The posidonia prairie: description of the world heritage site

What is posidonia?

The posidonia plant (posidònia oceànica) is a species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Although it lives in the water, it is not algae but rather a real plant, with roots, a stem and leaves. As it is a seed-bearing plant, it has the capability to flower, although this phenomenon is rarely seen outside Formentera.

Why are the posidonia prairies so important?

The posidonia prairies are so important because:

• They are capable of creating reefs running parallel to the coast and they act by maintaining the balance of the coast, protecting it from erosion by absorbing and reducing waves and making it possible for these to deposit the finest sand, forming beaches and dunes. They also purify water by retaining sediment. The transparent waters of the Pitiusa islands are a typical feature due to the purifying action of the posidonia prairies.
• They produce great quantities of oxygen, fundamental for the life of seaweeds, sponges, fish, etc.
• They create habitats which other species find the ideal place to live.

A miniature jungle

The posidonia prairies create real miniature jungles in which a great quantity of species of all kinds find the ideal place for living, feeding, reproducing, laying their eggs, etc.