Riserva naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia, Regional nature reserve in Province of Rieti, Italy.
Riserva naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia is a protected area covering mountain forests, meadows, and ancient chestnut groves distributed across nine municipalities between two reservoirs. The area forms a mosaic of different habitats spanning from high elevations down to valley floors.
The reserve was established in 1988, covering 3,563 hectares across nine municipalities in the Monti Carseolani, between Lake Salto and Lake Turano. It consists of two non-contiguous areas: the larger one reaches the summits of Monte Navegna (1,507 m), Monte Cervia (1,438 m) and Monte Filone (1,328 m); the other covers the hills around Nespolo.
The reserve's woods, covering over 70% of its 3,563 hectares, are dominated by turkey oak (cerreto), with mixed stands of hop hornbeam and scattered white hornbeam, montane maple, downy oak and willows along the streams. Two habitats are recognised as priority for the European Community: Apennine beech woods with yew and holly, and dry semi-natural grasslands on limestone rich in orchids.
Visits are possible year-round, though spring and autumn offer the most favorable weather and visibility of the landscape. Marked trails and information centers inside the reserve help with orientation.
The reserve hosts 14 bat species, including the lesser horseshoe bat and Capaccini's pipistrelle, both at very high risk of extinction in Italy. The rare river crayfish lives in the small streams, and the Rosalia alpina beetle and oak longhorn beetle are recorded among the insects.
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