Description
The wetland, which originated from the filling of an ancient lake basin carved into the porphyritic rock by Quaternary glaciers, hosts vegetation associations that are exclusive to the 'high' peat bog, where the particular growing conditions of the plants have led to the formation of a lenticular peat deposit, with the central area raised in relation to the edges.
The extraordinary scientific interest of this environment is evidenced by the presence of extremely rare botanical species on the southern side of the Alps.
Among these are some of the plants that best characterise the peat bog: Lepidotis inundata, Betula pubescens, Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera anglica, Viola palustris, various species of the genus Carex, etc.
The muscinal flora (i.e. formed by moss species) is also well represented, with as many as 24 different entities of bryophytes of the genus Sphagnum.
The ponds dotting the peat bog are populated by a rich invertebrate fauna, but Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians are also present with numerous species.
Among those most typical of the wetlands are the alpine newt (Triturus alpestris), the common toad (Bufo bufo), the mountain frog (Rana temporaria) and the grass snake (Natrix natrix).
Also noteworthy, due to the unusually high altitude, is the repeated nesting of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) along the banks of the reservoirs.
Studies
- management plan
