ovoid, irregular 

shape. Skeletons are in a contracted position, with their bones still anatomically connected. 

No artefacts were found, possibly because the tomb has been looted 1 . The site is located 50 

del Salento in Studi di Preistoria e protostoria in onore di Luigi Bernabò Brea (a cura di M.C. Martinelli e U. Spigo), 

2001, p. 189. 

1 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942, p.13, figg.8-9; C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di 

Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, pp.214-216; M. Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in 

Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p.83 nota 140; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad 

Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, pp. 296; M. A. Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV,






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m south of the “grotticella” tomb named Conche I. The tomb dates to the Early Bronze Age 

(facies Cellino S. Marco). 

• Site no. 13 - Burial mound in locality Ficazzano (distance from the centerline: 0.2 km). Near 

Masseria (Farmhouse) Coviello Piccolo in the locality Ficazzano is an elliptical mound that 

covered two dolmen-type cells named Ficazzano 1 and 2. Ficazzano 1 was built with big 

slabs and had a floor made of tuff slabs, (height: 1.10 m, width: 1.90 m, and length: 1.20 m). 

The large slab facing east was only a few centimetres high, 1.08 m. wide, and 19 cm thick. 

The large slab facing west was 32 cm high, 1.16 m wide, and 27 cm thick. The large slab 

facing south was 1.10 m high, 2.10 m wide, and 23 cm thick. The chamber had a corridor 

made with compact earth and small retaining wall like Specchia Spacuseddu. Ficazzano 2 

was seriously damaged. A small portion of the dromos was identified, made of compressed 

tuff chips bounded by a small wall, along with some large slabs on the north, south, and east 

sides. The dimensions have not been recorded, but the opening had to be located to the 

west. No graves have been reported. 1 It is likely that, due to the presence of a double internal 

structure, the site was a dolmen with corridor and multiple partitions. It is ca. 650 m to the 

south-west of Specchia Spacusseddu. The mound has been almost completely destroyed, 

and only the large stone blocks that probably formed its base mixed with modern landfill 

survived. The tomb dates to the Early to Middle Bronze Age. 

• Site no. 14 - Burial mound in locality Lenziceddhre (distance from the centerline: 0.2 Km). 

Near Masseria Coviello Grande (Farmhouse) in the area of Lenziceddhre a circular mound is 

visible with a squared chamber having a floor made with a large stone slab. The dromos 

entrance, facing south, is made of compressed tuff flakes flanked by small walls. 

The chamber is 1.10 m high, 0.70 m wide, and 1.45 m long. The presence of human bones 

has been reported 2 . The site is located ca. 190 m south of Specchia Ficazzano. The mound is 

2, 1995, p.525 (Tab. LXXXVIII, 2); F. G. Lo Porto, Tombe a grotticella e a camera dolmenica del Salento in Studi di 

Preistoria e protostoria in onore di Luigi Bernabò Brea (a cura di M.C. Martinelli e U. Spigo), 2001, p. 189. 

1 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, pp. 193-194, 196, figg. 8-10; M. 

Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 78; M. A. Orlando, 

Presenze necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. a.C., in Studi di Antichità 8,2, 1995, p. 26; C. 

Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 

1996, p. 296. 

2 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, p. 205; M. Cipolloni Sampò, 

Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 80; M. A. Orlando, Presenze 


Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296.






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completely demolished, but still maintains part of its original structure. The tomb dates to the 

Early to Middle Bronze Age. 

• Site no. 15 - Burial mound in locality Lenze (distance from the centerline: 60 m). South of 

Masseria Coviello Grande (Farmhouse), in locality Lenze, there was a circular mound with a 

squared chamber and a floor made with a large stone slab. The dromos access, facing south, 

was made by tuff flakes flanked by stone walls. The floor slab was 1.51 m wide, and 1.23 m 

long. It is the only mound that does not follow an east-west orientation. The chamber and 

dromos openings were located on the north side. 1 Graves are not mentioned. The site was 

ca. 100 m south-east of Specchia Lenziceddhre. It has now been completely destroyed, and 

there are no visible remains of the mound. The tomb dates to the Early to Middle Bronze Age. 

