- MAY 2013 -
-
|
- ABOUT US |
- BRIDGE'S BACKGROUND |
- COVERS |
- PRESS REVIEWS |
- CONTRIBUTORS' BIOS |
- APULIA |
- CONTACTS |
Nature and Landscape
Punta della Contessa Realm of rare plants and migratory birds
by Fabio Ippolito and Piero Medagli A regional nature park since 2002, the ponds and the salt flats of Punta della Contessa, while bordering on some mighty industrial works, constitute a precious habitat for migratory birds and rare plants April 2013
FLORA
In Puglia it is present in several places, amongst which “Saline di Punta della Contessa” April 2013
Hairy smotherweed
by Piero Medagli and Fabio Ippolito A minute, unremarkable, rare plant which is at risk of becoming extinct.In Puglia it is present in several places, amongst which “Saline di Punta della Contessa” April 2013
FAUNA
The great egret
by Giuseppe La Gioia In the migratory periods and in winter they can be seen in Puglia between Manfredonia and Margherita di Savoia and at Punta della Contessa April 2013
Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano regional nature reserve A dive into beauty
by Emanuela Rossi e Salvatore Inguscio Archeological and paleontological treasures, rare plants and beautiful coastal towers, but, above all, breathtaking panoramas make the Porto Selvaggio regional park one of the most fascinating places in Puglia November 2012
FLORA
In Puglia it can be found in the Palude del Capitano and recently has been sighted in a new spot on the Adriatic coast November 2012
Sarcopoterium spinosum
by Fabio Ippolito It is an endangered species, on the National Red List.In Puglia it can be found in the Palude del Capitano and recently has been sighted in a new spot on the Adriatic coast November 2012
FAUNA
In 2007 some nests were seen in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano nature reserve.
The females lay their eggs in magpies’ nests, and the magpies hatch them and take care of the fledglings November 2012
The great spotted cuckoo
by Giuseppe La Gioia It is on the Red List of threatened species.In 2007 some nests were seen in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano nature reserve.
The females lay their eggs in magpies’ nests, and the magpies hatch them and take care of the fledglings November 2012
Bosco delle Pianelle at Martina Franca Amongst lovely holm-oaks and rare plants
by Piero Medagli The wood, characterized by magnificent, dense vegetation, stands within a Karst dolina.The author, an export botanist, has discovered the Saxifraga hederacea, a very rare species previously never found below an altitude of 800 metres October 2012
FLORA
Ingrassia’s Ophrys
by Piero Medagli Rare and extremely lovely, it has been found in only three locations, all in the territory of Martina Franca October 2012
FAUNA
The robin
by Giuseppe La Gioia In Puglia robins nest in hilly or mountainous areas. But in fall and spring many can be seen migrating October 2012
The fig tree in Puglia: amidst “forgotten landscapes” and new fig groves
by Francesco Minonne Plants or dried figs were transported by ancient peoples across the Mediterranean basin.Few other fruit trees can bear the summer heat and salty atmosphere.
Its fruits are exquisite (and are of several varieties) whether fresh or dried July 2012
FLORA
St. John’s wort
by Francesco Minonne Known in dialect as fumulu it was used to prepare a grate for the drying of figs July 2012
FAUNA
The sparrow
by Giuseppe La Gioia It is among the species most attracted to fig trees. For their shade and sweet fruit July 2012
Porto Cesareo Crystal-clear waters, precious seabeds and beaches to dream of
by Ferdinando Boero They are preserved thanks to the AMP, the Protected Marine Area.Apart from the amazing sea, a tiny but important museum of marine biology dedicated to the great scholar, Pietro Parenzan, and fishmongers, fish restaurants, fishing tourism... June 2012
FLORA
Plants and flowers of the dunes
by Fabio Ippolito The dune habitat, gravely threatened by human disturbance, has some extraordinarily interesting vegetation June 2012
FAUNA
The little tern
by Giuseppe La Gioia The protected area of Porto Cesareo among the sites in Italy where it spends the warm season and nests June 2012
Puglia’s fabulous olive trees Amidst history, nature and agriculture
by Gianfranco Ciola Around here the age-old olive trees constitute the oldest arboreal landscapes in existence.Boundless olive groves and Roman roads, stone settlements, ancient masserie and underground olive-presses: this is where the synthesis of the Mediterranean olive oil civilisation is to be found May 2012
FLORA
There are also numerous officinal plants, like the chamomile, and tasty wild edibles like spring onions, chicory and blackberries May 2012
Plants and flowers of the olive groves
by Piero Medagli Thanks to the declining use of herbicides and the increase in organic farming we are seeing the return of spectacular wild flowers in the olive groves of Puglia.There are also numerous officinal plants, like the chamomile, and tasty wild edibles like spring onions, chicory and blackberries May 2012
FAUNA
The hoopoe
by Giuseppe La Gioia It often frequents olive groves but also other types of environment May 2012
Rauccio Woods and Marshes regional nature park
by Vittorio De Vitis Not far from Lecce, on the Adriatic coast, an almost unique environment in the South of Italy, with shrub woodland and a lagoon with spring pools, canals and coastal dunes.Innumerable precious botanic species April 2012
FLORA
The saltmarsh morning glory
by Silvano Marchiori Individuated, in Italy, only in a few places in Puglia, Sicily and Lazio, it is at risk of extinction because its habitat is gradually disappearing April 2012
