Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: II

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Aneura, Aulacomnium, Dumortiera, Fossombronia, Hennediella, Hygrohypnella, Pohlia, Porella, Riccardia, Tortella, and Tortula, the fungal genera Cortinarius, Mycena, Naucoria, Trichoglossum, and Tubaria and the lichen genera Agonimia, Blastenia, Chaenotheca, Cladonia, Endocarpon, Gyalecta, Lecanographa, Parmeliella, Porpidia, Stenhammarella, and Thelidium.

Towards the identification of species-specific monitoring protocol for the Italian flora of Community interest

The ongoing activities for the identification of monitoring methods for the Italian flora of Community interest (FCI) are presented. The reference framework is the Directive 92/43/EEC. Monitoring is an obligation arising from Art. 11 and the results have to be reported every six years, according to Art. 17. In the last Italian National Report, covering the period 2007-2012, the status of the FCI was assessed using available knowledge and expert judgment, still revealing relevant lack of data for some plant species and, in turn, population parameters (Ercole and Giacanelli, 2014). To overcome these deficiencies, in 2015 began a project aims to set future monitoring activities and to optimize…

At the intersection of cultural and natural heritage: Distribution and conservation of the type localities of Italian endemic vascular plants

Abstract We conducted a GIS spatial analysis with the aim of providing the first quantitative large-scale overview of the distribution patterns of 1536 type localities ( loci classici ) of 1216 Italian endemic vascular plants and their relationship with a set of descriptive variables. Whereas some variables were used to model the presence-absence distribution patterns of the type localities for the whole set of endemics as well as for the subset of narrow endemics, others (e.g., presence inside or outside protected areas and Italian Important Plant Areas) were considered with the purpose of assessing potential assets or risks for conservation. The largest number of type localities was found…

Treatment of central and sensorineural tinnitus with orally administered Melatonin and Sulodexide: personal experience from a randomized controlled study.

Since very little is understood about the exact aetiology of tinnitus, this has made treatment of the condition difficult. Even though approximately 10-15% of the general population suffer from tinnitus, only 2% consider it serious enough to warrant any treatment. The main problem arising from tinnitus is the disturbance it causes not only in day to day life but also in sleep, leading to fatigue and general discomfort. The present study focused on the effect of Melatonin in conjunction with Sulodexide as a treatment method for tinnitus. Overall, 102 patients suffering from tinnitus were evaluated in a prospective randomised controlled study conducted in a tertiary care ENT department. After…

Conservation status of the Italian flora under the 92/43/EEC ‘Habitats’ Directive

The results of the 4th National Report for the Italian flora under the 92/43/EEC ‘Habitats’ Directive are presented. The outcomes showed a general negative conservation status for plant species, with the worst situation being in the Mediterranean bioregion. At the National level, significant monitoring and conservation activities are required.

Loci classici delle piante vascolari endemiche italiane descritte per la Puglia

loci classici of the Italian endemic vascular plants described for Apulia -.the italian endemic vascular plants described for apulia Region are presented. altogether, 66 italian endemics have their locus classicus in apulia, including 9 taxa whose protologues cite several localities, both in apulia and in other Regions.

The species-specific monitoring protocols for plant species of Community interest in Italy

The results of a project for the identification of species-specific monitoring protocols for the Italian plant species protected under the Habitats Directive (Annexes II/IV/V) are presented. The project led to the development of 118 monitoring factsheets, providing an operational guidance for 107 vascular taxa, 10 bryophytes and 1 lichen taxon. Each factsheet includes information on the species (distribution, biology, ecology, conservation status, threats, etc.) and the description of field methodologies for the detection of the two main reporting parameters, i.e. population size and habitat quality. Practical information to plan field activities are also given. Protocols were designed to a…

Flora italiana di interesse comunitario: risultati del IV Report e Piano nazionale di monitoraggio

An inventory of the names of vascular plants endemic to Italy, their loci classici and types

The census of the loci classici of 1,400 Italian endemic vascular plants (i.e. not thriving elsewhere with the exception of Corsica and Malta) is here presented and described. The effective place of publication of accepted names, basionyms and homotypic synonyms were identified and critically verified. This often resulted in some change in authorship attribution and, in seven cases, in validation problems (Asperula cynanchica var. lactea var. nov., A. lactea comb. nov., Biscutella laevigata subsp. raffaelliana subsp. nov., Ferulago nodosa subsp. geniculata comb. & stat. nov., Limonium tineoi comb. nov., L. usticanum sp. nov., Noccaea torreana comb. nov.). The geographic information on t…