European protected areas (PAs) host thousands of species and habitats of high conservation value due to their restricted distribution, rarity, and centrality in maintaining functionality and resilience of natural ecosystems. In 2024, the European Commission launched the “EU biodiversity strategy for 2030”, foreseeing the expansion of the current network of Natura 2000 PAs and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. To make such an effort successful, it is pivotal to increase knowledge about how biodiversity is distributed within the existing PAs and in their surroundings, to guide their expansion.

The Regional Natural Reserve WWF Oasis “Lago di Serranella” is a PA located approximately 18 km inland of the Adriatic coast in Central Italy, within the Abruzzo region. The Reserve, established in 1990, belongs to the Natura 2000 network as both Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). Its territory encompasses the confluence of the Sangro River and the Aventino River. A dam, built in 1981 downstream of the rivers’ confluence, created a large wetland, the Serranella lake, favouring the development of rich hygrophilous vegetation. This wetland represents an important stopover site for dozens of migratory bird species and hosts one of the main Italian populations of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), continuously monitored in the context of the “URCA PROEMYS” LIFE project.

Between 2024 and 2025, we collected field data of different animal taxa (Insects, Birds, Herptiles, Mammals) through a mix of opportunistic and systematic sampling surveys, across the different habitats characterizing the Reserve (e.g., hygrophilous woodlands, mixed broadleaved forests, olive groves and vineyards, xerophilous scrublands). The data were later analysed in GIS and R environments to summarize the main animal diversity facets, and how they vary in space and time. Our work permitted to better characterize the biodiversity of the Reserve, contributing to design evidence-based conservation actions.