Le Cesine is a wetland and natural state reserve extending for 380 hectares near Lecce, in southern Italy. It has been recognized as one of the Ramsar wetland sites of international importance in 1977, and a state nature reserve and a special protection area – SPA (Birds Directive) in 1980.[2] The management of the oasis has been entrusted to WWF Italy by the Ministry of the Environment and has been managed by WWF since 1979.[3]

Le Cesine
Map
LocationItaly
Coordinates40°21′08″N 18°20′19″E / 40.35222°N 18.33861°E / 40.35222; 18.33861
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Official nameLe Cesine
Designated6 December 1977 (1977-12-06)
Reference no.168[1]

Biology and ecology

edit

The park represents one of the last swampy areas that in the past extended from Otranto to Brindisi. There are two ponds, the Salapi and Pantano Grande, fed by the rains, which are separated from the sea by a cord of sand dunes. It is managed by the WWF Italy.

Fauna

edit

Numerous birds find refuge in the nature reserve: pochard (Aythya ferina), coot (Fulica), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Flora

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Le Cesine". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Cesine - Conservation of Wetlands in Cesine and decrease of human impact in the area". Europa.eu. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Le Cesine (english version)" (in Italian). Retrieved 27 August 2017.