Natural Park
The Monti Pelati Nature Reserve covers an area of about 146 hectares on the orographic right of the Chiusella torrent, at the mouth of the valley that has the same name, in the municipalities of Baldissero Canavese, Vidracco and Castellamonte.
The Monti Pelati are barren and have almost no vegetation: this is because of the rock the mountain is composed of, and because of the erosion caused by rainfall. The subsoil is mainly formed by peridotite, a dark green magmatic rock that forms at great depths and is rare to find on the surface. It is composed mainly of olivine and magnesite outcrops, materials extracted since the second half of 1700 to be used in the production of ceramics and refractory materials. Today, olivine is used for the production of paints and waterproofing sheaths.
To protect the characteristics of the place, the extraction activity is limited to a small area located in the north-east. To promote environmental recovery, the excavation areas no longer used are covered with plant material and soil.
The rocks are covered by various types of lichens, while the rest of the territory is mostly covered by sparse bushes, dry grasslands and moors. Juniper and Blackthorn can be found, and some exemplars of Birch, Robinia, Oak and reforestation patches composed of Scots Pine, Strobe Pine, Black Pine and Larch. Near the Malesina stream there are shrubby strips of White Willow. Among the most interesting and rare flowers are Campanula bertolae, Linum suffruticosum, Fumana procumbens and the more common Sedum alpinum and brightly coloured carnations, which can grow also in hostile environments.
The Pelati Mountains are a xerothermal oasis, where the climate is milder than in the surrounding areas. Types of insects include some rare species such as the lepidopteran Pedasia luteella, the beetle Phytoecia vulneris and the formicide Leptothorax flavicornis. At the end of the summer there are a large number of religious mantises. The about seventy species of birds that have adapted well to the peculiarities of the area include the Stonechat, the Cirl Bunting, the Rock Bunting, the Sardinian Warbler, the Crested Tit, the Coal Tit, the Lesser Whitethroat, the Common Rock Thrush, the Buzzard, the Brown Kite, the Golden Kite and the Eagle.
On the highest hill of the Pelati Mountains, at an altitude of 581 metres, stands the Cives Tower, that dates to the 12th century, almost certainly built for the observation and defence of the Valchiusella territory.
The Monti Pelati are barren and have almost no vegetation: this is because of the rock the mountain is composed of, and because of the erosion caused by rainfall. The subsoil is mainly formed by peridotite, a dark green magmatic rock that forms at great depths and is rare to find on the surface. It is composed mainly of olivine and magnesite outcrops, materials extracted since the second half of 1700 to be used in the production of ceramics and refractory materials. Today, olivine is used for the production of paints and waterproofing sheaths.
To protect the characteristics of the place, the extraction activity is limited to a small area located in the north-east. To promote environmental recovery, the excavation areas no longer used are covered with plant material and soil.
The rocks are covered by various types of lichens, while the rest of the territory is mostly covered by sparse bushes, dry grasslands and moors. Juniper and Blackthorn can be found, and some exemplars of Birch, Robinia, Oak and reforestation patches composed of Scots Pine, Strobe Pine, Black Pine and Larch. Near the Malesina stream there are shrubby strips of White Willow. Among the most interesting and rare flowers are Campanula bertolae, Linum suffruticosum, Fumana procumbens and the more common Sedum alpinum and brightly coloured carnations, which can grow also in hostile environments.
The Pelati Mountains are a xerothermal oasis, where the climate is milder than in the surrounding areas. Types of insects include some rare species such as the lepidopteran Pedasia luteella, the beetle Phytoecia vulneris and the formicide Leptothorax flavicornis. At the end of the summer there are a large number of religious mantises. The about seventy species of birds that have adapted well to the peculiarities of the area include the Stonechat, the Cirl Bunting, the Rock Bunting, the Sardinian Warbler, the Crested Tit, the Coal Tit, the Lesser Whitethroat, the Common Rock Thrush, the Buzzard, the Brown Kite, the Golden Kite and the Eagle.
On the highest hill of the Pelati Mountains, at an altitude of 581 metres, stands the Cives Tower, that dates to the 12th century, almost certainly built for the observation and defence of the Valchiusella territory.
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