Strasbourg, 31 January 2005                                                                            PE-S-DE (2005) 13

[diplome/docs/2005/de13e_05]                                                                                                                                     English only

Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe

in the field of biological and landscape diversity

(CO-DBP)

Group of specialists – European Diploma for Protected Areas

28 February – 1 March 2005

Room 11, Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg


GRAN PARADISO  NATIONAL PARK

(Italy)

APPLICATION

for the European Diploma of Protected Areas

presented by
the Ministry of the Environment
of Italy

Document established by

the Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION

1.1. SITE NAME

 

     PARCO NAZIONALE GRAN PARADISO   (PNGP)

     GRAN PARADISO  NATIONAL PARK       (GPNP)

1.2.  COUNTRY

 ITALIA

1.3.  DATE CANDIDATURE

2 

0 

0 

4 

1.4.  SITE INFORMATION COMPILATION DATE

2

0 

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4 

 0

9 

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1 

Y

Y

Y

Y

M

M

D

D

1.5. ADDRESSES: Administrative Authorities

National Authority

Regional Authority

Local Authority

Name: Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del territorio

Dipartimento per l’assetto dei valori ambientali del territorio

Direzione per la conservazione della natura

Address: via Capitan Bavastro, 174

-00154 – Roma (Italia)

Tel. 0039-(0)6-5722-8509   

       (direction secretary)

       0039-(0)6-5722-5325

Fax.0039-(0)6-5722-8001

E-mail [email protected]

Name:

Address:

Tel........................................

Fax.......................................

E-mail...................................

Name:

Address:

Tel........................................

Fax........................................

E-mail...................................

1.6. ADDRESSES: Site Authorities

Site Manager

Site Information Centre

Council of Europe Contact

Name: Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso

Address: via della Rocca, 47

-10123 – Torino (Italia)

Tel. 0039-(0)11-8606-211

Fax. 0039-(0)11-8121305

E-mail [email protected]

          [email protected]

General informations

Name: Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso - Technical and planning service (Mr.Elio Tompetrini)

Adress: via Losanna, 5

-11100 – Aosta

Tel.  0039-(0)165-44126

Fax. 0039-(0)165-236565

E-mail [email protected]

Tourist informations

Name: Segreteria turistica Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso

Address: via  Umberto I Noasca (Italia)

Tel. 0039-(0)124-901070

Fax.0039-(0)124-901070

E-mail [email protected]

Name: Mr. Michele Ottino (Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso Director)

Address: via della Rocca, 47

-10123 – Torino (Italia)

Tel. 0039-(0)11-8606-211

Fax.0039-(0)11-8121305

E-mail [email protected]

Name: Mrs. Patrizia Vaschetto (Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso Planning office)

Address: via della Rocca, 47

10123 – Torino (Italia)

Tel. 0039-(0)11-8606-211

Fax.0039-(0)11-8121305

E-mail [email protected]

1.7 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Gran Paradiso National Park is, together with the neighbouring French Vanoise National Park, the widest protected area in the western Alps. It is the first Italian national Park and it dates back  to 1922. The Park covers 70,318 hectares (48% in Piedmont, 52% in Aosta Valley) most of which has  an alpine character. The mountains of the Gran Paradiso group (the only peak higher than  4,000 m completely inside the Italian territory) were  scored and modelled by glaciers and streams, creating the valleys we see today. Glaciers still have a remarkable range and thickness near the Gran Paradiso and the junction of the Grivola. Thick larch woods  with  some spruce and Arolla pine and, more rarely, silver fir cover the lower reaches of the valleys while above immense alpine meadows allow  a flora rich of colours and endemic species. The  Gran Paradiso National Park was the  last refuge in the Alps for the Alpine Ibex. The Gran Paradiso National Park saved this species from extinction and helped to reintroduce it  on the whole Alps. Nowadays  the park gives shelter to  a  rich and varied wildlife becoming an exceptional site  to  observe  not frightened free ranging animals and carry out  scientific researches in conditions of true wilderness. Nevertheless  the protected area is not an uninhabited site: the characteristic villages and alpine pastures  which spread on the mountains testify to a century-long tradition of pastoral  life. On the Piedmont side of the Park traditional houses are built of stone while on the Aosta side houses are built of stone and wood.  The   park’s policy is directed towards nature protection but allows an environmentally sustainable economic development. Visitors centres with permanent shows, tourist offices, pathways, nature paths,  botanical garden, excursion guides and several  cultural, scientific, sports and enjoying  activities  are carried out to  reach this goal. A priority aim is the education of people  towards a new way of relating to the environment: teaching programs with schools, summers activities, an environment education centre, books, publication and other instruments have been produced to understand the complex interactions underlying the territory. 

1.8. EUROPEAN INTEREST JUSTIFYING THE CANDIDATURE

Gran Paradiso appears as an impressive massif, reaching high altitudes (4,061 m), covered by glaciers and characterised  by a great harshness of the orographic relief.  The valleys and dells of Gran Paradiso are the first real  bastion of the north western Alps and  offer a great variety of  peaks and geological, climatic, pedological situations that allow the presence of a diverse flora, characterised by many endemic species and some glacial relicts like Linnea borealis. The botanical garden of the Park, Paradisia, hosts over 1,000 species found in the park and in other mountain chains around the world. Paradisia is in contact with many others botanical gardens of the world for  exchanging seeds. It hosts also a petrographic exhibit, a lichen collection, and a  butterfly  garden.

The Gran Paradiso National Park is a  privileged space for the protection of the environment  and of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex L.). The Alpine Ibex population of Gran Paradiso is the last autochthon one in the world. In Gran Paradiso in 1913 was killed the last Bearded vulture in the Alps. The GPNP has been proposed as a Special Protection Zone within the Nature 2000 Network of the European Union , according to the Directive 79/409/EU and as a Bio Italy site  of European importance (code IT1201000) (Directive 92/43/EU). More than 80 years of Park conservation policies, particularly of its species originally most in danger, like Ibex, and the expansion of the protected area from the bottom of the valleys at 800 m a.s.l. up the high altitudes of the glaciers, allowed the maintenance of the integrity of the habitats and the evolution in a naturalistic direction of many areas interested by farming. The structure of the biocoenosis in the steep zones characterising the Park, is extremely satisfying, both for the quantity and the quality of the occurring species and of the population  structures.

The high level of PNGP preservation, guaranteed  by the work of the historical Warden Corps of the park,  is proved by the following facts:

            no species has disappeared since the institution of the Park;

            ungulate population have maintained a high and constant growth (e.-g.: Chamois population: from 6,500 individuals in 1986 to 9,000 individuals in 2003);

            the park has conducted regular  censuses of Alpine ibex and Chamois since 1956. Data on the population dynamics of these species, however, has been  available since 1877, when the park was still a  Royal hunting reserve;

            21 Golden eagles  couples nesting in 70,000 ha (2003) represent an optimal density, one of the best on the Alps;

            some locally extinct species are spontaneously re-appearing (Lynx, Red deer, Roe deer, Wolf, Bearded vulture) thanks to the favourable conditions of the habitat.

Nature conservation has not only a passive task: the park reintroduced Alpine ibex and Chamois on  the whole alpine arch (Parco regionale delle Alpi Marittime, Triglav National Park, Parco nazionale dello Stelvio, Parco regionale della Val Troncea, Parco regionale dell’Alta Valsesia, Parco regionale Orsiera Rocciavré, Alpi Orobie, Foresta demaniale di Tarvisio and many other colonies). It founded  and maintains the secretariat of the Alpine Ibex European Specialist Group   (GSE-AIESG Gruppo Stambecco Europa, www.gseonline.org) whose task is to collectinformation on the state of conservation of  Alpine Ibex populations on the alpine arch and  encouraging a constant monitoring, in order to evaluate in a critical way the need of new introductions and propose new reintroduction projects in areas considered ideal to the species. It proposes research projects for the conservation of this species and organizes periodical meetings with the aim to circulate the knowledge and the studies on the species.

The Park collaborates with the neighbour and twinned Vanoise National Park to get together  the men and the institutions, to carry out common managing techniques and to promote  a sustainable tourism. The task of the two parks is to made a common European conservation policy  of an area that together constitutes the biggest protected area in Western Europe.

