Territory defence throughout conservation Territory defence throughout conservation of the plant diversity: the project of theof the plant diversity: the project of theProtected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara

(South eastern Sardinia)(South eastern Sardinia)G. Bacchetta, G. Fenu, G. Iiriti, E. Mattana, F. Meloni, P. Mulè, L. Podda G. Bacchetta, G. Fenu, G. Iiriti, E. Mattana, F. Meloni, P. Mulè, L. Podda

Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB)Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB)

The aim of the Sardinian Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity The aim of the Sardinian Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB) is the study, conservation ((CCB) is the study, conservation (ex situex situ and and in situin situ) and ) and management of the plant diversity of Sardinia and the insular management of the plant diversity of Sardinia and the insular territories of the Western Mediterranean Sea. The strategy of the territories of the Western Mediterranean Sea. The strategy of the ex situex situ conservation is realized in the Germplasm Bank of Sardinia conservation is realized in the Germplasm Bank of Sardinia (BG-SAR) and provides collecting and management of a great (BG-SAR) and provides collecting and management of a great number of plant entities of the island, drawing particular attention number of plant entities of the island, drawing particular attention to rare taxonomic units or threatened, endemic and which present to rare taxonomic units or threatened, endemic and which present phytogeographical interest.phytogeographical interest.At the same time the CCB works to guarantee the At the same time the CCB works to guarantee the in situin situ conservation of taxa with the help of monitoring the populations conservation of taxa with the help of monitoring the populations and their conservation status.and their conservation status.

The The Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB) Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB)

Morisia monanthos (Viv.) Asch.

Unifying these strategies and basing on the decree instituting the Unifying these strategies and basing on the decree instituting the Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara it was possible to propose a Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara it was possible to propose a project directed to the plant diversity conservation of the territories of project directed to the plant diversity conservation of the territories of south-eastern Sardinia. south-eastern Sardinia. The Protected Sea Area was founded by the Ministry Decree on The Protected Sea Area was founded by the Ministry Decree on 15/09/98 (modified on 03/08/99) with the participation of the Sardinian 15/09/98 (modified on 03/08/99) with the participation of the Sardinian Region and Villasimius Municipality. It contains the sea area in front of Region and Villasimius Municipality. It contains the sea area in front of the Cavoli and Serpentara Islands and the seacoast belonging to the Cavoli and Serpentara Islands and the seacoast belonging to Villasimius. Its territory is limited by Capo Boi to the west, Secca di Villasimius. Its territory is limited by Capo Boi to the west, Secca di Libeccio to the south and Punta is Porceddus to the east. The Libeccio to the south and Punta is Porceddus to the east. The protected territory is 8.598 hectares in size. protected territory is 8.598 hectares in size.

The The Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara

The studied territory contains The studied territory contains seacoast and insular areas of the seacoast and insular areas of the Protected Sea Area of Capo Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara in south-eastern Carbonara in south-eastern Sarrabus.Sarrabus.

The Study AreaThe Study Area

The project, funded by the Ministry of the Environment and The project, funded by the Ministry of the Environment and Territory Protection, was launched from the collaboration Territory Protection, was launched from the collaboration between the CCB and the Municipality of Villasimius, which between the CCB and the Municipality of Villasimius, which runs the Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara. It is a three-runs the Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara. It is a three-year project which develops rapidly on all the pSIC of the year project which develops rapidly on all the pSIC of the Villasimius Municipality territory and has as its aim to Villasimius Municipality territory and has as its aim to provide elements concerning plant diversity to study and provide elements concerning plant diversity to study and lastly to plan a harmonic development between both the lastly to plan a harmonic development between both the coastal and sea areas. coastal and sea areas.

The ProjectThe Project

In this way, it aims at unifying In this way, it aims at unifying the environmental protection the environmental protection secured by Protected Sea Area secured by Protected Sea Area with that relative to the pSIC of with that relative to the pSIC of the establishing net Natura 2000, the establishing net Natura 2000, waiting for the imminent waiting for the imminent activation of the Management activation of the Management Plans, funded by the Sardinia Plans, funded by the Sardinia Region through the Structural Region through the Structural Funds (POR 2000-2006, Axis I, Funds (POR 2000-2006, Axis I, measure 1.5).measure 1.5).

