Programme and project related to tree species in Eleuterio River

Rationale: The study, in line with the approach to river redevelopment, focuses on the typological quality of the river vegetation along the main course of the Eleutero river, intending to develop and guarantee the ecological corridor functions of the watercourse. Having shared the need to plan cutting interventions, also to guarantee hydraulic safety needs, it is proposed, before starting synergistic and integrated actions of revegetation of the banks with the introduction of native plant species and, where possible, expansion of the buffer strips, a study specific quote. This study pursues the further objectives of limiting erosion phenomena and promoting soil cover, for the benefit of the river habitat and fish and wildlife species. The identification of the river belts aims to ensure the correct management of the areas adjacent to the watercourse, in order to prevent risk situations in relation to the current conditions of use, to pursue the recovery of the functionality of the natural systems , the protection and valorisation of environmental and landscape assets and to promote the implementation of natural flood expansion areas to allow flood lamination. (Source: Sicily Flood Risk Management Plan (PGRA), General Report, July 2018). “It is important to carefully observe what type of vegetation there is along the river, as it is often not present or is not native. It would therefore be appropriate to think in this sense, aimed at reintroducing native vegetation along the river, which is more resilient to climate and environmental adaptation in the area. We must also consider that vegetation has its own life cycle, which is kept active with cuts, provided they are carried out sensibly". ““Saturated riparian buffers (SRBs) reduce nitrate export from agricultural subsoil drainage by infusing drainage water into carbon-rich riparian soils where denitrification and plant uptake occur. Slope stability depends on three primary elements: soil properties, slope geometry and infiltration conditions. The benefits of SRBs in terms of water quality are well documented, but uncertainties about their effect on levee stability have led to design standards that limit the maximum levee height and minimum width by type of intervention , thus reducing the number of suitable candidate sites. In this study, the relationship between SRB design and stream stability was examined through numerical modeling of slope stability and validated using field sites. At study sites, the addition of SRB flow decreased the probability of failure by 3% for both simulated drought and precipitation scenarios. (...) The equation presented allows designers to evaluate the stability of potential sites where the height of the banks represents a greater risk of instability. The results of this study decrease the need for in-depth geotechnical assessments at future SRB sites and could increase SRB application by broadening the range of eligible sites.

Objectives: · IDENTIFICATION OF THE LIMIT OF FLOODABLE AREAS WITH RESPECT TO THE REFERENCE FLOOD, SUBJECT OF IDENTIFICATION AND PLANNING OF PROTECTION INTERVENTIONS OF INhabited centres, INFRASTRUCTURES AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES SINCE THEY ARE SUBJECT TO RISK; · DELIMITATION OF THE FLOOD RIVER AND OF THE SAME EXPANSION AREAS, WITH THE RELATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS, ACCORDING TO A FUNCTIONAL MODEL WHICH ALLOWS TO SAFEGUARD AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, EXPAND THE NATURAL FLOODING AREAS IN THE SECTIONS WHERE THESE ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE PRESENCE OF INHABITATION CENTERS AND ANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES ALLOWS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BALANCE CONDITIONS BETWEEN THE NEEDS FOR FILL CONTAINMENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SAFETY OF THE POPULATION AND PLACES, AND THE LAMINATION OF THE SAME, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTS ON THE OUTFLOW CONDITIONS IN THE HYDROGRAPHIC NETWORK DOWNSTREAM; · FOSTER, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE NATURAL MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE WATERBED, REDUCING ANTHROPIC INTERFERENCE ON THE EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS TO A MINIMUM; · FOSTER THE RECOVERY AND MAINTENANCE OF NATURAL CONDITIONS BY IDENTIFYING AND REINTRODUCING NATIVE VEGETATION SPECIES, SAFEGUARDING SENSITIVE AREAS AND SYSTEMS OF SPECIFIC NATURALISTIC INTEREST, GUARANTEEING THE ECOLOGICAL CONTINUITY OF THE RIVER SYSTEM. · IDENTIFY THE RIVER RELEVANT BAND TO WHICH RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT ENTITIES MUST COMPLY WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CIRCULAR FOR RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT ENTITIES FOR THE DEFINITION OF OVERFLOW OPERATIONS. IN FACT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CIVIL PROTECTION CIRCULAR N. DSTN/2/22806 OF 13 DECEMBER 1995, THEY MUST ASSESS THE MAXIMUM PASSABLE FLOW CAPACITY IN THE RIVERBED DOWNSTREAM OF THE WEILDING PROMOTE AN ECOLOGICAL AND ECOSYSTEMICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE RIVER AREA