• Friuli-Venezia Giulia

• Natura 2000 Network

The site covers the entire lower course and the mouth of the Isonzo river where many habitats are represented, often in a not very good state of conservation. Glasswort is present, along with rare species of Bassia hirsuta and Limonium densissimum. The area is of international importance as a habitat for water birds, such as: the Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope – up to 25000 individuals) and wintering Anatidae (more than 30000). It is also of primary relevance for the newly implemented environmental renovation works, as well as for the management that allows the abundant presence of migratory birds. Many passerines are actually studied thanks to the existence of a ringing station and the Cona Biological Station has catalogued a total of 311 bird species so far. There are also the skunks (Mustela putorius), the wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Emys orbicularis, the Arvicola terrestris italicus, the Hyla intermedia, the sea turtles (Caretta caretta), the Tursiops truncates, the Vertigo angustior and the Helix pomatia. In salty areas, including those obtained with restoration works, are present euryhaline fish species such as the Pomatoschistus canestrinii, the Knipowitschia panizzae and the Aphanius fasciatus. The Alosa fallax goes back up to the Isonzo river starting from late spring. Sporadic are instead the Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and the Chelonia mydas, certainly reported in these waters only during 2007.