The ProjectThe Project

The initiative has many objectives: to acquire a profound knowledge The initiative has many objectives: to acquire a profound knowledge of the species and habitat extinct and/or particularly sensible; to of the species and habitat extinct and/or particularly sensible; to carry on for years both the seed collection and its carry on for years both the seed collection and its ex situex situ conservation, the populations and habitats monitoring and the conservation, the populations and habitats monitoring and the individualization of the territory planning and management.individualization of the territory planning and management.

The ObjectivesThe Objectives

Helicodiceros muscivorus (L. f.) Engl.

Juniperus oxycedrus L. ssp. macrocarpa (Sibth. et Sm.)

All the rare, threatened All the rare, threatened and endemic species as and endemic species as well as those which well as those which present phytogeografical present phytogeografical interest in the area under interest in the area under discussion will be discussion will be collected, conserved and collected, conserved and carefully studied.carefully studied. Scrophularia trifoliata L. Ferula arrigonii Bocchieri

Brassica insularis Moris Bryonia marmorata Petit

At the same time those activities are applied to the main entities of At the same time those activities are applied to the main entities of potential interest in restoration and environmental recovery through potential interest in restoration and environmental recovery through the techniques and methodologies of naturalistic engineering.the techniques and methodologies of naturalistic engineering.

Mobile dunes of the littoral cordon with the presence of Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) – 2210 Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. – 2250

It is also necessary to point out the collaboration activated with the It is also necessary to point out the collaboration activated with the main local garden centre (Centroverde Vivaimain local garden centre (Centroverde Vivai) ) with the help of which with the help of which autochthones seed is multiplied. That will make it available both for autochthones seed is multiplied. That will make it available both for environmental restoration and recovering activities and for the environmental restoration and recovering activities and for the urban greenery and possibly in the flower gardening sector.urban greenery and possibly in the flower gardening sector.

Pancratium maritimum L. - seedling Pancratium maritimum L. - flower

According to various actions and interventions foreseen in the project According to various actions and interventions foreseen in the project it was firstly provided for the compiling of the floristic list based on it was firstly provided for the compiling of the floristic list based on bibliographical research and herbarium sample tests left at the bibliographical research and herbarium sample tests left at the Herbarium Herbarium CAG; the checklist was integrated later with the CAG; the checklist was integrated later with the observations deriving from numerous field excursions and harvests observations deriving from numerous field excursions and harvests realized from June 2005 and June 2006.realized from June 2005 and June 2006.

The ProceduresThe Procedures

The procedures and The procedures and protocols recognized at protocols recognized at the international level, in the international level, in particular those of particular those of FAO/IPGRI and ISTA, were FAO/IPGRI and ISTA, were applied in BG-SAR to the applied in BG-SAR to the ex situ management of the ex situ management of the collected seeds.collected seeds.

1.1. COLLECTINGCOLLECTING2.2. QUARANTINE AND POST QUARANTINE AND POST

RIPENINGRIPENING3.3. SELECTION AND CLEANINGSELECTION AND CLEANING4.4. QUANTITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE AND

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSISMORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS5.5. DEHYDRATIONDEHYDRATION6.6. CONSERVATIONCONSERVATION7.7. GERMINATION TESTS AND GERMINATION TESTS AND

MULTIPLICATIONMULTIPLICATION

The collecting campaigns were planned beforehand on the basis The collecting campaigns were planned beforehand on the basis of the taxonomic units phenology selected starting fromof the taxonomic units phenology selected starting from the the existing studies and direct knowledge acquired during the years. existing studies and direct knowledge acquired during the years. The best moment for the seed collection, its methods, the quantity The best moment for the seed collection, its methods, the quantity of the material were regulated by ethical and scientific criteria that of the material were regulated by ethical and scientific criteria that guaranteed a high quality of the collected material and avoided the guaranteed a high quality of the collected material and avoided the pauperization of the genetic resources pauperization of the genetic resources in situin situ. .

