| Lava | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Native name | Ruisseau de Lava (French) |
| Location | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Corsica |
| Department | Corse-du-Sud |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Mediterranean Sea |
• coordinates | 41°59′37″N8°40′00″E / 41.9936°N 8.6668°E |
| Length | 12.63 kilometres (7.85 mi) |
The Lava (French : Ruisseau de Lava) is a coastal stream in the west of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Lava is 12.63 kilometres (7.85 mi) long. It flows through the commune of Appietto. [1] It rises to the west of the 814 metres (2,671 ft) Punta Pastinaca and flows west past the village of Appietto to Portu Provenzale. When it reaches the sea the Lava turns to the north and flows behind the beach for a short distance before turning to the sea. [2] In winter, the Lava flows into the sea. In summer it can cut through the beach during heavy rains. [3] The Köppen climate classification is Csb : Warm-summer Mediterranean climate. [4]
The Golfe de Lava is classified as a Natura 2000 site covering 150 hectares (370 acres) between the Punta Pelusella, a rocky hill, to the north and a low sandy terrace to the south beside the Lava stream. The site is under high pressure from tourists with motorized vehicles in the summer. Footbridges and boardwalks have been installed to let the public access the beach all year without disturbing the flow of the stream, the plants and wildlife. Flora include toadflax (Linaria flava), cottonrose (Filago tyrrhenica), Brompton stock ( Matthiola incana ) and tamarix. Fauna include European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) and Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni). [3]
Part of the site, the Dune du Golfe de Lava, has been designated a Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique (ZNIEFF). It covers 3.51 hectares (8.7 acres) and is bounded to the north by the mouth of the Lava. It consists of a secondary coastal dune and the thicket of coastal mastic located behind the beach. The dune holds sparse vegetation characteristic of this type of environment in the Mediterranean. [5] The three-horned stock ( Matthiola tricuspidata ) and Linaria flava subsp. sardoa are protected in France. [6]
The following streams (ruisseaux) are tributaries of the Lava (ordered by length) and sub-tributaries: [1]
Appietto is a commune in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.
The Étang de Crovani is a coastal lagoon beside the Mediterranean Sea on the west coast of the Haute-Corse department on the French island of Corsica.
The Sisco is a small coastal stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It enters the Tyrrhenian Sea from the east of the Cap Corse peninsula.
The Erco is a stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It is a tributary of the Golo.
The Ruisseau de Pietracorbara is a coastal stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It rises in the Monte Stello massif on Cap Corse and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea on the east of the island.
The Oso is a small coastal river in the southeast of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Lagunienu is a small coastal stream in the southeast of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Baraci is a small coastal river in the southwest of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Butturacci is a coastal stream in the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Francolu is a coastal stream in the southeast of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Stabiacciu is a coastal river in the southeast of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France. The estuary, which contains an abandoned salt works, is rich in fauna and flora.
The Chiuni is a coastal river in the west of the department of Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France.
The Buggiu or Valdolese, Vughio is a small coastal river in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It flows into the Golfe de Saint-Florent in the north of the island. The estuary at its mouth has ecological value.
The Liscu ) is a small coastal river in the north of the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France.
The Seccu River is a small coastal river in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France.
The Poggiolo is a small coastal stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It enters the Tyrrhenian Sea from the east of the Cap Corse peninsula.
The Chiosura is a small coastal stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It enters the Tyrrhenian Sea from the east of the island.
The Chiola is a small coastal stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It enters the Tyrrhenian Sea from the east of the island.
The Varagno is a stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It is a tributary of the Fiumorbo.
The Saltaruccio is a stream in the department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It is a tributary of the Fiumorbo.
