Fondali dell’isola di Ustica

The island of Ustica – what remains of ancient basic volcanoes -offers a rich marine area of significant naturalistic interest. The surrounding rocky seabeds host a wide diversity of marine flora and fauna, including gorgonians, corals, and meadows of Posidonia oceanica. The island is crossed by Atlantic and lower Tyrrhenian currents, which promote the presence of a wide range of planktonic species and enhance the productivity of the marine ecosystem. The rugged texture of the rocky substrate contributes to larval attachment and the development of marine biodiversity. Ustica is a biodiversity hotspot, with new endemic species discovered in recent years, including annelids, mollusks, and sponges. The island’s marine ecosystem plays a fundamental role in maintaining the balance and richness of marine fauna in the Tyrrhenian Sea