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Italy ranks first in Europe in terms of number of native plants.  In the Mediterranean basin, considered to be one of the most important areas of biodiversity, it is the second country for number of species.
Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/11263504.2017.1419996?journalCode=tplb20

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ResearchItaly - Here is the list of native Italian plants

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An inventory of native plants of Italy, with an updated list of the so-called 'vascular flora' consisting of ferns and related plants, conifers and flowering plants, an indispensable tool contributing to the knowledge and protection of biodiversity, was presented by the University of Camerino. It is the result of a research study that lasted almost fifteen years entitled An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy and published in Plant Biosystems.

A team effort which was made possible by the collaboration of 51 researchers, both Italian and international, and which was carried out by the Group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society, coordinated by Fabrizio Bartolucci and Fabio Conti of the Floristic Research Centre of the Apennine of the University of Camerino and Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, Lorenzo Peruzzi of the University of Pisa, and Gabriele Galasso of the National History Museum in Milan.

Some 8,195 species and subspecies have been identified to date, of which 1,708 are endemic to Italy and 26 are probably extinct. Italy ranks first in Europe in terms of number of native entities. In the Mediterranean basin, considered to be one of the most important areas of biodiversity, only Turkey has a higher number of species.

" In recent years", said prof. Conti, " field trips, regional lists and comparative studies concerning Italian flora have increased considerably. However, for many species there are still significant knowledge gaps. That is why the inventory that has just been published will serve as a taxonomic and nomenclature basis for further botanical research ".

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Here is the list of native Italian plants

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An inventory of native plants of Italy, with an updated list of the so-called 'vascular flora' consisting of ferns and related plants, conifers and flowering plants, an indispensable tool contributing to the knowledge and protection of biodiversity, was presented by the University of Camerino.

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Important Plant Areas were identified on the basis of a range of taxonomic groups and habitats in order to promote an integrated model of knowledge for the conservation of plant diversity.
Read the full article here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286816143_Between_global_priorities_and_local_urgencies_The_important_plant_areas_programme_in_Italy

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Mediterranean maquis is the main habitat of south-Italy coasts where summers are hot and dry and rain falls in winter.
The habitat contains densely packed bushes, shrubs and evergreen small trees with coriaceus leaves which restrict their vegetative activity to more humid periods of the year.

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Deciduous forests interest the mountain and sub-mountain zone of the Alps and most of the Apennines. It accounts for 64% of Italy.
This area is characterized by almost absent summer aridity and by marked differences between summer and winter temperatures. The natural vegetation mainly consists of  broad-leaved deciduous trees, where Quercus, Fagus and Carpinus species are dominant.
Some woods present also a luxuriant undergrowth with shrubs, ferns, fungus, mosses and herbaceous plants.

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Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests

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Brackish wetlands represent a unique environment dominated by salt bushes and grasses, usually flooded during high tides. Plants of this habitat can tolerate high salinity and low oxygen levels. Their ability to withstand wave energy makes them valuable for erosion control. They also act as biological filters where pollutants from freshwater runoff can settle out before reaching the sea. Lagoons and salt marshes are mainly distributed along the Northern Adriatic coast and represent the typical habitat of the Po River Delta.

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The word “riparian” means “related to bodies of water, rivers or streams". Put more simply, riparian areas are the green ribbons of trees, shrubs, and grasses growing along water courses. They are transition zones between aquatic and terrestrial systems
The toughness of riparian plants with dense, strong root systems and stems that slow floodwaters, protect soil and streambanks from erosion. Plants also absorb water, nutrients, and energy from big events and use them to recover from disturbances while improving water quality.
This habitat is well represented in the peninsula, rich of freshwater courses.

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Rocky habitats are mostly found in the uplands wherever the underlying rock reaches the surface. Rocky habitats include cliffs, crags, rocky outcrops, screes and slopes. Features common to all these habitats are the lack of soil and exposure to the wind and rain. Plants are usually confined to ledges and crevices and they are adapted to cope with a challenging environment, with small, in-rolled leaves and strong roots. The distribution is limited in extention, but they generally support a richer array of plants well adapted to these difficult conditions, including many endemisms.

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Scientific classification

Division: Tracheophyta
Subdivision: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Arnica
Species: A. montana
Binomial name: Arnica montana L.
Synonimous: Doronicum montanum Lam., Doronicum oppositifolium Lam., Arnica helvetica Loudon, Arnica petiolata Schur, Arnica plantaginifolia Gilib., Arnica lowii Holm, Cineraria cernua Thore
Vernacular names: Wolf's bane, Leopard's bane, Mountain tobacco and Mountain arnica

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Arnica montana is a perennial herb, tall about 18–60 cm. Its basal green ovate-cilitate leaves are aggregated in rosettes, while the upper leaves are opposed, spear-shaped and smaller. The flowering season is between May and August. The hairy flowers are composed of yellow disc florets in the center and orange-yellow ray florets at the external part. The achenes have a one-piece rough pappus which opens in dry conditions.
The latin epithet montana refers to mountains or coming from mountains. Arnica montana grows in nutrient-poor siliceous meadows or clay soils such as alpine meadows and up to nearly 3,000 m or on nutrient-poor moors. However Arnica does not grow on lime soil, thus it is an extremely reliable bioindicator for nutrient poor and acidic soils. It is rare overall, but may be locally abundant. It is becoming rarer, largely due to increasingly intensive agriculture and commercial wild-crafting!
More information here: https://www.floraitaliae.actaplantarum.org/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=6469

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A. montana chemistry and medicinal properties

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A. montana chemistry and medicinal properties

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Arnica montana is a toxic medicinal plant. The main constituents are essential oils and  fatty acids of thymol, pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones and flavanone glycosides. Amica montana's main pharmacologically active constituent is helenalin,  beneficial in the very small quantities as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, healing, antiseptic agent. It is used for coronary heart diseases, in unguents or pills for sprains, chilblains, haemorrhoids, muscle pain, vision problems...

