Ambrosia species represent one of the most problematic groups of invasive weeds around the world. The ease they are introduced and spread in new countries, their generalist ecological requirements and functional traits facilitate their invasion and subsequent naturalization in new areas. All of these aspects contribute to increasing their global social and economic impact, which is mostly related to pollen allergy. Here we analyse available scientific publications about Ambrosia artemisiifolia, A. psilostachya, A. tenuifolia and A. trifida, with the aim of defining the current level of knowledge and summarizing important data that is currently scattered throughout the literature. Specifically, we analysed the following: (1) their current global distribution and current stage of invasion; (2) traits and requirements promoting their introduction, reproductive success and adaptation to climate and environment in the non-native range; as well as (3) current knowledge about allergens and elements increasing their impact.

Italy is among the European countries with the greatest plant diversity due to both a great environmental heterogeneity and a long history of man-environment interactions. Trait-based approaches to ecological studies have developed greatly over recent decades worldwide, although several issues concerning the relationships between plant functional traits and the environment still lack sufficient empirical evaluation. In order to draw insights on the association between plant functional traits and direct and indirect human and natural pressures on the environmental drivers, here we summarize the existing knowledge on this topic by reviewing the results of studies performed in Italy adopting a functional trait approach on vascular plants, briophytes and lichens. Although we recorded trait measurements for 1418 taxa, our review highlighted some major gaps in plant traits knowledge: Mediterranean ecosystems are poorly represented; traits related to belowground organs are still overlooked; traits measurements for bryophytes and lichens are lacking. Finally, intraspecific variation has been little studied at community level so far. We conclude highlighting the need of approaches evaluating trait-environment relationship at large spatial and temporal scales and the need of a more effective contribution to online databases to tie more firmly Italian researchers to international scientific networks on plant traits.

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The spread of the invasive and allergenic Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in Italy was analysed and mapped using distribution data from a wide range of sources. Ambrosia artemisiifolia occupies 1057 floristic quadrants which are mostly distributed in the Po plain. The distribution obtained represents the basis to implement urgent management strategies.

Era di Spagna molta giente venuta': i cantari di tradizione spagnola alla prova del poema cavalleresco