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Phytosociological and distributional researches on the grasslands of the class Lygeo-Stipetea in western Sicily.
No full textThe 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 these habitats. In fact, the decline of the grazing activities gave origin to dynamic processes with consequential modifications at the physiognomical and structural level, producing the gradually recovery of the climactical forest.
In the ecological succession, grasslands represent one of the more degraded subseral stages of the maquis of Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alaterni and of the climactical forest of Quercetalia ilicis.
This paper presents the preliminary results of a phytosociological and distributional research on some grassland formations of north-western Sicily spread from coastal to mountain areas (Palermo Mountains, Madonie Mountains, Sicani Mountains, etc.). These aspects are included in the orders Lygeo-Stipetalia (alliance Moricandio-Lygeion) and Hyparrhenietalia hirtae (all. Hyparrhenion hirtae and Avenulo-Ampelodesmion mauritanici), referred to several associations, many of which known in literature (Helictotricho convoluti-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici, Hyparrhenietum hirto-pubescentis, Pennisetum setacei-Hyparrhenietum hirtae, Asteretum sorrentini, Lygeo-Lavateretum agrigentinae, Lygeo-Eryngietum dichotomi ecc.) (1, 2).
The same coenoses are sometimes very common in the territory, as in the case of the grasslands dominated by perennial grasses (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Pennisetum setaceum) that colonize the deforested slopes of most reliefs, characterizing large areas of the Sicilian landscape. Other formations show a scattered distribution, as some pioneer communities dominated by Stipa sp. pl., in the mountain ridges (3), and by Aster sorrentini in clayey badlands.
1) MINISSALE P., 1995. Coll. Phytosoc. 21 (1993): 615-652.
2) BRULLO S., GIUSSO DEL GALDO G., MINISSALE P., SIRACUSA G., SPAMPINATO G., 2002. Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. Catania 35 (361): 325-359.
3) CALDARELLA O., GIANGUZZI L., 2007. Atti del 102° Congresso Soc. Bot. Ital. Palermo 26-29 Settembre 2007, p. 402
Orophilous aspects of relictual vegetation of the class Rhamno-Prunetea localizated on the Madonie Mountains (NW Sicily).
No full textThe 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 submountain shrubby communities of southern-Italy and Sicily - excluding the orophilous vegetation of the class Pino-Juniperetea - these have been included so far in the alliance Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii. In fact, the coenoses referred to the others alliances become gradually more scattered on the central-Apenninic reliefs, where even the Berberidion was known up to Abruzzo mountains of Gran Sasso, Velino, Sirente and Maiella (3).
In this paper is reported the first record of aspects of primary vegetation of the alliance Berberidion vulgaris in northern Sicily, restricted in a limited area of high Madonie mountains. These are relictual fragments localized along the nothern slopes of several reliefs, near the screes, detritic cones particularly steep, and are dominated by mesophilous entities of the order Prunetalia spinosae and class Rhamno-Prunetea (Lonicera xylosteum, Rhamnus catharticus, Rubus canescens, Euonymus europaeum, etc.), associated with other species of the alliance Berberidion (Ribes uva-crispa, Rosa sicula), other endemic taxa are present (Prunus mahaleb subsp. cupaniana, Berberis aetnensis and Sorbus aria subsp. cretica) regarded as a geovicariants of the character-species of the latter alliance (respectively, Prunus mahaleb subsp. mahaleb, Berberis vulgaris and Sorbus aria subsp. aria). The presence on the Madonie Mts. of other elements of the Berberidion - i. e. Cotoneaster nebrodensis, Rosa montana, Rhamnus saxatilis subsp. infectorius and Amelanchier ovalis subsp. embergeri (vicariant of A. ovalis subsp. ovalis) - must be considered as a further confirmation of the residual character of the sicilian population of this sintaxon, isolated at the extreme south of its distribution area, where probably it would be referred to a new endemic punctiform suballiance.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) Rivas-Martinez S., Diaz T. E., Fernandez-Gonzalez F., Izco J., Lousa M., Penas A., 2002. Vascular plant communities of Spain and Portugal. Addenda to the syntaxonomical checklist of 2001. Itin. Geobot., 15 (1): 5-432, 15 (2): 433-922.
