Biodiversity in Urban Areas: The Extraordinary Case of Appia Antica Regional Park (Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The first inventory of the flora of Appia Antica Regional Park (Italy), one of the largest protected urban areas in Europe (4580 ha), its biological, ecological and biogeographical composition, and notes of the vegetation physiognomies and landscape are presented; physical characteristics of the territory (geomorphology, lithotypes, and phytoclimate) are also given. The landscape is defined by an agricultural matrix with natural and seminatural areas as patches, and riparian vegetation communities as corridors. The vegetation physiognomies are represented by types linked to the Mediterranean climate (mixed, Mediterranean, and riparian forests; scrubby, rocky, aquatic, and helophytic vegetation; anthropogenic communities). The floristic list includes 714 taxa (104 families and 403 genera). Therophytes prevail over hemicryptophytes; woody flora comprises about 30% of alien species. As regards chorotypes, together with a considerable number of Mediterranean species, there are many exotic species with wide distribution areas testifying to a long-lasting anthropic impact. Floristic novelties (european, national, and regional levels) for 21 taxa are reported. The extraordinary species diversity discovered (43% of flora of Rome and 20% of regional flora) is linked to the landscape heterogeneity, the characteristics of which are: (1) persistence of residual natural patches, (2) occurrence of quite well-preserved aquatic habitats and humid meadows, (3) a rich anthropogenic flora, (4) an interesting flora of archeological sites, (5) occurrence of species not common in Latium, (6) occurrence of populations of aliens in crops (which cause economic impact), (7) presence of aliens on archeological ruins (which cause economic-social impacts). The extensive set of data provided represents a general base framework for guiding future research efforts and landscape action plans consistent with environmental sustainability.

New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update

“…The species has been observed mainly in areas occupied by landfills, where various types of waste are abandoned, including pruning waste and debris. In Italy, this species is reported as a casual alien, exclusively for Campania and Lazio [ 93 , 94 ].…”

“…Note. Ruellia simplex has been reported to Italy only for Sardegna, Puglia, Lazio [ 23 , 94 , 149 ] and recently for Sicilia [ 38 ]. A small population has been observed along the roadside, in a ruderal site where other alien species (such as Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.)…”

“…Acanthaceae-Neophyte-America-Nanophanerophyte First record for Calabria (casual alien) Specimen: 9 September 2022, via Argine Destro Calopinace, Reggio Calabria, ruderal site along the road, 38.101381 Note. Ruellia simplex has been reported to Italy only for Sardegna, Puglia, Lazio [23,94,149] and recently for Sicilia [38]. A small population has been observed along the roadside, in a ruderal site where other alien species (such as Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.)…”

Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation

“…In light of these considerations, eight research articles [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] and two reviews [ 16 , 17 ] were published in the journal Plants , in the Special Issue “Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation”.…”

“…was reported for the first time from Bulgaria. Iamonico [ 13 ] explored the plant diversity of a protected area in the city of Rome, reporting the inventory of the vascular flora, with information on its biological, ecological and biogeographical composition, and notes of the physiognomy of vegetation and landscape. Furthermore, Denisophytum bessac (Choiv.)…”