Editing South Tyrol (section)

== Geography ==
[[File:Map of South Tyrol (de).png|thumb|Detailed map of South Tyrol]]
South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by the Austrian federal states [[Tyrol (federal state)|Tyrol]] and [[Salzburg (federal state)|Salzburg]], and by the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] canton of [[Graubünden]] to the west. The Italian provinces of [[Province of Belluno|Belluno]], [[Province of Trentino|Trentino]], and [[Province of Sondrio|Sondrio]] border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively.

The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types of [[shrubs]] and [[forests]] and is highly mountainous.

Entirely located in the [[Alps]], the province's landscape is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is the [[Ortler]] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in the [[Eastern Alps]] outside the [[Bernina Range]]. Even more famous are the craggy peaks of the [[Dolomites]] in the eastern part of the region.

The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from the west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border.
[[File:Val dUltimo - Ultental (4724017376).jpg|thumb|[[Ulten Valley]]]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Name!!Highest peak (German/Italian)!!metres!!feet
|-
|[[Ortler Alps]]||[[Ortler|Ortler/Ortles]]||align=right|3,905||align=right|12,811
|-
|[[Sesvenna Range]]||Muntpitschen/Monpiccio||align=right|3,162||align=right|10,374
|-
|[[Ötztal Alps]]||[[Weißkugel|Weißkugel/Palla Bianca]]||align=right|3,746||align=right|12,291
|-
|[[Stubai Alps]]||[[Wilder Freiger|Wilder Freiger/Cima Libera]]||align=right|3,426||align=right|11,241
|-
|[[Sarntal Alps]]||[[Hirzer (Sarntal Alps)|Hirzer/Punta Cervina]]||align=right|2,781||align=right|9,124
|-
|[[Zillertal Alps]]||[[Hochfeiler|Hochfeiler/Gran Pilastro]]||align=right|3,510||align=right|11,515
|-
|[[Hohe Tauern]]||[[Dreiherrnspitze|Dreiherrnspitze/Picco dei Tre Signori]]||align=right|3,499||align=right|11,480
|-
|[[Dolomites|Eastern Dolomites]]||[[Dreischusterspitze|Dreischusterspitze/Punta Tre Scarperi]]||align=right|3,152||align=right|10,341
|-
|Western Dolomites||[[Langkofel|Langkofel/Sassolungo]]||align=right|3,181||align=right|10,436
|-
|}

Located between the mountains are many [[Valleys of South Tyrol|valleys]], where the majority of the population lives.

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{See also|Municipalities of South Tyrol}}
The province is divided into eight districts (German: ''Bezirksgemeinschaften'', Italian: {{italic correction|''comunità comprensoriali''}}), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called the district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes.

The province is further divided into 116 ''[[Gemeinde (South Tyrol)|Gemeinde]]n'' or ''[[Comune|comuni]]''.<ref name="stinf-2010">{{cite web
 |title       = ''South Tyrol in figures''
 |work        = Provincial Statistics Institute (ASTAT)
 |url         = http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
 |access-date  = 4 September 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110905153901/http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
 |archive-date = 5 September 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

=== Districts ===
{{see also|Districts of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}}
[[File:Comunità comprensoriali Alto Adige.svg|thumb|Map of South Tyrol with its eight districts]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District (German/Italian)
!Capital (German/Italian)
!Area
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen/Bolzano || [[Bolzano|Bozen/Bolzano]] || align="right" | 52<!-- genauer 52.34 --> km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 107,436
|-
|[[Burggrafenamt|Burggrafenamt/Burgraviato]] || [[Merano|Meran/Merano]] || align="right" | 1,101&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 97,315
|-
|[[Puster Valley|Pustertal/Val Pusteria]] || [[Bruneck|Bruneck/Brunico]] || align="right" | &nbsp;2,071&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 79,086
|-
|[[Überetsch-Unterland|Überetsch-Unterland/Oltradige-Bassa Atesina]] || [[Neumarkt, South Tyrol|Neumarkt/Egna]] || align="right" | 424&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 71,435
|-
|[[Eisacktal|Eisacktal/Valle Isarco]] || [[Brixen|Brixen/Bressanone]] || align="right" | 624&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 49,840
|-
|[[Salten-Schlern|Salten-Schlern/Salto-Sciliar]] || Bozen/Bolzano || align="right" | 1,037&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 48,020
|-
|[[Vinschgau|Vinschgau/Val Venosta]] || [[Schlanders|Schlanders/Silandro]] || align="right" | 1,442<!-- genauer 1,441.68 --> km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 35,000
|-
|[[Wipptal (district)|Wipptal/Alta Valle Isarco]] || [[Sterzing|Sterzing/Vipiteno]] || align="right" | 650&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 18,220
|}