The Gran Paradiso National Park has been a member of the Alpine Network of Protected Areas since its establishment in 1995, representing Italy in the International Steering Committee of this organisation, that is a concrete instrument of the Alpine Convention and an operating service for the protected  areas on the Alps. At this moment  Gran Paradiso National Park  participates  in different  projects among parks in Europe, such as:

            “Habitalp”, regarding the standardisation of habitat monitoring methods

            “Bearded vulture in the alps” to support the bearded vulture international monitoring effort

            “Alpine ibex monitoring”  to follow Ibex migrations between France and Italy.

The Park has also contacts and scientific exchanges with Tatra’s Mountains National Park  (Slovak Republic) regarding the management of  chamois populations. 

1.9. SELECTION METHODOLOGY

Bern – Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

Washington – Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

IUCN – Red List of Threatened Animals

Council directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992  on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora

Council directive 79/409/EEC of  2 April 1979  on the conservation of wild birds

Bonn – Convention on the migratory species of wild animals

WWF Italia - Libro rosso  degli animali d’Italia  (WWF –  Red list of Animals in Italy)

Deliberazione Conferenza Stato Regioni  del 24 Luglio 2003 - 5° Aggiornamento elenco ufficiale aree protette (  State-Regions Conference Resolution on July 24th 2003 – 5°  Updating of the official protected areas list)

1.10. MAIN AIM OR MOTIVATION

The Gran Paradiso’s territory was the last one in which Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) survived. The  main aim of the institution of the park in 1922 was primary the conservation of this species, threatened with extinction, and more in general  to  preserve  wildlife and  flora, the beauty of the landscape and  particular geologic shapings.

In more recent times   Italian parks, Gran Paradiso included, underwent specific changes in their management strategies to  apply  an integration  between man and natural environment,  with  the safeguard  of anthropologic, historical, architectonic  values  and traditional rural activities.

In this context Gran Paradiso  promotes educational, training, scientific  and  compatible recreational activities.

1.11. DATES (to be filled in by the Council of Europe)

DATE OF FIRST EXAMINATION                                         DATE OF EXPERT VISIT

Y

Y

Y

Y

M

M

D

D

Y

Y

Y

Y

M

M

D

D

DATE OF SECOND EXAMINATION                                    DATE OF AWARD

Y

Y

Y

Y

M

M

D

D

Y

Y

Y

Y

M

M

D

D

                                                          2. SITE LOCATION

2.1. SITE CENTRE LOCATION

LONGITUDE                                                              LATITUDE

E

7 

°

1 

5 

‘

5 

5 

“

N

 4 

5 

°

3 

5 

‘

“

W/E (Greenwich)

2.2. AREA (ha)                                                                 2.3. SITE LENGTH (km)

Total Area

 7

0 

3 

1 

8 

,

0 

0 

,

Core

,

Buffer

,

Transition

,

2.4. ALTITUDE (m)

MINIMUM                                           MAXIMUM                                     MEAN

8 

0 

0 

4 

0 

6 

1 

 2

4 

 2

6 

2.5. ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

REGION NAME                                                                                  % COVER

 Piemonte

4

8 

 Valle d’Aosta

5

2 

Marine area not covered by the terrestrial part

                                                                          

3. NATURAL HERITAGE

3.1 GENERAL ABIOTIC DESCRIPTION (Geomorphology, geology and hydrogeology)

The Gran Paradiso National  Park includes the homonymous massif and five main valleys between Piedmont (Orco and Soana Valleys) and Aosta Valley (Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes Valleys). To the South West it borders for 12 km with the French Parc national de la Vanoise (Vanoise national park). The extension, included the last extension of the park borders which happened in 1979, is currently 70,318 hectares, between 800 m and the Gran Paradiso peak at 4,061 m. The territory is made up of 62% moraines, rocks, waters and glaciers; 17% meadows and pastures; 20.2% woods and bushy lands and 0.8% urbanized areas and cultivations.

Geologically speaking the park is in an area dominated by the upper pennidic unit of the Gran Paradiso stratum. Much of  the area is a formation of  stratified gneisses. In some places the gneiss has a thick covering of limestone schist, resulting from metamorphic processes of varying intensity on marine deposits   of the mesozoic era.

Worth of protection are glaciers, glacial cirques, rock glaciers, glacial pulsations’ morainic ridges, particularly those witnessing the last glacial advance (XVI-XIX century). A morphological peculiarity linked to the activity of glaciers is represented by the frequent “roches moutonnées” expanses. The hydrographical grid is very recent and nearly everywhere it is laid out on a morphology linked to glacialism. At the bottom of the valleys there are deep gorges, where glacial pots or potholes can be seen, which are erosion forms due to water and which can reach a diameter of some meters. Also lakes with glacial origins are very common.  Their filling has produced some damp zones of great interest.

3.2. HABITATS

The Gran Paradiso National Park is  a high mountain park, with predominating acidic rocks, and  different morphologies of the  valleys  between the northern   side in Aosta Valley – more exposed and sunny – and the southern side in Piedmont, embanked, rainier and steeper.

Forest and Shrub associations

These characters emphasize the  differences of the forests according to the side. Woods (only 16% of the surface) create a sort of  ring  around  the central area of the park. In  Piedmont  Chest-nut  woods  (Castaneo-Quercetum) of human origin  occupy the lower  altitudes. At higher altitudes , on acid soils,  we can find Beechwoods  with  Luzula nivea and L. sylvatica and dominant ferns (Dryopteris filix-mas, Athyrium filix-femina) (Luzulo-Fagenion and Luzulo niveae-Fagetum). Still in  the beech horizon, on  more exposed areas,  appear  Scots pines  (Deschampsio-Pinion).

In Aosta Valley,  broad leaves woods aren’t frequent; instead of  Beech woods pine forests with Scots pinewood are diffused, that find here a favourable  dry climate for their development. The most represented phytosociological alliance is Ononido-Pinion with Ononis rotundifolia, Ononis  natrix, Astragalus onobrychis,  Laserpitium siler, Arctostaphilos uva-ursi and Carex umilis, herbaceous plants that form the brushwood of  these  pinewoods.

In the park it is also possible  to encounter forest communities characteristic  of  fresh and humid slopes: mesophile mixed Maple-Ash-Lime woodlands  in ravine and on fresh boulders  with Tilio-Acerion alliance.

Conifer woods are the most widely distributed on  the montane and subalpine belts. Within 1,000 and 1,800 m  Spruce  forests (Picea abies) with a rich brushwood in heather family (Vaccinion-Piceion) species like Alpenrose and Whortleberry (Rhododendron ferrugineum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea) are widespread. Higher up spruce  accompanies larch (Larix decidua), and forms mixed woods, very common in the park.  At  higher altitudes, up to the  timberline (2,200-2,400 m),  larch becomes dominant, particularly on rock stations, where it constitutes a sort of climax. Brushwood is poor in herbaceous species (Laricetum). In north-faced sites,  Larch  blends with Arolla pine wood, that  prefers soils  richer in humus (Larici-Cembretum).

Arolla pine wood (Pinus cembra) is  sometimes present on big blocks debris  and on rock slopes. Some localised Mountain pine forests (Pinus uncinata)  are localised in the higher part of  the Orco Valley  and in Cogne Valley,  next to  Lillaz.

Along the gorges and in the alluvial zones  some Alder woods (Alnion incanae) appear, while along the pebbly riverbanks   we find  willow groves like Salix purpurea, S. elaeagnos, S. nigricans, S. daphnoides, S. foetida and S. caesia (Salicion elaeagni, Salicion arbusculae).

Other non-forest associations

The park is interested by  important  herbaceous formations: natural grasslands, high pastures and meadows. On acid soils up to 2,500 m,  the predominating  vegetation is  Caricion curvulae, characterized  by Alpine sedge (Carex curvula); also on these superficial and poor soils grassland dominated  by Coloured  fescue (Festuca varia) occurs in sunny places and steep slopes (Festucion variae). Where  basic rocks crop out  on  windy  tops and ridges, grassland  are dominated  by Elyna myosuroides (Oxytropo-Elynion). The few areas (like Soana Valley)  where calcareous soils appear in the alpine belt,  are inhabited by Blue sesleria grassland (Seslerion albicantis). On poor alpine soils, above the timberline, there is an extended vegetation dominated by Mat-grass  (Nardion). Meadows and pastures below  the timberline depend on human management. We can find different types of vegetation (Polygono-Trisetion,  Cynosurion, Poion alpinae).

