Sicily Faces a Coastal Crisis of Alarming Proportions

 The most recent report from Legambiente highlights a dire situation: 43.6% of the Sicilian coastline is classified as high risk, while 32.9% is at very high risk. Coastal erosion, which has accelerated in recent years, threatens not only the physical integrity of the beaches but also the local ecosystem, infrastructure, and coastal communities.

Causes of Coastal Erosion

The causes of coastal erosion in Sicily are manifold. Uncontrolled urbanization, the construction of infrastructure along the coast, and the alteration of natural watercourses are among the primary factors. These human interventions have profoundly disrupted the natural balance of the coasts, making them vulnerable to erosive phenomena.

Crisis Statistics

According to the report, from 2006 to 2019, 15.1% of the Sicilian coastline advanced, while 12.8% retreated. Today, out of 1,623 kilometers of coastline, almost 900 kilometers are at risk of erosion. Compared to 2023, the overall volume of water impounded in Sicilian dams has decreased by 50%, with a decline of 261 million cubic meters. The situation has worsened in specific areas like Lake Fanaco, where the deficit has reached 96%.

Trapani Among the Hardest Hit Provinces

Trapani is one of the provinces most affected. In Erice, the construction of residential neighborhoods on the dune system of San Giuliano beach has interrupted the natural sand recharge cycle. Once destroyed for buildings and roads, the dunes can no longer protect the beaches from erosion.

Rigid defense works, such as breakwaters, often exacerbate erosion. Poorly designed and expensive interventions do not solve the problem in the long term. The report highlights how public spending is often ineffective, with funds allocated to projects that do not address the root causes of erosion.

Proposed Solutions

Legambiente emphasizes the importance of more sustainable approaches. Plans for the use of maritime state-owned areas, artificial sand replenishment, and the relocation of vulnerable infrastructure are some suggested solutions. Collaboration between institutions, local communities, and experts is essential to address this crisis. Timely and coordinated interventions are necessary to protect the island's coasts. Without a radical change in land management policies, the loss of beaches and precious coastal ecosystems will continue inexorably.

The Foce del Fiume Belice Nature Reserve

In the heart of the Trapani area, between Marinella di Selinunte and Porto Palo, lies the Foce del Fiume Belice Nature Reserve. This place not only represents a significant example of environmental conservation but also hosts rare endemic species such as Calendula Maritima.

Calendula Maritima: An Endemic Treasure

Calendula Maritima is an extremely rare small herbaceous plant that survives only in some stretches of the Trapani coastline. According to recent research, there are only 12 populations of this plant worldwide, all located between Paceco and Marsala. Giuseppe Garfi, a researcher at the Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources of the CNR, highlights in the Sicilian documentary "Dune Ferite" the importance of these plants in maintaining the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. However, the natural habitat of Calendula Maritima has been severely compromised by fragmentation caused by human activities and hybridization with other species such as Calendula Fulgida.

Conservation Measures

Due to the threats to this species, Calendula Maritima has been included in the "red list" of critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To counter this critical situation, the EU-funded Life project has been launched. This project includes well-defined conservation and monitoring actions, such as in vitro propagation to ensure the genetic purity of the species and the containment of invasive exotic plants that threaten Calendula Maritima. Additionally, the project includes communication initiatives to raise public awareness about protecting this species.

Posidonia Oceanica: A Lifeline for the Coasts

Another crucial species is Posidonia Oceanica, a marine plant endemic to the Mediterranean, often mistakenly considered an alga. This plant plays a crucial ecological role both submerged and emerged. Its roots trap sediments, perform photosynthesis, store CO2, and release oxygen, creating a habitat rich in biodiversity. Additionally, Posidonia deposits on the shore, often considered debris by beachgoers, play a vital role in mitigating coastal erosion by trapping sediment along the beach.

The Mistake of Invasive Cleaning

The systematic removal of Posidonia and other natural debris from the shore, often carried out by local administrations to "clean" the beaches, further aggravates coastal erosion. These natural materials help protect the coast by trapping sediments and creating a dense leaf layer that mitigates erosion. Therefore, proper beach management should include the conservation of these natural materials.

The Situation in Trapani

The province of Trapani is particularly significant for its biodiversity and coastal erosion issues. The Foce del Fiume Belice Nature Reserve is a prime example of how environmental conservation can make a difference. However, even here, human intervention has had a devastating impact. Illegal settlements along the coasts have accelerated erosion, while infrastructure construction has disrupted the natural balance of coastal dunes. A notable example is San Giuliano beach in Erice, where the construction of a provincial road and public buildings interrupted the natural sand recharge cycle, causing significant erosion.

Conclusion

Coastal erosion in Sicily, particularly in the province of Trapani, represents a critical environmental challenge. Conservation measures such as those initiated for Calendula Maritima and the sustainable management of Posidonia Oceanica are important steps in the right direction. However, it is essential that local administrations and citizens understand the importance of these ecosystems and work together to protect them. Only through an integrated and sustainable approach will it be possible to safeguard Sicily's coasts for future generations.