=== Largest municipalities ===
[[File:BozenLaubenGasse.jpg|thumb|The ''Laubengasse'' or ''Via dei portici'', a street in the capital Bolzano]]
[[File:Brixen Innenstadt.jpg|thumb|Brixen is the third largest city]]
{| class="wikitable"
!German name
!Italian name
!Ladin name
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen
|[[Bolzano]]
|Balsan, Bulsan
| align="right" |107,724
|-
|[[Meran]]
|Merano
|Maran
| align="right" |40,926
|-
|[[Brixen]]
|Bressanone
|Persenon, Porsenù
| align="right" |22,423
|-
|Leifers
|[[Laives]]
|
| align="right" |18,097
|-
|[[Bruneck]]
|Brunico
|Bornech, Burnech
| align="right" |16,636
|-
|[[Eppan an der Weinstraße]]
|Appiano sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |14,990
|-
|[[Lana, South Tyrol|Lana]]
|Lana
|
| align="right" |12,468
|-
|[[Kaltern an der Weinstraße]]
|Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |7,512
|-
|[[Ritten]]
|Renon
|
| align="right" |7,507
|-
|[[Sarntal]]
|Sarentino
|
| align="right" |6,863
|-
|[[Kastelruth]]
|Castelrotto
|Ciastel
| align="right" |6,456
|-
|[[Sterzing]]
|Vipiteno
|
| align="right" |6,306
|-
|[[Schlanders]]
|Silandro
|
| align="right" |6,014
|-
|[[Ahrntal]]
|Valle Aurina
|
| align="right" |5,876
|-
|[[Naturns]]
|Naturno
|
| align="right" |5,440
|-
|[[Sand in Taufers]]
|Campo Tures
|
| align="right" |5,230
|-
|[[Latsch]]
|Laces
|
| align="right" |5,145
|-
|[[Klausen, South Tyrol|Klausen]]
|Chiusa
|Tluses, Tlüses
| align="right" |5,134
|-
|[[Mals]]
|Malles
|
| align="right" |5,050
|-
|[[Neumarkt, South Tyrol|Neumarkt]]
|Egna
|
| align="right" |4,926
|-
|[[Algund]]
|Lagundo
|
| align="right" |4,782
|-
|St. Ulrich
|Ortisei
|[[Urtijëi]]
| align="right" |4,606
|-
|[[Ratschings]]
|Racines
|
| align="right" |4,331
|-
||[[Terlan]]
|Terlano
|
| align="right" |4,132
|}

=== Climate ===
Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups:

The [[Adige]] valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about {{convert|0|C|F}}) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|23|C|F}}), usually [[Köppen climate classification|classified]] as [[humid subtropical climate]]&nbsp;— Cfa. It has the driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area is [[Bolzano]].

The midlands, between {{convert|300|and|900|m|ft}}, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-3|and|1|C|F}}) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between {{convert|15|and|21|C|F}}). This is a typical [[oceanic climate]], classified as Cfb. It is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area are [[Merano|Meran]], [[Bruneck]], [[Sterzing]], and [[Brixen]]. Near the lakes in higher lands (between {{convert|1000|and|1400|m|ft}}) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to a [[Oceanic_climate#Subpolar_variety_(Cfc,_Cwc)|subpolar oceanic climate]], Cfc.