The most interesting humid zones in the Park are the Nivolet plans (Valsavarenche)  and  Pra Suppiaz mire (Cogne Valley). Here there are strips of Caricion fuscae communities at acid oligotrofic fens and Caricion davallianae  communities at baso-neutrophile fens, that coexist  because of the lithological  substratum variety.  Next to glacial streams  running along moraines it is possible to meet the  Caricion bicolori-atrofuscae community, considered  prioritary habitat according to EU Directive 43/92.

Alliances of snow patches are Salicion herbaceae on acid soils and  Arabidion coeruleae on basic ones.

Alliances of screes: on the alpine and subalpine belts there are Thlaspion rotundifolii, Drabion hoppeanae, Petasition  paradoxii and, below, Stipion calamagrostidis on mobile limestone or calciferous screes and Androsacion alpinae or lower Galeopsion segetum on siliceous ones. 

On rocky slopes and cliffs there are Potentillion caulescentis and Cystopteridion fragilis on calciferous substrata and Androsacion vandellii or Saxifragion bryoidis on siliceous ones.

In annexe 1 and 2 are the habitat lists in the park.

3.3. FLORA

Until now in GPNP 363 bryophyte species have been recorded: 92 liverworts and 271 mosses. This represents 33% of the total number of bryophytes recorded in Italy. 194 bryophytes  are relevant and 80 are priority species. Among them 11 liverworts and 18 mosses were considered  extinct from the Italian territory. GPNP represents an exceptional  rich region for bryophytes and a sanctuary for very rare or heavily threatened species in Italy and in Europe as well.

Lichens and macro-fungi  are not well known: only localized studies were carried out (see bibliography). Nevertheless 15 lichens are priority species.

A list of 985 species  of spermatophyta  have been recorded  on the territory of PNGP. Some of them (41) are endemic in the Western Alps   (see annexe n.3 ).  In annexe 4  are indicated the species under protection in the international Conventions.  187 vascular species  are remarkable and 51 are priority species  of  European interest.

Cogne Valley is famous in the  botanic literature because of the richness of its flora and as  a centre of endangered species.

Here is a brief list of the most relevant species  in the park:

Spermatophyta: Androsace septentrionalis, Aquilegia alpina, Astragalus alopecurus, Cortusa matthioli, Drosera rotundifolia, Linnaea borealis, Potentilla grammopetala, Potentilla nivea, Sedum villosum, Stemmacantha rhapontica subsp. lamarckii, Trifolium saxatile, Tulipa sylvestris subsp. australis , Viola pinnata.

Bryophyta: Riccia breidleri, Scapania massalongi.

3.4. FAUNA

There are 39 registered Mammalian species (see annexe 5), including 15 Rodents, 6 Insectivores, 2 Lagomorphs, 7 Carnivores, 5 Ungulates and 4 Bats. Thanks to enforced protection measures, the wild ungulates population had a numerical increase beyond every historical record. The chamois population (Rupicapra rupicapra) amounts to 9,000 individuals, the Alpine Ibex population (Capra ibex) to 4,000. Some Lynx (Lynx lynx), locally extinct since the beginning of 1.900, have been observed  in the last years. Some wolf (Canis lupus) observations need  DNA confirmation.

More than 100 birds species nest in the park (see annexe 6): some species like  Goshawk Accipiter gentilis,  Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus, Rock Partridge  Alectoris graeca, Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum, Dipper Cinclus cinclus, Cough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Siskin Carduelis spinus are indicated as vulnerable species. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos density is high; other species of particular scientific interest are: Tengmalm's Owl Aegolius funereus, Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius and  Bearded Vulture Gipaetus barbatus (123 observations in the last years).

Because of  altitude  and river typology fish fauna is poor of species. The only autochthonous species is River Trout Salmo trutta fario. For the same reason reptiles are only 8, amphibians 3 (see annexes 7-8). Invertebrates are’nt well known; literature  is broken up and  dated (1,926 and 1,931). These old studies were carried out on Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Arachnida, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Hymenoptera, Formicida, Anellida, Isopoda Crustacea, Shellfishes (see bibliography).

Among  the most interesting species:

            Coleoptera carabida: Cychrus grajus lauzonensis, Nebria cordicollis kochi, Pterosticus burmeisteri, P. parnassius, Ocydromus fulvipes      

            Coleoptera cerambicida: Acmaeops septentrionalis

            Coleoptera curculionida: Dichotrachelus stierlini knecthi, D. sulcipennis pedemontanus, Otiorhynchus desertus

            Coleoptera idroadephaga: Hydroporus incognitos

            Coleoptera cholevida: Canavesiella lanai (new genus)

            Orthoptera acridida: Aeropedellus variegatus

            Lepidoptera ropalocera: Parnassius phoebus paradisiacus

            Lepidoptera satyridae: Oeneis glacialis

In annexe 9 there is the list of  protected species.

3.5. LANDSCAPE

The park straddles the mountains between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, covering about 70,000 hectares, most of which are characterized by an alpine habitat. The mountains  of the Gran Paradiso  group were scored  and modelled by glaciers and streams, creating the valleys we see today. As once said Renzo Videsott, the first Director of GPNP, ”It was here that King Victor  Emmanuel was bewitched for all his life by  those grandiose mountains and  their wildlife”.

In some of the most characteristic valleys, meadows  surround  the old traditional villages, setting in a frame the mountain massifs (Rhêmes Notre Dame and Cogne valleys).  In spring many chamois and ibex  feed  near the villages giving an impression of  harmony between man and nature.

The lower reaches of the valleys are densly  wooded with Larches, with some spruce  and Arolla pine and, more rarely, Silver fir. In Piedmont, at the bottom of the valleys, large Chestnuts give a sensation of impressiveness. Here, beech woods cover the  slopes up to  timberline.  Higher up  the trees  gradually give way to huge alpine meadows, brilliant with  flowers in late spring. Further up, rocks and glaciers  dominate the landscape, with the highest peaks of the massif towering above, with Gran Paradiso itself topping 4,000 meters.  Cogne and Valsavarenche glaciers assure  a deep emotion, particularly if  observed from  Saint Orso plain and Orvieilles Royal Lodge.     

Impetuous streams   run down, giving rise to meanders (Nivolet),  potholes (Ceresole) and sometimes remarkable waterfalls like in Lillaz and Noasca.  Little alpine  glacial lakes  are scattered all over the park, but near Nivolet pass  they assure  a harmonious  whole of  water, marsh plants and  mountains, mirrored inside their waters.

4. CULTURAL HERITAGE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT

4.1 CULTURAL HERITAGE

Signs of human presence  in the geographic area of  Gran Paradiso dates back at least 10,000 years ago. Near the park  caves inhabited by palaeolithic hunter tribes have been detected, while  there are numerous rock engravings which are difficult to date. The first permanent inhabitants were “Salassi”, a Celtic population that created a mining and metallurgical  activity  using iron (Cogne’s mines), copper, silver and gold present in the region. During the first century B.C.,  roman civilisation replaced the “Salassi”, as proven by  the finding of a latin inscription  near Ceresole, and the still existent roman  bridge-aqueduct of Pondel. Metallurgic activities  continued  along the centuries  and had a new development in the XVII century. An historical building dating back to 1675 is the copper forge  of Ronco Canavese, used until 1950, and now restored by the park. Overall the villages and alpine pastures, which dot the mountains (222 historical sites and 453 alpine pastures, most of which are abandoned nowadays) testify to a centuries-long tradition of pastoral life. The herders lived a self-sufficient existence here and had more contact with the inhabitants of the far side of the Alps than with the plain dwellers below. When this model of life  began to become to the difficulty, the inhabitants  learnt other trades, like chimney sweeping,  glassworking, tinking. The park  made  a little museum in Locana  to illustrate this situation.

The characteristic architecture of the villages represent  important monuments of cultural heritage, just as  the terracing of the ground to give stability to the slopes, the paths, the community ovens, shrines and even gastronomic specialities (“Fontina” cheese dates back 1200 A.D.). On the Piedmont side of the park houses are built of stone and are sometimes decorated with religious frescos. Interesting samples are “house-fortresses” in Soana Valley and houses with arches and terraces. An antique mountain school was restored by the park in the hamlet of Maison. Whereas the houses on  the Aosta side blend stone and wood (examples can be found in the hamlets of Next and Tignet). Noteworthy are the “rascards”,  barns  completely built in wood.

Otherwise the alpine houses in the park vary only slightly from valley to valley.

