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Biodiversityin Alta Murgia National Park

Biodiversity is about all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area: the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world.

The vegetation of the Alta Murgia is varied and includes numerous habitats, from arid pastures to more humid woodland formations, which host a rich diversity of plant species.

This territory represents an important resting area for many migratory species and a refuge for numerous wild animals, some of which have become symbols of the Apulian fauna.

BIODIVERSITY

FLORA

fauna

Fauna Distribution by Animal Groups (Alta Murgia)

The chart displays the distribution of animal species in the Alta Murgia region, categorized by animal groups. It shows the proportion of species in groups such as Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects, and other less common groups. This breakdown provides an overview of the biodiversity in the region, highlighting the prevalence of different types of animals within the ecosystem most of which are insects and birds.

Distribution of Species by Botanical Families (alta murgia)

The chart shows the distribution of plant species in the Alta Murgia region, categorized by their botanical families. It highlights the relative proportions of different plant families, such as Grasses, Legumes, Asters, Mints, and Roses, with the "Others" category encompassing species from other less common families. This provides insight into the diversity and dominance of various plant groups within the region's flora.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area, including animals, plants, mushrooms, and microorganisms, which work together in ecosystems to maintain balance and support life. It provides essential resources like food, water, medicine, and shelter. However, human activities like overfishing, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are threatening biodiversity, significantly altering land and ocean environments worldwide.WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?Biodiversity is essential for the planet’s health and the wellbeing of its people. It supports ecosystem stability, ensuring vital services like air and water purification, soil fertility, and pollination. Biodiversity provides resources for food, medicine, and economic development, as many industries depend on it. A diverse ecosystem is more resilient to environmental changes, making it more sustainable, while lower biodiversity leads to reduced ecosystem stability and functionality.

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The Alta Murgia area is characterized by a karst landscape, formed by the dissolution of limestone, creating rocky outcrops, caves, and dry riverbeds. The soil is shallow and nutrient-poor, favoring drought-resistant plants that can adapt to poor soil conditions. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, supporting xerophytic vegetation adapted to dry environments. The flora includes shrubs, grasslands, and woodlands typical of Mediterranean regions, with plants resilient to temperature fluctuations and seasonal changes.

Reasons for the Presence of Flora in Alta Murgia National Park:

Flora

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Italian frog

Praying mantis

Cuckoo

Red fox

FAUNA

Alta Murgia Park is home to a diverse range of species due to its varied landscape, including caves, plains, forests, and grasslands, which provide abundant food and shelter. The Mediterranean climate supports a wide variety of animals, such as wild boars, foxes, weasels, porcupines, hares, squirrels, rodents, and reptiles. Notable bird species include the protected little bustard and stone curlew. The lesser kestrel, which nests in bell towers and historical monuments in the area, is another highlight of the park’s fauna.

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY BEING DESTROYED?Unfortunately humans are putting more pressure on the planet, using and consuming more resources than ever before, we risk upsetting the balance of ecosystems and losing biodiversity. Three-quarters of the land-based environment and roughly 66% of the ocean environment have been significantly altered because humans have overfished the oceans, cleared forests, polluted our water sources, and created a climate crisis. These actions are impacting biodiversity around the world, from the most remote locales to our own backyards.

Geographical and Ecological Zones

Limestone Plateaus and Rocky Hills

Woodland Areas

Steppe and Grasslands

Wetlands and River Valleys