Comune di Fanano
dove mi trovo : Introduction - Enviroment
The Enviroment
Anyone arriving by the road up the Panaro valley has a fine view of Fanano framed by a ring of mountains, including the highest peaks of the central-northern Apennines: Mount Cimone (2165 metres), Mount Libro Aperto (1936 metres) and Mount Spigolino (1827 metres). This part of the Apennines, so rich in features of natural interest, belongs to the Alto Appennino Modenese Natural Park, to which Fanano is the main gateway.
The Frignano Park borders to the East with the Corno alle Scale Regional Park, to the West with the Gigante Park, and to the South, on the Tuscan side of the watershed ridge, with the Orecchiella Park and the Garfagnana, placing it at the centre of a vast protected area.
The Frignano Park borders to the East with the Corno alle Scale Regional Park, to the West with the Gigante Park, and to the South, on the Tuscan side of the watershed ridge, with the Orecchiella Park and the Garfagnana, placing it at the centre of a vast protected area.
FLORA
From the botanical point of view, the Municipal area of Fanano includes both low-lying zones and areas of high mountain more than 2000 metres above sea level, and so its vegetation varies widely, with oak, pine and beech woods, large expanses of bilberries and meadows. The high mountain meadows and bilberry fields are given added colour by dozens of protected flower species: anemones, lilies, aquilegia, gentians and rhododendron bushes, particularly numerous on the northern slopes of Mount Libro Aperto.
The area is water-rich, with a wealth of streams, the Doccione waterfall, and the Pratignano and Scaffaiolo lakes. Lake Pratignano, the largest high-altitude peat bog in the Emilia Romagna Region, 1307 metres above sea level on a splendid plateau along the Riva Ridge between the Ospitale and Dardagna Valleys, is home to the sundew, a small carnivorous plant particularly rare in the Apennines.
From the botanical point of view, the Municipal area of Fanano includes both low-lying zones and areas of high mountain more than 2000 metres above sea level, and so its vegetation varies widely, with oak, pine and beech woods, large expanses of bilberries and meadows. The high mountain meadows and bilberry fields are given added colour by dozens of protected flower species: anemones, lilies, aquilegia, gentians and rhododendron bushes, particularly numerous on the northern slopes of Mount Libro Aperto.
The area is water-rich, with a wealth of streams, the Doccione waterfall, and the Pratignano and Scaffaiolo lakes. Lake Pratignano, the largest high-altitude peat bog in the Emilia Romagna Region, 1307 metres above sea level on a splendid plateau along the Riva Ridge between the Ospitale and Dardagna Valleys, is home to the sundew, a small carnivorous plant particularly rare in the Apennines.
Fanano is also famous for the delicious produce of its woodlands, with many edible mushroom species as well as the choice varieties of cep, bilberries, raspberries, strawberries and chestnuts, which not only give added interest to the natural environment but are also a mouth-watering addition to the local cuisine.
FAUNA
The fauna of the Alto Appennino Modenese Natural Park is particularly rich and varied. As one walks the high mountain paths one may often come across marmots, hawks, eagle owls, goshawks, martens and golden eagles; wolves, still present in the most inaccessible zones, are a less common sighting. The snow vole, a small rodent with thick fur which is also active underneath the show, is found on the highest meadows.
Roe and fallow deer, wild boar, badgers, foxes, squirrels, dormice and weasels are more common, and can also be seen at lower altitudes.
The area’s various habitats are home to many species of birds: woodpeckers, shrikes, blackbirds, skylarks, chaffinches, blue tits, woodpigeon, thrushes and sparrows are amongst the most famous; grey herons and grey wagtails can be seen along the streams. The highly-prized brown trout lives in the lakes and streams, while the alpine newt, common frog and fire salamander are found in the highest wetlands. The most common snakes are the western whip snake, the grass snake and the common viper.
The fauna of the Alto Appennino Modenese Natural Park is particularly rich and varied. As one walks the high mountain paths one may often come across marmots, hawks, eagle owls, goshawks, martens and golden eagles; wolves, still present in the most inaccessible zones, are a less common sighting. The snow vole, a small rodent with thick fur which is also active underneath the show, is found on the highest meadows.
Roe and fallow deer, wild boar, badgers, foxes, squirrels, dormice and weasels are more common, and can also be seen at lower altitudes.
The area’s various habitats are home to many species of birds: woodpeckers, shrikes, blackbirds, skylarks, chaffinches, blue tits, woodpigeon, thrushes and sparrows are amongst the most famous; grey herons and grey wagtails can be seen along the streams. The highly-prized brown trout lives in the lakes and streams, while the alpine newt, common frog and fire salamander are found in the highest wetlands. The most common snakes are the western whip snake, the grass snake and the common viper.
Its environment is therefore the Fanano area’s greatest wealth: living in, visiting and understanding it is a source of deep satisfaction, and conserving it assures both its future and our own. There are thus many opportunities for eco-tourism: the dozens of paths waymarked by the Club Alpino Italiano, with mountain refuges and bivouac points along the way, are suitable for walkers and ramblers of all levels of fitness and expertise. The old roads across the Apennines, once used by pilgrims and wayfarers, and the forestry tracks are now ideal for use by mountain bikers and equestrians, and for cross-country skiing in winter.