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Some literature about Arnica medicinal history and contemporary uses...

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Some literature about Arnica medicinal history and contemporary uses...

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Medicinal history and contemporary uses approved: http://www.medicinehunter.com/arnica
Uses - effectiveness and insuffcient evidence for: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-721/arnica
Traditional homeopathic practice: http://www.arnica.com/category/arnica-uses/
Orthopedic surgeons: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/39cd/d7afe14783e40072afdfda3fd1e5b0378f79.pdf
Inflammatory Process Modulation:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035003/

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Scientific classification
Division: Tracheophyta
Subdivision: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Olea
Species: | O. europaea
Binomial name: Olea europaea L.
Synonimous: Olea oleaster Hoffmanns. & Link, Olea europaea subsp. oleaster (Hoffmanns. & Link) Negodi
Vernacular names: Olive tree, European olive

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The olive tree, Olea europaea, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 m in height. The small, white, feathery flowers, with ten-cleft calyx and corolla, two stamens, and bifid stigma, are born on the previous year's wood, in racems springing from the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a small drupe 1–2.5 cm long, thinner-fleshed and smaller in wild plants than in orchard cultivars. Olives are harvested in the green to purple stage.
The olive tree has adapted its growth to a semi-arid environment including calcareous and sandy, sunny slopes. It is tolerant of hot summers and can be sustained despite limited water supplies.

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Olive chemistry and  medicinal properties

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Olive chemistry and  medicinal properties

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Olea europaea is a edible, medicinal plant. It contains flavonoids, secoiridoids, iridoids, flavanones, biophenols, triterpenes, waxes and other secondary metabolites with pharmacological use like antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anticancer, gastroprotective, emollien activities.
The main component of olive tree with medicinal properties is Oleuropein, a polyphenol extracted from leaves and fruits.
Olive oil is used to produce unguents and soaps for hair and skin.

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Some literature about O. europea medicinal history and contemporary uses...

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Some literature about O. europea medicinal history and contemporary uses...

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Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/541591/
A pharmacological review:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228665678_Olea_europaea_A_phyto-pharmacological_review
Ethno Botanical Medicinal Importance:
http://www.ijpab.com/form/2013%20Volume%201,%20issue%202/IJPAB-2013-1-2-15-18.pdf
Uses - effectiveness and insuffcient evidence for: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-233/olive

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Next events organised in my city  about medicinal plants :)

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Erbe Spontanee per il nostro Benessere. Laboratorio Pratico

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The Italian peninsula is included in 3 different biogeographical regions from north to south: Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean. Italy complex biogeography reflects the variability of its environmental conditions, allowing habitat differentiation and high biodiversity level!
Complete information about

Europe's biodiversity - biogeographical here:

https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/report_2002_0524_154909

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The Continental Region covers over a quarter of the European Union, stretching from central France to the eastern edge of Poland, including the territory of 13 countries.  The climate is generally characterised by strong contrasts between the cold winters and hot summers.  In the east, the extreme conditions of hot and cold, wet and dry, have a strong impact on the vegetation.  Moving west, the characteristics become less noticeable due to the oceanic influences of the Atlantic Region which bring milder conditions.  The landscape of the Continental Region is generally flat in the north and hillier in the south, with the exception of the extensive floodplains in the Po and Danube basins.  Formed by glaciers, this vast area was once covered in beech, oak and hornbeam forests, interspersed with extensive floodplains, marshland and bogs. Unfortunately much of this forest has been cleared for fuel and timber and replaced by agricultural production. The Continental region is rich in biodiversity: at the crossroads of many different region, it shares many species with them.

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The Mediterranean region meets the Mediterranean Sea in 12 countries and covers 11% of Europe’s territory.  It is characterised by a hilly mountaneous landscapes with inland plateaus between low mountain ranges. The coasts are rocky, interspersed with sandy beaches.
Climate is often unpredictable, with diurnal temperature fluctuations, significant influences of winds, short lived but powerful deluges and occasional prolonged droughts.  Average annual rainfall range varies between 600 and 1200 mm/year. Summers are hot and dry, winters are humid and cool.
Mediterranean wildlife and habitats are very specific as the region was not affected by the last Ice Age. The rate of endemism is exceptionally high. The Mediterranean is one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots.

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This biogeographical region includes the Mediterranean Sea and seven Member States, either partially (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain) or completely (Greece, Malta, Cyprus). It has specific regional features: a climate of hot dry summers and humid, cool winters and a generally hilly landscape. The Mediterranean has not only a very rich biodiversity but also a large number of species that do not exist anywhere else.

To best protect the Mediterranean region, the relevant Member States and key stakeholders team up to devise nature protection measures, tailored to suit the particular needs of the entire region and to target its specific pressures.

The list of sites of Community importance for the Mediterranean biogeographical region, included in Natura 2000, is updated every year.

Maps

The Mediterranean region (3.1MB)

Regional features

The climate is characterised by hot dry summers and humid, cool winters. It is also very capricious with sudden heavy rain or bouts of high winds such as the Sirocco and Mistral. This climate has a profound influence on the vegetation and wildlife of the region.

For a region that takes its name from the sea it surrounds, the Mediterranean is surprisingly hilly. It includes high mountains and rocky shores, thick scrub and semi-arid steppes, coastal wetlands and sandy beaches as well as a myriad of islands dotted across the sea.

