Monte Cofano, Capo San Vito and Monte Sparagio (ITA010029)
Description

Monte Cofano, Capo San Vito and Monte Sparagio

Site type: SPA - Special Protection Area

Code: ITA010029 - Hectares: 15231

Description: 

The area extends for approximately 10.243 hectares, involving the territory of the municipalities of S. Vito lo Capo, Castellammare del Golfo and Custonaci (province of Trapani). It includes biotopes of significant interest, partly already included within the two well-known Zingaro and Monte Cofano Nature Reserves. It is a coastal ridge of a predominantly carbonatic nature, the highest peaks of which include M. Cofano (659 m), M. Palatimone (595 m), M. Sparacio (1110 m), M. Scardina (680 m), M. Speziale (913 m) M. Passo del Lupo (868 m) and M. Monaco (532 m). The reliefs that characterize the orographic structure have a morphology that is sometimes rather harsh, with steep cliffs that in the Cofano area rise to a peak even for over 200-300 meters, sometimes edged with remarkable sharp spiers. They belong to that sector of the Sicilian chain known in literature with the name of "Monti di Capo S. Vito", in turn made up of a group of six stacked tectonic units facing east and south-east. As regards the trend of temperatures, the records relating to the nearby coastal stations of Trapani and Capo S. Vito show how the maritime influence has significant repercussions on the local climatology, with average annual excursions between 6,9 and 7,3 ° C. The daytime average is quite high, settling on values ​​of 18,1-19 ° C, with monthly averages of 11,4-12,6 ° C and 25,8-27,4 ° C. The rainfall records show average rainfall per year between 502,4 mm (Capo S. Vito) and 602,7 (S. Andrea di Bonagia). On the basis of the bioclimatic classification defined according to the RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ indexes (1994, 1996) applied to the aforementioned thermopluviometric records, the territory is comprised between the lower dry upper thermomediterranean and the lower subhumid upper mesomediterranean.

The coastal strip between M. Cofano and the Zingaro constitutes an area of ​​considerable flora, fauna and phytocenotic interest, often indicated by various authors as one of the most significant examples for enhancing the biodiversity of the coastal strip of western Sicily, as well as of the entire Mediterranean region. The landscape is somewhat denuded, largely characterized by aspects of vegetation in Chamaerops humilis or Ampelodesmus mauritanicus; well represented are the chasmophytic formations, located along the coastal and inland cliffs, in which a large number of endemic and / or phytogeographic species are represented, several of which are exclusive, especially in the area of ​​M. Cofano. In the list reported in section 3.3, some interesting floristic elements are mentioned, whose presence in the territory is considered of particular phytogeographic interest (D). The promontory of Monte Cofano and the peninsula of S. Vito, in addition to representing coastal landmarks in the autumn and spring migration route of numerous bird species, are home to rare species of falconiformes.

Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form

Ministerial data: Ministerial Map  Natura 2000 form

Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero

Photo: web

Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily

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