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Musarella CM, Laface VLA, Angiolini C, Bacchetta G, Bajona E, Banfi E, Barone G, Biscotti N, Bonsanto D, Calvia G, Cambria S, Capuano A, Caruso G, Crisafulli A, Del Guacchio E, Di Gristina E, Domina G, Fanfarillo E, Fascetti S, Fiaschi T, Galasso G, Mascia F, Mazzacuva G, Mei G, Minissale P, Motti R, Perrino EV, Picone RM, Pinzani L, Podda L, Potenza G, Rosati L, Stinca A, Tavilla G, Villano C, Wagensommer RP, Spampinato G. New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:620. [PMID: 38475466 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Despite the wide amount of scientific contributions published on alien plant species, their diffusion dynamics, and their interactions with native taxa, it is increasingly difficult to slow down their spreading and their negative impact on habitats. Last recent years, in fact, a sharp rise in the number of new alien plant taxa introduced in Italy and Europe has been recorded. The aim of this work is to investigate most of the Italian territory in order to verify whether this alarming trend is still underway. Specimen collections and/or observations of alien plants have been performed in as many as 12 Italian regions. All the collected specimens are stored in public or private herbaria. Taxa have been identified according to the literature from the countries of origin of the investigated taxa, while the nomenclature followed the current international references. Updates on 106 taxa are reported. In particular, among 117 new records, 89 are first records, 27 are changes to status and there is 1 extinction. Seven new taxa for Italian alien flora are reported, two of which are new to Europe. The administrative regions with the highest number of records are Calabria (48), Sardegna (17) and Sicilia (15). Five of the surveyed taxa, for the first time, have been considered invasive aliens to Italian territory. The unfrequent amount of original results provided by this work, over the simple importance of data itself, proves how floristic investigation, still today, represents one of the most effective tools in broadening the current knowledge about alien taxa and their dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Maria Musarella
- AGRARIA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Angiolini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Bacchetta
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enrico Bajona
- PLANTA/Center for Research, Documentation and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Enrico Banfi
- Section of Botany, Natural History Museum of Milan, Corso Venezia 55, 20121 Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Barone
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Science, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bldg. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Nello Biscotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (D3A), Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniele Bonsanto
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (D3A), Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giacomo Calvia
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cambria
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Alberto Capuano
- AGRARIA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- AGRARIA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Istituto Tecnico Agrario "V. Emanuele II", Via Cortese 1, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Del Guacchio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Botanical Garden, Via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilio Di Gristina
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Science, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bldg. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianniantonio Domina
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Science, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bldg. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Fanfarillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simonetta Fascetti
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment, University of Basilicata, Via Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Tiberio Fiaschi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Galasso
- Section of Botany, Natural History Museum of Milan, Corso Venezia 55, 20121 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Mascia
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuliana Mazzacuva
- AGRARIA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mei
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Aurelio Saffi, 2, 61029 Urbino PU, Italy
| | - Pietro Minissale
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Motti
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico Vito Perrino
- CIHEAM, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Picone
- Department of ChiBioFarAm, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pinzani
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Science, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Lina Podda
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Potenza
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment, University of Basilicata, Via Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rosati
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment, University of Basilicata, Via Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Adriano Stinca
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Tavilla
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), c/o Interateneo Physics Department, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Clizia Villano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Robert Philipp Wagensommer
- Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Viale Ratisbona 16, 39042 Brixen-Bressanone, Italy
| | - Giovanni Spampinato
