THE TERRITORY

 

CULTURE, NATURE AND TRADITIONS:
THE MAGIC OF THE JULIAN ALPS

The Unesco MAB Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve is a veritable melting pot of languages and cultures, a treasure chest for biodiversity and a mosaic of ecosystems. It was established in 2019 and encompasses the territory of eleven municipalities within the mountainous area of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region: Artegna, Chiusaforte, Dogna, Gemona del Friuli, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Montenars, Resia, Resiutta, Taipana and Venzone. Its total area is more than 700 km².

From the Alps and the Julian PreAlps – where Mount Jôf di Montasio stands out at a staggering 2,754 m above sea level – to the plains of the Gemona area, the communities living in these territories are deeply rooted in the past where populations from the Latin and Slavic worlds have learned to co-exist and integrate the diverse aspects of their cultures. Thanks to their strong roots, these communities have never ceased to proudly fight to preserve their territory and culture. It is largely thanks to ancient human activities having a low environmental impact that, over time, the high natural and landscape value of the area has been conserved, along with the existing cultural heritage. Among the traditional local products, there are many products of excellence, three of which are recognised as Slow Food Presidia: l’Aglio di Resia/Resia Garlic/Rozajanski Strok, Pan di Sorc/Sweet, spiced corn bread
and Formaggio di Latteria Turnaria /Turnaria Dairy Cheese. These, too, bear witness to an ancient history, packed with traditions, arts and crafts that have been handed down from generation to generation and that outline the characteristic traits of the people, who dedicated themselves to agriculture and sheep farming. These products are representative of a healthy, unspoilt territory, sustainable production as well as manufacturing practices that always pay painstaking attention to protecting the environment.

However, the perseverance and resilience of these people do not mean closure to the outside world, as one might think. It is true that Friuli Venezia Giulia is a border region, yet what once was a real symbol of division, today represents an opportunity both for exchange and co-operation. It is from this viewpoint that the cross-border Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve project was conceived. It was desired by the Julian PreAlps Nature Park, the co-ordinating entity of the Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve on the Italian side, together with the Triglav National Park, the co-ordinating entity of the Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve on the Slovenian side. Achieving this additional significant recognition from UNESCO will enable the Julian Alps to become internationally recognised as a unique mountain range, characterised by a high degree of naturalness, inhabited by communities eager to conserve and promote their identity.

CENTRAL AREA (CORE)

This includes strictly protected environments and contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variations.

BUFFER ZONE (BUFFER)

This surrounds the core areas and is used for activities compatible with healthy ecological practices that can enhance scientific research, monitoring, training, and education activities.

TRANSITION AREA (Transition)

This is the part of the Reserve where the most part of the activity is allowed and where economic and human development that can be considered sustainable from a socio-cultural and ecological point of view is promoted.

L’area candidata contiene una delle due grandi aree protette regionali e confina con l’area MAB slovena Alpi Giulie già istituita, di quasi 2.000 km2. Le due aree MAB unite portano ad una dimensione di quasi 300.000 ha. Interessa i territori di 11 Comuni: Artegna, Chiusaforte, Dogna, Gemona del Friuli, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Montenars, Resia, Resiutta, Taipana e Venzone.

  • SURFACE AREA OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE – 714.51 KM2 100% 100%

Zoning takes into account both the planimetric development and the elevation breakdown of the different environments, ecosystems and inhabited landscapes, consistent with the territorial layout.

  • CORE AREA – 96,30 KM2 13% 13%

Long-term protection areas (Core Areas) are defined starting from existing protected areas and identified where legislation envisage the greatest protection, where habitats of primary interest have been identified as well as areas where there is a high level of production of ecosystem products. Such areas correspond to RN areas of the Julian PreAlps Nature Park and the Val Alba Nature Reserve. These reach the national border with Slovenia, in contact with the existing MAB area, close to the Canin mountain range (landscapes of rocky and snowy environments, Karst landscapes, forest landscapes).

  • BUFFER AREA – 199,56 KM2 28% 28%

Buffer Zones consist of RG areas of the Park, the casere (cheese farms) and high-altitude meadows, areas occupied by forests and rural landscapes with fields and pastures. These are areas mainly used for historical and/or currently, agro-forestry purposes.

  • TRANSITION AREA – 418,65 KM2 59% 59%

Transition areas are landscapes within inhabited valleys, settlements on slopes and urban conurbations in foothill areas, including the town centres of Venzone and Gemona.