Data Zone
Country/territory: Italy
IBA criteria met: C6 (2002)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 4,877 hectares (48.77 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
A complex of brackish wetlands (Stagnone di Marsala), saltpans (Saline di Trapani) and islets (Isole dello Stagnone di Marsala) along the west coast of Sicily, south of the town of Trapani. The Stagnone di Marsala is one of the last remaining lagoons in Sicily. It measures 10 km (north-south) by 3 km. It has an average depth of 1 m (maximum is only 2.5 m). The principal vegetation is bushes of Salicornia and Salsola, whilst the surrounding areas are largely agricultural. The Saline di Trapani are north of the lagoon and comprise a complex of saltpans at the mouth of the Baiata river. The main land-uses are salt extraction and agriculture.
Key biodiversity
An important site for wintering and migrating waterbirds and for breeding waders and terns. Over 21,000 waders have been recorded passing through the area in spring.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Stagnone di Marsala and Trapani saltpans (Italy). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/stagnone-di-marsala-and-trapani-saltpans-iba-italy on 20/12/2024.