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This oasis can be found in the Gran Sasso National Park – Laga Mountain Range. It’s one of the most important places preserving biodiversities acknowledged by the EU, while it has been part of the WWF since 1989. As it’s quite cold, and far away from urban settlements, it serves as the perfect habitat for winter plants and animals. As a matter of fact, this place is almost one of its kind in the whole Apennines area, full of streams, springs, ponds, and peat bogs.
Originating from quaternary glaciations and full of plants and wildlife are Lake Secco (5.085 ft.), and Lake della Selva, right at the center of the oasis.
Local flora includes more than 1.000 species, mostly of alpine and Nordic origins like cottongrass (Eriophorum latifolium), Baltic rush (Juncus articus), and many different willow trees. For instance, little tree willows (Salix foetida), and the extremely rare and endangered bay willow (Salix pentandra).

Beech forests and secondary pastures can be found around the lake areas. At the edge of the forest and in the clearings there are many interesting species like globeflowers (Trollius europaeus), peonies (Paeonia spp.), and lilies (Lilium spp.). Magnificent wild orchids and narcissus abundantly bloom in the spring.

A lot of amphibians live in this area. Alpine, crested, and smooth newts can be found in the small lakes. There are also European tree frogs, Italian stream frogs, and common frogs.
Birds are abundant as well, including golden eagles, common buzzards, peregrine falcons, European sparrowhawks, and Eurasian eagle-owls. European badgers, European roe deers, wildcats, wolves, and bears are also present.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)