Nature » Rocky Environments

Cliffs

The vegetation dominated by the Alpine Cinquefoil (Potentilla caulescens) represents the most widespread rocky vegetation from the valley bottoms to an altitude of about 1,600 meters, with the frequent presence of White Lace (Spiraea decumbens subsp. tomentosa) and of the famous Devil's Claw (Physoplexis comosa). At higher altitudes we can find many other associations of great naturalistic and scientific interest: the Pink Cinquefoil (Potentilla nitida) on the highest dolomitic cliffs, the saxifrage associations of the clefts (with Saxifraga burserana) vegetating on stratified limestone, other saxifrage associations (with Saxifraga mutata), the association with Campanula morettiana (on dolomitic cliffs interested by wet drafts), and the associations growing in the under rock shelters, with Silene Veselskyi. Many animal species have adapted to these extreme environments. Among them the Wallcreeper, hunting for insects and spiders in the rock fissures, the Crag Martin, the Alpine Chough, the Raven, and the Golden Eagle, nesting in rocky environments.