Restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows on the Tremiti Islands
The Tremiti Islands are the protagonists of the second stage of Save the Wave. In the archipelago located off the coast of Puglia, in a total area of about 100 square meters, the rhizomes of Posidonia oceanica were planted, displaced in particular by the anchoring of yachtsmen. The replanting of bundles of P. oceanica was carried out in two sites of about 50 m2 each, where Posidonia was present in the past and where it then disappeared precisely because of human activities.
The first site is located northeast of the iconic rocks called “I Pagliai”, where new portions of meadows have been positioned between 15 and 17 meters deep.
The second is located in the natural corridor formed by the Scoglio del Cretaccio and the Island of San Nicola, at a depth of 8 meters.
In total, therefore, Posidonia has been replanted over a total surface area of 100 m2, equal to approximately 10% of the surface area that this habitat covers on the Tremiti Islands in its healthiest portion.
The project involves the local community, such as diving centers and experts, but also many students, who will take part in educational courses on the importance of this plant for the health of the sea and the coast.
The project, led by IOC-UNESCO thanks to the support of E.ON Italia S.p.a., was born thanks to the collaboration with Giovanni Chimienti, marine biologist of the Department of Biology of the University of Bari and National Geographic Explorer, with his team composed of Prof. Francesco Mastrototaro and marine biologist Andrea Tursi, with the patronage of the Gargano National Park Marine Protected Area Isole Tremiti and with the participation of The Oceancy.
The importance of Posidonia in Tremiti
The seagrass beds of the Tremiti Islands represent a habitat of particular value and importance, both environmentally and socioeconomically. However, despite the fact that the meadows are currently one of the most protected and monitored habitats in the Mediterranean, they are undergoing severe degradation, often linked to local impacts. It is therefore essential to involve tourists and the local community through the training of on-site staff and an Ocean Education program in schools.
“Posidonia oceanica forms beautiful submerged meadows that perform numerous functions for the ecosystem. Unfortunately, this plant is suffering due to human impacts, and the meadows often regress or disappear. For this reason, even on the Tremiti Islands, it is necessary to intervene to protect them and to remedy some of the impacts that damage them, in particular, the anchoring of boats. As the University of Bari, we have joined forces with IOC-UNESCO, E.ON and The Oceancy, thanks to the fundamental support of the Gargano National Park, to recover and replant portions of the meadow that would otherwise have been lost forever. However, we know how essential it is for each of us to do our part, paying attention to this fragile marine habitat, unique in the Mediterranean, avoiding anchoring on what seem to be simple “expanses of grass” but are instead centuries-old meadows”
Giovanni Chimienti, Marine Biologist of the Department of Biology of the University of Bari and National Geographic Explorer.