Man has left its mark across much of the landscape. The Mediterranean scrub, with its many flowers and aromatic plants, is a direct result of centuries of human activities (livestock grazing, cultivation forest fires and clearances). This scrub has evolved into a complex and intricate mobile patchwork of habitats, home to an exceptionally rich biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Mediterranean wildlife and habitats are very specific as the region was not affected by the last Ice Age. The rate of endemism is exceptionally high. The Mediterranean is one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots.

Whilst the Mediterranean scrub is synonymous with the region, there are many other species-rich habitats here. Large tracts of natural, virtually pristine, forests have remained relatively untouched by man. While most central and northern European forests are now dominated by only a dozen or so tree species, the Mediterranean forests are much more diverse, harbouring up to 100 different tree species.

Too dry for trees, other areas of the Mediterranean are covered in grasslands. These semi-arid steppic areas may seem barren and lifeless but, on closer inspection, reveal an equally rich wildlife. These grasslands are prime locations for the great bustard ( Otis tarda), the little bustard ( Tetrax tetrax) and a whole range of ground-nesting birds such as the pin-tailed sandgrouse ( Pterocles alchata).

Where water is more bountiful, wetlands appear at regular intervals, ranging from tiny coastal lagoons to vast deltas around the long coastline. They harbour hundreds of species of endemic fish, amphibians and insects which, in turn, attract huge flocks of waders and dabbling ducks, especially during the migration season. Up to two billion birds migrate to, or through, the Mediterranean Region every year. Some merely stop over for a few days to refuel before crossing the Sahara but others spend the entire winter here to escape the cold weather further north.

As for the Mediterranean Sea, its clear blue waters are famous throughout the world. It harbours a tremendous diversity of marine organisms, many of which are endemic to the region. It is estimated that the Mediterranean contains 8-9 % of all the world's marine creatures. Many of the lesser-known sponges, sea squirts and crustaceans can be found hidden amongst the vast underwater meadows or Posidonia beds that grow in shallow coastal waters.

Pressures

The Mediterranean Region is under tremendous pressure due to human activities. It is the number one tourism destination in the world. As a result, much of the Mediterranean coastline has disappeared under concrete. There are chronic water shortages and a constant threat of forest fires. Inland, many of the ancient pastoral regimes are being abandoned because they are no longer economically viable.

List of Sites of Community Importance (SCI's) for the Mediterranean biogeographical region

To reflect the changes proposed by Member States to the list of SCIs, and to ensure that all new sites have a clearly defined legal status, the Commission proceeds to an annual updating of the Union Lists.

The list of updates as well as the first version of the Mediterranean list are available here

(EU) 2019/22, 12th update , C(2018) 8534, 14 December 2018

(EU) 2018/37, 11th update, C(2017)8239, 12 December 2017

(EU) 2016/2328, 10th update, C(2016)8142, 9 December 2016

(EU) 2015/2374, 9th update, C(2015)8222, 26 November 2015

(EU) 2015/74, 8th update, C(2014)9098, 3 December 2014

2013/739/EU, 7th update, C(2013)7356, 7 November 2013

2013/29/EU, 6th update, C(2012)8233, 16 November 2012

2012/9/EU, 5th update, C(2011)8172, 18 November 2011

2011/85/EU, 4th update, C(2010)9676, 10 January 2011

2010/45/EU, 3rd update, C(2009)10406, 22 December 2009

2009/95/EC, 2nd update, C(2008)8049, 12 December 2008

2008/335/EC, 1st update, C(2008)1148, 28 March 2008

2006/613/EC, Commission Decision C(2006)3261 of 19 July 2006 adopting, pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC, an initial list of sites of Community importance for the Mediterranean biogeographical region

Reference list of habitat types and species of the Mediterranean Region

The Reference list of habitat types and species of the Mediterranean Region includes protected habitat types (Habitats Directive Annex I) and species (Habitats Directive Annex II) present in this bio-geographical region by Member State. These are all habitat types and species for which the Member States have to propose Natura 2000 sites. The Reference Lists derive from the conclusions of bio-geographical seminars and are updated when new scientific information becomes available.

More information

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This biogeographical region includes the Mediterranean Sea and seven Member States, either partially (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain) or completely (Greece, Malta, Cyprus). It has specific regional features : a climate of hot dry summers and humid, cool winters and a generally hilly landscape.

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Ranges of mountains from the Mediterranean to Siberia constitute the alpine region.  Altitudinal gradients, climatic influence, soil types and geology influence the distribution of species, the development of vegetation types and the diversity of species.
In general, the region exhibits a great variety of ecosystems and habitat types, of which 90% are natural or semi-natural. Forests cover more than 40% of the region’s area and grasslands ca 25%. More than 7000 species of plants are registered (Ozenda, 1994) and most of the mountain areas have a high degree of endemism. The region is of great importance as refuges for plants but it is also very fragile, affected by human impacts and activities. The high reaching Alps severely influences the climate of central Europe and connects the Mediterranean climate in the south and with the temperate climate in the north.  The annual and spatial distribution of rainfall is highly variable, generally increasing with altitude.

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What is a Macroregional strategy?

A 'Macroregional strategy' is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, which may be supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds among others, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area relating to Member States and third countries located in the same geographical area which thereby benefit from strengthened cooperation contributing to achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion.

Why a Macroregional Strategy for the Alpine area?

The Alpine area is composed of territories with contrasted demographic, social and economic trends and a great cultural and linguistic diversity. This diversity goes along with a great variety of governance systems and traditions. Both the common specificities of the Alpine area and its variety and diversity call for cooperation.

