Impatti sull’uomo e le sue attività: agricoltura, manufatti, salute

Impacts on agriculture, buildings and human health - Alien plant species are a cause of several impacts on human activities and health. In agriculture, alien species may behave as any other weed and result in yield losses. Though, their management is commonly included in ordinary weed management programs and only in few cases (e.g. Abutilon theophrasti in maize or Heteranthera reniformis in rice) specific management programs have been developed. The presence of invasive plant species on buildings and other infrastructures may reduce their functionality and contribute to their decay. Archaeological sites are among those more vulnerable to spread of invasive species and of woody species in partic- ular (e.g. Ailanthus altissima). Impacts on human health may be consequence of “active” or “passive” contact with the plant, including the contact with plant parts released into the environment, such as pollen. Among plants having impacts on health, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is nowadays considered as one of the most important species.