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Issues
Biodiversity in the valley
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Ascending the valley, vegetation changes forming different communities according to height. The climate becomes fresher and fresher as far as altitude grows (temperatures steadily varies c. 0,6°C. every 100 metres of difference of height).
The constant variation of temperature and climate divides the mountain area in bioclimatic belts that, along with soil and humidity level, influence the composition of animal and vegetal communities.
In the territory of Bagno di Romagna commune, the difference of height from Lago di Quarto (315 m.) to the ridge at Poggio Scali (1,520 m.) is c. 1,200 m.. Within this area various vegetal communities are distributed.
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 Wet woodlands
At Quarto lake and near La Lama forest, woodlands are formed mainly by common alder (Alnus glutinosa) a species typical of humid hill areas. The scientific name comes from the Celtic "Alhan" (= close to the water). The pretty siskin stops in the area during its migrations to feed on alder seeds contained in particular strobiles. Grey alder and Alnus cordata grow in this area with willows, poplars and - ascending the hillsides - haze, hornbeams and flowering ash. |
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 Some like it hot
From 500 to 700 metres of altitude, the vegetation prefers hot slopes, that is they grow on south facing slopes at low altitudes. False-brome is a herbaceous species growing there with Quercus pubescens, Turkey oak and hop hornbeam. Laburnum and Spartium junceum dominate the under-wood.
These wood formations - frequent at La Lama and from Strabatenza almost to Eremo Nuovo and Bertesca - shelter many animals: wild hog, roe deer and fallow deer can find there their ideal habitat. More and more frequent in the countryside, quills of porcupine can be sometimes found along the paths; this mammal was introduced by Romans who loved its excellent meat.
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 Mixed forests
Mixed forests are formed by an amazing quantity of deciduous trees (oaks, limes, maples, beams, golden rains, whych elm, pear and Malus wild species) in an area ranging from 600 to c. 900 metres of altitude. Mixed forests are present especially in La Lama area inside the "Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park", and on the foot of Còmero mount around Acquapartita and Selvapiana where extended chestnut formations and conifers are traces of the human presence.
Large ungulates (red-, roe- and fallow-deer, the omnipresent wild hog) comfortably live in mixed woods, as well as the shy wolf.
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Columns rising to the Sky
Between 900 and 1,300 metres of altitude, luxuriant silver fir and beech mixed woods grow with great maple, yew and common holly. Vegetation formations are the most vigorous and evocative: firs and beeches reach 40 metres of height or more. Their majestic trunks apparently supports the vault of heaven. |
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 Giants on the mountains
Regione Emilia-Romagna passed Law 2/77 to protect centuries-old and valuable trees. Some centennial giants - even if not all of them - present in Bagno di Romagna territory are protected. The Oak trees at Poggetto, at Case Bruciate and the Quercus pubescens at Vessa (25 metres of height) are 300 years old. The Chestnut trees at Poggio alla Lastra and at San Catale have produced fruits for three centuries.
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 The kingdom of the Beech
In the Appennines, the beech is now the synonym of mountain forest vegetation. It colonises the fresh slopes at more than 1,700 m up to the highest ridges.
The beech is a selfish tree dominating any forest association where it grows in. The under-wood is exclusively present in small clearings. Beech woods look like gothic cathedrals: full of light and evocative.
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Nature
Issues
Discovering a territory...
Geology, or the alphabet of the rocks
Biodiversity in the valley
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