Valli di Lodano, Busai and Soladino Forest Reserves

This component part is located on the southern side of the Central Alps, and more precisely in the Lepontine Alps.

It is particularly interesting because of its location in a climatic and geological transition zone. The morphology is characterised by steep slopes, gorges, and rocky outcrops; the gritty substrate is characteristic. The beech forest also extends over a marked altitudinal gradient. The main forest formation is the Luzulo niveae-Fagetum typicum. At times it is accompanied by the Abieti-beech forest, with its typical mixture of beech and silver fir.

The forest cover presents extensive single-species stands of varying ages, cradles of mature or ageing trees rich in standing and lying dead wood. Particularly in the more remote areas, but not limited to these, numerous old and majestic trees can be found. Their age certainly exceeds 150 years in the most representative specimens, with individual trees estimated to be over 250 years old. The beech forest is immersed in a valuable landscape and is located on a mountain slope where other forest formations (chestnut, fir, spruce, and larch forests) and open areas rich in biodiversity can be found. Numerous historical and cultural testimonies are still present.
The area is protected by the status of Forest Reserve, on behalf of the local communities that own most of the woods.

• UNESCO recognition: 2021
• Protected areas: Lodano Valley and Busai and Soladino Valleys Forest Reserves
• Beech forest region: Alpic
• Area: 806.78 ha
• Number of component parts: 1
• Altitudinal range: montane (500 - 1,600 m above sea level)
• Fauna: Alpine longhorn beetle, European stag beetle, Black woodpecker, Collared flycatcher, Bechstein's bat, Chamois
• Coordinates of the Central Point: N 46° 15’ 49’’, E 8° 39’ 11’’, Canton Ticino