Giuseppe Bazan

Agricultural landscapes and biodiversity conservation: a case study in Sicily (Italy)

The diversity of life is made up not only of the diversity of plants and animal species, habitats and ecosystems, but also of the diversity of human cultures. These diversities interact with one another in complex ways and express the mutual adaptation between humans and the environment at local level. Sicilian traditional agro-ecosystems, due to the history of the territory and the resulting social and economic context, are configured in a heterogeneous mosaic rich in residual features of environmental value, which enhance the connectivity of the ecological network and support a high proportion of species that are rare or of conservation concern. As a case study we analyzed the characteristics of the cultural and natural landscape of the Madonie Mountains (Sicily), acknowledged as one of the most relevant biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean. In a G.I.S. environment, we created a digital naturalness grid map and a floristic map including extensive data collected in field. We measured landscape naturalness degree, using the Naturalness Evaluation Index, and analysed its relationship with plant species distribution. We produce evidence that the cultural processes that shape a traditional landscape can foster an amount of specific richness disproportionate to the area covered. The presence of even limited surfaces with remnant semi-natural vegetation cover, scattered within the agricultural land mosaic, positively affects biodiversity. Therefore, we suggest that environmental management plans and policies aimed at nature and biodiversity conservation should take into account not only natural and semi-natural habitats but also the key role of agro-ecosystems.

Sorbus madoniensis (Rosaceae), a new species from Sicily

Abstract Sorbus madoniensis, a new species of Sorbus sect. Aria, is described, so far known only from two neighbouring localities on Mt. Carbonara (Madonie mountains, Sicily). It is related to S. graeca, which also occurs in the Madonie, and indeed shares with S. madoniensis one of its localities.

Bioclimatology and Vegetation Series in Sicily: A Geostatistical Approach

Tackling the Sicilian woody vegetation as a case-study, this work aims to verify the correspondence between Rivas-Martínezs bioclimatic units and the main vegetation series in the Mediterranean region. Following this approach, one macrobioclimate and 25 bioclimatic type belts can be recognized in Sicily. By means of a geostatistical analysis based on WorldClim data sets, cartographic models of the distribution range of each single bioclimatic unit were obtained and combined with vegetation data, in order to develop a new regional spatial framework, integrating climatic and vegetation data. Fidelity of each vegetation unit to a given climatic range was then evaluated as percent distribution of the occupied surface within a given bioclimatic unit, while the predictive power of the WorldClim data sets was tested by using half of the spatial data of the processed vegetation units as independent variables. Our results suggest that: (1) any kind of numerical threshold used to define bioclimatic units is not effective a priori, but only after it has been adjusted to the territory and to the spatial scale used to set the model; (2) bioclimatic indices being an empirical tool, the model can be trained and eventually adjusted when applied to different territories; (3) fidelity of vegetation units to a given bioclimatic unit is highly variable; (4) the mechanistic pitfall that climatophilous vegetation has to be necessarily linked to a single bioclimatic unit should be avoided.

Taxonomy and conservation of Pancratium maritimum (Amaryllidaceae) and relatives in the Central Mediterranean

Abstract Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) is a geophyte occurring in the Mediterranean region, from the Black Sea to part of the Atlantic coast. This plant is receiving much attention from the international scientific community due to its value as a bioindicator, the potential industrial value of its chemical compounds, and its use as a commercial ornamental plant. Plant morphometry and sequences of three plastid DNA regions (rbcL, matK, trnH-psbA) were used to assess the phenotypic and genetic variability of this taxon and its closest congeneric species (in particular Pancratium linosae, from the volcanic island of Linosa) in the Central Mediterranean (Sicily, Tunisia and surrounding islands). Pancratium maritimum and P. linosae cannot be distinguished based on morphological and genetic data and should belong to the same taxon. Our results also highlight a diversified gene pool in P. maritimum that is worth preserving. The lectotypes of the names Halmira stellaris, Pancratium angustifolium and Pancratium foetidum are here designated.

Micromorphological approach to the systematics of Mediterranean Isoëtes species (Isoëtaceae, Lycopodiophyta): analysis of the megaspore surface

Abstract Megaspore ornamentation is one of the few morphological characters used in the taxonomy of the genus Isoëtes. In the present work, we test the application of this character for distinguishing some Isoëtes species occurring in the Mediterranean: Isoëtes sicula, which according to some authors should be included as a variety in I. histrix, and the recently described I. todaroana, whose affinity with other taxa is currently unknown. Two additional species (I. duriei, I. velata) were also included in the analysis. The megaspores were studied using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and chemical treatment. In all species, the megaspore surface is covered by a siliceous coating; removal of this coating reveals an underlying three-dimensional network of fused rodlets. A unique pattern of this network occurs in I. sicula, supporting its separation from I. histrix. Comparison between the patterns observed in the examined Mediterranean species shows that I. todaroana is most similar to I. histrix.

Tertiary relict laurophyll vegetation in the Madonie mountains (Sicily)

Abstract: Laurel woodlands in the Madonie mountains (Sicily) are characterized by the presence of Laurus nobilis, Rhamnus lojaconoi and Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris. The results of a phytosociological study are presented, and a new endemic association, Rhamno lojaconoi–Lauretum nobilis, is described. Present Mediterranean laurel communities are the result of an adaptive response by Tertiary laurel forest to the peculiar microclimatic conditions that characterize the refugia where they persist. These refugia have been recently considered as a priority habitat under the Directive 92/43/EEC, and their plant communities are very vulnerable. Protection measures of the studied laurel populations are necessary, with particular reference to the bulking up of R. lojaconoi through in situ and ex situ propagation. A multivariate analysis of 63 relevés from all the Sicilian laurel communities described so far and additional 65 relevés from all over southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin bears out the autonomy of the new association, showing at the same time some floristic affinities between Sicilian, southern Italian, Spanish and Iberian associations. Their syntaxonomic treatment is discussed.

