Table of Contents

The authors analysed the forest ecosystems in the Monti Sicani Park (Sicily). In particular, the state of the natural and non-native forests in the Site of Community Interest (SCI ITA040005)

• Monte Cammarata, Contrada Salaci, was evaluated in terms of distribution, evolution of forest dynamics and, silvicultural activities. The evolution of vegetation within two different forest plots are analysed and management strategies are proposed. The finding on Mount Cammarata of seedlings of Fagus sylvatica in the undergrowth of a conifer afforestation is noteworthy

Xanthium is a taxonomically intricate genus of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). In Italy, two species of Xanthium sect. Xanthium are present: the native X. strumarium and then introduced X. orientale. In this study, we assess changes in relative frequency of these two species in Italy based on herbarium records. Based on our analyses, we could observe a strong decline of the native X. strumarium in Italy, started approximately one hundred years ago. Since then, this species has become extremely rare and more effort should be spent to investigate its actual distribution range and potential extinction risk in Italy. This study also demonstrates the importance of herbaria to address questions regarding the dynamics in relative frequency and distribution of competing native and introduced species.

A new species of Pyrus for the dendroflora of Sicily is here described. It is Pyrus pedrottiana, actually considered endemic to the Nebrodi Mountains, a territory which includes the largest wooded area of the island with a high forest biodiversity.In the same area, P. vallis-demonis and P. ciancioi have also been described in recent times. The authors report diagnostic characters to distinguish the new taxon from the other two sympatric species.

Limonium ammochostianum, L. karpasiticum and L. paralimniticum (Plumbaginaceae) are described as new to science. The former species was long time known in Cyprus under the misapplied name L. ocymifolium subsp. bellidifolium. The three species occur in a few coastal stretches in the east of the island. The new taxa show strong morphological similarities and can be considered as segregates of a L. ammochostianum species group. All hitherto known populations of the species group make up about 6000 individuals. L. ammochostianum and L. paralimniticum should be classified as “Endangered”, whereas L. karpasiticum as a “Data Deficient” taxon.

Tulipa gesneriana (Liliaceae) has recently been found as casual alien in the Alicante province (E of Spain). It is the first locality of this species which grows wild in Spain in semi-natural, disturbed grasslands, similarly to other geophytes such as Hyacinthus orientalis or Sternbergia lutea.

This work aimed for a taxonomic investigation conducted on populations of Bolboschoenus (Cyperaceae) growing in wetlands throughout the Maltese Islands. A detailed account of the ecology and morphometric analysis of eleven flower-bearing populations is provided and supplemented by images. Emphasis was made on the inflorescence and the achenes, whereas palyological observations were also included. No significant taxonomic difference has been found between ray-bearing and rayless plants and all examined material did not correspond to B. maritimus, the only species reported in previous floristic literature. Findings instead showed two distinct morphotypes that are undocumented. The one prevailing in mainland Malta was completely sterile (a unique finding for the genus) except for one small population, which harboured fragment pockets of fertile plants corresponding best to B. glaucus s. l. The other morphotype occurred only on the Island of Gozo and consisted of achene-producing plants that did not match any of the described Bolboschoenus species. Morphometrics indicated an intermediate position between B. glaucus and B. maritimus. Further investigations that are more diagnostic from morphometrics are advocated for reliable taxonomic conclusions of both populations, possibly leading to the first records of the hybrid B. glaucus × maritimus, as indicated in this morphological study.

Lablab purpureus (Fabaceae) is a species native to tropical Africa, but widely cultivated and naturalized in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. We report the occurrence of this species for the first time in Sicily, close to the town of Palermo. The population seems to be well established and takes part to a sub-nitrophilous vegetation dominated by Oloptum miliaceum, representing the first case of naturalization of this species in Italy

