Temporal evolution of the area of Capo Peloro (Sicily, Italy) from pristine site into urbanized area

The area of Capo Peloro was examined as a natural system subjected to an increasing anthropogenic pressure, resulting in alteration of its ecological characteristics. According to the hypothesis of Barrier (1995), Capo Peloro was originated by tectonic movements along the Straits of Messina during the Pliocene and the Pleistocene times. Two different models of littoral barrier construction, were suggested by Bottari & Carveni (2009) and by Chillemi (1995). Both of them have lead to the formation of brackish lagoons along the coastline similar to those existing now. Historical evidence of Greek and Roman times, supports the existence of a bay able to accommodate vessels up to the I century B.C. The evolution into brackish lagoons appears accomplished in the V century A.D., as documented in 1864 by Solino. The salt marsh along with the two adjacent lakes, formed a complex ecosystem able to support local hunting and fishing. At the same time, swordfish fishing in the Straits of Messina became a fashionable leisure for the Elders of the city and their famous guests. A series of channels linking the lakes to each other and to the neighbouring sea can be found at the beginning of XIX century A.D., during the British occupation; they were focused to protect the Bourbons from possible invasions of Sicily made by the French. A marshland between the two lakes was claimed due to the achievement of military fortresses built along the coast from Messina to Capo Peloro. During the same period, the Bourbons gave permission to clean up the area to create a fishing reserve in the Ganzirri lake. Gradually, in the second half of the XIX century, the drained marshy area was used as farmland. In the two lakes, the harvesting of clams from spontaneous became shellfish farming. The rearing process involved the tampering of the lake bottom to create the "mounds" in which to enter the clams for their growth. In addition to local species, the introduction of allochthonous species (oysters, mussels ...) is mentioned in some documents of the late XIX century. The intensification of shellfish farming has led to significant influences also on autotrophic biomass. Legal disputes also arose as to the rights of property resulting from the division into parcels granted to individual owners. The violent impairment of the territory has developed over the last 50 years through the intense urbanization extended to all the area of Capo Peloro.