Longi's Strait

Site type: SAC - Special Conservation Area

Code: ITA030001 - Hectares: 946

Description: 

The site in question is characterized by Mesozoic carbonate outcrops mixed with siliceous rocks such as flysh and schists. Also significant is the presence of a watercourse (F. Fitalia) characterized in the upper part by a narrow calcareous gorge, while in the lower part it widens into a torrent. Within the area, the altitudes vary from 170 to 1000 m, with a very rugged surface affected by various reliefs. The bioclimate of the area is part of the subhumid mesomediterranean. The most relevant vegetational aspects are those linked to rock or semi-rock habitats represented by chasmophile communities, located on the more or less vertical walls and by scrub aspects of Euphorbia dendroides. Among the forest aspects present in the area, the rich basophilic holm oaks in Ostrya carpinifolia, as well as numerous strips of evergreen woods with Quercus suber and deciduous with Quercus cerris, are the most significant. Along the rivers there are ripisilve in Salici and Pioppi, limited to the stretches of gorge, while in the rivers there are thickets in Salici and Tamariceti. The pebbly river beds are instead colonized by glareicolous bushes with Helycrisum italicum and Euphorbia rigida. Among the aspects of degradation, the meadows with Ampelodesmos mauritanicus assume a significant physiognomic role.

Site of particular naturalistic and biogenetic interest. It is a very deep gorge carved over time by the Fitalia river. The biotope is part of the limestone massif of Alcara Li Fusi (Rocche del Castro), which represents a geological island in the context of the quartzite substrates of the Nebrodense area. In fact, numerous endemic species, rare and / or of particular biogeographical interest, are preserved, some of which are exclusive to the entire area of ​​the Nebrodi Mountains. The site is of considerable avifaunal interest, as it hosts numerous species of birds of prey, including the Bearded Vulture and the Golden Eagle, rare and deserving of the strictest protection standards. The invertebrate fauna, in particular the freshwater and riparian one, includes numerous endemic and / or rare species of Sicily, stenotopes and stenoecias. Significant is the presence of very peculiar vegetational aspects exclusive to cardboard substrates. Here there are also several entities that in the regional area are rare or considered of significant phytogeographic interest, in turn mentioned in the list reported in section 3.3 (D).

Source: Ministry of the Environment Natura 2000 form

It falls within the Nebrodi Park

Ministerial data: Ministerial Map    Natura 2000 form

Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero

Photo: web

Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily

Note: The populating of the files of the Heritage database proceeds in incremental phases: cataloging, georeferencing, insertion of information and images. The cultural property in question has been cataloged, georeferenced and the first information entered. In order to enrich the information content, further contributions are welcome, if you wish you can contribute through our area "Your Contributions"

Disclaimer note