Lyrics by Saverio Bonani
In brackish wetlands flora is numerically poor and very monotonous, but highly specialized to live in a hostile environment, which can almost be considered “extreme”. The plants develop very effective adapted flora and this is called “halophilic”, a word born from the union of two words of Greek origin (alos= salt and file ‘= friend).
The salt dissolved in water is the major agent of specialization towards the flora, which is defended with proper precautions selected over thousands of years to regulate the water balance. Many of these herbaceous species have a look “succulent” that is, more or less fleshy, typical of a cactus plant. Particular tissues present in the leaves and in the drum store water for use in seasonal periods characterized by a certain dryness;.
The fleshy texture is evaluated in view, but even better to the touch, simply breaking a twig or a stem. These plants have a similar appearance to those then living in deserts, where water is extremely rare. Another strategy implemented by the flora is to cutinizzare tissue (thickening and full of light-colored hair) to prevent the evaporation and transpiration of water.
The land surface permanently or for the most part of the year are characterized by the presence of circulating water, wherein the concentration of sodium chloride reaches values even higher than those measured in open water, creating a high osmotic pressure. The halophilic species are then simultaneously plants suitable for arid soils and salt and have different degrees and ways to adapt to this combination of limiting factors.
The flora of these perennially flooded or damp for most of the year consists mainly of grasses and fruttici, with an aspect often inconspicuous to the human eye, but peculiar, adapted to an environment variable in relation to the continuous change of the water level and salinity. Instead shrubs and trees typical are less frequent, as they have the need for a more advanced and environmentally friendly territory to anchor their roots in a soil less rich in water and more stable.
Species reported in Cannevié’s Valley;
| HERBACEOUS PLANTS | SHRUBBY PLANTS | TREES |
| Asparagus | Common Hawthorn | Field Maple |
Reptiles living permanently linked to the aquatic environment. Those in Italy are dulciacquicole moreover, that environmental conditions in the wetlands of brackish water are their unfavorable. For this reason, in Valle Cannevié the herpetological fauna is represented by a few species.
