The surroundings of Carbonia, in spite of being deeply hurt by the mining activity, keep a naturalistic heritage that, in some cases, assumes an inestimable value.
Canale Peddori, an area situated close to the town, presents ecological-environmental peculiarities witch have allowed the development and the preservation of some endemic floral and faunal species, up till now studied by authoritative scholars of the scientific world.
Buxus Balearica
In this area there is an areale of Buxus Balearica, a shrub of subtropical origins which does not grow wild elsewhere in Sardinia and in Italy.
S In the same area lives another rarity recently discovered : it is a particular species of "geotritone" (known in the scientific world with the name of Speleomantes), an urodelan amphibian similar to the newts but genetically different from other species present in Italy and in the world. The scanty population of "geotritoni" has found in a small cavity its natural habitat.
Rare specimen of "geotritone" (Hydromantes)
Lots of other endemisms, however, grow all over the territory. In the Mediterranean maquis among cistus and junipers, brooms and arbutus, heathers and lavanders there are more than 15 species of orchids, small miniature masterpieces of form and colours and the pancratium illyricum, with a wonderful white flower like a star.
Orchid (Ofride Tenthredinifera)
Pancratium Illyricum
Other noticeable flowers such as small and sweet iris, wild sword-lilies, sowbreads and the genista morisii Colla, a so-called paleoendemism can be admired in the maquis.
The fauna presents, as the flora, a great variety of species.
Boulders and steep slows are the ideal habitat of various species of day birds of prey such as hawks, kites and buzzards.
The Mediterranean maquis shelters different species of animals such as foxes and hares, partridges and thrushes, weasels and hedgehogs. Moreover song birds such as blackbirds and nightingales, buntings and linnets and others, accompany the visitor who goes along the numerous paths in the town countryside.
Bee-eater
With a little bit of fortune, it is possible to run into the bee-eater, the most picturesque bird that frequents the island of Sardinia. Its plumage is a pure kaleidoscope of colours, a jewel of the Sardinian naturalistic jewel case; a sign of colours is also given by the presence of the hoopoe, the jay and the pink flamingo.
Pink flamingos can be frequently admired in the wetlands, above all brackish lagoons, some kilometres far from Carbonia, together with white egrets, herons, bald-coots, avocets and other aquatic species.
Pink flamingos
Going across the windswept paths, on the big calcareous rocks, where the landscape become rough, it is astonishing to find numerous examples of natural "bonsai", survivals of plants in hostile surroundings, pure spectacle of forms and colours.
And then, near Sirri, a classic "medau" on the hill and a witness of the ancient peasant culture, it is possible to admire a natural waterfall that, in winter time, assumes an impressive aspect being totally encircled by the vegetation.
Sirri waterfall
The territory of Carbonia, therefore offers to visitors a good occasion to see and immortalize, with a video or a camera, unique aspects of the Sardinian environment.
