Vesuvius is not only one of the world’s most famous volcanoes – it is also a small but incredibly rich hotspot of biodiversity. In a relatively compact area you can find cool shady woods, Mediterranean scrub, almost bare lava flows, traditional farmlands, rocky cliffs and urban fringes.

All these landscapes together make the Somma–Vesuvius complex a real open-air laboratory, where you can see how life adapts, resists and returns even after the most destructive eruptions.

A living laboratory on a volcano

The isolated shape of Vesuvius in the middle of the plain, its closeness to the sea, the altitude up to 1,281 metres of the main crater and a long history of eruptions create very special ecological conditions.

The alternation of destruction and recolonisation has mixed typical Mediterranean species with others that prefer cooler and more humid climates, and has created many different habitats within just a few kilometres.

This environmental mosaic is reflected in a great variety of plants and animals: orchids and brooms, migratory birds, bats, rare butterflies, reptiles, fungi and ancient local crops grown by people on the volcanic soils.

The flora of Vesuvius: orchids, brooms and “sentinels of the past”

In the Vesuvius National Park hundreds of plant species have been recorded. A small number are endemic (restricted to a limited geographical area), but many others have important and interesting populations here.

Some of the most characteristic elements are:

• Rare or local species
  For example Silene giraldi, found only in a few places in the central Tyrrhenian area, and the Etna broom (Genista aetnensis), introduced after the 1906 eruption and now well established in some parts of the volcano.

• Relict birch trees
  Small groups of birch (Betula pendula) survive in isolated stations such as the Atrio del Cavallo, the Valle del Gigante and Monte Somma. They are like “sentinels of the past”, witnesses of a time when the climate was cooler and wetter and the slopes were covered by different woods.

• Wild orchids
  Nineteen species of wild orchids have been found in the Park, protected at international level. In spring, especially in May, they colour the undergrowth and grasslands with delicate shades. At first sight they may look modest, but their flowers are extremely sophisticated in shape and pollination strategies.

From bare lava to forest: the pioneers of life

Immediately after an eruption, the solidified lava looks like a desert of dark rock, without soil and without plants. And yet, as the years go by, even these “dead” surfaces are slowly colonised by life.

The process that takes a landscape from bare rock to a mature ecosystem is called ecological succession, and it moves in stages:

1. Lichens and mosses
   These are the first organisms to colonise the lava. Species like Stereocaulon vesuvianum stick to the rock, slowly break it down and build up a first thin layer of organic material.

2. Ferns, grasses and pioneer herbs
   On this fragile new soil appear small ferns, grasses and other simple plants that stabilise the ground and enrich it with humus.

3. Shrubs and more complex herb communities
   Then come plants like red valerian, helichrysum, rockroses (Cistus spp.), wormwood (Artemisia campestris) and many other species typical of dry, rocky environments.

4. Broom thickets and, finally, woods
   Brooms form wide thickets, fix nitrogen in the soil and prepare the conditions for holm oaks, other oaks and trees to establish, leading in time to real forests.

On the Park’s trails you can actually see these stages with your own eyes. Along Trail No. 9 “The river of lava” you walk on a lava flow from 1944 that is now covered by expanding vegetation, while Trail No. 3 “Monte Somma” lets you observe, in just a few metres, the transition from naked lava to lichens, to broom thickets and then mature holm oak woods.

Mediterranean scrub and the woods of Somma–Vesuvius

One of the most emblematic plant communities in the Park is the Mediterranean scrub, made up of evergreen shrubs and small trees adapted to hot, dry summers.

Typical species include:

• Holm oak (Quercus ilex), often mixed with downy oak, terebinth, Judas tree and manna ash;

• Shrubs such as phillyrea, myrtle, strawberry tree, laurel, viburnum, buckthorn, mastic, rockroses and many types of broom.

Extensive broom thickets grow on poor, unstable soils, very often on old lava flows. Thanks to their symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, brooms gradually transform very poor ground into more fertile soils.

Close by, mixed mesophilous woods grow on the slopes of Monte Somma, where conditions are cooler and more humid: chestnut groves, oak woods and mixed stands with hazel, hop hornbeam, Neapolitan maple and Neapolitan alder. These forests are a reminder of the woods that probably covered much of the volcano before the famous eruption of AD 79.