2) Poldini L., Vidali M., Biondi E., Blasi C., 2002. La classe Rhamno-Prunetea in Italia. Fitosoc. 39(1) suppl. 2: 145-162.
3) Cutini M., Stanisci A., Pirone G., 2002. L'alleanza Berberidion vulgaris in Appennino centrale (Italia Centrale). Fitosoc. 39(2): 31-50
The Natural Vegetation of Residual Wetlands in the Hinterland of Western Sicily (Italy)
Full text linkAn overview of the wetland vegetation of the hinterland of western Sicily, between the
hills located south of the Palermo Mts. and the Sicani Mts., is presented herein. This study was
conducted according to Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method, through a survey carried out
mainly within six important biotopes: (1) Gorgo Lungo (“Bosco Ficuzza”; municipality of Godrano);
(2) Gorgo Marosa (on the southern side of Rocca Busambra; municipality of Godrano); (3) Gorgo
di Piano Scala (on the northern side of Mt. Cardellia; municipality of Corleone); (4) and (5) Gorgo
Carcaci and Gorgo Carcaciotto (both on the south-eastern slope of Mt. Carcaci; municipality of
Castronovo di Sicilia); and (6) Gorgo S. Andrea (municipality of Castronovo di Sicilia). A vegetation
analysis was carried out on the basis of 107 field relevés, together with other data taken from scientific
literature. A total of 28 plant communities were identified, between hydrophytics of the classes
Lemnetea minoris (3 associations) and Potamogetonetea pectinati (6 associations), helophytics of the
Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class (14 associations and 1 community), ephemeral of the Isöeto-Nanojuncetea
class (2 communities) and perennial herbaceous vegetation of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class
(1 association and 1 community). Anew syntaxon is also described (Callitricho obtusangulae-Glycerietum
notatae ass. nova), as an endemic association of the hinterland of western Sicily, referred to as the
Alopecuro-Glycerion spicatae alliance. For all surveyed communities, new insights into syntaxonomy
and diagnostic taxa are provided, as well as for the floristic composition, synecology, syndynamism
and synchorology of the aquatic vegetation of western Sicily
Hieracium busambarense, a new species of the sect. Grovesiana (Asteraceae) from Sicily (Italy)
No full textHieracium busambarense (Asteraceae), a new species from calcareous-dolomite cliffs of Rocca Busambra (western Sicily, Italy) is described and illustrated here
Contribution to the knowledge of Mediterranean wetland vegetation: Lemnetea and Potamogetonetea classes in Western Sicily
Full text linkThe freshwater aquatic vegetation of the Lemnetea and Potamogetonetea classes in Western Sicily was surveyed and analyzed. 85 lakes and small pools were investigated collecting 147 phytosociological unpublished relevés to integrate the very scarce available data (only 3 relevés). By applying statistical analyses on abundances data and on the bases of physiognomy and dominant species, two alliances (Lemnion minoris and Stratiotion) and four different coenoses have been identify for the Lemnetea class; while 11 associations, assigned to two orders (Potamogetonetalia pectinati and Callitricho hamulatae-Ranunculetalia aquatilis) and four alliances (Potamogetonion, Nymphaeion albae, Ranunculion aquatilis and Ranunculion omiophyllo-hederacei) have been recognized for the Potamogetonetea class. A new association (Junco bufonii-Ranunculetum omiophylli ass. nov.) and a new subassociation (Ranunculetum peltati ranunculetosum rionii subass. nov.) have been proposed, whereas other six vegetation units were found to be new for the study area (Potamogetono-Ceratophylletum submersi, Potamogetonetum pusilli, Ranunculetum aquatilis, Ranunculetum peltati and
