Shallow waters as ecological corridors: preliminary data on wind-exposure, physico-chemical features and vegetation structure of the Western Sicilian saltworks system (Saline di Trapani e Paceco, MED)

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Natural Reserve of Trapani and Paceco saltworks shallow system (western Sicily: 37° 52’ North; 12° 28’East).The main goal is to deepen our understanding of whether the alteration of the complexity of these particular ecosystems is manifested through a consequent reduction of the number of migrant species and their density. To achieve this, we focalized our attention on organic matter fluxes (in terms of origin and availability for apex consumers), and on the density and distribution of aquatic birds.