An archipelago of small islands, islets and rock stacks in the Tyrrhenian Sea, close to the Lazio coast. It includes Isola di Ponza, Isola Palmarola, Isola Ventotene, Isola Zannone, Isola Santo Stefano, and Isola di Gavi. Maquis and garrigue are the dominant habitats. The main land-uses are fishing, tourism, hunting, stock-farming.
Key biodiversity
The site is important for cliff-breeding species and for migrants, especially raptors and passerines. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Acrocephalus paludicola (1-5 on passage).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are hunting and illegal bird-trapping during the spring migration. European mouflon Ovis orientalis musimon has been introduced on Zannone and is a globally threatened subspecies (Vulnerable), but its overgrazing is affecting the vegetation. The Instituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica carries out bird-ringing on Ventotene.
Protected areas
National High International High110 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Circeo, 8,622 ha). IBA contains State Nature Reserve (Isole di Ponza e Palmarola, area not known). IBA contains State Nature Reserve (Isole di Ventotene e S. Stefano, area not known). IBA contains Marine Nature Reserve (Ventotene e S. Stefano, area not known). 1,130 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Isole di Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, Ventotene e S. Stefano, 17,069 ha).
