Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium
Surface area:
14 360 ha
Location:
Sardinia, Italy
Type of natural habitats:
Islands, coastal dunes, marine areas, wetlands
Managers:
Municipality of Villasimius
Protection status
1998
Marine protected area
Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, located in southeastern Sardinia, is the third largest marine area on the island. It extends from Cala Pisano to Punta Is Proceddus and includes the islands of Serpentara and Cavoli, as well as numerous islets. The area hosts extensive seagrass meadows of Posidonia, which are essential for marine biodiversity, serving as refuges, breeding grounds, and nurseries for various species.
The Notteri wetland, located along the coast, is of great importance for migratory birds, particularly flamingos. Although the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara is limited to marine environments, its coastal zones and nearby islands also support a rich diversity of terrestrial habitats and endemic species, including 13 plant species, 6 beetle species, 1 reptile, and 1 amphibian. These areas are part of the Natura 2000 network, contributing to their protection.
RESCOM’s actions will aim to protect and restore emblematic species and their marine and island habitats, with a particular focus on Posidonia oceanica meadows. Monitoring measures will also be put in place for endemic endemic species on the islands of Cavoli and Serpentara, reinforcing conservation strategies.
The specific activities of the RESCOM project will focus on several key actions to protect and restore biodiversity in the Cap Carbonara Marine Protected Area and its insular zones. The main action will be the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows, essential for the balance of marine ecosystems. This includes reducing anthropogenic impacts, such as illegal anchoring, and protecting against pollution, notably fuel and antifouling spills.
At the same time, follow-up measures will be put in place to monitor threatened species such as seabirds, reptiles and endemic plants on the islands of Cavoli and Serpentara. This will help assess the status of populations and guide conservation efforts.
The project also includes local capacity-building actions through training and awareness-raising campaigns. These actions will aim to actively involve local communities and stakeholders in the sustainable management of the site.
Finally, ecotourism activities will be developed to promote conservation while offering sustainable economic opportunities. These initiatives will be accompanied by the implementation of integrated management strategies to foster ecosystem resilience in the face of environmental and human pressures.
“Restoring and protecting Posidonia seagrass meadows means safeguarding a vital habitat for fish reproduction, as well as shelter and food sources for many species. It also strengthens coastal protection against erosion by maintaining their role as natural barriers. Above all, it provides an effective shield against climate change, as these seagrass meadows are invaluable carbon sinks and natural filters of pollutants.”
– Lara Carroso, marine biologist within the AMPCC management team
The conservation actions carried out on the site, aimed at restoring Posidonia meadows and preserving island ecosystems, will have positive impacts beyond the targeted areas.
Posidonia meadows play a key role as carbon sinksserving as nurseries for fish and filtering pollutants from the water. Their conservation also helps limit beach erosion by reducing the impact of currents and retaining sand, while providing niches for various invertebrate species, thereby supporting the terrestrial ecosystem. In addition, the islands of Cavoli and Serpentara are crucial refuges for seabirds such as Scopoli’s shearwater and Yelkouan shearwater, as well as for emblematic lizard species and threatened plants. Preserving the fragile balance of these islands requires protecting their interdependencies and limiting human disturbance, through appropriate management measures such as designated trails and awareness-raising signage.
These actions will help to maintain local biodiversity while providing environmental benefits for the Mediterranean region as a whole.
The new training programme for natural area managers across the Mediterranean was inaugurated recently within the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Sardinia, Italy. Organised by the Mediterranean Consortium...
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