1 - Collecting1 - Collecting

The collected seed is not introduced in the bank before a quarantine The collected seed is not introduced in the bank before a quarantine period during which it is verified if the material is not contaminated by period during which it is verified if the material is not contaminated by pathogena and/or parasites.pathogena and/or parasites.Entering the bank, after the registration of the plots and the database Entering the bank, after the registration of the plots and the database insertion of all the data concerning each single sample, the seed is insertion of all the data concerning each single sample, the seed is placed in a room with controlled environmental parameters (T<20°C placed in a room with controlled environmental parameters (T<20°C and r.h.<40%) that permits a slow and gradual post ripening. and r.h.<40%) that permits a slow and gradual post ripening.

2 - Quarantine and Post Ripening2 - Quarantine and Post Ripening

3 - Selection and Cleaning3 - Selection and Cleaning

Reaching the suitable requirements, the material is cleaned manually Reaching the suitable requirements, the material is cleaned manually and mechanically with the use of sieves with variable mesh or and mechanically with the use of sieves with variable mesh or gravimetrical separators. gravimetrical separators.

The accessions are subjected to an image acquisition process and The accessions are subjected to an image acquisition process and elaborated by the Laboratorio di Biologia della Stazione Consorziale elaborated by the Laboratorio di Biologia della Stazione Consorziale Sperimentale di Granicoltura per la Sicilia of Caltagirone. Sperimentale di Granicoltura per la Sicilia of Caltagirone. Morphometric and colorimetric parameters are measured, which, in Morphometric and colorimetric parameters are measured, which, in addition to permitting a more detailed characterization of the examined addition to permitting a more detailed characterization of the examined taxonomic unit, allows evaluation of the quality of the entering plot.taxonomic unit, allows evaluation of the quality of the entering plot.Contemporaneously, each accession is analysed from the quantitative Contemporaneously, each accession is analysed from the quantitative point of view, calculating its total weight, the medium weight of a seed point of view, calculating its total weight, the medium weight of a seed and in sequence the number of the cleaned seeds.and in sequence the number of the cleaned seeds.

4 - Quantitative and Morphometric Analysis4 - Quantitative and Morphometric Analysis

After being selected, the seed is placed in After being selected, the seed is placed in a dehydration room (T 15 °C and r.h. 15%) a dehydration room (T 15 °C and r.h. 15%) equipped with two dehumidifiers with equipped with two dehumidifiers with chemical absorption and a temperature chemical absorption and a temperature conditioner electronically commanded by a conditioner electronically commanded by a hygrotester.hygrotester.The moisture content of the seeds is The moisture content of the seeds is constantly monitored in order to estimate constantly monitored in order to estimate their degree of dehydration and the their degree of dehydration and the achievement of the optimum parameters of achievement of the optimum parameters of conservation for a long time.conservation for a long time.

5 - Dehydration5 - Dehydration

After verifying that the moisture content of seeds is between 3.5 % After verifying that the moisture content of seeds is between 3.5 % (for seeds with high oils contents) and 6.5% (for seeds with low (for seeds with high oils contents) and 6.5% (for seeds with low oils contents), they are conserved at -25°C in a refrigerated cell oils contents), they are conserved at -25°C in a refrigerated cell (basic collection), but they can be also conserved at a temperature (basic collection), but they can be also conserved at a temperature between 0 and 5°C (active collection) for studies and tests as between 0 and 5°C (active collection) for studies and tests as germination tests.germination tests.

6 - Conservation6 - Conservation

The individuation of germination protocols is realised through the The individuation of germination protocols is realised through the implementation of a decisional scheme. For all the tests made the implementation of a decisional scheme. For all the tests made the following parameters are determined: germinative capacity, germination following parameters are determined: germinative capacity, germination retard and T50, that is the time necessary for reaching of the 50% of the retard and T50, that is the time necessary for reaching of the 50% of the final germinative capacity. The individuation of the germination protocol final germinative capacity. The individuation of the germination protocol optimum for each taxonomic unit permits, on the one hand, evaluation optimum for each taxonomic unit permits, on the one hand, evaluation of the germinative capacity of the accession and, on the other hand, of the germinative capacity of the accession and, on the other hand, their multiplication in the CCB structures (thermo heated benches and their multiplication in the CCB structures (thermo heated benches and experimental fields).experimental fields).

