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The results of the 4th National Report for the Italian flora under the 92/43/EEC ‘Habitats’ Directive are presented. The outcomes showed a general negative conservation status for plant species, with the worst situation being in the Mediterranean bioregion. At the National level, significant monitoring and conservation activities are required.

The present work is aimed at presenting the data, methods and criteria that are being used for the assessment of ecosystem collapse risk in Italy.

Background: Gait analysis is a reliable tool to characterise ambulation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth, the obtained are complex data makes its use scarce in clinical practice. The use of synthetic measure...

The reproductive success of a plant species depends to some extent on its flowering phenology. Thus, it is important to understand the flowering period, the flowering intensity and the synchrony of flowering to determine their respective influence on the reproductive success of the plant species. This study was conducted on the only natural population of Dianthus morisianus and on the first attempted translocation of the species. The aim of this study was to analyse the flowering phenology of the two populations to understand each and compare them. To analyse the flowering phenology, the initiation date, the intensity, the maximum flowering moment, the synchrony and the duration of flowering were tested. The studied plants had different flowering durations between years and the intensity and number of stems were significantly lower in the offspring of translocated plants than the natural plants. The early flowering plants had a longer flowering period and produced more flowers than those that flow...

The genetic variability of the ex situ cultivated plants of Ribes sardoum, obtained from seeds collected from the unique natural population, was investigated. Our results revealed that plants cultivated ex situ captured a higher amount of genetic diversity and this will be useful in future translocation of this threatened species.

Background: For prioritising practical conservation measures in areas of high endemic plant diversity, a fine-scale hierarchy of sites needs to be established. In this context, conservation sites designed at local and regional levels are considered a network of interconnected areas.Aims: The main aim was to identify two hierarchical levels of a network of conservation sites, called ‘micro hotspots’ and ‘nano hotspots’, and test their efficiency for achieving conservation objectives across the island of Sardinia, Mediterranean Basin.Methods: We analysed the spatial distribution of endemic vascular plant species (EVPS) richness. Additionally, the area, perimeter, connectivity and surplus costs for the protection of all endemic plant populations were used as ranking criteria for a hierarchical classification.Results: We identified eight micro hotspots and 82 nano hotspots. Amongst the three possible solutions compared, the integrated network of micro and nano hotspots resulted in more effective conservation ...

Ribes sardoum, the most threatened endemic plant of Sardinia, is included in the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and it was considered Critically Endangered in the global IUCN Red Lists. This species has been reported to have an extremely low fertility, scarce fruit production, low seed viability and a general inability to reproduce sexually. Fruits were collected for the first time from the remnant population, and the requirements for seed germination were investigated in the laboratory. Seeds were incubated at different temperatures (10, 15, and 20°C) and, in addition, they were exposed to a warm stratification (W) or a move-along treatment characterized by three cold temperature regimes (CCC). Seeds were also sown on the surface of 1% agar water with 250 mg·L−1 of GA3. At maturity, seeds have a linear underdeveloped embryo. Germination percentage between 35% and 65% were detected in the control and W groups. A low germination percentage occurred after CCC and during GA3 treatment. W treatment speeds up ...

Border and isolated plant populations represent an interesting target for ecological and conservation issues. We analysed the ecological constraints and the conservation status of the eastern population of Helianthemum caput-felis Boiss. (Cistaceae), located in Sardinia. The distribution of H. caput-felis was verified via field surveys; ecological data, morphological and reproductive traits, were recorded in 40 permanent plots randomly established; the human trampling effects on plant density, plant size and plant performance were analysed. Plant density was higher in bedrock and lowland areas, in garrigue and maquis habitats; however, the differences among plants growing in different ecological conditions were not statistically significant; only human trampling intensity significantly affected plant density and lowest values were observed in areas with intense trampling pressure. All ecological variables analysed had a statistically significant effect on plant size and on the number of fruits per...

The Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 aims to prevent the extinction risk of known threatened species and to improve their conservation status by 2020. We present the integrated strategy implemented in the last 10 years for the keystone plant species of Sardinia (Italy, W. Mediterranean Basin), which includes the following activities: conservation status assessment (following the IUCN protocol), ex situ conservation, in situ monitoring and active protection measures. To date, an average of 51.8% of keystone plant species have been subjected to the latter first three activities while, due to the higher costs, only few active conservation measures have been carried out. Considering the activities realised since 2004, we have also predicted the conservation effectiveness towards 2020 and have elaborated an index to evaluate it. Halfway through the strategic plan, we argue that more efforts are needed to guarantee the effective conservation of all threatened plants in Sardinia.

