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Flora
Due to the geographical location, the complex geomorphology and the climatic characteristics Liguria has developed remarkable and varied flora with over 3200 different types of plants, bushes and grass. The basic flora is Mediterranean; in the west you see a variety of flora from the Pyrenean and the Provencal, higher up one encounters alpine plant groups, and all these elements intertwine and have thus created many local characteristic plants(Endemisms). Mostly notable in the larger plants, such as olive and chestnut trees and grape vines. Also within the citrus trees, which are farmed on plantations near the coast, and on terraces in the backcountry, as well as the occasional coniferous woodlands.
During the second half of the nineteenth century, many foreign species where introduced to the high traffic areas, mainly from North Africa, such as the Palm tree, which has become a status symbol of the Riviera, as well as from Asia, where magnolias seemed to be the thing to bring home. The ligurian climate makes it possible for these plants to grow, which are normally superseded by the autochthonous flora. An excellent example of this is the Hanbury Garden near Ventimiglia, which came to be on the initiative of Thomas Hanbury and the German gardener Ludwig Winter. Winter is mostly responsible for the development of the southwest region to the “Riviera of Flowers”. The most common palms one encounters on the Riviera are the canary date palm(Phoenix canariensis), with its thick, short stem and the “real” date palm(Phoenix dactylifera), with its thin, tall stem.
For the evolution of the endimisms, those plants only found here, we can thank the ice age, which forced a migration south of many species originally found in middle and northern Europe. The specimens found here today are essentially “living fossils” of European flora and are scientifically important. The best specimens for this are found in west ligurian in Toraggio and Pietravecchia.
Coastal Strip – Macchia: 0 – 200 meters above sea level
The original Macchia is not very often seen, due to the intensive changing of the coastal region by humans. The ligurian Macchia can be found up to 400 m a.s.l, and is made up of mostly furze, euphorbia (euphorbia dendroides), rock roses(Cistus salvifolius, albidus monspeliensis),Coccineus flowers(Centranthus ruber), mastic trees, myrtle, strawberry trees, Holm oaks(Quercus ilex), as well as aromatic herbs such as thyme, lavender and rosemary. Typical trees of the Macchia are the endemisms Campanula sabatia(Provinces Imperia, Savona) and Campanula isophylla(Region around Finale Ligure).
Hill Steppe: 200 – 800 meters above sea level
The hill steppe is dominated by olive groves and in the west can reach an altitude of 800 meters. In this habitat one is likely to encounter daffodils (Narcissus psuedo-narcissus, Narcissus peoticus), lilies(Alium nigrum), crook( Arisarum vulgare) and many orchids of the genus Orchis (maculata, mascula, militaris) and genus Ophrys(sphegodes, fuciflora, apifera, arachnitiformis, fusca, bertolonii). Here as well are mostly pines(Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea), downy oak(Quercus pubescens), Holm oak (Quercus petraea), the common oak(Quercus robur) and mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), Birch (Betula pendula) und beech(Fagus silvatica). Some flowers found here include the ligurian crocus (Crocus ligusticus), tyrrhenean campion (Silene tyrrhena), cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurscens), peonies and dogtooths.
Mountainous region: 800 – 2000 meters above sea level
The mountainous region starts with thick woodlands of chestnuts, beech and oaks, and then fades into coniferous with many different pine species, then into larch forests until they turn into meadows. The flora is rich and filled with endemisms. A peculiarity of this region, is the appearance of Mediterranean species in the higher regions and northern European species in the lower regions. A survivor of the ice age are the bell flowers Phyteuma cordatum balbisii, which are quoted as being the rarest flowers of the ligurian florasuch as the carnation Moehringia lebruni and alpine snowbell Soldanella alpina, as well as the wolf’s claw moss and different sedges, which are mostly near Rezzoaglio.
Fauna
The fauna of Liguria is as interesting as the flora, with many endemisms, which have evolved through time from being isolated. Although the living conditions have been made unfavorable by humans – some reasons being forest fires, pollution, misuse of pesticides and of course hunting – the fauna here is still multifaceted. The ligurian fauna is of a Mediterranean type and shows influence by the Provence and Tuscany. Some even have characteristics of far away regions across the sea (Morocco, Sardinia, Corsica). A few native species were nurtured, but more for hunting purposes than out of love for nature.
Ocean fauna
Dolphins, humpback whales, turtles and many species of shark are seldom seen compared to earlier, but are still existent. Many sea birds thrive here, like the gannets, shearwaters, sea gulls and cormorants. During the periods of migration, one can find sea swallows and ducks having a rest. In the marshy areas of the river deltas you will find herons and cranes.
Mammals
The mammals of liguria are present everywhere and are generally similar everywhere. You will find foxes, squirrels, rabbits, badgers, beech martens, dor and garden mice, hedgehogs and wild boars. Deer were introduced, and thrive here, however are not native.
Birds
Apart from the normal birds such as blackbirds, finches etc. many hedge sparrows, blue rock thrushes, woodpeckers, wrynecks, red eyes and cuckoos can be seen all the way up into the mountains. Owls and birds of prey are common, and the little owl, scops owl and barn owl live near people. On the other hand, the long eared owl, tawny owl and eagle owl are very shy. The birds of prey that live here include the snake eagle, common buzzard, black kite, Eurasian Kestrel, honey buzzard, sparrow hawk, sharp-shinned hawk and on the cliff faces along the coast one can often see golden eagles. Occasionally near Levante one can spot peregrine falcons.
Reptiles und Amphibians
The world of reptiles here include the ladder snake, Aesculapian Snake, European whip snake, the smooth snake and the asp viper. Above 1800 meters the alpine salamander takes over from the fire salamander. The Viviparous (common) Lizard is indigenous to the highest regions of the alps and appenines. Some salamanders are native to this area and are only found here, and can be seen during the days up in the mountains or in small caves.
Invertabrates
Among the butterflies, the most noteworthy are the six spot burnet, the conspicuous Apollo butterfly, the mourning cloak and the karner blue butterfly. Some ligurian native include
The endangered ground beetleChrysocarabus, scarab beetles and stoneflies.
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