The Venice lagoon's salt marshes and their biodiversity

Join the climate walk curated by researchers: Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso and Elisa Scalabrin (National Research Centre - Institute of Polar Sciences CNR-ISP Venice) and We are here Venice (NGO restoring artificial salt marshes in the lagoon). Salt marshes are unique ecosystems, typical of transitional zones such as the Lagoon: low-lying islets covered with herbaceous vegetation, periodically submerged by high tides.

These ecosystems are of great scenic value and invaluable for biodiversity, featuring unique plants capable of withstanding fluctuations in salinity, temperature, and tides, as well as numerous rare bird species. Furthermore, they act as natural filters, improving water quality and trapping sediments and nutrients.

However, these environments are at risk due to erosion, wave action, reduced sediment input, climate change, and, not least, pollution. Maintaining plant biodiversity in salt marshes is crucial because it ensures a stable plant cover under any conditions. 

What is the importance of biodiversity for salt marshes and for ecosystems in general? 

What does this have to do with the human species? 

The climate walk will be an opportunity to discuss these issues together.