Description
The protected area covers the stream between its point of entry into the Rocchetta gorge and the Denno railway station.
The origin of the biotope is complex and is obviously attributable to the action of watercourses, but the current configuration of the area is also due to human intervention.
In 1922, the course of the Noce River was artificially dammed with a small dam at the beginning of the Rocchetta Gorge, creating a small lake. As a consequence of this damming, the water level upstream rose, and the course of the Noce River widened into an elongated, shallow basin known as 'Lago della Rocchetta', which over time, however, was partly filled in by alluvial inputs from the watercourses and inert materials dumped in the peripheral areas of the lake.
In this area, the flow of the Torrente Noce is greatly slowed down by the valley's low gradient, which facilitates the deposit of water-borne materials. Thus the stream flows, from the height of Denno Stazione, over its own alluvium, to which are added those of tributary watercourses, including the T. Lovernatico and T. Sporeggio on the right bank and the T. Rinassico on the left bank. These tributaries contribute significantly to the water supply in the biotope, and in fact this valley floor is very rich in water.
The most characteristic vegetation element in the protected area is the strips of riparian woodland with willows (especially Salix alba) and alders (Alnus incana and Alnus glutinosa); they form strips fringing the watercourse, sometimes very thin, but on the whole well preserved. Abundant herbaceous and shrubby riparian vegetation gives these thickets a 'wild' appearance, making them difficult to cross and thus performing a valuable 'filter' function against disturbance.
In the Rocchetta area, the presence of semi-stagnant water has favoured the development of water reed (Phragmites australis), which forms dense reed thickets.
The nature reserve's favourable position at the bottom of the valley and its relatively quiet situation, together with the presence of running water, make it particularly hospitable to wildlife.
Numerous species of fish, amphibians and reptiles find suitable microenvironments for survival and reproduction in the protected area.
The list of bird species nesting here is very long, and includes uncommon water-related entities: the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), the moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), the coot (Fulica atra), the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), the dipper (Cinclus cinclus), the river warbler (Cettia cetti) and the green warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus).
The Biotope's role as a resting, refuge and feeding area for birds during their migratory movements should also not be forgotten.
Finally, it is worth mentioning, as proof of the good health of the area, the presence among the mammals of species that are very sensitive to human disturbance, such as the badger (Meles meles) and the deer (Cervus elaphus).
Visiting facilities
- visitor trail
