Islands of Resilience: The Wild Ecology of Corsica and Sardinia

Rising from the heart of the western Mediterranean, Corsica and Sardinia are islands shaped by rugged mountains, sweeping coastlines, and climates that shift from arid shores to cool alpine valleys. These landscapes form ecological mosaics unlike anywhere else in Europe. Corsica’s jagged granite peaks, some reaching above 2,700 meters, harbor alpine meadows that contrast with the island’s coastal scrublands of fragrant maquis—an aromatic mix of myrtle, rosemary, and rockrose. Sardinia, the larger of the two, presents a gentler topography but no less diversity: sweeping plains and interior plateaus give way to limestone cliffs and hidden coves that shelter endemic flora and fauna, many of which evolved in isolation from the mainland. Together, the islands illustrate the remarkable adaptability of life in Mediterranean ecosystems.

Isolation has nurtured species found nowhere else. Corsica’s emblematic mouflon, a wild sheep with curled horns, navigates rocky crags with ease, while the Corsican nuthatch—a bird restricted to the island’s laricio pine forests—remains a living reminder of the importance of habitat preservation. Sardinia boasts its own rarities, from the small but resilient Giara horse roaming volcanic plateaus to the Sardinian brook salamander thriving in cool mountain streams. Offshore, the surrounding seas are equally rich: bottlenose dolphins play in turquoise shallows, while loggerhead turtles nest on quiet beaches. This interplay of terrestrial and marine ecosystems reveals the deep interdependence of island biodiversity.

Yet these fragile environments face mounting challenges. Wildfires, accelerated by hotter summers, threaten ancient forests. Expanding tourism, while vital to local economies, pressures coastal habitats and water resources. Invasive species further disrupt delicate ecological balances. Conservationists, however, see opportunity as well as urgency. Through national parks, marine reserves, and rewilding initiatives, both Corsica and Sardinia are striving to protect their natural heritage. In their windswept pines, sunlit cliffs, and secret lagoons, the islands remind us how life, when nurtured, thrives at the edges of land and sea.

Ghisoni ruisseau d'Alzitone en amont du pont de Canali

High in the western Mediterranean, Corsica rises abruptly from the sea, its granite ridges and coastal cliffs providing a dramatic stage for one of Europe’s most distinctive floral assemblages. The island’s relative isolation, combined with steep elevational gradients that range from sun-baked shorelines to alpine summits above 2,700 meters, has created a remarkable variety of plant habitats. This ecological diversity has fostered both endemism and resilience, with many species uniquely adapted to Corsica’s particular blend of Mediterranean and mountain climates. For botanists and travelers alike, Corsica is a living archive of Mediterranean flora, displaying how life has flourished in pockets of rugged terrain and sheltered valleys.

Perhaps the most evocative expression of Corsican flora is the maquis, a dense and aromatic shrubland that covers large swaths of the island’s lowlands and coastal areas. Composed of evergreen species such as myrtle, rosemary, lavender, and rockrose, the maquis exudes a fragrance so powerful that seafarers once claimed they could smell Corsica before they saw it. This shrubland thrives in nutrient-poor soils and under intense summer drought, making it a model of Mediterranean adaptation. The maquis also plays a vital ecological role, providing food and cover for insects, birds, and mammals, while stabilizing the thin soils that might otherwise erode under harsh seasonal rains.

In Corsica’s uplands, forests dominated by the laricio pine, a subspecies of the European black pine, form one of the island’s most iconic plant communities. These tall, straight-trunked trees, known locally as pin lariciu, can live for centuries, anchoring high mountain slopes in green stands. Within these forests, the Corsican nuthatch, an endemic bird species, depends on the cones for food and on the towering trunks for nesting. Understory plants include heathers, bilberries, and mosses, creating an alpine-like environment even in the heart of the Mediterranean. The longevity and ecological importance of laricio pine forests make them both biologically rich and culturally treasured.

Centranthus trinervis

The chestnut tree, introduced centuries ago, has also become deeply interwoven with Corsican landscapes and traditions. Grown extensively in mid-altitude zones, chestnut groves once served as a cornerstone of rural subsistence, with their nuts ground into flour for bread and polenta-like dishes. Botanically, these groves also sustain a wide variety of lichens, fungi, and shade-loving plants. Though chestnut blight and land abandonment have diminished their dominance in some areas, restoration efforts and renewed appreciation of chestnut-based cuisine have helped revive the significance of these landscapes, blending ecological value with cultural heritage.

