Habitat 6210/6210* (acidophilous subtype 34.34)

Fiumi azzurri e colline e praterie
Dove corrono dolcissime le mie malinconie
L'universo trova spazio dentro me

Battisti - I giardini di marzo (1972)

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

H6210(*): Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates(Festuco-Brometalia) ( * important orchid sites)

Occurring in 4187 European sites, it is present on 1218.47 km² in the Italian Continental Region.

Conservation status: inadequate for range, area, structure/functions, future perspective, complex.

Trend: declining.

European Red List of Habitats: Vulnerable.

In the project area, the acidophilous subtype (34.34) of the habitat is present, with peculiar floristic compositions. According to a recent evaluation, subtype 34.34 occurs in Lombardy only along the Ticino River (75 ha), while the other occurrences of H6210 in Lombardy (about 2500 ha) are calcareous. In Piedmont, subtype 34.34 occurs on about 300-350 ha, while the other occurrences of H6210 in Piedmont (about 4500-5000 ha) are calcareous.
The presence of soil biological crusts represents an important biodiversity component also of this habitat.

Threats at the project sites (which have led to a loss of over 50% of the habitat in the last 40 years ):
> Invasion of woody species, both non-native and native.
> Increase in soil nitrogen levels.
> Lack of an efficient management model and abandonment.
Without proper management actions, this habitat is expected to disappear within approximately 20 years.

Area of actions 69.745 m²