Linking Man and Nature: Relictual Forest Coenosis with Laurus nobilis L. and Celtis australis L. in Antica Lavinium, Italy

Giulia Albani Rocchetti, Flavia Bartoli, Emanuela Cicinelli, Fernando Lucchese and Giulia Caneva
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Giulia Albani Rocchetti: Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
Flavia Bartoli: Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
Emanuela Cicinelli: Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
Fernando Lucchese: Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
Giulia Caneva: Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: The Mediterranean basin has been a refugium for relict plant taxa and native laurophyllic forests. The Latium coasts and, especially, the Antica Lavinium site, host relict forest communities, whose natural importance is enriched by their cultural value. Here, we aim at investigating the ecological framework, cultural and historical values, and management over time, of relict communities that have Laurus nobilis and Celtis australis as their priority habitats. To achieve this, we performed vegetation surveys and we conducted statistical analyses (PCA, NMDS). Among the 45 vegetation surveys, 25 were characterized by the two target species. The PCA analysis highlighted how the L. nobilis formations and the mixed formations with C. australis present some differences but are not sufficient to describe different coenosis. The comparison among similar forests in central and southern Italy confirmed the wide coenological amplitude of L. nobilis with respect to other laurophyllic species. Antica Lavinium has an overall good preservation of laurel forest formations, but also of mixed formation with C. australis . In the area, historical, cultural, and natural characteristics mutually contributed to the development of human civilizations and plant communities, highlighting their deep linkage.

Keywords: aeneas route; archaeological landscape; European hackberry; laurel; Mediterranean vegetation; plant history; relictuality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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