On 9-11 March 2022, a Natura 2000 networking event was organised at the Botanical Garden of Rome by LIFE PRIMED (LIFE17 NAT/GR/000511) to exchange good practices, forefront methods, lessons learned and results on the interpretation, conservation and management of EU Mediterranean temporary ponds (habitat 3170*). It consisted of a two-day plenary discussion on habitat 3170* and a third day of field visit in Palo Laziale for monitoring and practical activities (e.g. translocation of keystone plant individuals). There was significant participation of Natura 2000 practitioners, researchers and policy-makers from the whole Mediterranean area, with twenty-four keynote speakers from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Albania and Cyprus and about 60 attendees both in presence and online. They have agreed on establishing a permanent platform of Mediterranean experts to foster the ecological understanding and the development of common shared restoration practices for the long-term conservation of this neglected but extremely important habitat type. The outcomes of the event were summarised in a Proceedings and Book of abstracts distributed through the official channels of the project and in the official Natura 2000 Communication Platform: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/Mediterranean_temporary_ponds_en.htm. A video summary ran alongside the event can also be watched at the following link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U1oqyy6yJsdineuwGYTNymacZriy6oZK/view. Visit also the LIFE PRIMED webpage.
