THE PARK AUTHORITY WILL COVER THE ICE PLANT WITH BLACK PLASTIC TARPS

01 Nov 2021Cesare Scarfo', SaveGiglioRead the Publication on GiglioNews

The Park Authority, with its project "Life LetsGo Giglio", is preparing to cover with black plastic sheets several areas where the Ice Plant (Carpobrotus) grows. In these areas of the island, between terraced areas and steep cliffs, this plant, over time, has generated a small ecosystem that is destined to be lost with the expanse of black plastic sheeting, which in addition to drying out the Ice Plant, will sanction the end of an entire small living world, including endemic species. Experts in Botany have pointed out that here on Giglio the wind and the particular atmospheric conditions, make the Ice Plant grow not always in a "carpet" but mainly in patches, often forming natural "flower beds" where the soil is retained. Those areas between the hinterland and the cliffs, which would be deprived of humus (life) because of washout and erosion due to both wind and rain, have thus become, over time, an incredibly rich area of life.

THE OPINION OF BOTANICAL EXPERTS

Here is what Augusto De Bellis, expert, teacher, researcher of Botany and Herbalist, taught us: "The habitat created by Carpobrotus is not exclusive but it forms a botanical cenosis where it is clearly observed that competitive plants find a better situation of vegetational protection, nutrition and soil stability. Think of the new seedlings that are born protected and defended from possible grazing, just by Carpobrotus. It can be clearly observed that Limonium sommierianum, Senecio cinerea, Helicrysum litoreum, Lotus creticus, Artemisia arborescens, Euphorbie and many other plant species are more luxuriant when they are in association with Carpobrotus. Moreover, the eradication method proposed by the technicians of the Park Authority is not selective and is aimed at creating vast coastal areas with an absolute botanical and zoological void. Much better would have been a containment project, where necessary, carried out manually, respecting the other species and also avoiding a landscape destruction made of black plastic sheets". He then pointed out that the habitat formed by the Carpobrotus hides grasshoppers with the color of its leaves, insects, pollinators, geckos, lizards, snails and many other creatures that use the plant as a shelter and its flowers as sustenance and that are food, in turn, for birds and other forms of life: "an incredible ecosystem", explains De Bellis, "unique of its kind".

ALL ACTIONS TAKEN SHOULD MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON NON-TARGET SPECIES

The Park Authority's proposal to put black plastic tarps over large expanses of this important habitat seems to be misguided.

EU Regulation 1143/2014 explicitly states the following: "(1) The appearance of alien species, whether animals, plants, fungi or microorganisms, in new locations is not always a cause for concern. (25) Non-lethal methods should be considered and all actions taken should minimize the impact on non-target species."
The use of black plastic tarps would have a negative impact on the species not destined to the measure, as underlined by De Bellis, "as it would dry up all the world that lives there, including the same endemic species that the Park Authority declares to want to protect". Therefore, if in some cliff areas it would be necessary to reduce the presence of the Ice Plant, it would be enough to take it periodically by hand, using the harvest to make herbal products or to season and flavor dishes or even to make beneficial herbal teas, but "never covering it with tarps".

CULTURAL, TRADITIONAL AND EMOTIONAL HERITAGE

In addition, it may be important to note that both residents and visitors to Giglio are deeply in love with the Ice Plant. The flowers that bloom on the cliffs, periodically painting them with incredible colors, have become an icon and a distinctive attribute of the identity and expressiveness of Giglio Island. The Ice Plant has even been featured on the cover of the visitor center brochures. To deprive these flowers of sunlight would be a direct insult to Nature and to the sensitivity of those who love Giglio. Those who know Giglio have grown up with the Ice Plant and it is a presence that has come to remind them of home. Children lovingly call the leaves of the plant "french fries." It has been hypothesized that the arrival of the Ice Plant may have occurred in ancient times, brought to the island not simply for ornamental purposes but for its wide range of medicinal properties that the ancients knew and used.

TOURIST VALUE OF THE ICE PLANT

ASome tourists plan their trips to Giglio around the Ice Plant blooming so they can photograph it. The flowers add color, beauty and create an uplifting atmosphere. At a time when our tourists have written numerous comments even in local newspapers, complaining that their beloved island seems to be in a growing state of abandonment, rather than give something back to it, the Park Authority has decided, unilaterally, to deprive Giglio of what also has tourist value, as well as cultural, environmental and landscape value. When tourists return in spring and find Capel Rosso deprived of its flowers or worse, covered with black plastic sheets, how could we ever expect them to return to Giglio the following year?

CONSERVATION OF THE ICE PLANT AND THE LIVING LANDSCAPE OF GIGLIO

Although we can understand that endemic plants must be safeguarded, the approach, ideology and methodology used in this project could not be further from the expectations of our community and the scientific community who have expressed their concern about the extremist containment and eradication techniques that the Park Authority has decided to adopt. Through these devastating actions, the distance between the Park Authority and the local community is rapidly growing. Our island is small and our residents and those who love Giglio deserve to have a voice. Actions should be decided together with community members, thought through and planned based on sustainability, compatibility with community needs and the ability to meet the goals of conserving the Biodiversity of this island that is unique and wonderful as it is.

Cesare Scarfo’ for Save Giglio