Papers by daniela gigante
Common reed [Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud.] die-back is a well known phenomenon in Central E... more Common reed [Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud.] die-back is a well known phenomenon in Central Europe, recently detected also in Italy. It has been described as a complex syndrome affecting reed populations, including multiple symptoms of retreat and decline, with significant impacts on important wetland ecosystem services. The present study takes into account, for the first time, floristic and vegetational traits in a declining reed bed and tries to search for possible relations between die-back and plant community features. 45 phytosociological relevés were carried out in the years 2006, 2007 and 2009 in 19 permanent plots at Lake Trasimeno (Central Italy), where reed die-back has been detected and monitored in former studies. Relevés have been clustered into 3 groups: dying-back, suboptimal and optimal stands, on the ground of the level of decline of the corresponding reed plots. The considered traits are: number of species, total and specific cover values, diversity indexes, Ellenberg’s ecologic indicator values, number of nitrophilous species. The differential species in the three groups are also pointed out. Results show that both floristic and vegetational traits in stands affected by reed decline are significantly different from optimal and suboptimal stands. Number of species, total cover value and biodiversity indexes are significantly lower in the declining stands, while Ellenberg’s indicators for nitrogen (N) and moisture (M) point out interesting correlations. It appears that reed tends to form monospecific stands in permanently flooded areas rich in autogenous litter, where the symptoms of decline are more severe. Species rich stands develop in terrestrial areas where reed shows vigorous growth and healthy condition, however this floristic richness is largely due to invasive and nitrophilous taxa which originate a ‘pseudo-reed bed’, often lacking in typical palustrine species, referred to as a variant with Rubus ulmifolius of Phragmitetum australis Savič 1926. The results draw attention to the risk of loss of an ecosystem which plays an important role in biodiversity conservation.
VegItaly is at present the largest Italian vegetation database. It is the result of a collaborati... more VegItaly is at present the largest Italian vegetation database. It is the result of a collaborative project aspiring to represent a major reference for the Italian vegetation scientists. The paper emphasizes its benefits for phytosociological data management and describes the solutions adopted to solve several technical problems, like the treatment of different vegetation stratification systems, the conversion of vegetation cover values, taxonomic and syntaxonomic issues, data import and access. The structure of the taxonomic list produced to support the storing of data is described. It allows an easy management of synonymic relationships and is constantly updated according to new publications and revisions. Issues related to data import from different formats have been solved by developing assistant software VegImport and TabImport, which are based on the most used formats in vegetation plot archiving. Bibliographic sources are managed according to the LISY standard and include descriptive geographic information, bibliographic and syntaxonomic reference. Distinct data access regimes can be selected by VegItaly's users: visible, partly visible, invisible. Compared with the original project outline, many fundamental parts of the database structure have been fully built up, although several utilities still have to be developed or improved.
In this study, we validated some syntaxa, the published names of which were regarded as invalid o... more In this study, we validated some syntaxa, the published names of which were regarded as invalid on the basis of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The validations concern syntaxa of different hierarchical levels, belonging to different phytosociological classes. Most validations regard syntaxa that are invalid with respect to art. 5 of the Code. Indeed, the nomenclatural types were not indicated in the correct form (typus, holotypus, lectotypus, and neotypus).
