The role of the hydrogeological and anthropogenic factors on the environmental equilibrium of the Ugento Wetland (Southern Italy)

The Ugento Wetland, recognized as a Site of Community Importance (SCI, European Directive 92/43/CEE) from 2005, is a "Regional natural littoral Park" from 2007. It includes some coastal reclamation works. It is a Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem (GDE); its environmental peculiarities are due to a complex hydrogeological pattern and to a peculiar dynamic equilibrium with sea, also due to the role of the wide coastal aquifer of Salento. The main objectives of the present research is the definition of the hydrogeological conceptualization to be integrated with the knowledge of the physical environment, to be used as a basis for the design of effective management of water resources to safeguard the ecological and environmental equilibria, considering the relevant impact of anthropogenic activities. The overlapping of geological and hydrogeological factors and anthropogenic modifications is discussed using selected indicators, with reference to two macro-indicators, water and soil. The critical issues related to the human activities potentially dangerous for the wetland environment, was considered with the definition of guidelines for their mitigation, based on the discussion of the indicators.