Vol. 32 – 2006 - Ecologia Mediterranea

MASSIMO TERZI, MARCO MARVULLI
36
woodland) can favour biodiversity conservation
in agro-sylvo-pastoral landscapes (e.g.
birds: Delgado & Moreira 2000; snails:
Labaune & Magnin 2002; insects: Steffan-
Dewenter & Tscharntke 2002; Kati et al.
2003; plants: Maestre 2004; and lizards: Martin
& Lopez 2002). However, Atauri and de
Lucio (2001) have emphasized that landscape
heterogeneity should be considered with caution
as a high level of richness could be due
to the greater presence of generalist species.
The third aspect concerns steppe restoration.
Although the re-development of formerly cultivated
fields into Mediterranean steppe is
unlikely or, at least, would take a very long
time (Romermann et al. 2005), the enlargement
of the existing steppes could be favoured
by species and gene flows (Muller et al.
1998). From this point of view, an ex situ
conservation strategy, aimed at accession reintroduction
in the wild, would also support
the process.
Moreover, the identification of the Priority
Zones enables better integration of other
conservation activities with species-level targets.
For example, Mediterranean agro-pastoral
landscapes have an important function in
protecting landraces and, in the studied area,
the conservation of the Altamura lentil (Lens
culinaris Medik. ssp. macrosperma [Baumg.
pro var.] Barul) has been suggested (Perrino
et al. 2006). Because on-farm strategies are
the best way to safeguard the evolutionary
processes of native genetic resources (Bellon
et al. 1997; Meilleur & Hodgkin 2004), we
believe it is reasonable to locate these interventions
in the park areas but outside the Priority
Zones. In the same way, all the other in
situ conservation measures focused on species
target could be integrated and subordinated to
the conservation needs of the remaining top
predator. The zoning approach based on the
ecological requirements of the remaining
Mediterranean top predator should be used as
a complementary strategy to those focusing
on ecosystems and species targets. From this
point of view, the three criteria could be ordered
in a hierarchical way: first, protection of
ecosystem types (acting as a coarse filter);
second, protection of Priority Zones; and
third, safeguarding of special elements, even
those as yet unprotected (Noss & Scott 1997;
Perrino et al. 2006).
Acknowledgements
Special thanks are due to Prof. S. Vannella,
Prof. F. Macchia, dott. Barbara Piermaria and
Gianni Palumbo. This research was in part
supported by the Grant POR – Basilicata
2000-2006; Asse 1, Misura 1.4, “Centro
Tematico per la Conservazione e la Difesa
della Biodiversità”.
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ecologia mediterranea – Vol. 32 – 2006