Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A complex of seven small islands between Tuscany and Corse (Montecristo, Giannutri, Gorgona, Capraia, Elba, Giglio e Pianosa). They are mainly covered by maquis, garrigue, sclerophyllous scrub, pine woodlands and have many rocky cliffs. Some have evergreen woodlands, grasslands and agricultural land. The main land-uses are tourism, fishing, boating and agriculture.
The islands support five of the 21 species of the Mediterranean biome, as well as breeding
Calonectris diomedea,
Puffinus yelkouan and
Larus audouinii, among other seabirds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are: the disturbance of breeding seabirds by tourists, especially using motorboats; the development of tourist resorts and associated infrastructure; burning of vegetation. Mediterranean monk seal
Monachus monachus (Critically Endangered) was recorded here until the 1980s.
National High
International Low28,000 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Arcipelago Toscano, 67,500 ha). 500 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Isola di Capraia, 500 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tuscan Archipelago (Italy). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tuscan-archipelago-iba-italy on 22/12/2024.
