A story of environmental protection, safeguarding and valorisation which has as its backdrop the largest Sicilian “lagoon”, the Oriented Nature Reserve of the Stagnone Islands of Marsala, in which it was concluded the intervention aimed at the ‘reforestation’ of Posidonia oceanica, implemented with an innovative product consisting of a biodegradable anchoring module. A wide-ranging project which saw the first phase reach its goal. In fact, other interventions will follow as part of the “Rinasce” project which, with the Municipality of Marsala, also sees protagonists the Free Consortium of Trapani (former Province, manager of the Reserve) and the national inter-university Consortium for Marine Sciences.
Two experimental plants for the reforestation of Posidonia have been created in the lagoon ecosystem within the Oriented Nature Reserve of the Stagnone Islands. A second loan of approximately 1 million and 150 thousand euros has already been obtained
These are places rich in beauty: uncontaminated nature, clear waters, shallow waters, active salt marshes. And there are also strips of land that reveal phases of the great history of the past with valuable archaeological remains. Lto Reserve, established in 1984, includes the entire lagoon delimited from the open sea by Isola Grande or Longa, with three small islands within it, Mozia, Santa Maria and Schola. Each part contains surprising naturalistic and aesthetic aspects. And it is a place rich in biodiversity. Posidonia meadows have played and continue to play an important role on an environmental levelcovering a good part of the lagoon seabedin synergy with the warm and shallow waters of the Stagnone, constitute an ideal habitat for the varied fish fauna.
Posidonia reforestation
After the mapping investigations to identify the areas suitable for transplantation, the technicians of Planetek Italia, E-Geos and Biosurvey, also using satellite images, have created two experimental plants: one between Punta Palermo and Punta Stagnone, the other between the latter and Punta dell’Alga. Modules carrying Posidonia cuttings were transplanted, on the basis of what has already been achieved within the National Operational Program (Pon) for research/innovation both in Capo Feto and in the Gulf of Palermo. The system was created using an innovative product consisting of a biodegradable anchoring module. It is a low environmental impact system useful for fixing plant organisms on the seabedin order to guarantee its rooting and support its natural development.
Posidonia and the lagoon ecosystem
In the Stagnone, Posidonia oceanica develops particular formations that emerge on the surface during low tide and which play a fundamental role in the lagoon ecosystem. Formations that are of extreme interest from an ecological, natural and environmental point of view, representing, also due to their rarity, true “natural monuments”. The mayor of Marsala, Massimo Grillo, explains: «The primary objective is the redevelopment and valorization of the reserve thanks to the reactivation of water circulation lagoonAnd. This will improve the salinity and oxygenation of the water, reducing the negative effects on fish flora and fauna. And the next intervention will be to restore some canals in the northern mouth and in the northern area of Isola Lunga, in order to improve the circulation of water.”
The next steps
After the first loan (already spent) of 400 thousand euros, a second loan of approximately 1 million and 150 thousand euros was obtained (Po Fesr 2014/2020 funds), aimed at «recovering the environmental conditions of the Stagnone basin and which includes a system of sensors that will monitor the effects, with simultaneous analysis of the quality of the water”. Another aim of the project is to create an environmental communication and education plan to raise awareness of the area, in which citizens, tourist operators, visitors and citizens will be involved. Science, citizens and popular culture: here is the essential triad for the protection of planet Earth.
