v eg et a t io n a n a lysis o f t h e t a o rm in a r eg io n in s icily: a … · 2017-02-03 ·...

Vegetation analysis of the Taormina Region in Sicily:a plant landscape character ized by geomorphology

var iability and both ancient and recent anthropogenic influences

Saver io Sciandrello, Sonia D’Agostino and Pietro Minissale (* )

Abstract: Sciandrello, S., D’Agostino, S. & Minissale, P. Vegetation analysis of the Taormina Region in Sicily: a plantlandscape characterized by geomorphology variability and both ancient and recent anthropogenic influences. Lazaroa34: 151-190 (2013).

The vegetation composition and landscape analysis of the Taormina region (Messina, Sicily) in relation to anthropogenicinfluences was investigated. A total of 183 phytosociological relevés were performed in the period 2009-2012. Despitestrong human influences, the study area is characterized by the occurrence of several plant-communities, mainly representedby woods and shrubs vegetation (Quercetea ilicis), riparian woods and shrubs (Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae, Rhamno-Prunetea), dry grasslands (Lygeo-Stipetea), hygrophilous communities (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Phragmito-Magnocari-cetea and Isoëto-Nanojuncetea), rupicolous communities (Asplenietea trichomanis, Parietarietea judaicae), rocky coastcommunities (Crithmo-Limonietea), pasture coenosis (Poetea bulbosae), spring-flowering meadows (Tuberarietea guttataeand Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae) and nitrophilous communities (Onopordetea acanthii). The vegetation analysis allowedthe identification of 34 vegetation types, with 8 new associations and 4 new sub-associations, and also allowed the recons-truction of the vegetation series and landscape units (geosynphytosociology). The synphytosociological analysis of the plantcommunities allowed the identification of the main vegetation series: climatophilous acidophilous series of metamorphicsubstrates (Erico arboreae-Querco virgilianae sigmetum); climatophilous basophilous series of sedimentary substrates (Oleo-Querco virgilianae sigmetum); edaphomesophilous series of the cliffs (Bupleuro fruticosi-Querco ilicis sigmetum); edapho-xerophilous series of the semirupestrian maquis (Euphorbieto dendroidis permasigmetum); edafo-hygrophylous geoseriesof the riparian wood (Platano-Salico gussonei geosigmetum); and chasmophilous permaseries of the cliffs (Erucastro virgatipermasigmetum, Limonio ionici permasigmetum). Overall, this territory should be considered an area of remarkable geobo-tanical significance, which still shows interesting vestiges of natural vegetations deserving of preservation.

Keywords: vegetation, synphytosociology, Peloritani Mountains, landscape, conservation, Sicily.

Resumen: Sciandrello, S., D’Agostino, S. & Minissale, P. Análisis de la vegetación de Taormina (Sicilia): un paisajevegetal de gran variabilidad geomorfológica e influencias antropogénicas antiguas y recientes. Lazaroa 34: 151-190 (2013).

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la vegetación y el paisaje actual de la región de Taormina (Mesina, Sicilia), y su relacióncon influencias antropogénicas. Un total de 183 inventarios fitosociológicos se realizaron en el período 2009-2012. A pesarde la fuerte influencia del hombre, el área de estudio se caracteriza por la presencia de varias comunidades, principalmenterepresentadas por bosques y matorrales (Quercetea ilicis), bosques ribereños y matorrales espinosos (Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae, Rhamno-Prunetea), prados secos (Lygeo-Stipetea), comunidades higrófilas (Molinion-Arrhenatheretea,Phragmito-Magnocaricetea y Isoëto-Nanojuncetea), comunidades rupícolas (Asplenietea trichomanis, Parietarietea ju-daicae), comunidades costeras (Crithmo-Limonietea), pastos (Poetea bulbosae), prados (Tuberarietea guttatae, Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae) y comunidades nitrófilas (Onopordetea acanthii). El análisis de la vegetación ha permitido laidentificación de 34 tipos de vegetación, 8 asociaciones y 4 subasociaciones nueves, así como la reconstrucción de lasseries de vegetación y de las unidades de paisaje (geo-sinfitosociología). El análisis sinfitosociológico de las comunidadesvegetales ha permitido la identificación de las series de vegetación principales: serie climatófila acidófila sobre sustratosmetamórficos de Quercus virgiliana (Erico arboreae-Querco virgilianae sigmetum); serie climatófila basófila sobre sus-tratos sedimentarios de Quercus virgiliana (Oleo-Querco virgilianae sigmetum); serie edafo-mesófila en barrancos de laalsina (Bupleuro fruticosae-Querco ilicis sigmetum); serie edafo-xerófila de matorrales semi-rupestres (Euphorbieto den-

LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013doi:�10.5209/rev_LAZA.2013.v34.n1.41434 ISSN:�0210-9778

151 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

*�Department�of�Biological.�Geological�and�Environmental�Sciences.�University�of�Catania.�Via�A.�Longo�19.�I-95125�Catania,Italy.�E-mail:�[email protected]

Saverio Sciandrello & al. Vegetation analysis of the Taormina Region in Sicily

152LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

INTRODUCTION

For centuries, the Mediterranean area has beensubjected to countless human actions which haveseverely altered the plant landscape. Sicily, thelargest island in the Mediterranean basin, hasbeen exploited for millennia by different peopleswho succeeded in radically transforming the wo-oded landscape of the island. The most importanttransformations, determined by timber harves-ting, agricultural expansion and development ofgrazing, occurred with the Greek colonization asdemonstrated by pollen data (NOTI & al., 2010;SADORI & NARCISI, 2001). The first Greek colonywas in the fifth century (B.C.) at Naxos, on theIonian coast below the actual site of Taormina.Today, the area of Taormina, despite uninte-

rrupted and prolonged human disturbance, is stillone of the most interesting Peloritani area withregards to biodiversity (BRULLO & al., 1995;SCIANDRELLO & al., 2013). In fact, it still preser-ves exclusive plant communities, characterizedby rare and peculiar species, both from an ecolo-gical and phytogeographical viewpoint.The naturalistic high value of the area allowed

it to be included in the network of Sites of Com-munity Importance (SCI) according to the Habi-tats Directive (cod. ITA 030004 “Bacino delTorrente Letojanni” , cod. ITA 030031 "IsolaBella, Capo Taormina and Capo St. Andrea, cod.ITA 030003 “Rupi di Taormina and Monte Vene-retta” ). In addition, the area has been identifiedas a strategic site for the conservation of plantspecies of natural interest (IPA – Monti Peloritaniand Rupi di Taormina) (BLASI & al., 2011). TheTaormina region also has remarkable peculiaritiesin terms of geological features (LENTINI & al.,1984; 2000), contributing to the diversification ofthe plant landscape.For this area, detailed investigations on the ve-

getation are lacking with the exception of specific

contributions to the Asplenietea trichomanis(BRU-LLO & al., 2004), Parietarietea judaicae (BRULLO& GUARINO, 2002) and Aristido caerulescentis-Hyparrhenion hirtae(BRULLO& al., 1997). On theother hand, detailed studies on the flora and vege-tation have been carried out only for the nearby siteof community interest "Capo Taormina, Isola Bellaand Capo S. Andrea" characterized by coastal ve-getation (MINISSALE & al., 2005).The aim of this research is to provide a frame-

work of the vegetation, designed to reconstructthe serial relationships between different plantcommunities related not only to the anthropoge-nic influence but also to the different geologicalsubstrates. A knowledgeable framework will alsogive useful information for correct managementand planning of the territory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

STUDY AREA

The study area is located in the southern part ofthe Peloritani Mountains (E Sicily) and occupiesan area of about 6,000 hectares, covering the terri-tories of Taormina, Castelmola, Mongiuffi Melia,Roccafiorita, Letojanni, Gallodoro, Forza D’Agròand their surroundings (Figure 1). The area is cha-racterized by the presence of relatively low altitudehills, represented by Monte Tauro (245 m), MontePetraro (475 m), Castelmola (496 m), Roccella(602 m), Monte Ziretto (381 m), Costa Ogliastro(466 m), Monte Veneretta (884 m), Monte Lapa(771m), Monte Castelluccio (501m), Monte Per-nice (712 m), and Monte Galfa (1000 m), charac-tized by cliffs and narrow river valleys (T.Mortelletto and T. S. Antonio). From a geologicalviewpoint, the study area belongs mainly to theLongi-Taormina Unit and Capo S. Andrea Unit(LENTINI & al., 2000). The lower subunit is formed

droidis permasigmetum); geoserie edafo-higrófila de saucedas (Platano-Salico gussonei geosigmetum), y permaseries cas-mofítica de acantilados (Erucastro virgati permasigmetum, Limonio ionici permasigmetum). En general, este territoriodebe ser considerado como un área de notable importancia botánica, que aún muestra vestigios interesantes de vegetaciónnatural que merecería estar incluida en alguna figura de conservación.

