Varano lagoon is located on the southern Adriatic coast (Apulia region, Italy) on the north side of the Gargano promontory (41.88°N; 15.75°E; Figure 1).This brackish lagoon covers an area of 6,500 ha, with a perimeter of 33 Km. The average depth is 4m, with maximum values of 5 meters in the central zone. The lagoon is characterised by a trapezoid shape; it is surrounded on three sides by steep hills while the north side which faces the sea is a bar of sand dunes. Two artificial channels (Capoiale and Varano) at the east and west extremity of the sand bar provide a connection with the sea.  more information about Varano Lagoon