The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora
Mining activities and associated waste materials pose significant environmental challenges, including soil, water, and air contamination, along with health risks to nearby populations. Despite the harsh conditions of metal-enriched soils and nutrient-poor substrates, certain plants known as metallop...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1225 |
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| author | Maria Enrica Boi Marco Sarigu Mauro Fois Mauro Casti Gianluigi Bacchetta |
| author_facet | Maria Enrica Boi Marco Sarigu Mauro Fois Mauro Casti Gianluigi Bacchetta |
| author_sort | Maria Enrica Boi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mining activities and associated waste materials pose significant environmental challenges, including soil, water, and air contamination, along with health risks to nearby populations. Despite the harsh conditions of metal-enriched soils and nutrient-poor substrates, certain plants known as metallophytes thrive in these environments. This study examined the vascular flora of Sardinia’s abandoned mining sites, with a focus on identifying metallophytes and their potential role in phytoremediation. A comprehensive floristic checklist was compiled using literature, field surveys, and herbarium samples. Of the 652 <i>taxa</i> identified, 49% were metallophytes, with the majority categorized as facultative species. Notably, 27% of metallophytes were identified as suitable for phytostabilization, while 20% showed potential for phytoextraction. This study also highlighted the presence of endemic and endangered species, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. The findings suggest that native metallophytes could play a key role in the ecological restoration of mining sites, though careful consideration of invasive species is necessary to avoid ecological disruption. This research provides valuable insights into the biodiversity of Sardinian mining sites and the potential for sustainable remediation strategies using native plants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-526328cef6e84bcbb629e165d1475d42 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-526328cef6e84bcbb629e165d1475d422025-08-20T02:18:15ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-04-01148122510.3390/plants14081225The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular FloraMaria Enrica Boi0Marco Sarigu1Mauro Fois2Mauro Casti3Gianluigi Bacchetta4Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyMining activities and associated waste materials pose significant environmental challenges, including soil, water, and air contamination, along with health risks to nearby populations. Despite the harsh conditions of metal-enriched soils and nutrient-poor substrates, certain plants known as metallophytes thrive in these environments. This study examined the vascular flora of Sardinia’s abandoned mining sites, with a focus on identifying metallophytes and their potential role in phytoremediation. A comprehensive floristic checklist was compiled using literature, field surveys, and herbarium samples. Of the 652 <i>taxa</i> identified, 49% were metallophytes, with the majority categorized as facultative species. Notably, 27% of metallophytes were identified as suitable for phytostabilization, while 20% showed potential for phytoextraction. This study also highlighted the presence of endemic and endangered species, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. The findings suggest that native metallophytes could play a key role in the ecological restoration of mining sites, though careful consideration of invasive species is necessary to avoid ecological disruption. This research provides valuable insights into the biodiversity of Sardinian mining sites and the potential for sustainable remediation strategies using native plants.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1225environmental pollutionenvironmental restorationmediterranean vascular florametallophytesphytoextractionphytoremediation |
| spellingShingle | Maria Enrica Boi Marco Sarigu Mauro Fois Mauro Casti Gianluigi Bacchetta The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora Plants environmental pollution environmental restoration mediterranean vascular flora metallophytes phytoextraction phytoremediation |
| title | The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora |
| title_full | The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora |
| title_fullStr | The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora |
| title_full_unstemmed | The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora |
| title_short | The First Inventory of Sardinian Mining Vascular Flora |
| title_sort | first inventory of sardinian mining vascular flora |
| topic | environmental pollution environmental restoration mediterranean vascular flora metallophytes phytoextraction phytoremediation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1225 |
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