Corsica’s limestone cliffs and coastal zones harbor yet another facet of floral diversity, with a suite of plants specialized for salt spray, thin soils, and high winds. Here, halophytic (salt-tolerant) species such as sea lavender and samphire cling to cracks in the rock, while endemic daisies and saxifrages find niches in sheltered ledges. These coastal plant communities are fragile but vital, stabilizing cliffs and dunes while providing nectar to pollinators that bridge terrestrial and marine food webs. In some sandy inlets, rare orchids can be found, their fleeting blooms drawing botanists from around Europe during the spring months.

Equally notable are Corsica’s high-altitude meadows and scree slopes, where the flora reflects both Mediterranean resilience and alpine tenacity. Cushion plants, with their low, compact forms, survive under snow in winter and scorching sun in summer. Endemics such as Viola corsica display vibrant blossoms amid rocky expanses, while saxifrages and gentians dot the meadows with flashes of color. These communities, though sparse in density, are rich in specialized adaptations that allow them to endure extreme temperature swings, thin soils, and short growing seasons. They serve as reminders of the island’s vertical ecological complexity, where elevation acts as a powerful force shaping vegetation.

Veronica hederifolia

Despite its botanical wealth, Corsica’s flora faces mounting pressures from human and environmental change. The maquis, though resilient, is highly flammable, and wildfires—often exacerbated by hotter, drier summers—pose a constant threat. Urban expansion and coastal tourism encroach on dune and cliff habitats, while introduced species compete with endemics in fragile ecosystems. Climate change, with its unpredictable rainfall and shifting seasons, adds yet another layer of uncertainty to the island’s already delicate balance. These challenges underscore the need for careful management and conservation, lest Corsica’s botanical treasures be diminished for future generations.

Conservation efforts, however, are well underway. Regional parks and protected areas safeguard critical habitats, while botanical research continues to document Corsica’s rich plant life and monitor endangered species. Educational initiatives encourage residents and visitors alike to appreciate the ecological value of even the humblest shrub or alpine flower. For those who wander Corsica’s trails, the experience is immersive: the heady scent of maquis herbs, the cool shade of chestnut groves, the sharp silhouette of laricio pines against a blue sky. Together, these plants form more than just scenery—they are the living fabric of an island whose identity is inseparable from its flora.

Rising from the western Mediterranean like a granite fortress, Corsica is more than just a dramatic landscape of mountains, forests, and coastlines—it is also a sanctuary for an array of unique animals. Its isolation from the European mainland, combined with steep variations in altitude, has created habitats where species have adapted to thrive under specialized conditions. From rugged highland slopes to sunlit lagoons, Corsica’s fauna reflects both the resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems and the vulnerabilities of island life. Many of its animals are rare, some are found nowhere else, and all contribute to the ecological identity of this storied island.

Blue rock thrush, male

Among Corsica’s most iconic inhabitants is the mouflon, a wild sheep whose curved horns and sure-footed agility make it a symbol of the island’s untamed spirit. Once reduced to small populations, the mouflon today can still be seen navigating the steep crags of the island’s mountainous interior. These animals not only serve as ecological grazers, helping to maintain open habitats, but also carry immense cultural weight as emblems of Corsican identity. Conservation efforts have stabilized their numbers, though habitat fragmentation and poaching remain threats. Their survival speaks to both the challenges and the successes of wildlife management on Mediterranean islands.

Equally emblematic of Corsica’s wild heritage is its avian life. Chief among them is the Corsican nuthatch, a small, slate-colored bird found only in the high-altitude laricio pine forests. Dependent on the cones of these towering trees, the nuthatch exemplifies the close ties between Corsica’s flora and fauna. Other birds add richness to the island’s soundscape: golden eagles soar above alpine ridges, bee-eaters add bursts of color to coastal valleys, and ospreys fish in clear coastal waters. Birdwatchers are often struck by the diversity that can be encountered in such a compact island, where mountain and sea lie only hours apart.

In Corsica’s lower elevations and chestnut groves, mammals such as foxes, wild boar, and hedgehogs play out quieter dramas. Wild boar, in particular, are deeply woven into local tradition, often hunted and celebrated in Corsican cuisine. Though sometimes considered agricultural pests, these adaptable animals help shape landscapes by rooting through soil and dispersing seeds. Smaller creatures, like bats roosting in caves and barns, contribute invisible but essential services by pollinating plants and consuming insects. Even the island’s domestic animals—such as semi-wild goats and pigs roaming village margins—form part of the broader ecological picture, illustrating how human and natural histories intertwine.

