Parco Naturale dei Lagoni di Mercurago

Lagoni di Mercurago Nature Park

The physical environment is represented by a peatbog situated in a hilly morainic area, with ponds and swamps of glacier origin, some of which are being progressively covered by the soil.
The aquatic and palustrine flora is particularly interesting with some important specimens of Nymphaeaceae, Droseraceae, Onagraceae, Lentibulariaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae. In 1983 a new species was discovered in the Park, Crepidotus roseoornatus.
Three quarters of the surface are covered by woods characterized by the presence of different species according to the area: common oak, Turkey oak, chestnut tree, birch, European aspen, or Scotch pine, and in the wettest areas of willows, ash trees, and black alders. It is worth signalling the presence of the white pine, the pitch pine, and the locust tree, in addition to an artificial pine forest of about 30 hectares. The underwood is dominated by acidophilic species (mainly hazelnut and common elder).
The fauna is represented by chiropters, insectivores, and small rodents. Moreover, in the park hundreds of bird species nest, spend the winter, or simply pass through the area.