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An Ecocompatible Use of Conigli Beach
Features of the site
The beach of Isola dei Conigli, which covers about 6.000 sq.m, is situated at the mouth of Vallone Dragut, along the southern coast of Lampedusa and, together with the homonymous holm in front of it, represents one of the most beautiful and interesting natural environments of the island.
Its high naturalistic value is witnessed by the presence of the only Italian station of Psammodromus algirus (a lizard of African origins living in Conigli holm), of the only Italian site where the sea turtles regularly lay their eggs (Jesu, 1994), and of several species and habitats which can be found in the attachments of the Community Directives 92/43 and 79/409. According to these directives, the Conigli area is situated within the largest Site of Community Importance and the Special Protection Area "Isola di Lampedusa e Lampione" (Codice ITA040002), suggested within Rete Natura 2000 with the "Bioitaly" program of the Department of the Environment, for the presence of species and habitats of Community interest (temporary Mediterranean ponds, cliffs with Mediterranean coast vegetation, Posidonia seabed, etc.) and of several species of biogeographical and/or flora and fauna conservation interest.
As far as the marine area is concerned, according to a recent study carried out by the Nature Reserve, the 66% of the biocenosis present in Conigli area plays an essential role in the protection of the Mediterranean sea environment. Among the units of particular naturalistic interests, beside the Posidonia oceanica bed, the Vermetidae formations and the strip of Astroides calycularis are of particular importance.
Further information (Italian text)
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