From cross-border wetlands to a university thesis: an Insubria Biological Sciences student’s research within the European Sintab project

Thirty wetlands surveyed, 69 floristic and vegetation surveys conducted, and a mapping of the main vegetation types. These are the results of field research carried out by naturalists commissioned by Parco Pineta di Appiano Gentile e Tradate, which also involved Miriam Mauri, a student on the Biological Sciences degree programme at the University of Insubria, who based her undergraduate thesis on the project.

Her thesis, entitled «Floristic and Vegetation Characterisation for the Management of Italian-Swiss Cross-Border Wetland Habitats», was developed as part of Sintab – Integrated Development for Cross-Border Nature and Biodiversity, a project funded by the European Interreg VI-A Italy-Switzerland 2021–2027 programme.

For several months, Miriam Mauri worked alongside Dr Matteo Barcella and Dr Andrea Ferrario, her thesis co-supervisor and the person responsible for monitoring activities within the Interreg project. She took part in field surveys between the Swiss municipality of Stabio and several areas in the provinces of Como and Varese. The activities also involved the Local Parks of Supra-Municipal Interest (Plis) of Valle del Lanza, Valle della Bevera and the Sources of the Lura Stream.

«During my experience with the Sintab project, I had the opportunity to work alongside the professionals involved in monitoring cross-border wetlands – Miriam Mauri explains –. This experience allowed me to put into practice the knowledge I had acquired during my university studies, while developing my skills in floristic and vegetation surveys, data analysis and the assessment of habitat conservation status. Direct interaction with technicians and researchers was particularly valuable and represented an important opportunity for both professional and personal growth».

Analysis of the collected data made it possible to identify and describe different types of plant communities, including swamp woodlands such as alder and willow forests, aquatic vegetation and herbaceous communities typical of wetland environments. The research aimed to document the state of vegetation and gather scientific information to support the development of management and conservation measures tailored to the characteristics of each site.

«We are particularly pleased to have involved a student such as Miriam Mauri and the University of Insubria in the Sintab project activities – says Jessica Anais Savoia, project manager coordinating the Interreg project –. Seeing a student turn field experience into a university research project demonstrates the value of European projects in creating concrete training opportunities. Collaboration between local authorities, universities and the research community is essential to developing skills and new career opportunities for young people».

Miriam Mauri completed her degree on 20 October, receiving an excellent final mark. The Sintab project is now moving forward with its final activities, coordinated by Parco Pineta di Appiano Gentile e Tradate, the project's lead partner and the organisation responsible for monitoring. These activities include the preparation of technical reports to support future interventions by the relevant authorities, the development of shared protocols and methodologies to improve habitat management, the uploading of monitoring data to dedicated regional (Orbl) and Swiss cantonal platforms, as well as outreach and awareness-raising activities for citizens and schools on the importance of wetlands for biodiversity.

For further information about the Sintab project, visit the Ate Insubria Olona website, in the Interreg Projects section: https://www.ateinsubriaolona.it/progetti/?cat=39876.