Background The project area is the only residual wetland in the wide Adriatic coastal tract of more than 400 km, between the Comacchio Valleys (in the Emilia Romagna region) and the lagoons of Lesina and Varano (in the Apulia region). The coastal lagoons (a priority habitat according to the EU Habitats Directive) in this area are exposed to the threats of coastal erosion and sea level rises that influence the salinity and the volume of water. Other threats are from organic water pollution deriving from the use of fertilisers in farming, chemical water pollution caused by pesticides; invasive non-native plant species; and tourism. The excessive salinity of the water is not directly connected with the sea, but rather soil and groundwater salinity: its fluctuation depending mainly on seasonal rainfall variation (approximately 600-700 mm/yr) and on evaporation. However, during extreme climatic events, sea storms can cause the occasional overflow of seawater into the wetland areas. Such once infrequent occurrences have become a permanent feature in some parts of the project area as a result of land reclamation. Objectives The general project objective was to restore the coastal lagoons to their original condition and to widen the waste dune formations along the coastal area of the Sentina natural reserve. A series of other benefits were expected, including: The restoration of plant and animal biodiversity; An increase in the reserve’s naturalness; The mitigation of seawater intrusion by reducing the impact on the wetland area of sea level rises and coastal erosion; and An improvement in water quality and, in the overall environmental quality of the area. Results The project achieved almost all of its planned objectives, restoring a valuable system of coastal wetland habitats – of particular importance to rare and endangered bird and animal species – along a stretch of the Adriatic coastline that is crowded with tourist settlements. Biodiversity and the overall attractiveness of the area were improved, with the involvement and support of local stakeholders including tourist organisations. In particular, the project successfully reintroduced native plant species – (Artemisia caerulescens, sea lavender (Limonium narbonense), Plantago cornuti and Ravennagrass (Erianthus ravennae) – and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) that had become extinct due to the disappearance or deterioration of the wetlands. As well as the successful pond turtle reintroductions, the monitoring results show that the project’s practical works (including the restoration of the irrigation network for the supply of water to the wetlands and the creation of three new ponds) have also proved beneficial for the Annex IV-listed species, the European green toad (Bufo viridis). The main potential environmental benefit of the project was its capacity to restore and improve one of the few stretches of coastal wetlands remaining along a shoreline crowded with tourist settlements. This is of vital importance for migratory birds. Ancillary benefits include implementation of countermeasures against the phenomena of sea-level rise and coastal erosion, and a generally improved environmental quality of the area. Numerous rare migratory and nesting bird species have re-colonised the project area. These include the EU Birds Directive- listed species: the crane (Grus grus), greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), sand martin (Riparia riparia), black tern (Chlidonias niger) and pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus). The project also managed to greatly increase the area’s potential for tourists; and improved environmental education, as shown by the high numbers of visitors and stakeholders (more than 7 000 people) involved in awareness-raising activities over the course of the project. For example, six bird-watching sites (wooden huts) were installed at various places – sited sympathetically with the aim of reducing to a minimum the impact of visitors. Similarly, new paths were constructed (on 790 metres) and improvements to an existing unpaved track (on 800m) along with four small wooden bridges leading to the seashore. In the more sensitive areas, e.g., the dunes, the paths were built a few centimetres above ground to avoid soil erosion. Information panels were also installed as part of the project’s considerable educational efforts. In addition, the restoration measures carried out by the project team on the area’s dune system will help to counter problems of rising sea levels and coastal erosion. For example, making extensive use of driftwood left on the shore, the project has set up a series of wind breaks to foster dune formation. These, together with other practical works carried out on the dune system, will aid the establishment of native sand-dune vegetation that in turn, will help to combat problems of coastal erosion. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).