Table of Contents

This contribution includes the 62 oral and 24 poster presentations of the international congress "Sustainable restoration of Mediterranean forests, analysis and perspective within the context of bio-based economy development under global changes", Palermo 19th - 21th April 2017, organized by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), the University of Insubria, the Tuscia University, the University of Palermo, the Italian Society of forest restoration (SIRF), the Botanical Society of Italy (SBI) and the Italian Academy of Forest Sciences. The congress program is organized in four main technical Symposia: Forest restoration in Mediterranean climates (Europe/other continents); Scientific and technological advancements for a sustainable forest management; Political, social, and economical implications related to forest restoration activities; Forest restoration, landscape management, and ecosystem services. The four key themes of the symposia will be developed by answering the following questions: How climate change and its extreme events is affecting the Mediterranean vegetation in general and forests in particular; how new technological advancements will impact upon and will support the strategies to be implemented for leading to a sustainable forest management in Mediterranean Region; how to interconnect stakeholders, economists, policy makers with forest and landscape scientists in order to form a network able to guarantee a full integratio...

The traditional practice of collecting wild edible plants is still active especially in small communities and has a great interest today at the scientific and cultural level. The revaluation of wild plants is of considerable importance not only for nutrition, but also to meet the "desire for nature", which appears increasingly marked, especially in large cities. This research on Sardinian food plants takes into account the existing literature from the first mentions by Greek and Latin authors and the ancient medieval Condaghes, a kind of ecclesiastical register of businesses, in the early centuries of the second millennium. In times closer to us, thanks to Fara, Manca dell'Arca, Moris we have important information about the use of cultivated and wild plants in the past. Especially at the end of the last century and in recent years, a large amount of very detailed data on the use of plants in the whole of Sardinia, offers the opportunity to attempt a synthesis of this field. 223 species are considered according to the parts used (bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, tuberous roots, basal leaves, stems, inflorescences, flowers, fruits, seeds, biological forms). In addition, a local name for each species is seleced. Of the 41 plant families included, the most important are: Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Brassicaceae, Phaseolaceae, Liliaceae (including Alliaceae, Asparagaceae, Asphodelaceae, Ruscaeae), Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. The grasses (annuals and perennials) constitute 57% of...

Chromosomes are helpful tools for systematic purposes, but their use has not always been rigorous. In this contribution, we review and discuss the use of karyomorphological data from the beginning of cytotaxonomy to present day. We highlight the use of incorrect karyomorphological parameters and the erroneous merging of different parameters in some case studies. In addition, we suggest complementing the karyological data with information from other independent sources to infer systematic reconstructions.

Thirty-six lignicolous fungal species (4 Ascomycota and 32 Basidiomycota), included in 16 families and 28 genera have been recorded in different natural and reforested areas of Sicily. Amylostereum laevigatum, Ceriporia excelsa, Phlebia lilascens, and Stereum insignitum represent new records for Sicily. Notes on some rare species are also here reported.

The charophyte collected in Lake Bertonou in 2008 was later described as a new species, Chara hellenica (Characeae). It was also found in 2014, but not in 2015 and 2016. The reason for its disappearance is most probably runoff soluble such as phosphorus and nitrogen from Temploni landfill.

The Wikiplantbase project, started in 2013, provides a framework where the full set of georeferenced floristic records of Tuscany and Sardinia can be entered, stored, updated and freely accessed through the Internet. Mainly thanks to the collaboration of amateur botanists, data have accumulated quickly. All records entered by collaborators are submitted to the project coordinators, who are enabled to accept, modify, or reject them. As of 22 November 2016, Wikiplantbase #Toscana holds 116,402 verified floristic records (90% based on published literature, 5% on unpublished herbarium specimens, 5% on field observations), and Wikiplantbase #Sardegna 40,043 (77% published literature, 18% unpublished herbarium specimens, 5% on field observations ). The records include over 90% of the specific and subspecific taxa known for Tuscany and about 70% – but rapidly growing – of those known for Sardinia. The most recorded species are Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) for Tuscany and Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) for Sardinia. With minor software tweaking, the online platform Wikiplantbase might be adopted in other contexts, resulting in a well connected network of regional floristic databases suited to exploit the involvement – still largely untapped – of nonacademic collaborators, as advocated by citizen science.

