The protected natural areas of Puglia extend in total for 245,154.33 hectares[1], of which 75.8% is represented by national parks (Gargano national park and Alta Murgia national park) and 8.3% from natural areas and marine nature reserves.
The provinces with the highest percentage of territory subject to protection are that of Foggia (51.5%) and Bari (27.7%)
Protected areas of the Province of Foggia
Gargano National Park
was established with article 34 of law 6 December 1991 n. 394. It extends for 118,144 hectares (one of the largest protected areas). The four Tremiti islands (marine reserve) are part of the park. Inside you encounter the most diverse landscapes: from more than 2200 botanical species, to dense and extensive forests, from high cliffs overlooking the sea to large karst plateaus, from steep and wooded gorges to large coastal lakes. The most important plant formations that can be encountered are the beech forest and the oak forest. The park has a rich fauna presence. They range from as many as 170 species of birds, to birds of prey such as: the common buzzard, the kestrel, the sparrowhawk, the peregrine falcon, the eagle owl, the long-eared owl, the barn owl, the tawny owl and the scops owl.
Bosco Incoronata regional natural park
established by regional law n.19 of 19 May 2006, it extends for approximately one thousand hectares in the Tavoliere delle Puglie, 12 km from Foggia. Inside there is the proposed Site of Community Importance (pSIC) called "Valle del Cervaro - Bosco dell'Incoronata" and located in the lower Cervaro valley.
Small lake in the Foresta Umbra nature reserve
Other reserves in the province of Foggia
Falascone nature reserve
Foresta Umbra nature reserve
Il Monte nature reserve
Ischitella and Carpino nature reserve
Varano Island nature reserve
Lake Lesina nature reserve
Salso Lake nature reserve
Masseria Combattenti nature reserve
Monte Barone nature reserve
Frattarolo Marsh nature reserve
Sfilzi nature reserve