Riserva Statale Montagna di Torricchio (Oasi Affiliata WWF)

Flora and Fauna

As far as vegetation is concerned, there are interesting woods of larches, downy oaks, manna ashes, and beeches. Several habitats offer niches suitable to house a very rich flora (652 recorded units) among which some endemic species, such as Viola eugeniae ssp.eugeniae, Gentianella columnae, Campanula tanfanii, Campanula apennina, and Trisetum villosum.
As far as the fauna is concerned, in the area the grey partridge and the rock partridge reproduce, and among the mammals there are the badger, the European wild cat, and the squirrel, while the wolf does not settle in the area.

Biodiversity (Italian text)

• Flora
• Fauna
• Environmental units

Historical Aspects

(the following links lead to Italian texts)

• Changes in use
• Forest management
• Ownership and juridical-institutional status
• Natural and anthropogean events
• Elements of particular landscape, architectural, and archaeological interest

Preservation

Established in 1970, Montagna di Torricchio Nature Reserve has been officially recognized by a Ministerial Decree of 7th April 1977 (G.U. of 4th May 1977).
A further recognition has been given by its inclusion in the European net of biogenetic reserves (D.M. 19/10/79) and by its inclusion in 1987 in the "Piano Paesistico/Amb." of the Marches Region. Montagna di Torricchio Nature Reserve (G.U. no. 62, 16th March 1994) is in the "Elenco Ufficiale delle Aree Naturali Protette" established by the law about the Protected Areas (Law of 6th December 1991, no. 394)
This area includes the typical aspects of the middle mountains of the Apennines, with different fauna and flora according to the hills or the mountains; in it a number of scientific researches have been carried out by the University of Camerino: these researches are witnessed by the publications in the volumes of the journal "La Riserva naturale di Torricchio", published by the University and edited by Prof. Franco Pedrotti.

The Development

The place presents the characteristic aspects of the middle mountains of the Central Apennines, with a vegetation varying according to where we are, in the hills or in the mountains. It is a Strict Nature Reserve, and for this reason is part of the European Network of Biogenetic Reserves since 1981.

Territorial division of the Nature Reserve

• Pasture - ha 203.7762
• Meadow - ha 12.8980
• Shrubby pastures - ha 13.6350
• Woodland - ha 86.5140
• Roads - ha 0.3080
• Total - ha 317.1312

No. physiognomic kinds of vegetation: 13
No. phanerogamic vegetable species: 687
No. most widespread vegetational units: 15
No. series of vegetation: 2
No. spring algal species: 38
No. species of nesting Avifauna: 57
No. species of Coleoptera: 35
No. specie di Arachnids Opilionids: 17
No. species of Macrolepidopters (1 of which new for science): 552
No. specie di Tardigrades (1 of which new for science): 24

The area is accessible for study, research, and didactic aims, by previous authorization.

The Initiatives

Among the main aims of the Reserve there are the concern and the safeguard of the environment of the Apennine chain within the area and the development of a number of initiatives for the census, the recording, and the monitoring of the elements making its natural heritage. Moreover, a database dedicated to the management of the collected data will allow to use them for technical/scientific purposes and to provide information.
On the programme there are the creation of adequate structures to be used as head offices and Visitor Center and the restructuring of the Casale Piscini.
Scientific texts, cartography, collaborations with other Universities of Park Authorities, the establishment of the C.E.A. "Renzo Videsott", and the creation of two portals in calcareous rock as entrances of the Reserve are worth a mention.