• Site no. 16 - Burial mound in locality Furcedde (distance from the centerline: 60 m). This is an 

ellipsoidal mound with a four-sided cell and square slab floor. The access dromos is slightly 

tilted (approximately 0.14 m of difference in height) to the chamber facing north. The 

perimeter walls are very well preserved. The cell is 0.90 m wide and 1.0 m long. The dromos 

is 2.0 m long and 0.80 m wide. 2 No remains are mentioned. It was about 270 m west of 

Specchia Lenze. It has been totally destroyed today, and there are no trace remains of the 

Specchia Lenze. The grave dates to the Early to Middle Bronze Age. 

• Site no. 17 - Bronze Age settlement in locality Lafranca (distance from the centerline: 1 Km). 

It is an ellipsoid curtain wall constructed with large, irregularly shaped stone blocks, 4.0 m 

wide at the base which supports a modern dry wall. The north side has been paved over, and 

a country road was constructed there. The opening on the west side is 3.0 m wide. It 

encloses an area of 3 hectares where archaeological material from the Bronze Age is visible 

on the surface, including fragments of Messapian tiles and fragments of Late Roman 

1 C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 64, 1954-55, pp. 200-201 fig.11; M. Cipolloni 

Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 80; M. A. Orlando, Presenze 


Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296; 

M. A. Gorgoglione, I tumuli di Vanze, in Taras XV, 2, 1995, p. 524. 

2 M. Bernardini, Scavi in Vanze e Acquarica, 1942, p. 7; C. Drago, Specchie di Puglia, in Bullettino di Paletnologia 

Italiana, 64, 1954-55, p. 202-203, fig.15; M. Cipolloni Sampò, Manifestazioni funerarie e struttura sociale, in Scienze 

dell'Antichità, 1, 1987, p. 80; Orlando 1995 "Presenze necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al X sec. 

a.C." in Studi di Antichità 8,2, p. 27; M. A. Orlando, Presenze necropoliche e strutture funerarie nel Salento dal XVI al 

X sec. a.C., in Studi di Antichità 8,2, 1995, p. 27; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad 

Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, p. 296.






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amphorae. 1 The evidence could represent a Bronze Age settlement and very likely relates to 

the burial mound described above. 

• Site no. 18 - Menhir in locality Aia di Pietro (distance from the centerline: 0.7 km). the menhir 

was no longer visible at this site in the locality of Aia di Pietro, about 100 m north-east of 

Acquarica, along the route of the actual Strudà road,. 2 

• Site no. 19 - Acquarica town (distance from the intervention area: 0.7 Km). The first 

information about the town Acquarica of Lecce (LE) dates to the year 1000 A.D. Some 

documents evidence the existence of the Casale of Acquarica in 1115 together with those in 

Vernole and Pisignano, all feudal territories belonging to the Church. Between the end of 

1300 and the beginning of 1400, the Code of Maria of Enghien forced the Casale of 

Acquarica (other than those of Vernole, Strudà, Pisigniano, Bance and Segine) to pay various 

taxes and duties. In February 1533, the Casale of Acquarica was sold to Gian Mario Guarino, 

but in 1578 the Church was able to repossess it. In 1549 when Guarino was the owner, walls 

were built that no longer exist. The castle is the only visible evidence today and is subject to 

architectural constraints 3 . A few years after the sack of Otranto by the Saracens (1480) and 

through 1800, several fortified farms were built in the territory for defensive purposes, not only 

against the Turkish raids, but also, subsequently, against local robbers. Some documents 

reveal that in 1579 the territory of Acquarica was expanded up to including Torre Specchia 

Ruggeri (currently in agro of Melendugno). 4 

• Site no. 20 – Stone Agricultural Buildings (Pagliare, Figure 6-196). Because of the large 

number of these buildings it was decided to consider them as one “finding”. Their locations 

can be viewed in the Annex 5 maps. These buildings (Pagliare) are typical rural structures 

located inside of agricultural land throughout all the municipal territory of Acquarica must be 

added to the archaeological evidence. The barns (Pagliare) were built according to ancient 

traditions and represent two types: those with quadrangular plant and truncated pyramidal 

section, and those with circular plant and conical section. They represent an important sociocultural 

indicator and can be considered monuments of the rural civilization, as well as the 

1 C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 

1996, pp.291-292; A. Valchera, S. Zampolini Faustini, Documenti per una carta archeologica della Puglia meridionale, 

in Metodologie di catalogazione dei beni archeologici. BACT 1.2, 1997, pp.103-158. 

