Parchi e Riserve Naturali del Lago Maggiore

Lagoni di Mercurago

(Nature Park)

The physical environment is represented by a peatbog situated in a hilly morainic area, with ponds and swamps of glacier origin, some of which are being progressively covered by the soil.
The aquatic and palustrine flora is particularly interesting with some important specimens of Nymphaeaceae, Droseraceae, Onagraceae, Lentibulariaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae. In 1983 a new species was discovered in the Park, Crepidotus roseoornatus.
Three quarters of the surface are covered by woods characterized by the presence of different species according to the area: common oak, Turkey oak, chestnut tree, birch, European aspen, or Scotch pine, and in the wettest areas of willows, ash trees, and black alders. It is worth signalling the presence of the white pine, the pitch pine, and the locust tree, in addition to an artificial pine forest of about 30 hectares. The underwood is dominated by acidophilic species (mainly hazelnut and common elder).
The fauna is represented by chiropters, insectivores, and small rodents. Moreover, in the park hundreds of bird species nest, spend the winter, or simply pass through the area.

(the following links lead to Italian texts)

• The Park
• Visitors
• Nature
• Plan of the area
• Woods
• Archaeology
• Historical itineraries

Canneti di Dormelletto

(Special Nature Reserve)

This area represents one of the last examples in the area of Novara, together with the ones of the Piana di Fondo Toce, of a transitory territory between land and water with a mainly spontaneous vegetation consisting in cane-brakes. The importance of this reserve is given by the essential ecological function carried out by the cane-brake environment as far as the regulation of the water level, the depuration and the balanced absorption of even harmful substances poured into the water are concerned. The nearby wood areas are of particular importance for the creation of an ideal habitat for a number of ornithological species nesting and spending the winter in the reserve.

(the following links lead to Italian texts)

• The Reserve
• The Town
• Racehorses

Fondotoce

(Special Nature Reserve)

The great naturalistic value of the area is due to the almost relic character of the habitat, and to the presence of a rich migratory and permanent avifauna. Among the aquatic flora it is possible to find the endemic variety of water chestnut, the trapa natans, variety verbanensis. Characterized by the presence of about 30 hectares of swamps and thin canes, the reserve also includes along its boundaries narrow strips of riparian willow vegetation enriched by a considerable floristic variety. One of the most interesting aspects of the area is that it is used as a stop area by a number of ornithological species during their migration.