Scandola Nature Reserve & Capes Girolata and Porto, France

Published: September 21, 2008, 12:52 pm

Topics:

Biodiversity (main) Ecology (main) Natural Resource Management & Policy (main) Geography (main)

IntroductionThe Scandola Nature Reserve & Capes Girolata and Porto (42°14'-42°25'N, 8°37'-9°00'E) is a World Heritage Site and lies on the central western coast (Scandola Nature Reserve & Capes Girolata and Porto, France) of the island of Corsica in France.

Geographical Location

Lies on the central western coast of the island of Corsica, in the commune of Osani (Scandola Nature Reserve), Ota, Partinello, Piana and Serriera of South Corsica and Commune Galleria of Haut Corsica. The terrestrial boundary is defined by the section of coastline between Punta Muchillina and the mouth of the Forno stream (Cala Vecchia), then extends north along the Elba ravine to the Elbo headland and along the coastline to Punta Nera. 42°14'-42°25'N, 8°37'-9°00'E

Date and History of Establishment

Corsica Regional Nature Park. (Source: French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs)

• Scandola Nature Reserve was gazetted under Ministerial Decree of 9 December 1975.
• It is located within Corsica Regional Park, which was established under decree of 12 May 1972 and includes Capes Girlota and Porto.
• A law passed on 2 May 1930,and updated by decree on 14 December 1976, means that no destruction or modification of the area can be carried out without authorization from the Minister of the Environment.
• Scandola Nature Reserve and Capes Girlota and Porto were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983.
• Scandola Nature Reserve was awarded the European Diploma by the Council of Europe in 1986, 1990 and 1995 (Ministry of the Environment, pers. comm., 1995).

Area

• World Heritage Site 12,000 hectares (ha): 7,800 ha (terrestrial); 4,200 ha (marine)
• Scandola Nature Reserve 1,919 ha: 919 ha (terrestrial); 1,000 ha (marine)
• Corsica Regional Nature Park: 300,000 ha

Land Tenure

Mainly communal, although some sections of Scandola are under private and state ownership.

Altitude

Below sea level to 560 meters (m) (Capu-Purcile).

Physical Features

The reserve is divided into two sectors: the Elpa Nera inlet (between Pointe Bianca and Pointe Validori) and the peninsula of Scandola. This area, which includes the massif of Cinto and the valley of Fango, is part of a large geological complex that appears to have undergone two distinct cycles of volcanic activity in the Permian. Since then, the area has been subject to alternating cycles of erosion and rejuvenation. Geologically comprises porphyry, rhyoliths and basaltic pillars, which have all been considerably eroded by wave action. Some ancient metamorphic rocks occur, but the geology is predominantly igneous. The jagged and sheer cliffs contain many grottos and are flanked by numerous stacks and almost inaccessible islets and coves, such as Tuara. The coastline is also noted for its red cliffs, some 900 m high, sand beaches, and headlands such as Cape Osani and the Peninsula of Elbo.

Climate

Typical Mediterranean with hot, dry summers. The area is often exposed to the strong Mistral and Mezzogiorno winds.

Vegetation

The rare Armeria soleirollii occurs on the cliffs in Scandola Nature Reserve. On the more gentle slopes, typical Mediterranean maquis vegetation occurs with an Olea-Lentiscus association. This is replaced by arborescent Euphorbia dendroides at an altitude of 200 m. Oaks Quercus ilex succeed this in certain areas, but some areas have been degraded by fire or ancient pasturage. All species of marine algae for this part of the Mediterranean are found within the littoral zone, including a number of species, such as red algae, which are not recorded anywhere else in France. Because of the highly transparent nature of the waters the sublittoral algae Posidionia oceanica is found over quite a large area.

Fauna

Puffinus diomedea. (Source: USGSPatuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter)

Scandola Nature Reserve contains a rich pelagic, sedentary and migrant fauna including several dozen pairs of shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmareti, peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus, three or four pairs of osprey Pandion haliaetus and Eleonora falcon Falco eleonorae with Cory's shearwater Puffinus diomedea and Audouin's gull Larus audouinii (R) occurring in the littoral zone. The marine environment contains considerable numbers of spiny lobster and a wide range of littoral and sublittoral invertebrates and fish. Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus (E) once had a colony in this area but has now disappeared.

