Diversity of flora and fauna of Italy. Climate and climate resources
Location and climate
The capital of Italy is Rome. Official language is Italian. Euro currency = 100 cents.
Italy is maritime and mountainous country, located in southern Europe from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea.
In the north it borders with Switzerland and Austria, in the east the borders pass with Slovenia, in the northwest - with France.
In the east, Italy is washed by the Adriatic Sea, in the south - Ionian Sea And Mediterranean Sea, and in the west - the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ligurian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Italy also owns the islands of Elba, Sicily and Sardinia and several small islands. Within Italy are the tiny states of San Marino and Vatican City.
Major cities in Italy– these are Milan, Naples, Turin, Genoa, Palermo, Bologna, Florence, Bari, Catania, Venice.
More than half of the country's territory is located on the Apennine Peninsula. The area of Italy is 301.2 thousand square meters. km. The peculiarity of the climate of Italy is that it varies greatly in its different regions, since the peninsula is mountainous and extends far into the Mediterranean Sea. In the Alps, average temperatures are low and winters are quite long and harsh.
There is snow on the peaks all the time, sometimes on the slopes for several months. From July to September it is usually warm, although in September there are heavy rains.
Heavy snowfalls in Italy begin in November. IN Northern Italy The climate is continental: winters are cold and foggy, and summers are hot. In Central Italy it dominates maritime climate with relatively mild winters and not hot summers. On the Adriatic coast at times strong wind brings masses of cold air.
Typical in southern Italy Mediterranean climate with warm and not rainy summer and generous rainfall in winter.
Animal and plant life
Forests and shrubs occupy 25% of Italy's territory.
Vegetable world includes Central European species - oak, birch and evergreen species, which include holm and cork oak, pine, palm, laurel, as well as spruce, fir, pine.
Prevail cultural species, primarily subtropical - citrus fruits, olives, almonds, pomegranates, figs, cork oak plantations. There are alpine meadows in the mountains. Italy also has many protected areas and national parks such as Stelvio, Gran Paradiso, Abruzzo, Calabrian, Circeo.
In the mountains of Italy expressed altitudinal zone- from subtropical vegetation at the foot of the Apennines to mosses and lichens at the edge of glaciers.
The country's fauna includes a small number of large wild animals- this is a bear, wolf, chamois, roe deer, in hard-to-reach mountainous areas, wild boars and foxes are more widespread, many small predators and rodents. There are up to 400 species of birds.
In the Alps and southern Pre-Alps there is a classic distribution of flora along natural levels, or belts. Along the lakes of Upper Italy and in the great valleys mountain rivers the vegetation becomes clearly Mediterranean: rocky rocks grow well here holm oaks, olive trees, cypresses, laurel, oleander, rosemary and, of course, wild grapes. Even, as Goethe told us, lemons bloom in especially well-protected places. At the middle levels of the mountains grows the noble chestnut, whose fruits once - in times of great disaster - served as a substitute for flour, and the leaves were used as bedding for livestock. Up to an altitude of approximately 1000 m, oaks and beeches grow well, and between them there are also coniferous trees, primarily white fir and European spruce, larch, cedar pine and European cedar. On high altitude There are alpine meadows and rock-talus vegetation, adapted to extreme climatic conditions. In contrast to the Alps, where European cedars mark the forest boundary, high levels In the Apennines, beeches are most often found growing on predominantly limestone subsoil. To the south of Abruzzo it is so dry that beeches can be found starting at an altitude of 800 m. Only a few unpretentious varieties of oak grow well there, but there are many dense shrubs. On two mountain “islands” - in the Sila and Polino mountain ranges in Calabria - even higher than the beech trees grow large tracts of black pine, which may have grown here during the Ice Age.
Pine forest in the north of the Apennine PeninsulaVery little forest remains on the Italian islands - they are characterized by cork oak, cultivated mainly in Sardinia and northern Sicily.
Sunset over the Padan plainIn the Padan Plain, only here and there remains of the original vegetation have been preserved. Most characteristic plant In this region, where all types of grain and even rice are grown today, silver poplar can be called, which was previously bred for pulp production. In the damp and swampy lowlands, eucalyptus plantations that were established in the 1930s and 1940s immediately attract attention. in order to drain vast areas and thereby localize malaria, which was widespread in Italy in the past. On flat sections of the coast, for example near Ravenna, in the northern part of the Adriatic coast, vast tracts of pine - Italian pine - have been preserved to this day. Today, some advocate for different uses of the land, but activists stubbornly oppose deforestation. Coastal spreading pines serve not only as good shelter from the sun - their wood is also highly valued in the furniture industry.