The plant diversity of damp meadows and mires occurring in the Greek part of Rhodopi Mountain Range, at an elevation of above 1000 m, was investigated. The vascular flora of the investigated area consists of 340 taxa, which belong to 175 genera and 58 families. Seven taxa of vascular plants were recorded for the first time for the floristic region of North-East Greece. The most species-rich families are Poaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Juncaceae, whereas 20 families contribute with only one taxon. The most species-rich genera are Carex, Juncus and Ranunculus, and 103 genera have only one taxon. Most of them are hemicryptophytes (203 taxa), followed by therophytes (51 taxa), geophytes (45 taxa), phanerophytes (27 taxa) and chamaephytes (14 taxa). The high percentage of hemicryptophytes reflects the continental character of the flora. The majority of the taxa (228 taxa) are Widespread (76 taxa Europaean-SW Asian, 53 taxa Euro-Siberian, 37 taxa European etc.), followed by the Mediterranean unit with 57 taxa (24 taxa Mediterranean, 22 taxa Mediterranean-European, etc.) and the Balkan unit with 53 taxa (31 taxa Balkan, 17 taxa Balkan-Anatolian, etc.).

The inventory of the taxa collected during a survey held in 2011-2013 in Uria Basin, Catanzaro Province (Calabria, S-Italy) is here reported. The investigated territory, part of an area locally known as Presila Catanzarese, is located between the Ionian Sea and the Sila Massif, along the Ionian coast of Calabria region. The vascular flora of the area is scarcely known. The floristic samplings were performed in 318 sites selected as representative of the local environmental diversity as regards to climate, litho-morphology and land-use. The research led to the identification of 871 species and subspecies of vascular plants (652 of which never recorded before in the area), belonging to 100 families and 452 genera. Among these taxa, 8 are new [the most relevant being Erodium salzmannii, Helianthemum jonium, Hypericum hircinum subsp. hircinum, Leontodon siculus, Populus nigra subsp. neapolitana] and 3 confirmed for Calabrian flora, 51 are endemic to Italy, 32 included in IUCN Red Lists of Italian flora. In the area have been found 54 alien species, 2 of which new to Italy [Eucalyptus astringens and E. propinqua], 2 formerly considered native (or crytogenic) to Italy (Oxalis corniculata and Juglans regia). Data confirmed the great relevance of this territory for plant diversity and the need of long-term protection that seems to justify the recent establishment of two specific protected areas (Valli Cupe Regional Natural Reserve and ZSC Valle Uria - IT93301...

A first investigation on the horticultural flora of the Annaba region (North-East Algeria): Biodiversity and socio-ecological interest. — The present study was undertaken with the aim of improving knowledge and proposing a first checklist of horticultural plants present in public and private green spaces in the region of Annaba (northeastern Algeria). During the period from 2018 to 2021, a total of 164 taxa recorded. The results obtained are given in terms of floristic composition, forms of life, type of nativity and socio-ecological interest of the plants observed. However, the real impact of potentially invasive species on plant communities and ecosystems deserves urgent assessment with specific studies.

This paper presents new data on the distribution of 10 vascular plant species from the territory of North Macedonia.Three species (Erysimum cheiri, Iberis umbellata and Silene squamigera) are listed for the first time for the flora of North Macedonia, while the other 7 rare species (Chaenorhinum rubrifolium, Crepis zacintha, Galatella linosyris, Geranium versicolor, Glinus lotoides, Limosella aquatica and Polygonatum verticillatum) are registered at several new localities on its territory.

Three Mediterranean Arbutus species and one natural hybrid, as well as three North American species and one Californian hybrid of unknown origin were studied microscopically; a comparison of the internal anatomy of the flowers of these species is reported for the first time. Anatomical features were found to be similar in general but unique to the Arbutus. However, the length of the anther appendages, the spurs, seems to provide a heritage trait linking the Californian hybrid Arbutus ‘Marina’ to the A. canariensis and support other morphological findings between the East Mediterranean hybrid, A. ×andrachnoides, and its parents A. andrachne and A. unedo.

A checklist of trees distributed in Georgia is presented for the first time. The checklist includes 129 species of vascular plants. They belong to 52 genera and 28 families. Of 129 species 6 are represented by two subspecies and 1 by two varieties. On the whole, the checklist includes 136 taxa. For each taxon (species, subspecies and varieties) a regional, expert based, assessment, according to IUCN criteria, are provided. Regionally (in Georgia) 9 taxa are critically endangered (CR), 4 endangered (EN), 9 vulnerable (VU), and 15 are near threatened (NT). Due to the lack of data, 33 taxa could not be assessed and fell under the category of data definicient. 66 taxa resuleted not endangered so far and have been assigned to the category least concern (LC). References to taxonomy, key synonyms, assessment argumentation and references used in provisional species assessment are given for each taxon.