In the framework of the first author’s Ph.D. dissertation on the study of the flora of Mt. Taigetos (south Peloponnisos) and surrounding areas, as well as the molecular phylogenetic study of Campanula (section Quinqueloculares) by the second author, a new species, C. kamariana, was discovered in the surrounding area of Mt. Taigetos and hereby described. The chromosome number is provided, together with a discussion on the main morphological differences with the seemingly closely related C. topaliana s. l., as well as with other taxa in section Quinqueloculares. The appropriate conservation status for this species is also recommended.

For the first time, the bryoflora of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo (Vatican City State) has been studied. Research led to the identification of 87 bryophytes (1 hornworts, 15 liverworts and 71 mosses), among which one liverwort and six moss species are new reports for the Lazio Region. Zygodon forsteri, epiphyte species considered Vulnerable in Europe, Anthoceros agrestis and other species rare for Italy, were found in the study area. In addition, the life-form of each species was taken into consideration, in order to compare with the ecological and climatic characteristics of the territory examined. The study contributes to the knowledge of a territory of the Vatican City State that until now had been almost unexplored from the bryological point of view and provides important information for the realization and definition of the European and Mediterranean Red List of Bryophytes

A new population of Anthemis ismelia (Asteraceae) has been discovered on Mt Pecoraro (Cinisi, NW Sicily), a limestone headland at about 14 km from Mt Gallo (Palermo), the locus classicus et unicus of this species described in 1884. Taxonomic framework, distribution update, habitat characterisation, ecology and phytosociological framework are provided, as well as meta-population numerical estimates and risk status assessment.

The influence of soil on plant cover was investigated in two different soil types, on limestone and on phyllite, in the Coimbra peri-urban area. Two areas were selected in each soil type. Soil was analysed for colour, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, organic matter content, mineralogy, texture and chemical composition. Floristic composition was assessed and abundance was calculated using DAFOR methodology. Data were statistically analysed in Canoco for Windows 4.5. The two soil types have distinct texture and distinct mineralogical, physical and chemical properties. Soil on limestone had pH, electrical conductivity and moisture content higher than soil on phyllite; the latter had higher organic matter content. Soil on limestone had silt clay loam texture and the most abundant minerals were calcite and quartz. The texture of soil from phyllite is sandy loam, loam and silt loam and the most abundant minerals were quartz and mica. Also, most common oxides and trace elements are different. A total of 288 taxa in 61 families (Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae are predominant) were identified, showing the enormous diversity of the peri-urban vegetation of Coimbra. A clear distinction was found between the vegetation of the areas of limestone and phyllite; the main environmental factors influencing the ordering of species are pH, mineralogy and anthropic impact.

98 species of lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi are reported for the first time from Utrish Reserve, Abrau Peninsula. Fifteen species are new to the Northern Caucasus, of which ten species are reported for the first time for the Caucasus region and five are new to Russia: Dirina fallax, Flavoplaca navasiana, Lecanographa lyncea, Melaspilea enteroleuca and Verrucaria elaeina.

The recent discovery in Algeria (North Africa) of Soleirolia soleirolii (Req.) Dandy (Urticaceae) endemic to the Tyrrhenian area is here reported. Due to the limited distribution area (Edough peninsula North-East Algeria), a particular conservation attention is to be paid in Algeria.

Mediterranean urban areas house substantial amounts of biodiversity – both plant and animal. Urban green spaces include (a) areas of natural or semi-natural vegetation such as ecosystem fragments, reserves, nature parks, forests, and river banks, which house varying amounts of native species; (b) urban agriculture and horticulture; (c) managed spaces with cultivated vegetation such as parks and gardens; and (d) informal urban green spaces such as wastelands or brown field sites which are largely colonized by weeds, ruderal plants and invasive species. Considerable attention has been paid to the biodiversity values of the first two categories but the last category which includes areas such as industrial wastelands, roadside verges, river and canal banks, railway line embankments, has been largely neglected. The benign climate of the Mediterranean region has permitted the cultivation of a wide range of both temperate and semitropical trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in parks, gardens and other urban settings. The main managed elements are public parks, private and domestic gardens, botanic gardens, zoological parks, glasshouses and shade houses, planted urban forests, street trees, landscaping of office blocks, residential apartment blocks, public buildings, university and college campuses, business parks, golf courses, nurseries, garden centres, and more recently green roofs and living walls. While the diversity of species grown in urban botanic gardens is usua...

