San Rossore Estate
The Estate covers an area of 4800 hectares. It represents the heart of the Park not only for its geographical position, but also for the richness of its environments and for its beautiful landscapes. It is delimited in the north by the river Serchio, in the east by Fossa Cuccia, in the south by the river Arno, and in the west by the Tyrrheanian Sea.
The coastal strip of San Rossore, in particular the central and northern area, houses the typical vegetal species of the Italian coasts, like the sea bindweed, the sea urchin, etc. The European beechgrass is particularly important: it is a plant of the Graminae family, necessary to the formation of the high coastal dunes. In this environment it is also possible to observe Oystercatchers, Curlews, Eurasian Rollers, and some species of Ducks, Gullies, and Solan Geese. In the adjacent areas it is possible to see fallow deer and wild boars, two typical species of ungulates living in the Estate.
The so-called "lame" (marshes) are situated in the southern part of the Estate, in the north of the river Arno. They lie in an area of about 400 hectares whose mainly herbaceous and shrubby covering gives tourists the possibility to enjoy a view going from the coast to the most inner woods and to the natural frame of Alpi Apuane. This coastal area is subject to seasonal floods and for this reason, except in summer, it houses thousands of birds, above all Ducks and Stilts, but also Cormorants, Gullies, and Herons. Guided visits allow tourists to observe the unusual landscape while approaching rest areas provided with some observation huts for bird watching activities.
The territory presents very different kinds of vegetation and soil. Depressed areas (such as the so-called "lame") and higher ones (the dunes) alternate up to the coast, and each of them has its own vegetation. The typical trees of the wetlands are English-oaks, poplars, ash trees, and alders, which often root directly in the water. Holm-oaks and stone pines can be found on the dunes. While you are visiting the woods, you may sight the Spotted Woodpecker and the Red Woodpecker.
Further information (Italian text)
