Plant diversity across italian agricultural landscapes: integrating taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions.

D’Agostino, M.; Maccherini, S.; Angiolini, C.; Bacaro, G.; Bacchetta, G.; Bagella, S.; Barni, E.; Bonari, G.; Buffa, G.; Caldarella, O.; Calderisi, G.; Canella, M.; Cannucci, S.; Caria, M. C.; Castello, M.; Chiaffarelli, G.; Cogoni, D.; Cuena-Lombraña, A.; Dalle Fratte, M.; De Simone, L.; Del Vecchio, S.; Deola, T.; Fantinato, E.; Farris, E.; Fenu, G.; Fiaschi, T.; Fois, M.; Gianguzzi, L.; Lastrucci, L.; Lazzaro, L.; Lonati, M.; Lozano, V.; Maccioni, A.; Mainetti, A.; Marengo, G.; Mascia, F.; Minuzzo, C.; Misuri, A.; Mugnai, M.; Murgia, L.; Pafumi, E.; Patera, G.; Potenza, G.; Rosati, L.; Sarmati, S.; Siccardi, E.; Tavilla, G.; Tiloca, M. T.; Tomaselli, V.; Tordoni, E.; Vagge, I.; Viciani, D.; Zangari, G.; Fanfarillo, E.

Agricultural landscapes are complex mosaics of ecosystems, including croplands, forests, grasslands, shrublands, and wetlands. These habitats support diverse plant communities, each contributing uniquely to overall biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, the roles of different community types in supporting functional and evolutionary diversity remain underexplored. We surveyed 47 circular study areas (1 km radius) distributed across Italy in different biogeographical and management contexts. A total of 235 plots, each measuring 5×5 m (25 m²), were surveyed within the five main ecosystem types. The analysis of taxonomic diversity highlights wetlands as key ecosystems for the conservation of plant biodiversity in Italian agricultural landscapes, due to their distinct floristic composition. However, all ecosystem types contribute significantly to the conservation of specific plant species and communities. Maintaining a balanced mix of natural, semi-natural, and human modified habitats is therefore essential. Ongoing analyses of functional traits and phylogenetic diversity will provide additional insights into community assembly processes and ecosystem resilience.

Plant diversity across italian agricultural landscapes: integrating taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions / D’Agostino M., Maccherini S., Angiolini C., Bacaro G., Bacchetta G., Bagella S., Barni E., Bonari G., Buffa G., Caldarella O., Calderisi G., Canella M., Cannucci S., Caria M.C., Castello M., Chiaffarelli G., Cogoni D., Cuena-Lombraña A., Dalle Fratte M., de Simone L., Del Vecchio S., Deola T., Fantinato E., Farris E., Fenu G., Fiaschi T., Fois M., Gianguzzi L., Lastrucci L., Lazzaro L., Lonati M., Lozano V., Maccioni A., Mainetti A., Marengo G., Mascia F., Minuzzo C., Misuri A., Mugnai M., Murgia L., Pafumi E., Patera G., Potenza G., Rosati L., Sarmati S., Siccardi E., Tavilla G., Tiloca M.T., Tomaselli V., Tordoni E., Vagge I., Viciani D., Zangari G., Fanfarillo E.. - ELETTRONICO. - (2025), pp. 21-21. ( 58th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ITALIAN SOCIETY OF VEGETATION SCIENCE - Società Italiana Scienza della Vegetazione (SISV) - “Vegetation Ecology and Diversity for Habitat Monitoring and Conservation” Reggio Calabria, Italy June 19-21, 2025).