Systematics, Taxonomy, and Sustainable Management of Some Critical Vascular Plant Groups in Central Apennines, Italy

Plants are essential to understanding ecosystems and the impacts of human development. The deciduous montane forests of the central Apennines (Italy, South-Central Europe) are considered a true biodiversity hotspot because of the endemic plant species. However, extreme weather and human development are increasingly threatening this pristine habitat. Taxonomic clarification and sustainable management of critical plant groups and populations within the central Apennines such as Anthyllis vulneraria, Centaurea sp., Clinopodium sp., Siler complex, Lathyrus pannonicus, Senecio doronicum, Taraxacum sect. Palustria, and Veronica gr. austriaca provide an avenue to understand climate change impacts. New plant species, subspecies, varieties, and sections continue to be recorded within the central Apennines despite the already documented ones needing ecological, systematics, sustainable utilization, and conservation attention. The spread of invasive species, loss of indicator species, progressive warming especially in high altitudes, and other anthropogenic and natural threats are reshaping this hitherto intact ecosystem. If unchecked, plant adaptation to environmental change might produce phenotypic plasticity in lieu of genetic diversity. Policies from the European Union and the Italian government can help address topical confusion surrounding this center of diversity for many vascular plants as well as new knowledge on plant population and groups by using bibliographic data, field collection, and analysis of morphological data, research, and consultation of herbaria data. For instance, systematics and taxonomic undertaking can focus on the existence or absence of significant variations within, between, and among closely related vascular plant populations and groups within the central Apennines and include a description of their physical attributes, geographical bearings, soil characteristics, and economic and cultural activities of the people residing in and around the environment. This will enable the design and implementation of a sustainable plant germplasm management program for the area to complement existing efforts and have a global impact, especially in areas where similar taxa occur.