2 M. Bernardini, Panorama archeologico dell’estremo Salento, Trani 1955, pp. 23-24, fig. 7 ;G. Palumbo, Inventario 

delle pietrefitte salentine, in RivScPr X, 1955, pp. 13-14; C. Notario, L. Traverso, Un insediamento dell'età del bronzo 

ad Acquarica di Lecce (Comune di Vernole), in StAnt 9, 1996, pp. 295-296. 

3 See the Decree for the application of architectural constraints on the 11/12/1990 and report by the Historical-Artistic. 

4 Archivio Storico di Lecce.






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natural landscape. Some of these structures are very old (dating back to the seventeenth 

century), but in most cases the owners have preferred to dismantle and rebuild rather than 

restore them. The territory of Vernole has the highest density of dry stone structures 

(approximately 1000). The reason for the high density of dry construction in certain areas 

compared to others derives from the morphology of landscape in the area and the type of 

stones available. 

Figure 6-196 Stone Agricultural Buildings (Pagliare) 

Source: www.ecomuseipuglia.net 

6.7.6 Summary of Findings 

From an overall examination of published and unpublished evidence it is possible to formulate an 

overview of ancient settlement dynamics of the area affected by the TAP Project. Land use 

analysis accompanied the recording of different historical and archaeological evidence. The 

uneven distribution of these sites within the territory affected by the Project made it necessary to 

divide the area into two sectors. The division into sectors made it possible to compare and 

consider different degrees of Archaeological Risk in the Project area. 

• Sector 1 (KP 0 - 4) is characterized by a coastal ecology, Mediterranean vegetation, 

uncultivated areas, and swamps, with all the inner area (up to kp 4) containing olive groves.






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The territory investigated has variable conditions of ground visibility. The observation 

conditions of the ground surface are generally good for most of the areas investigated 

(especially in the olive groves) and does not have a dense vegetation cover. This is an 

important observation since one is able to better assess the archaeological risk with better 

ground visibility. The investigation revealed evidence of quarrying of buried geological 

deposits revealed as medium and small stones on the surface. Historical and archaeological 

evidence in this sector includes published documents and documented archaeological 

surveys. Published evidence is mainly related to a Roman period manufacturing plant located 

on the promontory of S. Foca (Site no. 3), to the fortified farm Masseria S. Basilio (XVI th -XVII th 

century, Site no.. 4) and finally to an area of pottery fragments (Site no. 2) located 0.5 km 

from the offshore pipeline point of arrival. However, these sites are located at a considerable 

distance from the pipeline route and therefore do not represent any risk factor. The evidence 

recorded during the field survey mainly includes rural stone farm houses and buildings 

associated with agricultural activities. These buildings are also associated with some pottery 

fragments related to non-residential land and rural activities. Carriageways (Figure 6-197, 

Figure 6-198; Annex 5, UT 31, 35) were found and probably belong to an ancient country 

road now covered by the bicycle route. 

Figure 6-197 Carriageways (UT31) 







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• Sector 2 (KP 4 – PRT) is characterized mainly by crop cultivation and olive groves and is 

composed of larger particles. Ground surface visibility conditions in the olive groves are 

generally good while visibility is poor in cultivated fields because they are fallow or 

abandoned. As in Sector 1, evidence for rock quarrying was also documented. The historical 

and archaeological evidence recorded in this sector are related to different phases of the 

ancient population in the territory and can be dated within in a broad chronological period 

ranging from the Bronze Age until the first century A.D. All this evidence falls within the 

territories of Acquarica of Lecce and the village of Vernole. The burial mounds excavated 

between 1940 and 1941 and datable to the Bronze Age are distributed mainly around the 

Coviello Grande and Coviello Piccolo farms in the Furcedde locality (Site no. 16), Lenzicedde 

(Point no. 14), Lenze (Site no. 15) and Ficazzano (Site no. 13), but also near the town of 

Acquarica in the locality of Petruse (Site no. 7), Rinedda (Site no. 8) and Campisano (Site no. 

