Deteriogenic flora of the Phlegraean Fields Archaeological Park: ecological analysis and management guidelines

Riccardo Motti,Adriano Stinca,Giuliano Bonanomi

doi:10.1111/njb.02627

Abstract

Biodeterioration, the alteration caused by living organisms, on historical buildings and stone monuments is a well‐known problem affecting two‐thirds of the world's cultural heritage. The study of the flora growing on wall surface is of particular importance for the assessment of the risk of biodeterioration of stone artifacts by vascular plants, and for maintenance planning. In this study, we investigate how rock type, exposure and inclination of the wall affect the biodeteriogenic flora at 13 sites of the Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields located in the province of Naples, in southern Italy. For each site, we analysed randomly selected square areas with 2 × 2 m size, representing the different vegetation types in terms of vascular plant species cover. The total number of plant species recorded was 129, belonging to 43 families. Erigeron sumatrensis, Sonchus tenerrimus and Parietaria judaica are the most commonly reported species, while Capparis orientalis is the species with the highest average coverage. Substrate type, exposure and surface inclination affect the floristic composition, with the average plant cover significantly higher on vertical surfaces and at western and southern exposure. All the main biodeteriogenic vascular plant species grow on more or less porous lythotype like yellow tufa, conglomerate and bricks. Finally, woody plants eradications methods are proposed by the tree cutting and local application of herbicides, to avoid stump and root sprouting and to minimize the dispersion of chemicals in the surrounding environment.

Highlights

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to wall flora growing on archaeological and historical sites in the Mediterranean basin (Krigas et al, 1999; Spampinato et al, 2005; Iatrous et al., 2007; Motti and Stinca, 2011; Bartoli et al, 2017; Cicinelli et al, 2018; Dahmani et al, 2018). plants can in some cases be considered a protective resource for monuments (Miller, 2012; Erder, et al, 2013), in most cases they pose a severe threat to their conservation (Caneva et al, 2003; Celesti-Grapow and Blasi, 2004; Tjelldén et al, 2015; Minissale et al, 2015).Walls can be considered an extreme environment for plant life in many respects
Was the first to show that wall habitats show ecological features comparable with rocks in natural environments and could be described as artificial, highly selective ecosystems (Ellenberg, 1996; Laníková and Lososová, 2009; Francis, 2011). )
The factors which most influence the capacity of walls to function as habitat for vascular plants are wall size, construction materials, inclination, exposure and wall age (Francis, 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Walls can be considered an extreme environment for plant life in many respects. Was the first to show that wall habitats show ecological features comparable with rocks in natural environments and could be described as artificial, highly selective ecosystems (Ellenberg, 1996; Laníková and Lososová, 2009; Francis, 2011). ). Wall surfaces, vertical sections, offer limited opportunities for root development, the accumulation of organic matter and mineral nutrients limiting edaphic development and, thereafter, plant establishment (Duchoslav, 2002; Francis, 2011). Physical and environmental characteristics of walls determine their capacity to act as habitat, and control the possibility of plants to colonise such man-made ecosystems. The factors which most influence the capacity of walls to function as habitat for vascular plants are wall size, construction materials, inclination, exposure and wall age (Francis, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results