Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Oriented Nature Reserve
Established in 1995 and managed by WWF Italy, it represents an atypical reserve as, still to this day, the extraction of salt is still practiced according to traditional techniques in use for centuries.
The salt pans of Trapani continue to exist thanks to the passion and perseverance of the owners and the people who work there, who, well before the establishment of the reserve, did not yield to the subdivision proposals that would have led to overbuilding in the area as it has happened to other Trapani salt pans.
The Salt Pans need continuous maintenance and are able to survive only thanks to the income generated from the sale of the salt produced and from guided tours, as no contribution from the State or the Region is foreseen.
Contacts
Riserva N.O. delle Saline di Trapani e Paceco
Via Carlo Messina, 1 - 91100 Trapani
Tel. +39 0923 867700
info@salineditrapani.com
The protected area falling within the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco has a total extension of about 1000 hectares, and is divided into two areas: Area A of 700 hectares that coincides with the salt pans and Area B of about 300 hectares.
Due to their high environmental value, the salt pans are subjected to various protection and restriction rules that follow the guidelines of the Habitat Directive.
Among the relevant habitats present in the area it is possible to find:
- The coastal lagoons which constitute an environment of great biological diversity, from the microscopic level of bacteria to birds. The microorganisms are extremely specialized for this environment and for the various degrees of salinity present in the different tanks of the area. The salt pans are a staging area on the migratory route of birds to Africa. Here they find a quiet shelter and a source of food.
- The Mediterranean salt steppes, rich in Limonium species with the presence of Lygeum spartum, subject to extreme summer dryness.
Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Oriented Nature Reserve
Established in 1995 and managed by WWF Italy, it represents an atypical reserve as, still to this day, the extraction of salt is still practiced according to traditional techniques in use for centuries.
The salt pans of Trapani continue to exist thanks to the passion and perseverance of the owners and the people who work there, who, well before the establishment of the reserve, did not yield to the subdivision proposals that would have led to overbuilding in the area as it has happened to other Trapani salt pans.
The Salt Pans need continuous maintenance and are able to survive only thanks to the income generated from the sale of the salt produced and from guided tours, as no contribution from the State or the Region is foreseen.
The protected area falling within the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco has a total extension of about 1000 hectares, and is divided into two areas: Area A of 700 hectares that coincides with the salt pans and Area B of about 300 hectares.
Due to their high environmental value, the salt pans are subjected to various protection and restriction rules that follow the guidelines of the Habitat Directive.
Among the relevant habitats present in the area it is possible to find:
- The coastal lagoons which constitute an environment of great biological diversity, from the microscopic level of bacteria to birds. The microorganisms are extremely specialized for this environment and for the various degrees of salinity present in the different tanks of the area. The salt pans are a staging area on the migratory route of birds to Africa. Here they find a quiet shelter and a source of food.
- The Mediterranean salt steppes, rich in Limonium species with the presence of Lygeum spartum, subject to extreme summer dryness.
Contacts
Risewrva N.O. delle Saline di Trapani e Paceco
Via Carlo Messina, 1 - 91100 Trapani
Tel. +39 0923 867700
info@salineditrapani.com