Crops and wild relatives of Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and Rosaceae familes:... more Crops and wild relatives of Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and Rosaceae familes: first
results for Umbria Region (Central Italy) – Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa more or less closely related to
species of direct socio-economic importance and that have an indirect use for their genetic relationship to a crop. They possess
traits, such as biotic and abiotic stress resistance or valuable characteristics from a qualitative point of view, that can
be bred into crops to address the environmental and market demand changes. For these reasons they are a valuable part of
biodiversity although they are generally neglected by conservation policies and actions. European CWR are currently suffering
erosion and extinction and, considered that they are generally neglected by conservation policies, it is crucial to set up a
conservation strategy for them. There are more than 12,500 native species to Europe, but information about CWR species
distribution and conservation status is almost completely lacking. To create European and national CWR lists is the first step
to be able to protect them. This work was carried out within the frame of the project “Novel characterization of crop wild
relative and landrace resources as a basis for improved crop breeding” (PGR secure, 2011-2013 EC FP-KBBE- 2010-103
GA n. 266394) aimed at producing an Italian CWR list and conservation strategy. In this context, we initially analysed a
large amount of CWR floristic and phytosociological literature relative to Umbria and central Italy surveys. The surveys are
equally distributed in both protected (National Park as Monti Sibillini and Regional Natural Parks as Trasimeno Lake, Mount
Cucco and Mount Subasio) and non-protected areas, in habitats like the road margins or the cultivated areas. The work was
initially focused on the CWR belonging to Aegopodium, Apium, Avena, Beta, Brassica, Helosciadium, Petroselinum, Prunus
and Smyrnium genera for which many cultivated forms of great economic importance exist. According to the reviewed
literature, 1 species of Aegopodium, 1 species of Apium, 1 species of Helosciadium, 1 species of Petroselinum, 1 species
of Smyrnium, 5 of Avena, 2 of Beta, 4 of Brassica and 10 of Prunus are recorded in the area of Umbria (Central Italy). The
less mentioned taxa are: Brassica gravinae Ten, B. rapa L., Prunus armeniaca L., P. domestica L. subsp. domestica and P.
domestica L. subsp. insititia (L.) Bonnier & Layens. The most represented species are: Avena barbata Pott ex Link, A. fatua
L., Prunus avium L., P. mahaleb L. and P. spinosa L. The actual presence of the identified species and of their populations
will be assessed through surveys in the mentioned sites. The next step will be to hierarchize the territorial grid according to
the species record density and to cross these data with the land use, in order to outline a model which can point out the most
CWR-rich landscapes.
The decline of the common reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel (Poaceae) has been o... more The decline of the common reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel (Poaceae) has been observed in many European countries, including Italy, and primarily ascribed to the die-back syndrome. Several biotic and abiotic factors have been implicated in P. australis decline, the biotic factors including toxins produced by plant pathogens such as Gibberella fujikuroi (Sawada) Wollenw. In order to identify a suitable strategy for biologically controlling G. fujikuroi and ensuring the protection of the delicate ecological balance of P. australis-dominated ecosystems, this study tested the in vitro antagonistic activity of some endophytic fungi against G. fujikuroi. The result showed that some of these fungal isolates could inhibit G. fujikuroi mycelial growth in dual cultures. Trichoderma saturnisporum Hammill had the maximum inhibitory effect on G. fujikuroi mycelial growth, whereas isolates of Acremonium sp., Penicillium concentricum Samson, Stolk & Hadlok and Pycnidiophora dispersa Clum showed significantly modest mycelial growth inhibition. In dual cultures with G. fujikuroi, the antagonistic T. saturnisporum showed initial deadlock, followed by complete replacement of G. fujikuroi. These results demonstrate the potential role of fungal endophytes to prevent or reduce damage caused by G. fujikuroi to reed plants.
This study reports results relating to the identification of wood samples from pile dwellings dis... more This study reports results relating to the identification of wood samples from pile dwellings discovered during the archaeological excavation of the Middle-Final Late Bronze Age pile dwelling of San Savino (Lake Trasimeno, PG, Italy). Anatomical descriptions and identification of 16 wooden piles were performed by microscopic evaluation. In this study, the species Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L. and Prunus spinosa L. were identified. For two samples, no precise identification of the species was carried out; however, these samples showed significant similarities to Ulmus spp. In addition, among the charcoal fragments, some have been identified as Fagus sylvatica L. The detected taxa reflect a species assemblage matching with a temperate deciduous mixed forest and, with reference to the current climate, it might be referred to conditions ranging from the mesotemperate to the Meso-Submediterranean bioclimatic belts. New information about the interactions between man and vegetation was provided. In fact, the wood species used in the construction of the Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement in San Savino reflect a sensible choice; people living in that time period had solid knowledge and experience in the use of wood.
“The New Red List of the Italian Flora” includes all the Italian policy species and other species... more “The New Red List of the Italian Flora” includes all the Italian policy species and other species of known conservation concerns for a total of 400 taxa, 65% of which are threatened with extinction. The Red List is based on a huge georeferenced data-set useful for conservation purposes.
