DOLOMITES - Annexes 2-8 - Provincia di Udine

NOMINATION OF THE DOLOMITES FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE LIST UNESCO
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teria that live in symbiosis in the root systems of the green alder. Generally, in the cooler and snowy
realms, often rejuvenated by new accumulations of detritus, there are groups of willows (at least a
score of the willow woods described) frequently pure or accompanied by rhododendrons, alder and
other shrubs. Only in the drier and more arid realms (windy summits) do we find colonies of juniper
and red bearberry. Even less common is the poisonous savin juniper which grows in silica-rich soil in
well localized montane and sub-Alpine belts of several valleys (e.g. Livinallongo).
Prairies
The beauty of the Dolomite landscape would not be so charming if the alternation of woods and
grasslands was not the result of a centuries-long balance between nature and the intervention of man.
All the clearings and pastures located under the limit of the shrub vegetation are the result of mowing
and meadows. Pursuant to the gradual abandonment of agricultural and livestock raising activities,
their survival is currently endangered; significantly, several prairie species are included on the
red lists among the endangered or vulnerable species. Dolomite prairies are a very highly developed
and complex realm. It includes fertile prairie areas (triseptate), quickly replaced by the forest when
their usability ended, drier prairies (bromelia and seslerio-bromelia) which are capable of holding out
longer against the advancement of shrubs, already shown - at least in the more oceanic climates -, by
the expansion of rayed broom (Genista radiata). The most characteristic and peculiar prairies are the
ones primarily situated above the forest line. On its alkaline soil surfaces, the landscape is dominated
by Sesleria caerulea, frequently associated with Carex sempervirens (evergreen sedge). In the cooler areas,
Carex ferruginea (Northern rusty sedge) is found in abundance while the lower elevations and
the more primitive realms (mainly steeper cliff areas) are dominated by Carex firma (sedge) which
creates the distinctive pioneer plate vegetation. On the more acidic soils, the most characteristic type
of prairie is Carex curvula frequently associated with Festuca halleri (Haller fescue). As early in midsummer,
the leafy tops show curves and a deeper yellow colour due to the premature drying, while
in springtime (which is in early July at these elevations) a bursting with dazzling blooms of primroses
and gentian occurs. On the steeper and drier slopes, the robust Festuca varia (variable fescue)
dominates other vegetation and pushes up to the vertical walls with the characteristic embankments.
In similar habitats but on limestone and at lower elevations, the comparable species, Festuca alpestris
(Alpine fescue) dominates, at least in the more external Dolomite areas often accompanied by
an even more shrub-like and hearty graminaceous plant, Helictotrichon parlatorei. Going back to the
silica-based lands, worthy of mention are the aspects of the windy peaks with Juncus trifidus (threeleaved
rush) and, especially, the dry slopes at the crests with the soft blanket of Alpine azalea (Loiseleuria
procumbens). In proximity to mountain saddles, on slightly mildly acidic soil, growing also in
the limey soils is Bellar’s Kobresia (from Elyna (Kobresia) myosuroides), often enriched by interesting
milk-vetches and other species that tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations and the relative dryness.
The areas more highly subject to use as grazing lands – silica and lime rich (in this case, the soil
becomes very acidic, which is not surprising especially in the Dolomites) – are occupied by nardus
colonies, communities relatively poor in species but still valued for their beautiful blooms, in which
the pungent graminaceous variety, Nardus stricta (mat-grass), clearly dominates and signals to livestock
the presence of excessive treading, sending an invitation to look elsewhere for more appetizing
grasses. There are several aspects characterized by seasonal sequences and surprisingly beautiful
blooms, but these are frequently located in several sectors and would be impossible to list comprehensively
on these pages. We remind of the prairies (former grazing lands) of Festuca paniculata, on
developed soils or the fertile fields of the flatlands and the basins, with Poa alpina (Alpine bluegrass)
and Crepis aurea (golden haw’s-beard), as well various types of fescue grasses. A significant presence
of Deschampsia caespitosa (tufted hair-grass) a tall and hearty graminaceous plant and with sharp
blade leaves, marks the damp and asphytic soils