Salt pans of Augusta (ITA090014)
Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area / SPA Special Protection Area
Code: ITA090014 - Hectares: 114
Description:
Interesting coastal marsh environment affected by brackish waters, currently influenced by various anthropic activities, especially urbanization,
industrial pollution. In the past these marshes were used as salt pans as the clayey substrates and the proximity of the sea allowed this exploitation.
From the hydrogeological point of view, the Augusta Salt Pans are fed by meteoric waters and marine waters, due to infiltrations through the narrow dune cordon and
by supply during storm surges. These are brackish waters partly subject to summer drying. The area is affected by a thermo-Mediterranean climate
lower with average annual rainfall of about 500 mm and average annual temperatures of 18,4 ° C. The vegetation that grows there is represented by formations
perennial halophiles of Sarcocornietea fruticosae, and annuals of Thero-Suedetea. Frequent is also the submerged vegetation of the Ruppietea and that of helophytes of the gods
Phragmito-Magnocaricetea.
4.2Quality and importance
The site falls within a highly populated area, as the salt flats are partially included in the urban fabric of the city of Augusta in the north and in the south in the area
industrial. However, it includes a coastal marsh area affected by a very specialized halophilous vegetation, with numerous examples of associations
halo-hygrophilous both submerged and amphibious, some of which of a certain naturalistic interest or indispensable for the sustenance of avifauna. The latter
it counts rich and diversified ornithic communities, both sedentary and migratory, which include species of notable scientific and conservation interest.
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
