DOLOMITES - Annexes 2-8 - Provincia di Udine

NOMINATION OF THE DOLOMITES FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE LIST UNESCO
101
The simultaneous presence of the four alpine tetraonids in the nominated area is undoubtedly one
of the most significant wildlife issues in the area. These are species of recognised interest, considered
to be in demographic decline throughout much of their habitat and the alpine area in particular, and
their environmental requisites are very closely dependent on low impact land use, geared to maintain
the natural balance of the territory. The preferred habitats of the capercaillie, hazel grouse, black
grouse and rock ptarmigan are naturalistically managed woodlands, undisturbed brush, pastures and
rocky terrain. While these four gallinaceous birds are extremely vulnerable species, the conditions in
the nominated area are still reasonably favourable for their survival. The courting displays of some
of these birds (capercaillie and black grouse) are highly spectacular and well known, have even inspired
many artists and writers and are among the most unique expressions of the animal kingdom
in this area.
Steppe species
These species are originally from the Asian stepps, having reached the ridges in the Alpine arc during
the Quaternary era, where they left specimns, often relicts, in steppe formations which may be natural
in origin (Alpine prairies, mountain pastures) or may be represented by cultivated steppes, namely
in grain fields. This group of animals includes the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), whose distribution
area is limited to the Alps and the Tatra, being differentiated on a specific level from its affine
Asian species. This component is well represented by the insects of the high elevation prairies,
especially among the orthopterans and beetles.
Alpine or Alpine related species
These are northern species, Alpine or similar species, often with a vast Asian-European, Siberian-
European, or European distribution or may have a more limited distribution area, such as a Central
European or Alpine area. These species, which represent a large percentage of the high elevation Alpine
population, prefer the cool and damp habitats formed by the higher altitude plant life (montane,
Alpine or snowy).
Southern thermophile elements
The northern penetration of thermophile species during the Quaternary era, that grew and thrived
in the warm interglacial periods and, recently, by the end of the most recent glacial period, usually
involves only the elevations below the montane vegetation belt. Therefore, these elements are present
only in the more peripheral areas of the Dolomites.
Significant species of the Dolomite animal population
Among the mammals living in the Dolomite area, the species lending particular prestige are the
chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), the mountain hare (Lepus
timidus), the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis), and the Alpine shrew (Sorex alpinus). The brown bear
(Ursus arctos) was object of a reintroduction campaign into the Trentino area of the Dolomites but
it is also returning spontaneously to these lands as part of the natural event known as the “return of
the great predators”. We should also remember the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), the roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus), the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), the pine marten (Martes martes), the least
weasel (Mustela nivalis), the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), the water shrew (Neomys fodiens),
and the squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Among the birds, a substantial presence in the higher elevations
of the Dolomites, in addition to the four Tetraonidae already mentioned, is the golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos). The golden eagle – the largest predator in the area – is the unquestionable symbol of the
mountains and, as a result, of the Dolomites. After centuries of persecution, new protective measures
specifically for the species and increases in the populations of its prey (ungulates and marmots