Contributo Allo Studio Dei Limiti Altimetrici Del Faggio in Garfagnana

Abstract

Summary The Valley of Garfagnana runs North of the town of Lucca in Tuscany, in a North-West South-East direction, and is limited by the ridge-line of both the “Alpi Apuane” and the “Appennino tosco-emiliano”. These two ranges of mountains have a different origin and geological constitution. As a matter of fact the “Apuane” are mostly composed of calcareous formations of the Secundary age, while the “Appennino tosco-emiliano” is essentially constituted of schisto-argillous dregs of the Terziary age. The altimetric limits of beech have been studied in two different valleys: that of the “Turrite Secca” on the Apuan slope, and that of the “Fegana” on the side of the “Appennino”. The Valley of the Turrite Secca is rather rainy; hydric action, however, is greatly attenuated by the steepness of its sides and the splits of its calcareous rocks. Distribution of beech greatly varies on the two slopes of this valley. Beechwoods are widely spread on its prevailingly North exposed right side, when on its left side, e...