In 1841 King Victor Emanuel II  went the first time  to hunt in  Cogne Valley.  He liked these places and  bought the rights for his Hunting Reserve, that was provided with six Royal Hunting Lodges (some of them, like Orvieilles’s and Gran Piano’s lodges have been restored by the park),   cabins for  the  game wardens, mule tracks and paths for 300 km.  He founded the  Game wardens Corp. When the National Park  was instituted many of the Royal hunting wardens became Park wardens;  the  familiar tradition of  the Park wardens Corp  is still felt.

In the  XVIII century, the  Gran Paradiso massif was discovered  by mountaineers: tourism  began to transform  the social context of the valleys; hotels and  shelters were built. Cogne, in only a century, changed into  a tourism centre. Ceresole Reale became, for a short time, an elite centre for mineral waters. Here, in 1888, the “Grand hotel” was built,  a  remarkable building that the park is restoring as a  visitor centre. It is here that  the poet Giosuè Carducci composed his poem “Ode al Piemonte”.

In 1920 King Victor Emanuele III donated  5,200 acres of his Reserve to the Italian State to make a National Park. In 1922  GPNP was instituted.

Important monuments of cultural heritage:

            the Church  of Our Lady of the Carmine (XIV cent.)  in Valsavarenche

            the Church  of Our Lady of the Assumption  (1680 A.C.)  In Rhêmes Notre Dame

            the Prascondù Sanctuary (1620 A.C.) in Ribordone

            the Saint Besso Sanctuary in  Valprato Soana.

                                                

4.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT

Demographics

8,300 people live in the 13 Park’s Communes; only 4 Communes have more than 1,000 residents. However, only 3.6% of all the inhabitants of the 13 Communes, corresponding to less than 300 people, live inside the boundaries of the Park; the human density in the park  is therefore about 0,4  inhabitants  per km2. The territory of the park is concerned by  an important depopulation: between 1981 and 2001  population decreased by  2.9%, particularly in Piedmont (-23,5%). In the same time  the  average age is increasing: in the Piedmontese  side of the Park 31,36% of the  people  is more than 65 years old, while in Aosta Valley it is only 18,58%.

Economy

Status of Agriculture: in the last 15 years used farmlands progressively reduced; the professional farms are very few, generally employed in cattle breeding, while there are mainly marginal farms managed on a part-time basis. The percentage of people in charge in the agricultural sector is 9.4%.  In the industrial sector it is 35% and  55,6% in the tertiary sector. The main industry industrial activity is the  water power production in Piedmont. Economical  activities  are  mainly  linked  to  tourist  offer. Tourist presences was 822,548 tourists in 1993 using a total of  22,647 beds (hotels, campings, others).

The unemployment rate  in GPNP (7,2%) is lower than in  Piedmont and Aosta Valley. Commuting towards the cities is an important phenomenon, especially in the communes of the bottom of  Aosta valley.

Nowadays the principal economic  problems in park area are connected with the  reduction of  personnel in the electric industry  and  with the negative trend in alpine tourism.  Entrepreneurial management costs  on mountains are  higher (distance from communication routes and services centres, energy…)  than in  other  situations, and  have a bad effect  on  enterprises competitiveness.

In agriculture  the aging of the people produces difficulties in introducing  new production techniques and in local product enhancement.  

5. EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

  

GPNP is visited every year by about 1,700,000 tourists; many of them  actually just visit the surroundings of  the protected area without entering in it. A correct information and education of the visitors  is  in any case  necessary. At the entrances of the  protected area, visitors are welcomed by the park gates and notice boards showing  maps with footpaths, visitors centres, services and  signs for recommended and forbidden activities.

Within the park there are:

            1 tourist office in Noasca for information, booking and  publication requests;

            7 visitor and information centres    with  monothematic exhibitions about  naturalistic themes such as Ibex (Ceresole Reale), Landscape and Geology (Noasca), Chamois (Ronco Canavese), Bearded vulture (Rhêmes Notre Dame), Lynx (Valsavarenche), and  ethnical or historical themes  like “Old and new  crafts of the valleys” (Locana) and the “Copper  forge” (Ronco Canavese);

            1 botanical alpine garden (Cogne) with a rock garden and  a butterfly garden

            2 free expositions, one about  glaciers and the other about high pastures near Serrù Lake (Ceresole)

            1 ancient restaured mountain school (Maison, Noasca);

            6 nature-paths:  about vegetable species and anthropic  aspects (Noasca), nature felt  by  the senses (usable as well by blinds too, Ceresole reale), Colle Losa international  footpath that joins GPNP with the French Parc National de la Vanoise (Ceresole), Valsavarenche, Rhêmes N.D. (partially usable with wheelchairs) and Cogne;

The park is creating  3 new visitor centres in Ceresole Reale (a new Ibex exposition in the Grand Hotel), in Ribordone (about popular religious consciousness,  next to Prascondù Sanctuary) and in Cogne (about  park, territory and nature management), a Centre about the conservation of  streams and water courses (Valsavarenche) and a  new  botanical garden in Valprato Soana (about  agricultural species and practises in the mountains). Visitor centres offer  leaflets, CD, videos, books, maps, gadgets and other information material. They are equipped for seminars, workshops, projections.

In Noasca  is  the Park’s Environment Educational Centre equipped with  classrooms, laboratory, instruments, didactic collections. Here are organised educational lectures, lessons, video and slide projections.  Students can be accommodated in  a  hotel  near the centre.

The park  has got  56 nature Park Guides. They  carry out guided tours, naturalistic hikes, study stages, lessons and slide projections.  The park proposes thematic activities regarding  naturalistic and cultural topics. In collaboration with WWF, the park organises  nature adventure camps. GPNP organises  educational exhibitions; the park is presented on  specialised  magazines. Three internet sites  in different languages are  carried on, the official one www.pngp.it,  the site of the Italian Parks Federation www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.gran.paradiso  and  the site of the European Alpine Ibex Specialist Group www.gseonline.it  .

The park issues  the magazine “Voci del parco” (Park’s voices), in 2-3 numbers per year, 1 for tourists (translated in French and English) and 1-2 for the local population. 

Specific formation is carried out for  park workers, teachers and  tourist operators.

The park updates a specialistic library  with 6,000 titles, a photographic library with 20,000 photos and slides and  a video library with 400 videos.

The park  is an exceptional site for scientific research, thanks to its richness in wildlife and flora. It  has in its staff  scientific and botanical sectors. Their  main tasks are to  collect data  on flora and wildlife, to monitor habitats and biodiversity,  to carry out  scientific researches   about biology and eco-ethology of  protected animal species, and  about the conservation  genetics of certain species. The park is carrying out many researches  in collaboration with  Italian and  foreign  Universities. Among them:

            researches  on the behavioural  ecology of Alpine ibex and its life-history (Sherbrooke Canada University and Sassari University)

            researches about the presence, the population dynamic and  ecology of  Blue hare  and Ptarmigan in relationship with climatic transformations and withdrawal  (Turin University, Turin CNR and  freelance researchers)

            eco-ethologic researches about Chamois and its life-history (Siena University)

            researches about the population dynamics of Red squirrel (Turin university and freelance researchers)

            researches about Wild boar space use,  eco-ethology and dietary habits (Turin University and freelance researchers)

            researches about the behavioural ecology of Passeriformes on alpine grassland (Turin University)

            researches about Roe deer ecology and distribution (freelance researchers).

The park issues a scientific peer reviewed journal “Journal of mountain ecology”. 

For the needs of researchers, the park offers guestrooms and three Alpine Wildlife Research Centres.

The alpine botanical garden is in contact with many other botanical gardens in the world for seeds’ exchanges. For that it issues and mails every year an “Index seminum“.

Sometimes the park organizes scientific  conferences and workshops.

6. SITE DESCRIPTION

6.1. VULNERABILITY

GPNP territory presents a very localised  alteration state due to anthropic activities which appears not to be  harmful for the site’s general conservation.

GPNP is very known for nature, tourism and mountaineering and is visited  especially in august. In this period  the increase in tourist presence involves a localized disturb to wildlife. This problem is heavier in the bottom of the valleys and in  high altitude facilities, mainly where there are Alpine huts or carriage roads. Studies on human impact on wildlife and its biological rhythms are going on.

Traffic and  transport in this period  can  exert an influence by air  and noise pollution. Helicopters 

flies produce  a negative impact with  noise and air pollution.

