Side
Events.
Abstract
All
over the world, the areas
with high concentrations
of polluting substances
in soils are characterized,
by a typical flora often
rich in endemics. These
species are very tolerant
to toxic elements and many
of them can be considered
accumulator or hyperaccumulator.
In the Mediterranean basin,
characterized by a rich
biodiversity of plant species
and communities, several
vegetal formations occur
on the metal rich substrata
which are mainly derived
from mining activities.
In terms of substrata properties
such as chemical composition,
granulometry and water retention,
different phytocoenosis
can develop, distinguished
in order to biological features
and ecological requirements.
These communities are similar
to the ones occurring on
natural substrata but they
are characterized by specific
floristic elements.
Many of tolerant species
can be an important resource
when the restoration of
contaminated sites is planned
because they can be effective
in revegetation and in phytoremediation
techniques, mainly in phytostabilization
and phytoextraction. Moreover,
vegetational studies in
polluted areas help to understand
changes in landscape.
This session start analyzing
the study case of SW-Sardinia,
where the geobotanical studies
provided basic knowledge
to design environmental
reclamation project and
phytoextraction applications.
Other regions of the Mediterranean
basin are subsequently discussed
and compared with the Sardinian
case.
Key
words: mining
areas, phytoremediation,
phytoextraction, Mediterranean
vegetation.