The aim of this study was to construct a solid basis for developing a crop wild relatives (CWR) a... more The aim of this study was to construct a solid basis for developing a crop wild relatives (CWR) and wild harvested plants (WHP) conservation strategy at the European and national levels. To this end we (i) worked out an annotated and synonymized Working Database of the Italian Vascular Plants, (ii) worked out a full CWR–WHP checklist for Italy, (iii) worked out a prioritized CWR and WHP inventory, (iv) identified native taxa with an ascertained utility for breeding, and (v) on the basis of a gap analysis case study on two Brassica taxa, outlined the first steps to be taken immediately to develop their in situ and ex situ conservation strategy. The Working Database of the Italian Vascular Plants includes a total of 11,710 taxa. Of those, 92.0% form the CWR–WHP checklist. On the basis of the importance of the related crops, their status, and their need of protection and/or monitoring, 1118 taxa were prioritized. Of these, 129 taxa deserve the highest priority in planning a conservation strategy, including 16 that currently have a practical use in breeding. The case study showed that little is still known about relic CWR populations and that not all of them are adequately protected in situ and ex situ. Since information on their abundance, location, distribution, ecological conditions, census, and current conservation is lacking, initiatives should be put into action immediately for developing a national and European conservation strategy.
In the present paper, some criteria for evaluating the intrinsic and local relevance of Annex I H... more In the present paper, some criteria for evaluating the intrinsic and local relevance of Annex I Habitats (Dir. 92/43/EEC) are discussed with reference to the concept of Potential Natural Vegetation and Vegetation Series. We pointed out some phytosociological aspects suitable to be used for assessing the intrinsic value of Habitats and their real importance contextualized in the actual, current biodiversity of a given territory. We introduced the concept of Potential Natural Vegetation as a robust tool to evaluate the representativity and the gaps of the conservation framework and its suitability in safeguarding the actual and potential biodiversity of a territory. On the ground of a case study in Central Italy, we evaluated the effectiveness of Natura 2000 Network in its current configuration at regional scale, profiting from the informations included in the concept of Vegetation Series. The regional scale appeared to be suitable for a realistic evaluation of where, when and what should be done for Habitat management and conservation.
Nomenclatura: Nome scientifico: Jonopsidium savianum (Caruel) Arcang. Sinonimi.: Bivonaea saviana... more Nomenclatura: Nome scientifico: Jonopsidium savianum (Caruel) Arcang. Sinonimi.: Bivonaea saviana Caruel [bas.] Famiglia: Brassicaceae Nome comune: Bivonea di Savi 124 INFORMATORE BOTANICO ITALIANO, 46 (1) 93-152, 2014 Schede per una Lista Rossa della Flora vascolare e crittogamica Italiana
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/authorsrights
In recent years, research in botany was increasingly related with the use of large data-sets and ... more In recent years, research in botany was increasingly related with the use of large data-sets and data banks, in order to address emerging issues such as the severe risk of species, habitats and biodiversity loss. In this frame, the anArchive taxonomic Checklist, an online synonymized list of botanical species names, developed to support the botanical data banking and vegetation analysis, is presented and discussed here. The benefits deriving from such a supervised and referenced tool are emphasized. They include the possibility to keep track of old and new species names, pointing out the latest reviewed accepted scientific name and its synonyms, and harmonizing different taxonomic points of view. Furthermore, the list is open access and expert qualified customers can collaborate to its improvement. The basic unit of the taxonomic Checklist is an object including the taxon name at specific or, when present, infraspecific level; the taxonomic frame stops at the level of family and ranks higher than genus are not treated hierarchically. Some technical features, the main taxonomic references and the current state of the art are reported.
The aquatic and hygrophilous vegetation of Lakes Chiusi and Montepulciano (Siena, central Italy) ... more The aquatic and hygrophilous vegetation of Lakes Chiusi and Montepulciano (Siena, central Italy) was studied according to the phytosociological method. The survey led to the identification of 44 community types belonging to 10 syntaxonomic classes. A comparison between the current and past situation is also shown, taking into account the main floristic and phytosociological literature sources for the study areas. Some coenoses dominated by rare species at the national or regional scale were detected, such as Najadetum minoris, Potamo perfoliati-Vallisnerietum spiralis, Eleocharis acicularis community, Mentho aquaticae-Caricetum pseudocyperi, Thelypterido palustris-Phragmitetum australis and Eleocharito palustris-Hippuridetum vulgaris. Seven habitats are important for nature conservation according to the European Directive 92/43/EEC. Two other habitats are considered of regional interest according to Tuscan legislation. Moreover, this study emphasises the presence of several communities of great naturalistic and phytogeographic importance which are currently not included in any habitat of conservation interest. Similar to many other wetland systems across the Italian peninsula, the survey showed that the study areas still host a remarkable floristic and vegetation biodiversity, in spite of strong anthropogenic pressures putting at risk their conservation in the long term.