Palabras clave: vegetación, sinfitosociología, Peloritani, paisaje, conservación, Sicilia.


153 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

by an epimetamorphic basement, capped by a Me-sozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary cover formed (bot-tom to top) from continental redbeds, evolvingupwards to platform carbonates (CATALANO, 2010).On the basis of climatic data from several we-

ather stations in Taormina and its surroundings,(http://www.sias.regione.sicilia.it/SIT/Tempera-ture) there is a decreasing gradient of the meanannual temperature corresponding to increasingaltitude which correlates as follows: TaorminaIsola Bella (18-19°), M.Tauro-M. Castelluccio(17-18°), Castelmola-M.Petraro-M.Castelluccio(16-17°), Roccella-Monte Ziretto-Costa Ogliastri-M.Lapa-M.Pernice (15-16°), M.Lapa-M.Pernice(14-15°), and M.Veneretta-M.Galfa (13-14°). Annual precipitation at the sites ranges from

600 mm (along the coast) to about 1000 mm (in-land area).According to the bioclimatic classification pro-

posed by RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ (1983, 1993) andRIVAS-MARTÍNEZ & al. (2004), the area understudy is referred to the Mediterranean pluvisea-sonal oceanic bioclimate, with thermotypes ran-ging from the low thermomediterranean to thesupramediterranean, and ombrotypes from the se-

miarid to lower humid (BRULLO & al., 1996;SCELSI & SPAMPINATO, 1998).

VEGETATION ANALYSIS

The vegetation analysis was carried out follo-wing the phytosociological method (BRAUN-BLANQUET, 1964) taking into account the mostrecent acquisitions related to synphytosociologyand geosynphytosociology (BIONDI, 2011; RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ, 2005). A total of 183 phytosociologi-cal relevés were performed in the period2009-2012. Subsequently, the surveys related towoody-scrub vegetation, annual grassland andhygrophilous vegetation were subjected to multi-variate analysis using Syntax 2000 software (PO-DANI, 2001). Original Braun-Blanquet samplingscales were transformed into the ordinal scale ac-cording to VAN DERMAAREL (1979). A hierarchicclassification method (UPGMA) was performed.For the nomenclatural and taxonomical aspect,GIARDINA & al. (2007), RAIMONDO & SPADARO(2009) were followed, while for the syntaxa clas-sification RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ & al. (2001) and BRU-LLO & al. (2002) were used.

Figure 1. –Study area. Natura 2000 sites: 1. Bacino del Torrente Letojanni (ITA030004), 2. Rupi di Taormina MonteVeneretta (ITA030003), 3. Isola Bella, Capo Taormina Capo St. Andrea (ITA030031), 4. Fondali di Taormina - IsolaBella (ITA030040).


154LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The phytosociological survey identified 34well differentiated vegetation types in terms offloristic, physiognomic-structural and ecologicalfeatures, including 8 new associations and 4 newsub-associations.Cluster analysis of the wood-shrub vegetation

allowed to distinguish six main plant communi-ties with specific differential species, three com-munites of annual dry grassland and four types ofhygrophilous vegetation. They are listed in thesyntaxonomical scheme (Appendix 1):

WOOD AND SHURB VEGETATION

In the study area, the woody vegetation of theQuercetea ilicis class is quite diversified in rela-tion to the different geological substrates and es-pecially in relation to the degradation factorswhich led to an almost complete disappearanceof the forests and to a progressive establishmentof many secondary communities. Cluster analysisallowed various phytocoenoses to be highlightedand distinguished, each one being an indicator ofdifferent ecological conditions (Figure 2).On the slopes of the hills, there are fragments

of woody vegetation dominated by Quercus vir-

giliana (Figure 5). This community is often po-orly structured due to intense human disturbance(mainly bushfires). In other cases, they are in are-expansion phase on areas once cultivated andtherefore, the floristic composition has not yetstabilized and lacks many forest species. The treelayer is formed by Quercus virgiliana, Fraxinusornuswhile the shrub is represented by Rhamnusalaternus, Cytisus villosus, Calicotome infestaand sporadically by Erica arborea. This commu-nity generally grows in more or less deep soils onmetamorphic substrates and, due the presence ofErica arborea and other acidophilous species, itbelongs to Erico-Quercetum virgilianae(Table 1;Figure 2, cluster B). This association develops inthe bioclimatic range from thermomediterraneanto mesomediterranean between the upper dry andthe lower sub-humid ombrotype (BRULLO &MARCENÒ, 1985; BRULLO & al., 1996; 2008). Inthe Peloritani Mountains this association, despiteits high degree of fragmentation, is very wides-pread. On deep soils derived from calcareoussubstrate Erico-Quercetum virgilianae has pro-bably been replaced by Oleo-Quercetum virgilia-nae, a basophilous-neutrophilous vegetation quitewidespread in Sicily (BRULLO & al., 2008). On the limestone cliffs, in particular the

north/north-east exposure of Mount Veneretta, M.

Figure 2. – Cluster analysis of the wood and shrub vegetation.


155 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 1

Bupleuro fruticosi-Quercetum ilicis ass. nova(1-8)

(Quercion ilicis, Quercetalia ilicis, Quercetea ilicis)

Erico arboreae-Quercetum virgilianaeBrullo & Marcenò 1985 (9-19)

(Erico-Quercion ilicis, Quercetalia ilicis, Quercetea ilicis)

Area (m

2 )100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Cover (%)

9550

9080

7080

100

90100

100

100

90100

9090

95100

100

100

Exposure

ENE

NS

SESO

NN

NN

NN

NE

NNO

NE

OO

Slope °

3090

7070

7070

6050

3030

5045

3040

3535

4030

35Soil

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Altitude (m)

760

800

808

730

727

674

362

357

681

683

390

435

660

465

466

470

470

572

560Freq.

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19

Characteristics:

Bupleurum fruticosum

+2

21

11

13

..

32

.2

..

1.

.12

Erica arborea

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+2

..

.2

Characteristics of class and alliance

Asparagus acutifolius

21

1+

++

11

..

11

.2

++

+.

.14

Quercus virgiliana

..

..

..

1+

54

54

44

45

54

413

Calicotome infesta

.1

21

++

+2

11

1.

4.

..

..

.11

Rhamnus alaternus

+1

11

11

11

..

+.

.1

..

2.

.11

Euphorbia characias

11

..

..

+1

23

+2

2+

..

2.

.11

Rubia peregrinasubsp. peregrina

..

..

..

21

+1

11

11

++

1.

.11

Pistacia terebinthus

+2

+1

13

+1

..1

..

+.

..

..

10Phlomis fruticosa

12

22

22

+1

..

..

.+

..

..

.9

Cytisus villosus

..

..

..

..

11

+3

21

32

3.

.9

Quercus ilex

42

44

23

54

..

..

..

..

..

.8

Ruscus aculeatus

2.

..

..

21

+1

.2

..

.+

..

.7

Olea europaeavar. sylvestris

.1

.3

33

+1

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Teucrium flavum

++

1+

12

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Euphorbia dendroides

..

.+

21

+1

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Ruta chalepensis

.1

1+

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Emerus major

..

.1

11

11

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Fraxinus ornus

31

..

..

..

..

..

21

..

3.

.5

Quercus congesta

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11

22

15

Teucrium fruticans

.1

1.

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Arisarum vulgare

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.3


156LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19

Smilax aspera

2.

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Clinopodium vulgaresubsp. orientale.

..

..

..

..

..

.+

.+

+.

..

3Tamus communis

..

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

1.

.3

Pistacia lentiscus

..

..

..

11

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Cyclamen hederifolium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11

..

.2

Ulmus minor

2.

..

..

..

..

3.

..

..

..

