Flora

Nowadays the flora which occupies the Vesuvian soil consists of 906 different species.

As a matter of fact, Mount Vesuvius over the centuries has been colonized by many vegetable species of which 2% are at risk of extinction, an example is the Silene giraldi. The Vesuvius and Somma areas, despite being similar in certain aspects, have numerous differences at an environmental level. The former is arid and sunny, with pine forests and holm oak woods. The latter, much more humid, is colonized by mixed woods of chestnut, oak, Alder, maple, and holm oak.

The cooled and consolidated lava represents an ideal ecosystem for the vegetation to grow. The first plant to colonize the lava soil is the Stereocaulon vesuvianum, similar to grey coral.

Moreover, Mount Vesuvius is characterized by the presence of the Mediterranean scrub made of evergreens and, specifically, of numerous species of brooms, in particular the rush broom, the thorny broom and the Mount Etna broom.

Fauna

Mount Vesuvius with its proximity to the sea and its centrality in the Nola plain, has allowed the settlement of numerous animal species, despite the multiple eruptions.

Among mammals there are nocturnal species, represented by rodents and insectivorous, and predator such as the fox, the weasel, and the European hare. In the Vesuvius National Park there are also bats and a varied invertebrate fauna which occupy the slopes of the Vesuvius and its natural cavities.

Being a migration area, indeed 150 species of birds have been identified, the Park Authority has participated in a project for the protection of the birds’ migration fluxes financed by the Ministry of Environment and Safeguard of the Territory and Sea.

Today the amphibious that populate the Vesuvius are composed by two species, whereas it’s possible to find 8 different species of reptiles.

Defending the ecosystem of protected areas represents an important objective of every community, to promote the preservation of animal species in order to ensure their survival and avoid their extinction.

Nature & BiodiversityA thousand and one biodiversities of Mount Vesuvius

Flora

Fauna