- AGRARIA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Cambria S, Azzaro D, Caldarella O, Aleo M, Bazan G, Guarino R, Torre G, Cristaudo AE, Ilardi V, La Rosa A, Laface VLA, Luchino F, Mascia F, Minissale P, Sciandrello S, Tosetto L, Tavilla G. New Data on Native and Alien Vascular Flora of Sicily (Italy): New Findings and Updates. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091743. [PMID: 37176800 PMCID: PMC10181230 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, based on fieldwork and herbaria surveys, new data concerning the presence of 32 native and alien vascular species for Sicily (Italy) are provided. Among the native species, the occurrence of the following taxa is reported for the first time or confirmed after many decades of non-observation: Aira multiculmis, Arum maculatum, Carex flacca subsp. flacca, Mentha longifolia, Oxybasis chenopodioides, Najas minor and Xiphion junceum. Furthermore, we document the presence of three native species (Cornus mas, Juncus foliosus and Limonium avei) that, despite being repeatedly observed in Sicily and reported in the literature, are inexplicably omitted by the most recent authoritative checklists regarding the flora of Italy. Finally, fifteen alien species new to Sicily (including one new to Europe, i.e., Pyrus betulifolia) are reported and seven poorly documented allochthonous taxa are confirmed for the island, and for two of them, a status change is proposed. These new or confirmed records allow us to better define the European and national distribution of the targeted taxa and offer new insights on the native and alien flora of Sicily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Cambria
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Dario Azzaro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Caldarella
- Independent Researcher, Via Maria SS. Mediatrice 38, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Michele Aleo
- Independent Researcher, Via S. Safina, 91100 Trapani, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bazan
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Guarino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Torre
- Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt®, Meisenstraße 65, 33607 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Antonia Egidia Cristaudo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alfonso La Rosa
- Cooperativa Silene, Via V. D'Ondes Reggio 8/a, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Luchino
- Independent Researcher, Via Torrente Allume, 6/A, 98027 Roccalumera (ME), Italy
| | - Francesco Mascia
- Independent Researcher, Via Vittorio Emanuele III 41, 09020 Villanovaforru (SU), Italy
| | - Pietro Minissale
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Saverio Sciandrello
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Tosetto
- Independent Researcher, Via Pegorina 548, 35040 Casale di Scodosia (PD), Italy
| | - Gianmarco Tavilla
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
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The invasion history of Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii (Hydrocharitaceae) in Italy from herbarium accessions, field records and historical literature. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02949-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWe analysed the invasion history of two North American macrophytes (Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii) in Italy, through an accurate census of all available herbarium and field records, dating between 1850 and 2019, and a rich literature collection describing the initial introduction and naturalisation phase that supports the results obtained by the occurrence records. Elodea canadensis arrived in Italy before 1866 and had two invasion phases, between the 1890s and 1920s and between the 1990s and 2000s; E. nuttallii, probably arrived in the 1970s, started invading in 2000 and the invasion is still ongoing. Botanical gardens and fish farming played a crucial role in dispersal and naturalisation of both species. The current invasion range of both species is centred in northern Italy, with scattered occurrences of E. canadensis in central and southern regions. River Po represents a dispersal barrier to the Mediterranean region and a strategic monitoring site to prevent the invasion in the peninsula. The study detects differences in the niches of the two species during the introduction and naturalisation phase and a habitat switch occurred after 1980 in E. canadensis and after 2000 in E. nuttallii, during their expansion phases. For E. canadensis the switch corresponds to the second invasion round. Further research can clarify whether the second invasion round is due to confusion of the recently introduced E. nuttallii with E. canadensis, to a cryptic introduction of a new genotype, to post-introduction evolution, or just to an increased scientific interest in biological invasions.
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Abstract
AbstractAn updated checklist of the Calabrian alien vascular flora is presented. By way of field, bibliographic, and herbarium research, we recorded 382 alien taxa (representing almost 14% of all regional flora), of which 371 are angiosperms, nine gymnosperms, and two ferns. In relation to the state of spread, the majority of alien species are casual (207 taxa; 54%), followed by naturalized (127; 33%) and invasive (48; 13%), these last include four on the list of Union Concern, sensu Regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014. The most represented families are Asteraceae (39 taxa) and Poaceae (39). Among genera, Amaranthus (nine taxa), Prunus, Euphorbia, and Oxalis (seven taxa) make up those with the greatest number of taxa. A total of 21 taxa were reported for the first time, three of them are new to the European flora (Camptosema rubicundum, Musa ×paradisiaca and, only for continental Europe, Ipomoea hederacea), two to the Italian peninsula (Pelargonium graveolens, Schinus terebinthifolia) and 16 to the Calabrian flora (Aeonium arboreum, Asparagus asparagoides, Aspidistra elatior, Bidens sulphurea, Catalpa bignonioides, Citrus ×aurantium, Crassula ovata, Cucurbita ficifolia, Dimorphotheca ecklonis, Graptopetalum paraguayense subsp. paraguayense, Kalanchoë laxiflora, Nicotiana tabacum, Phytolacca dioica, Portulaca umbraticola, Talinum paniculatum, Tecomaria capensis). In terms of residence status, there are 291 neophytes (76%), 73 archaeophytes (19%), and 18 regional aliens (5%); neophytes are the most represented group (45 out of 48) among invasive taxa. Concerning life forms, the two most abundant groups are therophytes (30.1%, 115 taxa) and phanerophytes (29.6%, 113 taxa). Regarding habitats, 72% of alien taxa occur in artificial (199 taxa, 52%) and agricultural habitats (75 taxa, 20%). The majority of alien taxa are native to the Americas (159; 41.6%), numerous aliens also originated in Asia (76; 19.9%) and Africa (56; 14.7%). The majority of taxa were introduced for ornamental purposes (55%). Over the past decade, alien taxa in the flora in Calabria have increased from 190 to the current 382 taxa. While this trend could be linked to some extent to increasing awareness of the problem of alien species and the increasing intensity of research over recent decades, it is also most probably due to new introductions resulting from the globalization that relentlessly affects the whole planet.
