Nature Reserve Bosco di Alcamo

The Nature Reserve Bosco di Alcamo is  a natural protected area of Regione Siciliana established in 1984,[1] and located on the top of monte Bonifato, which  dominates the town of Alcamo.

The Nature Reserve Bosco di Alcamo

History
An old photo of Mount Bonifato without its wood.

Until the 19th century the Natural Reserve Bosco di Alcamo was covered with a broad-leaved wood which disappeared because of man's action.[2] Since 1921 it has undergone a reforestation work with Aleppo'pine, cypress and umbrella pines.[2] Later there was the gradual reappearance of species of local broad-leaved plants.[2]

Territory

The protected area is dominated by mount Bonifato, a pyramid-shaped calcareous mount 825 metres high s.l.m. near Alcamo, which has an area of 199 hectares.[1] The surrounding landscape is agricultural and with the predominance of  vine growing.

A view from the eastern side of peak

Flora

In ancient times on Mount Bonifato  there was a wood which was destroyed by the continuous fires and cutting down of timber.[3]  The present forest, deriving from an old reforestation, expands on the northern side of the mountain and it is characterised by the presence of two species of pine, the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and Aleppo's pine (Pinus halepensis). ). There are also poor remainders of evergreen mediterranean forest among the rocks and in some strips of land, not influenced by human activities:  the holm oak, the ash tree, and the downy oak, the native essences.

There are also the typical  grassland and ampelodesma[4] (or "disa"), which in the past was used to tie vines and realize ropes and baskets.[5] Other important plants for the local handicraft are the Ferula (used  for the realization of chairs, stools and small tables),[5] the dwarf palm tree (used to realize brooms or fill in matresses)[5] Sicilian sumac .[5] used for tanning skins and for dyeing works)[5] and the ash tree (from which they extracted manna).

Besides there is a remarkable presence of Euphorbia, Peony and orchidis (among which visitors can see the rare Orchis commutata and Orchis brancifortii).[5]

There are also different aromatic plants, such as shrubby thyme, Egyptian rue, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, absinth and oregano.[5]

  • Grassland and ampelodesma
  • Vegetation inside the wood
  • One of the footpaths

Fauna

The forest hosts various kinds of birds such as: woodpigeons, jays, turtledoves, kestrels, thrushs, blackbirds, great spotted woodpeckers, robins, buzzards, woodcocks, great tits, greenfinches, serins, tits and goldfinches.[5]

Among the  reptiles are found the rat snake, the endemic common snake (called  serpe nivura in dialect), the viper, the lizard and the green lizard.[5]

There are also many mammals such as:porcupines, foxes, weasels, wild rabbits, hedgehogs.[2][5]

Geological interest
See also: Monte Bonifato § Geologia

Historical interest
Ruins of the Castle of Ventimiglia

Inside and near the reserve there are remains of historical-cultural interest, among which:[2][5]

  • a necropolis of  prehistoric origin
  •  the Castle of Ventimiglia
  •  the Queen Gate
  • the ruins of the fortified town Bùnifat, with old  unicellular buildings, cisterns and snow fields
  • the water reservoir la Funtanazza.

Footpaths

The reserve is crossed by 3 footpaths:[4]

  • Saint Nicolas' path,1800 metres long
  • The Orchidis' path, 850 metres long
  • Panoramica Est, 2400 metres long

Accommodation

A building on the edge of the pine wood should carry out an activity of environmental education within the institutive ends of the reserve.

  • The notice at the entrance of the reserve.
  • The car park at the entrance of the pine wood.

See also
  • Alcamo
  • Monte Bonifato
  • Aree naturali protette della Sicilia

Notes
  1. Elenco ufficiale delle aree protette (EUAP) 6º Aggiornamento approvato il 27 aprile 2010 e pubblicato nel Supplemento ordinario n. 115 alla Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 125 del 31 maggio 2010.
  2. Farneti, p. 780.
  3. LIPU – LEGA ITALIANA PROTEZIONE UCCELLI SEZIONE DI ALCAMO (TP)
  4. "www.boscoalcamo.it – La Riserva". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  5. "Comune di Alcamo – Itinerari artistici". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016.

Bibliography

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