Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo Alto Molise Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1977, in Italy. The Collemeluccio–Montedimezzo Biosphere Reserve is located in Isernia province in Molise, central Italy. It encompasses two forests that cover 637 ha in a sub-mountain area. Penna Mountain, at 1,277 metres above sea level, and Colle San Biagio border the area to the east and west. Of the two forests, Collemeluccio has smoother and lower reliefs, at 1,080 metres above sea level. The main habitats include silver fir forests, mixed forest of silver fir and turkey oak, turkey oak forest with coppices of hornbeam, ash, field maple and stone, and beech forests. Silvicultural intervention has been undertaken to replenish turkey oak stands. Small villages are spread across the biosphere reserve, with many people commuting to the town of Molise. The main economic activities are agriculture, breeding and traditional handicrafts. The area is also subject to tourism.