Macrofite acquatiche nelle "gebbie" della Piana di Palermo: prime indagini floristiche su un sistema in via di scomparsa

In the past, the Plain of Palermo (also known as “Conca d’Oro”) hosted numerous wetlands, which have almost completely disappeared due to land reclamation and urban sprawl. However, part of their flora and fauna has survived within the structures of the ancient Arab irrigation system, such as gebbie, saje, and risittaculi, which now function as a substitute anthropogenic ecosystem. The study here presented investigated 24 gebbie or cisterns, analyzing water parameters and the presence of aquatic macrophytes. Results reveal generally low plant diversity, strongly influenced by water management, use, and hydrological conditions. Only a few sites hosted noteworthy species, including Chara vulgaris and the regionally rare Potamogeton pusillus. Abandoned or stagnant water bodies showed the poorest ecological conditions. Nevertheless, properly managed gebbie can support higher levels of (urban) biodiversity. The study highlights the need for an ecosystem-based conservation strategy for what remains of the Conca d’Oro irrigation system.