WEDGE NEWS – Orchids without borders for the Maritime Alps and Mercantour. The staff of the two neighboring natural parks continues to collaborate in the study of this very rich family of flowers which, like many others, is influenced by sudden climate change. And so, due to the increase in average temperatures, the decrease in precipitation and the time of snow cover on the ground, species find new sites in which to grow that were unsuspected for some time. There are orchids that rise in altitude, while others “move” and in some cases even become extinct. All this is under the magnifying glass of park rangers specialized in the flora of the two cross-border protected areas.
After a joint “mission” in Valle Roya, a few weeks ago, the “GPs” carried out the check at the station Barlia Robertiana of the Gesso Valley. Also known as the “giant orchid”, because it can grow up to 80 cm, it is typical of the olive tree belt environment. For the first time, in 2018, it was found in the territory of the Maritime Alps Park. Its presence confirms that the climate has indeed changed rapidly, as supported by the robust collection of scientific data.
The two teams also went to see the Limodoro (Limodorum abortivum) which blooms in a beech forest in the municipality of Entracque. This spontaneous orchid, present with around 300 specimens, currently constitutes the largest known station in the Piedmont region. The number of plants certainly does not leave you indifferent but even more surprising is finding it among the beech trees. Why? Limodoro is not only a typically Mediterranean species but it prefers the shade and resin scent of the Scots pine to grow.
The common activities of Alpi Marittime and Mercantour such as that of orchid monitoring but which affects all the operational areas of the two institutions demonstrate a European-wide approach to knowledge and conservation of biodiversity. Practice based on professional exchanges and the establishment of bonds of friendship that create the humus for the establishment of the European Alpi Marittime Mercantour Park. This is one of the long-term objectives of the two protected areas brought together since 2013 in a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, an EU legal instrument to encourage cross-border collaboration.
As part of the joint activity of recent days, the Mercantour park ranger and photographer, Yann Toutain, donated a blow-up of the Venus slipper, the orchid symbol of the Marguareis Park.
