Temporary closure of the F10 trail to Monte Marsicano

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The Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park (PNALM) has announced the temporary closure of trail F10 leading to Monte Marsicano from May 28th to June 15th. Authorities have indicated that this closure may be extended if necessary, as detailed in the original source [1].

This decision follows concerns over the conservation of the Marsican brown bear, a species native to our region. The area around Monte Marsicano is crucial for the bears’ reproduction during this period, and increased numbers of tourists attempting to spot them pose a significant risk. To protect both the bears and visitors, park officials have deemed it necessary to restrict access.

[1] Park’s news item, in Italian

Biodiversity in the Central Appennines

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In an article recently published in the Journal of Vegetation Science, a team of scientists of the Tuscia University found a very high level of biodiversity in the prairies of the Central Appennines in the regions of Abruzzo and Lazio.

They counted the species of plants and lichens in 97 plots, each measuring 10 square meters, in the Central Appennines, and found a mean level of species richness of 52, with a max of 85, in areas in and around our national parks.

In particular, considering that the highest number of species ever recorded in a plot of the same size is 101, the result of 85 measured in a plot in the National Park of Abruzzo Lazio and Molise is another remarkable example of how rich the nature in our region is, and how important is to protect it.