• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2000 baseline)
A large Mediterranean delta on the north-east coast of the Adriatic Sea, between the Adige river-mouth and the Sacca di Goro. The delta is fed by six major branches of the River Po. Its main habitats are closed brackish lagoons (`valli'), open coastal lagoons (`sacche'), sand beaches and sandbanks, rivers and riverine vegetation, and farmland. Vegetation ranges from wet woodlands to reedbeds and plants of sand-dunes and saline soils. The site is surrounded by intensively cultivated arable land. Fish-farming, agriculture and hunting are the main human activities.

Key biodiversity
A very important site for wintering waterbirds (maximum count is 48,931 for all species) and for colony-breeding waterbirds (5,500 pairs of herons, 5,000 pairs of gulls, 5,200 pairs of terns). In particular, this is the most important breeding site in the western Palearctic for Sterna albifrons. Only 1994 counts are available for wintering waterbirds (January) and for breeding herons. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (rare breeder and winterer).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Po Delta (Italy). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/po-delta-iba-italy on 23/12/2024.