THE “STAGNONE ISLANDS OF MARSALA” NATURE RESERVE
The archipelago of the Stagnone islands stretches between Punta San Teodoro and Capo Lilibeo. The Reserve includes the entire lagoon bordered by the open sea, by the Isola Grande or Longa, with three tiny islands within it, Mozia, Santa Maria and Schola. It is Sicily’s largest lagoon and its environment is of enormous natural interest and with some very impressive landscapes.
Clear water, unpolluted nature, patches of land packed with history and archaeological remains, working salt pans, shallow sea beds, which you can walk over on foot (the ancient road link with the island of Mozia, the so-called “Punic road”, below the water level), are the main features of the Stagnone Islands Nature Reserve, one of the first to be set up in Sicily (1984).
Halophytic plants grow along the banks of the salt marsh canals. There are various bird species especially migratory birds, and among the birds nesting here are the serin, the calandra lark, the goldfinch and the crested lark. Proud, arrogant herons look for food among the salt basins.
The splendid meadows of Mediterranean tapeweed surround most of the lagoon beds, whose warm shallow water provides the ideal habitat for numerous species of fish.
The reserve and surrounding areas offer a wide range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as kite surfing (the most popular), sailing, canoeing, trekking, tourist fishing, various types of nature trips, guided tours, wellbeing paths immersed between the pink waters of the salt basins. In addition to the lush, halophytic vegetation and wide variety of animal species, the atmosphere of the Stagnone Reserve becomes even more fascinating with the salt pans and mounds of salt, the windmills and the impressive sunsets with a view of the Aegadian Islands on the horizon.
FAUNA E FLORA
The Stagnone Nature Reserve is an oasis of wellbeing for migratory birds that nest and stop over to take advantage of its wetland with its abundant food and to rest. The salt pans enable a small butterfly from the Lycaenidae family to survive. It is also an attraction for birdwatchers.
The species include: The Pink Flamingo, Curlew, Glossy Ibis, Wild Duck, Coot, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Marsh harrier, Osprey, Kestrel, Grey heron, Cormorant, Plover, Calandra Lark, Kingfisher, Skylark, Goldfinch, Magpie, Stilt-plover, Avocet. Lush, halophytic vegetation typical of the Mediterranean salt marshes, able to resist high salt levels.
Among the large variety of protected species we find: Marsh samphire, Mediterranean Tapeweed, Sea Daffodil, Ferula, Palmate Anemone, Maltese Fungus, Myriolimon Ferulaceum, Parapholis Incurva (Curved Hard-grass), Sea Holly, Wild Asparagus, Sea Marigold (found exclusively in western Sicily), Sea Squill (with white star-shaped flowers), Herbaceous Sea-blite, Agretti, Mastic Tree, Red Cistus, Bamboo, Dwarf Fan Palm, Inula, Aleppo Pine.
SALT
Extracted from large shallow basins (known as Fridde, Caure and Salanti) on the coastal salt pans, with an intricate canal system that allows the sea water to flow through leaving the sun and constant sea breeze to do their job. A long, complex production process expertly controlled by the salt miners, the Saliniari.
The colour of the Stagnone saltpans at certain times of the year is due to a particular algae, Dunaliella Salina, with a high concentration of mineral salts and when the sunlight is reflected on the salty water, its pink colour intensifies to create an impressive scenario.
Today, thanks to the salt, this is one of the richest agricultural food hubs in the Mediterranean.
VINEYARDS OVERLOOKING THE SEA
The different biodiversity between coastal and inland areas means that the vineyards along the coast receive fresh water from the rain and salty water via the infiltrations from the salt pans. Moreover, the frequent winds in this area also help by bringing abundant iodine to the fields. The sea makes the climate milder and weakens any sudden changes in temperature. Its breeze removes the humidity and protects from fungal infections to allow the grapes to stay healthier. The close bond between the natural terroir and its typical environmental factors, in addition to man’s professionalism gives major results: rich, vibrant, rounded, saline-tinged wines, which gather and preserve the fragrances of the Mediterranean maquis.
PINK FLAMINGO
This is one of the most elegant birds with very long, webbed feet, The colour of its plumage depends on the red pigments in the tiny crustaceans it feeds on. It is a social species that forms a large flamboyance or colony, although it is monogamous. It uses mud to build its mound-shaped nest and the parents take it in turns to incubate a single egg. During the mating period, they display courting dances. They move widely around the Mediterranean area. The main threat for this species is the disappearance of the wetlands in which it lives.
FISH
The area also has an important fish population. The lagoon waters are an ideal habitat for the fish to spawn and for restocking.
The species include: Mullet, Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Sole, White Sea Bream, Eel, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Crustaceans and Rock snails (which provided the purple dye with which the Phoenicians dyed their fabrics).
MARSH SAMPHIRE
Known as the Asparagus of the poor, it is a low growing, succulent, edible herb belonging to the botanical family Amaranthaceae.
It likes growing in stagnant salt marshes and stands out for its typical, fleshy, succulent branches without any leaves. It is wind pollinated and flowers from June to September. It is green for almost the entire year, but turns yellowish-red when it flowers. It lives mainly on the foreshore, especially where the tide creates stagnant pools of water, and is very common on the muddy or sandy soils of the salt marshes.
It has a salty taste and is a source of Vitamin A, minerals, water and fibre. It provides a considerable amount of energy due to its proteins and is a major source of food for various species of sea birds.