Habitat, plant landscape and biodiversity of Ofanto River (southern Italy)
The Ofanto River represents one of the main fluvial systems of southern Italy in terms of extent, ecological value, and landscape role. This study reconstructed the plant vegetation landscape along the riverbanks, from the source to the mouth of the river, through the development of a thematic cartography and the classification of habitats according to CORINE Biotopes codes. The approach integrated spatial analysis with field surveys, photointerpretation to validate in situ observations, and comparison with existing cartography. The analysis identified a total surface area of 26.97 km², with a clear predominance of riparian forests of Populus sp. pl. and Salix sp. pl. poplars and willows, covering 64.88% of the area. These are followed by Mediterranean downy oak woodlands (25.06%), temperate shrub lands with deciduous broadleaves (3.70%), conifer reafforestation (4.78%), and reed beds dominated by Phragmites australis (1.58%). The results highlight a gradient of increasing naturalness upstream, with riparian formations representing the structural backbone of the riverine ecological network. The study emphasizes the need for integrated management of the Ofanto corridors, focusing on the conservation of natural habitats, the control of invasive species, and the preservation of ecological connectivity across the landscape.
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