Flora

The vegetation present in the park is remarkable. Its position as the most southern Alpine region in Europe means it is at crossroads of genetic flux with over 2000 different specimens. The park is host to 36% of Italian flora, and 22% of European flora. Beech wood is predominant in the forests and often offers spectacular sceneries, like in the Wood of St. Antonio, a frequented place for visitors with majestic century-old trees. The great expanses of Alpine pines at high altitudes is also remarkable.

Fauna

Majella hosts over 78% of the species of mammals (with the exception of cetaceans) present in the Abruzzi, and over 45% of those present in Italy. Today we can find Apennine wolf, red deer, roe deer, wild cats and brown bear in the woods and the clearings of the park. The Apennine Chamois is once again the uncontested ruler of the summits. The harsh and big calcareous valleys, typical of Majella, are the ideal shelter of the Royal Eagle. The park is a particularly significant area for the preservation of certain species; 3 are in danger of extinction in Europe and 10 are in danger of extinction in Italy.

Flagship species: Brown Bear, wolf, Apennine Chamois

Majella National Park was certified in 2005. The park proved excellence in wilderness protection and showed great achievements in the below fields.*


Habitat management
• the PAN Parks wilderness area was created [25 500 hectares],
• remarkable efforts were done to restore wilderness (reduce and remove human pressures)
• marking of habitat restoration sites is non-permanent any more (special sprays were bought)
• map of Quantitative Habitat Information was developed
• monitoring of management and of endangered species continued
• assessment of the impact of trails in PAN Parks Wilderness area on chamois was conducted
• habitat restoration project continued
• all wood cutting in PAN Parks Wilderness area was stopped
• assessment of possibilities to allow natural perturbations in PAN Parks Wilderness area (like fire, pest, forest damage, avalanches) was conducted
• proposal to eliminate the grazing of sheep and goats in small enclaves of PAN Parks Wilderness area was developed
• short assessment of the extractive use of waters in PAN Parks Wilderness area was done

Synergy between conservation of natural values and sustainable tourism
• language used by the park was reformed e.g. the word ‘tourist’ was replaced by ‘visitor’
• information board at Fara San Martino gorge explaining the natural erosion processes was set up
• Forest Rangers (CTA) become more visible as Majella NP park rangers and wear the badge with Majella NP logo
• field information for visitors was improved e.g. PAN Parks Wilderness area signing was done
• visitor safety in risk areas was improved (e.g. barriers, ladders, ropes, warning signs)
• Local PAN Parks Group was set up and is operational
• Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy was finalised and adopted
• 5 local PAN Parks business partners were certified

*It is not easy to separate activities of regular park management and activities accomplished because of PAN Parks requirements. The list of the above activities includes mostly activities accomplished as a result of the PAN Parks process.