Blooming almond treesToday, secondary vegetation, which is commonly called “poppies,” has spread over vast areas of Italy. (macchie). It's about about extremely tenacious, most often low, wild shrubs and grasses with thick leaves, and sometimes with thorns and a deep root system. Most known species- these are mastic and laurel bushes, thyme, peppermint and gorse. The poorer the area, the lower the thickets, which in some places reach only to the knee, and in some places they have “degraded” to wasteland.
The vegetation of Italy, of course, includes more attractive representatives flora - such as almond trees, hazel, lemon and orange trees (there are whole plantations of them here), fig and pistachio trees, as well as olives (unforgettable olive groves). Cultivated plants include grapes, cereals, rice and corn, the fields of which can be found in the lowlands of Upper Italy, as well as vegetable and flower crops, growing wherever the quality of the soil and climatic conditions. Some time ago, even date palms began to be grown in Italy. Cedar, pine, silver poplar and eucalyptus are the most important sources of wood.
Fauna
Wild animals are found only occasionally in Italy, they have been almost completely exterminated or have retreated to more protected areas. In any case, only in distant mountain regions- and if you're lucky, you can still see eagles, alpine goats, fallow deer and marmots. In warm, rocky places lower down, the usual inhabitants are lizards and snakes, living quite freely due to the sharp decrease in the number of their natural enemies.
ButterflyThe elongated Apennine Peninsula is the main route for migratory birds returning from Northern and Central Europe to winter in Africa. It is depressing that songbird hunting is still carried out on a large scale in Northern Italy. In some areas of Italy, the presence of a myriad of mosquitoes is more than noticeable. In Northern and Central Italy you can see many varieties of butterflies, and in the evenings, especially summer and warm ones, you can hear the singing of cicadas. In remote warm areas you should be careful poisonous spiders and scorpions. Due to pollution and too intense fishing number of fish in coastal waters decreased greatly. And yet - shellfish, sea snails, sea urchins, lobsters, crayfish, squid, sea eels, mackerel, sole, flounder, bream and barbel are quite common inhabitants of the sea. Dolphins and whales, which used to be often seen in the Tyrrhenian Sea, are now almost never found here, but they have become more numerous in the Ligurian Sea. Fresh lakes and rivers are habitats for eels, trout, perch and tench.
Protection of Nature
About 30,400 sq. km of Italian territory are protected areas. Along with national parks, there are other environmental protection zones, such as regional parks (Parco regionale), natural parks (Parco naturale), protected reserves (Riserva naturale), as well as swamp areas (Zone umide). Despite all these environmental institutions, Italy, like other industrialized the developed countries Europe - faces major environmental problems. How much industrialization has thrown nature out of balance is shown, for example, by the threatening position of Venice or Ravenna. In northern Italy, gas pollution caused by large traffic and high density industrial enterprises, leads to such serious environmental problems, such as smog, dust and ozone pollution. However, much is being done in the country to protect environment: in Milan, where until recently there was no treatment plant, four similar facilities are being built. In many Italian cities, traffic in the center is prohibited.
To protect flora and fauna, several national parks have been created in Italy; the largest of which are Gran Paradiso ( Gran Paradiso), Stelvio, Circeo, Abruzzo. These are just small islands wildlife with a total area of about 2 thousand km 2. Gran Paradiso and Stelvio are built in the Alps to protect high-altitude flora and fauna. Abruzzo is set aside for the same purposes in the highest part of the Apennines. Circeo was created on the coast to protect not only forests, but also peculiar coastal forms - grottoes, cliffs, etc. protective areas on soil protection from erosion. However, all these measures are far from sufficient to preserve Italian nature from rapid and steady changes by human activity.
National Park Val Grande
Trigno River Valley
Vezzena Peak
Absence proper organization environmental protection leads to further destruction of forests, irrational use of land for construction, reduction of the area of national parks and destruction of forest fauna. As a result of the depopulation of mountain villages, abandoned lands located for the most part on steep slopes, soil erosion increases, the risk of landslides and floods increases.
Very noticeable contamination of internal and sea waters. Many rivers have already become dangerous to use for water supply to cities. Industrial waste Numerous coastal enterprises pollute the Mediterranean Sea, causing damage to coastal fauna and flora. Yes, reset Wastewater into the lagoon near the city of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia endangers flamingos and other rare birds that stop here during seasonal migrations. The unbridled growth of seaside tourist centers has led to the fact that about half of the Italian coasts can now be considered destroyed or, in any case, lost for the rational development of tourism.
The habitat in large areas is in a threatening state industrial cities. Italian cities stand on one of last places in the world of landscaping. Industrial development and road transport led to air pollution, which in the centers chemical industry often exceeds permissible limits.
