What does biodiversity smell like? Ten plants for an olfactory identikit

Biodiversity has a specific scent for each natural area. It depends on the plants that grow and beyond. Many of these plant flavors are at risk of disappearing forever with climate change. In addition to botanical conservation programs, essential for the survival of some species, these olfactory landscapes in constant change they can crystallize into essences that somehow reflect their temporary identity. Experimental initiatives such as those of the Gran Paradiso National Park which on the occasion of the centenary of the foundation will present a sort of ark of its endemic perfumes. Fragrances of high-altitude meadows and glacial moraines, but let’s be clear, these are not products for sale. The research on the aromatic imprint of the Park has been promoted within the European project Biodiv’Alp to protect and enhance the ecosystems of the Western Alps. An experience similar to this one, but which later turned into an entrepreneurial adventure, is that of perfume derived from ancient forests of the contemporary Abruzzo National Park.

To profile and develop early samples of this aromatic bouquet the Gran Paradiso relied on the MÚSES – European Academy of essences of Savigliano, a cultural project of the association of Le Terre dei Savoia municipalities to enhance medicinal herbs and the related processing techniques. A balsamic, glacial but wild scent emerged. L’olfactory identity was born both from a bottom-up research in which the operators of the Park and the local communities were questioned while the ten main plants they have been selected by the University of Turin.

Ten plants and their perfumes

In the list, even if the final formula remains secret, there are theimperial (Peucedanum ostruthium), endemic to southern Europe and historical ingredient of medicinal preparations. Can’t miss it Alpine rose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), which despite the name is a rhododendron of the Alpine moors, or a real rose (Pendulum rose), a glacial relict that took refuge in the high mountains and one of the few species of this genus that still grows in the wild in Italy.

All these aromatics are found in delicate environments, where the increase in temperatures is felt more than elsewhere. “He couldn’t have missed it either Artemisia umbelliformis from which the famous liqueur is obtained genepy – explains Elena Cerutti, director of the association – In this case, although it is not in the list of ten plants we have used it to develop samples of bath salts. All the raw materials were collected in the area with the authorization of the Park and in some cases they were treated in our laboratory with the natural technique of cold drying”.

The olfactory imprint of the Great Paradise, translated for the moment into prototypes of diffusers for environments and cosmetic products, is not limited to these ten plants but embraces their entire environmental identity. “50% of the protected area extends over 2,500 meters – explains Andrea Mainetti of the botanical office of the National Park – At these altitudes, the most endangered plants grow, such as Trifolium saxatilea protected trefoil which in Italy is present only in the Park and in a limited area of ​​the Dolomites. Unlike many species that live at high altitudes, it is not perennial but flowers and sows every year with a very risky behavior”. On the cliffs and in the steep detrital screes that surround the glaciers there is biodiversity that you would not expect. Asplenium adulterinumone fern at riskwhich prefers a type of rock, called precisely serpentinite, rich in heavy metals, toxic to most plants. While in the alpine meadows large populations of can be found in autumn Celtic valerianan abundant species in the Park but rare in the rest of the Alps. To control this ecosystem, the Park, in addition to the ecological investigations on how the spaces left empty by the retreating glaciers are colonised, has installed a series of fixed cameras which periodically record the phenomenon of the yellowing of alpine meadows due to global warming.