Description
Landslides occurred as a result of sliding of limestone rocks along discontinuity planes between strata, represented by thin marly and marly-clay intercalations. The largest landslide predates the last glaciation, but a series of new landslides have occurred over time until very recent times. The chaotically arranged landslide materials consist of detritus with volumes ranging from a few cubic centimetres to a few tens of cubic metres.
The limestone rocks of the Lavini are also affected by karst phenomena, due to the slow erosive action of water that dissolves the calcium carbonate present in the rocks; these phenomena give rise to particular morphologies, such as dolines, wells and fissure systems.
Marco's ponds, in particular, occupy two dolines located in the middle of landslide deposits. The water level inside them varies as the water table changes, as the bottom, consisting of landslide debris, is porous and permeable. The ponds therefore reach a depth of up to a couple of metres during the autumn rainy season and the spring snowmelt, while they become dry during the summer and winter months.
The vegetation surrounding the ponds is represented by typical wetland species such as cattail (Typha latifolia) and marsh reed (Phragmites australis). These are flanked by species that are rare for Trentino, such as Carex gracilis and Teucrium scordium, Composita Bidensfrondosa, reported here for the first time in Trentino.
The ponds are also of great importance with regard to faunal aspects.
Among the invertebrates, there are very interesting species such as the Idroadefagi, aquatic Coleoptera that live in healthy environments.
As many as 51 of the 200 species present in Italy have been found in Marco's ponds, a figure surpassed by few other stations in the country.
Amphibians that frequent the ponds include newts (Triturus, several species) and the common toad (Bufo bufo); among reptiles, the most common is the collared natrix (Natrix natrix).
It is not uncommon, during the spring, to observe the moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), which nests here, or to hear its unmistakable alarm call.
Within the biotope is a forest of black pine (Pinus nigra), a species that was introduced here in the 1930s in an attempt to reforest this area that was originally almost devoid of tree vegetation.
In the sunnier areas, there are plant species typical of arid environments and calcareous substrates, such as the beautiful Daphne alpina, which is very rare at such low altitudes. This environment also has very interesting naturalistic aspects and is home to various species of reptiles, birds and mammals.
Visiting facilities
- Visiting path
The visitor trail
The route is a loop and can be completed in approximately one and a half hours, at a leisurely pace and taking into account short stops to observe, photograph, write and rest.
The route does not involve any technical difficulties and takes place on almost flat terrain. The naturalness of the place suggests discreet clothing and, above all, appropriate footwear.
Along the route, 12 points of special interest are indicated, at which there is a table with a short explanatory sentence.
Themes proposed: Unproductive and uncultivated areas; The marocca; Limestone and karst; Thermophilous deciduous trees; The process of colonisation of the marocca; The black pine forest; The processionary moth; Pine cones, squirrels and crossbills; Water, a precious good; Vegetation and flora of the ponds; Old cultivations, low walls, stoning; Small aquatic fauna.
Publications
- route guide (7)
Studies
- naturalistic and cadastral definition project
- periodic avifauna monitoring
- Scientific Commission studies