Plant Biodiversity Recovery, Conservation and Valorisation: a Case Study from the Val di Vara (La Spezia - Liguria) L. Sebastiani, F. Camangi and A. Stefani BioLabs - Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa Italy Keywords: ancient cultivar, botanical-garden, ethnobotanical, germplasm, mountainous- regions Abstract The research has been performed in the Val di Vara area with the aim of improving the knowledge of plant biodiversity of this territory and activating recovery, conservation and development. This study analysed the bibliographical and forestry cartographical information already present in this area. Successively, the analysis was carried out contacting and interviewing local public agencies, agricultural companies, and individuals and by in situ work. The data collected have been used to establish a census of the wild and cultivated flora of local interest and for planning the Botanical Garden of the “Comunità Montana dell’Alta Val di Vara”, where several species and varieties identified have been safeguarded. All the information collected has been also elaborated and organised in a database, which enables effective and continuous data recording and consultation. Some specific actions were undertaken together with a chestnut farmer for production development, use of ancient cultivar, common production techniques and labelling. This integrated approach should enable the preservation of plant biodiversity, recovery of ancient crop varieties and improve farm income in this marginal agricultural area. INTRODUCTION Plant biodiversity recovery, conservation and development are crucial processes for the preservation of ancient crop varieties and production practices in small and marginal areas like those located in mountainous regions. The "Provincia della Spezia” territory is characterised by large forest areas (more than 66% of the whole territory) and the Val di Vara is a hilly and mountainous region containing most of the forest (70%). This region shows fast decline and loss of several agricultural activities, following the more general decline of Italian mountain agriculture during thelast decades. Strong international competition, farmer ageing and more attractive economic activities (industry, commerce and tourism) in the surrounding coastal areas have lead to lack of appeal of agricultural activities for young people. Many national and international experiences have proved that the conservation of agro-biodiversity and of the local traditions interacts positively with the recovery and development of multifunctional territorial activities. A classic example is the strong synergism between agricultural actions involved in the production of typical products and tourism or agritourism activities. Ethnobotanic research has allowed many fields (medicine, veterinary medicine, food preparation, handicrafts, fabric dyeing, spirits, toiletries, games and toys, religion, and magic) to use a large number of plants that have for a long time been part of daily life. In modern agriculture, the re-discovery and utilisation of natural and cultivated plant species can be very helpful both for biodiversity conservation and for developing new products for the European and international markets. Moreover, local people who have been dependent, for a long time, on local environmental resources, have developed a stake in conserving, and in some cases, enhancing biodiversity (Gadgil et al., 1993). 319 Proc. I st IS on Hort in Europe Ed.: G.R. Dixon Acta Hort. 817, ISHS 2009