9). It is characterized by graves with dolmen chambers and slabs of stones covered by a 

tumulus of soil and stones with a variable diameter of 9.0 and 33.0 m (height 2/3 m); the 

grave goods are datable between the Middle Bronze Age (Protoappenninico B) and the Late 

Bronze Age. The fortified settlement in the locality of Lafranca (Site no. 17) dates to the same 

period. North of the modern town of Acquarica of Lecce, which preserves the ellipsoidal wall-






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curtain built with large, irregularly shaped stone blocks, 4.0 m. wide at the base, on which 

sets a modern dry wall. The survey in the internal area has identified impasto pottery datable 

to between the XVI and XII centuries B.C. and could constitute the Bronze Age settlement to 

which the burial mounds described above belong. Three more Grotticella graves located in 

Madonna del Buon Consiglio (Site no. 10), and in Conche locality (Site no. 11, 12), datable to 

the Bronze Age must also be added to this evidence. The fortified farm at the locality of 

Pozzo Seccato (Site no. 5) belongs to the Hellenistic period (IV BC). The settlement is 

completely surrounded by a large fortification wall, less than 4.0 m. wide, constructed of dry 

stones and externally lined by a row of large, square limestone blocks. A residential building 

with rooms used for daily life and other rooms used for handicrafts has been found inside the 

area. A two-story tower was in the central part of the building and another large room used for 

storage of agricultural commodities produced in the surrounding fields is located near the fort 

to the west of the main building. All these sites fall within the Eco-Museum of Stone 

Landscapes of Acquarica di Lecce. The eco-museum covers about 150 hectares, and it is an 

open area which is perceived as unique for the community that inhabits it, although it is not 

subject to any legislative constraint. It should be noted, however, that this evidence falls at a 

considerable distance from the Project alignment. The survey of unpublished evidence in this 

sector revealed a number of archaeological traces mainly related to rural activities. At kp 4 of 

the pipeline route there are areas of limestone extraction (Figure 6-199; Annex 5 UT 44) 

probably related to a road along the rock bench (carriageways Figure 6-200 – Annex 5 UT 

42) connecting these areas to the farms. These finds are associated with scattered pottery 

fragments (Annex 5 UT 46-47) and areas with a higher density of materials (Annex 5 UT 39, 

41, 43) which could represent a more intensive settlement of this portion of land. The 

presence of potsherds dating back to Roman age (Annex 5 - UT 43) is very important, but it 

has not been possible to document diagnostic elements that would define this phase of 

habitation with any certainty. The evidence regarding the area of PRT is represented by a 

small quarry area (Annex 5 UT 53), probably connected to the nearby Masseria Dragon, rural 

buildings (barns) (Figure 6-201; Annex 5 UT 52, 55) and scattered pottery fragments (Figure 

6-202, Figure 6-203; Annex 5. UT 54, 56). Moreover, PRT is located close to the borders of 

the Stone Landscapes Eco-museum of Acquarica. The eco-museum, as mentioned, covers 

about 150 hectares and is an open structure, whose territory, although not subject to any 

legislative constraint, is perceived as a unique area by the inhabitants.






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Figure 6-199 Limestone Extraction (UT44) 







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Figure 6-201 Rural Buildings (UT52) 







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Figure 6-202 Scattered Pottery Fragments (UT54) 







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Figure 6-203 Scattered Pottery Fragments (UT56) 


Overall analysis of all the historical and archaeological evidences shows that the TAP Project 

crosses an area characterized primarily by rural buildings along country roads. 

This system of territorial occupation is datable to post-medieval and modern age (XVI th - XX th 

century) when agricultural activities related to farms and urban centres throughout the area were 

the main source of subsistence. This system, in fact, is associated with occasional pottery 

fragments and higher density areas of materials relating to the agricultural and non-residential 

habitation of territory.






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6.8 Summary of Baseline Key Sensitivities 

This section summarizes the key topics and sensitivities of the Baseline analysed in the present 

ESIA. 

6.8.1 Offshore 

6.8.1.1 Physical and Biological Environment 

Protected Areas and Sensitive Habitats 

Two Sites of Community Importance (SCI) are near the study area. The closest SCI, named Le 

Cesine, is located about 2 km north of the landfall and shore approach. The SCI consists of an 

onshore and an offshore section, the latter designed to protect priority habitat of Posidonia 

oceanica seagrass meadows. Further south, approximately 5 km south of the landfall is the SCI 

Alimini which is also protected for Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows. The nearest Marine 

Protected Area is Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve, about 50 km north of the Project area in 

Brindisi. 

In addition to the designated sites, the Project area contains a number of littoral sensitive and 

protected habitats, namely the Posidonia oceanica seagrass which in the pipeline shore 

approach appears more as patches than proper continuous meadows, and in two corridors, 

between 4 and 14 m deep, as well as around 19 m deep. Another, smaller seagrass species, 

Cymodocea nodosa, was found to occur in an almost continuous band parallel to the shore, 

between 5 and 25 m deep; however the width of this band varied considerably across the survey 

area. Also, some shallow coralligenous algae formations on hard substrates are found at 

approximately 25 m deep. 

