The project "Rete Natura 2000" originates from the directive of the European Union n. 43/1992 named "Habitat". This project aims at preserving the biological variety in the territories of the Union itself and, in particular, at protecting a series of habitats, animal and vegetals species which are rather rare. The directive in question provides that the States of the European Union contribute to the constitution of the Natura 2000 ecologic net, just in function of the presence on their territory of these natural habitats and rare species of plants and animals.

The place includes a submontane area, characteristic of the Appannino "Cesenate", situated between Borello and the Savio river, near Sarsina. Around the aerial, semicircular spur of Careste, which slopes down north, towards the Rio Cella-Ranchio and south towards the Molinello ditch (with ita famous Marmitte dei Giganti) the landscape is characterized by sandstone hillsides, with the strong presence of marly-calcareous parts, where we find both hills and submontane woods, alternated by valleculae at intervals intensively eroded.

A dirt road runs circularly across this area and it follows, in its highest stretch, the ridge between the Savio and the Borello valley. Except for a few settlementes, the territory is characterized by the presence of ruins and abandoned churches. Of a particular interest are the seventeenth-century church of St. Andrea, in Careste, situated just on the ridge between the two valleys, and the curch of Sy. Salvatore, in Montalto, from which the precious bas-relief of the high altar in the cathedral of Sarsina comes.

The area, which was in the past populated by rural settlements, occupies the north part of the wide State demesne "Foresta di Careste-Sarsina". Woods, which cover more than the 50% of the area, mainly with coppices, present actually quite a modest development, and are frequently extended and reinvigorated with conifers (especially with Scoth pines and stone pines).
Grasslands and uncultivated lands alternate with garrigues, bushes and shrubs, especially of juniper. This kind of vegetation creates a suitable  habitat for orchids which grow thick and luxuriant. 
The management of this site does not present any relevant obstacle or risk since the area is unhinabitated and there is already a forest regulation which will increase the number of big or marcescent trees with hollows for the fauna. Three habitats of Community interest cover altogether about the third of the surface of the site.

Vegetation
The woods, altered by the repeated and intense fellings, are dominated by hornbeams, durmasts, manna-ashes but also, in some areas, by Turkey oaks, chestnuts, sorbs and maples. More interesting are the various species of bushes, which often alternate with semiarid grasslands and garrigues. These kinds of vegetation are in different phases of development, mostly slown down by the general conditions of poor fertility. 
IThe common Juniper and the genista are probably the most diffused species, together with another specie of juniper, the Juniperus oxycedrus var. rufescens,  especially in the warmest sectors and curiously associated with the Polygala chamaebuxus and the Calluna vulgaris, (north european species) or with the Cistus incanus and the Cotynus coggygrya.
The entire place represents, besides, the ideal habitat for the orchids: here we can find, even under the thin covering of the coniferous trees, various uncommon species such as the Aceras antropophorum, the Himantoglossum adriaticum, the Serapias spp. and the Ophrys.

Fauna
As far as the avifauna is concerned, we have a great number of woodlarks (Lullula arborea) and shrikes (Lanius collurio), as well as about ten species which are typical of the agricultural and hill habitat. As for the mammals, we can find porcupines, polecat and Eliomys quercinus. Among the minor vertebrates we count the newt (Triturus carnifex), the Esculapius' snake and the tree frog. Among the invertebrates, we have the insects Percus passerinii, the Isotomus barbarae, and the Nebria fulviventris. An up-to-date faunal census, with a special reference to the forestal chiropterans, will be able better to define the presence of species which have not been verified yet.

The entire area is fit for interesting excursions thanks to the charme and splendour of its landscapes as well as its vegetation and animal species.