Vol. 32 – 2006 - Ecologia Mediterranea
Vol. 32 – 2006 - Ecologia Mediterranea
Vol. 32 – 2006 - Ecologia Mediterranea
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
MASSIMO TERZI, MARCO MARVULLI<br />
36<br />
woodland) can favour biodiversity conservation<br />
in agro-sylvo-pastoral landscapes (e.g.<br />
birds: Delgado & Moreira 2000; snails:<br />
Labaune & Magnin 2002; insects: Steffan-<br />
Dewenter & Tscharntke 2002; Kati et al.<br />
2003; plants: Maestre 2004; and lizards: Martin<br />
& Lopez 2002). However, Atauri and de<br />
Lucio (2001) have emphasized that landscape<br />
heterogeneity should be considered with caution<br />
as a high level of richness could be due<br />
to the greater presence of generalist species.<br />
The third aspect concerns steppe restoration.<br />
Although the re-development of formerly cultivated<br />
fields into <strong>Mediterranea</strong>n steppe is<br />
unlikely or, at least, would take a very long<br />
time (Romermann et al. 2005), the enlargement<br />
of the existing steppes could be favoured<br />
by species and gene flows (Muller et al.<br />
1998). From this point of view, an ex situ<br />
conservation strategy, aimed at accession reintroduction<br />
in the wild, would also support<br />
the process.<br />
Moreover, the identification of the Priority<br />
Zones enables better integration of other<br />
conservation activities with species-level targets.<br />
For example, <strong>Mediterranea</strong>n agro-pastoral<br />
landscapes have an important function in<br />
protecting landraces and, in the studied area,<br />
the conservation of the Altamura lentil (Lens<br />
culinaris Medik. ssp. macrosperma [Baumg.<br />
pro var.] Barul) has been suggested (Perrino<br />
et al. <strong>2006</strong>). Because on-farm strategies are<br />
the best way to safeguard the evolutionary<br />
processes of native genetic resources (Bellon<br />
et al. 1997; Meilleur & Hodgkin 2004), we<br />
believe it is reasonable to locate these interventions<br />
in the park areas but outside the Priority<br />
Zones. In the same way, all the other in<br />
situ conservation measures focused on species<br />
target could be integrated and subordinated to<br />
the conservation needs of the remaining top<br />
predator. The zoning approach based on the<br />
ecological requirements of the remaining<br />
<strong>Mediterranea</strong>n top predator should be used as<br />
a complementary strategy to those focusing<br />
on ecosystems and species targets. From this<br />
point of view, the three criteria could be ordered<br />
in a hierarchical way: first, protection of<br />
ecosystem types (acting as a coarse filter);<br />
second, protection of Priority Zones; and<br />
third, safeguarding of special elements, even<br />
those as yet unprotected (Noss & Scott 1997;<br />
Perrino et al. <strong>2006</strong>).<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
Special thanks are due to Prof. S. Vannella,<br />
Prof. F. Macchia, dott. Barbara Piermaria and<br />
Gianni Palumbo. This research was in part<br />
supported by the Grant POR <strong>–</strong> Basilicata<br />
2000-<strong>2006</strong>; Asse 1, Misura 1.4, “Centro<br />
Tematico per la Conservazione e la Difesa<br />
della Biodiversità”.<br />
References<br />
Amico A., 1954. Fitostoria descrittiva della provincia di<br />
Bari. Atti e Relazioni Acc. Pugliese delle Scienze.<br />
n.s. Cl. Sc. Fis. Med. Nat. 12: 365-640.<br />
Atauri J.A. & de Lucio J.V., 2001. The role of landscape<br />
structure in species richness distribution of birds,<br />
amphibians, reptiles and lepidopterans in <strong>Mediterranea</strong>n<br />
landscape. Landscape Ecol. 16: 147-159.<br />
Bellon M.R., Pham J.L. & Jackson M.T., 1997. Genetic<br />
conservation: a role for rice farmers. In: Maxted N.,<br />
Ford-Lloyd B.V. & Hawkes J.G. (eds.), Plant<br />
genetic conservation <strong>–</strong> the in situ approach. Chapman<br />
& Hall. London, New York, Tokyo, Melbourne,<br />
Madras: 254-289.<br />
Bianco P., 1962. Flora e vegetazione delle Murge di<br />
Nord-Ovest. Ann. Fac. Agr. Univ. Bari 16: 459-640.<br />
Biber J.P., 1996. International action plan for the Lesser<br />
kestrel (Falco naumanni). In: Heredia B., Rose L.<br />
& Painter M. (eds.), Globally threatened birds in<br />
Europe: action plans. BirdLife International. Council<br />
of Europe Publisching: 191-203.<br />
Bignal E.M. & McCracken D.I., 1996. Low intensity<br />
farming systems in the conservation of the countryside.<br />
J. App. Ecol. 33: 413-424.<br />
BirdLife International, 2004. Falco naumanni. In: IUCN<br />
2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.<br />
Blondel J. & Aronson J., 1999. Biology and wildlife of<br />
the <strong>Mediterranea</strong>n Region. Oxford University Press.<br />
Box G.E.P. & Cox D.R., 1964. An analysis of transformations.<br />
J. Roy. Statist. Soc. Ser. B. 26: 211-243.<br />
Bustamante J., 1997. Predictive models for Lesser<br />
Kestrel Falco naumanni distribution, abundance and<br />
extinction in southern Spain. Biol. Conserv. 80: 153-<br />
160.<br />
Delgado A. & Moreira F., 2000. Bird assemblages of an<br />
Iberian cereal steppe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 78:<br />
65-76.<br />
Delpech R., 1989. Espèces rares et menacées des prairies<br />
et paturages de France. Natures des menaces.<br />
Mesures conservatoires à envisager. In: Olivier L.<br />
(éd.), Plantes sauvages menacées. Bureau des<br />
ressources Génétiques, Paris: 403-410.<br />
Donazar J.A., Negro J.J. & Hiraldo F., 1993. Foraging<br />
habitat selection, land-use changes and population<br />
decline in the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni. J. App.<br />
Ecol. 30: 515-522.<br />
Forte L., Perrino E.V. & Terzi, M., 2005. Le praterie a<br />
Stipa austroitalica Martinovsky ssp. austroitalica<br />
dell’Alta Murgia (Puglia) e della Murgia Materana<br />
(Basilicata). Fitosociologia 42: 83-103.<br />
ecologia mediterranea <strong>–</strong> <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>32</strong> <strong>–</strong> <strong>2006</strong>