7 - Germination tests and Multiplication7 - Germination tests and Multiplication

Helicodiceros muscivorus (L. f.) Engl. Ferula arrigonii Bocchieri

Monitoring of PopulationsMonitoring of Populations

As for the monitoring of the populations As for the monitoring of the populations in situin situ, the individuated , the individuated methodology considers their characterization from the demographic, methodology considers their characterization from the demographic, floristic-sociological and ecological point of view. The choice of the floristic-sociological and ecological point of view. The choice of the taxataxa populations to be monitored was made on the base of criticity populations to be monitored was made on the base of criticity and real risk of their extinction, privileging rare entities, localized or and real risk of their extinction, privileging rare entities, localized or of Comunitary interest.of Comunitary interest.

Study of HabitatsStudy of Habitats

The habitats study is run instead through phyto-sociological, The habitats study is run instead through phyto-sociological, ecological and corological research. The habitats selection was ecological and corological research. The habitats selection was made according to the pSIC Standard Formularies of MATT, made according to the pSIC Standard Formularies of MATT, concentrating mainly on those coastal ones because of their risk of concentrating mainly on those coastal ones because of their risk of degradation linked to tourist summer pressure.degradation linked to tourist summer pressure.

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work ((ex situex situ activities) activities)

They have been collected and conserved in BG-SAR 26 accessions of They have been collected and conserved in BG-SAR 26 accessions of 17 17 taxataxa in particularly of in particularly of Ferula arrigoniiFerula arrigonii, , Silene valsecchiaeSilene valsecchiae and and Helicodiceros muscivorusHelicodiceros muscivorus, , taxataxa with a high risk of extinction wich the with a high risk of extinction wich the ex situex situ conservation is urgently to be assured. Moreover, thanks to the conservation is urgently to be assured. Moreover, thanks to the authorization given to CCB by the Direction of Nature Protection of authorization given to CCB by the Direction of Nature Protection of MATT, as derogation of DPR 357/97, modified by 120/03, the seed MATT, as derogation of DPR 357/97, modified by 120/03, the seed harvest of harvest of Brassica insularisBrassica insularis was carried out. was carried out.

Ferula arrigonii Bocchieri

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work ((ex situex situ activities) activities)

A seed sample of A seed sample of Brassica insularisBrassica insularis is at present kept near the is at present kept near the structures of the Conservatoire Botanique structures of the Conservatoire Botanique National Méditerranéen National Méditerranéen (Porquerolles – France) and the Banc (Porquerolles – France) and the Banc de Germoplasma - Jardí de Germoplasma - Jardí Botànic (València - Spain) that it could guarantee the seed availability if Botànic (València - Spain) that it could guarantee the seed availability if the collections kept in BG-SAR were lost in the case of an incident or the collections kept in BG-SAR were lost in the case of an incident or calamity. calamity.

Brassica insularis Moris - plant Brassica insularis Moris - seeds

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work ((ex situex situ activities) activities)

It has been individuated the germination optimal protocols for It has been individuated the germination optimal protocols for Brassica insularisBrassica insularis and and Pancratium maritimumPancratium maritimum. Protocols of . Protocols of Ferula Ferula arrigoniiarrigonii, , Helicodicerous muscivorusHelicodicerous muscivorus and and Verbascum conocarpumVerbascum conocarpum are going to individuate.are going to individuate.

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work ((in situin situ activities) activities)

During the first annual much information regarding the distribution During the first annual much information regarding the distribution and phenology of these species was collected, particularly for and phenology of these species was collected, particularly for Ferula Ferula arrigoniiarrigonii, , SileneSilene valsecchiaevalsecchiae, , HelicodicerosHelicodiceros muscivorusmuscivorus and and BrassicaBrassica insularisinsularis. For the demographic studies of all of these . For the demographic studies of all of these species permanent plots are be individuated in the Serpentara and species permanent plots are be individuated in the Serpentara and Cavoli Islands. Cavoli Islands.

