The Salse di Nirano nature reserve is a protected natural area entirely included in the municipal territory of Fiorano Modenese, in the province of Modena, in a hilly area with gullies between the altitudes of 150 and 300 meters above sea level. It was the first regional reserve to be established in Emilia-Romagna. The heart of the protected area is characterized by the presence of the unusual geological phenomenon of eruptive sauces. This consists of the rising from the subsoil of cold clayey mud mixed with hydrocarbons, which drying up builds volcanic-looking cones up to a few meters high. The growth of these volcanoes is in balance between the continuous supply of mud from the subsoil and their washout by rain. In the silence of the place the faint mutterings produced by the released gas bubbles are perceptible.
The whole area can be traveled along easy marked trails.

The nature reserve is entirely contained in the site of community interest "Salse di Nirano" (IT40400007), which covers an area of u200bu200b371 hectares, almost double the area of u200bu200bthe reserve.