[[File:Blick über Meran nach Nordwesten.jpg|thumb|Meran/Merano in the summer|299x299px]]
The alpine valleys between {{convert|900|and|1400|m|ft}}, with a typically [[humid continental climate]]&nbsp;— Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-8|and|-3|C|F}}), and the summers, mild with averages between {{convert|14|and|19|C|F}}. It is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area are [[Urtijëi]], [[Badia, South Tyrol|Badia]], [[Sexten]], [[Toblach]], [[Stilfs]], [[Vöran]], and [[Mühlwald]].

The alpine valleys between {{convert|1400|and|1700|m|ft}}, with a [[subarctic climate]]&nbsp;— Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-9|and|-5|C|F}}) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|12|C|F}}). These areas usually have five months below the freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area are [[Corvara, South Tyrol|Corvara]], [[Sëlva]], [[Santa Cristina Gherdëina]].

The highlands above {{convert|1700|m|ft}}, with an [[Alpine climate|alpine]] [[tundra climate]], ET, which becomes an [[ice cap climate]], EF, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}}. The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as the higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at {{convert|2000|m|ft}} have an average temperature of about {{convert|-5|C|F}}, while in the valleys at about {{convert|1600|m|ft}}, the mean temperature may be as low as {{convert|-8|or|-9|C|F}}. The higher lands, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}} are usually extremely cold, with averages of about {{convert|-14|C|F}} during the coldest month, January.

=== Geology ===
[[File:Marmolada + Sellaronda tour 12.jpg|thumb|Langkofel group in the western Dolomites in winter|299x299px]]The periadriatic seam, which separates the [[Southern Alps (Europe)|Southern Alps]] from the [[Central Alps]], runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of the Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Entstehungsgeschichte - NaturStein Südtirol|url=http://www.naturstein-suedtirol.it/natur/entstehungsgeschichte/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.naturstein-suedtirol.it}}</ref>

In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixen [[granite]] was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about the same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strong [[Volcano|volcanic activity]] that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In the [[Triassic]], massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in the Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity.

In South Tyrol, the [[Eastern Alps]] consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble and [[Mesozoic]] sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of the Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge).<ref>Geologische Bundesanstalt: Geofast-Karten</ref>

The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12&nbsp;km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and the [[Earth pyramids of Ritten|Ritten Earth Pyramids]], which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to {{convert|30|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Mountains ===
[[File:Drei zinnen gross.jpg|thumb|[[Drei Zinnen]]-[[Tre Cime di Lavaredo]] in the [[Sexten]] Dolomites bordering the province of Belluno|300x300px]]
According to the Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are the Dolomites, parts of which were recognized by [[UNESCO]] in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site".

Although some isolated massifs approach {{convert|4000|m|ft}} and show strong [[glaciation]] (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft}}. Among the multitude of peaks, the [[Dolomites]] are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: the [[Ortler]] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, the [[Schlern]] ({{convert|2563|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the country's "landmark" and the [[Tre Cime di Lavaredo|Drei Zinnen]] ({{convert|2999|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are the [[Königspitze]] ({{convert|3851|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Weißkugel]] ({{convert|3739|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Similaun]] ({{convert|3599|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Hochwilde]] ({{convert|3480|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Sarner Weißhorn ({{convert|2705|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochfeiler ({{convert|3509|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Dreiherrnspitze ({{convert|3499|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochgall ({{convert|3436|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Peitlerkofel ({{convert|2875|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Langkofel ({{convert|3181|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Rosengartenspitze ({{convert|2981|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The extensive mountain [[landscapes]], about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the {{convert|57|km2|sqmi}} of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of former [[valley]] systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as the "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlement [[history]].<ref>Ernst Steinicke, Giuliana Andreotti: ''Das Pustertal. Geographische Profile im Raum von Innichen und Bruneck.'' In: Ernst Steinicke (Hrsg.): ''Europaregion Tirol, Südtirol, Trentino. Band 3: Spezialexkursionen in Südtirol.'' Institut für Geographie der Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck 2003, {{ISBN|3-901182-35-7}}, S. 14.</ref>

