Laterlite Nature Trail, AN OASIS OF BIODIVERSITY

AN OASIS OF BIODIVERSITY WAS INAUGURATED ON MONDAY 14 OCTOBER LAST IN RUBBIANO, IN THE PROVINCE OF PARMA. THE “LATERLITE NATURE PATH”BORN FROM A COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, IT EXTENDS HECTARES OF NATURE, OFFERING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER FIVE DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENHANCE AND PRESERVE THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM. BY SCANNING THE QR CODE IT IS POSSIBLE TO LEARN MORE INTO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH ENVIRONMENT AND TO KNOW THE NUMEROUS ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES THAT POPULATE IT

Laterlite Nature Path: how it was born

Il Laterlite Nature Trail is the result of a collaboration between the Laterlite company, the KilometroVerdeParma Forestry Consortiumthe Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity in Western Emilia (Parchi del Ducato), the Municipality of Solignano and the Emilia-Romagna Region. This free route, accessible to all, is an opportunity to create a space of connection between the population and the naturethrough a direct and immersive experience.

Each stage presents the opportunity to learn about and enhance the varied and rich natural heritage of this area of Parma. The stages are Forest, river bed, dry meadow, pond and areas with native plants.

Five ecosystems to discover

The trail spans acres of land and crosses five different ecosystemseach characterized by its own specific flora and fauna. Visitors can deepen their knowledge by scanning the QR Codes present on the information panels along the route. Useful for finding out more about the animal and plant species present in each habitat.

The Woods

Born from the plantations around the Laterlite factory and then grown spontaneously, the forest is home to a rich variety of plant and animal species. This ecosystem represents an example of natural regeneration, where biodiversity develops autonomously and dynamically.

1) Roe deer, 2) Treecreeper, 3) Blackbird, 4) Badger, 5) Jay, 6) Wolf, 7) Spanish tobacco (Photo taken from Laterlite.it)

The Riverbed

With its alternation of stones and sandoffers adventitious vegetation in which peculiar animal species find shelter by camouflaging themselves from the eyes of predators. Plus, it’s a reproductive environment for important species such as the black curlew and the small plover.

1) Great Curlew, 2) Cormorant, 3) Mallard, 4) Little Plover, 4) White Wagtail, 5) Gray Heron, 6) Red-winged Grasshopper (Photo taken on Laterlite.it)

The Arid Meadow

The Arido Meadow, a large clearing characterized by extreme water povertyhosts rare species of wild orchids and other xerophilous plants, capable of adapting to the harsh conditions of the gravelly soil.

1) Red-legged partridge, 2) Buzzard, 3) Fallow deer, 4) Common hare, 5) Nightjar, 6) Pyramid orchid, 7) Zigena (Photo taken on Laterite.it)

The Pond

Surrounded by reeds, the pond is a he lives preciously for amphibians, aquatic insects and various dragonfly species. The aquatic ecosystem plays a fundamental role in the conservation of biodiversity, offering refuge and reproductive space for numerous animal species.

1) Spring shiner, 2) Ditiscus marginatum, 3) Little grebe 4) Moorhen, 5) Italian tree frog, 6) Hybrid ditch frog (Photo taken on Laterlite.it)

Native Plants

Finally, the route is enriched by the presence of numerous native plantssuch as ash ash, downy oak, elm, field maple, black hornbeam, ornamental plants such as Spanish broom and flowering and fruit plants such as cherry, myrabalan, wild pear which make the Laterlite Nature Trail a true living laboratory of biodiversity.

An educational and immersive experience

The Laterlite Nature Trail is an educational opportunity to learn about nature and the importance of biodiversity. Information panels and QR Codes allow visitors to access multimedia content to discover the richness of the Parma area through direct contact with nature. Thanks to the variety of habitats present, the path, suitable for adults and children, has become a point of reference, as well as one of the most evocative corners of Emilia-Romagna.