However, in last years the situation began to gradually change for the better. Italy is the only country Big Eight, which abandoned the construction of nuclear power plants. Government concerned environmental situation in the country, took decisive measures to improve it. First of all, funding was significantly increased environmental programs both nationally and regional levels. An important step The way to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere was the signing and subsequent ratification by Italy of the famous Kyoto Protocol. In 2005, a law restricting smoking in in public places. All this allows Italians to look into the future with optimism.
Nature and the environment, which are described below, concern mountain ranges, valleys, seas, climate, hydrography, lakes, vegetation and fauna on the peninsula with an area of 301,338 sq. km. With the aim of encouraging tourists to explore different niches of tourism in Italy related to nature and the environment.
Mountain ranges
Italy is divided into three parts: the Alps, the Apennines, and the Sardinian-Corsican Massif. Italy itself is divided into: continental (north of the imaginary line between the Magra and Rubicon rivers); peninsular (south of this line); insular (islands and archipelagos). The Alpine-Apennine mountain system extends from the northern arc of Italy to Sicily; The Sardinian-Corsican Massif affects the island of Sardinia on the Italian side. The plateaus of Gargano and Le Murge (in Apulia) along with the plateau of Iblea (in Sicily) morphologically belong to the tip of the African coast.
The mountain backbone is the undivided kingdom and apotheosis of summer and winter tourism, which over time has become a model for the development of the industry. Among the centers in the Alps one can highlight: Soz-d'Oul, Sestriere, Ayas - Champaul, Breuil Cervinia, Alagna - Valsesia, Aprica, Bormio, Livigno, Moena, Alta - Badia, Corvara, Val Zoldana, Ortler area, Cortinud "Ampezzo , Selvudi-Cadore, Civetta, Tarvisio; along the Apennines - Abetone, Apuan Alps, Roccaraso, Terminillo, Gran Sasso, Matese, Pollino, Aspromonte, Silu, Etna, Gennargenta. The most highest point Europe - Mont Blanc (4,810 m) - characterizes the sunlit slope of the Italian Alps facing the sea. On the Italian slope of the Alpine mountain system There are almost a thousand glaciers of various sizes. The largest of them - the Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc groups - are concentrated in the Valle d'Aosta region. The glaciers of Mount Monte Rosa, the Ortles, Adamello and Marmolada massifs are also impressive. At a distance of over 1000 km to the south, they are “counterbalanced” by the volcano Etna (3.323 m) in Sicily. Between the two peaks stretch the Apennines and the sea.
Just as it is impossible to imagine Italy without seas, lakes and rivers, so it is impossible to imagine it without snowy mountains(www.enit.it), hills, forests, islands. It is equivalent to imagining a universe without stars. However, the Italian mountains, along with any other geographical and social component The peninsulas represent a universe, but in this case a botanical and geological universe, preserving the last vestiges of true Mediterranean vegetation. These mountains are a mixture of granite and slate, limestone and dolomite, marble and lava rocks.
There are many sites on the World Wide Web dedicated to mountains, including Italian ones: www.gae.it (Association of Local Guides and Tour Guides), www.planetmountain.com, www.altaquota.it, and for extreme species sports - www.pareti.it.
Mountain landscapes in Italy are both steep and gentle. Tourists have at their disposal well-equipped ski slopes and hiking routes, sports equipment, and equipped last word equipment, fitness clubs, climbing and hang gliding areas. In addition, in agritourism structures (www.agriturismo.com.) you will be offered local wines and gastronomy, you will be able to get acquainted with culture, folklore, traditions, and history. You will be accommodated near the centers mountain holiday close to cities rich in attractions and events: Aosta, Turin, Genoa, Milan, Bergamo, Venice, Florence, L'Aquila, Rome, Naples, Catania.
Holidays in the Alps and Apennines are a complete holiday in all seasons, especially in winter (www.cai.svt.it) and summer (www.corpoforestale.it). Summer, in the Italian mountains no longer means only mountaineer boots, traditional mountain breeches, rock climbing, mountain biking, trekking (hiking along mountain trails with a guide), canoeing, rafting (descent down mountain rivers on rafts and kayaks), excursions, long hiking(www.boscaglia.it.), evening feasts with “polenta” (porridge from corn flour), grappa (grape vodka) and dancing (www.localionline.it).
Mountains are like beaches and pine groves, have today become a kind of gymnasium where you can get in shape while enjoying clean air and good food. Where to get rid of stress, reset excess weight to regain fresh and clear skin? Yes, everywhere: from Cortina d'Ampezzo for those who like to combine their holidays, giving it a slightly secular character, to the National Park of Abruzzo and Gran Sasso for those who love the Apennine landscape. The mountains have also become a kind of ramp for classical music concerts in high altitude (Valle d'Aosta, Trentino).
