Although its appearance and its location at the bottom of the sea could make us think that it is an algae, the Posidonia oceanica is a superior plant and probably the most important plant in the marine ecosystem of the Pitiusas.
Posidonia meadows are an endemic species of the Mediterranean Sea that is not present in any other sea in the world. We can find it between the superficial level up to 30-40 meters deep depending on the transparency of the waters, occupying large areas on the Mediterranean coast. It is an endemic species of the Mediterranean and, since 1999, specifically, the meadow of the Natural Park of the Salinas de Ibiza and Formentera was declared a World Heritage Site.
Unlike algae, it has leaves, stem and roots, as well as producing flowers and fruits. It grows both on rocky bottoms and on mobile bottoms, that is, sandy bottoms, while samoto algae grow on hard or rocky bottoms.
This plant plays an important role in sedimentary dynamics, since it keeps the sediment immobile with its roots and creates important areas of oxygen production, breeding and refuge for many animal species. It is estimated that more than 400 plant and 1,000 animal species inhabit posidonia meadows. On the other hand, the meadows function as large filter feeders, helping to keep the sea water clean and transparent. Likewise, the posidonia berms in the sand prevent the erosion of the beaches.