Wild Bearded Vulture in flight

The waterways of Corsica, from mountain streams to brackish lagoons, also shelter distinctive species. The Sardinian-Corsican brook salamander, a relic of ancient evolutionary history, thrives in cool, fast-moving streams and serves as an indicator of water quality. Freshwater eels navigate Corsican rivers during their epic migrations, while dragonflies skim the surfaces, preying on smaller insects. Along the coast, wetlands and lagoons provide vital stopover points for migratory birds, including flamingos, herons, and stilts. These aquatic habitats reveal Corsica not only as a mountain stronghold but also as a crucial link in Mediterranean flyways and freshwater ecosystems.

The surrounding Mediterranean Sea enriches Corsican fauna further. Dolphins—particularly bottlenose and striped species—are often spotted leaping in offshore waters, while loggerhead sea turtles occasionally nest along the quieter beaches. The island’s coastal cliffs provide roosts for rare seabirds such as Audouin’s gull and the Mediterranean shag. These marine and coastal animals remind us that Corsica’s ecological story extends beyond land, woven into the broader fabric of Mediterranean biodiversity. Protecting the interface between sea and shore remains one of the island’s most pressing conservation challenges, as rising tourism and warming seas place additional stress on fragile marine systems.

Like all island ecosystems, Corsica’s fauna faces profound pressures. Urban expansion, road networks, and deforestation fragment habitats, while wildfires fueled by hotter summers displace both flora and fauna. Invasive species—from predatory cats to introduced rodents—pose particular dangers to ground-nesting birds and amphibians. Climate change adds further uncertainty, reshaping the island’s delicate balance between drought and rainfall, heat and snow. For Corsica’s most specialized species, whose survival depends on specific habitats like laricio pine forests or alpine meadows, these changes carry potentially devastating consequences. Yet the island’s history also shows resilience, with species like the mouflon and nuthatch surviving through centuries of human and environmental upheaval.

Corsican brook salamander

Conservationists and local communities are working together to safeguard Corsica’s animal life for generations to come. National and regional parks protect habitats ranging from mountain forests to wetlands, while rewilding initiatives seek to restore natural processes that support wildlife. Ecotourism projects encourage visitors to appreciate the island’s fauna without disturbing it, fostering awareness and pride in Corsica’s living heritage. Ultimately, the animals of Corsica—from mouflons silhouetted on granite peaks to dolphins dancing offshore—offer more than biological interest. They embody the wild heart of the island itself, a reminder that the richness of life depends on our willingness to protect the fragile connections that sustain it.

Rising from the heart of the western Mediterranean, Sardinia is an island whose fauna is as distinctive as its rugged landscapes. From sweeping coastal wetlands to volcanic plateaus and mountain forests, the island’s ecosystems shelter an extraordinary array of animals, many of them found nowhere else on Earth. Geographic isolation has allowed ancient lineages to survive here, while cultural traditions and conservation programs have shaped how Sardinians live alongside their wildlife. The island’s fauna is not only a testament to endurance in a changing world but also a symbol of the delicate balance between nature, people, and place.

One of Sardinia’s most celebrated creatures is the Sardinian wildcat, a small but elusive predator whose ancestry stretches back to the African wildcat. Solitary and nocturnal, it prowls the island’s forests and rocky hillsides, preying on rodents and birds. Though its secretive nature makes sightings rare, the wildcat plays a vital ecological role in maintaining balance in small mammal populations. Conservationists remain concerned, however, about hybridization with domestic cats, which threatens the genetic purity of this ancient feline. Protecting its habitats has become an emblematic effort in safeguarding Sardinia’s broader biodiversity.

Archaeolacerta bedriagae

Another distinctive species, the Giara horse, roams the volcanic plateau of the same name in central Sardinia. Small, sturdy, and resilient, these semi-wild horses are thought to be remnants of ancient breeds that once roamed the Mediterranean basin. Today, they graze freely among cork oaks and basaltic outcrops, embodying the resilience of animals shaped by centuries of isolation. Once essential for agriculture, the Giara horse now symbolizes cultural pride and natural heritage. Its continued survival depends on careful management, as shrinking grazing lands and human pressures encroach on its habitat.

Birdlife flourishes across Sardinia, where coastal wetlands and mountain ridges serve as important refuges and migratory stopovers. Flamingos, once rare, now thrive in salt lagoons near Cagliari, their pink flocks wading gracefully in shallow waters. Endemic species such as the Sardinian warbler and the Moltoni’s warbler sing in the scrublands, while golden eagles patrol the high cliffs of the Gennargentu massif. The island is also a vital waypoint for migratory species crossing between Europe and Africa, making it a living crossroads for avian diversity. Birdwatchers often marvel at the richness concentrated in such a relatively compact space.