Ranunculetum rionii, Lemno-Callitrichetum obtusangulae). For all the coenoses recognized, new insights on the floristic composition, syntaxonomy, synphiognomy, synecology and synchorology are reported, offering a reasoned overview of the aquatic vegetation of the western sector of the main Mediterranean island
Note distributive ed ecologiche su alcune rare entità della flora vascolare siciliana
No full textDistributive 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 Stipa barbata Desf.] and a xenophyte [Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen], up to now
known for few urban areas of Sicily
La flora vascolare delle Rocche di Entella (entroterra della Sicilia occidentale)
No full textWe 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) and cultivated areas (annual crops). Floristic investigations led to the elaboration of
a checklist including 415 infrageneric taxa, belonging to 267 genera and 62 families. Endemics
are represented by 18 infrageneric taxa (4,4%), among which there are Crepis sprengeli, Erysimum
metlesicsii, Odontites rigidifolius, Cymbalaria pubescens, Brassica villosa subsp. tinei,
Ophrys panormitana, Malva agrigentina, Gypsophila arrostii, etc. Other species of phytogeographical
interest are Allium cupanii, Matthiola fruticulosa and Stipa barbata, as well as some entities
closely linked to the outcrops of Messinian evaporitic series (Sedum ochroleucum, S. gypsicola,
Diplotaxis harra subsp. crassifolia and Chaenorhinum exile)
Phytosociological and phytogeographical considerations on the orophilous alliance Berberido aetnensis-Crataegion laciniatae (Rhamno-Prunetea)
No full textVegetation 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)
No full textBerberido aetnensis-Crataegion laciniatae, new orophilous pre-forestal alliance of the class Rhamno-Prunetea.
No full textIn this paper the results of a phytosociological study carried out on some aspects of shrub vegetation of
forest margins are presented, investigated in the higher belt of the Madonie Mts. (Northern-Central Sicily), referred
to the order Prunetalia spinosae (Rhamno-Prunetea). Through comparison with other known coenoses in the central-
southern part of the Italian Peninsula and in Sicily – especially, the associations of Berberidion vulgaris and those
of Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii – a coenological and phytogeographical autonomy has been made evident and has resulted
in the recognition of a new alliance, described under the name Berberido aetnensis-Crataegion laciniatae
Gianguzzi et al., all. nova. This new syntaxon, interpreted as a southern vicariant of Berberidion vulgaris, as well as
an eastern vicariant of Lonicero arboreae-Berberidion hispanicae O. Bolòs 1954 (Iberian Peninsula, Betican
Province; Rivas-Martìnez et al. 2002), includes formations with orophilous and relict characteristics, currently
located in Northern Sicily, characterized by the presence of endemic entities (species or subspecies) or of particular
phytogeographic relevance (Berberis aetnensis, Prunus mahaleb subsp. cupaniana, Amelanchier ovalis subsp. cretica,
Rhamnus saxatilis subsp. infectorius, Sorbus aria subsp. cretica and Rosa heckeliana), as well as several “geographic
differentials” species that are quite rare and exclusive of these coenoses (Cotoneaster nebrodensis, Ribes uva-crispa
subsp. austro-europaeum, Crataegus laciniata, Rhamnus catharticus, Lonicera xylosteum, Rubus canescens, Rosa
sicula, R. montana, R. micrantha, R. rubiginosa), in addition to “transgressive” elements of the class Querco-Fagetea
(Daphne laureola, Lamium fl exuosum and Ilex aquifolium). On the basis of the investigations carried out, two associations
can be referred to the new alliance until now: 1) Lonicero xylostei-Prunetum cupanianae Gianguzzi
et al., ass. nova; 2) Crataegetum laciniatae Brullo & Marcenò in Brullo, 1984, previously referred to as the alliance
Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii
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