Pollen morphology of some species of Amaranthaceae s. lat. common in Italy. — Fl. Medit. 24: 247-... more Pollen morphology of some species of Amaranthaceae s. lat. common in Italy. — Fl. Medit. 24: 247-272. 2014. — ISSN: 1120-4052 printed, 2240-4538 online. Comparative studies on the pollen grains biometry and morphology of the most common species of Amaranthaceae s. lat. (incl. Chenopodiaceae) relieved in the Italian territory were carried out by Light Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope in order to compare similarities and differences among them. Many pollen characters like diameter, volume, exine thickness , number of pores, pore density, interpore distance, pore size were considered and analyzed from statistical points of view. Fisher's Least Significant Difference Test allowed clustering of groups and ordination analysis of taxa. Pollen analysis does not allow easy distinction of the pollen grains of the considered taxa. However, in spite of the many similarities shared by the two groups, some morphological and biometrical traits still allow the distinction of some taxa: interpore distance, exine thickness and above all microechinae density on pollen surface. These spinulous processes are more densely arranged on pollen from species of Amaranthus than from those formerly referred to Chenopodiaceae. The results obtained support the inclusion of the former Chenopodiaceae into Amaranthaceae.
Tendency of the riparian breeding bird community of Lake Trasimeno (Umbria,
Central Italy), years... more Tendency of the riparian breeding bird community of Lake Trasimeno (Umbria,
Central Italy), years 2004-2014
We investigated the riparian breeding bird community of Lake Trasimeno by means of an annual repeated survey of 53 point-counts distributed all round the lake’s shores. In our study we excluded nocturnal species (Strigiformes) and species feeding high in the air (aerial foragers: Apodiformes, Hirundinidae). All recorded species were classified according to their habitat selection into three different ecological categories: U (species depending on wetland), F (woodland species), T (species depending on other terrestrial habitats). For each category, we calculated on a annual basis: mean number of species by point (Smed), abundance (Abb = number of recorded individuals), dominance index (pi = number of individuals belonging to the considered category / total number of individuals). Furthermore, we used the software package TRIM to compute population indices of the recorded species and to assess their trends. In the U category, we found significant decreases (Spearman test) of Smed, Abb and a near significant decrease of pi. On the contrary, in the F category we observed significant increases of Smed, Abb and pi. U turned out to be the category with the highest proportion of decreasing species and the lowest proportion of increasing ones (19,4% vs 6,5%). We found the opposite in the F category (0% decreasing; 37,5% increasing). The observed changes are related to the local expansion of the riparian woods and the contraction of the reedbeds.
Besides species Red Lists, recently, a variety of frameworks have been proposed for assessing hig... more Besides species Red Lists, recently, a variety of frameworks have been proposed for assessing higher levels of biological organisation, i.e. ecosystems, habitats, plant communities. Most of these protocols refer to 'plant species assemblages' or 'vegetation types' as proxies for ecosystems or habitats. Indeed, the habitat concept based on plant communities has acquired a central role as a key approach for biodiversity conservation above the species level. Plant communities, like every complex biological system, hold scale-dependent 'emergent' properties which vary as a function of the scale of observation. With reference to red-listing, these scale-dependent properties have far-reaching consequences for both identification and classification, as well as for representation and evaluation, and become particularly challenging when dealing with criteria regarding decline in distribution or restricted distribution. The recent discussion on the red-listing protocols has evidenced several aspects that claim special efforts for a suitable use. In the present paper, starting with the analysis of some recently proposed protocols for the red-listing of habitats and ecosystems, we discuss and test some 'emergent' properties of species assemblages, providing cues for reflection. Based on a variety of theoretical models and scientific outcomes in literature from the last decades, we theorise that plant communities own some intrinsic, ecologically based and scale-dependent spatial features, which give rise to different types of pattern of spatial occupancy. We discuss a model where, in natural conditions, the possible patterns of spatial occupancy are referred to 3 basic types: areal, linear and point. This approach is here proposed as a tool to discriminate among different broad categories of plant community-based habitat types and optimise their assessment in the red-listing process. Starting from a homogeneous data set, the proposed case studies prove that the choice of the scale affects the comprehension of the habitats' occurrence, with a substantial relapse on the estimates of their distribution size. In particular, habitats with linear and point distribution, often naturally small in size and dispersed, are more susceptible to biased evaluation of their actual distribution and consequently of their threat status. The intrinsic spatial attributes of plant communities should not be neglected in a red-listing process and claim for a 'habitat-tailored' approach. The use of different grid-cell sizes and thresholds for the three main patterns of spatial occupancy here proposed, might certainly avoid inaccurate statements.