This is the fourth issue of the series of germination reports from Mediterranean areas (sensu MedChecklist). It comprises germination protocols for 17 taxa: Centaurea from central Italy by V. Di Cecco & L. Di Martino (No. 86); Limonium from Sardinia by M. E. Boi & al. (No. 87); Glaucium, Helichrysum, and Plantago from Central Italy by S. Magrini & al. (Nos. 88-90); Anthemis from Sicily by C. Blandino & al. (Nos. 91-97); Silene from Sicily and Calabria by C. Brullo & C. Salmeri (Nos. 98-102); lastly, Armeria from North Italy by Vuerich & al. (2022).

This work aims to study the seed germination capacity for Centaurea tenoreana (Asteraceae). This species is narrowly endemic to the territory of the Maiella National Park, in Abruzzo (Italy). The species did not show dormancy, and excellent germination results were obtained at constant temperatures both in the dark and in the light. The highest germination value (98.95%) was obtained by sowing the cypselas on 1% agar and then incubating at a constant temperature of 15°C with a light-dark photoperiod of 12/12 hours. The records of the first germination are provided for the taxon investigated.

The present report illustrates the first germination data of Limonium merxmuelleri subsp. merxmuelleri, a pioneer species of mine waste materials of Iglesiente region (South-West Sardinia). After harvesting, seeds were subjected to germination tests at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR). The results show a high germination capability and germination rate at each tested temperature, with a slight germination reduction at the highest temperature (25°C) that simulates the aridity of the summer period.

Here, successful germination protocols for the following three coastal dune species are presented: Glaucium flavum, Helichrysum stoechas and Plantago coronopus. It is the first report of germination data for these species in the Italian peninsula. Seeds were collected in coastal dunes along the Tyrrhenian coasts in south Tuscany and north Latium (central Italy). The germination ability was tested at the Tuscia Germplasm Bank (BGT) at constant temperatures (from 5 to 30°C), under both light (with a 12/12h photoperiod) and total darkness. Our results show a high germination ability and germination rate for all the tested species.

In this study, we characterize the germination behaviour of seven closely related taxa within the genus Anthemis, with respect to temperature, light, and cypsela morph. The study taxa are Anthemis aeolica, A. aetnensis, A. cretica subsp. messanensis, A. cupaniana, A. maritima subsp. maritima, A. parlatoreana, and A. pignattiorum, all native or endemic to Sicily. The species selected are representative of both lowland and mountain habitats. Seeds were collected from wild populations, at the time of natural dispersal. All of the species possess heteromorphic cypselas with different size, shape, surface ornamentation, and colour. For all of the taxa, two cypsela morphs were identified and tested separately: cypselas with thin and light-coloured pericarp and cypselas with thick and dark-coloured pericarp. Germination was tested in fresh and after-ripened cypselas. Seven constant and, only for A. aeolica, four alternating temperatures were applied both in light and total darkness. The best germination protocols for each seed accession are provided. Fresh light-coloured cypselas reached optimal germination at temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C. This seed morph both widened its thermal range for germination and increased the final germination percentage following one to three months of after-ripening, showing to possess non-deep physiological dormancy. Dark cypselas showed low germination under any temperature and light conditions, suggesting the presence of a...

In this contribution, new germination data for five Silene taxa coming from the natural habitats of Sicily and Calabria are given. The investigated taxa are: the threatened endemic S. calabra and S. crassiuscula, together with S. colorata, S. fruticosa, and S. nicaeensis from Sicilian sites. Seed germinations were tested at the Catania Germplasm Bank (BGS-CT), at constant temperatures (from 5 to 30°C), under both light (12/12h photoperiod) and total darkness conditions. The results emphasized a high germination ability and rate in all examined species.