FAUNA
The badger
by Giuseppe La Gioia To be found in few places in Puglia, one of which is the Rauccio wood, it is difficult to observe and study because of its night-time habits and shy behaviour April 2012
The Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca Coast and Tricase Woods regional nature park
by Francesco Minonne With more than fifty kilometers of coastline and 3.200 hectares of territory, it’s the largest regional park in the province of Lecce.A road with a myriad of twists and turns is the historic backbone of a breathtaking landscape. From the terraced olive trees to the sheer cliff faces over the sea, even its most secret corners are sights not to be missed March 2012
FLORA
The Leuca cornflower
by Piero Medagli Discovered by the Salento botanist Carlo Laicata in the 20s, it is a rare species that deserves protection and is found exclusively on the coast between the Cape of Leuca and Porto Tricase March 2012
FAUNA
In the Cape of Otranto, in the province of Lecce, dozens of specimens can be spotted in spring March 2012
The lesser kestrel
by Giuseppe La Gioia It’s a small falcon present in diverse regions in southern Italy whose numbers are diminishing and is therefore safeguarded.In the Cape of Otranto, in the province of Lecce, dozens of specimens can be spotted in spring March 2012
The Castellana Caves A spell-binding underground world
by Emanuela Rossi and Salvatore Inguscio The pearl of the system is the “white cave”; with its thousands of pure white concretions it is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.Many animal species, with morphological variations, have adapted to living underground in the dark February 2012
FAUNA
The habitat of an entire universe of creatures that have transformed their morphological features to ensure their survival is in the underground February 2012
Spelaeomysis bottazzii
by Emanuela Rossi and Salvatore Inguscio It is a stigobite crustacean, that is, a subterranean aquatic species, endemic to Puglia.The habitat of an entire universe of creatures that have transformed their morphological features to ensure their survival is in the underground February 2012
Terra delle Gravine nature reserve Puglia’s Arizona
by Martino Miali A breathtaking natural landscape: 60 canyons in two semicircles looking over the Gulf of Taranto, with abundant flora and fauna, many rare species, and stone settlements with priceless finds January 2012
FLORA
It flowers from the first days of July, and throughout the summer January 2012
The Apulian bellflower
by Silvano Marchiori It is a rare species, present, in Italy, almost exclusively in Apulia (from which it gets its name).It flowers from the first days of July, and throughout the summer January 2012
FAUNA
In the Gravine Park, for the first time in the world with this species, a re-introduction technique is being tried out January 2012
The Egyptian vulture
by Antonio Sigismondi It is a beautiful bird of prey and is at a high level of risk of extinction.In the Gravine Park, for the first time in the world with this species, a re-introduction technique is being tried out January 2012
The Umbra Forest Amidst rare plants and animals in the shade of the beechwood
by Piero Medagli It is the largest forest in the Gargano National Park. Centuries-old beeches, oaks, hornbeams, Turkey oaks, some of the oldest yews in Italy and a varied undergrowth. The fauna includes roe deer, wildcats and the very rare white-backed woodpecker December 2011
FLORA
The holly
by Silvano Marchiori It is widespread in the Gargano beech woods. It blooms from April to May to leave room for the lovely scarlet-red fruits December 2011
FAUNA
The population is dropping due both to poaching and also the poor state of the grazing land December 2011
The Gargano Roe-Deer
by Antonio Sigismondi They descend directly from those that were hunted by the Romans, and then by Frederick II.The population is dropping due both to poaching and also the poor state of the grazing land December 2011
Cesine nature reserve Paradise of flora and fauna
by Fabio Ippolito Because of its great biodiversity the area has been declared a “Wetland of International Importance” and a State nature reserve. The oasis, near Vernole, a few kilometers from Lecce, is managed by the Italian WWF, which organises eco-sustainable visits and events November 2011
FLORA
The silk vine
by Silvano Marchiori Very rare in Italy, it can be found on the Salento coasts, between Brindisi and Otranto, in the Cesine oasis and in very few other places November 2011
FAUNA
The coot
by Giuseppe La Gioia They are to be found in almost all the wetlands of Puglia. The Cesine Nature Reserve is one of their main habitats for wintering November 2011
The national park of Alta Murgia Between nature and history
by Fabio ModestiDirettore Parco Alta Murgia A vast territory predominated by its steppe, rich in splendid flora and fauna.
Millions of sheep used to be shepherded along its cattle-tracks and many millennia before that, at least five species of dinosaurs roamed the area.
From medieval traces of the presence of the wealthy Aragonese dynasty, to small villages which have sprung up along its borders June 2011
FLORA
Fairy flax
by Silvano Marchiori The magic of its spikes waving in the wind – Only in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily June 2011
Torre Guaceto Nature and culture between land and sea
by Fabio Ippolito A Nature Reserve and wetlands of International Importance spreads out around an old fortified tower. A few kilometers from Brindisi, flora and fauna of great interest and eco-sustainable activities flourish. April 2011
Flora