Taxa a rischio nella flora vascolare della Sicilia

Biogeographia vol. XgO( - 2011 (Pubblicato il 23 dicembre 2011) La Biogeografia de/Ia Sicilia Taxa a rischio nella flora vascolare della Sicilia FRANCESCO MARIA RAIMONDO, GIUSEPPE BAZAN, ANGELO TROIA Dzjzartimento di Biologia Ambientale e Biodiversitd, Universird di Palermo via Arc/aimfi 38, 90123 Palermo (Italy) Key words: threatened species, vascular flora, red list, Sicily. SUMMARY An analysis was made to update the regional red list of endangered vascular plants in Sicily which, with 3,252 taxa (including a noteworthy number of endemic species), is one of the richest areas in the Mediterranean region. Considering previous regional and national red lists, recent taxonomic and floristic literature, and unpublished da- ta, 1,057 taxa were assessed, i.e. about 32% of the regional vascular flora. Using the latest IUCN categories and cri- teria, 403 taxa (that is the 12.4% of Sicilian flora) are under threat (categories “CR”, “EN”, “VU”), and 220 more taxa (= 6.8%) are “Near Threatened”. Two species result extinct, one extinct in the wild, and 24 regionally extinct. INTRO DUZIONE Gli sforzi per arrestare il continuo declino della biodiversita globale sono at- tualmente ostacolati da una inadeguata conoscenza dello “stato di conserva- zione” degli organismi che costituiscono la base fondamentale per tutta la vita sulla Terra: le piante Verdi. E chiaro che l’ambizioso obiettivo della “Global Plant Conservation Strategy” di una “valutazione preliminare dello stato di con- servazione di tutte le specie vegetali conosciute a livello nazionale, regionale ed internazionale” non sarebbe stato raggiunto entro il 2010 (Schatz, 2009). P0- sto che la Convenzione sulla Diversita Biologica impone ai paesi sottoscrittori di assicurare la protezione delle specie che vivono esclusivamente all’interno dei loro confini, emerge la necessita di disporre di affidabili liste rosse nazionali (e regionali) che possano costituire la base scientifica per adeguate politiche di conservazione. La prima “lista rossa” delle specie vegetali minacciate di estinzione compare in Italia nel 1992 — l’anno della Conferenza delle Nazioni Unite sull’Ambien— te e lo Sviluppo e della Convenzione sulla Diversita Biologica —; il “Libro Ros- so delle piante d’Italia” (Conti et al., 1992) indicava 458 piante Vascolari rite— nute a rischio di estinzione sull’intero territorio italiano, riportando per ciascuna

Downy-Oak Woods of Italy: Phytogeographical Remarks on a Controversial Taxonomic and Ecologic Issue

The importance of downy oak as an integral component of the “submediterranean” woods has been underscored by many studies. Nevertheless, terms like “submediterranean” and “downy oak” are some of the most poorly understood concepts in European phytogeographic and taxonomic research. Downy oak is well known to be a problematic taxon. The name “Quercus pubescens” (= Q. humilis) combines populations characterized by increasing phenotypic and genomic polymorphisms along north-south gradients, which is explained as the result of a “founder effect” produced by a relatively fast post-glacial re-colonization of the northern areas through rare long-distance dispersal events.

Potential impact of genetically modified Lepidoptera-resistant Brassica napus in biodiversity hotspots: Sicily as a theoretical model: Impact of Bt oilseed rape on butterflies

The general increase of the cultivation and trade of Bt transgenic plants resistant to Lepidoptera pests raises concerns regarding the conservation of animal and plant biodiversity. Demand for biofuels has increased the cultivation and importation of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), including transgenic lines. In environmental risk assessments (ERAs) for its potential future cultivation as well as for food and feed uses, the impact on wild Brassicaeae relatives and on non‐target Lepidoptera should be assessed. Here we consider the potential exposure of butterflies as results of possible cultivation or naturalization of spilled seed in Sicily (Italy). Diurnal Lepidoptera, which are pollinators, can be exposed directly to the insecticidal proteins as larvae (mainly of Pieridae) through the host and through the pollen that can deposit on other host plants. Adults can be exposed via pollen and nectar. The flight periods of butterflies were recorded, and they were found to overlap for about 90% of the flowering period of B. napus for the majority of the species. In addition, B. napus has a high potential to hybridise with endemic taxa belonging to the B. oleracea group. This could lead to an exposure of non‐target Lepidoptera if introgression of the Bt gene into a wild population happens. A rank of the risk for butterflies and wild relatives of oilseed rape is given. We conclude that, in environmental risk assessments, attention should be paid to plant–insect interaction especially in a biodiversity hotspot such as Sicily.

Diachronic Analysis of Beech Forest in the Nebrodi Park (Northern Sicily)

A comparison between the current surface of Beech forest in the Nebrodi Park (Northern Sicily) with the measurements performed in the past is here reported. 12.854 hectares of Beech forest were recognized against 10.336 hectares of 1959 with a percentage increase of 24.37%. The increase of forest is mainly due at the change of land use through a better forest management and grazing.