Onsernone Forest Reserve
| Onsernone Forest Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature) | |
| Location | Onsernone Valley, Ticino, Switzerland |
| Nearest city | Locarno |
| Coordinates | 46°10′00″N 8°36′00″E / 46.1667°N 8.6000°ECoordinates: 46°10′00″N 8°36′00″E / 46.1667°N 8.6000°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Area | 789 ha |
| Established | 15 July 2002 |
| Governing body | Canton Ticino, Municipality of Onsernone |
| Website | riservaforestaleonsernone.ch |
Nature reserve
The Onsernone Forest Reserve is a large protected forest area in the high Onsernone Valley, Canton Ticino, Switzerland. Established on 15 July 2002 by an agreement between the Municipality of Onsernone and the Canton, it is a large forest reserve in Switzerland, covering about 789 ha.
It includes beech stands at lower altitudes, mixed broadleaf forests, a large spruce forest core with (*Abies alba*) and (*Picea abies*), and larch woods above 1,500 m. Altitude ranges from 640 to 1,760 m.
History
Historically exploited by Celtic and Walser populations, the forest was intensely logged in the 19th century. River log transport ended in 1876. Limited use continued until the last logging in 1988. Since 2002, a long-term natural development has been guaranteed, supported by the Canton, the Municipality and Pro Natura.
Ecology
The forest is left to evolve naturally: deadwood, old trees and a complete ecological cycle promote biodiversity. About 70 bird species, including the black woodpecker, live in the area. Mammals include foxes, martens, roe deer, chamois and red deer. Large red wood ant nests are also notable.
Tourism and access
Roughly 10 km of hiking trails are accessible between May and October. A visitor center in the former post office of Comologno is open year-round. Guided tours are available on request. Access is discouraged during heavy rains and winter.
Bibliography
- Pro Natura Ticino (2022). 20 anni nella Riserva forestale dell’Onsernone. Bellinzona: Pro Natura Ticino. Available on: [1].
- Comune di Onsernone; Pro Natura Ticino (2010). I sentieri della Riserva forestale dell’Onsernone.
- Comune di Onsernone; Pro Natura Ticino (2011). La natura nel grande bosco. Riserva forestale Onsernone, Sentiero natura.
- Comune di Onsernone; Pro Natura Ticino (2012). Guida Natura Riserva forestale dell’Onsernone.
- Comune di Onsernone; Pro Natura Ticino (2012). Die Wege im Waldreservat Onsernone.
- Buffi, Roberto (2007–2009). Gli alberi della Riserva. Abete bianco, abete rosso, larice e faggio.
- Buffi, Roberto (2014). Le riserve forestali del Ticino.
- Buffi, Roberto (2014). Il Locarnese pioniere nella creazione di riserve forestali. In: Silvaforum.ch.
- Buffi, Roberto; Patzel, Nikola (2011). Der Wald als vernünftig geplanter Gegenstand?. In: Natur und Mensch. Available on: silvaforum.ch.
- Buffi, Roberto (2018). Benvenuti nel mondo delle riserve forestali del Cantone Ticino.
- Buffi, Roberto (2022). La grande foresta gioiello della Valle Onsernone. In: La Voce Onsernonese.
- Buffi, Roberto (2022). La grande foresta tra passato, presente e futuro. In: La Voce Onsernonese.
- Buffi, Roberto (2023). Quanti inestimabili tesori se la foresta può fare da sé. In: La Rivista del Locarnese e Valli.
- Maurer, Judith (2013). Rekonstruktion der Vegetationsgeschichte im Valle Onsernone (Tessin/CH) mittels Holzkohleanalyse der Holzköhlereien. Tesi di Master, ZHAW – Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
- Del Fante, Flavio (2007). Gli animali della Riserva forestale dell’Onsernone: Il Picchio nero.
External links
Category:Protected areas of Switzerland Category:Forests of Ticino Category:Tourist attractions in Ticino Category:Nature reserves in Switzerland
References
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