Ecological characteristics and rarity of endemic plants of the Italian Maritime Alps

This overview of endemic plants of the Italian Maritime Alps (107 taxa representing 3.44% of the flora) is the completion of an earlier study carried out on the French side of the same alpine sector. Similar ecological preferences and plant life strategies were detected in both countries, with a particular ability on the part of endemics to colonize habitats with low competition and disturbance characteristics. The comparison with other areas of the Mediterranean basin appears to show that: (1) the Maritime Alps as a whole actually constitute a 'hot spot' owing to the high total number of vascular plants; (2) the number of endemic plants is quite high, even without considering 'rare' plants. Although numerous endemics are protected by law and part of the territory and biotopes are nominally under habitat conservation measures, new practical measures should be enforced as quickly as possible. Because of the high ecological specialization and the lack of competitiveness of endemics, in situ conservation appears to be adequate. Indepth, cooperative and joint conservation strategies should be planned and implemented by both Italy and France and particular stress should be placed on achieving broader, more effective results. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.