A new island has formed permanently in Venice, complete with its own ecosystem, but experts are concerned about its long-term viability.
Even though the price may prevent many from visiting one of Dubai’s 300 artificial islands, a new island has now become a permanent feature near Sant’Erasmo island in the Northern Venetian Lagoon.
However, it’s advisable not to hastily plan a visit just yet.
The construction of the Mose (MOdulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) flood barrier system in Venice, Italy, began in 2003 and is projected to be fully completed in 2025. It successfully protected the city for the first time in 2020.
According to its website, “The Mose system is located at the inlets of Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia, the three gates of the coastal cordon through which the tide spreads from the Adriatic sea into the Lagoon.”
“To respond to the objective set by the Law for Venice 798/84, the complete defense of the entire lagoon from the high tides of any level, an integrated system of works has been developed that foresees the barriers of mobile gates, able to isolate the lagoon from the sea during the events of high tide, complementary works such as the cliffs outside the port mouths, designed to attenuate the levels of the most frequent tides and the rise of the banks and pavements, at least up to +110 cm, in the lowest in the lagoon dwellings.”
“The integration of these interventions defines an extremely functional defense system that guarantees the quality of the water, the protection of the morphology and the landscape, the maintenance of the port activity.”
As a result, a new island has emerged from the lagoon, named Bacan.
Previously appearing as a seasonal sandbank, Bacan is now a permanent island with its own ecosystem. Yet, its emergence has sparked a debate among experts.
Giovanni Cecconi, an engineer who worked on the Mose flood barrier, informed The Times that the island has flourished with rushes, flowers, samphire, and thickets, and friends have brought back kilos of razor clams from Bacan.
He stated, “The barrier … accelerates the flow of water into the lagoon when it is open, meaning more sand comes in, helping sustain Bacan. […] And by raising the barrier in winter to stop high waters, the island is protected from the surges that used to erode it.”
“It is a new ecosystem and shows that the lagoon can evolve in a positive way in parallel with human intervention.”
Yet, some experts remain skeptical.
Andrea D’Alpaos, a hydrologist from Padua University, expressed concerns about the lagoon’s future ecosystem sustainability, noting that a substantial ’70 percent’ of marsh growth relies on storm surges that bring silt into the lagoon.
However, when storm surges occur, the Mose system is raised to protect Venice, which could block silt from entering the lagoon and reaching the island.
Furthermore, D’Alpaos worries that the island might attract tourists, bringing ‘ice-cream kiosks and luxury hotels.’ Let’s try not to spoil this unspoiled area too quickly.