Today, 22 May, we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. Established by the UN in 2000 to celebrate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, this Day is an opportunity to think about the impact of man on the other living species. Biodiversity is the set of animal and plant species in the biosphere and its ecosystems. It … Continue reading
There is something that unfortunately too often troubles us when we are in an enchanting place, where it seems that nature dominates: rubbish. Our way of life certainly produces too many artificial wastes and who knows until when their disposal will be sustainable. However, before this, there is a problem which concerns us as a civilization. Our conscience should not … Continue reading
The big amount of rubbish of human origin in the sea and on the shore is an alarming phenomenon for its contaminating effects on the environment. This problems is particularly evident in the months in which the coast is not used for bathing purposes and in those areas believed of marginal importance for marine tourism, because the shore-cleaning operations are considered unprofitable and committed only to private beach clubs. Continue reading
Drastically compromised by exploitation of sandy shores for urbanization, beach tourism and excessive human trampling, the dune habitat is in relatively good conditions in the Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano, where it numbers different plant species, which are essential for the formation and conservation of the dune. The sand flora, adapted to survive the hostile coastal environment, characterized by arid soil with high concentrations of sodium chloride, intense sunshine and ventilation, has species of absolute importance including Pancratium maritimum (Sea Daffodil), Verbascum niveum, Echinophora spinosa, Eryngium maritimum, Salsola kali, Medicago maritima, Agropyron junceum, Euphorbia peplis, Cakile maritima, Sprolobolus pungens, Calystegia soldanella (Shore bindweed), Cyperus capitatus, Ammophila litoralis, etc. There are also some alien species: Yucca gloriosa, Cenchrus incertus and Erigeron canadensis. Continue reading
Le Terre del Cerrano (Lands of Cerrano) maintain a relatively high level of naturalness, despite being inhabited by humans since ancient times. The beauty of the landscape, for the most part survived to the urban sprawl since postwar on, coincides with the presence of a biodiversity of absolute importance for Abruzzo coast and hills. Continue reading
