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Varano Island State Nature Reserve is located in the Gargano National Park, namely in the municipalities of Cagnano Varano and Ischitella. It covers an area of 358 acres, mainly featuring a forest of Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) and maritime pine (Pinus pinaster).

The island of Varano is a sandy isthmus, about 6-mile long, which separates the Adriatic Sea from Lake Varano, between Foce Varano and Cagnano Varano.

FLORA AND FAUNA

The pine forest features a rich Mediterranean scrub. There are also non-native forest species, such as eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), Italian stone pines (Pinus pinea), maritime pines (Pinus pinaster), and coojong (Acacia saligna). The vegetation actively protects the isthmus and the agricultural area behind it from sand (pushed by the wind from the coast) and salty winds; it also offers shelter to many species of animals, such as foxes, hares, hedgehogs, cuckoos, hoopoes, golden orioles, woodcocks and many species of migratory birds.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)