This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

The WWF’s Oasis of Policoro in located in a site of Community

Importance and in a special protection area (SIC-ZPS IT9220055) in the municipalities of Policoro and Rotondella (Mt).

It has an extension of 21 hectares inside the Regional Nature Reserve and it encloses one of the last flooded coastal woods of Italy. Of the 1,600 hectares existing till 1931, only 680 remain and the little surface left is still subjected to human activities and aridity. Water puddles are drying out more frequently in the Oasis of Policoro, causing the disappearance of the animal species related to lowland forests and also the loss of a rare Italian environment. Many sea turtles, which are caught in fishing nets or are wounded by vessels, are cured in the structures of the Oasis. The territory presents swampy areas and rushes, the Marsh of Policoro, and the lowland forest of Policoro, which conserves only a small portion of the most important lowland forests of Southern Italy: The Wood of Policoro is what remains of the woods of the Soprano Marsh and of Sottano Marsh. Of the 1,600 hectares existing till 1,931, only 680 remain and the little surface left is still subjected to human activities and aridity.

Fauna. The Marsh of Policoro is an important resting area for many migratory birds, of which 170 species have been verified. Among them it is possible to find the Casmerodius albus, the Ardea cinerea, the Egretta garzetta, the Numenius arquata and the Platalea leucorodia. Among the predatory birds it is present the tawny owl (Strix aluco) , the barn owl (Tyto alba) , the Athene noctua, the Circus aeruginosus, the Falco tinnunculus, the Milvus migrans,the Milvus milvus and the Buteo buteo. It has been recently verified the presence of the Lutra lutra, an endangered species, in the channel, while on the fishing banks it is present the Alcedo atthis. The turtle population is remarkable: the common turtle (Caretta caretta), the Testudo hermanni and the Emys orbicularis are present. The halfway house for wild animals of the WWF’s Oasis cures the sea turtles in need. In the woof live more than 2,000 animal species. Among the mammals inhabiting the reserce there are the Martes foina, the marten (Martes martes) and the badger (Meles meles). Among the reptiles, apart from the turtles, there are also the whip snake (Coluber viridiflavus), the Elaphe quatuorlineata and the Anguis fragilis. Among the insects there is the rare beetle Rosalia alpina, a particularly vulnerable specie of common interest, because of which the special protection area was and the Site of Community Importance were created.

The species of beetles living in the reserve represent the 20% of all the Italian species.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)