Armeria helodes is a narrow endemic species of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy), with a restricted and fragmented range of small populations in remnants of lowland alkaline fens (habitat present in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive). It is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List, nevertheless, best practices for germplasm conservation/germination are still not studied. At maturity, achenes are held inside chaffy bracts (calyx) and their effects on germination are unknown. Therefore, we performed a germination test comparison between fruits embedded in the calyx or free from it, also applying two dormancy-breaking pretreatments (i.e. KNO3, GA3). Approximately 26% of the inspected fruits enclosed inside the calyx were empty or had a small size and coat darkening. The optimal germination rate (60%) was reached when chaffy calyx was removed either before the test or during storage. Dormancy-breaking pretreatments did not increase the germination capacity. Our results represent the first report on the Italian A. helodes germination ability.

This is the thirty-two 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 6 taxa: Iris and Delphinium from Greece by Kriemadi, E. & Bareka, P. (Nos 2008-2009); Centaurea from Kosovo and Albania by S. Siljak-Yakovlev (Nos 2010-2011); Centaurea from Sicily by Barone, G., Gianguzzi, V., Cottone, C. & Di Gristina, E. (Nos 2012-2013).

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes are given for 2 taxa occurring in Greece. Karyotype microphotographs are provided, and their karyotype morphology is discussed. For both studied taxa, Iris attica and Delphinium hellenicum, the somatic chromosome number 2n = 16 has been found for all the populations examined.

Chromosome numbers, karyotype feature and its numerical data are presented for two Balkan endemic Centaurea species, C. kosaninii and C. melanocephala. The somatic chromosomes number 2n = 22 was found for both Centaurea species. However, the karyotypes showed the significant differences in size and morphology of chromosomes and in number of satellite chromosome pairs, two in C. melanocephala and three in C. kosaninii.

Chromosome numbers are given for 2 Centaurea species endemic to Sicily. For both studied taxa, Centaurea valdemonensis and C. virescens, the somatic chromosome number, found on material from their loci classici, is diploid (2n = 18).

The National checklists of Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) and Wild Harvested Plants (WHP) are the basic tools for the development of in situ and ex situ conservation strategies of plant genetic resources. Here we discuss the methodologies and the prioritization process we previously used in the preparation of the prioritized checklist of CWR and WHP for Italy. The starting point were the most up-to-date Italian checklists of native and alien flora with their updates used as a nomenclatural and distributive source of data. Sardinia and Sicily were kept separate from peninsular Italy to perform detailed analyses focused on the taxa of the two major islands. The origin, the endemic status, cultivation, economic importance, uses, gene pool or taxon group, and the Red List status information were added. The WHP status was attributed to all the taxa with known direct uses. A qualitative approach was adopted in the prioritization process, the main criteria used were: 1) the inclusion of wild relative taxa of crops listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and/or by the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for cultivated areas and yield in the last 5 years; 2) the threatened taxa occurring in national or global Red lists; 3) the endemism. This prioritization process generated 102 taxa as most in need of specific protection and /or monitoring measures, 57 taxa requiring monitoring because of their restricted...

The recent increase in the known richness of Limonium in Tunisia, mainly due to the description of 25 new endemic species in the last decades, has made the only existing identification key for the country obsolete. Based on an exhaustive review of the literature dealing with Limonium from Tunisia, consultation of herbarium specimens preserved in Tunisia and Sicily, and a number of new collections, we propose here a new complete key, accompanied by an updated mapping for all taxa. The obtained results reveal that most Tunisian Limonium are perennial herbs (81 %), halophytes (79 %), endemic to the country (61 %), and mainly distributed along coasts and around chotts. A significant number of taxa (51 %) present important conservation issues, mainly related to microendemism (especially on islands and peninsulas) and to the alarming acceleration of habitat degradation. Djerba Island is currently the subject of a project involving local authorities, residents and environmental protection associations aimed at conserving the microendemic Limonium formosum, whose only location is threatened in the short term by a project to turn it into a tourist attraction

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) are non-native plant species whose introduction and spread outside their natural range poses a threat to biodiversity. Their removal is often financially and environmentally costly from repeated interventions. Tackling IAPs at their most vulnerable stages can be a cost-reducing and effective strategy. A vulnerability index has been devised to plan an IAPs removal strategy based on attacking the most vulnerable stages of a species and focuses on the ease and effectiveness of removing aerial and root biomass as well as propagules. The need for repeated interventions is also factored in the vulnerability index since this forms part of the weakening strategy.

