Description
The two basins originated in the depressions of a moraine deposit abandoned following the retreat of the glaciers some 15,000 years ago.
The importance of the nature reserve is above all vegetation: very rare species and plant communities can be found here, giving it the value of an authentic naturalistic 'unicum'.
Between the two peat bogs that make up the nature reserve, although very close together, there is great diversity in terms of vegetation.
The most valuable peat bog is perhaps the largest one, dominated by the extremely rare plant association Sphagnetum magellanici, characterised by a continuous and only slightly undulating carpet of sphagnum mosses (peculiar marsh mosses). It in turn hosts rare species, two of which are particularly worth mentioning as they are circumboreal entities that have survived in very few localities of limited extent. These are the Lepidotis inundata (a lycopodium) and the peat bog rushes (Scheuchzeria palustris): both can be defined as "relicts" of a past flora (typical of colder climates) that today is relegated only to much higher latitudes or, in fact, "sheltered" in the peat bogs thanks to the very special microclimatic conditions present in these ecosystems.
The smaller basin, on the other hand, is 'drier', as it has no free bodies of water and at its centre is vegetated with large sedges (Carex, various species), quite different from the sphagnum bog seen before. The rare element of this second basin is found at the outer edge of the magnocaricetum (synonym of the large sedge vegetation), and is a hygrophilous association that goes by the name of Valerian-Filipenduletum. It is reported for only a few other stations in the central Apennines.
Surrounding the peat bog is a peat forest of spruce trees (Picea excelsa), which is of considerable interest because it too is characterised by an abundant sphagnum cover on the ground.
With good reason, therefore, it can be said that we are dealing with a biotope that, despite its small size, has a very high degree of environmental diversity, i.e. a great wealth of different ecological micro-situations that are home to an equally varied and valuable biological heritage.
Elements of particular interest can also be found among the fauna. Three species of amphibians breed in the watercourses: the Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris), the common toad (Bufo bufo) and the mountain frog (Rana temporaria). Also common is the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara), which usually lives in high and medium mountain areas.
In the dense, quiet woods surrounding the wetlands, in addition to several titmice (Parus, various species) and other Passeriformes, the rare dwarf owl (Glaucidium passerinum), the mountain lark (Bonasia bonasa) and the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) nest; among the diurnal birds of prey are the sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus) and the honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus).
Studies
- naturalistic and cadastral definition project
- fauna study
- periodic avifauna monitoring
