Bove Valley
Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area / SPA - Special Protection Area
Code: ITA070016 - Hectares: 3101
Description:
The Valle del Bove is the remnant of a large collapsed caldera which currently receives the lavas from the eruptive cones of the Cacuminas which are channeled along the eastern slope. The area is affected by altitudes between 1000 and 2800 m. Currently the valley is mostly covered by layers of recent lava and therefore devoid of vegetation. Only on the highest spikes and along the edges of the valley are there plant formations. In the highest part there are pulvinary bushes with Astragalus siculus or Anthemis aetnensis, while at lower altitudes there are strips of glareicola vegetation with Helichrysum italicum and shrubs with Genista aetnensis. Woodland formations are quite rare and are located in the highest stretches with very mature soils. Among these are found beech, pine and deciduous woods. The climate of this area ranges from the suprameditterraneo to the cryo-oromediterrano with ombrotype between the upper sub-humid and the lower humid
The site has a spectacular and huge sinking caldera colonized by a pioneer vegetation that also includes numerous endemic species of Etna. It is also used as a rest area, foraging and even nesting by very rare birds of prey located in Sicily.The Valle del Bove essentially shows a remarkable volcanological interest due to the spectacular lava sheets that cover it and the steep ridges that surround it. In fact, it has extensive lava fields devoid of vegetation that cover about 70% of the area. Only limited strips of natural vegetation located in the highest spikes break the monotony of the lava landscape.
Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form
It falls within the Etna Park
Ministerial data: Ministerial Map Natura 2000 form
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
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