Linking Man and Nature: Relictual Forest Coenosis with Laurus nobilis L. and Celtis australis L. in Antica Lavinium, Italy

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin has been a refugium for relict plant taxa and native laurophyllic forests. The Latium coasts and, especially, the Antica Lavinium site, host relict forest communities, whose natural importance is enriched by their cultural value. Here, we aim at investigating the ecological framework, cultural and historical values, and management over time, of relict communities that have Laurus nobilis and Celtis australis as their priority habitats. To achieve this, we performed vegetation surveys and we conducted statistical analyses (PCA, NMDS). Among the 45 vegetation surveys, 25 were characterized by the two target species. The PCA analysis highlighted how the L. nobilis formations and the mixed formations with C. australis present some differences but are not sufficient to describe different coenosis. The comparison among similar forests in central and southern Italy confirmed the wide coenological amplitude of L. nobilis with respect to other laurophyllic species. Antica Lavinium has an overall good preservation of laurel forest formations, but also of mixed formation with C. australis. In the area, historical, cultural, and natural characteristics mutually contributed to the development of human civilizations and plant communities, highlighting their deep linkage.

Human-nature relationships in the collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples: a botanical perspective

“…Pliny (HN XV.135) stated that the laurel was not permitted for "profane" uses, and setting it on fire at altars "for the propitiation of divinities" was strictly forbidden, because "...it is very evident that the laurel protests against such usage by crackling as it does in the fire, thus, in some way, giving expression to its abhorrence of such treatment." It is ascertained (Albani Rocchetti et al 2021) that woodlands were widespread in Latium in antiquity and that the laurel was an important element occurring in these forests. Here it assumed an important sacred meaning especially in the area of the Antica Lavinium site as well as in the lucus Loretae close to the Aventine hill in Rome.…”

Vegetation Analysis in the Archaeological Area of Pasargadae WHS (Iran) Enhancing the Naturalistic Value of the Site within the Occurring Environmental Changes

“…In addition, archaeological areas, being better protected from anthropogenic disturbance compared to other human-managed areas, have proven to be valuable refuges for biodiversity conservation [5,6,32,33]. The permanence of natural habitats and the floristic richness found in these areas is considerable, with the occurrence of a high number of species of conservation interest [6,32,[34][35][36][37].…”

Plant Diversity in Archaeological Sites and Its Bioindication Values for Nature Conservation: Assessments in the UNESCO Site Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia (Italy)

“…Furthermore, in addition to the important role of maintaining the natural vegetation cover in such areas, previous studies have also shown that archaeological sites can provide refuges for plant and animal species, protecting them from human impact and stresses associated with urban development and thus helping to conserve their levels of biodiversity [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Indeed, cultural heritage management activity provides some protection for natural heritage compared to other highly disturbed human ecosystems.…”