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Analysis of the Forest Landscape and Its Transformations through Phytotoponyms: A Case Study in Calabria (Southern Italy). LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11040518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Place names, or toponyms, provide a useful geographical reference system; they can help analyse past landscapes, recover history and understand changes. Among place names, plant place names (phytotoponyms) can be used to analyse the current and past distribution of plants and plant communities and to highlight changes in land use due to human impacts and climate change. We assessed the feasibility of using place names related to species and forest ecosystems to evaluate changes that have affected the forest landscape. As a case study, we considered Calabria, a region in southern Italy rich in toponymic studies. We used the official topographic maps of Calabria, at scales of 1:25,000 and 1: 10,000, and literature data on Calabrian toponymy. To interpret toponyms related to plants and avoid errors, we performed a joint linguistic and naturalistic analysis. A total of 1609 phytotoponyms were identified relating to 45 forest species (28 trees and 17 shrubs) and 399 place names generically related to woods and forests. The most frequent plants associated with place names were Castanea sativa (8.3% of all plant place names), Quercus pubescens s.l. (7.2%), Salix sp. pl. (6.9%) and Quercus frainetto (5.6%). All the phytotoponyms were georeferenced and mapped in a GIS. Phytotoponym distribution maps were compared with current Calabrian forest vegetation, using digital orthophotos, land use maps and literature data. A close correspondence between phytotoponyms and forest vegetation for the mountain belt was identified. In contrast, in the basal belt, we found poor correspondence between phytotoponyms and current forest vegetation, especially for wet forests, that can be accounted for by the severe changes in the landscape due to the agricultural and urban transformations that have occurred. The spread of phytotoponyms concerning species linked to forest degradation, such as Spartium junceum, emphasises the ancient anthropic impacts on forests. Our study shows that phytotoponyms are an important tool for analysing changes in vegetation over time. They make it possible to reconstruct changes in the landscape and the intended use of the territory and provide useful information on the restoration of forest ecosystems.
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Italian Vascular Flora: New Findings, Updates and Exploration of Floristic Similarities between Regions. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13110600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The tradition of floristic studies in Italy has made it possible to obtain a good knowledge of plant diversity both on a national and regional scale. However, the lack of knowledge for some areas, advances in plant systematics and human activities related to globalization, highlight the need for further studies aimed at improving floristic knowledge. In this paper, based on fieldwork and herbaria and literature surveys, we update the knowledge on the Italian vascular flora and analyze the floristic similarities between the administrative regions. Four taxa, all exotic, were recorded for the first time in Italy and Europe. In detail, Elaeodendron croceum, Kalanchoë blossfeldiana, and Sedum spathulifolium var. spathulifolium were found as casual aliens, while Oxalis brasiliensis was reported as historical record based on some herbarium specimens. Furthermore, Kalanchoë laxiflora was confirmed as a casual alien species for Italy and Europe. Status changes for some taxa were proposed at both national and regional levels, as well as many taxa were reported as new or confirmed at the regional level. Currently the Italian vascular flora comprises 9150 taxa of which 7547 are native (of which 1598 are Italian endemics) and 1603 are exotic at the national level. The multivariate analysis of updated floristic data on a regional scale showed a clear distribution along the latitudinal gradient, in accordance with the natural geographical location of the regions in Italy. This pattern of plants distribution was not affected by the introduction of alien species. Despite some taxonomic and methodological issues which are still open, the data obtained confirm the important role of floristic investigations in the field and in herbaria, as well as the collaborative approach among botanists, in order to improve the knowledge of the Italian and European vascular flora.
