Two Botanic Gardens to preserve the traditional bio-cultural heritage in Valmalenco (SO, Italy): an Open Science strategy

Ethnobotany of mountain regions is receiving increased interest due to the impact of global warming on the local biodiversity. The preservation of plant’s traditional know-how represents an alternative strategy for their sustainable development, in accordance with the “cultural tourism” plans. Within the European Interreg Italy-Switzerland B-ICE project (2019-2022), an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Valmalenco (Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy) through semi-structured interviews. 401 informants were interviewed, providing information on 227 species, belonging to 77 families, and referring to 12 fields of use. To preserve this “bio-cultural landscape” the project provided the realization of two Botanic Gardens in Caspoggio. The “Didactic Botanic Garden” was designed for children to offer educational paths: 30 species were selected paying attention to their tradition, habitus and display of flashy flowers and fruits, useful in the interactive labs. Ad hoc botanic labels and illustrative panels were realized. The “High-rise Botanic Garden” was conceptualized to share a scientific approach to the selected 40 taxa, arranged into 8 flowerbeds, each linked to a different field of use. The primary data, extension area, maximum height, floral display, flowering period, habitat, and any incompatibility among the species were considered and a high-level interpretative apparatuses were achieved. Still, under an Open Science perspective, a two-days event was organized. The return of the scientific results to the study area represented a challenge to make people participate in the research progress, with the main goal to create awareness about the values of the traditions, with positive effects on the tourist attractiveness of the territory.