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This WWF Oasis stretches between Siculiana Marina and Eraclea Minoa, in an uncontaminated area with chalk cliffs, calcareous marlstone, and colonies of undisturbed sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ).

In this 1.882-acre oasis, chalk cliffs plunge into a portion of the sea, which is rich in flora, fauna and pristine beaches. Inside the oasis, there’s a wetland area and Torre Salsa, an ancient watchtower. This oasis boasts one of the few pristine examples of the “dune environment” still surviving in Sicily.

The vegetational succession begins close to the coastline with pioneer plants – species with a short vegetative cycle and well-adapted to challenging habitats, such as European searocket (Cakile maritima). Then, this area gives way to the embryonic dunes and the first dune formations full of sand couch (Agropyron junceum), cotton weed plants (Othantus maritimus), coastal medick (< em>Medicago marina), and sea holly (Eryngium maritimum), which can withstand the hostile environment thanks to some of its peculiar features (the rhizomes crawl under the sand, while the leathery or hairy leaves protect the plant from excessive transpiration). Then, there are the moving dunes, with marram grass (Ammophila littoralis), Aeluropus Costialis, prickly parsnip (Echinofora spinosa), and sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum).
All those plants help consolidating the sandy soil.

Other local species include Seseli tortuosum, golden thistles (Scolymus hispanicus), Carlina sicula, Cyperus capitatus, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum), and African tamarisk (Tamarix africana).

The area called “Pantano” is characterized by dramatic seasonal changes of the aquifer salinity (with little rainfall, salinity is accentuated); in the winter season, it is also hit by frequent floods.

In this area, there is an important presence of halophytic plants, adapted to benefit from water with high salt concentrations, and hydrophilic species, such as: common reed (Phragmites australis), bulrush (Typha latifolia), Cirsium creticum, Lotus rectus, Cressa cretica, Arthrocnemum fruticosum, some bushes of sea purslane (Atriplex portulacoides), and several species of rush and tamarisk.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)