Monte Cane, Pizzo Selva a Mare, Monte Trigna (ITA020039)

Site type: SAC Special Conservation Area

Code: ITA020039 - Hectares: 4944

Description:

Other site features: The SIC area falls within the carbonate ridge that characterizes the internal part of the so-called "Monti di Trabia", east of Palermo. The site extends for about 4890 hectares, involving the territory of the municipalities of Altavilla Milizia, Casteldaccia, Ventimiglia di Sicilia, Baucina, Caccamo and Trabia. From the orographic point of view, these are two ridges (respectively, Monte S. Onofrio and Monte di Cane), with a north-west / south-east trend, converging to the southeast; they culminate in the peaks of M. Cicio (m 625), Pizzo Savochetto (m 873), Pizzo Finocchiaro (m 988), Pizzo Cane (m 1124), Pizzo del Leone (1119 m), Pizzo di Montalbano (1166 m), Pizzo dell'Aquila (952 m), Pizzo Trigna (1256 m), Monte cane (1204 m), Balata Mauri (1079 m), Pizzo di Cascio (1054 m), Pizzo dell'Inferno (1225 m), Pizzo Nudo (1175 m) and Pizzo Calofaro (1204 m). Among the various natural cavities, we remember the Grotta di Mazzamuto, the Grotta del Leone and Grotta dei Brighi. From the geolithological point of view these are predominantly carbonatic substrates which fall within the so-called paleobacino "Imerese"; these are limestones and dolomites, radiolarites, tuffs, basalts, organogenic limestones, quartzarenites and Numidian marls, etc. From the bioclimatic point of view, the the territory is between the thermo and mesomediterranean belts (average temperature: 16-13 ° C), with a subhumid shadow type (average rainfall of 650-850 mm), with the cacuminal area starts over 1100 meters, where the supramediterranean belt is represented. The plant landscape is affected by the intense uses of past and frequent fires that cross the territory; dominates the prairie at Ampelodesma and other aspects of secondary vegetation, while very sporadic the natural forest aspects result. The same landscape is mainly to be referred to the Olivastro (Oleo-Euphorbio dendroidis sigmetum) and Leccio series (Pistacio-Querco ilicis sigmetum and Aceri campestris-Querco ilicis sigmetum), which play a pioneering role on calcareous rocky substrates; in limited areas the series of the Sughera (Genisto-Querco suberis sigmetum) is also represented. On the deeper soils there are serial areas of the Virgilian oak (Oleo-Querco virgilianae sigmetum) or the pedicellated willow (Ulmo canescentis-Salico pedicellatae sigmetum), the latter linked to the banks of watercourses. To the aforementioned sigmetes are also to be added various other microgeoseries linked to particular edaphic conditions, as in the case of rock walls, areas debris, humid environments, etc.

It is an area of ​​considerable floristic-phytocenotic and faunal interest, with partly peculiar aspects of vegetation, as in the case of the rupicolous communities, in the which is represented by a large number of endemic plant species and / or of significant phytogeographic interest. Particularly interesting is the presence of nuclei of cork oak, however very limited. The species listed in section 3.3 and indicated with the letter D refer to other entities than in Sicily are quite rare, the presence of which in the territory in question is in any case considered of significant phytogeographic interest. fauna, including rare vertebrate species with small populations.

Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form

Ministerial data: Natura 2000 form

Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero

Photo: web

Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily

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