Description
The origin of Palù di Borghetto dates back to the period following the last ice ages and almost certainly constitutes the remnant of a section of the course of the Adige River, which once flowed along the eastern edge of the valley.
The ancient bend has undergone continuous land reclamation actions that, in addition to reducing its surface area, have determined its current narrow geometric shape between the fields, as well as the presence of a number of artificial ditches dug as an attempt at drainage and then used to extract water for irrigation purposes.
The vegetation of the biotope consists of a vast sedge thicket of sedge spondicola (Carex elata), a perennial herbaceous plant that grows forming circular, robust and compact tufts, more than half a metre high, with roots immersed in water. The sedge bed is extensively invaded by marsh reed (Phragmites australis).
In areas with more stagnant water, e.g. near artificial canals, interesting marsh plants grow, such as the knapweed (Sparganium erectum), tife (Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia), the lake fishbone (Schoenoplectus lacustris) and the yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), a beautiful iris typical of marshes.
The real preciousness of the Biotope, however, is its fauna.
According to recent studies on aquatic insects, in fact, the group of hydro-adephagous beetles stands out, which in Borghetto are represented by no less than twenty-eight species, two of which, Hydroporus dorsalis and Hydroporus springeri, are rare throughout Italy and found only here in the whole of Trentino.
Aquatic beetles are very sensitive to pollution, and therefore, given the population of these insects present here, it can be stated that the ecological situation in the Palù di Borghetto biotope is still good.
Similar interest is found among vertebrates. As many as 6 species of amphibians breed in the nature reserve, almost a record for wetlands in the entire province.
Also not to be forgotten is the presence of various species of breeding water birds, such as the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus).
Publications
- protection and enhancement project
Studies
- naturalistic and cadastral definition project
- periodic avifauna monitoring
- periodic amphibian monitoring
- Scientific Commission studies
Enhancement interventions
- Némos project