Habitat The Protect Area "La Querciola" lies in the Commune of Sesto Fiorentino, in the territory commonly known as the Florentine Plain. This area is characterised by alluvial soils, whose mud-clay texture means they are prone to clogging with consequent stagnation of the water. The main remaining activity is agriculture, generally practised on a large scale so that plant cover is practically inexistent. Exceptions are rare isolated trees, sparse relict rows of vineyards and small orchards, related to residual fruit growing. Uncultivated areas between the cultivated fields are used for residual grazing activity. The protected area stretches for approximately 50 hectares and includes about 7 hectares of wetlands maintained for hunting (Padule pond) as well as another newly constructed pond of about 1.5 hectares where hunting is prohibited. The Commune of Sesto Fiorentino has recently purchased approximately 5 hectares of land where, as well as excavating an educational pond, it has re-wooded the area and constructed small building and trails as a first step in the fruition of the area.