Article

Distribution and ecology of Taxus baccata in Sicily have been analyzed in order to evaluate its status with restoration purposes. Field surveys compared with historical information have shown that, even if this species became extinct since a long time in some areas of the island, the extant population on the Nebrodi mountains is expanding. This inverted process, following the foundation of the Regional Natural Park of Nebrodi, has clearly started soon after protection against grazing and other human activities has been acted in localities where Taxus occurs. The most important cause of extinction has therefore been identified in the cutting of trees practiced to prevent livestock poisoning, then, guidelines for conservation and restoration of T. baccata both in Sicily and in other Mediterranean regions subject to similar human pressure have been outlined.