Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-018-0730-7 Safeguarding natural and cultural heritage on Etruscan tombs (La Banditaccia, Cerveteri, Italy) Giulia Caneva 1  · Fabiola Benelli 1  · Flavia Bartoli 1  · Emanuela Cicinelli 1 Received: 8 March 2018 / Accepted: 18 July 2018 © Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 2018 Abstract Archaeological sites can represent a refuge for plant and animal species, protecting them from the pressures of urbanisa- tion. However, sometimes these environmental resources can lead to negative consequences for the monuments. In order to investigate such contrasting efects, we selected the UNESCO World Heritage Site Etruscan necropolis known as “La Banditaccia” (Cerveteri, Italy). We performed foristic and phytosociological analyses, and observations on roots interac- tions with monuments on several tombs (9 tumuli and 5 cube-shaped tombs) and applied commonly used indices to evaluate damages to the structures. The study revealed rich biodiversity of the site and the presence of rare plants, but also of some invasive species. The analysis of the phytosociological sets showed diferences among vegetation types found on the tumuli as a function of the varying degrees of anthropization. Abundant plant colonisation was detected on the top of the tumuli, sometimes causing damages to the structures. The results of the Impact Index analysis showed that the dynamic evolution of vegetation constitutes a signifcant risk to the archaeological structures. We suggest that careful management of vegeta- tion should achieve equilibrium between the management requirements for the monuments and conservation of naturalistic values. A deeper evaluation of the interactions between plants and monuments is however necessary. Keywords Ruderal vegetation · Archaeological site management · Biodeterioration · Biodiversity · Monument conservation 1 Introduction Archaeological parks are often characterised by the coex- istence of valuable historical remains and natural heritage (Mascari et al. 2009; Steinbauer et al. 2013). These parks often include areas of a variable size where vegetation has been able to grow and develop freely, and where species and plant communities of particular interest can fourish while are threatened elsewhere (Ceschin et al. 2009; Capo- torti et al. 2013; Deák et al. 2016). For instance, these sites have been preserved from the constant pace of urbanisation, transforming them into refuges of biodiversity where it is not uncommon to fnd plant and animal species of particular natural value (Lucchese and Pignatti 2013). Plant growth in these areas can, however, come into confict with the conservation requirements of archaeologi- cal monuments, leading to biodeterioration (Caneva and Roccardi 1991; Celesti-Grapow and Blasi 2004). Biode- terioration depends on the chemical and physicochemical properties of the substrate and the characteristics of the sur- rounding environment, according to a complex system of interrelations among organisms, materials and the environ- ment; (Caneva et al. 2008; Bartoli et al. 2017). The dam- age caused by root systems of herbaceous species, and the overall woody ruderal plants growing on walls or pavements, which tend to spread as pioneers can have a signifcant infu- ence on biodeterioration (Caneva et al. 2006, 2009). Unfortunately, the traditional approach to the botanical management of archaeological sites is often determined by aesthetic considerations, and botanical planning still does not receive the attention it deserves (Caneva 1999). The introduction of plant species occurs on a casual basis, with- out an evaluation of the characteristics, benefts or damag- ing potential of the species which ultimately can avoid or mitigate the confict between vegetation and archaeological ruins (Caneva 1999; Crow and Mofat 2005). To increase our knowledge on the interaction between plants and monu- ments and the related natural processes, we have chosen the Etruscan archaeological site “La Banditaccia di Cerveteri”, * Emanuela Cicinelli emanuela.cicinelli@uniroma3.it 1 Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy