Page 80 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #04
P. 80
TOP A small group of red deer emerge at ABOVE LEFT When spring ABOVE On a rainy day, an
dusk from a beech forest. These animals have arrives the life cycle of the Apennine fire salamander
become abundant in the central Apennine beech forest unfolds. Here, moves through the forest in
Mountains, following reintroduction projects. beech saplings emerge from the search of worms and other small
During the breeding season, which occurs in woodland floor. A bumper crop invertebrates. Beech woodland
the autumn, they abandon the safety of the of beechmast is produced by is shady and characterised by
woodland and venture out into the open to beech trees every four to five a dense carpet of beechmast
mate. Stags impress females with elaborate years, which is welcomed by husks and fallen leaves, which
displays of dominance. birds and mammals. take a long time to decompose.
80 BBC Wildlife April 2018
