Vallone Calagna Integral Nature Reserve, above Tortorici
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This Nature Reserve is in the northern part of Sicily, in the territory of Tortorici (ME): it’s the area of the great Nebrodi Mountain forests. Established in 2000, it is actually located right above Tortorici, at about 1.968-2.624 ft. It covers 92 acres and includes the small rural village of Paridà.
It is an environment of great botanical interest, humid and rich in aquatic and riparian vegetation.
The proximity of Tyrrhenian Sea on the north side of the Nebrodi Canals, in fact, brings intense humidity to the valleys – the rich tree vegetation preserves it such damp climate has allowed the survival of several plants and animal species that have lived here since the Tertiary Era (65-62 million years ago), such as yews (Taxus baccata), hollies (Ilex aquifolium), and Petagna saniculaefolia, a thousand-years-old endemic species.
It grows in the undergrowth of downy oaks (Quercus pubescens) and hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) quite abundant here, and it is mostly around Tortorici, Ucrìa, Galati Mamertino, and S. Domenica di Vittoria.
The reserve, like the entire Nebrodi area, is very rich in animal species as well. Mammals include porcupines, weasels, fallow deers, red deers, wild cats, roe deers and martens. The wetter areas are populated by amphibians such as Mediterranean painted frogs and edible frogs.
In addition, several birds have found their ideal habitat in this area, such as ravens, red kites, and peregrine falcons.
Photo and text source: http://www.parks.it/riserva.vallone.calagna/par.php
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