A reserve is not always so good: change in landscape management after protection negatively affects the floristic diversity of an urban park

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the floristic changes occurred between 1991 and 2018 in “Pineto Urban Regional Park” (Rome) as a result land-use change that mid-90s led abandonment traditional pasture practices shift more intense frequentation for recreational purposes. About 25 years after management area has similar richness, but it characterized by high turnover rate, significant homogenization flora community structure with higher level dominance. removal pasture, which favoured an increasing people, seems be main driver these changes. We suggest active management, reintroduction sustainable grazing limitation fruition marginal areas close urban matrix, could restore diversity reverse processes detected at same time ensure citizen fruition.