Il progetto di tutela e valorizzazione del Fontanile dell'Ariolo, un ambiente di valore culturale e naturalistico a Gavasseto (Reggio Emilia)

Heavy anthropic pressure, mainly during the second half of the 20th century, has led to considerable changes in the Po Plain landscape, such as degradation, rarefaction or disappearance of wetlands, ponds, water springs (locally called Fontanili) and watercourses. At present many elements characterizing the agricultural landscape, i.e. riparian woods, grasslands, stable meadows, “‘piantate” (these are typical vineyards where the grapevines are supported by trees, usually elms or maples), rows of plants and hedgerows have almost completely disappeared. They all can be defined semi-wild landscape elements of environmental and historical interest. The “Fontanile dell’Ariolo”, placed south-east of Reggio Emilia (northern Italy), is an emergence of limpid groundwater, with little temperature variations, throughout the year. These conditions support the life of a micro-habitat in which peculiar plant and animal species find refuge. As a part of a project for the re-qualification and valorization of the Fontanile, following up its recognition as an SCI (Site of Community Importance), documentary researches were conduced at Public Records Offices of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Moreover the main phases of the project carried out to re-establish areas near the Fontanile, are described.