abstract

Vegetational study on the Neapolis (Syracuse, Sicily) archaeological area target-oriented to the preservation of the architectonical construction. In this paper the study of vegetation occurring in the archaeological area of Neapolis (Syracuse) is presented. The phytosociological analysis allowed to identification of several communities, belonging to Quercetea ilicis, Parietarietea judaicae, Adiantetea capilli-veneris, Lygeo-Stipetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Stellarietea mediae, Polygono-Poetea annuae and Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae classes. On the basis of this analysis, using the dangerousness index proposed by Signorini (1996) to evaluate the impact degree of each species on archaeological monuments. the dangerousness of each vegetation type was evaluated.
The question of the contro1 on the vegetation growing in the archaeological area of Neapolis is in contrast with the necessity to maintain many species of phytogeographic or aesthetic value, as Origanum onites L., Antirrhinum siculum Miller, Andrachne telephioides L., Capparis spinosa L., Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br. and Adiantum capillus-veneris L. On the basis of the obtained results, a differentiated management of the different fields in the archaeological area is advised. Account will be kept either of the value of the single monument, or of the naturalistic value of flora and vegetation.

keywords

archaeological areas, biodeterioration, dangerousness index, Phytosociology, ruderal flora, Syracuse, vegetation.