.2

Carex distachya

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.2

Prasium majus

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Asparagus albus

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Daphne gnidium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

.1

Cyclamen repandum

..

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Sorbus aucupariasubsp. praemorsa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

.1

Companions:

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus

.1

+1

11

12

1+

12

12

1+

11

118

Dactylis glomerata subsp. hispanica

.+

++

++

++

++

11

11

++

..

.15

Brachypodium sylvaticum

..

..

..

1+

++

.1

12

+1

11

+12

Carlina hispanicasubsp. globosa

..

.+

++

.+

..

1+

++

..

..

.8

Cistus salvifolius

..

+.

..

..

++

..

1.

++

.2

+8

Anthriscus nemorosa

..

..

..

..

32

..

+1

..

32

+7

Ferula communis

+.

..

..

..

+1

.+

..

..

.+

+6

Phagnalon saxatile

.+

+1

++

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.6

Rubus ulmifolius

+.

..

..

..

.+

..

1.

..

11

+6

Silene fruticosa

++

++

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Acanthus mollis

..

1.

..

+.

..

+1

.2

..

1.

.6

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

..

..

..

..

..

.1

1.

++

++

.6

Micromeria graecasubsp.consentina.

.+

++

+.

1.

..

..

..

..

..

5Spartium junceum

1.

..

..

..

..

1.

.1

..

+.

15

Dryopteris pallida

..

..

..

..

11

..

.+

..

.+

+5

Smyrnium olusatrum

1.

..

..

..

..

++

+1

..

..

.5

Bituminaria bituminosa

..

+.

..

++

..

1.

..

..

..

.4

Dianthus rupicolasubsp. rupicola

.1

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Allium ampeloprasum

.+

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Achillea ligustica

..

..

..

..

+.

+.

+1

..

..

.4

Clematis vitalba

..

..

..

..

..

+1

.1

..

+.

.4

Opopanax chironium

..

+.

..

..

22

..

..

..

2.

.4

Rosa sempervirens

..

..

..

..

..

1.

11

..

+.

.4


157 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19

Selaginella denticulata

..

..

..

..

..

+.

1.

11

..

.4

Lomelosia cretica

..

.+

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Colymbada tauromenitana

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Ballota hispanica

.+

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Gypsophila arrostii

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Asplenium obovatum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

+.

.3

Pimpinella anisoides

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

1.

.3

Ranunculus pratensis

..

..

..

..

1+

.+

..

..

..

.3

Silene latifolia

..

..

..

..

12

..

..

..

+.

.3

Galium aetnicum

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Hypochoeris laevigata

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Silene vulgarissubsp. tenoreana

.+

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Spartium junceum

..

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Pulicaria odora

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.2

Silene sicula

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

.2

Polypodium cambricum

..

+.

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

.2

Hypericum perfoliatum

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

.2

Muscari comosum

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

.2

Origanum vulgaresubsp. viridulum

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

.2

Ceterach officinarum

..

+.

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

.2

Cynosurus cristatus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

.2

Cynosurus echinatus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

.2

Euphorbia ceratocarpa

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

..

+.

.2

Galium aparine

..

..

..

..

21

..

..

..

..

.2

Linaria purpurea

..

..

..

..

.+

..

.+

..

..

.2

Pteridium aquilinum

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

.2

Localities: 1,2: Monte Veneretta, 23.08.2010; 3: Monte Veneretta, 2.01.2012; 4-6: Monte Galfa, 26.07.2012, holotypusrel. 4; 7,8: F.so Mortelletto (Castelmola),

29.07.2012; 9,10: Monte Veneretta, 01.05.2010, 11: Castelmola, 01.08.2010, 12: Monte Veneretta, 11.08.2010; 13-16: Monte Ziretto, 10.10.2011; 17: Monte Lapa,

13.05.2012; 18, 19: C. Olivarella (M. Pernice), 25.06.2012.

Lapa and M. Galfa, a peculiar rupestrian tree-shrub vegetation grows. These patches are domi-nated by Quercus ilex (Figure 2, cluster A2122).From a structural viewpoint, the vegetation is cha-racterized by the presence of several species ofQuercion ilicisand Quercetea ilicis, such as Quer-cus ilex, Fraxinus ornus, Bupleurum fruticosum,Phlomis fruticosa, Rhamnus alaternus, Pistacia te-rebinthus, etc. This vegetation resembles Rhamnoalaterni-Quercetum ilicis, a climatophilous plantcommunity linked to hilly areas in the mesomedi-terranean bioclimatic belt and influenced by coas-tal breezes in north-west Sicily (BRULLO & al.,2008; GIANGUZZI & LA MANTIA, 2008). The community studied in this paper differs

from the above mentioned Rhamno alaterni-Quercetum ilicisby the presence and abundanceof Bupleurum fruticosum, a mesophilous specieswith a west-Mediterranean distribution. Moreo-ver, this shrub is not common in Sicily (GIARDINA& al., 2007) and is here proposed as Bupleuro fru-ticosi-Quercetum ilicis (Table 1, holosyntypus:rel. 4). This vegetation represents the most maturestep of an edaphic series linked to rocky slopes,in contact with the semi-rupicolous vegetation ofthe Euphorbietum dendroidisand the chasmophi-lous vegetation of the Dianthion rupicolae.The vegetation dominated by Euphorbia den-

droides is the most thermo-xerophilous shrubcommunity of this area and is localized on rocky,mainly south facing slopes of the cliffs from justabove the coastline to 600 metres above sea level(Figure 2, cluster A2121). Several shrub speciesof the Oleo-Ceratonionalliance characterizes Eu-phorbietum dendroidis (Table 2), such as Calico-tome infesta, Teucrium fruticans, Pistacialentiscus, Smilax aspera, Prasium majus, Oleaeuropaea var. sylvestris, Phlomis fruticosa, etc.This association is widespread in Sicily and is lo-calized in both coastal and inland areas (MINISSALE& SCIANDRELLO, 2005; MINISSALE & al., 2005,2007, 2011; BRULLO & al., 2008; GIANGUZZI &al., 2010). This vegetation is in contact with thechasmophilous vegetation of Erucastretum vir-gati, with which it is sometimes mixed, forminga transition community. Another thermophilousshrub vegetation present along the coast is Teu-crio fruticantis-Rhamnetum alaterni, which

grows on calcareous rocks under deep soil (MI-NISSALE & al., 2005).A sparse vegetation, with a high floristic diver-

sity and characterized by the dominance of Calico-tome infesta, grows on substrates of metamorphicorigin, which are more or less inclined (Figure 2,cluster A1). This vegetation is rich in the scle-rophyllous species belonging to Oleo-Ceratonion,such as Euphorbia characias, Olea europaea var.sylvestris, Rhamnus alaternus, Prasium majus, As-paragus albus, etc. The presence of Cistus salvifo-liusis also ecologically significant because it showsthe pyrophilous character of the vegetation. Thischamaephyte is therefore indicated as a characte-ristic species of anew association, here proposedas Cisto salvifolii-Calicotometum infestae (Table2, holosyntypus: rel. 4). This is a secondary com-munity derived from the degradation processes ofwoods belonging to Erico-Quercetum virgilianae,as highlighted by the presence of rare individualsof Erica arborea, Quercus virgilianaand Q. con-gesta. This new community also occurs on verysteep slopes, characterized by metamorphic out-crops where elements of the former woodlandstill survive, such as Quercus ilex in shrub formand Erica arborea, and other elements of Quer-cetea ilicis. Cisto salvifolii-Calicotometum infes-tae is comparable in a dynamic role to Pyrospinosae-Calicotometum infestae corr. hoc loco,as described by GIANGUZZI & LA MANTIA (2008)for the western sector of Sicily but it normallyprefers calcareous substrates. Between 100 m and 1000 m above sea level on

greatly eroded dolomitic or limestone outcrops, asecondary rupicolous vegetation, characterizedby the dominance of Phlomis fruticosa, has de-veloped (Figure 2, cluster A211). It is a low-shrubvegetation, rich in xerophilous species, such asTeucrium fruticans, Pistacia lentiscus, Ruta cha-lepensis, Prasium majus, etc. In phytogeographi-cal terms, the presence of Micromeria graecasubsp. consentina, an endemic species of sou-thern Italy and of Sicily is significant and high-lights the basiphilous character of the abovevegetation. This chamaephyte is therefore propo-sed as a characteristic of a new association, Mi-cromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae(Table 2, holosyntypusrel.17). This association is


158LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013


159 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 2

Cisto salvifolii-Calicotometum infestae ass. nova(1-15)

(Quercion ilicis, Quercetalia ilicis, Quercetea ilicis)

Micromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae ass. nova(16-22)

Micromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae odontidetosum bocconei subass.nova (23-26)

Euphorbietum dendroidisGuinochet in Guinochet & Drounieau 1944 (27-39)

(Oleo sylvestris-Ceratonion siliquae, Quercetalia calliprini, Quercetea ilicis)

Area (m

2 )10010030

5050

5020

5050

5010010010010010030

5010010090

5010010010010050

5050

5050

5050

5050

5050

100100100

Cover (%)

10010085

10070

8010090

10010090

9090

10010080

7095

9560

9090

9595

9010010090

9590

7085

8595

9085

9090

80Exposure

OO

SNE

NENO

SOO

NS

NEN

NNE

SS

OSE

SESO

SNO

ON

SS

SS

EE

NSE

ES

SS

SS

SSlope (°)

2030

3550

9070

2025

3015

8030

6070

4040

5030

3030

5050

4550

5030

2570

8085

5070

7560

5060

7070

80Soil

MetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

SaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaCa

CaAltitude (m.a.s.l.)

73273374643844044510046661061042544442543038280680732833675779792592694994633533650

53753547040941245

5560

321330348Freq.

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1112

1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

2930

3132

3334

3536

3738

39

Characteristics:

Micromeria graeca subsp.consentina

..

.+

21

11

11

11

++

12

2+

12

2+

+1

11

2+

++

1.

..

..

1+

+31

Phlom

is fruticosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

21

31

21

34

44

31

1+

21

.2

21

+1

12

124


..

..

..

..

..

+.

++

1.

..

..

..

..

.4

44

44

34

44

43

42

218

Cistus salvifolius

43

43

32

54

54

32

21

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.15

Odontites bocconeisubsp. bocconei

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Characteristics of class and alliance

Calicotome infesta

33

24

22

13

33

43

32

3+

34

32

.1

12

12

13

12

.2

11

21

..

.34

Rhamnus alaternus

..

.1

++

..

..

22

23

..

.1

+.

..

..

12

12

12

+1

+1

++

.1

+23


..

.+

.+

..

+1

1+

+1

.+

++

+.

.+

++

+.

..

..

.+

++

1+

..

.21

Olea europaeavar.sylvestris

..

.1

++

..

..

22

22

..

..

..

..

..

.1

11

22

+1

21

+.

14

320

Ruta chalepensis

..

..

..

..

..

+.

11

.1

+.

..

+.

..

11

11

12

+1

11

..

11

+19

Teucrium fruticans

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

32

31

4.

..

..

.2

23

31

12

23

21

218

Prasium

majus

..

.+

..

..

..

+.

++

..

.+

+.

1.

..

..

..

1+

++

+.

..

.+

+14

Teucrium flavum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

.1

12

1.

..

+1

1+

+.

..

..

.10


..

..

..

..

..

..

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

23

.2

1.

..

+2

19

Pistacia lentiscus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

.3

..

1.

.1

+1

.1

19

Asparagus albus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1.

.+

+.

..

..

.1

++

..

..

.+

1+

..

.9


..

..

..

..

..

..

13

..

.+

..

.+

..

2.

..

..

+1

1.

..

..

.8

Emerus major

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

..

..

..

22

11

2.

..

.+

+8

Quercus ilex

..

..

..

..

..

11

33

..

..

..

.+

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Erica arborea

..

.1

33

..

..

33

32

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Quercus virgiliana

23

+.

..

..

..

..

1+

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6


160LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

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2122

2324

2526

2728

2930

3132

3334

3536

3738

39

Euphorbia characias

++

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Arisarum vulgare

..

..

1+

..

+.

.1

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Fraxinus ornus

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

.4

Ceratonia siliqua

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

21

+4

Smilax aspera

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

+.

..

..

.3

Cyclamen hederifolium

..

..

++

..

..

.1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Ulmus minor

..

..

.1

..

..

..

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Daphne gnidium

..

..

..

..

1+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.3

Rubia peregrinasubsp. peregrina

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Quercus congesta

..

..

..

..

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Pyrus spinosa

1+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Cytisus villosus

..

..

..

..

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Ruscus aculeatus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Companions:


32

21

1+

12

22

11

11

31

22

12

1.

..

.1

21

1+

11

+1

21

1+

135

Dactylis glomerata subsp. hispanica

1+

2+

++

11

12

1+

++

.3

2+

+.

+.

++

+.

..

++

++

+.

..

..

.27

Ferula comm

unis

11

11

++

11

..

1+

+.

1.

.+

1+

1.

..

.+

1+

..

..

.+

++

++

+25

Phagnalon saxatile

..

1+

11

+.

..

11

++

1.

.1

11

2.

..

1.

.+

++

+.

.+

++

1+

+25

Carlina hispanicasubsp. globosa

..

++

1+

.+

.1

11

++

++

1.

.1

+.

..

.1

+.

..

..

.+

++

.+

+22

Bitum

inaria bitum

inosa

..

.+

..

1.

..

+.

++

.1

+2

2+

+.

..

.+

11

++

..

.+

++

++

+22

Charybdis pancration

..

.+

..

..

..

.+

.+

.+

11

2.

2.

..

.+

++

+.

++

++

++

..

.18

Reichardia picroides

..

.+

++

+.

..

+1

++

++

+.

.+

+.

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

.14

Dianthus rupicola subsp. rupicola

..

.+

1+

..

..

1+

+.

..

.+

..

..

..

..

.+

++

..

..

..

+1

+13

Lomelosia cretica

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+2

++

.1

21

11

+1

+13

Asphodelus ramosus

..

+.

..

2.

..

..

..

+2

11

1.

+.

..

.1

1.

..

+.

..

..

..

.11

Hyparrhenia hirta

..

..

..

1.

..

..

..

1.

.2

1.

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

.+

++

1.

+11

Erucastrum virgatum

.

..

++

+.

..

.1

++

1.

..

..

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

10Galium aetnicum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

1+

+1

+.

.+

..

..

..

++

..

.9

Hypochoeris laevigata

..

..

++

..

..

++

+.

.1

1.

.+

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.9

Lobularia maritima

..

..

++

.+

..

.+

..

+.

..

.+

..

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Opuntia ficus-indica

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1.

.+

1.

..

..

.+

+1

..

..

..

..

13

29

Rubus ulmifolius

1+

+.

.1

..

..

1.

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

.8

Colym

bada tauromenitana

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

1+

.+

+.

..

.+

+7


..

..

++

..

..

.+

..

+.

.+

+.

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Foeniculum

vulgaresubsp. piperitum

..

1.

..

.1

..

..

..

+.

.+

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+7

Silene fruticosa

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

++

+6

Spartium junceum

..

..

.1

..

+.

..

..

2.

..

..

.1

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

.6


161 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

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2930

3132

3334

3536

3738

39

Andropogon distachyos

..

..

..

+.

.+

..

..

+1

+.

..

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Artem

isia arborescens

..

..

..

..

..

+.

++

2.

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.1

..

.6

Cistus creticus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

2.

..

.3

.+

12

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Elaeoselinum asclepium

..

..

..

1+

..

..

..

.1

22

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Ballota hispanica

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

++

+5

Pulicaria odora

++

..

..

.2

12

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. busambarensis.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.2

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

5Athamanta sicula

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

.+

..

..

..

..

..

.+

1.

..

..

.5

Asphodeline lutea

..

..

..

..

12

..

..

..

.+

+.

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Ficus carica

..

..

.1

..

..

..

1+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+5

Helichrysum italicumsubsp. siculum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

.+

+1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Allium ampeloprasum

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

+.

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Gypsophila arrostii

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

2.

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Silene sicula

..

.+

..

..

..

1.

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Bellis perennis

..

..

+.

.+

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Festuca circumm

editerranea

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Leontodon tuberosus

..

..

..

.1

+1

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Spartium junceum

..

..

..

..

..

+.

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Achillea ligustica

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Polypodium

cambricum

..

..

12

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Coronilla valentina

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

..

..

..

..

..

..