GPNP is located  on the territory of  thirteen Communes. Of these, only one is completely inside the Park. The others share with the Park a more or less high quantity of settlements or they are interested in the Park for what concerns their mountain parts. Thanks to territory’s morphology, lacking in flat areas with wide woody slopes, in all the Communes the urban development tend to concentrate the building areas in the bottom of the valleys, around the historical settlements; infrastructural intervention plans are very limited. Many Communes have specific implementation regulations for the interventions in the historical cores.

The structures for tourism are generally concentrated in the inhabited centres; some huts and a road at a high altitude involve flow concentrations in Summer months that locally create conservation problems. Since 2003 the Park has regulated the traffic on this road.

In the Park’s territory there is no notice of danger caused by acid rains.

There is a glacier withdrawal, due to climate changing; periodical monitoring is made since 1986 by the Comitato Glaciologico Italiano (Italian Glaciological Committee) and, in the last years, by the Park’s Surveillance Service.

Hydrogeological  upheaval’s danger affect mainly the torrential parts of the Park’s bottom of the valleys and are imputable to the geological characteristics of the area. They are to be considered inevitable and limitable in their damages with an adequate management of the territory use.

Some dams and  power-lines produce  impacts  on the  landscape. In 2002 and 2003 GPNP  ordered  AEM to  demolish  some reinforced concrete structures and power-lines to reduce this impact.

6.2. PROTECTION STATUS

In 1920 King Victor Emanuel III donated 5,200 acres of his Hunting Reserve to the Italian State to transform it into a National Park. Two years later, on December 3rd   1922 the GPNP was formally instituted. It was the first Italian National Park and was initially administered by an independent  board. In 1934 it was placed under the direct control of the Ministry for Agriculture and Forests. Sadly the Park suffered severe damage during  World War II: Ibex population  was reduced to 400 individuals. Since 1947 it has again been managed by an independent board, under  State’s control. In 1979 the park’s surface was increased in Piedmont. In 1991 the Italian National Parks Act  came into force. This indispensable piece of legislation regulates the creation and life of Italy’s protected areas, including GPNP. In the National Park the following activities became forbidden (par.11 Act 394 December 6th 1991):

“The activities and the works that can compromise landscape and the conservation of protected natural environments, having a particular care towards protected flora, fauna and  habitats. Particularly it is forbidden:

            to capture, kill,  injury or disturb animal species; to collect or damage plant species beside for operations connected with normal agricultural  or pastoral activities and to introduce not indigenous animal or vegetable species that can upset natural balance

            to open and cultivate quarries, mines and damps and to take away minerals

            to modify water systems

            to do advertising activities out of the urban areas, without park authority authorisation

            to introduce and use whatever bio-chemical cycle’s destruction or deteriorating mean

            to introduce weapons, explosives and whatever other capture or killing mean

            to light fires in the open

            not authorised flying over; except for what defined by flying Acts.

Park regulations can define exceptions to these prohibitions. It can eventually authorize removal plans of wildlife,  when required  to reconstruct ecological imbalances checked by  the Park.”

Regulations were approved on July 16th  2001.

Accordance of permits or authorisations for  buildings, works, structures  inside the park is subjected to preventive park’s  authorisation.

Since 2000 GPNP has been fully included in the Special Protection Zone code IT1201000 according to the Directive 79/409/EU and since 2003 it has been fully included in the Bio Italy Site  of Community Importance “Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso” (code IT1201000) (Directive 92/43/EU). 

6.3. OWNERSHIP

Inside the protected area the Park’s properties  hold  no more than 5%, that adds to another 5% in joint ownership; but the  public property  adds in one body  52% of park’s surface; the most part of the surface (69%) belongs to guilds, communes and consortia.

Properties inside the Park are divided as follows:

Communes

28%

Guilds

5.5%

Private properties

39%

Gran Paradiso National park

5%

Consortia

5.4%

Consortia in which the Park is present

4.6%

State property

3.4%

State property used by the Park

3%

A.E.M. (Electric society of Turin)

3%

Other

3.1%

6.4. DOCUMENTATION

The GPNP has been collecting data about wildlife, flora and inanimate nature since its foundation. The oldest data are in form of paper lists. More recently data were collected in databases and in GIS formats.

Certain databases adopted by GPNP, especially the fundamental topographical maps, come from the Piedmont’s and Aosta Valley’s Regions bodies (vectorial maps).  

GPNP carries out by itself the following data bases associated to Arcview shapefiles:                            

            building properties (settlements, alps, huts)

            infrastructures, utilities, facilities (roads, paths, camping, parking, dams, visitor centres, museums, sports facilities, sign system)

            general town plans

            communes’ and park borders

            cadastres

            geo-morphological data (erosion and  accumulation, hydrography, anthropic forms, actual glacial elements, structural and deforming  components)  

            avalanches

            hydro-geological dangerousness

            waterworks

            land use (from aerial and  satellite photographs)

            forest map

            critical situations map

            values and natural qualities map

            daily vertebrates observations

            chamois and  alpine ibex censuses

            ptarmigan censuses

            potential vertebrates distribution

            bearded vulture, lynx and wolf observations

            cattle presence and distribution

            floristic data (bibliographic  and  herbarium data included)

            priority  flora species

The park has at its disposal:

Landsat and Quickbird satellite images, aerial photos, geo-referenced ortho-photos

Other alpha-numeric databases:

            daily vertebrates observations

            chamois, alpine ibex and ptarmigan censuses

            bearded vulture, lynx and wolf observations

            wild board shooting down

            wild fauna damages

            biometric  file cards

            marked  animals file cards

            golden eagle censuses, distribution and observations

            black grouse censuses

            vegetation  data 

            building activities since 1980

            helicopter flights since 2000

            park buildings

            traditional building typologies

            historical settlements associated to cadastre, photos and analytic file cards (context, urban structure, building structure, services, quality and conservation status)

            Tourist operators (hotels, restaurants, shelters, camping, craftsmen, growers, tourist services…)

            Tourist patrimony (alpine environment, human presence, park services)  

            Tourists’ presences

Listed here are some scientific publications (in brackets the English translation of the original title)

            Arcangeli A., Primo contributo alla conoscenza degli Isopodi. (First contribution to the knowledge of Isopods). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Bassano B., Bergero D., Tarantola M. & Martys M., Diet digestibility in captive Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex). Zoot. Nutr. Anim., 25: 43-47, 1999.

            Bassano B., Bergero D., Considerazioni nutrizionali sulla dieta dello stambecco (Capra ibex ibex).(Nutritional considerations on Ibex (Capra ibex ibex) diet.). Ric. Biol. Selv. Atti IV Conv. Naz. Biologi della selvaggina: 53, 1999.

            Bassano B., Bergero D., Peracino A., (In press) -  Accuracy of body weight prediction in Alpine ibex (Capra ibex, L. 1758) using morphometry. J. Anim. Physiology and Anim. Nutrition

            Bassano B., Garis G., Mascellani S. & Peracino  V., Ritmi di attività di maschi adulti di stambecco delle Alpi, Capra ibex ibex. (Activity rithms in Alpine Ibex, Capra ibex ibex, adult males). Atti II Cong. Ital. A.T.It., 124, Varese, 28-30 ottobre 1998

            Bassano B., Mussa P.P., Peracino V., Cavallero A.,Il consumo volontario nello stambecco Capra ibex ibex e la stima del valore pastorale come parametri per la determinazione della carrying capacity. (Voluntary consumption in Ibex Capra ibex ibex and pastoral value estimate as carrying capacity determination parameters ). Atti II Cong. Ital. A.T.It., 24, Varese, 28-30 ottobre 1998

-   Bassano B. & Perrone A., Lo sviluppo somatico nel  camoscio Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra in diversi siti dell’arco alpino italiano. (Chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, somathic development in different italian alpine sites). Atti II Cong. Ital. A.T.It., 126, Varese, 28-30 ottobre 1998

            Bassano B., Perrone A. & von Hardenberg A., Body weight and horn development in Alpine chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra. Mammalia: 67 (1): 65-73, 2003.

