Sauris (Zahre), a cultural and linguistic island in Carnia (Italy)

In the last decennia genetic erosion has been and is still very high for crop plants from montainous areaa, where they have been well protected formerly. Some linguistic and cultural islands in the Alps could eventually serve as refuges for landraces of crop plants. To test this hypothesis, Sauris (Zahre), a remote village in Carnia (Italy), was investigated. Founded by tyrolean immigrants at the end of the 13th century, it was for centuries well isolated from the surrounding areas, and maintained a specific culture including language (trilingual). This situation seemingly also protected traditional crop plants. More than 60 crop species could be found in the village. Field crops were strongly affected by genetic erosion and many of them were lost, like rye and buckwheat. Today house gardens provide a better environment for various garden crops. Also some traditional field crops could be found here, as linseed, hemp, poppies, and potatoes. In the last decennia several new crops have been introduced for which only Italian names are available. This ethno-botanic approach allowed a better understanding of the cultural history and development of an island-like mountain area and helped to collect and protect useful plant genetic resources.