The Parks of Salento, Italy: a path for sustainable tourism

Piscopo-Clinto, 2015

1. Coastal Dunes Nature Park from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo

Imagine cycling through a variety of habitats, from beaches protected by sand dunes covered with 600-year-old juniper bushes to marshes and then on to fossil sand dunes and pseudo-steppe, arid in summer but brightly colored in spring with the blooming of wild orchids, especially the Apulian Serapis, a rare native species. And then imagine continuing the tour to the plains called zoppe and the countryside with its centuries-old olive trees, pastures and crops.

Slow steps on the sand, where the beach meets the sea. Here the Posidonia represents a refuge for a large number of marine species and plays a fundamental role in protecting the coasts from erosion caused by the crashing waves. Although the leaves that accumulate at the water's edge in winter may be unsightly, they serve a vital purpose, forming a natural barrier against beach washout, while ensuring the balance of beaches and dunes.

Unfortunately, human interference can destroy this delicate balance between the beach and the dunes, for example during beach cleaning. And if the beach disappears, the dune, which is where the sand accumulates, is quickly swept away.