            Bassano B., von Hardenberg A., Pelletier F., Gobbi G.,   A method to weigh free-ranging ungulates without handling. Wildl. Soc. Bull., 2004

            Beschel R., Ricerche lichenometriche sulle morene del Gruppo del Gran Paradiso. (Lichenmetric studies in Gran Paradiso’s group moraines).  Collana Scientifica PNGP, n.9, Torino 1958

-     Bollo E., Bassano B., Peracino V. & Biolatti B.,  Effect of emaciation on liver histology of Alpine chamois during winter . J. Wildl. Diseases, 35(4), 770-773, 1998

            Borghesio L., Palestrini C., Passerin d’Entrèves P., The dung beetles of Gran Paradiso national Park: a preliminary analysis  (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea). Journal of Mountain Ecology, n.6, Torino, 2001

            Cognetti De Martiis L., Lombrichi (Worms). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1928

            Colin Holloway W., Hartmut J., Reintroduzione di alcune specie di mammiferi e di uccelli nel Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso. (Reintroduction of some mammals and birds in GPNP).1-41,Torino, 1975

            Compagnoni R.,  Elter G., La geologia del PNGP . (GPNP geology), 1972

            Di Caporiacco L., Aracnidi. (Arachnida). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1928

            Di Caporiacco L., Aracnidi dell’Alta Valle dell’Orco. (Orco’s Valley Arachnida). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Dodero A., Coleotteri. (Coleoptera). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1928

-     Ferroglio E., Tolari F., Bollo E. & Bassano B.,Isolation of Brucella melitensis from Alpine ibex. J. Wildl. Diseases, 34(2), 400-402,1998

            Ferroglio E., Bassano B., Trisciuoglio A. & Rossi l.,Antibodies to Neosporacaninum in Alpine ibex from the Italian Alps. Z. Jagdwiss. 47: 226-228, 2001.

            Gambetta L., Molluschi. (Shellfishes). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1928

            Gambetta L., Molluschi.(Shellfishes). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Gilio N., Oppio C., Pompilio L., Viterbi R., Bassano B., Meriggi A. (Submitted),  Modelli di idoneità ambientale per Aquila reale  Aquila chrysaetos, Sparviere Accipiter nisus e Astore Accipiter gentilis nel Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso.Environmental fitness models for  Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos,  Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus and Goshawk Accipiter gentilis in GPNP.

            Gilio N., Oppio C., Pompilio L., Viterbi R., Bassano B., Meriggi A. (Submitted),   Modelli di idoneità ambientale per Fagiano di monte  Tetrao tetrix, Pernice bianca Lagopus mutus e Coturnice Alectoris greca saxatilis nel Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso. Environmental ftness models for Black grouse Tetrao tetrix, Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus and Rock partridge Alectoris greca saxatilis in GPNP.

            Grignolio S., Luccarini S., Bassano B. & Apollonio M., Selezione dello habitat ed uso dello spazio in maschi di stambecco alpino Capra ibex ibex nel Parco nazionale del        Gran Paradiso. (Habitat selection and use space in Ibex Capra ibex ibex males in GPNP). Ric. Biol. Selv. Atti IV Conv. Naz. Biologi della selvaggina: 155, 1999.

            Guiglia D.,Imenotteri. (Hymenoptera). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Hoffmann A.,Relazione sulla ricognizione fatta nei boschi compresi entro il perimetro del parco nazionale Gran Paradiso in settembre 1978. (Report about a look around in GPNP forests. September 1978).1-40, Aosta 1978

            Jacobson A.R., Provenzale A., von Hardenberg A., Bassano B. Festa-Bianchet M.,    Climate forcing and density dependence in a mountain ungulate population. Ecology 85(6), 2004

            Laiolo P., Rolando A. & Carisio L., Winter movements of the Alpine Cough: implications for management in the Alps. Journal of Mountain Ecology, n.6, Torino 2001

            Leporati P., Rappresentazione degli aspetti geomorfologici del territorio in relazione alle esigenze di pianificazione integrata. (Territory  geomorphological aspects description in relationship with integrated planification needs). Feb. 1998;

            Lo Bue G., Montacchini F., Ceruti A., Macromycetes of the alpine belt: mycocoenological investigations in the Western Alps by multivariate methods. Coenoses, vol.9, Fas.3,  103, Gorizia, 1994

            Maggi M., IRES, Il Parco e lo sviluppo locale e Indagine sui Visitatori. (The Park and the local development. Visitor survey). Jan. 1998;

            Maudet C., Bassano B., Breitenmoser-Wursten C., Gauthier D., Miller C., Obexer-Ruff G., Ormèa P., Toigo C., Taberlet P. & Luikart G.,  Microsatellite DNA and recent statistical methods in wildlife conservation management: Application in Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex). Molecular Ecology, 2002.

            Menozzi C., Formiche. (Ants). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Molinari P., Rotelli L., Catello M. & BassanoB., Present status and distribution of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Italian Alps. Hystrix, 12 (2): 3-9.

            Morini G. et al., Definizione di un modello imprenditoriale di Parco Nazionale (Definition of an entrepreneurial  National Park model). Rapporto di ricerca commissionato dal Ministero dell’Ambiente, Scuola di Direzione Aziendale dell’Università L. Bocconi, 1990

            Parrini F., Grignolio S., Luccarini S., Bassano B., Apollonio M.,  Spatial behaviour of adult male Alpine ibex Capra ibex ibex in the Gran Paradiso national park. Acta Theriol., 48 (3): 411-423, 2003.

            Peracino V., Bassano B., Relazione sullo stato delle colonie di stambecco create con l’immissione di animali provenienti dal PNGP. (Report about Ibex colonies constituted with animals coming from GPNP). Collana Scientifica PNGP, Torino 1986

            Peracino et al.,La Volpe (Vulpes vulpes) nel PNGP. Valutazione della sua presenza e diffusione (1981-1985). (The Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the GPNP. Evaluation of its presence and spreading (1981-1985)).

            Peracino V., Bassano B., Fattori di regolazione ed aspetti gestionali relativi ad una specie protetta (Camoscio Rupicapra rupicapra) nei territori del PNGP. (Regulating factors and management aspects about a protected species (Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra) in GPNP boundaries). Collana Scientifica PNGP, 1987

            Peracino V., Bassano B., La marmotta (Marmota marmota) nel PNGP: metodologie di censimento e valutazione della sua distribuzione (1986-1987). (Marmot (Marmota marmota) in GPNP: census methodologies an spreading evaluation (1986-1987). Atti 1° incontro di studio sulla Marmotta Alpina, Collana Scientifica PNGP

            Peracino V., Bassano B., Dinamica di popolazione di ungulati in contesti territoriali soggetti a tutela integrale. Lo Stambecco (Capra ibex ibex) nel PNGP (1956-1985: trent’anni di censimenti). (Ungulates’  population dynamics in protected areas. Ibex (Capra ibex ibex) in GPNP). Collana scientifica PNGP, Torino 1988

            Programma di ricerche finalizzate alla formazione del Piano del Parco. (Researchs’ program to make the park’s plan). Cohordinated by prof. Roberto Gambino, Turin Politechnic

            Quaglio G., Peyron A., Allevamento e agricoltura nel Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso. (Agricolture and farming in GPNP). Nov. 1997

            Salfi M.,Ortotteri e dermatteri. (Orthoptera and dermaptera). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Sciacchitano I., Oligocheti.(Olygocheta). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Sciacchitano I., Gordii.(Gordiacea). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Schumacker R., Soldán Z.,New survey of the bryophyte flora of the Gran Paradiso National Park and its immediate surroundings. Preliminary results.  Journal of Mountain Ecology, n.4, Torino 1997

            Simondetti M., Lepidotteri.(Lepidoptera).  In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            Thomasset F., Dongiovanni S., Vallari B., Sasso D., Strutture storiche aggregate, alpeggi, e percorsi. (Built-up historical structures, shepherd’s huts and ways). Dec. 1997

            Turati E., Lepidotteri. (Lepidoptera). In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1928

            Turati E.,Parnassius Delius Paradisiacus. In Il Parco nazionale Gran Paradiso, Torino 1932

            VVAA, Siti di particolare pregio naturalistico in Valle d’Aosta. (Naturalistic great value sites in Aosta Valley). Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta, Assessorato dell’Ambiente, Urbanistica e Trasporti, 21-57,Potenza 1998

            VVAA, Studi propedeutici per il Piano del Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso. (Propaedeutic studies for GPNP’s plan).(Cartography, Cadastral enquiry, Forest typology, Meadows, Fauna, Criterions to find out the naturalistic emergencies and to state conservation priorities), 1-175, Aosta 2000

            von Hardenberg A., Bassano B., Peracino A. & Lovari S., Male alpine chamois   occupy territories at hotspots before the mating season. Ethology, 106: 617-630, 2000.

            von Hardenberg A., Bassano B., Peracino V., Jacobson A.R., Von Hardenberg J. & Provenzale A., Preliminary analysis of the temporal variability of the Alpine ibex population in the Gran Paradiso National Park. IBEX, J.Mt.Ecol.8, 2001.

            von Hardenberg A., Bassano B., Zumel Arranz M.P. & Bogliani G.,  Horn size but not asymmetry predicts survival in Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). J.of Zool, 2004.