The Alpine region represents a living and working space for the resident population and an attractive tourist destination for millions of guests every year. The Alps are the water tower of Europe and are known all over the world for their natural beauty, varied landscapes, rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The Alpine region is a unique territory, which has an important potential for dynamism, but is facing major challenges, such as:

economic globalisation that requires the territory to distinguish itself as competitive and innovative by developing the knowledge and information society

demographic trends, characterised particularly by the combined effects of ageing and new migration models

climate change and its foreseeable effects on the environment, biodiversity and on the living conditions of its inhabitants

the energy challenge at the European and worldwide scales, which consists of managing and meeting demand sustainably, securely and affordably

its specific geographical position in Europe, as a transit region but also as an area with unique geographical and natural features wich set the frame for all future developments

An Alpine macro-regional strategy would provide an opportunity to improve cross-border cooperation in the Alpine States as well as identifying common goals and implementing them more effectively through transnational collaboration. Better cooperation between the regions and States is needed to tackle those challenges.

The European Council Presidency Conclusions of 19-20 December 2013 include at paragraph 50: "(.../...) the European Council invites the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to elaborate an EU Strategy for the Alpine Region by June 2015".

This Strategy concerns 7 Countries, of which 5 EU Member States (Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia) and 2 non-EU countries (Liechtenstein and Switzerland), and 48 Regions.

What are EUSALP governance and its management structures?

The General Assembly gathers the high-level political representatives of States and Regions involved in the Strategy, the European Commission, and the Alpine Convention as observer.

The Executive Board is formed by representatives of States and Regions and representatives from the European Commission, and as Observers, the Alpine Convention and the Alpine Space Transnational Programme. It oversees the implementation of the EUSALP and it is meant to provide strategic guidance with respect to management and implementation of the EUSALP and its Action Plan.

The core of the implementation level is the Action Groups and Action Group leaders. The Action Group leaders are the drivers of day-to-day implementation. Their role, capacities, resources and engagement is a key element to the success of the Strategy.

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EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Region

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The Alpine area is composed of territories with contrasted demographic, social and economic trends and a great cultural and linguistic diversity. This diversity goes along with a great variety of governance systems and traditions. Both the common specificities of the Alpine area and its variety and diversity call for cooperation.

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Alexander von Humboldt and the Phytogeography

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Alexander von Humboldt and the Phytogeography

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Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a Prussian naturalist, founder of phytogeography, science concerned with patterns and process in plant geographic distribution.
Humboldt recovered the word cosmos from the ancient Greek,  assigning it to his multi-volume treatise in wich he tried to unify all scientific knowledge (Kantian framework), inspirated from German romanticism with its holistic perception. Kosmos was Humboldt's later effort to write a work bringing together all researches from his long career and his numerous expeditions. There was not a consensus on the importance of Kosmos defined  as" his most influential book" or as "little more than an academic curiosity"...

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Who is Alexander von Humboldt? - George Mehler

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plant: Drougth 

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plant: Drougth 

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Mediterranean floristic region that includes the south part of Italian peninsula is characterised by warm summers with a distinct drought period. This climate requires plant adaptation to a lack of water, lasting 2-5 months.
They generally have a deep root system, usually taproots; evergreen, small, coriaceous leaves,  a short
life cycle or they completed their reproductive cycle before the dry season (early seed maturation).
Some of them have Succulent stems and they can accumulate water  in parenchyma tissue.

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Ice and Snow

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Ice and Snow

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Plants living in cold environment, such us the top of the mountains, generally grow close to the ground or in specific shapes that help them shed heavy snow during the winter.  In most alpine species, small stature is a genetic adaptation to low temperatures. An important evolutionary adaptation under seasonally cold conditions is the fine-tuning of plant phenology that controls the reproduction timing and the termination of growth activity  before damaging freezing temperature.
In other cases physiological mechanisms  allow water extraction from cell through extracellular ice formation thanks to a fluid outer cell membrane, protective compounds to safeguard membranes, and enzymes against damage during dehydration.

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Salinity

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Salinity

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Halophytic plants are the flora of saline environments, such us coastal salt marshes. These plants generally have a great root system, more developed than earial parts, with many long root hairs. A lipid cuticle, dense hairs and stomata in cryptes completed the adaptations of the hypogeum structure. Physiological mechanisms, including secretion of salt through the salt glands, regulation of cellular ion homeostasis and osmotic pressure, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and alterations in membrane composition, allow them to survive in stressed environment.

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Floods

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Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants: Floods

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Floods and the temporary overflow natural events along many rivers. Flood-tolerant species evolved specific mechanisms and features to contrast this phenomenon. Some species thanks to ethylene hormone are able  to elongate petioles and stems in order to protrude above the water surface. Renewed contact between leaves and the open air after submergence stimulates the formation of a new aerenchymatous root system. Increased porosity enables the plants to perform longitudinal transport from aerial and photosynthetic oxygen to the rhizosphere. Another mechanism plants use to survive flooding is to change their timing of reproduction, producing seeds in the intervals between the inundations.

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Theme 2, Step 4
Compare your PlantArea with PlantAreas of your co-learners and look for differences or similarities

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Theme 2, Step 4
Compare your PlantArea with PlantAreas of your co-learners and look for differences or similarities

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Most of my co-learners chose to describe a PlantArea located in the Mediterranean region, showing climate, habitat and biodiversity similarities with the south-central Italy. Many medicinal plants described for Greece and Portugal are very common in Italy too.
Environmental conditions and plants cited for northernmost countries, such us Belgium and Scotland, present characteristis in common with the continental part of the peninsula. Thanks to its high climatic and topographical variability, Italy looks like a transition zone!

