Special Nature Reserve - Juniperus phoenicea Stand (Valdieri) - Piemonte Feel

Nature parks

Special Nature Reserve - Juniperus phoenicea Stand (Valdieri)

Category: Parks

Valdieri

The Special Nature Reserve of the Juniperus phoenicea is part of the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime (Nature Park of the Maritime Alps), and is located in Valle Gesso, behind the town of Valdieri, on the limestone rock faces of the mountains Pissousa, Saben and San Giovanni. The characteristic sedimentary covering of the Massiccio dell’Argentera (Massif Argentera) and the unusual microclimate of the area, which is caused by the southern exposure and by vertical rock faces that prevent the snow from accumulating, create a stretch of Mediterranean coast on the Alps. The Juniperus phoenicea, characteristic Mediterranean shrub, has found here a favourable environment. This Reserve and the Valle Stura di Demonte are, in fact, the most northern places and at the highest altitudes where the Juniperus phoenicea is found. The Reserve is also home to other varieties of juniper: the Juniperus thurifera (Spanish Juniper), the common Juniper and the nana (dwarf garden Juniper). The bird population comprises peregrine falcons, harrier eagles, golden eagle, kestrel, crag martins, woodpeckers, wallcreepers; the insect fauna includes numerous rare species endemic to this area.

Information

Area: 228 hectares
Elevation: 840 - 1.673 metres above sea level
Established: 1984
Environment: mountainous
E-mail: info@parcoalpimarittime.it
www.parks.it/parco.alpi.marittime
Head Office
Piazza Regina Elena, 30 - 12010 Valdieri (Cn)
Tel. +39.0171.97397 - Fax: +39.0171.97542