Tevere-Farfa Regional Nature Reserve

FROM THE TREE ….. A PROTECTED AREA

The Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve has an area of about 700 hectares within the municipalities of Nazzano (RM), Torrita Tiberina (RM) and Montopoli in Sabina (RI). Its history is inextricably linked to the construction of an artificial dam by Enel between 1953 and 1955 and to the morphology of the Tiber River, which in this stretch flows slowly, forming wide loops and meanders.

The slower flow of river waters and the confluence of the Farfa stream have in fact created Lake Nazzano, which over the years has become populated with species of flora and fauna typical of wetlands. Gradually willows, poplars and alders have colonized the shores of the basin, realizing one of the few examples of “riparian forest” present in Latium, while marsh reed and cattail have covered the detritus banks that over time have accumulated near the shores or in the center of the lake, forming characteristic islets

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The river valley, which is typically alluvial with deposits of clays, sands and gravels, is bordered by modestly sized hills consisting of sediments of marine origin. The rich presence of birds in the lake environment is one of the main reasons of interest for visitors.

In addition to anatids, such as mallard, teal, wigeon and tufted duck, it is possible to observe great crested grebe, coot, kingfisher and raptors such as marsh harrier and osprey. The reed thicket, consisting mainly of reed and cattail, is sometimes enhanced by the yellow bloom of marsh iris, while on the clay soils, among the roots of white and red willows, we find burdock and horsetail with its typical horseshoe shape