The in situ conservation activities carried out in the last 10 years on endemic and threatened Sardinian vascular flora were analysed. Monitored species were selected following the policy species (listed in the Habitat Directive) and following the regional responsibility criterion. A monitoring scheme, with three levels of intensity, was applied and economic costs of the monitoring activities were analysed. In the 10-year long field work, 49 taxa corresponding to 50% of policy species and to 22.5% of the Sardinian endemics were monitored. The Sulcitano-Iglesiente sector showed the highest number of monitored taxa (20), whereas the Gennargenteo sector showed the highest number of populations monitored (32). A variation of the relative importance of the three levels of monitoring has been detected and most of the protocols showed a high level of intensity and complexity (90%). Plant-monitoring programmes have been considerably intensified over time with an increase in the total costs; the most important cos...

The importance of robust systems for classifying biogeographical patterns has been emphasized for its usefulness in designing conservation strategies. For such purposes, the distribution patterns of the endemic flora have often been used. Several studies have identified phytogeographical units within Sardinia (western Mediterranean); however, the main part of the island remains unstudied. Thus, the aim of this study is to lay out a comprehensive biogeographical scheme for Sardinia based on endemic vascular plant distributions, together with geological and geomorphological units. We georeferenced, in a 1-km2 grid cell, the presence of 290 vascular endemic taxa from the literature, herbarium specimens and field investigators’ research. Sardinia was subdivided into 31 homogeneous units through the integration of geological and geomorphological maps and, subsequently, a presence–absence matrix of endemic taxa in each unit was built. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to define two levels of biogeographical units (i.e. sectors and subsectors). For each unit the exclusive and differential endemic taxa were identified. For sectors, indicator species were explored by the Indicator Value (Ind Val) analysis and relationships were analysed by quantitative interaction web. A total of six sectors and 22 subsectors were identified. The highest endemic plant richness was found in the Campidanese-Turritano, Sulcitano-Iglesiente and Supramontano sectors, and in the Gennargenteo, Barbaricino, Iglesiente and Sulcitano subsectors. All sectors were characterized by the presence of exclusive, differential and indicator taxa. The interaction analysis showed the highest uniqueness in endemic flora in the Supramontano and Sulcitano-Iglesiente sectors, which hosted a high number of exclusive endemic species. Mostly mountainous sectors/subsectors had higher endemic-species richness compared with lowland ones. The study showed the relevance of geology and geomorphology, together with accurate data on endemic distribution, to define consistent phytogeographical units. Furthermore, the biogeographical scheme presented here helps to define area-based conservation strategies in Sardinia.

Arundo micrantha Lam., a reed species from southern Mediterranean area, has found in Sardinia. Its presence represents the first record for Italy and the third one for western Europe. Investigations on distribution and ecology of the Sardinian population have been carried out, with special focusing on synecology of the species. A. micrantha has found in 40 localities mainly distributed along temporary streams and permanent rivers in the central and southern part of the island. Most of Sardinian populations occurs on alluvial soils in Thermomediterranean bioclimatic context. The autonomy of Sardinian phytocoenoses was characterized with the definition of exclusive floristic taxa, biological and chorological elements, and syndinamic relationships with other assemblages. Comparing the community with other reed beds from the Mediterranean basin, a marked floristic differentiation arose between the phytocoenoses characterized by autochthonous Arundo species and those dominated by the invasive Arundo donax. Fin...

Seedling emergence is a critical stage in the life cycle of annual plants, especially in arid and semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems characterized by high environmental unpredictability. We examined whether the timing of seedling emergence is related to plant survival and fitness for Anchusa littorea (Boraginaceae), an annual plant growing in a Mediterranean coastal sand dune ecosystem of southwest Sardinia (Italy). Seedling emergence, survival, and fruit set was monitored during 4 y (2008–2011) in 25 plots distributed in 2 contrasting microhabitats. Emergence concentrated in late winter (February–March), with few plants emerging thereafter. Early emergence time increased plant life length and fitness. Microhabitat conditions did not influence seedling emergence, although higher survival and fitness occurred in more favourable habitats. Our study enabled us to characterize the patterns of recruitment in A. littorea by analyzing the most critical stages in its life cycle.

