In this area* we discover biodiversity , to understand the importance of its protection and discover that one of the main threats that put the life of wild fauna at risk are invasive alien species.
Alien species are those plants, animals, and fungi that establish themselves outside their native range. It is important, however, to distinguish between alien species and invasive alien species, those introduced that cause damage not only to the ecosystem but also to human health and the economy.
Many alien species have been introduced by humans since ancient times and have become part of our culture, think of the potato or the tomato.
Since the middle of the last century, the increased scope for human travel and the improved capacity for trade, enabled by globalization, has increasingly provided opportunities for the spread of potentially invasive species to places other than their native ones.
In Italy, there are more than 2,200 alien animal and plant species, both in marine and terrestrial environments. Of these, 20% are considered invasive or potentially so. To address this problem, the Italian Union of Zoos and Aquariums (UIZA) , of which Oltremare is a member, has launched the "BEWARE OF THE ALIEN" campaign to raise awareness of the need to be mindful of this issue, even in our daily activities.
In the Alien Invasion trail in Oltremare you can observe alien species that very often harm native ones, such as the catfish and the red-eared terrapin.
*Open from April to October
it
