A new green protocol for selecting translocation sites for coastal cliff endemic plants: a case study from southern Italy

This multidisciplinary study integrates geobotanical and geochemical analyses, employing a green protocol, to identify key factors influencing the presence of Eokochia saxicola and Primula palinuri, two endemic species of sensitive cliff microhabitats in southern Italy. The analysis of physicochemical anthropogenic pressures has been demonstrated to reveal distinct patterns in soil characteristics, which in turn correlate with species occurrence. It is vital for effective species conservation strategies that appropriate microsites for translocation and long-term preservation are identified. This research makes an integral contribution to the realm of ecological restoration, integrating principles of restoration ecology, and thereby provides practical guidelines for future conservation strategies aimed at the ecological rehabilitation of threatened habitats. Beyond the specific case study, this protocol represents a transferable tool for environmental management of coastal cliff ecosystems facing degradation, aligning with restoration ecology and biodiversity conservation goals.