Priority habitat consisting of seagrass beds of Posidonia oceanica (Code 1120*).  It plays a crucial role in protecting coastlines from erosion, generating oxygen and sequestering carbon (Blue Carbon). The project covers approximately  648 hectares in Italy to reduce the degradation caused by moorings and fishing.

• Annual vegetation of marine sedimentary lines (Code 1210): pioneer and ephemeral formations that develop on accumulations of organic material washed up by the waves onto the foreshore.

• Mobile embryonic dunes (Code 2110): these represent the initial stage of dune formation and are colonised by rhizomatous plants such as  Thinopyrum junceum which begin to retain the sand.

• Shifting dunes of the coastal bar with the presence of Ammophila arenaria (Code 2120):  also known as ‘white dunes’, they are characterised by the presence of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), which is essential for the structural stability of the dune system.

• Fixed dunes of the Crucianellion maritimae coastline (Code 2210):  these are found in the more stable, inland areas (grey dunes), characterised by carpets of mosses, lichens and species such as Crucianella maritima.

• Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.  (Code 2250*): priority habitat consisting of juniper scrub (Juniperus oxycedrus and  J. phoenicea) which stabilise mature dunes and enhance the site’s biodiversity.

The dunes are the first natural defence against erosion. The project covers over 400 hectares across Italy and Greece, using low-impact natural engineering techniques: barriers made of chestnut poles and bundles of Arundo donax (common reed) to trap the sand, restore the dune profile and protect the pioneer vegetation.

To protect the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, a vital habitat in the Mediterranean, we are implementing innovative management plans in Puglia, in the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, and along the coast of Calabria. By installing sustainable mooring systems, we are avoiding damages caused by illegal anchoring, whilst the direct collaboration with local fishermen enables us to reduce fishing pressure, ensuring the regeneration and health of marine ecosystems.

Dunes are the first natural defence against erosion. The project covers over 400 hectares across Italy and Greece, using low-impact natural engineering techniques: barriers made of chestnut poles and bundles of Arundo donax (common reed) to trap the sand, restore the dune profile and protect the pioneer vegetation.

In order to protect the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, which is a vital habitat in the Mediterranean, we are implementing innovative management plans in Puglia, in the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, and along the coast of Calabria. By installing sustainable mooring systems, we are eliminating the damage caused by illegal anchoring, whilst direct collaboration with local fishermen enables us to reduce fishing pressure, ensuring the regeneration and health of marine ecosystems.

In order to reverse the processes of degradation of psammophilous habitats, the project implements ex situ conservation protocolsex situ through the systematic collection of native germplasm from target sites. The biogenetic material is transferred to specialised propagation centres for the mass production of over 15,000 individuals belonging to taxa key to the structural stability of the dunes, including Juniperus spp. and Ammophila arenaria. Nursery production adheres to strict quality standards to ensure the maintenance of genetic variability and resilience within the populations. The specimens produced are subsequently reintroduced through planting initiatives aimed at restoring the typical vegetation zones and consolidating the dune substrates, thereby promoting the restoration of ecosystem functionality and related environmental services.

To combat the threat posed by invasive alien plant species (IAPS), the project employs an advanced system of Automatic Risk Assessment (ARA) which enables the mapping of the spread of critical species such as Acacia saligna, Ailanthus altissima andCarpobrotus spp., precisely targeting interventions where the risk to native biodiversity is greatest. This smart monitoring strategy guides direct eradication operations at 8 target sites, where low-impact manual and mechanical protocols are applied to remove invasive plants whilst respecting the soil and local fauna. Each cleared area is subsequently restored through the planting of native species, creating a natural barrier to prevent further colonisation and restore the integrity of the dune ecosystems

Il progetto LIFE terrAmare mette al centro il fattore umano per garantire una tutela duratura delle coste attraverso la creazione di 9 Ecological Beach Communities (EBC) tra Italia e Grecia. In queste comunità, cittadini, operatori balneari e turisti diventano custodi attivi del territorio partecipando a programmi di formazione e attività di monitoraggio partecipato. Parallelamente, uniamo le forze istituzionali attraverso il Patto per la Costa: un portale dedicato raccoglie l’impegno formale di comuni, enti parco e gestori locali per adottare politiche comuni di salvaguardia, trasformando i siti Natura 2000 in modelli di eccellenza nella gestione integrata e sostenibile delle spiagge.

The LIFE terrAmare project builds a strategic bridge between environmental conservation and the business world through the development of a digital platform dedicated to the market for Ecosystem Services (PES). This innovative tool enables companies to invest in certified conservation projects – such as the protection of Posidonia seagrass meadows or dune restoration – offering concrete solutions to improve their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Thanks to a transaction traceability system and rigorous assessment protocols (TAN/TRAS), the platform ensures that every investment generates a tangible and measurable environmental impact, transforming the protection of coastal biodiversity into an opportunity for sustainable development and corporate reputation for private investors.