Capo Zafferano Seabed (ITA020052)
Site type: SAC Special Conservation Area
Code: ITA020052- Hectares: 2514
Description:
In the SIC there is a vast Posidonia oceanica prairie. The prairie extends to a depth of about 30-32 meters, in the northernmost portion (Capo Zafferano), while the southernmost one stops at about - 20 meters. There are other types of prairie: the most represented is the one on matte, but it is also present the one that is planted directly on the rock. Despite the massive anthropogenic pressure especially in the summer, which sees the population greatly increase their presence, also from the point of view of activities related to recreational boating (anchorages), the prairie presents still notable capacity for resilience and regeneration. The Coralligenous present is of a rocky wall that shows very interesting aspects. The salient aspect of that biocenosis is undoubtedly covered by the presence of real forests of Cnidarians, such as Eunicella cavolinii, Paramuricea clavata, Antipathella subpinnata and Savalia savaglia. The wall population is also very rich, with an abundance of Madreporari (Leptopsammia pruvoti and Parazoanthus axinellae), Porifera (Spirastrella cunctatrix, Crambe crambe, Axinella cannabina), Bryozoans and encrusting calcareous algae, such as Mesophyllum expansum and Peyssonnelia spp.
Presence of oceanic Posidonia meadows and well-structured and representative coralligenous habitats of the southern Tyrrhenian coast.
Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form
Ministerial data: Natura 2000 form
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
