1. One week experiences in Sicily
BIODIVERSITY
One week experiences in Sicily

2. What is biodiversity?
The variety of life on Earth and its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. During this week we organized some excursions in different sites of Eastern Sicily: Etna, Alcantara Gorges, Marinello Lakes, Tyndaris, Ganzirri Lakes, Peloro Cape and Milazzo Cape.

3. ETNA
Etna (3300 m) is the highest volcano in Europe constantly changing for its frequent eruptions.
Etna in fact has a dynamic content with a continuous variation in the type of eruptions with the alternation of effusive and explosive phases .
Etna is considered by geologists a stratovolcano (shield volcano), an effusive volcano which tends to increase the height of the volcanic cone.

4. Types of craters In Etna there are 2 principal types of craters:
- Lateral craters: they open on the flanks of the volcano and they usually have just 1 eruption and after that they finish their activities.
- Summit craters: there are 4 of this active craters (the Chasm, the North East, South East and Central Asia); they are active all the time and they are responsible of the volcano growth.

5. Biodiversity on Etna Typical plants we found on Etna:
Betula aetnensis: it is the only example of birch existing in southern Europe thanks to its adaptation to warmer climates.
Pine of Etna: the first tree to grow on the lava.
It adapts to dry soil and hot temperatures.

6. Typical animals we can find on Etna:
Rabbit
Fox
Wild cat

7. Rocks
There are different kinds of rocks on Etna. Some of them are produced by the first explosion of the eruption, they are very light and not very hard. Then there is the lava that, after the eruption, goes down the flanks of the volcano and hardens as volcanic glass . The characteristics of the rocks depend on the chemical composition of the lava.

8. Alcantara Gorges
Located just 20km from Taormina, the Alcantara Gorges stretch 50 m high. The name has Arabic origins (Al Quantarah) referring to a Roman bridge. The canyon’s origin is due to the eruption of a volcano that once stood between Mount Etna and the Peloritan Mountains.
Originating in the Nebrodi Mountains, the Alcantara River runs for over 50km passing through several towns until it reaches the Ionian Sea at Giardini-Naxos. At the Alcantara Gorges, crystal clear water tumbles down the canyon walls, polishing and shaping them as it goes, and forming icy-cool pools at its base.

9. Marinello Lakes It is a reserved area.
It extends for 400He and its origins date back to 150 years ago.
The water lake is a combination of salt and sweet water.

10. Biodiversity Marinello is a place full of biodiversity. We can find:
migratory and local birds, insects, molluscs.
Wood pigeon
Peregrin falcon
Magpie

11. Biodiversity
Kestrel
Buzzard
Flamingo

12. Biodiversity
Kingfisher
Dragonfly
Seagull

13. Biodiversity
Bass
fish
Eel
Pipefish
Dead Clams

14. Biodiversity
Palm trees
Plants
Opuntia
Canes
Ailanthus

15. In the Marinello’s lakes we have some rules to observe being a natural reserve.
For example:
You can’t pick up flowers, plants or damage the environment.

16. Ganzirri’s lakes and Capo Peloro
The Capo Peloro Reserve and Ganzirri’s lakes are situated in Messina. They are older than years.

17. In the past they were 4 lakes
The lakes changed their composition because of the hill and the sea. One of the old lakes was replaced by Margi channel.

18. Reserve’s birds
Egret
Mallard
Cormorant

19. Reserve’s plants
Palm
Cane thicket
Banana trees

20. Scilla and Cariddi’s legend
Legend tells that there were two monsters between Sicily and Calabria. The people who were trying to pass the strait of Messina were killed by those two mosters.

21. Milazzo’s Cape and Venere’s lake

22. Plants
Castor oil plant
Capers
Prickly pears

23. Plants
Euphorbia
Artemisia
Gorse

24. Birds
Sea gull
Peregrine falcon
Kingfisher

25. Birds
Wild pigeon
Buzzard
Kestrel

26. Thanks for watching