The Longevity of Fruit Trees in Basilicata (Southern Italy): Implications for Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation

In the Mediterranean basin, agriculture and other forms of human land use have shaped environment since ancient times. Intensive extensive agricultural systems managed with a few cultured plant populations improved varieties are widespread reality in many countries. Despite this, historical cultural landscapes still exist interior less intensively rural areas. There, fruit tree survived modern cultivation systems, preserving unique genetic heritage. this study, we mapped characterized 106 living trees Basilicata region southern Italy. Tree ages were determined through ring measurements radiocarbon analyses. We uncovered some oldest scientifically dated world. The species olive (max age 680 ± 57 years), mulberry (647 66 chestnut (636 pear (467 89 years). These patriarchs hold resource; their preservation maintenance agamic propagation now promoted by Lucan Agency for Development Innovation Agriculture (ALSIA). Each also represents hub biodiversity conservation agrarian ecosystems: large architecture time persistence guarantee ecological niches micro-habitats suitable flora fauna significance.