|
COUNTRY Italy
NAME: AEOLIAN ISLANDS (ISOLE EOLIE)
IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY
IV – Regional Nature Reserve
Proposed World Heritage Site – Natural Criteria (i)
BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE: 2.17.6. Mediterranean Sclerophyll
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION The Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) are
located in the Tyrrhenian sea, less than 40km off the northern
coast of Sicily. The group consists of seven islands (Lipari,
Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea) and
five small islets (Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and
Lisca Bianca) in the vicinity of Panarea. 38°35’N/14°47’E
DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT The revised nomination
encompasses Zone A areas (nature reserves) being those areas of
greatest scientific importance and Zone B areas being
surrounding natural areas (see Map 2a-2c). Zone C areas are not
included in the nomination, however, for the most part act as
predominantly human modified landscape buffer zones to Zone A
and B areas.
"La Montagne delli Felci e dei Porri" on Salina is a statutory
reserve, created by the Region of Palermo in 1984. The small
islands of Alicudi (278ha.), Panarea (154ha.), Filicudi (562ha.)
and Stromboli (718ha.), plus their islets, have been designated
Nature Reserves under Regional law. Vulcano and Lipari do not
apparently have any legally defined reserves. (IUCN Evaluation
visit).
AREA The total area of the Aeolian Islands is 1,216ha. The
islands range in size from Panarea which is 34ha to Lipari which
is 376ha. The area include following islands:
Lipari island: 376ha
Vulcano: 210ha
Salina: 268ha
Strmboli: 126ha
Filicudi: 150ha
Alicudi: 52ha
Panarea: 34ha
LAND TENURE State.
ALTITUDE From sea level to 875m (Alicudi) and 778.5m (Filicudi).
PHYSICAL FEATURES The Aeolian Islands belongs to the "Sicilian
domain", sensu Arrigoni (1983). They are all of volcanic origin,
separated from the Sicilian coast by waters of 200m deep. It
seems that they have never been in contact with the Sicilian
Island. The islands have provided two of the types of eruptions
(Vulcanian and Strombolian) to vulcanology and geology.
CLIMATE The climate is Mediterranean. Average annual rainfall
varies from 600-700mm and average annual temperature varies
between 14-18°C.
VEGETATION The vegetation is mainly dominated by species typical
of the Mediterranean region. A total of 900 plant species have
been recorder in Aeolian islands, including 4 endemic species:
Bassia saxicola, Dianthus rupicola, Silene hicesiae, Cytiscus
aeolicus and Ophrys lunurata.
Forest climax is characterised by two plant communities:
Oleo-Euphorbietum dendroidis and Erico arboreae-Quercetum ilicis
or Erico-arboreae virgilianae. In the past Pinus halepensis and
Pinus pinaster were found in natural habitats but are only found
in plantations today, together with other exotic species such as
Eucalypus, Acacia and Alnus. Querus ilex, Quercus virgiliana and
Chamaerops humilis are sparse on the islands. Most areas are
dominated by a human modified landscape characterised by a
steppe vegetation and abandoned olive and vines.
FAUNA The interesting characteristic of Aeolian archipelago
fauna is the presence of continental Europe species reaching the
southern limit of their distribution. Nearly 40 bird species
have been recorded including 10 species under the Sicilian Red
List of threatened bird species. The islands are also important
for migrant bird species, and is an Important Bird Area for
congregatory species identified by BirdLife International.
Mammals include one endemic sub-species Eliomys quercinus
leparensis and 7 species of batshave been reported.
Seven species of reptiles are present in the archipelago,
including the newly described Lezard Podarcis raffoni. Other
reptiles include 4 sub-species of Podarcis raffonei, and 2
sub-species of Podarcis siculus. Invertebrate fauna seems
relatively well known, with over 15 endemic species described.
CULTURAL HERITAGE The archaeological importance is shown by the
presence of life from the Neolithic period. Different layers
showing prehistoric, proto-historic and ancient history of the
Mediterranean sea have been preserved.
The "Acropole of Lipari" with its architecture is the
headquarters of the Regional Archaelogical Museum of Lipari.
LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION There are 10,000 inhabitants inside the
site.
VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES There are 200,000 visitors per
year.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES Most of the exiting studies
relate to vulcanology of Eolian islands. There is a monitoing of
volcanic eruptions at Culvano island, under the responsibility
of the Ministry of Civilian Protection. The Lipari Castle is the
Headquarters of the Eolian Museum and contains collections
dating from 1946.
CONSERVATION VALUE The Eolian islands have an important value
for their geodynamic, volcanic and archaeological natural and
ethno-anthropological features. They include a recent volcanic
system of seven volcanoes, formed approximately 1 million years
ago. This volcanic arc results from a geodynamic process Two
volcanoes are still active today: Vulcano and Stromboli. They
both have a typical eruption activity respectively called
Vulcanian and Strombolian in the international terminology.
The islands' volcanic landforms represent classic features in
the continuing study of vulcanology world-wide. With their
scientific study from at least the 18th Century, the islands
have provided two of the types of eruptions (Vulcanian and
Strombolian) to vulcanology and geology textbooks and so have
featured prominently in the education of all geoscientists for
over 200 years. They continue to provide a rich field for
vulcanological studies, as significant on-going geological
processes in the development of landforms. The nominated site
provides an interrelated set of volcanic features and phenomena,
as noted in Section 44 (b) (i) of the Operational Guidelines for
the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
There are thermal waters resulting from sub-volcanic phenomena
which lead to the emanation of gas at the surface, particularly
at Vulcano island.
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT Following parameters are controlled to
assess the state of conservation of the site: aerial photos,
urbanisation by local administrations, control of volcanic
eruption, erosion control in collaboration with universities,
control of tourism by the Departmental Tourism Office. To ensure
the conservation of the site, control of vehicle traffic during
the high tourism season, and particularly the historical centre
of Lipari during summer.
The Ministry of Cultural and Environmental Heritage co-operates
with Ministry of the Environment in the field of environmental
impact assessment. It also has powers concerning landscape
protection, which it has used for the protection of the natural
as well as the cultural environment. Each region has an
environmental or territorial council which is involved in
environmental issues at a regional level.
Vulcano and Lipari do not apparently have any legally defined
reserves. On both, there is a substantial amount of urban and
suburban development in the proposed Zone B, and some also in
the proposed Zone A areas.
MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS The site is mainly affected by
geomorphologic factors, particularly cliff erosion. No major
developments have occurred in the site during the last 20 years.
However, tourism activities constitute the dominant human
activity in the Eolian archipelago. Tourism has lead to the
abandon of local farming tradition leading to the change in the
landscape. Terraces originally built for olive have disappeared
today in most of the islands, except in the islands of Salina,
Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi.
There are risks of volcanic eruptions, particularly in the
islands of Vulcano, Stromboli and Lipari. The last eruption in
Vulcano was in 1888-90. Seismic activities occur mainly in the
north of Salina island: Pollara and Lalfa, in Stromboli Alicudi
and Filicudi islands.
Vulcano and Lipari do not apparently have any legally defined
reserves. On both, there is a substantial amount of urban and
suburban development in the proposed Zone B and some also in the
proposed Zone A areas.
STAFF According to IUCN Evaluation visit, there are no reserve
staff on any of the designated Nature Reserves of the islands of
Alicudi, Panarea, Filicudi, and Stromboli and there is no
administration on Alicudi or Filicudi.
BUDGET No information
LOCAL ADDRESSES
Commune de Lipari- Piazza Municipio, Tel.: 090/9887244
Direction Générale des Biens Culturels et de l'Environnement,
Viale Boccetta - Messina, Tel.: 090/361220
Musée Regional Eolien de Lipari - Acropole de Lipari
REFERENCES
A selected number of references accompannying this nomination
include:
Vulcanology: most published materials in the journal "Acta
vulcanologica"
Archaeology: Regional Archaeological Museum
Publications of Professor Bernabo Brea and Madeleine Cavalier,
including the last publication entitled "Meligunis Lipara"
Other documents:
Pietro Lo Cascio: Aspects fauniques et zoogéographiques de l’Archipel
Eolien. (Supporting document to the nomination) - + important
bibliography
Salvatore Pasta: Notes synthétiques sur la Flore et la
Végétation des Iles Eoliennes. (Supporting document to the
nomination) - + important bibliography.
|