Benthic macrofauna sampled in the coastal area revealed that no rare or protected species were 

found, and Polychaeta were the most abundant taxon in all the stations. 

The most notable deep sea habitats are the white coral biocoenosis in the area of the Ionian 

Sea/Adriatic Sea interphase, consisting of living corals mainly represented by framework builders 

Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata. Some of these offshore deepwater coral sites have 

been found in recent years on the Italian continental slope. The deepwater coral site nearest to 

the pipeline route is the colony of Puglia, known as the Santa Maria di Leuca (SML) reef 

province, approximately 60 km south of the pipeline route, and the Bari-Gondola-Dauno area, 

approximately 150 km north; both colonies appear at approximately 700 m deep.






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Ichtyofauna 

Species of commercial interest include fishes like hake, red mullet, anchovy, sardines, sprat, 

swordfish, albacore, crustaceans like rose shrimp, Norway lobster and cephalopods such as 

octopus and squid, amongst others. Some of these, such as hake, spawn in the coastal waters 

off Puglia. 

6.8.1.2 Socioeconomic Findings 

In 2009, Apulia was at the 2 nd position for fishing activities in capture and income, after Sicily, 

reaching a value of approximately 16% of the total Italian captures and 17% of the total Italian 

income. In the Apulia Region the small-scale fishery fleet predominates (53.6%), followed by 

trawl nets (35.4%). 

There are 2 main harbours, Otranto and Brindisi, and 2 marinas, San Foca and San Cataldo, 

located near the Study Area. 

The Brindisi harbour is located around 60 km north of the corridor and is an important tourist, 

commercial and industrial harbour. In the last few years, Brindisi has developed its port areas, 

creating new docks and new space ashore to be used for goods and passengers, as well as for 

petrochemical and energy industrial activities. 

The Port of Otranto and the Port of San Foca (Melendugno) are the landing ports used by 

fishermen working in the Study Area: 

• The San Foca marina is located about 2 km south of the corridor. Boats longer than 25 

meters are not permitted at this marina. The Port of San Foca is an important centre for 

small-scale fishermen. These fishermen typically venture 3 miles off the coast to fish; 

• The Otranto Port is located about 20 km south of the corridor with only private boats and 

small commercial and fishing fleets docking there. In the Port of Otranto, the large-scale 

fishing vessels come from several places on the coast of Apulia (i.e. Brindisi, Manfredonia, 

Monopoli, Bari, Gallipoli). These Fishermen practice bottom trawling and typically travel 

anywhere from 3 miles to 12 miles off the coast to fish. 

While the Port of Otranto is mostly used by fishermen employed in the large-scale fishery, the 

Port of San Foca is a centre for small-scale fishing. Fishermen venturing into coastal waters 

between Torre Specchia Ruggeri and San Foca are generally employed in both sectors.






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6.8.1.3 Cultural Heritage 

Based on official data, the nearest evidence of submerged archaeological sites is located more 

than 5 km north of the landfall and pipeline route. There are unofficial sources reporting 

archaeological findings over the years in the waters facing the town of St. Foca, as well as 

fortuitous discoveries of amphorae by fishermen in the sea between S. Foca and Otranto. The 

geophysical and video survey performed also showed no evidence of any physical remains in the 

corridor surveyed along the pipeline route. 

6.8.2 Onshore 

6.8.2.1 Physical and Biological Environment 

The baseline analysis reveals the absence of any criticality for air quality and noise, with the 

study area characterized by agricultural activities, absence of industrial complexes and low 

vehicle traffic. 

6.8.2.2 Geological Characteristics 

From the geological, morphological and hydrogeological point of view, the Study Area covers a 

medium permeability zone, where there is a generalised decrease in the volume of available 

fresh water. The water table in the area close to the coast is found at depths of approximately 4 

metres, gradually increasing from the coast inland. Indeed, proceeding inland, the water table 

deepens further. This does not exclude the presence of discontinuous shallow water contained in 

the calcarenitic terrains and supported by marl levels of the calcarenitic-marly formations. 

The area presents phenomena connected with karstic processes, especially in the form of 

hollows, depressions and hypogeal caves. The hypogeal caves can occasionally give rise to 

collapsing phenomena (sink-holes). During the heaviest rainfall, widespread depressions and 

hollows can create areas of flooding leaving temporary pools of stagnant water. 

