Orbetello lagoon
The western lagoon of Orbetello is a protected nature reserve, part of the WWF oases of Tuscany.
The nature reserve covers a total area of 30 hectares and includes part of the Tombolo della Giannella. Due to its extension and environmental variety, the Orbetello lagoon is the most important on the Tyrrhenian coast, it is also one of the oldest and most famous oases in Italy.
The Orbetello Lagoon
the lagoon rises along the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany, in the south of the region, and extends for around 27 square kilometres, with an average depth of around 1.5m.
This coastal lagoon is separated from the sea, both to the east and to the west, by two tombolo, two narrow strips of land, the tombolo of Giannella and that of Feniglia, which are also the only two access roads to the city of Orbetello which lies there in the center.
In fact, Orbetello rises in the center of the lagoon and is connected to Monte Argentario thanks to an artificial bridge, the "Leopoldian dam", which divides the lagoon into two parts, the eastern lagoon and the western lagoon.
Flora :
The lagoon is the habitat of many plant species typical of the Tuscan Maremma, Mediterranean scrub, with mastic, myrtle, strawberry tree and phillyrea, dune plants, such as santolina, pungent esparto, marine alfalfa, beach weed, sea lily, salicornia and sea treadmill.
Among the trees, the main species are cork trees, elms, poplars, ash trees and eucalyptus trees.
In the southern area of the wwf oasis, however, you can find holm oaks, maritime pines and umbrella pines.
Fauna :
The Orbetello lagoon rises along the winter migratory routes of thousands of birds, which is why the oasis is home to many species such as flamingos, great white herons, black-winged stilts, gray herons, shovellers, spoonbills, avocets, ospreys, cormorants, egrets , shelduck, geranium, teal, shoveler, wigeon, lapwing and redshank. It is particularly interesting to know that the Orbetello lagoon is the only breeding site on the Tyrrhenian coast for two species of birds, the little tern and the common tern.
The mammals that inhabit the oasis are typical of the Tuscan Maremma, badger, fox and porcupine.
Among the insects, a rare species of beetle lives in the lagoon area, the endermic cicindela, an endemic species of this area.
The waters of the lagoon are inhabited by mullet, eels, sea bream and sea bass.
WWF Oasis Lagoon of Orbetello
The WWF Oasis affects the western lagoon of Orbetello, on an area of about 300 hectares. It became a protected area starting from 1971 thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and WWF Italy. In 1977 the protected area was also recognized as a wetland of international importance according to the Ramsar convention. In 1980, 30 hectares of the reserve were recognized as a state nature reserve and in 1998 the provincial nature reserve was established which includes a total of 1533 hectares of protected reserve.
It is possible to visit the nature reserve following three itineraries:
- The 1st itinerary is the Ornithological Path, open from September to April for free visits or with a guide, leading to the discovery of the avifauna of the lagoon, along the 9 huts route for bird observation. Path of about 1.2km
- 2nd itinerary, is the Patanella Forest Path, it is a botanical itinerary. There are also some observatories along the trail. Open all year for free or guided visits. Route of approximately 1km.
- The 3rd itinerary is the Hiking Path which starts from the Ceriolo Visitor Center and reaches the Patanella Wood, open all year round for free or guided visits. 3km route.
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