The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece

Vegetation plays a multifaceted role in the enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites, functioning not only as an aesthetic element but also as a core component of landscape architecture practice. This review traces the historical evolution of vegetation management, though the lens of lan...

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Main Authors: Electra Kanellou, Maria Papafotiou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2302
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author Electra Kanellou
Maria Papafotiou
author_facet Electra Kanellou
Maria Papafotiou
author_sort Electra Kanellou
collection DOAJ
description Vegetation plays a multifaceted role in the enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites, functioning not only as an aesthetic element but also as a core component of landscape architecture practice. This review traces the historical evolution of vegetation management, though the lens of landscape architecture, highlighting its potential as a design and planning tool for historical interpretation and sustainable integration of heritage sites into broader contexts. From Romantic landscaping ideals to modern interdisciplinary conservation frameworks, the review draws on key milestones such as the Athens and Venice Charters, and examines case studies like Rome’s Passeggiata Archeologica, the Acropolis slopes, Ruffenhofen Park, and Campo Lameiro. These examples illustrate how landscape architectural approaches can use vegetation to reconstruct lost architectural forms, enhance visitor engagement, and provide ecosystem functions. The article also addresses challenges related to historical authenticity, species selection, and ecological performance, arguing for future strategies that integrate archaeological sites into dynamic, living heritage systems, through collaborative, ecologically informed design.
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issn 2223-7747
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-0d2090f254c64eccae678df3f9673cec2025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011415230210.3390/plants14152302The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and GreeceElectra Kanellou0Maria Papafotiou1Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceVegetation plays a multifaceted role in the enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites, functioning not only as an aesthetic element but also as a core component of landscape architecture practice. This review traces the historical evolution of vegetation management, though the lens of landscape architecture, highlighting its potential as a design and planning tool for historical interpretation and sustainable integration of heritage sites into broader contexts. From Romantic landscaping ideals to modern interdisciplinary conservation frameworks, the review draws on key milestones such as the Athens and Venice Charters, and examines case studies like Rome’s Passeggiata Archeologica, the Acropolis slopes, Ruffenhofen Park, and Campo Lameiro. These examples illustrate how landscape architectural approaches can use vegetation to reconstruct lost architectural forms, enhance visitor engagement, and provide ecosystem functions. The article also addresses challenges related to historical authenticity, species selection, and ecological performance, arguing for future strategies that integrate archaeological sites into dynamic, living heritage systems, through collaborative, ecologically informed design.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2302vegetation managementarchaeological conservationhistorical landscapecultural heritageancient monument restorationlandscape design
spellingShingle Electra Kanellou
Maria Papafotiou
The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
Plants
vegetation management
archaeological conservation
historical landscape
cultural heritage
ancient monument restoration
landscape design
title The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
title_full The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
title_fullStr The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
title_full_unstemmed The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
title_short The Historical Evolution of the Role of Vegetation in the Enhancement and Conservation of Archaeological Sites: A Landscape Architecture Perspective Focused Mainly on Cases from Italy and Greece
title_sort historical evolution of the role of vegetation in the enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites a landscape architecture perspective focused mainly on cases from italy and greece
topic vegetation management
archaeological conservation
historical landscape
cultural heritage
ancient monument restoration
landscape design
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2302
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