Monti Sicani, Rocca Busambra and Bosco della Ficuzza (ITA020048)
Site type : SPA Special Protection Area
Code : ITA020048 – Hectares : 8603
Description:
Other site features: The Sicani Mountains area develops in the central-western part of Sicily, conventionally limited to the north by the Rocca Busambra, south-east from the Caltanissetta basin and south-west from the Sicilian Channel. It falls within the provinces of Palermo and Agrigento, affecting the territories of the municipalities of Monreale, Godrano, Corleone, Bisacquino, Chiusa Sclafani, Prizzi, Palazzo Adriano, Bivona, Contessa Entellina, Sciacca, Sambuca di Sicilia, S. Biagio Platani, Caltabellotta, Giuliana, Campofiorito, Marineo, Mezzojuso, Castronovo di Sicilia, S. Stefano Quisquina and Burgio. Among the highest peaks are Rocca Busambra (1613 m), Pizzo Cangialoso (1420 m), M. Barracù (1420 m), M. Triona (1215 m), M. Cardellìa (1266 m), M. Colomba (1197 m), M. Carcaci (m 1196), M. Scuro (1309 m), M. delle Rose (1436 m), M. Pernice (1393 m), Pizzo San Filippo (1352 m), Cozzo Catera (1192 m), M. Genuardo (1160 m), Pizzo Gallinaro (1120 m) etc. The same area mainly affects the basins of the Sosio rivers (with the Gammauta, Prizzi and Pian del Leone lakes), Eleuterio, Fiumara di Vicari, del Platani (with Lake Fanaco), Magazzolo, Carboj and Belice. The district is part of the vast system of the Sicilian sector which is part of the the so-called Apennine-Maghrebid chain, in the context of which the complex geological vicissitudes and the different tectonic overlaps have here originated a somewhat articulated and varied morphology, characterized by different stratigraphic-structural units. Being the area affected by a dense hydrographic network, where lithotypes with carbonate composition prevail, the landscape is somewhat bumpy, becoming relatively softer in correspondence with the substrates referring to the Numidian Flisch or recent floods that prevail above all in areas with flat morphology, in particular along the gods streams that characterize the marginal areas. It is a succession of clayey hills and limestone-dolomite masses of the Mesozoic age, these the latter distributed in an irregular way, now aggregated, now isolated and distant, without therefore defining a homogeneous orographic system. The territory affects various bioclimatic bands between the dry-subhumid thermo-Mediterranean (T = 18-16 ° C; P = 500-650 mm), along the more xeric southern slopes, to supramediterraneo (T = 13-8 ° C) with umbrotype varying from the upper subhumid (P = 800-1000 mm) to the lower humid (P => 1000 mm); evidently, these last conditions are realized on the highest reliefs. The predominant part of the territory falls within the Mesomediterranean (T = 16-13 ° C) with a shadow type varying from lower subhumid (P = 600-800 mm) to the upper (P = 800-1000 mm). The area, which covers 44.126,31 hectares, includes the following areas subject to protection, partially overlapping each other: four natural reserves (Ficuzza and Rocca Busambra, M. Genuardo, M. Carcaci, Valle del Sosio), a complex of state property and numerous SCI / SPA areas.The plant landscape is to be referred to different series of vegetation (GIANGUZZI & LA MANTIA, 2004), such as those of Chestnut oak (Oleo-Querco virgilianae sigmetum, Erico-Querco virgilianae sigmetum, Sorbo torminalis-Querco virgilianae sigmetum), Holm oak (Aceri campestris-Querco ilicis sigmetum, Teucrio siculi-Querco ilicis sigmetum ̧ Ostryo-Querco ilicis sigmetum), of the Sughera (Genisto aristatae-Querco suberis sigmetum), the Cerro di Gussone (Querco gussonei sigmetum), the Leptobalan oak (Querco leptobalani sigmetum), the pedicellated Willow (Ulmo-Salico pedicellatae sigmetum), etc. To the same series are also to be added the vegetation complexes relating to various microgeoseries (of the limestone rock walls-dolomites, detrital areas, water holes, etc.).
The Sicani Mountains are one of the most valuable natural and environmental areas on the entire island, although deforestation in recent centuries has allowed only a portion of the former forest cover to survive. However, it is an area of considerable flora, fauna, and phytocenotic interest, with various unique vegetation features. It hosts a large number of endemic plant species and/or species of significant phytogeographical interest, several of which are exclusive to the area. The species listed in section 3.3 and designated by the letter D refer to other species that are quite rare in Sicily, but whose presence in the area is nevertheless considered of significant phytogeographical interest. The area also hosts numerous animal species of inestimable importance at the national and European levels. The area also represents a link of great interest for the entire region, connecting the large regional parks of northern Sicily, the mountains of the Palermo area to the north, and the southern coastal system. Until a few decades ago, the Sicani area was considered the Italian territory with the highest density of raptor species. Today, with some species having disappeared, it remains to be seen whether it still holds this record, despite still hosting a significant number. Mammal and herpetofauna are also rich in species. Numerous endemic insect species are also present, significantly enhancing the entomological biodiversity, especially considering the numerous rare and threatened 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