The Sites Nature 2000 of the Tuscia Viterbo
The seven Sites of Community Importance proposed (pSCIs) present territory of the Tuscia in Viterbo, LIFE beneficiaries of the project are: the Selva Lamone (IT6010013), Monti di Castro (IT6010016), the system river Fiora-Olpeta (IT6010017 ), Vallerosa (IT6010015), Crostoletto (IT6010014), Caldera of Latera (IT6010011) and Lake Mezzano (IT6010012).
Their total area of 7,086 hectares concerns the Municipalities of Farnese, Ischia Castro, Latera, Valentano, Montalto di Castro and Canino and includes a wide variety of environments.
The sites “Selva del Lamone" and "Mountains of Castro" are characterized by a well-preserved forest environment and rich in animal and plant species. In "Caldera of Latera" observe arid Meadows community lesser known at the regional level and important for the presence of birds, using that area as a stopover during migration.
The pSCI "System river Fiora-Olpeta", for its relative remoteness from population centres and because of its high natural, ecological corridor is a vital for the dispersal of aquatic species from the centre toward Italy Tyrrhenian coast. The small basin of “Mezzano Lake" is one of the few lakes eutrofici centre Italy. Finally, thanks to the presence of environments suitable sites "Crostoletto" and "Vallerosa" host plant species rare for Lazio, including many orchids.
All of the elements typical of the Maremma and the volcanic systems laziali-maremmani characterize the particular and unique combination of habitats belonging to the Sites of Community Importance listed above, making the priority actions for the protection, restoration and enhancement of the territory of the Tuscia Viterbo .
Fauna
In areas in which the project LIFE once was the otter (Lutra lutra), but still is sporadically observed the wolf (Canis wolf). Also reported are numerous species of bats.
The presence of forests and humid environments favored the permanence of a rich community ornitica, represented by the black kite (Milvus migrans), common naigthjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Woodlark(Lullula arborea), as the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), common roller (Coracias garrulus) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). The good state of preservation of grid River Basin, which are often associated wetlands small, and the quality of water, allowing the presence of a rich ittiofauna, crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) good indicator of the state of preservation, and several amphibians and reptiles. They are represented by Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex), Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata), the agile frog (Rana dalmatic), the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), the tortoise common (Testudo hermanni) and Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata).
Socio-economic aspects
The area where the pSCIs is characterized by a low level of human pressure.
The area is mainly for agricultural use and the industry is basically limited to small craft.