12

..

.3

Crupina crupinastrum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

1.

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Thalictrum calabricum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Vicia villosa

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Acanthus mollis

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+2

Hypericum perfoliatum

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Allium arvense

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Daucus carota

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Lotus cytisoides

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Pallenis spinosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Plantago serraria

..

+.

..

.1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Tuberaria plantaginea

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Localities: 1-2: Monte Veneretta, 01.05.2010; 3, 14-15: Monte Veneretta, 28.02.2010; 4: Castelmola, 26.08.2010, holotypus ass.; 5: Monte Purretto, 01.11.2010; Rel. 6-7, Castelmola, 01.11.2010;

8: Piano Porto (Taormina), 21.04.2005 (da Minissale et al. 2005); 9: Monte Ziretto, 27.11.2011; 10-11: Sarro Anna (Gallodoro), 09.01.2011; 12: Castelmola, 26.08.2010; 13: Castelmola,

01.11.2010; 16-17: Madonna della Rocca (Taormina), 25.07.2010, holotypus ass.; 18: Monte Veneretta, 14.11.2010; Rel. 19, Monte Veneretta, 15.05.2011; 20-23: Monte Galfa, 25.06.2012, ho-

lotypus rel. 22; 24-25: Monte Veneretta, 07.01.2012; 26: Capo Taormina, 07.04.2012; 27-28: Monte Ziretto, 22.04.2012; 29: Monte Petraro, 20.03.2012; 30-31: Costa Ogliastro, 30.04.2012; 32-

34: between the railway station and Capo Taormina, 01.05.2012; 35-37: F. so Mortelletto (Castelmola), 29.07.2012.

linked to the degradation processes of evergreenoaks woods ascribed to Bupleuro fruticosi-Quer-cetum ilicis. In Sicily Micromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae shows some similaritiesto the Salvio-Phlomidetum fruticosae community,having a south-eastern distribution in Sicily (MI-NISSALE & al., 2007).At higher altitudes, Micromerio consentinae-

Phlomidetum fruticosae loses most of the ther-mophilous species (Figure 6), such as Teucriumfruticanswhereas the presence of more mesophi-lous species increases, such as Odontithes boc-conei which is endemic to Sicily (Figure 2,cluster A22). This allows a new sub-associationto be differentiated and named odontitetosumbocconei (Table 2, holosyntypus: rel. 22). It is lo-calized on the north/northwest facing slopes ofMount Galfa, between 900-1000 m asl, in con-tact to the chasmophilous vegetation of the Dian-thion rupicolae.

PERENNIAL AN ANNUAL DRY GRASSLAND

The perennial steppic plant communities arefairly widespread in the investigated area. Thisvegetation, an expression of the degradation ofwoody vegetation, is quite diversified in relationto ecological factors, such as moisture, frequencyof bushfires, nutrients in the soil, etc. The phyto-sociological analysis allowed different plant com-munities, mainly ranging in Lygeo-Stipetea class,to be distinguished.The most widespread plant communities are

grasslands dominated by Ampelodesmos mauri-tanicus and mixed with many hemicriptophytesand chamaephytes, such as Carlina hispanicasubsp. globosa, Ferula communis, Elaeoselinumasclepium, Dactylis glomerata subsp. hispanica,Carlina gummifera, Hyparrhenia hirta, Charyb-dis pancration, Andropogon distachyos (Figure7). These grasslands are common in Sicily (MI-NISSALE, 1995) and, despite having similar ecolo-gical requirements and dynamic significance theycan be differentiated according to the floristiccomposition which varies in different regions ofSicily. In the studied territory, the vegetation ischaracterized by the presence of Galium aetnicumand is therefore attributable to Galio-Ampelodes-

metum mauritanici (Table 3), an association wi-despread in the Peloritani Mountains (MINISSALE,1995). It is a grassland which colonizes mainlysiliceous substrates with different degrees of me-tamorphism. It grows from sea level up to 800 mand within the bioclimatic thermo-mesomedite-rranean belt with a subhumid ombrotype. Thisplant community is closely linked to the degrada-tion of the forests belonging to Erico-Quercetumvirgilianae.Between 400 and 800 m above sea level on

carbonate substrates of Mount Veneretta, M.Galfa and Forza d’Agrò, Galio-Ampelodesmetummauritanici is replaced by Seselio-Ampelodesme-tum mauritanici (Table 3). The latter is locatedwithin the bioclimatic thermo-mesomediterra-nean belt with a sub-humid ombrotype. Also inthis case Ampelodesmos mauritanicus is domi-nant and it is associated with different species ofthe Lygeo-Stipetea class. A rare Sicilian speciesSeseli tortuosum subsp. tortuosum, (BRULLO &al., 2011) characterizes this association. Thesecommunities were already known to central Si-cily (MINISSALE, 1995) on limestone or trubisubstrata. From a syndynamic viewpoint, thesegrasslands are linked to the thermophilous oakwoods (BRULLO & al., 2010).At altitudes from 50 m up to 500 m, a steppic

vegetation dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta andFerula communis grows on uncultivated andsunny soils frequently subjected to bushfires.From a structural viewpoint, this vegetation ischaracterized by several perennial plants, such asAsphodelus ramosus, Charybdis pancration, Bi-tuminaria bituminosa, Convolvulus althaeoides,Reichardia picroides, Pallenis spinosa, etc.; so itcan be ascribed to Ferulo-Hyparrhenietum hirtae(Table 3). This vegetation was described for thefirst time by BRULLO & SIRACUSA (1996) on theLinosa island; after it was reported by BRULLO &al. (2010) for several localities of Sicily Ferulo-Hyparrhenietum hirtae represents a recoloniza-tion community of abandoned agricultural areasbut also a stage in the degradation process of theforest vegetation or maquis.Growing on steeper, slightly sunny slopes from

lower elevations up to 600-700 m, is a commu-nity dominated by Arundo collina, ascribed to the


162LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013


163 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 3

Galio-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici Minissale 1995 (1-5)

(Avenulo-Ampelodesmion mauritanici, Hyparrhenietalia, Lygeo-Stipetea)

Seselio-Ampelodesmetum mauritaniciMinissale 1995 (6-9)

(Avenulo-Ampelodesmion mauritanici, Hyparrhenietalia, Lygeo-Stipetea)

Ferulo communis-Hyparrhenietum hirtaeBrullo & Siracusa 1996 (10-14)

(Hyparrhenion hirtae, Hyparrhenietalia, Lygeo-Stipetea)

Cynara cardunucluscomm. (15-19)

(Silybo-Urticion, Carthametalia lanati, Onopordetea acanti)

Area (m

2 )100

100

100

100

100

5050

70100

5050

4050

50100

100

100

100

100

Cover (%)

9095

9095

9090

9090

8095

9590

95100

100

100

100

100

100

Exposure

NN

NN

NE

NE

SES

SES

SSE

SS

NE

ESE

E-

Slope °

3020

4030

4040

4030

3040

3545

4045

2520

1515

-Soil

Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Ca

Altitude (m)

791

548

735

776

732

795

790

810

739

502

500

5860

65740

745

851

851

810Freq.

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19

Characteristics:

Ferula communis

+1

..

+2

11

.1

11

11

12

22

116

Cynara cardunculus

+.

..

.+

++

..

..

..

12

23

49

Galium aetnicum

21

11

+.

..

1.

..

..

..

..

.6

Seseli tortuosum subsp. tortuosum

..

..

.2

12

+.

..

..

..

..

.4

Characteristics of class and order

Asphodelus ramosussubsp. ramosus1

1+

11

11

11

32

11

+2

23

32

19Carlina hispanicasubsp. globosa

11

12

12

21

11

11

12

22

++

119


44

44

44

44

41

++

++

..

..

.14

Carlina gummifera

22

1+

..

11

21

++

..

.+

11

+14

Dactylis glomeratasubsp. hispanica+

11

11

+1

1+

..

+.

.1

1.

..

12Elaeoselinum asclepium

11

23

.1

+2

+.

..

..

..

1+

111

Foeniculum vulgaresubsp. piperitum

.+

..

.1

++

.+

+1

+1

21

..

.11


.1

..

.1

+1

12

12

32

..

..

.10

Daucus carota

..

++

+.

..

+.

.+

++

1+

..

.9

Hyparrhenia hirta

..

..

