Plants and Vegetation in the Archaeological Park of Neapolis of Syracuse (Sicily, Italy): A Management Effort and also an Opportunity for Better Enjoyment of the Site

Abstract

Syracuse has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. Notable for its visible traces of the ancient Greek city, the inscribed sites are mainly located on the Ortigia Islet and in the Neapolis Archaeological Park. In this park, in addition to monuments of global significance such as the Greek theatre carved into the rock in the fifth century bc, wild flora of great interest are preserved. Some species may have been introduced in the classical period. In 2013, significant maintenance interventions of green areas were made, aimed at safeguarding the monuments and the most relevant flora present. This activity provided an opportunity to create, through an interdisciplinary project, some guidelines for the management of the green cover, and has also created new opportunities for the use of the site through thematic routes.

Keywords:

• Siracusa
• Greek vestiges
• flora conservation
• invasive plants
• vegetation map
• management guidelines

Acknowledgements

We are particularly grateful to the following persons of the involved institutions who supported and encouraged us for this research: Carmelo Frittitta (in 2013 Leader of Regional Forest Service – Provincial Unit of Syracuse) with Maria Amalia Mastelloni (in 2013 Director of the Archaelogical Park of Syracuse) and Orazio Micali (in 2013 Superintendent pro tempore of the Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Syracuse).