For full text search please use the '?' prefix. e.g. ? Onboarding

Po

Po Delta Biosphere Reserve, Italy

Larger Deltaic Context

Anthony, Edward J., Nick Marriner, and Christophe Morhange. ‘Human Influence and the Changing Geomorphology of Mediterranean Deltas and Coasts Over the Last 6000 Years: From Progradation to Destruction Phase?’ Earth-Science Reviews 139 (2014): 336–61. https://doi.org/10/f6tbv2.

Giaime, Matthieu, Nick Marriner, and Christophe Morhange. ‘Evolution of Ancient Harbours in Deltaic Contexts: A Geoarchaeological Typology’. Earth-Science Reviews 191 (2019): 141–67. https://doi.org/10/gj7mdz.

Wang, Jin, Jinsong Chen, Ya Wen, Wei Fan, Qiannan Liu, and Paolo Tarolli. ‘Monitoring the Coastal Wetlands Dynamics in Northeast Italy from 1984 to 2016’. Ecological Indicators 129 (2021): 107906. https://doi.org/10/gr7mrx.

Geological and Environmental History

  • Formation of the Po River: The Po River has its origins in the Late Pliocene (about 2.5 million years ago), when the river formed as a result of tectonic uplift and the retreat of the Adriatic Sea. Over time, the river carved its path through the landscape, eventually forming the Po River Delta.

  • Holocene delta formation: The Po River Delta began forming around 6,000 years ago during the Holocene epoch, a period characterized by significant sea-level rise and sediment accumulation. The delta formed as the river carried sediment from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, creating a complex network of channels, islands, and marshes.

  • Roman era (circa 753 BC – 476 AD): The Romans recognized the importance of the Po River and its delta, and they built infrastructure to manage and control the waterways for agriculture, transportation, and trade. This period marked the beginning of significant human influence on the delta's landscape.

  • Medieval period (circa 5th century – 15th century): During the medieval period, the delta experienced significant changes due to both natural processes and human activities. River channels shifted, and human settlements expanded in the region. Land reclamation and agricultural development intensified, transforming the landscape and altering the delta's ecosystems.

  • Industrialization (19th century – early 20th century): The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to the Po River Delta, including increased pollution, deforestation, and habitat loss. These changes had far-reaching consequences for the delta's ecosystems and biodiversity.

  • Modern conservation efforts (20th century – present): In response to the environmental degradation caused by human activities, conservation efforts have been implemented to protect and restore the Po River Delta's ecosystems. The creation of the Po Delta Regional Park in 1988 and its subsequent expansion in 1999 and 2015, as well as the designation of the area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2015, represent important steps in the ongoing efforts to safeguard the delta's unique landscapes and biodiversity.

  • Customary practices and informal rules: Local communities in the Po River Delta have developed customary practices and informal rules for managing resources, such as fishing, agriculture, and land use, which often take into consideration the well-being of non-human species and ecosystems. These practices coexist alongside formal laws and regulations, and sometimes even influence them.

  • National environmental laws: Italy has a range of national environmental laws that address issues such as pollution, habitat conservation, and biodiversity protection. These laws often take into account the interests of non-human species and ecosystems in the Po River Delta and provide a framework for balancing human and non-human needs.

  • Po Delta Regional Park regulations: The Po Delta Regional Park, established in 1988, has specific regulations aimed at protecting the region's diverse ecosystems and species, including regulations on hunting, fishing, and habitat disturbance. These regulations reflect a multispecies perspective that acknowledges the importance of maintaining healthy relationships between human and non-human communities.

  • Ramsar Convention: The Po River Delta has several Ramsar sites, which are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. The convention promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands, recognizing their ecological, economic, and cultural values. This international legal instrument helps protect the habitats of numerous non-human species in the Po River Delta.

  • EU laws and directives: The Po River Delta falls within the jurisdiction of the European Union, which has implemented various environmental laws and directives, such as the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, and the Water Framework Directive. These legal instruments aim to protect and conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of resources, and regulate activities that may have an impact on more-than-human communities.

  • Emerging multispecies rights and legal instruments: There is a growing international movement to recognize the rights of nature and non-human species, as well as to develop legal instruments that protect and promote these rights. While still in the early stages, this movement could potentially have implications for the Po River Delta, as it may inform future legal frameworks and policies that govern human and non-human interactions in the region.

References

Gaglio, Mattias, Mattia Lanzoni, Giovanni Nobili, Diego Viviani, Giuseppe Castaldelli, and Elisa Anna Fano. ‘Ecosystem Services Approach for Sustainable Governance in a Brackish Water Lagoon Used for Aquaculture’. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 62, no. 9 (2019): 1501–24. https://doi.org/10/gr7mpf.

Simeoni, Umberto, and Corinne Corbau. ‘A Review of the Delta Po Evolution (Italy) Related to Climatic Changes and Human Impacts’. Geomorphology 107, no. 1 (2009): 64–71. https://doi.org/10/bwgppb.

Case Studies

Backlinks