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ANSWER 2. Tropical Andean trees migrate to higher altitudes where the air is cool enough to support their existence. Due to the fast climatic change they have to move faster in order to remain in equilibrium with their preferred temperatures.
ANSWER CONFIRMED
"In the Andes, plants are ‘on the run’, trying to move to higher ground, where the air is
cool enough to support their existence. Researches show that tropical species are
frantically migrating upslope as they reproduce. But they may not be moving fast enough because climate change is
happening too fast."

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A sad summary:
goodbye glaciers, flooded cities, more extreme weather, forget wines and other crops, vanishing of biodiversity...and probably some other impredictable events!
https://www.thelocal.it/20151201/five-ways-climate-change-is-affecting-italy

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Italia in un clima che cambia. Tutto su cambiamento climatico, vulnerabilità e strategie di adattamento per tutti i paesi europei.

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Possible consequences of Climate Change!

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Possible consequences of Climate Change!

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Agriculture at risk: https://www.cmcc.it/article/agriculture-at-risk-the-potential-impacts-of-climate-change;
http://www.isci.it/sipeaa/tools/ClimGen/Lit_Ewert_4.pdf
Weather scenarios:
https://www.cmcc.it/article/come-cambiera-il-clima-in-italia
Economic impacts:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228243821_Economic_Impacts_of_Climate_Change_in_Italy_and_the_Mediterranean_Updating_the_Evidence
Health deseases and strategies for prevention: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/260380/WHO-FWC-PHE-EPE-15.52-eng.pdf;jsessionid=CDBFA7377988176E5B6EE7EBE9CB3261?sequence=1
Impacts on habitat distribution and biodiversity:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237071750_The_likely_impact_of_climate_change_on_the_biodiversity_of_Italian_forests; s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/45701592/j.envsci.2005.11.00720160517-4453-1n244d5.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1551724457&Signature=n7J9x987wfK%2BlzmjXWtihe43wmM%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DClimate_and_land_use_changes_biodiversit.pdf; http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/en/archive/news-and-other-events/ispra-news/year-2015/may/biodiversity-in-italy;
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/1540-9295%282007%295%5B360%3AUIOCCO%5D2.0.CO%3B2

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How to include the impact of climate change in the extinction risk
assessment of policy plant species?

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How to include the impact of climate change in the extinction risk
assessment of policy plant species?

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Impacts of climate change in Italy by P. Faggian

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Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies In Italy
by C. Carraro and A. Sgobbi

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Theme 3, Step 4.
Compare your PlantArea with PlantAreas of your co-learners and look for differences or similarities with regards to climate change

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Theme 3, Step 4.
Compare your PlantArea with PlantAreas of your co-learners and look for differences or similarities with regards to climate change

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Climate change results to be a perceptible phenomenon, able to produce relevant impacts in most countries described by my co-learners. It adds up to the other anthropic factors causing ecosystem changes and biodiversity loss, amplifying their negative effects.
The Mediterranean region seems to be particularly affected by this problem: major threats are the risk of drought, the rise of the sea level and its acidification, higher temperature of the land and of the sea, with all the consequences this means!

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ANSWER 3. Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is highly controversial since it solves one problem but creates new ones.
ANSWER CONFIRMED
Plants grown specifically for any type of biofuel are not ideal due to the amount of energy required and the
pollution balance, environmental impacts and
emissions associated with harvest and
transport, the increase in global food prices, deforestation of areas destined to
grow Biofuel plants.

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Mirto (licòre/-i de murta in Sardinian) is a popular liqueur in Sardinia island (Italy). It is obtained from the myrtle plant through the alcoholic maceration of the berries or a compound of berries and leaves. It is consumed in 2 varieties:
- Mirto rosso (simply murta) is made with the berries of the black variety and is sweet
- Mirto bianco (murta arba) is made with the berries of the white variety or, less commonly, from young leaves.
Myrtus communis is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region. It typically grows to 5-6’ tall with glossy dark green leaves strongly aromatic. White aromatic flowers bloom in late spring/summer (May-July) followed by blue-black edible berries. Dried flowers, leaves and fruits are used to flavor foods.

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Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy, especially in the region around the gulf of Naples and the Sorrentin Peninsula. In northern Italy, the liqueur is often referred to instead as Limoncino. It is also a popular homemade liqueur, with various recipes available online and in print! Lemon peels are steeped in grappa or vodka until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with syrup.
The lemon, Citrus limon, is a small evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family.

The yellow fruit is used for culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses. The juice of the lemon is about 5%-6% citric acid, with a pH of around 2, giving it a sour taste!
Lemon was introduced as ornamental and cultivated plant and it is now widespread in all southern region of Italy.

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The main tree species decorated during Christmas in Italy are Firs (Abies) and Spruces (Picea)! The genus include various species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae, normally  occurring in mountains or in temperate regions of the world.
There are 2 many species used in my country: Abies alba and Picea abies.
The sad story of "Spelacchio" in Rome: http://italiaanse-toestanden.duepadroni.it/christmas-tree-rome/

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Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs native to the temperate regions but widely cultivated for their fruit! Prunus fruit are defined as drupes, with fleshy mesocarp edible surrounding the endocarp. Most Prunus fruits and seeds are commonly used in processing, such as jam production, canning, drying or roasting. Prunus genus more common friuts include plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and almonds.

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Brassica is a genus of plants in the Brassicaceae family. The members of the genus are informally known as cruciferous vegetables or cabbages. Crops from this genus are sometimes called cole crops—derived from the Latin caulis, denoting the  stalk of the plant. Brassica is known for its important agricultural and horticultural crops and includes a number of weeds, both of wild taxa and escapees from cultivation. Most  widespread species cultivated in Italy are: B. oleracea with its varieties and cultivars, B. rapa, B. nigra, B. napus.

