Betula Aetnensis - A symbol that is disappearing

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vito finocchiaro

May 1, 2018

A birch forest in Sicily is in itself a rarity, as this is an arboreal species typical of the high latitudes of the countries of Northern Europe, such as Scandinavia. If you add to this exceptionality the particularity of the location, where the background color is the black of the lava of the volcano Etna, then you are right in front of a unique landscape.The Betula Aetnensis with its smooth white bark, furrowed by characteristic eye-shaped designs, stands out, in fact, long and elegant on the black expanses of volcanic sand. Its peculiarity, which distinguishes it from other species of the genus Betula, is a conducting apparatus that has adapted to survive in extreme heat and cold. It is present only on Etna territory, both on the western and the eastern sides of the volcano, at altitudes between 1450 and 2000 meters. Its presence on the island is traced back to the effects of the last glaciation on Sicilian habitats. The geological vicissitudes suggest that southern Italy and Sicily represented an area of refuge for the birch during that era. Finding it in extremely low temperatures, the birch tree fell from the high latitudes of Northern Europe, at lower latitudes up to some areas of Sicily. The increase in temperature at the end of the glaciation confined the birch only in the Etna area, as there were no more favorable climatic conditions in other areas of Sicily. Over time it has evolved, adapting itself to the climate and the volcanic soil, until it becomes endemic and symbol of Etna. A symbol that, however, risks disappearing.
In spring 2004, in fact, some researchers of the Distef of the University of Catania and the technicians of the UOB 54 - OMP of Acireale, carried out an inspection on the north-eastern flank of Etna to investigate a death of these trees. Symptoms common to fungal infections both at the roots and at the collar have been observed in birch settlements. The plants were uprooted and showed a withering of the leaves and a drying out of the branches. From the cut trunks a rotten and carious fabric appeared especially in the central part. In dead and dying plants, the roots had lost their consistency, appearing dark and with a strongly altered wood structure. From the dead plants the sap loses like a body that loses its blood.
The death of the birches observed is very worrying because some questions remain so far without an answer.

Vito Finocchiaro

Vito Finocchiaro

Viso Finocchiaro's work is focused on naturalistic and landscape photography, social and anthropological reportage, Social Issues, and events.

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