Valle di Lodano

The Valle di Lodano is home to a large forest reserve with fascinating landscapes, abundant flora and fauna, and evidence of past human activity. A large interdisciplinary project with a holistic approach restored and enhanced these elements. Several landscape improvements were made as a result of the project, as well as historical and scientific research. The Valle di Lodano has old beech forests, which are a vast forest reserve set in a fascinating landscape with numerous natural elements and evidence of past human activities.

The Valle di Lodano has dense forest up to higher elevations, where alpine pastures can be seen despite rapid vegetation growth. The forests of Valle di Lodano are diverse due to their heterogeneous morphology. The lower hill belt is dominated by chestnut groves and pioneer birch forests, and the mild climate in gorges and screes supports small-leaved lime trees, while oak trees thrive in the most exposed and arid areas. The montane belt is dominated by beech; especially on the valley's left side, there are almost pure beech woods with mature specimens; on the opposite shadier side, the beech is mingled with silver fir, which is increasing in number after years of intensive logging. The subalpine belt is dominated by larch, although below Alp da Canaa and around Alp da Nagairón Norway spruce is also present.

Location: Ticino, Switzerland