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Established in 1994, La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a marine reserve, namely a galaxy of islands, islets, and rocks shaped by the strong mistral wind and the Strait of Bonifacio sea current. The Park covers about 50.000 acres between the land and the sea, as well as a 112-mile coastline stretching from the Strait of Bonifacio and including the entire La Maddalena Archipelago; the whole protected area is the first national park of Sardinia, and the only one in Italy encompassing the territory of a single municipality.

FLORA

The La Maddalena Archipelago National Park features over 700 plant species, with more than 50 endemic varieties and many different types of natural habitats.
The territory is mainly made of granite rocks, whose formations are acknowledged as true natural monuments.

The vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean coastal strip and mainly features Phoenicean juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo), green olive trees (Phillyrea latifoglia), mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), myrtles (Myrtus communis), heather, spiny broom, rockroses and spurge.

Near the coast, the vegetation turns into the typical low, soft-leaved scrubland ecoregion – the garrigue. There are also extensive pine forests of domestic pine (Pinus pinea), especially on the island of Caprera, born after extensive reforestation.

The vegetal landscape of the islands is strongly influenced by wind, insolation, aridity and poor soil, as well as by altitude and the actual distance from the mainland.
Among vegetal associations, there are perfectly evolved and adult patches of Artemisia densiflora in Razzoli, and juniper groves (Juniperus phoenicea) in Spargi, Caprera, Budelli, Santa Maria, and La Maddalena.

FAUNA

This archipelago is among the most important habitats for amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and, in particular, nesting seabirds such as Corsican gulls (Larus audouinii) – the only endemic species in the Mediterranean – and its shag subspecies (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii). It is also an important stop for trans-Saharan migratory birds.

Among the main islands of the archipelago, there’s that of Caprera (featuring General Garibaldi’s house-museum), and the island of Santa Margherita. Those two islands offer exceptional birdwatching opportunities, especially when it comes to Scopoli’s shearwaters, Manx shearwaters, the storm petrels, European shags, Corsican Gulls, and common terns.
All the other species enjoy the specific protection of the Wild Birds Directive (79/409) but the yellow-legged gulls.

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