Brassica insularis Moris - population

Ferula arrigonii Bocchieri - population

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work (training activities)(training activities)

Training of the personnel of the Protected Sea Area and Municipality, Training of the personnel of the Protected Sea Area and Municipality, as well as collaboration with local operators of the nursering sector as well as collaboration with local operators of the nursering sector are carried out. Operators of the CCB go out in the fields with the are carried out. Operators of the CCB go out in the fields with the personnel of “CentroVerde Vivai” of Villasimius in order to transmit personnel of “CentroVerde Vivai” of Villasimius in order to transmit the knowledge and work methodologies. This permits learning of the the knowledge and work methodologies. This permits learning of the harvest techniques and seed preparation. The multiplication harvest techniques and seed preparation. The multiplication protocols done by the BG-SAR were given to the company.protocols done by the BG-SAR were given to the company.

Results after a year of work Results after a year of work (divulgative activities)(divulgative activities)

The obtained results and the project itself were presented through The obtained results and the project itself were presented through manifestations and publications with a scientific and divulgative manifestations and publications with a scientific and divulgative character and other initiatives realized with the collaboration with character and other initiatives realized with the collaboration with “Diomedea Società Cooperativa”.“Diomedea Società Cooperativa”.In summer 2005 there was a press conference for presenting the In summer 2005 there was a press conference for presenting the project and a divulgative conference at Visiting Centre of the project and a divulgative conference at Visiting Centre of the Protected Sea Area. There was also presented a depliant, printed Protected Sea Area. There was also presented a depliant, printed on recycled and ecological paper in order to illustrate briefly to on recycled and ecological paper in order to illustrate briefly to people various actions of the project.people various actions of the project.On the web site of the CCB On the web site of the CCB ((http://www.ccb-sardegna.it/html/amp.htmhttp://www.ccb-sardegna.it/html/amp.htm) it is possible to find its ) it is possible to find its description, updated on the bases of the obtained partial results.description, updated on the bases of the obtained partial results.

Future activitiesFuture activities

During the first annual the works were carried out only in the coastal During the first annual the works were carried out only in the coastal and insular areas and, in particular, in those inside pSIC. For the and insular areas and, in particular, in those inside pSIC. For the continuation of the project, instead, realization of floristic list continuation of the project, instead, realization of floristic list regarding the whole territory of Villasimius will be done. regarding the whole territory of Villasimius will be done. Moreover, studies of taxonomic units and habitats for the same Moreover, studies of taxonomic units and habitats for the same territory will be started, paying particular attention to the analyses of territory will be started, paying particular attention to the analyses of demographic and ecological type. demographic and ecological type. Particularly, the study of the soil seed bank is to be started and so Particularly, the study of the soil seed bank is to be started and so the capacity of the plants to bury seed stock in order to define better the capacity of the plants to bury seed stock in order to define better the auto ecology of the species, estimate the resilience capacity of the auto ecology of the species, estimate the resilience capacity of the community, carefully examine the study of the vegetational the community, carefully examine the study of the vegetational dynamics and obtain the information for supporting planning of dynamics and obtain the information for supporting planning of managing activities.managing activities.

Future activitiesFuture activities

Ways of conservation will be put forward and at the end of the Ways of conservation will be put forward and at the end of the activities of the project a summary of proposals both for threatened activities of the project a summary of proposals both for threatened species and habitat will be elaborated. species and habitat will be elaborated.

Helicodiceros muscivorus (L. f.) Engl.

Juniperus oxycedrus L. ssp. macrocarpa (Sibth. et Sm.)

AcknowledgmentAcknowledgment

Thanks to MATT and Protected Sea Area of Thanks to MATT and Protected Sea Area of Capo Carbonara for giving contribution Capo Carbonara for giving contribution necessary for the development of the research, necessary for the development of the research, the Administration of the Municipality of the Administration of the Municipality of Villasimius and “Diomedea Società Cooperativa” Villasimius and “Diomedea Società Cooperativa” for constant help and sensitivity demonstrated for constant help and sensitivity demonstrated and the Laboratorio di Biologia della Stazione and the Laboratorio di Biologia della Stazione Consorziale Sperimentale di Granicoltura per la Consorziale Sperimentale di Granicoltura per la Sicilia of Caltagirone for the realized seed Sicilia of Caltagirone for the realized seed morphometric analyses.morphometric analyses.