The spread dynamics of invasive Caulerpa taxa (i.e. Caulerpa cylindracea, C. taxifolia var. taxifolia and C. taxifolia var. distichophylla) in Sicily and circum-Sicilian Islands, based on relevant publications, grey literature, unpublished data and in situ observations during the last 23 years, is presented here and discussed. Their known distribution is mapped. New records are also reported. Transport-stowaway is considered the most plausible vector of introduction of invasive Caulerpa in the area. The three invasive taxa showed different spread dynamics. Caulerpa cylindracea and C. taxifolia var. distichophylla, behaved as highly successful and fast-spreading taxa, i.e. as true invasive taxa. On the contrary, C. taxifolia var. taxifolia did not behave like the others, remaining limited to two small areas distant from each other. Due to their geographical position, Sicily and circum-Sicilian Islands are particularly vulnerable to biological invasions and therefore they could play an important role as receiver, transit and donor zone for alien species within the Mediterranean Sea. The creation of permanent observatories and alarm systems in this area might be an effective tool in the management of present and future introductions of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mt Goulinas is located in the NW part of Sterea Ellas in south-central Greece. A first floristic inventory of the mountain is presented based on field work and literature records. The known vascular flora of the study area consists of 487 taxa out of which 305 taxa are reported for the first time. Among these Euphorbia phymatosperma subsp. cernua and Elymus caninus are new to Sterea Ellas.

It is reported the presence in Sicily of a new alien species destined to a progressive further spread in the Island. It is Bidens subalternans DC., an annual asteracea of American origin, already known in other Italian regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Marche, Lazio and Campania) and in other European countries (Belgium, Corse, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Great Britain, Montenegro, Republic of Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland). The new locality, in Sicily, occurs along the roadside Monreale – Pioppo, south of the city of Palermo. In this station, B. subalternans is found together with B. pilosa subsp. minor and other indigenous and exotic nitrophilous taxa. The population observed near Monreale (Palermo), is quite large and, according to the methods of dispersion, shows in Sicily an invasive tendency in favourable environment. The affinities of B. subalternans with B. bipinnata L. – with which the species was sometimes confused – is also discussed.

This is the twenty-seventh of a series of karyological data from Mediterranean area, peri-Alpine communities and the Atlantic Islands, in English or French language. It comprises contributions on 32 taxa: Crocus from Cyprus, F.Y.R.O.M., Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Romania, Sicily, Syria and Turkey by C. A. Heywood, P. Bareka, Th. Karamplianis & G. Kamari (Nos 1903-1918); Centaurea from Croatia by I. Carev, F. Pustahija, M. Ruščić & S. Siljak-Yakovlev (Nos 1919-1925); Anacamptis, Asphodelus, Dactylorhiza, Digitalis, Narcissus, Platanthera, Polygonatum from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Lebanon by F. Pustahija, E. M. Šolić & S. Siljak-Yakovlev (1926-1934).

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes are given for the following species of Crocus: C. aleppicus, C. banaticus, C. boulosii, C. etruscus, C. gargaricus, C. herbertii, C. hermoneus, C. kosaninii, C. leichtlinii, C. longiflorus, C. moabiticus, C. scardicus, C. sieheanus, C. tommasinianus, C. veneris. Chromosome counts are also given for C. banaticus and C. longiflorus. Intraspecific variation was found in C. allepicus and C. hermoneus. Karyotype microphotographs or karyogram drawings are provided and karyotype morphology is discussed.

Seven Centaurea species from Croatia (C. alba, C. calcitrapa, C. cristata, C. rhenana, C. rupestris, C. salonitana and C. solstitialis) belonging to five sections were studied. Chromosome numbers and metaphase plates are presented. All species studied here were found to be either diploid or tetraploid with the exception of C. salonitana which presented both ploidy levels: one diploid and one tetraploid population were detected.

Chromosome numbers and metaphase plates are given for seven species from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Anacamptis morio, Asphodelus albus, Dactylorhiza maculata, Digitalis grandiflora, Narcissus poeticus, Platanthera bifolia, Polygonatum multiflorum), and one species from Croatia (Narcissus obsoletus) and Lebanon (Narcissus tazetta). Chromosome counts and genome sizes are discussed.