Monte Carcaci, Pizzo Colobria and humid environments (ITA020034)

Site type: SAC Special Conservation Area

Code: ITA020034 - Hectares: 2799

Description:

The SIC area is located in the orographic complex of the Sicani Mountains, where it covers a total area of ​​about 1726 hectares, affecting the municipal area of ​​Castronovo di Sicilia (province of Palermo). It includes the ridge culminating in the summit of Monte Carcaci (1196 m); among the other peaks Cozzo Vuturo and Pizzo Colobria should also be mentioned. From a geological point of view, these are mainly glauconite calcarenites (Tortonian-Miocene lower) and carbonate and silico-carbonatic formations of the Scian Units; the presence of impermeable alluvial sediments in the valley floor determines the presence of interesting humid environments (“gurgos” of Carcaci, Carcaciotto and Pizzo Colobria). From the bioclimatic point of view, the territory falls within the range of mesomediterranean (average annual temperature of 16-13 ° C), with shadow types varying between the lower and upper subhumid (average annual rainfall of 600-1000 mm). The high environmental heterogeneity diversifies a very articulated and varied plant landscape, to be referred to the following sigmeti (GIANGUZZI & LA MANTIA, 2004): - Sicilian coastal-hilly series, basifila, on limestones, thermo-Mediterranean subhumid of Holm oak (Aceri campestris-Querco ilicis sigmetum); - Tyrrhenian hilly series-montana, mesophytic and neutral-basifilous, on brown calcic, thermo-mesomediterranean subhumid soils of the chestnut oak (Sorbo torminalis-Querco virgilianae sigmetum); - Sicilian coastal-submontane, edapho-hygrophilous, thermo-mesomediterranean subhumid series of the pedicellated willow (Ulmo-Salico pedicellatae sigmetum). the aforementioned series must also be added to the micro geoseries linked to particular edaphic conditions, as in the case of rock walls, detrital areas, puddles of water, etc.

The SIC includes an area of ​​significant naturalistic-environmental and landscape value, partially included within a natural reserve. The humid environments of Pizzo Colobria, Carcaci and Carcaciotto have considerable value, even if the latter are partially excluded from the natural reserve; in fact, it's about unique biotopes of their kind, not only for the Sicans, but for the whole sector of western Sicily. Therefore, they deserve continuous monitoring and protection very careful and prudent. In section 3.3, the letter D indicates some plant species whose presence in the territory is considered of significant interest phytogeographic. Nesting place for rare species of diurnal birds of prey.

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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