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Bhat MN, Singh B, Surmal O, Singh B, Shivgotra V, Musarella CM. Ethnobotany of the Himalayas: Safeguarding Medical Practices and Traditional Uses of Kashmir Regions. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:851. [PMID: 34571728 PMCID: PMC8465354 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study was carried out to enlist the medicinal plants used by the local inhabitants of developing countries such as India, and the district of Kupwara of the Kashmir Himalaya has been targeted. Our research is one of the first study focusing on the statistical evaluation of the cross-cultural analysis between three different communities i.e., Dard, Kashmiri and Gujjar, of the study area. Sampling was carried out in eight villages in 2017 to 2020, and data were collected from 102 informants based on walking transects, to collect plant specimens, and semi-structured interviews. The medical usages of all collected taxa were grouped into 15 disease categories and 81 biomedical ailments. In this study, we documented around 107 plant taxa belonging to 52 families from the local inhabitants of the Kashmir Himalaya, which regulate the livelihood of the people and support cultural ecosystem services. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae, Polygonaceae, Plantaginaceae and Brassicaceae are the top most dominant families. Herbaceous groups of plants were more common than trees and shrubs, and 71.96% of herb taxa were employed as medicine. Liliaceae, Caprifoliaceae and Portulacaceae (FUV = 0.24 each) have the highest family use value (FUV). The most prominent family was Asteraceae (seven genera, nine taxa), followed by Rosaceae and Lamiaceae (six genera, six taxa each). Persicaria Mill., Rheum L., Aconitum L. and Artemisia L. were prominent genera. Valeriana jatamansi Jones ex Roxb. (47UR), Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don (45UR), Arisaema jacquemontii Blume (37UR), Asparagus racemosus Willd. (36UR) and Rumex acetosa L. (35UR) were the most important plant taxa with reference to use-reports. The ethnomedicinal applications of Aesculus indica Wall. ex Cambess., Solanum pseudocapsicum L., Ranunculus hirtellus Royle and Cormus domestica (L.) Spach plant taxa are reported here for the first time from the Himalayan Kashmiri people. We recommend further research on ethnopharmacological application of these newly recorded ethnobotanical plants. The medical usage of the plant was limited to different parts of the plant. In terms of the usage percentage, whole plant (26.17%), leaves (24.30%) and roots (19.63%) were found to have the highest utilization. The powder form (40.19%) was the most frequently employed method of drug/medicine preparation, followed by the utilization of extracted juice and/or other extracts (22.43%). The ICF values range from 0.85 to 1.00. Their use to remedy parasitic problems (PAR) and insect bites (IB) (ICF = 1.0 each) had the maximum consensus mentioned by the informants, although the number of taxa employed under this category was very limited. The different plant taxa used for the treatment of the gastrointestinal problems (GAS) was the most prominent disease category (262 URs, 16.19%, 25 taxa, ICF = 0.90). About 65% of the plant taxa studied is indigenous to the Asia or Himalayan regions, and around 35% is found to be exotic in nature. A strong positive correlation was found between age, gender, educational qualification and medicinal plant knowledge. No significant association was between people of different communities interviewed in terms of medical knowledge of the plants, p = 0.347 (>0.05) and χ2 = 2.120. No significant difference was found between the number of species documented concerning gender as p = 0.347 (>0.05) and χ2 =0.885. This study provides the comprehensive status of ethnomedicinal knowledge among three different communities of the study area. This study provided an impetus in discovering the baseline primary data for molecules which would help in drug discovery and management of various diseases, apart from conserving the genepool of plants in the investigated area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudasir Nazir Bhat
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; (M.N.B.); (O.S.)
- Plant Sciences (Biodiversity and Applied Botany Division), CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Bikarma Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; (M.N.B.); (O.S.)
- Botanic Garden Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Opender Surmal
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; (M.N.B.); (O.S.)