.+

++

.4

44

44

..

..

.8

Pallenis spinosa

..

++

..

++

+1

++

..

..

..

.8

Andropogon distachyos

1+

..

..

..

.+

11

+1

..

..

.7


..

..

..

++

.+

+2

11

..

..

.7

Asphodeline lutea

1.

..

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

12

16


164LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19


..

..

..

++

+1

+.

..

.+

..

.6

Convolvulus althaeoides

..

..

..

..

.+

+3

12

..

..

.5

Pulicaria odora

+1

31

2.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Thapsia garganica

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.3

Kundmannia sicula

.1

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Opopanax chironium

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Helminthotheca echioides

..

..

..

..

1.

.+

..

..

..

.2

Verbascum thapsus

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.1

..

.2

Klasea flavescens subsp. cichoracea.

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1Companions:

Micromeria graeca

++

+1

2+

+1

1+

..

..

..

..

.10

Avena sterilis

..

..

..

..

..

.2

++

21

++

+8

Phlomis fruticosa

++

..

.+

++

+.

..

..

++

..

.8

Teucrium fruticans

1+

..

..

..

12

11

12

..

..

.8


..

++

.+

++

..

..

++

..

..

.7

Galactites elegans

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

1+

33

17

Calicotome infesta

++

.2

.+

.+

..

+.

..

..

..

.6

Gypsophila arrostii

..

.+

.+

.+

.2

1+

..

..

..

.6

Teucrium flavum

..

.+

.+

++

.+

+.

..

..

..

.6

Acanthus mollis

..

..

..

..

.+

++

2+

..

..

.5

Avena barbata

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

1+

+5

Carduus pycnocephalus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

12

32

+5

Dasypyrum villosum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

1+

15

Origanum vulgare subsp.viridulum

+.

+2

1.

.+

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Ruta chalepensis

..

..

.+

++

.1

+.

..

..

..

.5

Arisarum vulgare

.+

..

.+

1+

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Bellis perennis

.1

..

.+

1+

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Leontodon tuberosus

.+

..

.1

++

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Pteridium aquilinum

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

33

..

24

Achillea ligustica

..

..

1.

..

..

..

..

21

..

.3

Anthoxanthum odoratum

..

1+

2.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Calendula suffruticosa subsp. fulgida.

..

..

..

..

++

1.

..

..

..

3Crupina crupinastrum

..

+1

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.3

Cynosurus cristatus

..

1+

2.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Euphorbia helioscopia

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+3

Hypericum perforatum

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3


165 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

19

Lobularia maritima

.+

..

..

.+

..

.+

..

..

..

.3

Phagnalon saxatile

.+

..

..

.+

.+

..

..

..

..

.3

Plantago serraria

11

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Ranunculus bullatus

.+

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Smyrnium olusatrum

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

1+

..

.3

Ammoides pusilla

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Asparagus albus

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

..

.2

Carthamus lanatus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

.2

Centaurea sicula

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

.2

Crepis vesicaria

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Convolvulus sabatius

..

..

..

..

..

..

11

..

..

.2


..

..

..

..

.+

..

+.

..

..

.2

Melilotus italicus

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

.2

Onopordum illyricum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

.+

.2

Rubus ulmifolius

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

21

..

.2

Sideritis romana

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

.2

Centaurium erythraea

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2


..

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Urospermum dalechampi

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Localities: 1: Monte Veneretta, 01.05.2010; 2: Monte Ziretto, 02.01.2012; 3-4: Monte Veneretta, 10.06.2012; 5: Monte Lapa, 25.06.2012; 6-8: Monte Veneretta,

14.11.2010; 9: Monte Lapa, 25.06.2012; 10-11: Castelmola, 08.04.2012; 12: Villagonia (Taormina), 03.05.2012; 13-14: Villagonia (Taormina), 27.05.2012; 15-16:

Monte Veneretta, 23.08.2010; 17-19: Monte Veneretta, 01.05.2010.

Euphrobio ceratocarpae-Arundinetum collinaeassociation, described by BRULLO& al. (2010) forvarious territories in Sicily.Flat or moderately sloping areas, subjected to

periodic bushfires and overgrazing, are often co-vered by plant communities dominated byCynara cardunculus. This species is associatedwith other spiny Asteraceae such as Carduuspycnocephalus, Galactites elegans, Carlina gum-mifera, Carlina hispanica subsp. globosa, andmany synanthropic species, such as Asphodelusramosus, Dasypyrum villosum, Avena barbata,Avena sterilis, Asphodeline lutea, Euphorbia he-lioscopia, etc. All of the above species are favou-red by grazing and soils rich in nitrates. Thisplant community occupies much localized areasin the study area (Cynara cardunculus comm.,Table 3).Annual dry grassland, with an autumn-spring

cycle characterized by several therophytes; smallephemeral bulbous plants and little hemicryp-tophythes, are favoured by the Mediterraneanclimate with its prolonged summer droughts andby human activity such as grazing and controlledbushfires. Natural undisturbed development ofthe vegetation would lead to maquis and forestgrowth except on very shallow soils in rocky en-vironments but burning and grazing prevents this

and moreover, creates open spaces which arequickly colonized by annuals. In the study area,the vegetation is diversified in relation to the dif-ferent lithological substrates and the type ofanthropogenic influence. Although there aresome species in common among different plantcommunities with a wide ecological niche, everyplant community is characterized by large con-tingents of indicator species in specific ecologi-cal conditions. Consequently, they can beattributed to different phytosociological class,such as Poetea bulbosae, Tuberarietea guttataeand Stipo-Trachynetea distachyae. The clusteranalysis accurately highlights this diversity andallows three main groups to be identified (Figure3).The first cluster incluided herbaceous vegeta-

tion dominated by Poa bulbosa, an anthropogenicgrassland consisting of low perennial herbs, the-rophytes and various geophytes (Figure 3, clusterB2). It was observed on the summit of Mount Ve-neretta, which is characterized by shallow soilsderived from limestone substrata and subjected tointensive grazing (RIBEIRO & al., 2012). This ve-getation, while dormant during the summer, at thebeginning of the autumn season with the arrivalof the first rains grows quite fast and remainsgreen throughout the winter. In spring, a large


166LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Figure 3. – Cluster analysis of the annual dry grassland.

number of flowering therophytes grows. Thesegrasslands are rich in many species of the Poeteabulbosae class, such as Trifolium subterraneum,T. suffocatum, Moraea sisyrinchium, Scorzoneravillosa subsp. columnae, Trifolium nigrescens,Parentucellia latifolia, Ranunculus paludosus,Romulea columnae, etc. For the floristic compo-sition and ecology of this community, it belongsto the Trifolio subterranei-Periballion, an allianceknown in the western Mediterranean basin, suchas Spain, Portugal and northern Morocco (GALÁNDEMERA & al., 2000; CANO& al., 2007; SILVA &al., 2009; RIBEIRO& al., 2012), where it is repor-ted on siliceous substrates.The association was also reported for Sardinia

(LADERO & al., 1992) but was later classified asTrifolio nigrescentis-Poetum bulbosae(FARRIS&al., 2007). In this community, the presence ofPlantago serraria is significant and is here pro-posed as a characteristic species of the subasso-ciation Poo bulbosae-Trifolietum subterraneiplantaginetosum serrariae (Table 4, holos-yntypus: rel. 20). From a bioclimatic viewpoint,this community grows in the thermo-mesomedi-terranean belts with subhumid ombrotype.The second group includes a community rich

in therophytes, which grows among the gaps ofthe grasslands referred to as Galio-Ampelodesme-tum mauritanici, on acid soils of metamorphicorigin (Figure 3, cluster A). This vegetation ischaracterized by the presence of several speciesof the Tuberarietea guttataeclass, such as Tube-raria plantaginea, Ornithopus compressus, Airacupaniana,Centaurium maritimum, Lotus angus-tissimus, Plantago bellardi, Linaria pelisseriana,Trifolium glomeratum, Filago gallica, Petrorha-gia prolifera, Tolpis umbellata, etc. The presenceof Lotus conimbricensis, a species of great eco-logical and phytogeographical significance,allows a new association Loto conimbricensis-Tu-berarietum plantagineae to be here proposed(Table 4, holosyntypus: rel. 4). From a syntaxo-nomical viewpoint, this vegetation is related toLinario cirrhosae-Helianthemetum guttati O.Bolos, Molinier & P. Montserrat 1970, describedfor the Iberian Peninsula (RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ & al.,2002; 2001; PÉREZ PRIETO& FONT, 2005; BOLOS,1996) and Trifolio bocconei-Tuberarietum gutta-

