A surprising variety of flora and fauna

DUNE ENVIRONMENTS

In the Sterpaia Park there are both mobile dunes subject to continuous modifications, characterised by «pioneer» species, and fixed dunes, unfortunately significantly eroded and degraded, inhabited by other types of plants as well as bushes such as juniper and mastic trees.

HUMID BACK-DUNE AREAS

The back-dunes are a peculiarity of the Sterpaia Park and are intersected by channels and reclamation ditches of the former Piombino marsh.

The landscape of these areas is characterised by the dominance of tamerici and salicornia, the latter widespread in the brackish soil.

THE WOOD

Unauthorised development of the area means that non-local species also began to grow, alongside the native flora, such as pine trees, eucalyptus and rows of tamarisk and pittosporum.

In the zone further inland there is the “Sterpaia wood”, a rare remaining example of what was once the typical landscape of many plains in the Maremma, at least until the transformations of modern times.

Besides the Sterpaia wood, an important element of the park are the pine groves, with specimens of aleppo pine, monterey pine, cluster pine and stone pine.

DUNE RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Since 2010, measures have been taken to protect the Sterpaia Park’s dune and back-dune environment.

These small but significant actions are important in monitoring the deterioration of the dune ecosytem and to prevent damage to the dune by excessive human activity in the area that causes gaps to open on the dune front with the removal of sand and the ensuing breakage of the flora that is essential in keeping the dune together.

For this reason, some accesses to the beach that are not compatible with the dune system have been closed using driftwood to build fences; driftwood has also been used at the base of the foredune to favour the formation of dune ridges.