The Cyprus endemic species Quercus alnifolia grows at an altitudinal range of 600–1525 m, mainly as a shrub. It is one of the most ecologically important endemic species of Cyprus. This species forms communities that extend throughout the entire Troodos Mountain range, and it appears either in pure stands, or in mixture with other taxa or even, as an understorey in pine stands. The priority habitat type of Annex I of the Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora "Scrub and low forest vegetation with Quercus alnifolia - 9390", is characterized by arborescent Q. alnifolia-dominated formations (pure stands). This habitat type occurs in the central Troodos range, where it has a relatively wide distribution. In the present study, a detailed inventorying of the plant communities with Q. alnifolia has been realised in three different Natura 2000 sites of Cyprus: National Forest Park of Troodos, "Koilada Kedron - Kampos", and Machairas Forest. Surveys to sample the plant composition and communities at field scale and at elevations ranging from 1070 m to 1380 m, were performed during 2020 and 2021. An average number of 19 different plant taxa have been registered on each one of the 36 sampling plots. 107 plant taxa have been recorded on the sampling plots and an analysis of the floristic composition has been conducted. Low intensity pressures have been recorded on Q. alnifolia communities, across the sampling areas. T...

Juniperus drupacea Labill. is a relict, dioecious tree/shrub found in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, while in Europe it is native only in Greece (on Mt. Parnon and in a restricted area of Mt. Taygetos). According to the IUCN Red List criteria, J. drupacea has been assessed as endangered (EN) for Europe, with major threats being grazing of saplings, overexploitation of its wood and climate change. For the first time to our knowledge, the structure of the diverse stands of J. drupacea across its entire population range on Mt. Parnon is being studied. Thirteen monitoring plots (20 × 25 m) have been selected and established to cover fully both the species’ geographic distribution on Mt. Parnon as well as the heterogeneity of its habitats. The morphometric traits (gender, canopy height, canopy base height, diameter at breast height and number of trunks) for each individual within the plots were recorded during the monitoring periods of 2020 and 2021. The Female / Male individual ratios, in both the northern and the southern area of the species’ range deviate significantly from the expected ratio 1:1 of the evolutionary stable strategy, it should be noted that from the 729 individuals recorded 254 were juveniles. Canopy height may reach 11.5 m with a DBH up to 132 cm whereas individuals are usually multi-trunked (1-9 trunks were recorded). The average tree density was 1121.5 ± 139.8 individuals per hectare for the entire mountainous population range.

The results of a comparative study of the quantitative data of the IUCN risk categories attributed to the endemic taxa of the Sicilian vascular flora are reported. 430 Sicilian strictly endemic taxa has been evaluated by comparing the data of the risk categories attributed by published sources. 400 taxa have received at least one assessment of their conservation status, 30 taxa have not yet been considered. 278 received an assessment of their conservation status in accordance with the IUCN criteria, while the remaining 152 have not yet been evaluated according to these criteria.

This review presents the first IUCN Red List of 100 vascular plant species endemic to Lebanon. The taxa were assessed using the IUCN guidelines and criteria to evaluate their conservation status. Assessed taxa are either endemic to the coast of Lebanon, the Beqaa, the mountain ranges of Mount Lebanon, Anti-Lebanon and Mount Hermon. Most of the species assessed were in the Endangered category (54), followed by the Vulnerable (20), Critically Endangered (16), Least Concern (7), Near Threatened (2) and Data deficient (1). The rarity of these endemic taxa was illustrated by the fact that 29% had an AOO inferior or equal to 20 km². Unregulated urbanisation, road construction, quarries, forest fires and overgrazing constituted the main causes for the decrease of many endemic species. Most of the threatened taxa occurred in rocky habitats, woodlands and shrublands of the supra (20), montane (36), oro-Mediterranean (28) belts. Around 81% and 70% of the taxa respectively listed as CR and EN were located in the montane and oro-Mediterranean belts. Only 2 taxa occurred in coastal habitats and only 8 were related to wetlands. Thirty-five of the threatened taxa were included in at least one protected area, while 17 were present in two protected areas. Mount Hermon hosted 17 threatened taxa, followed by Horsh Ehden (9), Jabal Moussa (8), Chouf Biosphere (7), Tannourine (6), Ehmej el-Dichar (3), Ras Chaqaa (1) and Yammoune (1). The distribution of the threatened taxa within pro...