Cultural Heritage

This area conserves traditional agriculture and grazing activities, and contains complete systems of architecturally interesting fortifications, which are important elements of Corsican culture. There are also some Roman sites.

Local Human Population

There are several small villages or hamlets within the site. Since the turn of the century there has been a de-population movement except for villages along route Number 81. Many of the terraces surrounding the villages have also been abandoned.

Visitors and Visitor Facilities

A number of public information programs are being developed.

Scientific Research and Facilities

The research program includes a study of marine life with regards to evolution, and bird studies. Scandola has had a Scientific Committee since 1979 and local scientists work closely with colleagues from Marseille (Faculty of Sciences) and Nice.

Conservative Value

This nature reserve occupies the Scandola peninsula, an impressive porphyritic rock mass. It provides an outstanding example of the maquis vegetation which is dominant throughout the Mediterranean region, but is severely degraded in most other areas. The site has a rich marine fauna and is a key site for species such as osprey and bearded vultures.

Conservative Management

Scandola Nature Reserve is strictly protected in order to return the area to its natural state, much of the surrounding area having been altered by man. Spearfishing, scuba diving, angling, collecting marine life and dumping of waste are prohibited, although commercial fishing is permitted outside the reserve. Mooring is limited to 24 hours. The marine reserve is well sign-posted on land and kept under supervision daily in summer by the Regional Nature Park's qualified marine guides.

Restoration of several cultural items is underway. In the Capo Rosso area, traditional agriculture is encouraged to preserve certain species which disappear when grazing animals are removed. Hunting, camping, laying fires, collecting of plants and trees, destruction of nests and eggs and photography too close to animals are prohibited. Several measures are planned to organize tourism including controlled parking areas behind the beaches. A National Planning Directive in April 1979 established measures for management of nature and littoral areas and for the five communes around and within Girolata and Porto. A management plan (1972) exists for Parc naturel régional de Corse. Scandola Nature Reserve comprises a strictly controlled zone buffered by Corsica Regional Nature Park. The reserve is located in the heart of the maritime section of the park but only covers a small portion of the sea front. The marine area around Isle de Gargalo and Punta Palazzo would appear to get the strongest protection.

Management Constraints

Severe overfishing of spiny lobster has taken place, with several tons per day being taken during each summer season. Before the creation of Scandola Reserve, large areas of maquis were burned for agricultural and grazing activities. The damage caused was considerable, although these areas are now recovering. More recently, the Corsica Regional Nature Park has again been threatened with fire. Professional arsonists are setting fire to large tracts of land, in order to obtain permission to build on land that will take decades to recover. Rapid expansion of tourism poses a threat to the cultural and natural heritage. There are plans to open up the reserve to more motorized vehicles by building car parks behind the beaches.

Staff

Three guards under the authority of the parc naturel.

Budget

750,000 French Francs.

IUCN Management Category

• V (Protected Landscape)
• Natural World Heritage Site - Criteria ii, iii, iv

Further Reading

• Bacar, H (1977). A survey of Existing and Potential Marine Parks and Reserves of the Mediterranean Region. IUCN/UNEP Report.
• Fédération des Parcs naturels de France (1982). Les Parcs naturels de régioneaux et la protection de la nature, Ministère de l'environment.
• Gryn-Ambroes, P. (1980). Preliminary Annotated Lists of Existing and Potential Mediterranean Protected Areas. A UNEP/IUCN report. UNEP/19.20/INF.5.
• Ministère de l'Environment (not dated). Réserve naturelle de Scandola. Parc Natural Régional de Corse. Ministère de l'Environment and Région de Corse. 44 pp.

Disclaimer: This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.

Citation

M, U. (2008). Scandola Nature Reserve & Capes Girolata and Porto, France. Retrieved from http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Scandola_Nature_Reserve_&_Capes_Girolata_and_Porto,_France