Vegetation & Fauna

VEGETATION

The Egadi islands are renowned for their flavors, strong traditions, quarries and dry stone walls, caves, and above all, crystal-clear waters. They are also famous for the diverse flora and fauna they host.

The prosperous biodiversity boasts endemic plants, some valuable for their medicinal properties, such as wild fennel ("Finucchieddu sarvaggiu"), thyme, thistle, flax, absinthe, mallow, mulberry, mandrake, not to mention the prickly pear cactus that has become almost emblematic of the islands.

 

FAUNA

On the other hand, the fauna cannot be considered any less remarkable, as the Egadi islands currently boast the presence and nesting of some animal species that were at risk of extinction, such as the peregrine falcon. A total of 247 species have been reported, including several nesting raptor genera such as the peregrine falcon, royal seagulls, magpies, the Osprey (Pandion haliaëtus), kestrels, hobby falcons, sparrowhawks, and finally the Bonelli's eagle. Among the seabirds, there are the Northern Gannet, Cory's Shearwater, and Yelkouan Shearwater, while the small storm petrel nests permanently in the archipelago and the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron Percnopterus) is a passing species. The island of Marettimo has colonies of seabirds of particular importance at the European level, hosting one of the largest populations of storm petrels in the Mediterranean, and has been identified as an area of extreme importance regarding the migration of threatened birds such as raptors and storks.

The crystal-clear waters of the Egadi islands host 1,241 species of invertebrates, 110 species of fish, and 315 species of macroalgae. In addition to being the habitat of numerous marine animals and microorganisms, the Egadi Sea is also the cradle of some of the most vulnerable creatures. In fact, it is estimated to protect about 25% of the "fragile" species in the Mediterranean, and with its approximately 54 thousand hectares of sea, it represents one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe. The Egadi Marine Protected Area is home to marine turtles, sharks, dolphins, sperm whales, mantas, and the much rarer monk seal.

The history and old economy of these lands are also based on the red tuna of the Egadi, and we will dedicate a specific section to it.

On land, it is also possible to spot deer, goats, mouflons, and wild boars.