Description
The protected area is divided into two zones that are distinct in space but essentially identical in vegetation structure, characterised by extensive reed beds, dense formations of marsh reed (Phragmites australis), and, in the eastern portion, patches of riparian black alder (Alnus glutinosa) forest.
The other valuable associations of aquatic and marsh plants are unfortunately poorly represented. This is a very different situation from the past, before the land reclamation undertaken between 1777 and 1820, when marshy meadows covered with sedges surrounded the entire lake and to the north reached as far as the village of Pergine Valsugana. The vegetation of the Reserve is all that remains of what were called 'the great Pergine marshes'.
As partial compensation for the heavy interventions of the past, the water lily (Nymphaea alba), an aquatic plant with beautiful white flowers that disappeared from the lake a few decades ago, has been reintroduced into the Reserve and has now re-established a lush population in the protected area.
The naturalistic importance of the reserve derives from its role with regard to fauna, especially as an optimal habitat for many species of water birds. In the dense and extensive reed beds (among the largest in the entire province) penetration is very difficult, both from land and water, and the birdlife benefits from this tranquillity.
Among the birds present, the most important is the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), a showy water bird famous for its nuptial parades: the Biotope hosts the largest nesting population in the entire Trentino region.
Other interesting species that nest in the tangle of reeds are the water rail (Rallus aquaticus), the little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the coot (Fulica atra), the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus).
During the winter and migration, ashen herons (Ardea cinerea), bitterns (Botaurus stellaris), cormorants (Phalacrocorax sp.), little grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis), night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), gulls (Larus, various species), ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), numerous species of ducks and others stop here.
The need to guarantee the avifauna the indispensable tranquillity and encourage nesting, as well as to preserve the delicate aquatic vegetation from possible damage, is the reason for the inclusion in the protected area of the two portions of the stretch of water in front of the reed beds, which are thus forbidden to navigation and human intrusion.
Visiting facilities
- walkways and observation tower for fauna
Publications
- Project for protection and enhancement
Studies
- naturalistic and cadastral definition project
- periodic avifauna monitoring
- periodic amphibian monitoring
- Scientific Commission studies
