Transforming beached Posidonia into a resource for coastal protection. This is the objective of the Re.D. project. – Dune Restoration, financed by the Calabria Region and promoted by the Circolo Legambiente Le Castella APS with ENEA as scientific partner. The initiative now focuses on the Sovereto and Saraceno beaches, in the municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto. The activities have already involved various stretches of the coast, especially in the Le Castella area, with the collection of Posidonia, drying and subsequent cleaning of microplastics and sand residues.
From eco-friendly pillows to returning to the beaches
Part of the recovered material was used to fill ecological cushions, which were then donated to some tourist activities. Made in various shapes, some recall symbols of the biodiversity of the Capo Rizzuto marine protected area, such as the turtle and the seahorse.
Even the covering follows the philosophy of the project: the canvas is made with biocompatible fibres, including jute, hemp, coconut and Posidonia oceanica itself.
Monitoring of dune flora
The Posidonia is subsequently recovered from the cushions and brought back to the beaches, to be inserted between two layers of coconut fiber biomats. Legambiente staff will monitor the interventions over time, with the hope that they can encourage the taking root of the flora typical of dune environments and, consequently, their nourishment.