Seed germination, seedling emergence and seed persistence in the soil were investigated for Dianthus morisianus (Caryophyllaceae), a psammophilous endemic species of Sardinia. Stored and freshly collected seeds were incubated in a range of constant temperatures (5–25°C) and an alternating temperature regime (25/10°C). The effect of seed burial depth on seedling emergence was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. Seed persistence in the soil was verified by in situ experimental seed burials. Seeds of this species were non-dormant, and all seed lots germinated both in the light and darkness, mainly at low temperatures (≤20°C), with a maximum at 15°C (≥95%). Optimal seedling emergence was obtained when seeds were buried at a depth of 1–2 cm, and a declining emergence with increasing depth was observed. D. morisianus was also unable to form a persistent soil seed bank. The fate of the seeds that, after dispersal, do not emerge from the soil in the spring is, therefore, presumably to...

Seed reproduction is considered a critical bottleneck of the plant life cycle, constraining population growth, especially in the Mediterranean area. In this study, we investigated seed reproduction of Lamyropsis microcephala (Asteraceae), a threatened species occurring only in the Gennargentu massif (CE Sardinia, Italy). Seed output was quantified in two of the four localities where the species occurs, which differed in population size. Germination of seeds from all the four localities was assessed, both in the field and under controlled conditions, and the annual trend of soil temperature recorded by data-loggers. Plants had ca. 60 cypselas (i.e. the fruits of Asteraceae) per capitulum in the larger Rio Aratu and ca. 30 in the smaller Pisargiu locality, with only ca. 1.7 and 0.3 germinating cypselas per capitulum, respectively. Under controlled conditions, seeds of the two large localities (Bau ‘e Laccos and Rio Aratu) germinated above 80%, while those of the two small ones (Bruncu Spina and Pis...

The autecology of the Sardinian endemics Aquilegia barbaricina Arrigoni et Nardi and A. nugorensis Arrigoni et Nardi were investigated. Peaks of anthesis and seed dispersal were recorded for five populations occurring in two distinct habitats, one riparian and one rupicolous. Germination tests were carried out on seed lots belonging to each population by sowing seeds at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 25/15°C. In addition, seeds were incubated for 2 months at either 25°C (summer), 5°C (winter) or 25°C for 2 months plus 2 months at 5°C (summer followed by winter–SW), and then moved to the germination temperatures. Embryo measurements were taken during pre-treatments and germination. Experimental seed burials were carried out for two populations of each species. Both species dispersed in summer. The population of A. nugorensis occurring on rocky outcrops differed in phenology from both the other A. nugorensis population from riparian vegetation and from A. barbaricina. Both species showed morphophysiological se...

The collections stored at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) were analysed to verify if setting conservation priorities on the exclusive endemic flora of Sardinia (Italy) would make it possible to reach the 2010 GSPC Target 8. By 2010, 39.9% of the exclusive-endemics of Sardinia, 43.1% of the BGCI European threatened species and 65.0% of the taxa listed in Annex II of DIR 92/43/EEC present on the island had been stored in BG-SAR. Of the stored plants, 40% of those listed in the DIR 92/43/EEC, and only 25.69% of the BGCI threatened plants are represented by an adequate number of populations. For a few of the stored threatened plants (ca. 36%), and for 60% of the DIR 92/43/EEC ones, at least one seedlot with more than 5000 seeds is available. These data indicate that focusing on exclusive endemics gave a substantial, although not decisive, contribution towards the achievement of the 2010 GSPC Target 8 in Sardinia, and that more efforts are needed to guarantee the effective long-term conservation...

Coastal dune environments are selective ecosystems characterized by a close interaction between abiotic and biotic factors in a dynamic balance. The present study focused on the psammophilous geosigmetum, the most affected by the interactions between physical processes and biological and anthropic processes. The main purpose was to study the relationships between the abiotic properties of the dune and the presence of the various plant communities, combining morpho-sedimentological, geopedological, and geobotanical data. The study was carried out on the well-preserved dune system of Is Arenas (CW Sardinia) which is one of the most important in the Mediterranean area. The analyses revealed differences at the morphodynamic, sedimentological, and geopedological levels. The micro-topography of the dunes affects the values of the main abiotic variables, and determines the presence of various microhabitats of great heterogeneity. This work shows that the data on the geomorphological dynamics and the chemical–physical processes, correlated with the geobotanical analyses, might make it possible to identify the ecosystemic processes, and thereby plan adequate management and conservation strategies for this coastal dune system.

Astragalus maritimus Moris and A. verrucosus Moris are two endemic threatened species exclusive of South West Sardinia. In this study the populations of both species were characterized and their seed germination investigated. The in situ results allowed reviewing their conservation status in compliance with the IUCN criteria, confirming the CR category by new subcriteria for both species. The germination study allowed identifying as well their dormancy breaking requirements.