Description
The Reserve includes both the marsh vegetation of the banks and the hinterland and the portion of the basin in front of it. In this stretch of the lake, there is in fact a considerable development of submerged vegetation and lamineto, i.e. that type of vegetation given by those aquatic plants that, like the water lily (Nymphaea alba), create a true 'lamina' of green with their leaves spread over the water surface.
As a whole, the provincial nature reserve protects a slice of the lake in its natural condition, i.e. with all its vegetation, from the submerged vegetation planted at some distance from the shore where the water is deep enough (but not too deep), to the hygrophilous woodland on land.
Between these extremes is the aforementioned lamineto with water lilies and nymphaea (Nuphar luteum) at the water's surface, the reed thicket with marsh reeds (Phragmites australis) rooted on the bottom but well emerging along the shoreline, and, on land, a valuable cariceto (herbaceous vegetation characterised by plants of the genus Carex) that is home to extremely rare plant species.
The hygrophilous woodland consists of willows (Salix, various species) and especially black alder (Alnus glutinosa), the latter with specimens of considerable size.
Until a few decades ago, this vegetation still occupied a large part of the southern shore of the lake. Since the Second World War, development, in particular tourism, has eroded the surface area of the reed beds, also posing a problem for the survival of the aquatic vegetation.
The biotope constitutes a true oasis for wild animals, which are present here with a large number of species. Particularly interesting is the typical fauna of the reed and marsh hinterland, as it includes elements that have become rare in Trentino due to the progressive destruction of wetland environments. Examples include the green frog (Rana sinklepton esculenta) and water snakes (Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata).
Various water birds nest undisturbed in the dense reed thicket in spring, including the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), the coot (Fulica atra) and the moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), as well as some elusive but 'noisy' songbirds such as the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus).
In addition, one must not forget the valuable function of the biotope as a resting, refuge and feeding area for water birds during migration.
The need to guarantee the fauna the indispensable tranquillity, as well as to preserve the delicate aquatic vegetation from possible damage, requires that frequentation of the biotope be limited as much as possible and is the reason for the inclusion in the protected area of a portion of the stretch of water, which is thus forbidden to navigation.
Visiting facilities
- fauna observation tower
Publications
- project for protection and enhancement
Studies
- naturalistic and cadastral definition project
- periodic avifauna monitoring
- forest management plan
- scientific commission studies
