Identifying species involved in biodeterioration processes is helpful, however further effort is needed to assess their ecological requirements and actual activity. Black fungi (BF) represent one of the most underestimated threats to stone cultural heritage in the Mediterranean basin; they are difficult to kill or remove due to their ability to grow inside the rock and cope with several stresses. Despite this, little is known about BF and factors favoring their growth on stone surfaces. Eighteen BF species were here investigated for temperature and salt tolerance, and metabolic traits by plate assays. The relation between some highly damaged monuments and their BF settlers was assessed using X-ray diffraction analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and SEM. The sensitiveness to four commonly used traditional biocides was also tested. All strains were able to grow within the range of 5–25 °C and in the presence of 3.5% NaCl. Instrumental analyses were fundamental in discovering the relation between halophilic strains and weathered marble sculptures. The acid, cellulase, esterase, and protease production recorded proved BF’s potential to produce a chemical action on carbonate stones and likely affect other materials/historical artefacts. Besides, the use of carboxymethylcellulose and Tween 20 should be evaluated in restoration practice to prevent tertiary bioreceptivity. Agar diffusion tests helped identify the most resistant species to biocides, opening the perspective of its use as reference organisms in material testing procedures.

Ivy (Hedera helix L.) growing on monuments is a common issue in the study of nature’s relationship with artefacts in the Euro-Mediterranean area. This is due to its pervasiveness and its double role as protective and as deteriogen. We studied the effect of ivy colonization within the archaeological site of Villa of Massentius. We applied a quantitative method derived from monument mapping method by Fitzner, to evaluate deterioration due to ivy colonization on vertical surfaces. Instead, the capping ivy effects was investigated through a multi-parameter evaluation. We recognized three different damage categories: the superficial loss of surface (W), ivy residues on wall after the removal event (I), and the loss of compact stone fragments (P/O). Mean W corresponded to 58% and P/O to 14%. The total damage rate was positively correlated to the amount of ivy cover and to favourable shady conditions. For the capping ivy, we calculated an average loss of 4.34 cm³/m² and a high level of soil deposit, which led to a secondary ivy colonization process. This paper proposes a contribution to the identification and quantification of ivy deteriogen activity. The application of the proposed method also provides a useful tool for planning restoration activity.

Street trees are key elements in urban ecosystems from several points of view, and different species can have different functions (i.e., ecological, socio-economic). As such, a careful biodiversity assessment is pivotal. We evaluated urban street trees in 15 Italian cities along a geographical and bioclimatic gradient. The data was obtained from scientific literature and Garden Service Offices of the cities. The distribution patterns of the species were analyzed in terms of taxonomy, chorology, and tree size. We registered 277 tree species belonging to 48 families. The species richness is very variable in analyzed cities, and it is not directly correlated with the city’s size. Only three species (Platanus × hispanica, Celtis australis and Quercus ilex) are common to almost all cities, while 41.52% of the species are present only in one city. The comparative analysis of species, considering the floristic and city distribution, showed different results, highlighting Pinaceae as the most common family. The chorological analysis shows a predominance of exotic species and a good relationship with the bioclimatic conditions of cities. A selection of the species, as street trees to maximize their ecological and socio-economic functions, is pivotal in urban landscaping and green management.

The conservation of underground tombs is affected by several physical-chemical and biological factors, which could be reduced by insulating systems able to maintain the microclimatic stability also decreasing the biodeterioration risk. In Mediterranean areas, wild ephemeral plants, which reduce their cover during the hot season, seem unsuitable for reducing summer overheating. In this study, we wish to assess the influence of vegetation cover and of overlaying soil, after the establishment of an evergreen turf of a cultivar of Cynodon dactylon, on two tombs in the Etruscan Necropolis of Monterozzi, covered by linear-shaped tumuli. Therefore, we evaluated for 10 months the thermo-hygrometric values of these tombs, together with two tombs as controls. We also evaluated the different tumuli’s morphologies and the related received solar radiation. Results confirmed that late summer and early autumn as critical microclimatic periods for the risk factors of hypogeal paintings when peaks of superficial temperature occur. A positive influence of vegetation cover on maintaining constant humidity and internal temperatures was detected, but the mounds orientation, as well as soil depth, seems to have a relevant role. Considering the naturalistic features of the area and the related cultural ecosystem services, a careful selection of wild plants is suggested.