MedIsWet (Conservation of the island wetlands of the Mediterranean Basin) is a MAVA funded project which aims at investigating all seasonal or permanent island wetlands both natural and artificial, with a minimum extent of 0.1 hectares. More than 16,000 wetlands from almost all the Mediterranean, including islands from France, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece and Spain were mapped. Over 2,500 of them were inventoried in the field and more than 500 scientific contributions catalogued. In total, more than 35,000 plant occurrences were uploaded, in a standardised and comparable way, on the national open-source web portals. These can be related to the recorded threats, uses and other spatially retrievable information. Here, we show strengths and shortfalls of the already available information about the floristic records. Although further improvements are needed, we discuss how these data can be used for research and policy actions and to develop conservation projects.

Androcymbium rechingeri Greuter is a range restricted geophyte. It occurs only on sandy beaches and coastal areas in West Crete, Greece: Elafonisi islet, Elafonisi coast, Falasarna and Imeri Gramvousa islet and it has also been reported in coastal areas of Libya. A. rechingeri has been categorized as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List and the Red Data Book of Greece (1995). It is listed as priority species in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and is protected by the Greek Presidential Decree 67/81 and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). Μanagement actions are currently in progress with the aim to achieve Favourable Conservation Status for the species. The actions include fencing and designation of pathways in the highly touristic areas of Elafonisi and Falasarna, reestablishment of the plant population at part of Elafonisi, seed collection from all subpopulations for ex situ conservation, planning for long-term monitoring of the in situ conservation actions, and raising awareness of the residents and visitors. This work presents the results from population reinforcement of A. rechingeri started during 2016-2019, in the framework of the CARE-MEDIFLORA project at the Elafonisi coast, and continued to this day with the monitoring of the results. Moreover, the results from the germination and viability tests of the seeds samples collected from the various subpopulations of the species are pre...

Plant growth under stress conditions depends on the effectiveness of tolerance mechanisms in each species. The strategy of conducting comparative studies on genetically related taxa with different degrees of tolerance is a valuable approach, especially for distinguishing tolerance-relevant responses. The results may help design and implement conservation, reinforcement or reintroduction programmes and manage threatened populations of such rare and endemic species in the area of interest, the Albufera Natural Park

In-situ conservation is considered the best way to preserve biodiversity where multiple species can persist with all their natural ecological interactions. The latter element is often ignored. Criticalities can arise when ex-situ grown plants are translocated in-situ without their natural soil microbial associations, especially where abiotic stresses can be severe. Mycorrhizal Fungi (MF) provide several benefits to plants and ecosystem in which are present. The aim of the project was to investigate the use of indigenous MF to enhance acclimatization and survival of *ex-situé grown plants translocated for habitat restoration. The seeds of Pinus halepensis Mill. as well as sporocarps of naturally associated indigenous MF Suillus collinitus (Fr.) Kuntze (1898), were collected from Natura 2000 sites in the Maltese Islands. P. halepensis seeds were germinated under greenhouse conditions. S. collinitus was inoculated at sowing and seedling stage by placing fragments of the ripe sporocarps in the P. halepensis seedling trays. All the mycorrhized plantlets produced have been reintroduced into selected area of Natura 2000 in the Maltese Islands as part of SiMaSeed restoration project. Such MF inoculation actions can help to enhance restoration and resilience of habitats to reduce biodiversity loss

