In 1971, the Ramsar Convention declared the Cesine to be a wetland of international value, covering an area of 620 hectares, part of which is the nature reserve, recognised by the Italian State in 1979. The area, whose name derives from the term "segine" (abandoned area), is now one of the increasingly rare habitats for numerous animal and plant species, which are seriously threatened in much of the Salento Peninsula. The marshy area is invaded by dense stands of marsh reed, sea squill, prickly rush, black rush, serotine statice, saltmarsh asters and the extremely rare Ipomena sagitta. The less salty marshes are home to the water lily, a rare plant with large yellow flowers, the marsh orchid, the Cretan thistle and the water lentil. The fauna includes the pochard, the mascot of the oasis, coots, mallards, Turkish ducks, royal swans, white herons and cormorants, water tortoises and tree frogs. The pine forest has slowly begun its conversion into scrubland. In the undergrowth are myrtle, lentisk, cistus, heather manipuliflora, of Balkan origin, and rare orchids. Entrance is only permitted with the guidance of WWF volunteers.