Vegetation and habitats of Community interest of an isolated biotope of the “Gessoso-Solfifera” Formation (inland of Sicily): the Site of Community Importance “Monte Conca” (ITA050006)

Preliminary checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora

The richness and uniqueness of the flora growing on gypsum substrates in Italy is known since the XIX century (Macchiati, 1888). Furthermore, the concept of plant gypsophily can be defined as the exclusiveness (or virtually exclusiveness) for living in gypsum outcropping rocks. Thus only those plant species, which show preference – or even exclusivity - for gypsum substrates, would be classified as gipsophilous (Mota et al., 2011). The main aim of this research has been the elaboration of a checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora. The study was made possible through international collaboration between the "Mediterranea" University of Reggio Calabria (Italy) and the University of Almería…

Note distributive ed ecologiche su alcune rare entità della flora vascolare siciliana

Distributive and ecological notes on some rare species of the Sicilian vascular flora. In this paper we point out some new populations of some vascular species found during floristic investigations carried out mostly in the inland of Sicily. For each taxon we provide also data regarding ecological characterization and geographical distribution in the island. Among this taxa, three are Sicilian endemics [Brassica villosa Biv. subsp. tinei (Lojac.) Raimondo et Mazzola, Erysimum metlesicsii Polatschek and Euphorbia papillaris (Boiss.) Raffaelli et Ricceri], four species of biogeographical importance [Allium cupanii Raf., Chaenorhinum rupestre (Guss.) Speta, Sedum gypsicola Boiss. et Reuter and…

Phytosociological and distributional researches on the grasslands of the class Lygeo-Stipetea in western Sicily.

The thermo and meso-xerophilous pseudo-steppic vegetation is widespread in the driest areas of the Mediterranean Region and is primarily referred at the class Lygeo-Stipetea. This sintaxon includes communities dominated by several hemicryptophytes, which are also associated to some geophytes and therophytes. In Sicily this vegetation is distributed from sea level to 1300-1400 m, on different substrates (limestone, gypsum, schists, calcarenites, conglomerates, etc.), within the thermo and mesomediterranean belt dry to subhumid. Principally, are secondary grasslands used for grazing, localized on previously deforested areas, where the periodic burnings play a fundamental role in maintaining t…

Phytosociological and phytogeographical considerations on the orophilous alliance Berberido aetnensis-Crataegion laciniatae (Rhamno-Prunetea)

La flora vascolare delle Rocche di Entella (entroterra della Sicilia occidentale)

We present the results of a study on the vascular flora of the Rocche di Entella (Contessa Entellina, Palermo province); this biotope, extending over an area of 178 hectares and including a Nature Reserve, has been recognized as a Site of Community Interest (ITA020042). The biotope is characterized by the Messinian gypseous-sulphureous series and falls within the lower mesomediterranean bioclimatic belt, with upper dry ombrotype, locally tending towards thermomediterranean thermotype. Local landscape is affected by prolonged historical exploitation of the territory, which led to the impoverishment of climacic forest communities, almost totally replaced by secondary vegetation (grasslands) a…

Phytosociological characterization of the Juniperus phoenicea L. subsp. turbinata (Guss.) Nyman formations in the Italo-Tyrrhenian Province (Mediterranean Region)

The Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata formations of the Italo-Tyrrhenian biogeographical province (Mediterranean Region), are analyzed on the basis of literature data and unpublished relevés. The floristic-synecological characterization of the identified phytocoenoses, confirmed by multivariate analysis on a synoptic basis, has allowed their breakdown in four different alliances of the order Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni: 1) Periplocion angustifoliae, with the association Periploco angustifoliae-Juniperetum turbinatae; 2) Juniperion turbinatae, with the associations Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum calliprini, Rusco aculeati-Quercetum calliprini, Phillyreo angustifoliae-Juniperetum…

Orophilous aspects of relictual vegetation of the class Rhamno-Prunetea localizated on the Madonie Mountains (NW Sicily).

The deciduos shrubby mantle coenoses referred to the class Rhamno catharticae-Prunetea spinosae are secondary communities - sometimes permanent - localized in the climactical dominion of the forests of Querco-Fagetea and Quercetea ilicis or the riparian woodlands of Salici-Populetea nigrae. These communities are widespread from the Eurosiberian to the Mediterranean region, and are linked to rich nutrient humic soils, rocky slopes and screes (1). In Italy, the class Rhamno-Prunetea is represented by the alliances Cytision sessilifolii, Berberidion vulgaris, Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii and Salici-Viburnion opali, the latter showing hygrophilous character (2). As concerns the mountain and submounta…