Brooms: the golden symbol of the Vesuvius landscape

In the Vesuvius landscape, brooms are a true symbol:

• Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)
  It loves sunny, dry places and blooms from May to July with large, strongly scented yellow flowers. In the past its branches were used to produce very tough fibres for textiles.

• Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
  It has a dense shrub-like habit with many thin branches. It flowers later, between late summer and autumn. Traditionally it was used for making brooms and for covering charcoal kilns.

• Etna broom (Genista aetnensis)
  Originally from Mount Etna, it was introduced on Vesuvius and has adapted very well, especially on certain slopes.

These broom thickets are not only beautiful in spring, when the volcano turns yellow, but they also play a key role in soil formation and in preparing the way for future woods.

Mammals: a wildlife “island” in a sea of buildings

Vesuvius is surrounded by one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. Even so, almost 30 species of mammals have been recorded in the Park – an impressive number for a green “island” in a heavily urbanised landscape.

Some of the most representative mammals are:

• Small rodents such as garden dormouse, edible dormouse and hazel dormouse, living in woods, hedgerows and field margins;

• Carnivores like red fox, stone marten and weasel, using both natural and semi-rural areas;

• Lagomorphs such as wild rabbit and European hare.

Special attention is paid to bats, which are extremely important for natural insect control. Recent studies have shown a rich bat community in Vesuvius forests and highlighted how crucial ecological corridors are to connect the Park with surrounding areas.

Invertebrates: a hidden treasure

Invertebrates are the least visible but most numerous part of Vesuvius fauna. In the Park territory more than a thousand arthropod species have been identified, including beetles, spiders, wasps, flies and many other groups.

Some notable aspects:

• Several species new to science have been described from the area, including a firefly strictly linked to Vesuvius;

• Some species were recorded for the first time in Italy or southern Italy;

• The community of day butterflies (about 40–50 species) is particularly interesting, with spectacular species such as the swallowtail, the scarce swallowtail and the rare two-tailed pasha (Charaxes jasius), associated with strawberry tree.

Butterflies are often used as “flagship species”: they are attractive and sensitive to environmental changes, so they help to explain the importance of biodiversity and conservation to visitors.

Birds: Vesuvius as a beacon for migrants

Birds are the best-studied and most numerous faunal group in the National Park. The position of Vesuvius, standing alone by the sea, makes it an excellent landmark for many migratory species crossing the Mediterranean.

Around 150 bird species visit the area during the year, including breeders, migrants and winter visitors. Among the most interesting:

• Birds of prey such as honey buzzard, marsh harrier, lesser kestrel, peregrine falcon;

• Colourful species like European roller and bee-eater;

• Birds tied to cliffs, such as the rufous-tailed rock thrush, and forest species that indicate good woodland quality, such as the lesser spotted woodpecker.

The Park takes part in national and international monitoring projects, focusing on migratory routes and key sites for rest and breeding.

Orchids and fungi: delicate specialists

Orchids

Vesuvius orchids may not be as showy as tropical ones, but they are fascinating for their biology. Many species have flowers that imitate the shape and even the scent of female insects, tricking males into attempting mating and thus carrying pollen from flower to flower.

Because they are very selective about habitat, orchids are excellent ecological indicators: their presence usually means that soils have not been heavily fertilised or disturbed.

Fungi

More than 200 species of epigeous fungi (those producing fruiting bodies above ground) have been recorded in the Park. Some are well-known edible species, others are rare or scientifically important.

The volcanic soils, rich in minerals, favour a great diversity of mycorrhizal fungi, which live in symbiosis with tree roots and are essential for the health of forests. To protect this wealth, mushroom picking is regulated and reserved to residents of the Vesuvius municipalities, with specific permits and limits. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy fungi with their eyes and camera only.

Agrobiodiversity: cultivated landscapes and rural traditions

The biodiversity of Vesuvius is not limited to “wild” nature. Traditional farmlands also play a key role, shaped over centuries by people taking advantage of fertile volcanic soils.

Some of the most characteristic elements are:

• Vineyards
  Local grape varieties such as Piedirosso, Falanghina and Coda di Volpe produce the Vesuvio DOC wines and the famous Lacryma Christi, closely associated with the volcano’s image.

• Apricot orchards and mixed fruit groves
  Many traditional apricot cultivars – including the well-known “Pellecchiella” – grow here, together with pears, apples, peaches, cherries, figs, olives and mulberries.

• Typical vegetables
  The iconic Pomodorini del Vesuvio, traditionally stored in bunches called piennoli, as well as fennel, broad beans and friarielli (a local type of sprouting broccoli) are key ingredients of the local cuisine.

