Monti Barracù, Cardelia, Pizzo Cangialosi and Corleone Torrent Gorges (ITA020037)
Site type : SCI Special Area of Conservation
Code : ITA020037 – Hectares : 5351
Description:
The SCI is located in the northwestern part of the Sicani Mountains complex, where it extends over a total area of approximately 5320 hectares, encompassing the municipalities of Corleone, Palazzo Adriano, and Prizzi (province of Palermo). It encompasses a vast area that extends from the area above the town of Corleone to the northern foothills of Monte Colomba, culminating in the peaks of Pizzo Cangialoso (1457 m), Mt. Barracù ( 1420 m), and Mt. Cardellìa (1286 m). From a geological perspective, it consists primarily of glauconitic calcarenites (Tortonian-Lower Miocene) and carbonate and silico-carbonate formations of the Sicani Units. From a bioclimatic perspective, the territory lies between the mesomediterranean (average annual temperature of 16-13°C) and the supramediterranean (average annual temperature below 13°C) zones, with an ombrotype varying between lower and upper subhumid ( average annual rainfall of 600-1000 mm). Climatic vegetation is virtually nonexistent throughout the area due to human disturbance, which has led to the almost total destruction of the original vegetation cover. The plant landscape is predominantly characterized by the dominance of shrubs and grasslands—in addition to cultivated fields, which are widespread in the areas surrounding the SCI—replacing the former forests; at times, artificial forestry has been established, with a predominance of species foreign to the native flora. Regarding the main vegetation series, on calcareous rocky substrates they can be predominantly attributed to the Holm Oak – in particular the Maple campestris-Querco ilicis sigmetum –, while on brown calcic soils, sigmetes related to the Chestnut Oak (Oleo-Querco virgilianae sigmetum and Sorbo torminalis-Querco virgilianae sigmetum) are found. Along watercourses, other riparian features are present, partly ascribed to the Willow pedicellatae series (Ulmo-Salico pedicellatae sigmetum). To the aforementioned series should also be added the microgeoseries linked to particular soil conditions, such as in the case of rock faces, detrital areas, etc.
This is a relatively little-known area from a geobotanical perspective, but nonetheless of considerable naturalistic, environmental, and landscape value, even though it is partially degraded and frequently affected by fires. Section 3.3, designated by the letter D, lists some plant species whose presence in the area is considered to be of significant phytogeographic interest. The site features a fauna including rare and/or threatened vertebrate species.
Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form
Ministerial data: Natura 2000 Form
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Informational contributions : Ignazio Caloggero, Sicily Region