Lake of Angitola (VV)
The' oasis of Angitola Lake, with an area of 987 S (he)) is one of the most important reserves of the Mediterranean. The Lake was artificially created in 1966 on the old bed of the river Angitola, who was born in Capistrano, from Reschia, from St. Nicholas and by the Nia, which crosses Maierato. Situated in the territory of Maierato, along the River, lago Angitola is located at the South end of the plain of Sant'eufemia. The territory of the OASIS lies in the municipalities of Francavilla Angitola, Maierato, Monterosso Calabro, Pizzo Calabro and Polia. He was bound as D.P.G.R. oasis No. 557 of 5/12/1975. Currently the management of OASIS is entrusted to WWF Italy. The Lake is constrained to wildlife protection area and is declared "wetland of international value" under the RAMSAR Convention (D.M. 9/30/1985).
Lake fits well in what was probably in the Quaternary, a lacustrine basin. It occupies an area of 875 (has), is compared to the surface of the Park 4.8% (fig. 4.2.2.1) (3.5 sq km long, 1.5 Km wide), has a maximum depth of 29 m, contains 21,000,000 cubic meters of water. The land around the Lake are privately owned up to 50 m; the rest belong to private individuals. The Lake is surrounded by hills covered with olive trees, Mediterranean vegetation and a band of afforestation, with predominance of Aleppo Pine, as: poplars, Straws, white Willow Cattails, Alders, Deaf Clubs
growing up on the shore, creating strips of wood wool and small marshes. Shore also grow eucalyptus trees and cork oaks. This magnificent OASIS, for its particular climatic conditions and the abundance of food, attracts a lot of birds of more than 100 different species, including: the Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Great Egret, Heron, grey heron, cormorant, Egret, Mallard, Seagull, Coral the glossy ibis, spoonbill, great crested grebe, which here are the ideal place for a break and for playback. Inhabit, yet, this OASIS: ducks, bantams, water, the Kingfisher, Marsh tortoise and the nurse from the collar. In autumn and spring pass large flows of birds and in winter there is the largest concentration of wintering birds. The OASIS, while being recognised as "wetland of international importance" within the meaning of that Convention, however, was not national protected area under 394/91 and therefore was incorporated in the perimeter of the Park.
In fact, the Lake has a high degree of vulnerability because it's an artificial environment in which the variation of water management is crucial to the maintenance of the characteristics of the aquatic trophic chains at the Bank, an important vegetation for nesting birds, particularly ducks.