In Sardinia’s rivers and streams, freshwater life tells another story of adaptation and survival. The Sardinian brook salamander, a close relative of Corsica’s, inhabits cool mountain waters, where it requires pristine conditions to reproduce. Its presence serves as a biological barometer of water quality, making its conservation especially important. Freshwater turtles and endemic fish species also populate these aquatic systems, each adapted to seasonal fluctuations in flow and temperature. These waterways, though often overlooked, are among Sardinia’s most sensitive habitats, where small disturbances can ripple through the entire ecosystem.

Along the coasts and offshore waters, Sardinia’s marine fauna adds another dimension to the island’s ecological wealth. Dolphins—particularly bottlenose and striped—are frequent companions to fishing boats, while loggerhead sea turtles nest along sandy beaches. Underwater, the seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica provide nurseries for countless fish and invertebrates, anchoring the health of the Mediterranean Sea. Seabirds, such as the rare Audouin’s gull, find safe roosting sites on rocky islets. These marine communities, however, face increasing threats from overfishing, pollution, and warming seas, underscoring the urgency of marine conservation alongside terrestrial protection.

Like many island ecosystems, Sardinia’s fauna exists in a fragile equilibrium. Habitat loss from urban development, agricultural expansion, and wildfires places continual stress on native species. Introduced animals such as wild rabbits and invasive rodents disrupt local food webs, while climate change alters rainfall patterns, shrinking wetlands and stressing mountain habitats. For specialized species like the Giara horse or the brook salamander, whose survival depends on unique ecological conditions, these pressures can prove particularly devastating. Yet Sardinia’s long history of coexistence with its fauna offers both lessons and hope for navigating these challenges.

Today, conservation efforts across Sardinia aim to preserve this extraordinary diversity of life. National parks, marine reserves, and regional initiatives protect habitats ranging from alpine peaks to salt flats. Scientific research tracks the health of key species, while ecotourism initiatives introduce visitors to the island’s natural treasures without undermining them. Local communities, often deeply tied to the land through pastoral traditions, are increasingly recognized as allies in conservation, ensuring that cultural heritage and ecological stewardship go hand in hand. From wildcats stalking in the night to flamingos rising in pink clouds at dawn, Sardinia’s fauna is both fragile and resilient—a living reflection of the island’s identity and its enduring bond with the natural world.

Rock soapwort

Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, is often celebrated for its dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches, and ancient cultural heritage. Yet beneath this human history lies an equally compelling story written in leaves, bark, and blossoms. The island’s flora is a product of isolation, climatic extremes, and varied geology, producing landscapes that range from sun-baked scrublands to lush forests and high mountain meadows. Sardinia’s plants are not only beautiful but also vital: they stabilize soils, shelter wildlife, and have sustained human communities for centuries. Exploring this botanical richness reveals how nature and culture intertwine across the island’s rugged terrain.

Perhaps the most characteristic Sardinian plant community is the macchia mediterranea—the dense, evergreen shrubland that dominates lowland and coastal areas. Composed of myrtle, lentisk, juniper, rosemary, and rockrose, the macchia is a fragrant, resilient ecosystem adapted to drought, salty winds, and fire. Its shrubs grow close together, forming thickets that resist grazing and erosion, while their oils and resins fill the air with an unmistakable perfume. The macchia’s resilience comes at a cost: it burns fiercely during summer wildfires, but in doing so, it regenerates, sending up new shoots from ancient root systems. For travelers, the macchia defines Sardinia’s sensory landscape, a living tapestry of texture and scent.

Beyond the macchia, Sardinia harbors extensive oak forests that once covered much of the island. Holm oak (Quercus ilex) and cork oak (Quercus suber) dominate these woodlands, thriving in the island’s Mediterranean climate. Cork oak, in particular, is both an ecological and cultural keystone. Its thick, insulating bark is harvested every decade without harming the tree, sustaining a traditional cork industry that continues to shape local economies. These forests are not only productive but also biodiverse, providing shade for ferns and mosses, food for wild boar and deer, and shelter for countless birds and insects. In a warming Mediterranean, oak forests remain vital bastions of stability and biodiversity.