Fitosociologia, 2007
Questa lista bibliografica contiene il secondo aggiornamento della bibliografia della Lisy e deri... more Questa lista bibliografica contiene il secondo aggiornamento della bibliografia della Lisy e deriva dall'assemblaggio da parte della redazione (M. Serdoz ed E. Panfili) dei contributi parziali stilati dai gruppi regionali. All'interno di questi hanno prestato la loro opera i collaboratori di seguito indicati:
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Papers by daniela gigante
results for Umbria Region (Central Italy) – Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa more or less closely related to
species of direct socio-economic importance and that have an indirect use for their genetic relationship to a crop. They possess
traits, such as biotic and abiotic stress resistance or valuable characteristics from a qualitative point of view, that can
be bred into crops to address the environmental and market demand changes. For these reasons they are a valuable part of
biodiversity although they are generally neglected by conservation policies and actions. European CWR are currently suffering
erosion and extinction and, considered that they are generally neglected by conservation policies, it is crucial to set up a
conservation strategy for them. There are more than 12,500 native species to Europe, but information about CWR species
distribution and conservation status is almost completely lacking. To create European and national CWR lists is the first step
to be able to protect them. This work was carried out within the frame of the project “Novel characterization of crop wild
relative and landrace resources as a basis for improved crop breeding” (PGR secure, 2011-2013 EC FP-KBBE- 2010-103
GA n. 266394) aimed at producing an Italian CWR list and conservation strategy. In this context, we initially analysed a
large amount of CWR floristic and phytosociological literature relative to Umbria and central Italy surveys. The surveys are
equally distributed in both protected (National Park as Monti Sibillini and Regional Natural Parks as Trasimeno Lake, Mount
Cucco and Mount Subasio) and non-protected areas, in habitats like the road margins or the cultivated areas. The work was
initially focused on the CWR belonging to Aegopodium, Apium, Avena, Beta, Brassica, Helosciadium, Petroselinum, Prunus
and Smyrnium genera for which many cultivated forms of great economic importance exist. According to the reviewed
literature, 1 species of Aegopodium, 1 species of Apium, 1 species of Helosciadium, 1 species of Petroselinum, 1 species
of Smyrnium, 5 of Avena, 2 of Beta, 4 of Brassica and 10 of Prunus are recorded in the area of Umbria (Central Italy). The
less mentioned taxa are: Brassica gravinae Ten, B. rapa L., Prunus armeniaca L., P. domestica L. subsp. domestica and P.
domestica L. subsp. insititia (L.) Bonnier & Layens. The most represented species are: Avena barbata Pott ex Link, A. fatua
L., Prunus avium L., P. mahaleb L. and P. spinosa L. The actual presence of the identified species and of their populations
will be assessed through surveys in the mentioned sites. The next step will be to hierarchize the territorial grid according to
the species record density and to cross these data with the land use, in order to outline a model which can point out the most
CWR-rich landscapes.
