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This river oasis covers 766 acres in the countryside and includes a stretch of the Esino River and a lake. The remaining territory consists of the typical Marche agricultural landscape with the presence of natural elements (hedges, groves) and pre-gully formations.

The riparian vegetation is dominated by the presence of various species of willow (Salix spp. ) and poplar (Populus spp. ). On the shores of the wetter areas, domestic reed (Arundo donax) grows, with other similar species including common hop (Humulus lupulus), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba).

The submerged aquatic vegetation consists mainly of some species of Potamogeton spp. ; the floating vegetation consists of common duckweed (Lemna minor).
Along the main path across the oasis, there is a splendid example of rural hedge, with trees and shrubs dominated by the field maple (Acer campestre), the mulberry (Morus spp.), the elm (Ulmus spp.), the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), rosehips (Rosa canina), and privets (Ligustrum vulgare). Near the lake, there is a mature wood made of white willows (Salix alba) and white poplars (Populus alba).

The basin of the Esino River represents the preferred nesting, wintering and aestivation site of numerous species of birds. Among the wintering species, there are cormorants, teals, marsh harriers, great white herons, and cattle egrets; nesting species include Cetti’s warblers, common moorhens, kingfishers, little ringed plovers, and great spotted woodpeckers.
In the Ripa Bianca oasis, there is the only swamp nesting area for herons ever recorded in an official census by the Marche Region.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)