Riserva Naturale Orientata Isole di Linosa e Lampione

Riserva Naturale Orientata Isole di Linosa e Lampione

Linosa is a volcanic island resting on a sandy seabed. Its activity began at a depth of about 1,000m. It is formed by four eruptive centers: Mt. Rosso, the highest summit (197m above sea level), Mt. Vulcano in the south-east, Mt. Bandiera, at the foot of which lies the town, and Mt. Nero facing the sea in Cala Pozzolana di Ponente. Its volcanic activity began 500,000 years ago during the Pleistocene period and is linked to the Mediterranean tectonic events.

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Fauna

Cory's Shearwater
The Cory's Shearwater is linked to myth and legend: in ancient Greece people believed that the moaning of the males was the moaning of Diomed's warriors who were killed during the battle.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
It is an endangered species: once widespread in the Mediterranean, it has become less frequent because of the unceasing human action which has led to the destruction of the nesting sites and staging areas, relentlessly hunting this species and killing young individuals.

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Flora

Thanks to the volcanic substratum, Linosa houses a very rich flora consisting of lichens and several endemic species like Valantia Calva, a local species growing in Linosa, and Limonium algusae, covering the rocky habitats.

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