Lake Gurrida and Skiing of S. Venera
Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area
Code: ITA070019 - Hectares: 15149
Description:
This area located in the foothills of the north-western side of Etna at altitudes between 800 and 900 m, is represented by ancient lava flows that have determined the damming of some watercourses coming from the nearby Nebrodi chain. In addition to extensive rocky lava fields, there is also a peculiar wetland area among the few currently observable in the Etna area. The bioclimate is essentially represented by the sub-humid mesomediterranean. The most significant vegetational aspects are found in correspondence with Lake Gurrida which represents an area periodically swamped by the waters coming from the Flascio river. These are mostly both annual and perennial hygrophilous formations. The therophytic associations refer to the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea and have their maximum expression in the late spring-summer period; they host particularly rare species on the island, such as Sisymbriella dentata, Teucrium divaricatum, Eryngium barrelieri, etc. Quite widespread are the perennial and helophytic formations, such as those of the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, characterized by the dominance of Alisma lanceolatum, Eloacaris palustris, Carex otrubae, etc. than hemicryptophytes dominated by various grasses and rushes. There are also shrub aspects dominated by willows or thorny species such as bioancthorn and thorny plum. The lava fields, on the other hand, are covered in a discontinuous way by ephemeral meadows with microphytes and by hemicripto-chamaphytic glareic formations.
It is a site of considerable naturalistic interest due to the presence of the extensive wet area of Lake Gurrida which hosts very specialized vegetation aspects, some of which are exclusive to this area or have their maximum expression here. Also significant is the presence of various endemic or rare species of considerable phytogeographic value, some of which are mentioned in the list in section 3.3 (D). The area presents a close integration and interdependence between the habitats, which contributes to determining a high environmental heterogeneity, which is matched by the presence of a rich and diversified vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. This heterogeneity represents one of the most important peculiarities of the area and for this reason it should be strictly protected. Lake Gurrida hosts essentially aquatic avifauna, and a rich and diversified herpetofauna with species deserving of maximum protection. However, it is the invertebrate fauna that presents a very high diversity of endemic and rare species, stenotopes and stenoecias related to the most varied environments: marshes, ripicolous, forestry, grasslands, etc. It is a fauna heritage that on Etna is not matched by any other site and which for this reason must be carefully protected, also in relation to its exceptional scientific and cultural value.
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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