Cala Rossa and Capo Rama
Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area
Code: ITA020009 - Hectares: 200
Description:
The area of the SIC covers a total area of approximately 175 hectares and falls within the municipal area of Terrasini (Palermo). It includes the Capo Rama Nature Reserve with its suggestive coastal cliffs that extend as far as Cala Rossa, fortunately remained free from the forced anthropization that affected the territory; a large part of the large terrace that extends over the cliffs is also included. From a geological point of view, these are substrates referring to the interval between the Mesozoic and Quaternary. The morphology of the coast line is very jagged and quite suggestive, characterized by various polychrome shapes and natural cavities exposed by the waves - such as the Grotta Grande and the Grotta dei Palombi -, as well as cliffs and carved stacks that suggest the geological vicissitudes to which they have been subjected over time. Based on the bioclimatic classification according to Rivas-Martinez, the territory falls mainly within the thermo-Mediterranean zone (average temperature over 17 ° C), with a lower subhumid shadow type (average rainfall of 776 mm). The plant landscape is greatly affected by the intense uses of the past and by fires. The cliffs are colonized by aspects of halophilic vegetation, while in the upper part there are strips of scrub vegetation with Chamaerops humilis and Pistacia lentiscus, sometimes alternating with aspects of Euphorbia dendroides. There are also other areas colonized by the xerophilous prairie in Hyparrhenia hirta and by therophytic grasslands dominated by Stipa capensis, leaving space towards the interior for citrus groves and built-up areas. Particularly interesting are the strips of residual maquis with Quercus calliprinos reported for the same area (LA MANTIA & GIANGUZZI, 1999). refers to the following series: - of the dwarf palm (Pistacio-Chamaeropo humilis sigmetum), along the sub-coastal slopes; - of the Olivastro (Oleo-Euphorbio dendroidis sigmetum), on the ledges and the driest rocky ridges (south side); - of the Thorny oak (Chamaeropo-Querco calliprini), on the coastal limestone; - del Leccio and Alaterno (Rhamno-Querco ilicis sigmetum pistacietoso terebinthi), on the detrital slopes close to the internal cliffs.
It is an area of high landscape, floristic and phytocenotic interest. In addition to the casmo-halophilic aspects, the edges of residual maquis in Quercus calliprinos are of particular interest (LA MANTIA & GIANGUZZI, 1999). In the list reported in section 3.3, some interesting floristic elements are also mentioned, whose presence in the territory is considered of particular phytogeographic interest (D). The Capo Rama promontory also plays an important role as a migration route and a resting place for birds in spring and autumn.
It falls within the Capo Rama Reserve
Ministerial data: Ministerial Map Natura 2000 form
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
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