Sandy coastlines and their associated dunes are among the most at-risk environments in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Human activities, such as urban expansion and unregulated tourism, have drastically reduced the extent and ecological quality of these habitats. In Italy, for example, 86.7% of coastal habitats are in poor condition, and sand dunes have lost an average of 25% of their extent across Europe, while Mediterranean islands like Crete and Corfu have experienced significant environmental degradation due to tourism and overgrazing. Coastal ecosystems, including dunes and Posidonia oceanica meadows, play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and erosion protection. However, these ecosystems face several threats, including invasive alien plant species (IAPS) that disrupt native biodiversity and ecological functions. The LIFE terrAmare project aims to improve the conservation of key coastal habitats in Italy and Greece. The project plans restoration interventions across 648 hectares of Posidonia habitats and 160 hectares of dune habitats in Italy, and 247 hectares in Greece. It involves local institutions, citizen associations, and marine operators to create "Ecological Beach Communities" (EBCs) responsible for overseeing the protection of these habitats. Key objectives include eradicating invasive species, raising public awareness of conservation efforts, and promoting sustainable tourism practices. The project also focuses on developing educational programs, increasing knowledge of the Natura 2000 Network, and disseminating best practices to extend the project’s outcomes across the entire Mediterranean Basin.
- Principal Investigators: Anna Antonia Maria Gaviglio
- Lead organization: Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali
- Financing institution: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
- Type: DGENV - Programmi della DG Environment (ENV)
- Partner Unico: UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
- Start date: 2025
- Duration in months: 72 mesi
- Status: Open