59th SISV Congress 2026 - Vegetation Science for Sustainability and Ecological Transition

59th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE
ITALIAN SOCIETY OF VEGETATION SCIENCE (SISV)

Vegetation Science for Sustainability and Ecological Transition

June 4–5, 2026 > Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo
Via Lincoln 2, Palermo, Italy
June 6, 2026 > Field trip to Parco della Favorita, Palermo

About the 59th SISV Congress
The 59th International Congress of the Italian Society for Vegetation Science (SISV) will focus on the fundamental role of vegetation science in understanding ecosystem functioning and in supporting concrete pathways towards sustainability and ecological transition. In a context marked by global environmental change, climate instability, and biodiversity loss, vegetation science provides essential conceptual and applied tools to interpret ecological processes and to design effective strategies for conservation, management, and ecosystem restoration. Special attention will be devoted to traditional agroecological systems, which are increasingly recognised as exemplary models for integrating biodiversity conservation, sustainable land-use practices and resilient territorial management. These systems, shaped by the long-term coevolution between human societies and local environments, represent a natural and cultural heritage of exceptional value and offer valuable insights for addressing current challenges related to ecological transition.

Tentative sessions

Session 1 – Vegetation patterns, processes and diversity
Session dedicated to Professor Sandro Pignatti
Keywords: phytosociology, community ecology, vegetation dynamics and succession, vegetation diversity, vegetation mapping.
 

Session 2 – Traditional agroecological systems: vegetation values, management and restoration opportunities.
Keywords: landscape heterogeneity, effects of global change on vegetation, weed vegetation, historical vegetation ecology,
 

Session 3 – Habitat conservation: assessment, monitoring and trends
Keywords: Habitats Directive (Art.17), conservation status, habitat monitoring, Natura 2000 habitats, vegetation indicators, habitat mapping, long-term changes.
 

Session 4 – Free session
Keywords: general vegetation science, new methods, case studies, crossdisciplinary
approaches, open topics.
 

Organizing committee
Giuseppe Bazan, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Riccardo Guarino, Eliana Lombardo, Rosario Schicchi, Natale Surano
 

Scientific committee
Claudia Angiolini, Giuseppe Bazan, Erwin Bergmeier, Daniela Ciccarelli, Panayotis Dimopoulos, Romeo Di Pietro, Edy Fantinato, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Riccardo Guarino, Javier Loidi, Corrado Marcenò, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Salvatore Pasta, Rosario Schicchi, Francesco Sottile, Daniele Viciani
 

Congress Secretariat
Edy Fantinato, infosisv@gmail.com
 

Registration form
https://forms.gle/n5KKtnVwoSHer2MA8

Abstract submission deadline: April 19, 2026.

Registration Fees, Payment information, Abstract submission and travel information in the second circular.