tae, described for south-eastern Sicily (BRULLO& al., 1998) but it is rather different in speciescomposition.The last group separates a community charac-

terized by several species of Trachynietea dis-tachyae (Figure 3, cluster B1). It grows in thegaps of the grasslands referred to Seselio-Ampe-lodesmetum mauritanici, on calcareous substra-tes covered by a thin soil. The more commonspecies are Hippocrepis biflora, Onobrychis ae-quidentata, Trachynia distachya, Medicago mi-nima var. recta, Hypochaeris achyrophorus,Trifolium stellatum, Lotus edulis, Euphorbia exi-gua, Ononis reclinata, Linum tryginum, Crupinacrupinastrum, Anisantha fasciculata, etc. The pe-culiar floristic composition makes it possible toidentify a new association here proposed as As-tragalo sesamaei-Medicaginetum rectae (Table4, holosyntypus: rel. 10). This vegetation showssome floristic and ecologic similarity to theOnobrychido aequidentatae-Stipetum capensis,an association described by BIONDI & GUERRA(2008) for Apulia. The arid grassland of Apuliais characterized by the dominance of Stipa ca-pensis, while for Astragalo sesamaei-Medicagi-netum rectae, a greater regularity among themost important species in terms of abundance isfound.

CLIFF VEGETATION

On the limestone cliffs of the Taormina region,the plant communities are characterized by severalchasmophilous species of considerable phytogeo-graphical interest (Figure 8): they belong to theAsplenietea trichomanisclass, such as Erucastrumvirgatum, Dianthus rupicola subsp. rupicola, An-tirrhinum siculum, Silene fruticosa, Dianthus si-culus, Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. busambarensis,Brassica incana, Brassica raimondoi, Lomelosiacretica, Athamanta sicula, Hypochaeris laevigata,Ballota hispanica,etc. (SCIANDRELLO& al., 2013).Of great significance in these communities is thepresence of Colymbada tauromenitana (=Centau-rea tauromenitana), a paleoendemic species ex-clusive to the Taormina region (SCIANDRELLO &D’AGOSTINO, 2013), and which characterizes Eru-castretum virgati subass. centauretosum taurome-


167 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013


168LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 4

Loto conimbricensis-Tuberarietum plantagineae ass. nova(1-9)

(Tuberarion guttatae, Tuberarietalia guttatae, Tuberarietea guttatae)

Astragalo sesamaei-Medicaginetum rectae ass. nova (10-19)

(Trachynion distachyae, Trachynietalia distachyae, Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae)

Poo bulbosae-Trifolietum subterranei plantaginetosum serrariae subass. nova(20-28)

(Trifolio subterranei-Periballion, Poetalia bulbosae, Poetea bulbosae)

Area (m

2 )5

55

55

55

22

44

45

55

55

22

33

55

34

42

2Cover (%)

9090

9595

10095

9595

9090

8580

9095

8585

8090

9090

10090

9080

9095

9085

Exposure

NN

NN

NNONONONOS

SS

SS

SS

SS

SS

O-SE

O-

-S

SSlope °

3030

4010

1015

2010

525

3030

105

55

540

355

5-

510

--

55

Soil

Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.Met.CaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCa

Altitude (m)

734733738739740480482459458791792793532530453451453780780858858858858858826826850850Freq

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

Characteristics:

Plantago serraria

++

++

++

++

+.

..

++

..

..

.1

1+

21

23

11

20Trifolium subterraneum

..

++

2.

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

.4

31

12

11

++

14Onobrychis aequidentata

..

..

..

..

.2

12

43

33

33

2.

..

..

..

..

12Tuberaria plantaginea

23

44

24

34

3.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11Lotus conimbricensis

1+

21

++

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

10Astragalus sesameus

..

..

..

..

.1

12

++

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

10Poa bulbosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

44

31

22

43

9Hippocrepis biflora

..

..

..

..

.1

+1

21

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Ptilostemon stellatus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+2

3.

..

..

..

..

7Characteristics of class and order

Trifolium campestre

1+

22

1+

+2

11

1+

..

..

.+

..

++

++

..

++

19Plantago bellardi

21

32

11

2+

1.

..

1+

..

..

.1

++

11

..

..

18Trifolium cherleri

++

1+

11

+1

21

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

16Galium divaricatum

++

+.

.+

+1

+.

..

..

..

..

.+

++

.1

++

..

15Trifolium arvense

1+

++

11

+1

++

1+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

14Briza maxima

++

21

++

11

+.

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

12Aira cupaniana

32

23

32

12

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11Centaurium maritimum

11

++

1+

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11Lotus angustissimus

11

1+

3+

11

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11Ornithopus compressus

23

32

13

42

2.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11Trifolium glomeratum

++

11

2+

+1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11


169 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

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56

78

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1112

1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

Linaria pelisseriana

++

1+

1+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

10Filago gallica

..

1+

++

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

9Petrorhagia prolifera

..

++

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Myosotis ramosissima

..

+.

++

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

6Tolpis umbellata

..

.1

+.

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5Rumex bucephalophorus

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Characteristics of class and order

Hypochaeris achyrophorus

1+

++

++

++

++

1+

+1

+1

1.

.+

++

+1

++

..

26Trifolium stellatum

..

..

+.

..

.1

1+

++

21

11

++

+.

++

+1

++

19Medicago minimavar. recta

..

..

..

..

.3

24

1+

23

1+

1+

+.

.+

22

1+

17Lotus edulis

..

+.

+.

..

.+

1+

++

++

++

+.

..

..

..

..

14Trachynia distachya

..

..

..

..

.2

11

1+

++

+3

3+

.+

..

..

++

14Catapodium rigidum

..

..

..

..

.1

++

1+

..

.+

1+

..

..

++

..

12Euphorbia exigua

..

..

..

..

.+

.+

++

..

+.

.+

++

++

..

..

12Linum tryginum

++

++

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

10Medicago truncatula

..

..

..

.+

.1

11

++

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

10Scorpiurus muricatussubsp. subvillosus.

..

.+

..

..

11

++

+.

..

++

..

..

..

..

.10

Anisantha fasciculata

..

..

..

..

.2

11

++

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

++

9Crupina crupinastrum

..

..

..

..

.+

++

11

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

9Stipa capensis

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1+

+.

.+

+.

.+

..

..

8Sulla capitata

..

..

..

..

..

..

23

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

6Linum strictum

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Ononis ornithopodioides

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Ononis reclinata

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Polygala monspeliaca

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Reichardia intermedia

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

Characteristics of class and order

Medicago monspeliaca

..

..

..

..

..

..

21

++

+.

.2

++

++

12

++

14Scorzonera villosasubsp. columnae

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

..

..

.2

1+

22

33

12

14Romulea columnae

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

.+

1+

++

++

+1

11Trifolium nigrescens

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

++

++

..

10Trifolium suffocatum

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

.+

23

12

33

++

10Hyoseris radiata

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

++

1+

9Hypochaeris hispida

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

1+

+1

++

++

9Medicago doliata

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

++

++

1+

1+

9Moraea sisyrinchium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

++

+1

+1

+1

9


170LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

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1112

1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

Parentucellia latifolia

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+.

++

..

7Ranunculus paludosus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

++

..

++

6Companions:

Vulpia myuros

21

11

+1

11

++

1+

++

..

..

.+

++

+1

+.

++

22Avena barbata

..

..

.+

++

++

++

++

++

+.

+1

++

++

..

..

20Anagallis arvensis

++

1+

1+

++

++

1+

++

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

19Anthemis arvensis

..

..

..

.+

++

1+

..

.+

+.

.+

++

++

++

..

16Sideritis romana

..

..

..

..

.+

+1

..

++

++

++

++

.+

++

..

16Trifolium scabrum

..

..

.+

..

..

..

++

11

2+

++

++

++

..

++

15Aegilops geniculata

..

..

..

..

.1

1+

..

++

++

++

++

+.

..

++

14Sherardia arvensis

++

1+

+.

..

.+

++

+1

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

14Bellardia trixago

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

.+

++

+.

