page_title: Monti Marsicani
section_title: Flora and fauna
hierarchical_section_title: Monti Marsicani / Flora and fauna
caption_attribution_description: Italiano: Iris marsicano (Iris marsica)
context_page_description: The Monti Marsicani are the sixth-highest group of Apennines located in the Abruzzo region, mostly in the Province of L’Aquila and partly in the Province of Frosinone and Province of Isernia. The highest peak is Monte Greco. They are limited in north by the Fucino plateau and Peligna Valley, on the east by the River Gizio and Altopiano delle Cinque Miglia, on the south by the Valley Sangro and Volturno, on the east by valley Liri and Melfa.
  The main feature of this area is the rugged landscape characterized by a wild and well-preserved natural environment with dense forests composed mainly of beech and with the presence of many endangered species. Their survival was possible mainly thanks to the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise that protects a huge part of this mountain group.
context_section_description: Monti Marsicani has one of the best preserved fauna and flora in Europe. The flora has mainly Mediterranean and mountainous features.  In general, in the forest on the height of  1000 – 1100 meters dominates the broad-leaved three. Up to 1700–1800 meters dominates the beech. Other important trees are black pine with some subspecies such as "Pino nero di Villetta Barrea" and mountain pine. A notable tree is silver birch, that is rather typical for northern Europe, since in southern Europe can grow only in high altitudes. A complete list of  the flora reaches about 2,000 species. Among typical flowers can be found the lily, violet, cyclamen, primrose, orchid and rare flowers such as Cypripedium calceolus and Iris marsica (which is only found in the Abruzzo region).
  There are about 60 species of mammals, 300 of birds, 40 of reptiles, amphibians and fish and they all are protected as a part of National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise.
  As it comes to the fauna, the most notable species are Marsican brown bear, Italian wolf, Abruzzo chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata), red deer and roe deer. The number of bear population is recently declining, from about 100 it has fallen to about 30 in recent years, while the population of wolves is permanently increasing. Among the reclusive species there are the eurasian lynx, the wild boar, the polecat, the badger, the otter, the pine marten and the beech marten. 
  
  Among the animals frequently seen there are some species such as the red fox, the red squirrel or dormouse. Other notable species are the western European hedgehog, the European mole, the wildcat, the mountain hare and the crested porcupine.
caption: Iris marsica
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