Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A mountain area in the central Apennines, including Monte Velino, Monte Sirente and Montagne della Duchessa. The main habitats are extensive broadleaved forests (
Fagus), alpine grasslands and rocky areas. The main land-uses are nature conservation, cultivation, stock-rearing, and tourism.
An important site for birds of prey and mountain species.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat is uncontrolled touristic development, although illegal hunting is also important at Montagne della Duchessa. Some or all of the site is covered by a management plan. Projects by the National Forestry Department (CFS), that manages the area, include: introduction of
Gyps fulvus; reintroduction of
Corvus corax; studies on raptor populations; reintroduction of red deer
Cervus elaphus.
National High
International Low3,550 ha of IBA covered by State Nature Reserve (Monte Velino, 3,550 ha). 3,900 ha of IBA covered by Regional Nature Reserve (Montagne della Duchessa, 3,900 ha). 50,000 ha of IBA covered by Regional Nature Park (Sirente Velino, 50,000 ha). 3,550 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Monte Velino, 3,550 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sirente, Velino and Duchessa mountains (Italy). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sirente-velino-and-duchessa-mountains-iba-italy on 23/11/2024.