The protection and breeding of rare species of animals is carried out in National reserves del Gran Paradiso, d'Abruzzi, dello Stelvio, del Circeo and natural areas, protected by environmental law (www.pegaso.bio.uniromal.it/gsap/).
The fauna of seas, lakes, and fast mountain rivers is quite rich (www.lineablu.it).
In the BUYERS catalogs that offer Russian tourists holidays in Italy, there are no proposals for recreation and sports activities related to bird watching and long excursions on horseback in inaccessible areas (www.cavalloonline.it). As for the pets that tourists want to take with them on vacation - cats, dogs - you can use websites that list beaches, campsites and hotels that accept them (www.petz.it, www.viaggiarecolcane.it).
The Moscow representative office of ENIT is ready to assist Russian BUYERS in finding an Italian partner for “specific interests” related to recreation such as “nature” and “green tourism”.
Handbook of practical and technical information on receiving tourists in Italy for travel agencies
Italian National Tourist Office (E.N.I.T.)
Moscow, 2002
The flora and fauna of this country is diverse and represented big amount species. Active activity human development has led to the fact that in many regions of the country exclusively cultural landscapes predominate. The only exceptions are high mountain areas, where natural flora has been preserved. Characteristic feature Italy has a clearly defined zonation. More than half of all plant species existing in Europe grow here, and 10% are endemic species.
The formation of the country's flora and fauna was also influenced by such factors as the predominance of mountainous terrain, temperate and subtropical climate, long coastline.
Flora of Italy
In Italy there are three regions with different types vegetation: Po Valley, Alps and Mediterranean-Apennine region.
The Alpine Zone can also be divided into three zones. In the lowest zone there are broadleaf forests, represented by cork oaks, European olive, cypress, cherry laurel, chestnut, ash and maple. Further on there are beech forests, which gradually turn into coniferous ones. Here you can see larches and common spruce V large quantities. Even higher up, the trees end and are replaced by shrubs (juniper, hard alder and rhododendrons), grass meadows, wild flowers (Primrose and Carnation families), sedge with grassy willow. Even higher, lichens and mosses grow on the snow-capped peaks.
In the area of the Padan Plain there used to be oak forests and shrubs, but now only cultivated plants can be found here (wheat, corn, rice, sugar beets and potatoes). In places where there is enough moisture, poplar grows, and in drier areas - sedge. Heather grows on the plains and pine forests, and along the shore there are water lilies and pondweed.
On the Apennine Peninsula, Sardinia and Sicily, evergreen stone and cork oaks, pine trees, olives, oleanders, carob trees, Aleppo pines and mastic trees. Above are oaks, beeches and chestnuts, spruce, fir and pine, white ash, oriental sycamore and white poplar.
In the south of Italy you can find Italian alder, and in Sicily you can find Sicilian fir and papyrus. Natural forest The Apennines are now replaced by the maquis shrub. Various steppe plants grow on the plains.
Fauna of Italy
Deforestation and land cultivation have led to animal world Italy is not very diverse. Wild animals can be found here mainly in the mountains. So, marmots live in the Alps, wild cats, stone and pine martens, stoats and ferrets. Concerning large mammals, then here you can see the Alpine mountain goat(protected by law), chamois, roe deer, lynx, fox and wolf. In Abruzzo you can find brown bear, and in Sardinia - fallow deer, mouflon and wild boar. Italy is also home to squirrels, hares and great horseshoe bats.
In the country you can see 400 species of feathered fauna, including mountain partridge, vulture, swift, black grouse, golden eagle and wood grouse. They settle along the shores of lakes wild geese and ducks. Among reptiles one can distinguish vipers, some species of lizards and turtles, and among amphibians - the alpine salamander and the alpine newt. IN fresh waters Sturgeon, eels and brown trout inhabit the area, and the seas are inhabited by red mullet, sea crucian carp, white sharks and sword sharks. Tuna, mackerel, sardines and flounder are caught here in industrial scale. Invertebrate species such as sponges and red corals are also found.
Many species of wild animals and birds have been completely exterminated or disappeared due to environmental pollution and human intervention in the ecosystem. Wild animals can only be found in nature reserves in Italy, of which there are quite a lot. also in currently created here National parks and nature reserves. total area of all national parks in the country is 200 thousand hectares. Many rare species are listed in the Red Book. The government is trying to do everything possible to ensure that the environment does not cause damage to the flora and fauna of the country.