Remnants of naturalness in a reclaimed land of central Italy

Wetlands are among the most fragile habitats on Earth and have often undergone major environmental changes. As a study case in this context, present work aims at increasing floristic knowledge of reclaimed land now turned into an agricultural lowland with scarce patches natural habitats. The area is named Piana di Rosia, it located southern Tuscany (Italy). compiled checklist consists 451 specific subspecific taxa vascular plants. life-form spectrum shows predominance hemicryptophytes, followed by therophytes. chorological highlights co-dominance Euri-Mediterranean Eurasian species along many widely distributed species. includes seven conservation concern, three Italian endemics ( Crocus etruscus Parl., Polygala vulgaris L. subsp. valdarnensis (Fiori) Arrigoni, Scabiosa uniseta Savi), 41 alien species, 21 segetal 11 aquatic macrophytes which five helophytes six hydrophytes. This suggests that irreversible land-use changes wetlands can lead towards simplification flora. However, despite deep transformations former wetland has undergone, presence some protected interesting. From point view, value could be enhanced its current management partly reconsidered, thus preserving remnants naturalness present.