Bosco di Santa Giustina or "della Fasanara"

The Environment
The "Bosco di S. Giustina" is a thin woody strip running for about 4 kms, from the Santa Giustina village to Po di Goro. Like Bosco della Mesola, it is situated on a sandbar formed in the 12th century, following the progress of the coastline (Bondesan 1982a, 1982b); together, they represent the remnants of a large group of coastal thermophilous forests which, in the Middle Ages, reached the mouth of the river Tagliamento. Due to the strong presence of Holm oaks (Quercus ilex), this group of woods was called Bosco Eliceo in the delta area. The two woods developed on the same geomorphological structure and are thus characterised by the same vegetation. Even if the Bosco della Mesola is known for its Mesola estate, it is important to tell that only the Bosco di S. Giustina and the "dossoni" represent the remnants of the Este Mesola estate (they formed its eastern and central parts, respectively), whereas the "Boscone" area was outside it.
The alluvial soil was formed partly by marine relicts with sandy dunes, and partly by fluvial clayey deposits (Mantovani and Pelleri 1991, Pagnoni 1998)

The Flora
The southern part of the wood, situated north of the S.Giustina village, and its outer borders are characterised by typical high water table populations (Alnetaliae glutinosae), dominated by White Poplars (Populus alba), Alder Buckthorns (Frangula alnus), Small-leaved Elms (Ulmus minor), Black Poplars (Populus nigra) and Common Alders (Alnus glutinosa). Average naturalistic value. The central part of the wood, where dunes are higher, is characterised by a sub-mediterranean thermophilous maquis of evergreen Quercion ilicis, which is identical - from the vegetational point of view - to the one inside Bosco della Mesola, dominated by Holm oaks (Quercus ilex) and further characterised by Phillyrea angustifolia, Asparagus acutifolius, Clematis flammula, Rubia peregrina, Ruscus aculeatus, Osyris alba and Rosa sempervirens, mixed to other mesophilous species. Some great examples of Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) living inside the wood probably date back to the early 20th century reafforestation works. The low lands next to the water table, characterised by fresh-wet conditions, house a marshy wood (Cladio-Fraxinetum oxycarpae) made of ashes (Fraxinus oxycarpae), White and Grey Poplars (Populus alba and P. canescens), Small-leaved Elms (Ulmus minor) and Black Poplars (Populus nigra). The northern part of the wood is characterised by a thermophilous deciduous wood, made of Pedunculate Oaks (Quercus robur), European and Japanese Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus and C. orientalis) and Holm oaks (Quercus ilex), identical to the one of Bosco della Mesola. Several Pedunculate Oaks (Quercus robur) were planted in 1959-60. Thanks to the lack of grazing Cervidae, the Bosco di S. Giustina vegetation is richer and more varied than in Bosco della Mesola, and is also characterised by a thick undergrowth (Corticelli 1999, Pellizzari and Pagnoni 1998, Pagnoni 1998).

Mendica Meadows
A wet meadow with Carex extensa and Juncus gerardi - of great naturalistic value - is situated between Bosco di S. Giustina and Po di Goro and is characterised by the wonderful spring blossoming of some spontaneous orchids (Orchis palustris, O. laxiflora, O. incarnata).

The Fauna
Besides the abundant typical fauna of the Po plain woods, the only remarkable species is Hermann's Tortoise.

Visiting the Site
The wood is crossed by a nature trail to be followed on foot or by bike, managed by the Province of Ferrara.

Site type	Woody area
Cartography	CTR 1:25.000 - 187SE
Surface	102.37.60 + passaggio mappale 120; 203 ha reserve
Municipality	Mesola
Owned by	Emilia-Romagna Region
Managed by	Province of Ferrara

Constraints
Partly subject to Vincolo Paesistico 1497/1939 called “Boschetti del Gradizzo e di Santa Giustina”. Environmental constraint according to L. 431/1985. The above laws have been repealed by D.L. 490/1999 currently in force.
Hydro-geological constraint according to R.D. 3267 of 30/01/1923.
Animal Protection Reserve called "Santa Giustina" (203 ha) established by C.P. n.304/10021 of 1/8/’79, including the woody area, some surrounding private agricultural lands and the Pineta Panfilia pinewood.
The site is embodied in Parco del Delta, according to L.R. 27/1988 and to the Volano-Mesola-Goro Station Plan of 1991 and 1997 (Zona B.PIN). Site of Community Interest (SIC) (IT4060006) called “Bosco della Mesola, Bosco Panfilia, Bosco di Santa Giustina”, as indicated by the EU directive 92/43/CEE (1236 ha).