Non solo uccelli: l'importanza della componente vegetale sommersa nel monitoraggio dell’ecosistema del lago di Pergusa in Sicilia

The currently ongoing Biodiversa+ project ProPartS focuses on Chara canescens, a halophilous charophyte alga with both sexual and parthenogenetic populations, to investigate its genetic diversity and support its conservation. Lake Pergusa in Sicily, historically home to one of the few known sexual popula- tions, has experienced significant environmental degradation due to urbanization, invasive species, and the artificial addition of freshwater. Recent surveys have detected the return of C. canescens, likely in a parthe- nogenetic form (given the absence of male individuals). The project highlights the importance of monitoring submerged aquatic vegetation and engaging stakeholders in ecological site management, aiming to develop transnational conservation strategies for species with mixed reproductive systems.