- Plant Sciences (Biodiversity and Applied Botany Division), CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Bishander Singh
- Department of Botany, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara 802301, Bihar, India;
| | - Vijay Shivgotra
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Jammu, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road, Jammu 180006, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Carmelo Maria Musarella
- Department of Agraria, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito Snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy;
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Lattanzi E, Del Vico E, Tranquilli R, Farris E, Marignani M, Rosati L. An unknown hotspot of plant diversity in the heart of the Central Apennine: flora and vegetation outline of Mt. Pozzoni-St. Rufo valley (Cittareale, Rieti). PHYTOKEYS 2021; 178:111-146. [PMID: 34475797 PMCID: PMC8390790 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.178.62947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Surprisingly enough, Italy still has some botanically unexplored areas; among these there are some territories between Lazio, Umbria and Abruzzo not included in any protected area. The study area, ranging for 340 ha, includes the mountainous area of Mt. Pozzoni-Mt. Prato-St. Rufo valley, which forms the upper part of the river Velino basin, located in the territory of the municipality of Cittareale (Rieti, Lazio), at an elevation from 1150 to 1903 m a.s.l. The substrate is mainly made of marly limestone of the Meso-Cenozoic Umbria-Marche sedimentary succession. The climate is Temperate and comprises vegetation belts from the montane to sub-alpine. Land cover is dominated by pastures and deciduous forests, with only a few hay meadows. 794 entities have been detected: 16% are considered rare or very rare for the regional territory with several floristic novelties for the regional flora, 6% of the total was found to be endemic to Italy and only eight taxa were aliens. Four taxa are new for the regional flora of Lazio: Arum cylindraceum, Alopecurus pratensis subsp. pratensis, Hieracium bupleuroides and Trinia glauca subsp. glauca. Forest vegetation is represented by beech forests, while dry grasslands are the most widespread vegetation type. The greatest phytocoenotic diversity was found within the secondary pastures. Particularly interesting is the plant community with Iris marsica, which suggests that limestone mountain ledges can represent a primary habitat for this endemic species of the Central Apennine. The presence of several habitats listed in the EU Habitat Directive indicates how the lack of detailed territorial knowledge can lead to the non-designation of conservation sites in areas of high naturalistic value. These findings showed that botanical explorations in territories which are still not known could contribute significantly to the identification of areas of high interest in conserving plant diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edda Lattanzi
- Via V. Cerulli 59, 00143 Roma, ItalyUnaffiliatedRomeItaly
| | - Eva Del Vico
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, ItalySapienza Università di RomaRomeItaly
| | | | - Emmanuele Farris
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, ItalyUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Michela Marignani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences – Botany Division, University of Cagliari, Via Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyUniversity of CagliariCagliariItaly
| | - Leonardo Rosati
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalyUniversity of BasilicataPotenzaItaly
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Bazzato E, Rosati L, Canu S, Fiori M, Farris E, Marignani M. High spatial resolution bioclimatic variables to support ecological modelling in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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10
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Laface VLA, Musarella CM, Cano Ortiz A, Quinto Canas R, Cannavò S, Spampinato G. Three New Alien Taxa for Europe and a Chorological Update on the Alien Vascular Flora of Calabria (Southern Italy). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E1181. [PMID: 32932847 PMCID: PMC7569777 DOI: 10.3390/plants9091181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge on alien species is needed nowadays to protect natural habitats and prevent ecological damage. The presence of new alien plant species in Italy is increasing every day. Calabria, its southernmost region, is not yet well known with regard to this aspect. Thanks to fieldwork, sampling, and observing many exotic plants in Calabria, here, we report new data on 34 alien taxa. In particular, we found three new taxa for Europe (Cascabela thevetia, Ipomoea setosa subsp. pavonii, and Tecoma stans), three new for Italy (Brugmansia aurea, Narcissus 'Cotinga', and Narcissus 'Erlicheer'), one new one for the Italian Peninsula (Luffa aegyptiaca), and 21 new taxa for Calabria (Allium cepa, Asparagus setaceus, Bassia scoparia, Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, Bidens formosa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Cedrus atlantica, Chlorophytum comosum, Cucurbita maxima subsp. maxima, Dolichandra unguis-cati, Fagopyrum esculentum, Freesia alba, Juglans regia, Kalanchoë delagoënsis, Passiflora caerulea, Portulaca grandiflora, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus dulcis, Solanum tuberosum, Tradescantia sillamontana, and Washingtonia filifera). Furthermore, we provide the first geolocalized record of Araujia sericifera, the confirmation of Oxalis stricta, and propose a change of status for four taxa (Cenchrus setaceus, Salpichroa origanifolia, Sesbania punicea, and Nothoscordum gracile) for Calabria. The updated knowledge on the presence of new alien species in Calabria, in Italy and in Europe could allow for the prevention of other new entries and to eliminate this potential ecological threat to natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface
- Department of AGRARIA, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (V.L.A.L.); (S.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Carmelo Maria Musarella
- Department of AGRARIA, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (V.L.A.L.); (S.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Ana Cano Ortiz
- Department of Animal and Plant Biology and Ecology, Section of Botany, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain;
| | - Ricardo Quinto Canas
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Serafino Cannavò
- Department of AGRARIA, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (V.L.A.L.); (S.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Spampinato
- Department of AGRARIA, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito snc, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (V.L.A.L.); (S.C.); (G.S.)
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Types and other historical specimens of Allan and Richard Cunningham's taxa of Epilobium and Fuchsia (Onagraceae) from New Zealand in the Turczaninow Herbarium at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW). UKRAINIAN BOTANICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.15407/ukrbotj77.04.249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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