The Mediterranean Basin is evolving due to human - nature interactions. The management of agroecosystems strongly affects plant diversity. Olive groves cover 19% of the cultivated area in Greece of which 8% is organic, cultivated using environment-friendly farming practices, while the rest includes conventional (intensive) or abandoned olive groves. Lesbos, the thirdlargest island of Greece, is characterized by high plant diversity. The current study aims to investigate plant species diversity of olive groves under different management practices. Sampling activities have been carried out in 65 plots. Field surveys to sample the vascular flora and vegetation were performed between April and May of 2020 and 2021. More than 210 plant taxa have been recorded in the studied olive groves. The results showed that organic olive groves are characterized by a rich and diverse flora, mainly dominated by therophytes and especially of annual leguminous species indicating moderate long-term human interference. Intensive olive groves have a poor and rather common vascular flora also dominated by therophytes. Abandoned olive groves present a rather poor but diverse flora, mainly dominated by chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes and by a lower proportion by annual plants, depending also on the time lapse after abandonment

This research aimed to investigate if the germination rate of Coronilla valentina seeds (Fabaceae) increased when subjected to extended hydro-priming. Analysis of hydroprimed seeds was carried out by using morphocolorimetric analysis to characterise the imbibition at different hydration time intervals. Seeds that had not been hydro-primed represented the untreated control. Seed swelling is a reliable and time-efficient method to measure seed imbibition, yet a poor predictor of seed germination success. Timing and temperature of the hydropriming treatment influence the germination rate of C. valentina subsp. glauca, with the optimum hydropriming treatment, was found to occur within a 72h period following the 75°C to 25°C treatment.

The Italian seed bank network (RIBES) aims to improve the quality and safety of the germplasm reserves of native plant species in Italy to ensure the long-term conservation of endangered and/or endemic flora. The strategy includes traditional methods to secure seed conservation. A comprehensive priority list for seed collection is being defined, it was prepared by crossing data of various checklists (red lists, endemics) and will soon be cross-referenced with an updated list of accessions of the whole network. A safety-backup program of duplicates will quickly be implemented to secure the conservation of the most threatened species in at least two seed banks of the network. On the other hand, the RIBES strategy also includes research by applying modern techniques. In collaboration with the Millennium Seed Bank, research on the storage behaviour of seeds and spores through thermal analysis is ongoing to inform conservation. Using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we could evaluate seed lipid properties such as glass transition temperature, melting, crystallization, oxidation behaviour, and thermal stability. Finally, RIBES participates as a co-funder in the LIFE Nature project SEEDFORCE, coordinating 11 seed banks of the network for collecting seeds/spores of 29 threatened species of EU interest

First described from Sicily or originally occurring only on this island, after being introduced worldwide, several vascular plants proved to be able to adapt to the enviromental conditions encountered in different biomes, and in some cases became a threat for the biodiversity of the newly invaded habitats. These paradigmatic and somewhat paradoxical cases shed light on the complexity of invasion forecasting procedures. They provide insightful examples on the global effect of voluntary or involuntary introductions of potentially invasive species and the importance of better studying the ecology and demography of rare plants within their native home range.

The conservation of endemic and endangered plant species is of great interest to the scientific and research community. In this frame, seed banks play a crucial role when biodiversity preservation and climate change are considered. The study of seed viability and germination during storage conditions provides basic and useful information to ensure successful ex situ conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether storage time and conditions (i.e., base collection at -25°C and active collection at +5°C) affect seed germination in the long term. For these purposes, eight Tyrrhenian endemic vascular plant species (mostly endangered) with orthodox seeds were studied: Brassica insularis, Centranthus amazonum, Dianthus morisianus, Digitalis purpurea var. gyspergerae, Ferula arrigonii, Helicodiceros muscivorus, Iberis integerrima and Verbascum plantagineum. These species were stored in the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) at -25°C and at +5°C for a time ranging from 2 to 12 years. Germination tests were carried out following the optimal conditions reported in the literature for each species. The results showed, in general terms, the high seed germination capacity of all species stored at both conditions; regarding the time of seed storage, germination in some tested species (such as B. insularis and C. amazonum) slightly decreased over time. We argued that seed dehydration, low seed moisture content during storage and the use of hermetic glass con...