Database 
Map 
Biodiversity
Areas of outstanding natural beauty
The Geopark stands out as a mosaic of extraordinary biodiversity, encompassing areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Val Grande National Park, two regional parks (Alta Valsesia and Alta Valle Strona and Monte Fenera, now under the jurisdiction of the Valsesia Protected Areas Management Authority) and the Special Nature Reserves of Sacro Monte di Varallo, Sacro Monte della SS. Trinità di Ghiffa and Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola. There are also numerous Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Areas (SPA): these are key sites within the Natura 2000 Network, an environmental conservation network promoted by the European Union, aimed at protecting habitats and animal and plant species typical of the European biosphere and threatened with extinction. Finally, of particular significance is the UNESCO MAB Ticino Val Grande Verbano Biosphere Reserve.
Below is the complete list:
- Val Grande National Park
- Alta Valsesia and Alta Val Strona Nature Park
- Monte Fenera Nature Park
- UNESCO MAB Ticino Val Grande Verbano Biosphere Reserve
- Sacro Monte di Varallo Special Reserve
- Sacro Monte della SS. Trinità di Ghiffa Special Reserve
- Sacro Monte di Domodossola Special Reserve
- Fondo Toce Nature Reserve
- Baragge Nature Reserve
- Zegna Oasis
- Bosco Tenso Nature Oasis
- Pian dei Sali Nature Oasis
- Areas included in the Natura 2000 Network (Fondo Toce, the Toce stream bed, Val Grande National Park, Lake Mergozzo and Mont’Orfano, Campello Monti, Monte Fenera, Val Sessera, Laghetto di S. Agostino, Val Mastallone, Alta Valsesia and the Otro, Vogna, Gronda, Artogna and Sorba valleys)
Flora: a kaleidoscope of plants
The vast variety of environmental conditions makes the geopark’s flora abundant and diverse, with rare and endemic species also present.
At lower altitudes, mixed deciduous woodlands predominate, where chestnut trees abound alongside other species such as ash, various types of oak, birch, maple, aspen, wild cherry and willow. Among these species, a non-native species – the black locust – has now become naturalised.
As the altitude increases, beech trees come to dominate the tree species, alongside small areas of spruce and silver fir.
Higher up, larch is abundant; in some areas it forms proper forests, whilst in others it is scarce due to the climate and logging carried out in past centuries. As one climbs further, the woodland gives way to shrubs: the green alder, along with ferns and mosses, is found on the cooler, damper slopes; rhododendrons and blueberries prefer to grow along ridges or rocky outcrops and on sun-exposed slopes.
At even higher altitudes lie alpine pastures, and where environmental conditions become harsh, only pioneer species adapted to extreme environments survive. Among the rarest botanical species are the alpine columbine, the yellow gentian, the cut-leaved bellflower and the alpine tulip.
There are certain areas where specific conditions lead to a concentration of particular species: near mountain huts and watering holes, alpine rhubarb, wild spinach, clover, nettles and mint abound. The gorges, which are unique habitats of priority interest at European level, are home to yews, alders, lime trees and maples. Areas characterised by the presence of basic rocks support rare species such as Carniolan scopolia, Piedmontese garlic and fragrant cneoro; on the marble outcrops, wild peony; even rarer are the deer’s tongue, the flowering fern and the maidenhair fern. There is also a considerable variety of mosses, fungi and lichens.
Val Sorba Peonies
Fern in the early stages of spring development
Cerastium alpinum
Alpine anemones
Iris
Rhododendron
Ferns
Gentiana acaulis
Fauna: a sanctuary for wildlife
The geopark’s fauna reflects its geological and floristic diversity: it is rich and varied, as are the habitats throughout the Sesia-Val Grande area, which also includes habitats and animals listed under EU protection.
The habitats are extremely varied: meadows, cultivated land, pastures, heathland and woodland, as well as specialised habitats such as those on the limestone cliffs or the extreme high-altitude environments. Finally, it is important not to overlook the transition zones (ecotones) between the various habitats, which are exceptionally rich in biodiversity. Within the geopark there are also areas with very little human impact, a consequence of human abandonment following centuries of exploitation. These are areas of great interest, allowing for the study of the natural evolution of living species no longer influenced by past human activities. Given the presence of numerous species of great scientific interest (some of which are rare or endemic), a great many studies have been carried out in the geopark area, funded in part by European projects such as LIFE Carabus and LIFE WolfAlps.
Among the many mammals inhabiting the geopark are the hare, squirrel, marten, dormouse and shrew, along with other small rodents and insectivores. There is no shortage of roe deer and red deer, and at higher altitudes one encounters the typical inhabitants of the Alpine environment, such as ibex, chamois and marmots.
There are a great many species of birds, some of which are of particular ecological and naturalistic interest, such as the nightjar, the honey buzzard, the peregrine falcon and the rare black stork, which nests in the Monte Fenera area. The geopark also lies along several migration routes, followed by thousands of birds that head for their wintering grounds in autumn.
Thanks to the abundance and quality of the water, which flows freely – partly due to substantial rainfall – the streams and wetlands are home to a rich variety of wildlife. Of particular note in the waters of the Sessera is one of Italy’s rarest molluscs, Falkneria camerani.
Finally, notable species are found amongst the insects, particularly among the beetles; among these we highlight Carabus lepontinus, an endemic species found exclusively on the slopes of Monte Zeda, and Carabus Olympiae, another endemic species, protected since 1983, which lives on the western edge of the geopark, in the upper Valsessera.
A delicate balance
The biodiversity of the Sesia Val Grande Geopark is the result of a delicate balance between natural factors and human activity. Sustainable land management, habitat conservation and environmental education are essential for preserving this heritage.
The Geopark promotes biodiversity monitoring initiatives, research projects and educational activities to raise public awareness of the importance of environmental protection. Through these efforts, the aim is to ensure the conservation of flora and fauna for future generations.
Salamander
Lake Balma in Val Vogna
Swallowtail butterfly
Alpine ibexes
Bus Waterfall in Valsermenza
Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
