Mauro Iberite

Macrophyte diversity and physico-chemical characteristics of Tyrrhenian coast ponds in central Italy: implications for conservation

Awareness of pond conservation value is growing all over Europe. Ponds are recognized as important ecosystems supporting large numbers of species and several rare and threatened aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Notwithstanding ponds, particularly temporary ones, are still neglected in Italy. There are some gaps in our understanding of the macrophyte ecology and the conservation value of Mediterranean small still waters. Therefore, this study investigated the macrophyte communities and physico-chemical characteristics of 8 permanent and 13 temporary ponds along the Tyrrhenian coast near Rome, with the aim to relate the distribution of aquatic plants to environmental variables, and to define the botanical conservation value of ponds. Throughout the study period (Spring 2002), Principal Component Analysis performed on abiotic variables clearly discriminated temporary ponds, smaller and more eutrophic, from permanent ponds, larger and with higher pH and oxygen concentration. A total of 73 macrophyte taxa were collected in the study ponds. Temporary waters hosted a smaller number of plant species than permanent ones. Besides hydroperiod length, the environmental factors related to plant richness were maximum depth, surface area, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen concentration in the water. Moreover, the Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling showed a high dissimilarity in the taxonomic composition of aquatic plants between temporary and permanent ponds. The former contained more annual fast-growing species (Callitriche sp. pl. and Ranunculus sp. pl.), while in the latter species with long life-cycles (i.e. Potamogeton sp. pl.) were more abundant. Our results highlighted that temporary and permanent ponds in central Italy have different macrophyte assemblages, with aquatic species (including some of conservation interest at regional scale) exclusively found in each pond type. This suggested that both type of ponds could give an irreplaceable contribution to the conservation of aquatic plant diversity of these freshwater ecosystems.

Lemna valdiviana Phil. (Araceae) as a potential invasive species in Italy and Europe: Taxonomic study and first observations on its ecology and distribution

Abstract Lemna valdiviana Phil. and L. minuta Kunth are native species of the Americas. At present L. minuta colonizes in Europa and Asia, where it is often considered an invasive alien species. Recent floristic surveys in the Agro Pontino area (Lazio region, central Italy) allowed to find a population referring to L. valdiviana, supported by the recent gathering in Sardegna region. With the aim to identify correctly the two species, we carried out a morphometric study based on measurements of both qualitative and quantitative characters, made on herbarium and living specimens collected from America and Europe. The univariate and multivariate analyses clearly support the attribution of the population from Lazio to L. valdiviana. This gathering is the first record of this species for the Italian peninsula. Moreover, the checking of Herbaria allowed us to find the older specimen of L. minuta collected in Europe (around 1877). At present L. valdiviana is to be considered as a casual alien species in Agro Pontino, but the rapid colonization of the aquatic environments by Lemna species by means of vegetative reproduction allows us to recognize it as a potential invasive species.

An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy.

Abstract An updated inventory of the native vascular flora of Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 8195 taxa (6417 species and 1778 subspecies), distributed in 1092 genera and 152 families; 23 taxa are lycophytes, 108 ferns and fern allies, 30 gymnosperms and 8034 angiosperms. The taxa currently occurring in Italy are 7483, while 568 taxa have not been confirmed in recent times, 99 are doubtfully occurring in the country and 19 are data deficient. Out of the 568 not confirmed taxa, 26 are considered extinct or possibly extinct.

Are Red Lists really useful for plant conservation? The New Red List of the Italian Flora in the perspective of national conservation policies

“The New Red List of the Italian Flora” includes all the Italian policy species and other species of known conservation concerns for a total of 400 taxa, 65% of which are threatened with extinction. The Red List is based on a huge georeferenced data-set useful for conservation purposes.

Loss detection of aquatic habitats in Italian volcanic lakes using historical data

Italian volcanic lakes represent an important hotspot of aquatic plant diversity. By comparing original data collected in 2009/10 with historical data, we detected species extinction and loss of habitats 3140 and 3150 (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC). The speed of change detected claim for frequent monitoring and rapid management interventions.

The silent invasion of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. in Italy

This article provides general information and original data on the period of first introduction in Europe (1823–1825) and in Italy (first half of the 19th century), and on the current distribution and impacts in Italy of the invasive macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes. Two main pathways are responsible for the presence of this species in Italy: (i) introduction as an ornamental and (ii) research and use for phytoremediation. After a time lag of more than 100 years, E. crassipes has recently started invading the Italian freshwaters. A specific action plan for this species is required, including local eradication and awareness campaigns. Furthermore, regulations in the trade sector of invasive aquatic plant species need to be introduced and the possibilities for biological or integrated control evaluated.

The halophile vegetation of the sedimentary coast of Lazio (central Tyrrhenian district, Italy)

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a phytosociological survey carried out in the Lazio region (central Italy) to investigate the vegetation and conservation status of brackish habitats. Eighteen vegetation types are described, belonging to 8 alliances, 5 orders and 5 classes of vegetation. A new association and an association previously unrecorded in Italy, both assigned to the Frankenietalia pulverulentae, have been recognized. The occurrence of important floristic and vegetational features, and the potential for the development and restoration of typical ecological sequences suggest the implementation or the enhancement of conservation activities in all of the brackish sites surveyed.

Typification of Trifolium latinum Sebast. (Fabaceae) and Comparison with Similar Species

Based on a plate from the protologue by Antonio Sebastiani and a specimen in RO, a lectotype and an epitype, respectively, for Trifolium latinum Sebast. are designated here.

The algal microflora of the salt works of Tarquinia (Italy)

The microflora and benthic microbial mats of the salt works of Tarquinia (Italy) are described. From 144 samples, 111 species and varieties of microalgae were identified. Diatoms prevailed up to 110‰. S. They were substituted by Cyanophyta at higher salinities. The microbial mats consisted of Cyanophyta, Beggiatoa spp., purple sulphur bacteria, and diatoms. Information on hypertonic resistance in some euryhaline species is given.

Detecting Phytogeographic Units Based on Native Woody Flora: A Case Study in Central Peninsular Italy

We present a statistically derived phytogeographic regionalization based on the spatial distribution of native woody flora, investigating environmental correlates and assessing congruence between the spatial patterns of species, genera, and families. A sector of central peninsular Italy (Lazio and Abruzzo regions) was selected as a case study. A rich georeferenced floristic database was compiled, including information from different sources. A total of 43,968 occurrence data, 290 10 × 10 km cells, 224 species, 103 genera, and 80 families was used; Ward’s clustering was performed to identify phytogeographic units. Three well-defined and relatively spatially coherent units were identified at the species, genus, and family levels: a Mediterranean unit, a Transition unit, and a Eurosiberian one. Congruence between taxonomic levels was well supported. Further divisions in subunits were detected using species data. The main environmental descriptors of the clusters were distance from the sea, elevation, temperature, and lithology.