The habitats of the park

The Park is characterized by the predominant presence of forests that cover about 39% of the total area. These forests are of great ecological importance, providing habitat for various animal species, including the wolf, the wildcat, the marten, and several bird species such as the goshawk, the marsh harrier, and the Dalmatian woodpecker.

In the Park, there are mainly sub-Mediterranean broadleaf forests and beech woods, which represent the most extensive forest formations. The Park Authority is committed to forest management to improve the structure and functionality of the forests, as well as to protect them from fires and preserve rare species.

Caves are a characteristic element of the Park, with over 100 present, especially on the Majella. These environments host a variety of animal species adapted to underground life, such as bats and invertebrates.

The Park also features limited wetland areas due to the predominant karst topography in the mountains. Watercourses like the Orta, Orfento, and Lavino provide habitats for various aquatic fauna and avifauna.

Extreme habitats such as cliffs and scree offer challenging living conditions for plants and animals but are crucial for specialized species such as the golden eagle and the Apennine chamois.

Grasslands occupy about 29.5% of the Park and are important for biodiversity, hosting numerous rare and endemic plant species, such as the Majella cornflower. These areas are essential for many animal species, both for feeding and nesting.