Synthetic cartography for mapping biodiversity in the Mediterranean region: Sicily as a case study

• Published in: PhytoKeys Vol. 109; no. 109; pp. 77 - 92
• Main Authors: Domina, Gianniantonio, Venturella, Giuseppe, Gargano, Maria Letizia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 16.10.2018
• Subjects: Analysis; Angiospermae; Biodiversity; Biodiversity & Conservation; Biogeography; Cartography; Case studies; Conservation Biology; Data collection; Data processing; Floristics & Distribution; Geographic information systems; Geospatial data; Land classification; Mapping; New records; Plants; Remote Sensing and GIS; Southern Europe and Mediterranean; Species Inventories; Vegetation dynamics; Sicily; biological collections; GIS software; data analysis; spatial analysis; distribution; plants
• ISSN: 1314-2011; 1314-2011; 1314-2003
• DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.28297

This paper proposes a new hierarchical land classification system for the mapping of species distribution at national or regional scales. Our integrative framework incorporates two hierarchical levels inferred from historical, climatic, geomorphological and geological attributes. The feasibility of this proposal is based on the use of historical collections and literature data, as well as on its ability to combine old low-precision data with more recent records of higher resolution. The system is set up for vascular plants, but it can also be used for other taxonomic groups. Furthermore, it has the potential for application to the whole Mediterranean region because it is based on information that is generally available in all Mediterranean countries. This model is tested with the distribution of of the Italian endemic plants occurring in Sicily.