These agricultural systems are a fundamental part of Vesuvius biodiversity. Protecting them means safeguarding not only plant varieties but also knowledge, techniques and cultural landscapes.

Amphibians and reptiles: small but important indicators

Within the Somma–Vesuvius complex two species of amphibians and around eight species of reptiles have been identified.

Amphibians, which depend on water for breeding, are limited by the scarcity of ponds and surface water and by strong urbanisation. The European green toad (often called emerald toad) is among the most interesting species, protected at European level and linked to fragile, temporary water habitats.

Reptiles, on the other hand, find good conditions in the Park. The most common are:

• The Italian wall lizard, very easy to spot on stones, walls and rocks;

• Colubrids such as the Italian Aesculapian snake, four-lined snake and barred grass snake (saettone) – none of them dangerous to humans;

• The asp viper, the only venomous snake in the area, usually shy and avoiding contact.

Two small geckos – the Moorish gecko and the Turkish gecko – live on walls and buildings and help control insects around houses and refuges.

Because they are very sensitive to environmental changes, amphibians and reptiles are excellent indicators of the general health of Vesuvius ecosystems.

Conclusions: a heritage to discover and protect

The biodiversity of Vesuvius is the result of a delicate balance between natural forces – above all volcanic activity – and human actions, from ancient deforestation and agriculture to modern urban growth and conservation measures.

Learning about the plants, animals and rural landscapes of the Park means understanding the history of this territory and the role each of us can play in its protection. Walking along the trails, looking at brooms on lava flows, listening to bird calls or recognising an orchid in the undergrowth becomes a concrete way to get closer to nature and to feel part of a living system that, on Vesuvius, keeps reinventing itself after every eruption.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Vesuvius Biodiversity

What does “biodiversity of Vesuvius” mean?

“Biodiversity of Vesuvius” means all the forms of life present in the National Park: plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, as well as habitats and traditional farmlands. On Vesuvius, this biodiversity is strongly influenced by the volcano’s eruptive history and its position between sea, plain and mountains.

Why is Vesuvius biodiversity considered special?

Because in a relatively small area you can find very different environments: recent lava flows, cool woods, Mediterranean scrub, rocky cliffs, cultivated fields, rural landscapes and urban fringes. The volcano is also an important stop-over site for many migratory birds and hosts rare or local species of both plants and animals.

Where can I see broom and “greened” lava flows?

Brooms are especially spectacular in spring and early summer. Some trails, such as Trail No. 9 “The river of lava” and Trail No. 3 “Monte Somma”, let you walk directly on old lava flows and see how vegetation – especially broom thickets – has slowly reconquered the lava over the decades.

Which animals are the “symbols” of the Park?

There is no single symbol, but some groups are particularly representative:

• Birds of prey (such as honey buzzard and peregrine falcon),

• Colourful migratory birds (like bee-eater and European roller),

• Bats, essential for natural insect control,

• Some spectacular butterflies like the swallowtail and Charaxes jasius, linked to strawberry tree.

Is it dangerous to meet snakes while hiking?

The Park is home to the asp viper, the only venomous snake in the area, but it is a shy animal that usually escapes as soon as it feels vibrations or footsteps. Other snakes (such as the saettone, four-lined snake and Aesculapian snake) are not dangerous for humans.

For safety it is still a good idea to:

• stay on marked trails,

• wear closed shoes and long trousers,

• avoid putting hands into holes, under stones or in dry stone walls.

Can I pick mushrooms in the Vesuvius National Park?

Mushroom picking is regulated: it is allowed only for residents of the Vesuvius municipalities, with a special permit and strict rules (quantities, periods, methods). This protects both the fungi themselves and the balance of the woods.
Visitors should limit themselves to observing and photographing mushrooms, without collecting them.

As a visitor, how can I help protect biodiversity on Vesuvius?

Even simple actions make a difference:

• Follow only official marked trails and respect signs.

• Do not pick plants, flowers, fungi, insects, stones or other “natural souvenirs”.

• Avoid disturbing wildlife, especially during nesting season.

• Take all your rubbish back with you.

• When possible, choose local products (wine, fruit, vegetables, honey), supporting Vesuvius agrobiodiversity.

Small steps, repeated by many visitors, have a big impact on the conservation of the Vesuvius National Park and its extraordinary biodiversity.