Cliffs of Catalfano and Capo Zafferano
Site type: SAC Special Conservation Area
Code: ITA020019 - Hectares: 340 - ZSC - Special Conservation Area
Description:
It is a biotope of significant historical-archaeological, naturalistic and environmental interest, which covers a total area of approximately 322 hectares, affecting the territory of the municipalities of Bagheria and S. Flavia (province of Palermo). The SIC area includes the rugged coastal promontories of Capo Mongerbino and Capo Zafferano (226 m), as well as the overlying reliefs of Monte Catalfano (376 m) and Cozzo S. Pietro (345 m); among the other peaks are those of M. Rice (284 m), Serra Innocenti (247 m) and the ridge located east of Cavallo di Mezzo (359 m). In the northern and eastern part, steep rocky cliffs develop, while the south / south-east slopes decline towards the interior maintain a less steep morphology, even if quite harsh and uneven. Imeresi, while from the bioclimatic point of view, the territory falls mainly within the thermomediterranean zone, with a lower subhumid shadow type. limestone reliefs of the coastal strip of north-western Sicily. Unchallenged dominates the prairie at Ampelodesma, a secondary formation floristically impoverished by the perpetration of the action of fire; in the same areas artificial forest plants have sometimes been carried out, through the use of conifers foreign to the territory (genera Pinus, Eucalyptus, Cupressus, etc.), which have also been reduced by fires. Along the coastal strip there is a widespread urbanization, tending to expand in the same citrus groves that once characterized the mythical Conca d'Oro. The potential vegetation of the same area is mainly to be referred to the following series: - of the dwarf palm (Pistacio-Chamaeropo humilis sigmetum), along the sub-coastal slopes; - of the Spiny oak (Chamaeropo-Querco calliprini sigmetum), on the detrital slopes of the north-east ; - Olivastro (Oleo-Euphorbio dendroidis sigmetum), on the drier rocky ledges and ridges (southern side); - Holm oak and Lentisk (Pistacio-Querco ilicis sigmetum), in the upper part of the plateau. To the aforementioned series we must also add the micro geoseries linked to particular edaphic conditions, as in the case of rock walls, cliffs, etc.
It is an area of significant historical-archaeological interest, as well as of a high naturalistic-environmental and landscape value, in which the chasmophytic formations and the forest aspects of thorny oak are worth mentioning. Section 3.3, indicated with the letter D, lists plant entities whose presence in the territory is considered to be of significant phytogeographic interest. The promontory of Capo Zafferano appears to be an area of great importance for migratory birds both as a route and as a temporary resting place.
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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