=== Valleys ===
[[File:Santa Crusc da Pescol.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Val Badia, near the town of Badia]]
The three main valleys of South Tyrol are the [[Etschtal|Adige Valley]], the [[Eisacktal|Eisack Valley]] and the [[Puster Valley]], formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen ({{convert|1507|m|ft|0|disp=or}}) to Töll (approx. {{convert|500|m|ft|disp=or}}) near Merano, is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause ({{convert|207|m|ft|0|disp=or}}), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain at [[Verona]].

At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with the Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel ({{convert|1210|m|ft|0|disp=or}}). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun, the Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz.

In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the total [[land area]] is above {{convert|1500|m|ft}} above sea level and only 14% below {{convert|1000|m|ft}}.<ref>Reinhard Kuntzke, Christiane Hauch: ''Südtirol. DuMont Reise-Taschenbuch''. Dumont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern 2012, {{ISBN|978-3-7701-7251-1}}, S. 44.</ref> Therefore, a large part of the [[population]] is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between {{convert|100|and|1200|m|ft}}, mainly in the area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture.

=== Hydrography ===
[[File:Pragser Wildsee Seekofel von Bucht.jpg|thumb|Braies Lake or Pragser Wildsee|301x301px]]
The most important river in South Tyrol is the [[Adige River|Adige]], which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about {{convert|140|km|mi}} to the border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of {{convert|415|km|mi|0}} in Italy is exceeded only by the [[Po river|Po]], drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about {{convert|100|km|mi}} long, and the Rienz, about {{convert|80|km|mi}} long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in the tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by the [[Drava]] and [[Inn (river)|Inn]] river systems to the [[Black Sea]] and by the [[Piave (river)|Piave river]] system to the [[Adriatic Sea]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://umwelt.provinz.bz.it/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz|language=de}}</ref>

In South Tyrol there are 176 natural [[lake]]s with an area of more than half a [[hectare]] (1¼ acre), most of which are located above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} [[altitude]]. Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below {{convert|1000|m|ft}} altitude: the Kalterer See ({{convert|215|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Großer ({{convert|492|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Kleiner [[Montiggler Seen|Montiggler See]] ({{convert|514|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee ({{convert|1498|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), which with an area of {{convert|523|ha|sqmi|sigfig=3}} forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee ({{convert|1850|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Arzkarsee ({{convert|2250|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The [[natural monument]]s designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee ({{convert|1494|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Karersee ({{convert|1519|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) or the Spronser Seen ({{convert|2117|-|2589|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Vegetation ===
[[File:Latemarspitze Karersee.JPG|thumb|Group of spruce and pine trees in Latemar forest]]
Approximately 50% of the area of South Tyrol is covered by [[forests]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Südtirols Wald: Flächen {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175530/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> another 40% is above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between {{convert|1900|and|2200|m|ft}}. In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and at [[altitudes]] between {{convert|1200|and|1800|m|ft}}. Approximately 24% of the forest area can be classified as [[Protected area|protective forest]] preserving settlements, traffic routes and other human [[infrastructure]]. A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms.

The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered with [[Riparian zone|riparian]] forests, of which only very small remnants remain along the [[river]]s. The remaining areas have given way to settlements and [[agricultural land]]. On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to {{convert|800|or|900|m|ft}} altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downy [[oak]]. From about {{convert|600|m|ft}} of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between {{convert|800|and|1500|m|ft}}, spruce forests are found; between {{convert|900|and|2000|m|ft}}, montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine and [[Pinus cembra|stone pine]]. The larch and stone pine forests at the upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpine [[grasslands]] and, lately, alpine [[tundra]] dominate the landscape as vegetation types.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Lebensgemeinschaft Wald {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100820/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>