7. SITE MANAGEMENT

7.1. MANAGEMENT PLANS

The functioning of the Park institution is regulated by its charter.

In the Park's territory are in use the local urban tools: the Communal general town plan, the landscape territorial plan (for the part of  Aosta Valley), forest management plans.

Italian protected areas general law (L. 394/91) provides for every park three plans:

            park plan, that organises the territory  in different zones with different protection degrees, establishes  binding forces, shows  criteria for  environment, flora and fauna management;

            park regulations, that  regulates  the activities authorised or forbidden inside the park;

            social and economic plan  for  sustainable activities.

For adoption and approval proceedings the law  provides for orchestration procedures with the local communities and control functions for the Ministry of the Environment.  

Park’s board and local communities approved together the principles for the planning; nowadays the elaboration of the Park plan,  of the Regulations and of the social and economic plan is in progress.

For what concerns the Plan, the first fact-finding studies have been started, regarding particularly:

            representation of geomorphologic aspects related to planning needs;

            floristic-vegetation databank;

            studies for the socio-economical plan;

            farming and agriculture in GPNP;

            historic aggregate structures, mountain pastures and routes;

            Communal urban plans;

            Park fruition.

Once enforced the Park Plan  will work as a declaration of public general interest  and it will replace in every level the landscape plans, the territory or urban plans and every other planning tool.

While the planning is going on  all the general acts of the Park (L.394/91) prohibitions  are in force and the park approved  provisional  regulations for:

            protection of flora, fauna and geological features and for use and enjoyment of the park area,

            wildlife  management

            damages compensations  produced by  wildlife

            over fly  by aircrafts and helicopters

            grants for  works and activities  consistent with park’s principles.

Park’s activity is ruled  by a  three-years plan that plans: administrative and personnel activities, nature monitoring and field investigations, natural system management, management and sustainable development planning, land’s control and  environmental damages prevention, visitor centres and educations centres network activities, environmental education, real properties management, culture, projects for the park’s management and sustainable development, sustainable accessibility, communication, national and international relationships.

7.2. BUDGET AND PERSONEL

The park’s plant staff reaches 86 units; nowadays the staff is made up of 80 units.

Direction: 1 director out of 1

Surveillance sector: 58 rangers out of  62

Technical  and planning sector: 4 employees out of  4 (3 architects and 1 worker)

Scientific and veterinary sector: 1 veterinarian out of  2

Tourist sector: 3 employees out of  3

Botanical sector: 1 botanists and 1 employee out of 2

General affairs: 4 employees out of  5

Administrative sector: 7 employees out of  7 

Other people not in staff are employed in  Visitors centres ( 12 people)

Real properties: 8 visitor centres, 17 between flats and guestrooms, 8 offices, 17 ranger-cabins and ex- Royal hunting lodges (others 32 in use)

Equipment: cars and 4x4 vehicles, computer equipment, optical equipment, scientific equipment, surveillance equipment

The Park Board  received  in the last  years  the following  ordinary State contributions: 

Year           Contribution 

1999         €   4.012.539

2000         €   4.132.915

2001         €   5.493.608

2002         €   4.263.558

2003         €   3.953.128 

Other funding on projects came in the last years  through the  Triennial Plan of Protected Areas and the CIPE (Interdepartmental  Committee for Economic Planning), extraordinary  funding  for  specific actions (sign system, clean energies, otter centre, pathways, funding for investments in the national parks). Other funding are supplied  on specific projects from the Valle d’Aosta Region and Piedmont and from the Province of Turin. European Union financed some projects with Interreg and Life funding (Habitalp, Bearded vulture in the alps, Ibex monitoring).

The  final balance of the last years  closed under the following  results:

Year             Incomes             Total expenditures        Personnel expenditures

1999         €  5,598,644               €  5,591,873                    €  2,825,159

2000         €  6,109,339               €  6,348,947                    €  2,836,902

2001         €  7,038,668               €  7,321,375                    €  3,087,643

2002         €  7,103,100               €  7,250,684                    €  3,171,428

8. MAP OF THE SITE

• Physical map:

NATIONAL MAP NUMBER                  SCALE                                                    PROJECTION

IGM (Italian military Geographic  Institute) 90 II, III – 91 III – 112 I, II, III, IV -113 I, II, III, IV

(Map 1)

1:50.000 

UTM 


REFERENCE TO AVAILABILITY OF BOUNDARIES IN DIGITISED FORM

 Scale, projection and parameters of the site boundaries are the same of the map above mentioned.

  

• Map of designated sites described in 6.2.

The map coincides with the physical map above

Provide this information on a map with the same characteristics as above.

• Other maps

            Map 3 Land use

            Map 4 A Vertebrate distribution map (Chamois, Alpine Ibex, Marmot, Wild boar, Red deer, Roe deer, Rock ptarmigan, Black grouse, Rock partridge, Red squirrel, Artic hare, Brown hare)

            Map 4 B Vertebrate distribution map (Bearded vulture, Golden eagle, Wood peckers, Mustelids, Red fox, Wolf, Lynx)

            Map 5 A Historical paths and Alps

            Map 5 B Historical human settlements

• Aerial photograph(s) included:

X 

yes

no

                                                               

NUMBER   AREA                              SUBJECT                                COPYRIGHT           DATE

   1

Map 2

PNGP 

All the park 

Territaly 

2000 

9. SLIDES

NUMBER       PLACE                               SUBJECT                                COPYRIGHT          DATE

Electronic Slides on CD

Landscapes

1-1

Gran Paradiso

View on the Gran Paradiso and Meyes narrow valley

Gran Paradiso 

 National Park

 (GPNP)

Summer

 2001

1-2

 Agnel and Serrù 

Agnel and Serrù Lakes 

 GPNP

 August

 2001

1-3

 Valsavarenche 

Panorama with Alpine Ibex

 GPNP

1-4

 Rhêmes Valley

Sotses glacier and Tsanteleina  mountain

 GPNP

1-5

 Rhêmes Valley

 Rhêmes stream in winter

GPNP

1-6

 Valsavarenche

 Alpine Ibex grazing

 GPNP

1-7

 Rhêmes Valley

Pastures at Vaudalettaz 

GPNP

 2004

1-8

 Orco valley

 Roc narrow valley

 GPNP

 1991

1-9

 Soana valley

 Piamprato narrow valley

 GPNP

1-10

 Orco valley

 Larchs and Courmaon

 mountain

 GPNP

1-11

 Orco valley 

Dress lake

GPNP

1-12

 Valsavarenche

 Nex  traditional hamlet

GPNP

 2003

1-13

 Soana valley

 Azaria plain

 GPNP

1-14

 Cogne valley

 Lillaz waterfall with Ibex

 Luciano 

 Ramires

1-15

 Valsavarenche

 Eaux Rousses coloured 

 waterfall

GPNP

1-16 

 Gran Paradiso

 Panorama from the Gran

 Paradiso top

 GPNP

 Winter

 2003

1-17

 Orco valley

 The sheer faces of Becchi

 della Tribolazione

GPNP

1-18

 Cogne valley

 Nomenon mountain

GPNP

1-19

 Valsavarenche

 Levionaz narrow valley

GPNP

1-20

 Valsavarenche

 Nivolet meanders

GPNP

1-21

 Upper Rhêmes valley

 Rhêmes stream

GPNP

1-22

 Orco valley

 Gran Prà Ciamousseretto

 Alp

 GPNP

1-23

 Orco valley

 Balma Rossa

 GPNP

2003

1-24

 Orco valley

 Young wood at Balma

 Rossa

 GPNP

2003

1-25

 Soana valley

 Beech wood near Raie

 Hamlet

 GPNP

1-26

 Cogne valley

 Tribolazione glacier

 GPNP

2003

1-27

 Valsavarenche

 Gran Paradiso mountain

 GPNP

2003

1-28

 Rhêmes valley

 Granta Parei mountain

 GPNP

1-29

 Orco valley

 Alpine high pastures and  

 Carro Mountain

 GPNP

Summer 2004

1-30

 Valsavarenche

 Nivolet meanders

 GPNP

Summer 2004

1-31

 Valsavarenche

 Larch and Spruce wood at 

 Orvielles

 GPNP

Summer 2002

1-32

 Orco valley

 Nivolet lakes

 GPNP

1-33

 Cogne valley

 Stony round at Valnontey

 GPNP

Summer 2002

1-34

 Rhêmes valley

 Natural grasslands and 

 Granta Parei mountain

 GPNP

1-35

 Rhêmes valley

 The hamlet of Rhêmes

 Notre Dame

 GPNP

1-36

Cogne valley

 Valnontey panorama

 GPNP

1-37

 Cogne valley

 Cogne, Saint Orso plan

 and Gran Paradiso massif

 GPNP

Wildlife  and flora

2-1

 Rhêmes valley

Male Ibex (Capra ibex) in winter

Luciano Ramires

2-2

 Cogne valley

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) between worthleberries in autumn

