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Territory and Biodiversity

Villamiroglio is located in the north western part of the Monferrato, almost close to the Po Valley, in an area typically hilly, with rounded hills and flat and relatively large valleys.
Villamiroglio presents territorial characteristics even very different, which create different habitats in an ecosystem composed of small micro-areas that create great richness and botanical variety.
The area of Piedmont where is Villamiroglio was modeled mainly during the Miocene's period, initially covered by the waters of the sea basin that covered much of northern Italy formed during the Cretaceous, emerged and was again invaded by tectonic movements caused by the raise of the Ligurian Apennines, until the final evaporation of water at the end of this period, and the subsequent emersion of the Po Valley. These steps led to the deposition of sediments of mixed limestone and clay, called marl but here most known as tufa, on which over time were shaped the sweet hills of the territory. Tufa formations are still visible in different parts of the territory of Villamiroglio, especially along the hillcoast road of Monte Bric and especially in Monte Croce's area, where is detected the presence of a particular variety known as Pietra da Cantoni. Clays are clearly visible in the soils of the valleys, soils structurally weak at hydrogeological level, with stratification, particularly in the vicinity of the rivers, of blue clay, a variety of marl clay poor of iron formed in the prior Pliocene. Rockier, however, is the area of Rairolo, on the slopes, in fact, of the Monte delle Pietre, today characterized by paths with an almost mountain flavor and wide meadows. Complex the hydrological situation present in Villamiroglio, with four main watercourses in the valleys, the Rio Marca and its three tributaries, the Rio Santa Liberata, the Rio Valle del Curto and Rio Valle Madonnina, and many seasonal streams. In some places you can see small springs, particularly in the area called "Garitta" alog the Strada Mezzalfenga and into the north-west path of Monte Croce, whose top was leveled by the construction of the storage basin of the Acqueduct of Monferrato.
From urban side, always the settlements of Villamiroglio were characterized by a fragmented structure, with the division in villages and townships composed mostly of families dedicated to agriculture, which took place in particular between the second half of the '800 and the first '900, around the two main centers of opposite characteristics, one perched on top of the hill around the church of SS Philip and Michael, who took the place of the former parish church and the castle of Miroglio, and the linear and flat township of Vallegioliti, on the route to Odalengo Grande. More detailed texts on historical, artistic-religious and devotional peculiarities of the territory are presented in the pages Historic Places, Religious Monuments and Devotional Signs.
 

The ecosystem of Villamiroglio is particularly fascinating and full of surprises. Like after the emergence of the Po Valley, the area is back to being characterized mainly by woods and uncultivated, after the recent gradual abandonment of crops because of the inconvenience and the generally poor soil fertility. Remain active cultivation of some vineyards and poplar groves, some young hazelnut crops and fields of grain or fodder or for the production of vegetables, but a far less extensive than in past decades.
The woods yet have a rich biodiversity, the most widespread species today is the robinia, or gaggia, specie introduced from the America in the '600 and becomed today a protagonist of the woody hilly areas due to its invasiveness. Typical and spread species are the downy and durmast, and wild cherry trees, with the presence of increasingly rare species of oak, ash, chestnut, elm and elder. Other species that can be found sporadically are the most mountainous laburnum, ferns and some species of conifers that create small pine forests, especially spruce. Wide spread are the shrubs as blackthorn, hawthorn, dogwood, spindle tree and brambles.
Very rich the herbaceous flora, endless species can be seen along the trails, in the woods and meadows of Villamiroglio throughout the year. Depending on the season you can see many examples of stinking hellebore already in winter, species with a curious name, but lovely looking. Follow in spring primroses, violets, pulmonary, hepatic and buttercups, and we note the presence of specimens of purple orchids, particularly in the Monte Bric. In summer blooms many common flowers such as sage meadow, yarrow, the sorrel and daisies, but are also found less widespread species as wild iris, larkspur, lily of St. John, wild grass pea and even was reported the presence of a specimen of the rare and protected yellow foxglove, the rarest among foxgloves. Even the autumn shows particular species, such as the popular climbing ivy, clematis and tamaro, goldenrod, black nightshade and the particular inflorescences of some teasels. Every corner of Villamiroglio offers different and fascinating species, a must for fans of botany is a visit of Area Tram, at the intersection of the paths of Monte Croce behind the cemetery, where it grows a really impressive variety of species of flowers in a really narrow space. For a more comprehensive list of the trees and flowers can help you to "browse" the album of the Herbarium of Villamiroglio in Foto, which contain images accompanied by information and trivia about the species so far observed and photographed in Villamiroglio, or contact for more information or to take advantage of a local guide for curious walks Villamiroglio in Foto.
Dodge is the fauna, which offers many specimens of wild boar, sometimes a source of danger on the roads and damage to crops, rabbits and reptiles such as snakes and vipers. Less shy the birds, from pheasants to small sparrows, chickadees, finches and swallows up the starlings and the crows and some birds of prey such as hawks or owls and rare species of ducks, that from the nearby river Po reach the watercourses of Villamiroglio. Many of course the insects like crickets and the colorful butterflies, with a recent recovery of the presence of dragonflies and the propagation of tiger mosquitoes.