In the Province of Pordenone and, in particular, in the Municipality of Cordenons in the Magredi-Risorgive area, BIOFOREST has launched the “Vinchiaruzzo Risorgive” project. The aim of this project is to purchase the most endangered and degraded areas in order to regenerate the environment typical of the ancient flatland forest or of the peat bog, that once was prominent on this area.
The natural Biotope in the Resurgence of Vinchiaruzzo area has been included in the SIC (Site of Communitarian Importance) and ZPS (Zones of Special Protection) according to the “Habitat” directive of CEE n. 43/1992 and n. 409/1979. This site along with others represents a consistent European ecological web of special areas of preservation called Rete Natura 2000.

WHAT IS A FLATLAND FOREST?

The flatland is a mixed forest rich in oak trees and country species such as the elm and the rural maple, the ash tree, the white poplar, the black poplar, the alder, the willow etc.

WHAT IS A PEAT BOG?

A peat bog is an ecosystem characterised by marshes and swamps, where the reproduction of organic material is faster than decomposition. This phenomenon builds up a partially-decomposed vegetal material, called peat. Greenery can also develop in some peat bogs, as the peat is usually not so thick to prevent the plant’s roots to go through it and to reach water and the deep soils rich of minerals. The peat bog develops when the storm sewer is clogged and when the organic substances’ decomposition process is slowed down.   
Because of conditions such as the soils’ highly acid character, the humidity, the low temperature and the absence of oxygen, some peat bogs represent a testimony of the past life. In fact, the pollen‘s grains preserved in the peat bogs evidence about past greenery and climate. The peat has been used as fuel for many centuries and the excavation for trade has reduced the peat bogs to endangered ecosystems; today, many of these are protected, for example the ones of Kinder Scout in the Peak District’s national park (UK).

WHAT IS A NATURAL BIOTOPE? 

A natural biotope is a territorial area characterised by a significant variability of environments, where organisms of the same or different species live. As a matter of fact, the natural biotope is an ecosystem’s physical and chemical component; being the only place where typical and unique species of that area live, it plays a fundamental role. 

WHERE IS THE VINCHIARUZZO BIOTOPE AND WHICH ARE ITS CHARACTERISTICS?

The Vinchiaruzzo Biotope is located in proximity of Cordenons town centre, a few kilometres from Pordenone. From Cordenons centre, you keep the same route until it turns natural and borders on Magredi. The term ‘magredi’ means ‘poor grounds’.
However, while in the Magredi the water disappears, in the resurgence it re-emerges in springs, that are like small ponds. This phenomenon is caused by the non-permeability of the clayey ground: the clay stops the water from falling, forcing it to go up again.  
The springs create several rivulets and small canals where many species of amphibians live, such as the common and the crest newt, as well as different kinds of frogs and fishes, such as the rainbow and the salmon trout. Moreover, the presence of the water turtle has been registered as well as the slowworm and other reptiles. Animals currently living present in the area also include the hare, the roe deer, the fox, the polecat; once also the otter was present which has disappeared by now.
The ideal habitat for the avifauna’s development and nesting involves, in particular, species such as the kite, the hen harrier, the golden eagle, the partridge, the stone curlew, the great spotted cuckoo, the kingfisher, the hoopoe and many others.       
The origin of the name ‘Vinchiaruzzo’ derives from the local friulan toponym ‘Vinciarus’, a change from ‘Vinciarèit’, which is the translation of ‘willow wood’.

WHAT DOES BIOFOREST DO AND HOW DOES IT OPERATE WITH THE VINCHIARUZZO RISORGIVE PROJECT?

This multi-year pilot project aims to purchase strips of lands in the Risorgive area in order to regenerate the original environment and preserve its unique peculiar biodiversity.
To this day, about 90,000 squared meters of land have been purchased. The extension of the mono culture plantations by the landowners, would have deprived this land from the genetic heritage that it still preserves.
Another aim is to involve the local landowners in this project and introduce them to the biogenetic heritage’s safeguard. That is an ambitious challenge as it concerns a segmented private property not easy to manage.
In a strip of purchased land, 600 local plants were planted, from the naturalistic laboratory of another BIOFOREST’s project, called ‘OCCHIONE’, in collaboration with the middle-school students of Cordenons.
We have also started the to work for the start-up of this Project in collaboration with LIPU (Italian League for the Protection of Birds) and GREF (Flora Exploration Group), that are making adequate survey to bring back and maintain the original characteristics of the Risorgive area.
An important collaboration has been enhanced with the Naturalistic Association of Cordenons and the Cellina – Meduna Drainage Consortium of Pordenone, that shared knowledge, experience, human resources and other tools to implement this project.
Given that ‘only what is known has a value and is worth to be preserved’, we produced a short movie that documents all the characteristics of this important and unique Risorgive-Magredi area. The movie, broadcasted by Geo&Geo in January 2007, has gained a remarkable success with 3 millions share audience.
The documentary is still available on request in the DVD format at the BIOFOREST head office.
The manager and co-ordinator of the Project is Mr.Lino Centazzo, life-scientist, member of the Board of Directors of Bioforest and Chairman of the Pordenone branch of the WWF.