The term ‘endemism’ refers to the exclusive presence of a certain number of plant and animal species in limited areas, and consequently to their total absence in zones which are either close or distant. 

In Sardinia, the first floral researches using the Linnaean system date back to the second  half of the 18th century, but it was Morris who carried out the most relevant studies for 40 years, between 1823 and 1859. He discovered the peculiarities of the vascular flora on the island, through the description of numerous exclusive species both on the coast and in the mountainous areas. 

An essential contribution to the definition of Sardinia’s plant life consists of endemic species, which have been described in over 200 monographs (ARRIGONI ET AL. 1977-91), both on the basis of exsiccata, and original on-field researches. This survey defined the peculiarities of Sardinia’s vegetation and enabled us to establish connections with the other geographically contiguous areas and, more generally, in the Mediterranean Basin. Still interested by new and significant findings, the endemic component represents 13% of the total number of species, either exclusive or in common with nearby territories (ARRIGONI, 2014). They spread throughout the coastal and mountainous habitats, thus characterising them.

The endemism in the Mediterranean area was never described nor studied in a thorough and uniform way. MÉDAIL & QUÉZEL (1997) estimated that there are 12,500 species, that is to say 50% of the approximate total of the Mediterranean vascular vegetation; in a later paper, QUÉZEL (1999) reported a lower number (40%). The majority has a restricted distribution. Insularity plays a paramount role in the development of endemic flora. From a conservationist perspective, the adoption of specific protection measures is absolutely necessary due to the high levels of endemism recorded on the islands, as well as the greater ‘fragility’  of these ecosystems - underlined by higher extinction rates, compared to continental areas (WHITTAKER 1998).

The Archipelago of La Maddalena’s floristic heritage is about 750 species, which represent one third of Sardinia’s vegetation. Among these, there are 52 endemic  specimens, approximately consisting of 25% of Sardinia’s total endemic species. This list includes Silene velutina and Limonium strictissimum, inserted in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, since they are worth of special conservation measures. Silene velutina is also classified as ‘VU’ in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.  The acronym ‘VU’ stands for ‘vulnerable’ and is used when any species decreases by 50% in ten years’ time, when it extends for a limited area - below 20,000 km² - or the amount of reproductive organisms is below 10,000. Present on Caprera island only, Limonium strictissimum is classified as ‘CR’ in the IUCN Red List, which means it is in serious danger of extinction: the species has decreased by 90% in ten years and its distribution area is below 100 km², while the number of reproductive plants is below 250. 

The following table enlists all the endemic flora species which may be found on the biggest islands in the Archipelago of La Maddalena.

DOWNLOAD HERE THE FULL LIST OF ENDEMIC SPECIES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ARRIGONI P.V., 2006-2014 - Flora dell’Isola di Sardegna, vol. 1-6, Carlo Delfino Editore, Sassari.
ARRIGONI P.V., CAMARDA I., CORRIAS B., DIANA S., NARDI E., RAFFAELLI M., VALSECCHI F., 1977- 1991 - Le piante endemiche della Sardegna: 1-202. Boll. Soc. Sarda Sci. Nat. 16-28.
CAMARDA I. , LAURETI L., ANGELINI P., CAPOGROSSI R., CARTA L., BRUNU A., 2015 “Il Sistema Carta della Natura della Sardegna”. ISPRA, Serie Rapporti, 222/2015.
https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/endemismo_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/

ISPRA, Stato dell’Ambiente 4/2001. La biodiversità nella Regione Biogeografica Mediterranea
MÉDAIL F. & QUÉZEL P., 1997. Hot-spots analysis for conservation of plant biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin. Annals of the Missouri Botanical garden 84: 112-127.
QUÉZEL P., 1999. Les grandes structures de la végétation en région méditerranéen. Geobios 32: 19-32.
WHITTAKER R. J., 1998. Island Biogeography. Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 285 pp.