NS — Cavità Aeree Zone Umide

Biodiversityv06.00 credits/per_km2

Responsible:Niccolò Calandri

NS — Wetland Above-Ground Cavities

Overview

The NS — Wetland Above-Ground Cavities sub-indicator measures habitat suitability for pollinators that nest in above-ground cavities associated with wetland vegetation. These insects use hollow stems of marsh plants — reeds (Phragmites), bulrushes (Typha), rushes (Juncus) — and riparian vegetation for nesting.

Wetlands represent a niche but ecologically relevant nesting habitat, particularly important for species such as some Hylaeus and Ceratina that depend on hollow stems of specific diameter. Loss of wetlands through drainage reduces the availability of these micro-habitats.

Weight in NS weighted average: 1.

Calculation Methodology

Calculated using the InVEST Pollinator Model. The suitability coefficient is high for CLC classes with wetlands, marshes, and riparian vegetation:

0.8–1.0 — High suitability (reed beds, marshes, vegetated river/lake banks)
0.2–0.4 — Medium suitability (wet meadows, transition zones)
0.0 — Unsuitable (impervious surfaces, arid zones, urban areas)

Data Sources

Code	Name	Provider	Type	Coverage	Availability
`WRD_INVST_99`	InVEST Pollinator Model	Natural Capital Project	model	Global	Continuous

References

Lonsdorf, E. et al. (2009). Annals of Botany, 103(9), 1589-1600.
Biesmeijer, J.C. et al. (2006). Science, 313(5785), 351-354.

Data Sources & References

Sources

WRD_INVST_99

Methodology

NS sub-indicator for aerial cavities in wetlands. Each CLC class receives a suitability coefficient for cavities in marsh vegetation (0-1) based on the InVEST Pollinator model. Target species: Hylaeus, Ceratina (hollow stems of Phragmites, Typha). Weight in the NS weighted average: 1. Scale: 0-1.