Capo Passero Island (ITA090001)
Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area
Code: ITA090001 - Hectares: 37 mm
Description:
The island located in the extreme southern tip of Sicily is made up of a slightly inclined limestone platform resting on a base
basaltic. It reaches an altitude of 21 m at its highest point and is characterized by a lower dry lower thermo-Mediterranean bioclimate. The surface does
presents purely rocky with a coastline characterized by more or less vertical ridges. Along the western tip the shoreline is flatter with deposits
sandy. The vegetation is represented by a maquis with Chamaerops humilis associated with Sarcopoterium spinosum, while a
halophilic vegetation in which Crithmum maritimum and Limonium hyblaeum have their optimun. Mixed with this perennial vegetation there are ephemeral lawns. Yes
there are also examples of very impoverished psammophilous vegetation.
4.2Quality and importance
This islet still has examples of natural vegetation that have become quite rare due to anthropization on the nearby Sicilian coast. Also they are
there are some interesting endemics as well as quite rare species in Sicily. Here are also found several entities that in the regional area are rare or
considered of significant phytogeographic interest, in turn mentioned in the list in section 3.3 (D). There are aspects of psammophilous vegetation,
scrub, garrigue and halophilous rock vegetation and a fauna adapted to these xeric environments. The island is used by numerous bird species as an area of
foraging, stopping or wintering.
Ministerial data: Natura 2000 form
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