Luciano Ramires

2-3

 Cogne valley

Marmots (Marmota marmota)

 GPNP

2-4

Blue hare (Lepus timidus) in winter

 GPNP

2-5

Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

 GPNP

2-6

 Valsavarenche

Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

 Roberto Facchini

2-7

 Cogne valley

Ptermigan (Lagopus mutus)

 Luciano Ramires

2-8

 Cogne valley

Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

 Luciano Ramires

2-9

 Rhêmes valley

Larch wood in autumn

 GPNP

2-10

Arolla pine wood

 GPNP

2-11

 Nivolet lakes

Cotton grasses (Eriophorum sp.)

 GPNP

2-12

 Valsavarenche

Soldanella alpina

 GPNP

 2003

2-13

 Cogne

Pulsatilla talleri

 GPNP

2-14

 Cogne

Paradisea liliastrum

 GPNP

2-15

Parnassius apollo

 GPNP

2-16

 

Black woodpecker

 GPNP

2-17

 

Cotton grasses

 GPNP

 

2-18

 Agnel alp and 

 Levanne peak

Alpine high pastures

  Michele Ottino

 June 2004

2-19

 Orco valley

Alpine high pastures

  Michele Ottino

 June 2004

2-20

 

Polygono-trisetion

  GPNP

2-21

 

Rodoretum

  GPNP

2-22

 Pelaud  Rhêmes V.

Humid zone

  GPNP

2-23

 Teleccio Orco V.

Fens

  Michele Ottino

August2002

2-24

 Cogne

Fox

  GPNP

Traditional and historical aspects

3-1

Orco valley

Cow grazing near Nivolet

GPNP

August 2001

3-2

Vaudalettaz Rhêmes valley

Traditional alp restored for biological uses

GPNP

2004

3-3

Ronco C.se, Soana valley

Ancient fresco with Our Lady

GPNP

3-4

Boschietto, Soana valley

Ancient fresco on a rock

Michele Ottino

August 2002

3-5

Barmetta, Soana valley

Ancient chapel

GPNP

3-6

Roc narrow valley, Orco V.

Traditional shelter for food preservation said “Crotin”

GPNP

3-7

Dejoz, Valsavarenche

Woman with pannier

GPNP

2004

3-8

Valsavarenche

Traditional fretwork

GPNP

2004

3-9

Valsavarenche

Traditional fretwork

GPNP

2004

3-10

Park’s Aosta valley side

A boy carries Fontina cheese

GPNP

2003

3-11

Park’s Aosta valley side

Fontina cheese preparation

GPNP

2003

3-12

Ronco C.se, Soana valley

Traditional copper forge

GPNP

2002

3-13

Orco valley

Traditional copper objects

GPNP

2000

3-14

Soana valley

Traditional shoes said “scapin”

GPNP

2004

3-15

Prascondù, Ribordone

Prascondù Sanctuary

GPNP

2001

3-16

San Besso, Soana valley

Saint Besso Sanctuary

GPNP

2001

3-17

San Besso, Soana valley

Procession near Saint Besso sanctuary

GPNP

2001

3-18

Maison hamlet, Orco valley

Antique mountain school

GPNP

1995

3-19

Ceresole, Orco valley

Grand hotel

GPNP

1999

3-20

Pont Valsavarenche

Traditional barn said “rascard”

GPNP

1999

3-21

Nivolet, Orco valley

Royal mule track

GPNP

2002

3-22

Gran Piano, Noasca,Orco v.

Gran Piano Royal lodge

GPNP

2002

3-23

Pondel, Cogne valley

Roman bridge acqueduct

GPNP

2002

3-24

Orco valley

Chimney sweeper

GPNP

1920

3-25

Ribordone, Orco valley

Neolithic rock engraving

GPNP

2002

     

Park history

4-1

Royal hunting wardens

GPNP

End XIX c.

4-2

Royal hunting wardens

GPNP

End XIX c.

4-3

Orvieilles, Valsavarenche

King Victor Emanuel II near Orvieilles lodge

GPNP

1860

4-4

Cogne valley

Park warden

GPNP

1950

Surveillance and scientific research

5-1

Rhêmes valley

Park Wardens’ controls

GPNP

2003

5-2

Orco valley

Park Warden control

GPNP

June 2004

5-3

Park Warden in winter

GPNP

2003

5-4

Soana valley

Park Warden confiscates poacher’s weapons

GPNP

2003

5-5

Park Warden captures an Ibex

GPNP

2000

5-6

Cogne valley

Chamois capture for scientific research

GPNP

2002

5-7

Levionaz, Valsavarenche

Scientific sanitary controls on wildlife

GPNP

2002

5-8

Alpine Ibex radio tags

GPNP

2003

5-9

Seyvaz, Valsavarenche

A capture of an Alpine Ibex  for scientific research

GPNP

2003

5-10

Fosse, Rhêmes valley

Radiotracking controls

GPNP

2002

5-11

Orco valley

Snow monitorino

GPNP

2002

5-12

Orco valley

Snow monitorino

GPNP

2002

5-13

Cogne valley

Scientific research about Red squirrel

GPNP

2003

5-14

Valsavarenche

Global position system monitoring

GPNP

2002

5-15

Herbetet, Cogne valley

Wildlife controls

GPNP

2003

5-16

Cogne

A park warden shows to a baby his work

GPNP

2000

5-17

Nivolet, Valsavarenche

Manual works of the park wardens

GPNP

2002

5-18

Roc narrow valley, Orco v.

Park wardens make up foothpaths damages

GPNP

2003

Visitor centres

6-1

Rhêmes Notre Dame

The visitor centre about Bearded vulture

GPNP

1998

6-2

Locana, Orco valley

The visitor centre about chimney sweeping

GPNP

2001

6-3

Valsavarenche

The visitor centre about Lynx

GPNP

2004

6-4

Valsavarenche

Diorama in the Lynx visitor centre

GPNP

2004

6-5

Ceresole, Orco valley

The visitor centre about Ibex

GPNP

6-6

Valsavarenche

Lynx visitor centre

GPNP

2004

6-7

Valsavarenche

Lynx visitor centre

GPNP

2004

6-8

Noasca, Orco valley

The visitor centre about park’s geology

GPNP

6-9

Ronco C.se, Soana valley

Copper forge visitor centre

GPNP

2002

6-10

Ronco C.se, Soana valley

Copper forge hammers

GPNP

2002

6-11

Valnontey, Cogne valley

Paradisia botanical alpine garden

GPNP

2003

6-12

Valnontey, Cogne valley

Paradisia botanical alpine garden

GPNP

2003

6-13

Serrù, Orco valley

Free exposition about high pastures

GPNP

1998

Educational activities

7-1

Valsavarenche

A park warden lesson to babies

GPNP

2003

7-2

Noasca, Orco valley

An educational lesson at the educational centre

GPNP

7-3

Cogne

A park warden educational lesson in the river

GPNP

2000

7-4

Cogne

A park warden educational lesson at school

GPNP

2003

7-5

Orco valley

Park guide activity

GPNP

2000

7-6

Rhêmes valley

Park guide activity in winter

GPNP

2003

7-7

Valsavarenche

A park warden lesson to babies

GPNP

2003

7-8

Orco valley

Watching through the park’s telescope

GPNP

2003

7-9

Orco valley

To go on a trip with the park warden

GPNP

2003

7-10

Bien, Valsavarenche

An orienteering lesson with the park guide

GPNP

2004