Natural Biotopes

The biotopes are protected areas of limited extension (at most a few tens of hectares) characterized by the presence of still intact wetlands. Here, in fact, there are numerous botanical species included in the Red List of Italian plants at risk of extinction as well as endemic species and relics of the glacial era. Wildlife is also well represented: here are found the rare hawks and marsh tortoises, various species of dragonflies, butterflies and the skunk.

Among the most interesting sites there are the biotope of Col San Floreano, the Rio dell'Acqua Caduta (Cimano di S. Daniele del Friuli), which hosts the only waterfall still active in the area belonging to the morainic amphitheater of the Tagliamento river, and the Casasola peat bog (Majano), one of the largest low-alkaline peat bogs in the region.

Rio dell'acqua caduta (San Daniele del Friuli)

From a naturalistic point of view, the Rio dell’Acqua Caduta is one of the most interesting and scenic sites that can be found in the hilly area of Friuli.
The watercourse, after a short tortuous path, cuts a short and deep gorge in the rocks (Miocene continental conglomerates) and makes a jump of about ten meters, forming the only waterfall still active in the area of the morainic amphitheater of the Tagliamento river.
It is accessible via a steep path located near the Cimano cemetery.

The Regional Natural Biotope of the Col San Floreano Meadows (Rive d'Arcano)

The biotope of Col San Floreano is located along the panoramic road that connects Fagagna to San Daniele del Friuli, a place of particular scenic beauty, nearby the Rive d’Arcano castle and the Col Roncone Fort.
The biotope belongs to the second morainic circle originating from the retreat of the glacier during the last glaciation and covers 25 hectares of land.

The biotope is characterized by arid and lean meadows on the top of the hills and on the slopes, while, in the lower parts, there are wetlands (peat bogs) in which hygrophilous vegetation develops. In areas with intermediate characteristics between the peat bog and the magredo, wet meadows form. The result is a varied landscape with wet hedges and isolated oaks.

Biotopo Naturale Regionale dei Prati di Col San Floreano (Rive d'Arcano)

Flora

In this humid peat bog environment live endemic species, some rare and at risk of extinction. Then species such as the black rush (Schoenus nigricans) develop, responsible for the greyish color typical of these sites. There are Plantago altissima, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Euphrasia Marchesetti, Dactylorhiza Incarnata. Among the floristic peculiarities we find the glacial relics, usually present at higher altitudes, numerous orchids and small carnivorous plants: the Pinguicola alpina, the Primula farinosa, Eriophorum latifolium.

Fauna

This wooded environments and wetlands favor the presence of animal species, especially amphibians, including the newt, the yellow-bellied toad and various species of frogs.

Lazzacco Peat Bog

Small peat bog (about 16 hectares) located north of the town of Lazzacco, between Pagnacco and Moruzzo. It's comprised of two distinguished areas: one, larger, characterized by a peat bog eutrophicated by the crops of the nearby fields, and a smaller one characterized by a low alkaline bog.
Here we find Rhynchospora Alba, Rhynchospora Fusca, Primula Farinosa and Menyanthes Trifoliata, very rare microthermal relict species south of the Alps, and also the rare Schoenus Ferrugineus L.

Swamp of Fontana Abisso (Buja)

The site represents one of the last testimonies of the vast peat bogs and marshes once present in the morainic amphitheater of the Tagliamento river. These are surfaces that have survived the agricultural reclamation and cultivation.
On the site there's an abundant presence of hygrophilous species of considerable importance at national and regional level, also in consideration of the differences in vegetation between the various wetlands that characterize the site.

Peat Bog of Casasola (Majano)

The Casasola peat bog, one of the largest in the region, is located in the Municipality of Majano. It preserves naturalistically intact micro-environments with important, endemic species and glacial relics of the Pleistocene era. In the central and deepest part of the site, the stretches of water are populated by hydrophyte plants. Among them, the Bladderwort stands out, a carnivorous plant that leaves no escape to the prey that alight on its leaves.

Peat Bog of Borgo Pegoraro (Moruzzo)

This wet area is located to the west of Borgo Pegoraro, it was saved from the reclamation interventions and extends for over ten hectares of land. Some stretches of water host a precious aquatic vegetation with water lilies, while where the water is shallower the marsh reed grows.