A territory fully integrated into a national park
The biogeography of the territory has given the island a wide variety of ecosystems. The maquis, primary forests of holm oaks or the sea bed contain a rich biodiversity, including endemic species.
The National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago includes the whole island and the surrounding islets. It contributes to the preservation of the environment and to environmental awareness. The park houses are places of knowledge dissemination but also of wonder, as the many hiking routes. Other activities allow you to discover the biodiversity of the island: diving, bird watching or cetacean watching (whales, dolphins), some of them dedicated to children. The islands of the Tuscan archipelago are also protected as a Unesco "Man and Biosphere" reserve.
Orto dei Semplici: this garden of simple plants adjoins the hermitage of St. Catherine and presents local plants, both wild and cultivated, of the territory. It completes the discovery of the island's flora, including endemic species (Elba blueberry).
The territory of Elba is part of the "Pelagos Sanctuary", a marine area that operates under a tripartite agreement between Italy, France and Monaco, and which aims to study and protect cetacean populations.
Anthropogenic pressures
Human activities since antiquity have contributed to the decline of biodiversity. Metallurgy, for example, has caused the primary forest to shrink considerably. The introduction of goats, sheep or wild boar has also modified ecosystems. Today, the artificialization of soils accentuates the phenomena of erosion and environmental degradation. Tourist numbers and overfishing are putting pressure on natural resources. On a global level, human activities, via plastic pollution and climate change, have direct impacts on the island.
Combating plastic pollution
The Mediterranean, a semi-enclosed sea, accounts for 1% of the world's marine waters, and concentrates 7% of microplastic pollution (source: wwf.fr). Most of this pollution is invisible to the naked eye (plastics in the form of nano and micro-particles), and comes from aqueous effluents.
Plastic waste is another, more visible form of pollution. With the currents, an island of plastic over 10 km long is said to have formed from untreated waste. Several associations are alerting the authorities to the sharp rise in plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, particularly between Corsica and Capraia, the westernmost island of the Tuscan archipelago.
Facing climate change
The warming of the sea has been measured thanks to a monitoring station installed on the island's outskirts. A study (Greenpeace/University of Genoa) has highlighted the link between rising sea temperatures and the impact on biodiversity (species mortality, coral bleaching, fish migration). Climate change could also lead to a greater frequency and intensity of extreme events, including droughts. In light of this, a number of initiatives have been launched to develop renewable energy production and raise awareness of the need to reduce water and energy consumption.
The island of Elba is one of the destinations compatible with environmentally-friendly vacations. Thanks to its modest size and a territorial marketing strategy geared to responsible tourism, the island is able to offer a comprehensive and attractive range of activities in keeping with its lush natural setting. In this sense, among the initiatives in favor of the environment that have been put in place, we would highlight :
the organization of tourist excursions in harmony with the territory, within the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago; and also didactic experiences for the youngest, in order to make known not only the natural beauties of the island, but above all the behaviors to adopt to protect them.
the local government's focus on clean transport and emissions reduction. Since 2010, the island has been using green vehicles to transport people and goods. The benefits are twofold: on the one hand, the electric buses don't pollute, and on the other, the number of private cars on the island has fallen.
In short, Elba is accessible by boat from the mainland. It's easy to get around on foot, by bike or by public transport, and to eat locally ( slowfood and agriturismo networks). A pleasant way to preserve this island, which legend has it was born from a pearl that escaped from Venus' diadem.
