Measuring Millennial Biodiversity with Pollen: Archaeo-Data from Southern Italy

This research focuses on Southern Italy, where archaeo-palynological research from 14 archaeological sites in Campania, Basilicata, and Sicily provides high-resolution (decadal to centennial scale) data on past floristic diversity and land use over millennia. Pollen analysis reveals rich palaeo-floristic records reflecting ecosystems surrounding ancient settlements, with both quantitative and qualitative insights. β-diversity analysis, based on species composition and abundance, was used to assess the biological uniqueness of each site through Local Contribution to Beta Diversity (LCBD). Results demonstrate how pollen data are effective to assess long-term biodiversity changes and human impact on landscapes. Integrating archaeology, palaeoecology, and landscape analysis enables a comprehensive reconstruction of human–environment interactions, offering a valuable framework for the use of bioarchaeological data in cultural heritage and environmental monitoring. By linking past and present biodiversity, this research supports future conservation strategies for Mediterranean ecosystems. It aligns with NRRP-driven research and contributes to the development of predictive models for interpreting past ecosystems and informing future biodiversity scenarios.