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Nutmeg is the spice made by grinding the seed of the fragrant nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) tree into powder. The spice has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm slightly sweet taste; it is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces and vegetables. The seeds are dried gradually in the sun over a period of six to eight weeks. During this time the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat until the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. The shell is then broken with a wooden club and the nutmegs are picked out.
M. fragrans is native to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (Indonesia). It is also cultivated Malaysia, in the Carribean and in southern India. In the 17th-century work Hortus Botanicus Malabaricus, Hendrik van Rheede records that  learned the usage of nutmeg from the Indonesians through ancient trade routes.

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Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, cultivated in Italy too.
The vivid crimson stigmas and styles are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. Saffron is among the world's most costly spices by weight! Although some doubts remain on its origin, it is believed that saffron originated in Iran. However, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible region of origin of the plant.
It contains picrocrocin, safranal and carotenoids which imparts a rich yellow colour to dishes and textiles.
The first record of saffron is attested in a 7th-century BC Assyrian botanical treatise and it is used from millenia. Iran accounts for 90% of the world production!

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Theophrastus (371 – c. 287 BC) of Eresos was a greek philosopher interested in natural science. His writings on plants form a counterpart to Aristotle's zoological works.
The treatise "Enquiry into Plants" classified and described varieties of covering trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and cereals; in the last book  Theophrastus focused on plant juices and medicinal properties of herbs.
"De Causis Plantarum", instead, talked about plant physiology. Books One and Two are concerned with flowering, fruiting, and the effects of climate. Books Three and Four regarded cultivation and agricultural methods. In Books Five and Six he discussed plant breeding and plant diseases.

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Theme 4, Step 4: Compare your PlantArea with your co-learnersPlantAreas

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Theme 4, Step 4: Compare your PlantArea with your co-learnersPlantAreas

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I decided to compare my mediterranean PlantArea with that of Luisa Restrapo who described the enviroments and plants of Colombia, intrigued to hear about a tropical area! Even if both Mediterranean basin and Amazon region are biodiversity hotspots, climatic condition provides very different type of habitats and consequently a huge plant diversity. I discovered with pleasure that even Colombia presents an area of Alpine tundra and with surprise I saw she described as medicinal plant Solanum nigrum, very common in my country too! Very sad to know that climate change is affecting Colombia in the same way, except for the precipitation trend. In my opinion she also proposed an interesting idea in her plan, concerning the realization of the vertical gardens.

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Consulting the List of Earth's Endangered Creatures Italy results to host 20 endangered plant species. The information of this global database don't match with the data of the Red List of the Italian Flora which reports 96 species critically endangered, 76 endangered and 22 vulnerable!

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Full text of the red list of italian flora below. At page 22 there is a table showing data presented in the previous post.
If you speak italian you can read also this article:
https://www.lastampa.it/2013/05/22/scienza/biodiversit-in-italia-oltre-il-delle-piante-sotto-minaccia-vGk7oDc1Ew3rYnaDh2z68L/pagina.html

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As part of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, the Italian flora is particularly rich of species, many of them endemic to restricted territories. In some areas of Italy endemic plant species reach very high percentages (13%-20%). However, plant diversity is facing several threats due to human activities, responsible for:
- habitat loss,  fragmentation and overexploitation
- pollution
- soil consumption
- chemical and physical alteration of soil, water and atmosphere
- invasion of alien speciese
- global climate change
Italy is not an exception and urgent conservation measures are needed to preserve its rich biodiversity, with particular attention to the more threatened species.

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What about ex-situ plant conservation in my city? Botanic Garden and Herbarium of the University of Ferrara

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What about ex-situ plant conservation in my city? Botanic Garden and Herbarium of the University of Ferrara

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The greenhouses and flowerbeds of the University of Ferrara’s Botanical Garden covers 4500 sq. metres of the garden of Palazzo Turchi-Di Bagno, in the city centre. Established in 1771 in accordance with the wishes of Pope Clement XIV, it now host approximately 2000 species of plants, sub-divided into 5 thematic sections - Systematic, Useful Plants, Themed Gardens, Protected Flora, Exotic Plants. More information here: http://www.unife.it/sma/en/botanic-garden

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A succesfull plant conservation project in Emilia-Romagna region: PP-ICON/ LIFE09/NAT/IT000212

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A succesfull plant conservation project in Emilia-Romagna region: PP-ICON/ LIFE09/NAT/IT000212

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The PP-ICON project (Plant Pollinator Integrated CONservation approach) focused on the conservation of a locally rare plant (Dictamnus albus - burning bush) in Emilia-Romagna region and the community of its natural pollinators. European natural populations of Dictamnus albus are declining because of scarcity of pollination service mainly due to climatic changes, soil use changes, habitat fragmentation and pollution, which cause a scarcity of floral resources and nesting sites!
Read more about this pilot conservation project and its results in the link below :)

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project

General premise

About 90% of angiosperm species profit from animal pollination for their reproduction.

The mutualistic pollination interactions are beneficial to both plants and animals but also benefit humanity, directly through crop productivity and indirectly through ecosystem health.

Pollination systems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic sources, including fragmentation of habitat, changes in land use, modern agricultural practices, use of pesticides and herbicides. Rare plants are commonly more sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation and often occur in small populations, which may decrease the attractiveness to pollinators and reduce pollinator service.

The project

The PP-ICON project (Plant Pollinator Integrated CONservation approach: a demonstrative proposal) will focus on the conservation of a locally rare plant ( Dictamnus albus L.) and the community of its natural pollinators. At present, European natural populations of Dictamnus albus are declining because of scarcity of pollination service; in addition to this, suitable habitats (woodland fringes and clearings) are becoming rare due to land-use changes as result of the abandonment of traditional agro-sylvo-pastoral activities. Wild pollinators are facing a widespread decline, mainly due to climatic changes, soil use changes, habitat fragmentation and pollution, which cause a scarcity of floral resources and nesting sites.

The main objectives of this project are to ensure the persistence of an isolated population of Dictamnus albus, located in a protected area (Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa) included in the Natura2000 network (pSCI IT4050001), and to restore the community of its natural pollinators.

This is a pilot demonstration project: the integrated techniques here proposed could be easily applied for the management of other european populations of Dictamnus albus, as well as for the conservation of several plant species and respective pollinators that are facing the same risks in Europe.

The LIFE PLUS programme

LIFE+ (2007-2013) is the EU's financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU. It follows previous EU's LIFE programme.

LIFE+ programme includes three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, and LIFE+ Information and Communication.

LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity supports projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU's "Birds" (79/409/CEE) and "Habitats" (92/43/CE) Directives, the "Natura 2000" network of protected areas, and that contribute to the EU's goal of halting the loss of biodiversity.

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About 90% of angiosperm species profit from animal pollination for their reproduction. The mutualistic pollination interactions are beneficial to both plants and animals but also benefit humanity, directly through crop productivity and indirectly through ecosystem health. Pollination systems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic sources, including fragmentation of habitat, changes in land use, modern agricultural practices, use of pesticides and herbicides.

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The 20 species listed for the Italian Peninsula in the List of Earth's Endangered Creatures are all critically endangered plants and predominantly endemisms of Sicily or Sardinia. I will select some of them reported in the IUCN Top 50 and for each I will provide a brief description, the main threats and the conservation measures proposed for the recovery and the maintenance of their populations.

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Description: Calendula maritima, known as the sea marigold, is a rare species of Asteraceae family. It is a perennial halophytic chamaephyte, endemic to the western part of Sicily, living in small coastal habitat from Marsala to Monte Cofano and on the two nearby islets Isola Grande dello Stagnone and Isola la Formica.
The most significant population is in a small 10 km2 area within the Riserva Naturale Saline di Trapani e Paceco.
Threats: C. maritima habitat outside the nature reserve is under serious threat of destruction due to urban development, tourism pressure and illegal dumps, meanwhile in the nature reserve the species suffer for the air pollution from the nearby salt-works. Another huge problem is the competition of invasive species, first of all the Hottentot fig' (Carpobrotus edulis), widespread in all native locations.

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Conservation measures proposed for Calendula maritima

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Conservation measures proposed for Calendula maritima

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1) Extension of the protection status to the three populations outside the nature reserve (sites of San Giuliano, San Cusumano, Isolotto Colombaia)
2) Integrated management of the surrounding territory: ban on building and construction  expansion
3) Eradication of Carpobrotus edulis where it can be possible
4) Some information about the subspecies are still unknow: it is necessary to fill the poor genetic and demographic information. Particularly it need to ensure genetic variability and inbreeding phenomenon.
5) In-situ conservation: effort to increase the populations size

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Description: Sinis milkwort is a perennial herb of Polygalaceae family grows under hot and dry climatic conditions on a limestone hillside within xerophilous Mediterranean plant communities. It is only found in a single population (70 individuals ca) along the coast of the Sinis Peninsula (Central-Western Sardinia).
Threats: The main threats for the single population of P. sinisica are agricultural activities, in particular pine plantations, followed by touristic and sport activities, such as off-road racing and unregulated human trampling. Other factors of risk are the increase of coastal roads and the construction and expansion of touristic infrastructures.

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Conservation measures proposed for Polygala sinisica

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Conservation measures proposed for Polygala sinisica

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1) Provide a regional law for the protection of this endemic plant species (there is a not yet approved proposal by the Regional Council of Sardinia since 2005)
2) As a precautionary measure, the population could be protected through fencing in order to avoid or to reduce disturbance from sport activities
3) Further studies are needed in order to better understand the reproductive biology and ecology of the species
4) In- situ conservation: effort to increase the population size (The only population of P. sinisica falls within the Natura 2000 site ITB030038 ‟Stagno di Putzu Idu).
5) Ex-situ conservation: after further studies should be considered an introduction plan

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Description: Velvet centaurea is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family,  endemic to a single island of the Tuscan Archipelago, Capraia.
Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation in dry rocky areas.
Pay Attention: Floral comparison!!

There are a high number of very similar Centaurea species along the Italian coastline and distinguishing between them is very difficult. One of the ways botanists differntiate these species is by the finge on their involucre bracts!
Threats: The risk level of the species was downgraded because an increase in the number of individuals has been recorded with respect to the 2005 assessment, so that the Criterion B cannot be applied anymore. Moreover, during the years 2013-2014 the alien invasive Carpobrotus, whose competition was the main risk factor for C. gymnocarpa as reported the plant in the previous assessment.

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JavaScript is disabled on your browser. Please enable JavaScript to use all the features on this page.

Abstract

Polygala sardoa Chodat and P. sinisica Arrigoni (Polygalaceae) are two exclusive endemics to Sardinia and P. sinisica is affiliated under "Critically Endangered" in the IUCN Red Lists. In this work comparative studies on two populations of P. sardoa and in the only one of P. sinisica were carried out. In particular, seed output calculations and morphometric measurements on seed and elaiosome sizes were carried out. The effect of chipping, constant (15 °C) and alternating (25/10 °C) temperature regimes and light (8 h irradiance/day and dark) on germination were investigated. Seedling vigor assessments and a study on seed persistence in the soil were also carried out. P. sinisica had a higher seed output than P. sardoa and P. sinisica seeds were smaller than those of P. sardoa, with lower elaiosome area and elaiosome ratio values. Neither species had alternating temperature or light requirements for germination. P. sardoa achieved high germination percentages (> 80%) at all the tested conditions. P. sinisica had a lower maximum germination (<60%), suggesting the presence of physiological dormancy, and took more than twice as long to reach the maximum germination percentage. Seedlings of P. sardoa were larger than those of P. sinisica, and neither species formed a persistent soil seed bank. These new data may help implement effective conservation measures for these two species and, more generally, for threatened endemic species of this genus.

