Ecology meets archaeology: Past, present and future vegetation‐derived ecosystems services from the Nuragic Sardinia (1700–580 BCE )

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(3), P. 938 - 949

Published: March 3, 2023

Abstract Incorporating archaeology within the ecosystem services (ES) framework can offer decision‐makers lessons from past and a broader sustainability perspective. Given claimed archaeology‐ES link, island of Sardinia (Italy) offers an unparalleled opportunity where unique archaeological heritage occurs in area high biodiversity value. More than 5000 nuraghi, megalithic edifices distinctive Nuragic civilization (1700–580 BCE), are still present on island. By crossing map Vegetation Series (VS) with nuraghi occurrences, we aimed at acquiring long‐term perspective interactions between people vegetation as ES provider, so to enrich our understanding present, potentially inform future practice for region Sardinia. A VS is here intended hypothesis succession plant communities that succeed each other over time particular land unit. The vegetation‐derived represented driving force occupation strategies people, who preferred, their settlements, mesophiluos cork oak secondary deciduous broad‐leaved ones, which, fresh climatic conditions fertile substrates gentle slopes effusive magmatic rocks, provide grazing agriculture. Conversely, shaped VS, transforming landscape into agro‐silvo‐pastoral systems. Our results suggest origin landscapes (i.e. Pascolo arborato/Dehesa ) could be traced back civilization. interaction humans ancient, reciprocal dynamic. This crucial survival represent important suppliers provisioning, regulating cultural ES. Among others, these good example intimate sustainable relationships nature marked sense place identity inhabitants. transdisciplinary approach linking ecology offered better environmental settings subsistence provided human‐vegetation interactions. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(23), P. 16469 - 16469

Published: Nov. 30, 2023

In archaeological sites, plants can be a risk for monument conservation. However, in these refugium plant biodiversity is often detected, such as the UNESCO site Etruscan necropolis of “Monterozzi” Tarquinia, which still holds Special Protection Area bats. this site, we previously evaluated positive and negative effects vascular on conservation hypogeal tombs. To contribute assessing role sites supporting diversity interpreting its bioindication values nature conservation, analyse relevant place floristic interest richness communities growing tumuli, trampled, less disturbed areas. The results revealed presence several with high naturalistic interest, community’s representative synanthropic natural Mediterranean grasslands, arise both from present past uses area. are also assessed, considering remarkable species/area compared well-known Rome. These findings further indicate that needs to considered planning management activities protect their values.

Language: Английский

Archaeological Areas as Habitat Islands: Plant Diversity of Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greece)

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(7), P. 403 - 403

Published: July 12, 2024

The Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage site (EPD) is a famous archaeological area that located in small valley the Peloponnese and receives more than 250,000 visitors annually. study of plant diversity framework continuous research project concerning areas context by Ministry Culture, Education Religious Affairs Greece started during 2023 to biodiversity Greece. main aim this exploration analysis species composition area, with an emphasis on endemic plants, ruderal alien taxa as well environmental disturbance indicators cultural ecosystem services they provide. This revealed high richness consisting 446 taxa. Most them are Mediterranean widespread, ruderals medium indicators, but there also 12 Greek richest families Asteraceae, Fabaceae Poaceae. Therophytes predominate total flora registered hemicryptophytes endemics. Comparisons EPD’s other its unique character. Management protection such must focus sustainable conservation their relationship natural environment.

Language: Английский