6.8.2.3 Landscape Elements 

The Study Area is located within a rural landscape, characterized by the presence of the 

following three distinctive and valuable elements: 

• Barns (pagliare), typical buildings which can be considered monuments of rural society; some 

of these structures are very old, dating back to the seventeenth century; 

• Dry stone walls, which border roads and agricultural properties; 

• Monumental olive trees, which are protected under Italian law since they area considered 

“Single valued assets” according to Decree 42/2004;






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6.8.2.4 Biological Communities of Conservation Interest 

In regard to biological characteristics, the natural habitats of Salento in the past were affected by 

severe reduction and fragmentation, resulting in loss or alteration of biodiversity over large areas 

of its territory. Nevertheless, the biological originality of Salento that derives from climatic and 

biogeographical characteristics is still recognizable, even today. Many native species of plants 

with a high conservation value can be identified, and many types of natural or semi-natural 

vegetation are still present. However, there is a general deficiency of natural habitats in the Study 

Area, mainly due to agriculture development. Indeed, the extensive olive plantations are not 

strictly an element of value from a floristic-vegetational point of view, although they are an 

important landscape element. The greatest plant diversity, namely the flora and the communities 

of conservation interest, mostly extend from Palude di Cassano to the coast. 

The overall situation of terrestrial vertebrates present or potentially present in the area is 

undoubtedly defined by the pressure that animals have suffered in the past, mainly due to the 

progressive removal of natural habitats for land reclamation. The Study Area is characterized by 

extensive farm lands (especially olive plantations), interspersed with relic habitats consisting of 

tree-shrub vegetation. These natural habitats, especially when developed parallel to the 

hydrographic system (ditches, ponds, coastal lagoons, etc.), support the most interesting wildlife, 

because they are a potential nesting place and food supply for migratory birds. 

6.8.2.5 Socioeconomic Findings 

The Study Area is in the Province of Lecce, which has 97 municipalities and two of them, 

Melendugno and Vernole, are partially within the 2-km pipeline corridor. The only settlement 

within the Study Area is Torre Specchia Ruggeri, which is located in the Municipality of 

Melendugno. The southern portion of the settlement is within the 2-km pipeline corridor. The 

settlements of San Foca (Melendugno) and Acquarica (Vernole) are partially within the 3 km 

corridor and are likely to be interested in the project outcome. 

The unemployment rate in the Province of Lecce has increased during the period 2004-2010 

from 14.7% to 17.7%. The unemployment rate in Melendugno and Vernole is high with a notable 

gap between males and females. 

The main economic activities in the Study Area are agriculture, fishing and tourism. The 

Municipalities of Melendugno and Vernole are important areas for olive production. In the study 

area within the 2-km corridor along the pipeline alignment, approximately 857 ha (72% of total 

land) are utilised for olive farming. Most of the land is privately owned agricultural land.






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Tourism represents another main economic activity in the Study Area. According to the data of 

the Local Tourism Authority (APT Lecce), it is growing considerably every year. Primary data 

gathered during the field work indicates that tourism and associated activities represent an 

employment sector where a consistent number of inhabitants are employed or would like to be 

employed. Within the 2-km pipeline corridor there are 7 tourism businesses. Specifically, there 

are 4 private beaches that rent out beach chairs and umbrellas and provide other services (e.g. 

sell food and drinks) on a daily basis to tourists on the coast line. There are also 3 

accommodation facilities in the Study Area. 

6.8.2.6 Cultural Heritage 

The territory affected by the Project is mainly characterised by an uneven distribution of sites. 

In the first sector 1 (kp 0-4), the investigation revealed mainly rural stone farm houses and 

buildings associated with agricultural activities and pottery fragments, limiting the probability of 

affecting unknown Archaeological sites. Therefore, the most important cultural Heritage topic is 

represented by the presence of barns (pagliare). 

In the second sector (kp 4 – PRT), the most important finding is represented by the presence of 

the Eco-Museum of Stone Landscapes of Acquarica di Lecce. This site, near the PRT location, is 

an open area which is perceived as unique by the community that inhabits it. Other than this 

location, the survey in this sector revealed archaeological traces mainly related to rural activities 

(barns, pottery fragments).

ESIA Italy â Section 6 Environmental, Social and Cultural Baseline

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ESIA Italy â Section 6 Environmental, Social and Cultural Baseline