In Ciolo's area several botanical rarities can be found:
mediterranean onion species,
ferns, the
Alyssum of Leuca, the
Fiordaliso of Leuca, the
Campanula pugliese, the
Vicia Giacominiana and several type of rare
orchids.
Ferns Ciolo is an hypogeal habitat for botanical species like
cryptogams:
algae,
mosses and
ferns. There are about sixty species of
bryophytes living in the caves of Apulia which have been studied, including fifteen types of ferns. Focusing the attention on the caves in Apulia, it is worth considering the distribution of ferns (
Filicopsida). Ferns have interested many scientists since the 1950s and 1960s, the biggest contributions to the studies in this area were made by Franco Anelli, Francesco Orfino and Pietro Parenzan. They mainly focused on
Grotta di Castellana but extended their studies also to Ciolo. The
University of Lecce undertook pteridological studies on this territory. The caves have very limited examples of
phototrophic
vegetation. There are some cases in which it is possible to find
etiolate plants inside these caves. These plants grow from seeds transported by water, but without light they do not grow enough and then they die. For their sexed reproduction high
humidity is essential, humidity is also the reason for the low
desiccation process. Ciolo's Caves are the only certified sites in Apulia where
Asplenium marinum exists. Ciolo's Caves are on the boundary of the Eastern area of this species. The
morphology of the caves has determined their plant colonization. The wide entrance of some of the caves have created an ideal plant
habitat and supports a major vegetal population. Populations are small and with a poor capability to adapt. There is scientific evidence that a unique event of colonization gave birth to single fern populations. Protected habitats can function as
shelters (they protect some species) if they have particular micro-climatic conditions, thus they act for species which haven't found a balance with the changeable environment. The status of
phytogeographic relict can be defined only for some species of ferns. Following the hypothesis of
Pichi Sermolli the Asplenium marines in Apulia in Ciolo could be a relic from the wet period of the
Pleistocene. It is possible to track different
chorological models in the Ciolo using the distribution of
Asplenium marinum. There is an hypothesis that the species is present in this territory as a relic banished to an
hypogeal habitat due to
climate changes.
Alyssum of Leuca Along the paths that cover the area of Ciolo some botanical species of flowers can be found such as the Alyssum, a typical plant of this part of the region. It can be easily found due to the fact that it usually grows under the solar exposition, it is resistant to both cold and warm weather, and it can grow in stony and dry areas.
Vicia Giacominiana The Vicia Giacominiana is a special type of plant native of Salento. It is a therophyte, and it is usually two meters high. It flowers during the months of April and May. Its flowers are
fuchsia, arranged in groups of racemes with a stem twice the length of the leaves. The Vicia Giacominiana is found exclusively within herbaceous communities of plants.
Fiordaliso of Leuca The Fiordaliso of Leuca is a rare plant, native from the area of Salento, which grows above limestone cliffs and next to the sea. It is a perennial, bushy and thick plant, that can reach the height of 30 up to 60
meters.
Carnation of Salento The Carnation of Salento, also called
Dianthus Japigicus Bianco & Brullo, of the
Caryophyllaceae family, is a new species of Cernation born in Salento that grows on the limestone walls between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca. These plants have branched stems and their flowers consist of five pink or purple petals with a jagged edge. {{gallery|File:Pyramidal orchid.jpg|Pyramidal orchid|File:Campanula pugliese at Ciolo.jpg|Campanula pugliese at Ciolo|File:Alyssum of Leuca.jpg == Fauna ==