Central Italy), years 2004-2014
We investigated the riparian breeding bird community of Lake Trasimeno by means of an annual repeated survey of 53 point-counts distributed all round the lake’s shores. In our study we excluded nocturnal species (Strigiformes) and species feeding high in the air (aerial foragers: Apodiformes, Hirundinidae). All recorded species were classified according to their habitat selection into three different ecological categories: U (species depending on wetland), F (woodland species), T (species depending on other terrestrial habitats). For each category, we calculated on a annual basis: mean number of species by point (Smed), abundance (Abb = number of recorded individuals), dominance index (pi = number of individuals belonging to the considered category / total number of individuals). Furthermore, we used the software package TRIM to compute population indices of the recorded species and to assess their trends. In the U category, we found significant decreases (Spearman test) of Smed, Abb and a near significant decrease of pi. On the contrary, in the F category we observed significant increases of Smed, Abb and pi. U turned out to be the category with the highest proportion of decreasing species and the lowest proportion of increasing ones (19,4% vs 6,5%). We found the opposite in the F category (0% decreasing; 37,5% increasing). The observed changes are related to the local expansion of the riparian woods and the contraction of the reedbeds.
results for Umbria Region (Central Italy) – Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa more or less closely related to
species of direct socio-economic importance and that have an indirect use for their genetic relationship to a crop. They possess
traits, such as biotic and abiotic stress resistance or valuable characteristics from a qualitative point of view, that can
be bred into crops to address the environmental and market demand changes. For these reasons they are a valuable part of
biodiversity although they are generally neglected by conservation policies and actions. European CWR are currently suffering
erosion and extinction and, considered that they are generally neglected by conservation policies, it is crucial to set up a
conservation strategy for them. There are more than 12,500 native species to Europe, but information about CWR species
distribution and conservation status is almost completely lacking. To create European and national CWR lists is the first step
to be able to protect them. This work was carried out within the frame of the project “Novel characterization of crop wild
relative and landrace resources as a basis for improved crop breeding” (PGR secure, 2011-2013 EC FP-KBBE- 2010-103
GA n. 266394) aimed at producing an Italian CWR list and conservation strategy. In this context, we initially analysed a
large amount of CWR floristic and phytosociological literature relative to Umbria and central Italy surveys. The surveys are
equally distributed in both protected (National Park as Monti Sibillini and Regional Natural Parks as Trasimeno Lake, Mount
Cucco and Mount Subasio) and non-protected areas, in habitats like the road margins or the cultivated areas. The work was
initially focused on the CWR belonging to Aegopodium, Apium, Avena, Beta, Brassica, Helosciadium, Petroselinum, Prunus
and Smyrnium genera for which many cultivated forms of great economic importance exist. According to the reviewed
literature, 1 species of Aegopodium, 1 species of Apium, 1 species of Helosciadium, 1 species of Petroselinum, 1 species
of Smyrnium, 5 of Avena, 2 of Beta, 4 of Brassica and 10 of Prunus are recorded in the area of Umbria (Central Italy). The
less mentioned taxa are: Brassica gravinae Ten, B. rapa L., Prunus armeniaca L., P. domestica L. subsp. domestica and P.
domestica L. subsp. insititia (L.) Bonnier & Layens. The most represented species are: Avena barbata Pott ex Link, A. fatua
L., Prunus avium L., P. mahaleb L. and P. spinosa L. The actual presence of the identified species and of their populations
will be assessed through surveys in the mentioned sites. The next step will be to hierarchize the territorial grid according to
the species record density and to cross these data with the land use, in order to outline a model which can point out the most
CWR-rich landscapes.
Central Italy), years 2004-2014
We investigated the riparian breeding bird community of Lake Trasimeno by means of an annual repeated survey of 53 point-counts distributed all round the lake’s shores. In our study we excluded nocturnal species (Strigiformes) and species feeding high in the air (aerial foragers: Apodiformes, Hirundinidae). All recorded species were classified according to their habitat selection into three different ecological categories: U (species depending on wetland), F (woodland species), T (species depending on other terrestrial habitats). For each category, we calculated on a annual basis: mean number of species by point (Smed), abundance (Abb = number of recorded individuals), dominance index (pi = number of individuals belonging to the considered category / total number of individuals). Furthermore, we used the software package TRIM to compute population indices of the recorded species and to assess their trends. In the U category, we found significant decreases (Spearman test) of Smed, Abb and a near significant decrease of pi. On the contrary, in the F category we observed significant increases of Smed, Abb and pi. U turned out to be the category with the highest proportion of decreasing species and the lowest proportion of increasing ones (19,4% vs 6,5%). We found the opposite in the F category (0% decreasing; 37,5% increasing). The observed changes are related to the local expansion of the riparian woods and the contraction of the reedbeds.