Plant Diversity and Sustainable Landscape Management: The Case of Misiliscemi, a New Municipality in Sicily

Floristic and biodiversity knowledge play a crucial role in ecosystem conservation and sustainable land management, particularly in urban-rural contexts that can serve as biodiversity reservoirs, hosting species of high biogeographic value. Focusing on the new municipality of Misiliscemi, established in 2021 in Sicily and now facing the challenge of developing new management strategies, this study provides fundamental knowledge on the plant biodiversity of the area and explores how the integration of floristic and environmental data can guide territorial planning strategies aimed at preserving natural capital and ecosystem services. The research, based on field surveys conducted over many years, taxonomic identification of species, analysis of biological forms and chorological data, evaluation of ecological indicators, and GIS-based habitat mapping according to the EUNIS classification, has made it possible to obtain a comprehensive dataset. The results of this work led to the identification of 623 taxa, recording new findings for the Sicilian flora, including both native and alien species, which represent primary biodiversity data crucial for plant resource management. In addition, 42 habitat types were mapped, highlighting that approximately 80% of the territory is occupied by vegetated man-made habitats. Despite anthropogenic pressures and landscape modifications, Misiliscemi retains significant plant biodiversity, including habitats and species of conservation interest, that represent a vital resource for natural capital and ecosystem services. This knowledge base, in addition to constituting the scientific foundation upon which this young municipality can develop an urban planning strategy aimed at achieving sustainable local development, also represents a methodological approach that highlights how basic knowledge of urban biodiversity should be considered a crucial aspect of sustainable urban planning worldwide.