Fondali Crosia-Pietrapaola-Cariati

The site extends over the seabeds near the Calabrian Ionian coast (between Crosia and Cariati). It shows extensive meadows of well-preserved Posidonia oceanica, which is characterized by high biodiversity and which is an important nursery for economically valuable fish species; furthermore, they are of vital importance for the protection of the coasts from erosion. The seabeds are shallow for long distances from the coast and they are characterized by sandy sediments which are subjected to mechanical action by littoral currents and wave motion. The coastline behind is characterized by beaches with moderately preserved dune alignments that delimit small wetland environments.