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In Gallura, the northern part of Sardinia, not far from the municipality of Tempio Pausania, there is a large area with many cork trees, holm oaks and strawberry trees. What makes this forest truly unique is the granite, which appears in majestic shapes and sizes.

The natural pools and Rio Pisciaroni Gorge are must-see places for the visitors, as well as Punta Giogantinu and the giant sequoias in Vallicciola, a flat area at a height exceeding 3.280 ft.

The local fauna is also quite impressive, including wild boars, foxes, hares and several birds of prey like golden eagles, kestrels, and peregrine falcons.

The forest of Monte Limbara Nord is a Site of Community Interest and extends over 5.770 acres owned by the municipality of Tempio Pausania. The work of the Forestry Administration began in the 1950s, mostly focused on conifer reforestation activities.

At the end of the 1990s, the State Forestry Company of Sardinia replaced the Departmental Forestry Inspectorate and, since then, forest management activities have also been undertaken.

Today, Sardinia Forestry Authority actually manages this area, with re-naturalization activities aimed at the woods replanted with several native species. Conservation and enhancement of the environment is also one of the main aims of the new management, along with sustainable tourism presence. The territory is completely covered by cork trees in its lower area, new conifers introduced with reforestation, holm oak woods, strawberry trees and scrub, as well as heather and garrigue in the higher parts.

Granite is the main features of the landscape, with peculiar formations called “tafoni”, which often shows majestic and quite bizarre sizes and shapes.

The prevalent vegetation is the Mediterranean scrub, consisting of heather (Erica arborea and E. scoparia), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) and phillyrea (Phillyrea spp ).

With the right pedological features, the vegetation has evolved to a more advanced presence, with holm oaks (Quercus ilex), ashes (Fraxinus ornus), hollies (Ilex aquifolium), maples (Acer monspessulanum), and yews (Taxus baccata).

The cork oak woods (Quercus suber), on the other hand, are rooted in the most basal strips and the man-made ones. Among the mixed reforestation, there are maritime pines and black pines.

The scrub-garrigue that develops in the cacuminal areas (the highest parts of a relief) of the mountains is mostly made of juniper (Juniperus nana), wild blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and the thorny broom (Calycotome spinosa).

There are also some rare endemisms such as Ribes sandalioticum, Corsican violets (Viola corsica), caraway thyme (Thymus herba-baronaCarlina macrocephala, and royal ferns (Osmunda regalis).

Text source: http://www.paradisola.it/natura/foreste-sardegna/738-limbara

Photo source: http://www.itenovas.com/in-ambiente/1199-monteacuto/berchidda/1854-foresta- demaniale-monte-limbara-sud.html

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)