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Ecological and morphological seed traits of Polygala sardoa and P. sinisica: A comparative study on two endemic species of Sardinia

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JavaScript is disabled on your browser. Please enable JavaScript to use all the features on this page. Polygala sardoa Chodat and P. sinisica Arrigoni (Polygalaceae) are two exclusive endemics to Sardinia and P. sinisica is affiliated under "Critically Endangered" in the IUCN Red Lists. In this work comparative studies on two populations of P.

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Conservation measures proposed for Centaurea gymnocarpa

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Conservation measures proposed for Centaurea gymnocarpa

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1) Legally this species is protected by the Regional Law 56/2000, according to which it is forbidden to collect any species belonging to genus Centaurea. Despite this, it is difficult to prevent the tourists from picking the flowers. Probably adequate fencing should be done (the eight known populations), together with initiatives to informe local people and tourists about the importance and rarity of the species
2) During the years 2013-2014 the alien invasive plant Carpobrotus acinaciformis was eradicated with the subsequently increase of seedlings in Centaurea population. But on the other hand, the second most invasive alien species, Senecio angulatus and Opuntia spp., are performing a fast expansion in the area. These species too should be eradicated to avoid any damage to endemic species.
3) Ex situ conservation: the species is already cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Florence but probably other effort to henance the wild populations can be done. Further studies in botanica garden can help to understand how to increse seedlings.

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Centaurea gymnocarpa - gardening in mediterranean climates worldwide

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The true Centaurea gymnocarpa is a rare, endangered species endemic to a remote island in the Tuscan Archipelago - Isola Capraia (not the better known Isola di Capri, much further south in the Tyrrhenian Sea, near Naples). Capraia's closest mainland Italian port is Livorno, but the island is in fact much closer to French Corsica.

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Description: Sicilian fir is native to the Madonie mountains, in northern Sicily. It is a medium-size evergreen coniferous  tree growing to 15–25 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. It occurs at altitudes of 1400–1,600 m.
It is closely related to silver fir, Abies alba, which replaces it in the Apennine Mountains of Italy and elsewhere further north in Europe; some botanists treat Sicilian fir as a variety of silver fir, as Abies alba var. nebrodensis.
Threats: As a result of deforestation it is now extremely rare, with only 30 mature trees surviving. The poor health of the seedlings and saplings grown in the tree nurseries and the low sexual performance of adult individuals should be considered as an issue of a bottle-neck effect due to the limited population size, even if a significant genetic variability has been detected.
Replanting programmes are meeting with limited success due to heavy grazing pressure by livestock belonging to local farmers and trampling of young individuals by introduced herbivores such as boars and fallow deers .

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Abies nebrodensis (abete dei nebrodi) description

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Description of Abies nebrodensis (abete dei nebrodi).

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Conservation measures proposed for Abies nebrodensis

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Conservation measures proposed for Abies nebrodensis

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1) Considering the low sexual performance of mature individuals and the low survival rate of seedlings and saplings, grazing and trampling damages may represent a serious threat for the natural regeneration of the species. Strict grazing management measures are urgently needed in order to reduce and control the impact of herbivores
2) The species has grown well in several European botanical gardens. However, soil degradation of the natural habitat has made re-introduction or increasing of the population very difficult. Assisted colonization should be encouraged in new selected areas, previous further studies about the habitats and the ecology
3) Eradication of the Abies species occurring in the surrounding areas in order to prevent genetic contamination due to hybridization

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The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants: Wild plants at the brink of extinction and what is needed to save them...

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The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants: Wild plants at the brink of extinction and what is needed to save them...

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More information about the endemic plants trated in the previous posts in the link below. In the PDF is possible to also find information concerning the other species listed for Italy in the List of Earth's Endangered Creatures.

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Theme 5, Step 4: Compare your conservation business plan with the business plan of other learners

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Theme 5, Step 4: Compare your conservation business plan with the business plan of other learners

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I compared my work about theme 5 with that of my co-learners and I noticed we set up the business plan on threatened species in different and personal ways. I decided to focus my attention on some characteristic endemisms critically endangered, for which the conservation measures in place seem to be not sufficient to well protect them, ensuring their maintenance in the future.
Somebody like me, has preferred to propose conservation plan for the single species described, somebody else presented a general plan referred to a specific environment or habitat in his/her PlantArea, describing all hosted species. I think these are two different but good methods to proceed!

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Provide a description of plant species living in the most extreme environment of your
PlantArea, with notes in particular on how they manage to survive.

Link to the group padlet:
https://padlet.com/giuliafinotti92/2krpcifrc8p2

Group members: Giulia Finotti, Mónica Patrícia Pinto, Marianna
Georgoulaki, Alexandra Voulgari, Andri Michaelidou, Ágnes Molnár, Fannie Papatoli.

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Group work assignment: the contribution about my PlantArea 

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Group work assignment: the contribution about my PlantArea 

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Xerophytic plants and their adaptations strategies to drought in Mediterranean maquis and garrigue of Italy

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Giulia Finotti_ Drought Adaptations in plants of the Mediterranean maquis and garrigue of Italy