Salvia desoleana

In Sardinia’s uplands, vegetation shifts again. The rugged Gennargentu massif, the island’s highest mountain range, shelters alpine and subalpine flora adapted to cooler temperatures and thin soils. Here, endemic plants such as Viola corsica-sardoa and Sardinian saxifrages cling to rocky crevices, surviving in niches carved by wind and frost. Cushion plants form tight, spiny domes to conserve moisture, while spring meadows erupt with gentians, orchids, and buttercups. These high-altitude habitats, though limited in extent, preserve ancient lineages that connect Sardinia’s flora to alpine ecosystems far to the north, illustrating the island’s role as a crossroads of Mediterranean and European plant life.

Equally striking are Sardinia’s coastal and wetland plants, which reveal remarkable adaptations to harsh, shifting environments. Salt marshes and lagoons support halophytic species such as glasswort and sea lavender, whose succulent tissues store water while excluding salt. Dune systems, often fragile under the pressure of tourism, host delicate grasses and sand-binding plants that prevent erosion. In spring, these coastal margins burst into color with wild lilies and orchids, attracting pollinators and dazzling visitors. Wetlands also play a critical ecological role, filtering water and supporting migratory birds, and their flora is integral to the survival of these ecosystems.

Sardinia’s flora is not only wild but also deeply intertwined with human tradition. Olive trees, cultivated for millennia, still line terraced hillsides and provide one of the island’s most important crops. Vineyards, producing the robust Cannonau and Vermentino wines, are another testament to the agricultural shaping of Sardinian landscapes. Chestnut trees, particularly in the island’s interior, once formed the basis of rural subsistence, their nuts ground into flour for bread and polenta-like dishes. Even wild herbs of the macchia—thyme, sage, and rosemary—have long flavored Sardinian cuisine, bridging the gap between wild ecosystems and daily life.

Purple Willow (Salix purpurea)

Yet Sardinia’s botanical wealth faces significant challenges. Wildfires, intensified by hotter summers, continue to destroy forests and scrublands, testing the resilience of the macchia. Overgrazing by sheep and goats threatens regeneration in sensitive upland zones, while urban expansion and mass tourism place enormous pressure on coastal ecosystems. Climate change compounds these stresses, shifting rainfall patterns and altering flowering seasons. For Sardinia’s endemic plants—species restricted to its mountains and cliffs—such changes could mean extinction. Protecting the island’s flora, therefore, is not only a matter of preserving beauty but also of maintaining ecological integrity and cultural identity.

Efforts to safeguard Sardinia’s flora are underway across the island. National and regional parks protect critical habitats, from the Gennargentu mountains to coastal dunes. Reforestation projects, often centered on cork oaks, aim to restore degraded landscapes, while sustainable grazing programs balance pastoral traditions with ecological health. Botanical gardens and research institutions catalog the island’s endemic species, spreading awareness of their global importance. Visitors too play a role, as ecotourism and guided hikes foster appreciation for Sardinia’s plants beyond their immediate utility. In the rustle of cork oaks, the perfume of the macchia, and the brilliance of alpine blooms, Sardinia’s flora speaks of resilience, adaptation, and the timeless dialogue between land and life.

     Across the western Mediterranean, Corsica and Sardinia stand as living laboratories of resilience, where centuries of isolation have produced ecosystems both fragile and extraordinary. Though wildfires, invasive species, and climate change have tested their ecological balance, both islands are charting hopeful paths forward. National parks, marine reserves, and UNESCO biosphere designations protect critical habitats, while local communities increasingly see conservation not as a burden but as a means of safeguarding identity and livelihood. In this union of natural heritage and cultural pride lies the foundation of a sustainable future.

Sulcis Regional Park

On Corsica, the fragrance of the maquis shrubland and the towering laricio pine forests continue to define the island’s soul. Conservationists are working to rewild degraded landscapes and restore balance to species like the Corsican mouflon and nuthatch, symbols of the island’s wild heart. Meanwhile, Sardinia’s cork oak forests and coastal wetlands are being managed with renewed vigor, blending traditional practices with modern ecological science. Flamingos thrive in restored lagoons near Cagliari, while the hardy Giara horses graze protected volcanic plateaus. These successes demonstrate that when habitats are shielded, life rebounds—often with remarkable speed and vitality.

The hopeful future of Corsica and Sardinia lies in their ability to connect ecology with economy, tradition with innovation. Ecotourism rooted in respect for biodiversity offers income without sacrificing natural wealth, while education programs cultivate new generations who value their islands’ flora and fauna as much as their songs and stories. As global environmental challenges mount, these Mediterranean strongholds remind us that conservation is not only about preservation but renewal. By nurturing their endemic species, restoring forests and wetlands, and embracing sustainable stewardship, Corsica and Sardinia are showing how islands can become beacons of ecological hope.