DOLOMITES - Annexes 2-8 - Provincia di Udine

NOMINATION OF THE DOLOMITES FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE LIST UNESCO
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Particularly important and delicate areas are the peat bogs, extraordinary localities that attract botanists
in a special way due to the presence of glacial relict species and/or artic-Alpine species (Andromeda
polifolia, Oxycoccus, several types of rare sedge grasses) or curious carnivorous plants of the
Drosera genus. Special mention should be made of the delicate and sensitive micro-environments
that distinguish the flood areas of the glacial streams. Juncus arcticus, Tofieldia pusilla, Carex maritima,
Carex bicolor, Carex microglochin, with the less rare Kobresia simpliciuscula and Juncus triglumis
hold enormous bio-geographical importance. Regrettably, these habitats have virtually disappeared
and today only a few traces of them remain (Alpe di Siusi/Seiseralm, Val Venegia, Val Duron, Laghi
di Foses). There are high peat bogs with the characteristic accumulation of sphagnum alternated with
depressions (Carex limosa, Rhynchospora) and low peat bogs, with basiphilous plant species (where
Carex davalliana predominates with cotton grass, Primula farinosa, and another carnivorous plant,
Pinguicula) or other acidophilous plants (Carex nigra with other sedge grasses and Viola palustris).
We can still see vast systems of wetlands that, while fragmented by human infrastructure, have been
able to conserve largely untouched segments (for example, in Comelico, on the Falzarego, in Val
Sarentina/Sarntal, at the foot of Pelmo, on the Lagorai, etc.). Remember that all the highly natural
peat bogs and wetlands environments are considered priority habitats by the European Union. There
are several different types of wetlands habitats. First of all are the rivers, of primary importance not
only for landscape concerns. The various types converge in the single plant classifi- cation, Montio-
Cardaminetea. Quite a widespread species, associated with the typical mossy pillows, includes Saxifraga
stellaris and Arabis soyeri. Surrounding the lakes are many types of easily recognizable plants.
Associations of floating plants in the ponds and lakes are followed by helophyte consortia with plants
that take root in the mud on the banks (e.g. the Phragmites canes) and groups of high sedge grasses
(various associations already described). Subject to drainage in the past because they were deemed
useless or sometimes toxic were the residue of wet meadows (moors, from the name of the genus of
dominant graminaceous plant Molinia cerulea, purple moor-grass), which are conserved only where
they are still regularly cut, the groups of marsh marigolds, bulrush, the edges of streams or Alpine
ponds, the drip areas and, only on the valley floor, underground springs, channels, and offshoots of
major rivers.
Wetlands habitats (peat bogs) in Comelico (Belluno).