The Potential of Biodiversity on Tourism in Molise Water

Chapter 4. The Potential of Biodiversity on Tourism in Molise-

Water

THE BIODIVERSITY OF WATER IN MOLISE

“Biodiversity is not just another factor – it is as crucial to the living world as is cultural diversity. Both sources of diversity are linked, and the future that we want to build depends on our collective ability to safeguard them both.”

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General

The 22nd of March is known as the international day of water by ecosystems. The theme focuses on the solutions provided by biodiversity to meet waterrelated challenges. Wetlands have particularly hydrological functions such as the ability to store water Biodiversity supports water and nutrient cycling ; these processes control land erosion and regulate water quality. We all know that water is renewable it can be recycled but not REPLACED so infrastructures are necessary for water MANAGEMENT. Without ecosystems, and the complex biological relationships and processes that they support, the quantity and quality of global water resources would be severely compromised.

Molise is a region of southern Italy with about 320,000 inhabitants. The last region established by division of Abruzzo in 1963 with about 40% of the territory occupied by mountains that are part of the great Italian mountain range of the Apennines and in particular the southern Apennines. The waters present are particularly rivers and are born almost all from Maltese in the west, and then flow into the Adriatic coast. The most important river in Molise is the Biferno.

The Biferno river can be considered as the most important river in the Molise region.It springs in Bojano from Pietrecadute, a place situated at the feet of the Matese mountains and flows through the molisano territory, dividing it, into two parts. The river flows through a deep valley up to the cost and borders some medieval villages like Santa Maria.

In Santa Maria del Molise, once named St.Mary and James, there are three Watermills built in the second half of the XIX century by the Marquis Morra. The village is rich in water thanks to the sources of Rio which, together with Callora and Quirino, is one of the main tributaires of the Biferno river.

Today, the visitor can see two mills built not far from one of the lakes formed by the waters of the Rio stream. It is a very nice area in every season, but it is especcialy recommended during the spring and the hot summer days.

Molise Acque is an agency which is responsible for the management of the water services: • The capture of water; • The regional and interregional supply; • The water-treatment plants; • The water-rising plants; • The control of drinkable water

This Agency was established with the regional law of 13 December 1999. The ARPA is responsible for carrying out technical-scientific functions and activities for collective prevention and environmental controls, and for carrying out research initiatives on the subject. environmental.

Molise with the regional law releases the large concessions for both underground and surface water,

For many years in the city of Termoli, in Molise, there have been many problems with the purifier, which has polluted the waters of the sea. Consequently, to avoid further damage in the future, it was decided to make a new project to remove the purifier, replacing it in a "terrace overlooking the sea". Thanks to this project, the waters and the bathing system will be cleaner.

The trabocco, or trabucco, is an imposing construction made of structural wood that consists of a platform stretched out over the sea anchored to the rock by large trunks of Aleppo pine, from which stretch, suspended a few meters from the water, two (or more) long arms, called antennas, that support an enormous net with narrow meshes called trap.

Chapter 5. The Potential of Biodiversity on Tourism in Molise-

Forest and Mountains

The potential biodiversity of tourism in Molise - Forests and Mountains.

Molise ecosystem is very rich: the fauna, as well as the flora, includes a very big variety of species and some of them are even endangered(such as the “Cavallo Pentro” and the “Capra Grigia”),there are also secular beeches(such as the famous “Re Faione”).To prevent their disappearance, the WWF association named some Protected Areas in the region and some of Region’s laws forbid the collection and hunt of these species.

The 29.2% of Molise territory is composed of forests (129.600 Ha in total). The region features many varieties of woods:from forests of pine trees,to little gatherings of trees and to mountain woods.

FLORA-Mountains and forests

Campochiaro OASIS-WWF

The site, located in the mountains, comprehends a large forest and karst phenomenons, such as the canyon of the Quirino steam, the San Nicola waterfalls (100m high) and the Pozzo della Neve and Cul Di Bove caves (one of the deepest in Europe). Among the most common living creatures there we can find wolves,wild cats and badgers,as well as hawks, salamanders and butterflies.

the website:https://www.wwf.it/oasi/molise/guardiaregia_campochiaro/

Casacalenda LIPU Oasis

Born in 1993, this is the first official oasis of the region.It’s also the first territory of the region to have a direct contact with the ‘Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli’.The site, thanks to the preservation, offers a big variety of animal and vegetal species such as the “spectacled salamander”,yellow-bellied toads ,badgers ,roe deers and particular birds.About 100 Ha of the total 105 Ha of the site are covered by oaks. There can also be found 15 different types of orchids as well as beeches and Italian oaks in the coldest points. The oasis hosts activities for nature lovers such as activities for children, days dedicated entirely to the 80 different species of butterflies that find their home in this environment, or the possibility to listen to birds sing.

the website: http://www.lipu.it/oasi-casacalenda-campobasso

Montedimezzo natural reserve

The site, 300 Ha large, is located in the territory of Vastogirardi (IS).The reserve is in the UNESCO project ‘Man and Biosphere’ (MAB) and comprehends the left side of the La Penna Mount. There, the famous centenary beech “Re Faione” can be found as well as other centenary trees, as well as beeches and oaks. It’s home to falcons, deer, badgers, hares, weasels, wolves, owls and barn owls. The site offers various paths to follow either on foot or by electric scooters or bikes. In the picnic area, a natural museum and an area dedicated to the fauna can be found.

the website: https://www.montedimezzo.it

FAUNA-Mountains and forests

Game is abundant such as quails that are very popular in the territory around Campolieto (CB). Also partridges can be found in the area of Spinete (CB), Frosolone (IS), Macchiagodena (IS), Longano (IS), Miranda (IS), on the Mount Miletto and on the Mainarde. Hares can be found anywhere in the region, on the mountains as well as on the hills, thanks to hunting associations and the systematic repopulation of the area.

Foxes are also very common, along with weasels and otters. Wild boars find their natural habitat in the forests and woods of the region,as well as wolves. Moreover Marsican brown bears populate the National Park of Molise, Abruzzo and Lazio while stags, roe-deers and deer populate the mountains.

In the Alto Volturno are (the border between Campania and Molise) various species of fish are to be found: Barbels, common rudds, tenches, virions, mullets and sea bass populate the area. Among the volatiles living in the area we can find hawks, eagles and sparrow hawks.

The most common reptiles are the viper, the grass snake and the four-lined snake which live in stoney areas in the mountains, particularly on the Matese mountains. and on the Meta mountain

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