..

..

..

..

11Astragalus hamosus

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

++

..

.+

..

.+

1+

+1

9Filago heterantha

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

.+

++

+1

..

..

9Helianthemum salicifolium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

11

1+

9Hyoseris scabra

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

1+

++

..

9Plantago afra

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

++

++

1.

..

..

..

..

9Trifolium incarnatumsubsp. molinerii

++

21

2.

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

9Valerianella eriocarpa

++

++

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

9Elaeoselinum asclepium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

.+

2+

11

8Erodium ciconium

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

+.

++

8Pulicaria odora

..

.+

++

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

8Rostraria cristata

..

..

.+

++

+.

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

8Bromus hordeaceus

1+

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Coleostephus myconis

..

+1

1+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Coronilla scorpioides

..

..

..

..

.2

11

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

7Hedypnois rhagadioloides

1+

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Plantago lagopus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

12

2.

..

..

..

++

..

7Sedum rubens

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

7Silene gallica

..

..

+.

.+

+.

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

7Campanula erinus

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

.+

..

..

+.

..

6Hedypnois cretica

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

1+

..

6Lotus ornithopodioides

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

.+

1.

..

..

..

..

6Sedum cepaea

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

6Urospermum picroides

..

..

.+

+.

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

6Biscutella maritima

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5


171 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

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1112

1314

1516

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2122

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2526

2728

Cynosurus cristatus

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5Filago pyramidata

..

..

..

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5Hymenocarpus circinnatus

..

..

.1

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5Lagurus ovatus

..

..

..

.+

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

5Atractylis cancellata

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

2+

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Cardamine hirsuta

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Muscari comosum

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Orchis papilionacea

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Tordylium apulum

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Tripodion tetraphyllum

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Urospermum dalechampii

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

4Veronica praecox

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

4Ajuga iva

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

3Colchicum cupanii

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1.

..

..

3Galium verrucosum

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

3Ornithogalum gussonei

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1.

..

..

3Silene colorata

..

..

..

..

..

.1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

3Medicago intertexta

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

2Ononis sieberi

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

2

Localities: 1-2: Monte Veneretta, 01.05.2010; 3-5: Monte Veneretta, 15.05.2011, holotypus rel. 4; 6-7: Monte Ziretto, 22.04.2012; 8-9: Monte Ziretto, 30.04.2012; 10-12:

Monte Veneretta, 15.05.2011, holotypus rel. 10; 13-14: Monte Ziretto, 22.04.2012; 15-17: Costa Ogliastro, 30.04.2012; 18-19: Monte Veneretta, 03.05.2012; 20-24: Monte

Veneretta, 01.05.2010, holotypus rel. 20; 25-26: Monte Veneretta, 15.05.2011; 27-28: Monte Veneretta, 15.05.2011.

nitani (BRULLO & al., 1998). (Table 5). This sub-association grows at altitudes of between 30 mand 800 metres. The floristic composition chan-ges for Mounts Galfa in relation to a greater alti-tude, while for Forza D’Agrò and Capo S.Alessio, it depends on the different geologicalsubstrate (Jurassic crystalline limestones). In fact,Colymbada tauromenitana, quite thermophilousspecies, disappears so it is possible to recognizeErucastretum virgati typicum.In fissures of the cliffs, in shade and nitrophi-

lous conditions, Polypodium cambricum subsp.serrulatumgrows on top of a moss carpets toge-ther with other pteridophytes, such as Ceterachofficinarum and Asplenium trichomanes. Fromthe phytosociological viewpoint, this communityis attributed to Polypodietum serrati, included inthe Parietarietea judaicae class, with a range ofdistribution in the central-western Mediterraneanregion (Table 5). Chasmophilous phytocoenoses, characterized

by the dominance of Cheilanthes maderensis, arare species of great ecological and phytogeogra-phical significance; develops on the shallow,mainly southernly exposed fissures of limestonerocks at altitudes of between 200 m and 800 me-tres. This small fern is associated with Ceterachofficinarum, Sedum dasyphyllum, Selaginella den-ticulata, etc. This community, together with Chei-lanthes maderensis, is here proposed as a newassociation, Sedo dasyphylli-Cheilanthetum made-rensis ass. nova hoc loco (Table 5, holosyntypus:rel. 21). This Sicilian association may be conside-red a vicariant of Umbilico rupestri-Cheilanthetummaderensis as described for the eastern sector ofthe Iberian Peninsula (FRANQUESA, 1995). At lower altitudes of 50-100 metres and always

on limestone substrata, Sedo dasyphilli-Cheilanthe-tum maderensis is replaced by a more termophy-lous chasmophilous community characterized bythe presence of Cosentinia vellea, a rare species inSicily, together with Sedum album, S. dasyphyllum,S. sediforme, Ceterach officinarum, etc. A new as-sociation, Sedo albi-Cosentinietum velleaeass. novahoc loco is therefore here proposed (Table 5, holos-yntypus: rel. 25). This community is similar to Chei-lantho maderensis-Cosentinietum velleaeLadero exPérez, Díaz, Fernández & Salvo 1989.

On sunny nitrate rich cliffs and walls, athermo-xerophilous vegetation is localized, do-minated by Capparis orientalisbelonging to Cap-parietum rupestris. This is a nanophanerophytewhich is accompanied by numerous species of theclass Parietarietea judaicae, such as Parietariajudaica, Ficus carica, Centranthus ruber, Rei-chardia picroides, Hyoscyamus albus, Hyoserisradiata, Umbilicus horizontalis, etc. (Table 5). On greatly inclined, shaded cliffs affected by

dripping water, the vegetation Adianthum capi-llus-venerisgrows. This is a small, widely distri-buted fern in the Mediterranean (DEIL, 1998)which prefers both metamorphic and limestonerocks. From a phytosociological viewpoint, thesecommunities belong to the Eucladio-Adiantetumcapilli-veneris, an association of the Adianteteaclass (Table 5). It is important to mention that in this territory,

the chasmo-halophilous community of the rockylimestone coast is Limonietum ionici, describedby BARTOLO & BRULLO (1993) and widespreadfrom Capo Taormina to Spisone (MINISSALE &al., 2005). The association is characterized by Li-monium ionicum, a strictly endemic plant of theTaormina region, together with other halophilousspecies, such as Limbarda crithmoides, Crithmummaritimum, Lotus cytisoides, Allium commuta-tum, ect.

HYGROPHILOUS VEGETATION

Both the woody and herbaceous hygrophilousvegetation of the study area is diversified in rela-tion to water availability and human disturbance,often forming narrow bands parallel to the water-ways (FOGGI & al., 2011). Another interestinghygrophilous habitat are the temporary ponds.The floristic and structural diversity, as highligh-ted by cluster analysis, allows a phytosociologicalclassification of these communities to be done(Figure 4).Along the watercourses, a riparian wood with

Salix gussonei and Platanus orientalisgrows, itis ascribed to Platano-Salicetum gussonei(Table 6, Figure 4, cluster A11). In addition tothe dominant species, we find in the tree layerseveral other hygrophilous species, such as


172LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013


173 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 5

Erucastretum virgatiBrullo & Marcenò 1979 subass. centauretosum tauromenitani (1-6)

Erucastretum virgati Brullo & Marcenò 1979 subass. typicum (7-14)

(Dianthion rupicolae, Asplenietalia glandulosi, Asplenietea trichomanis)

Sedo dasyphilli-Cheilanthetum maderensis ass. nova (15-22)

Sedo albi-Cosentinietum velleae ass. nova (23-27)

(Phagnalo saxatilis-Cheilanthion maderensis, Cheilanthetalia maranto-maderensis, Asplenietea trichomanis)

Area (m

2 )50

4050

5050

3030

5020

5050

5050

500.50.30.30.50.30.50.50.5

11

11

1Cover (%)

7080

7070

6070

9075

7050

6060

5060

6050

5050

6040

5050

4040

4040

50Exposure

NE

EE

SNESE

ENE

NO

SNE

SSE

SS

SOS

SNE

SS

SS

SS

SSlope °

9095

9095

8090

8080

7590

9090

8080

9080

4580

9090

9090

7070

6080

80Soil

CaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCaCa

Altitude (m)

2530

3535480580030

13814392891792072371980179879879779726726026860

6065

6562Freq.

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Characteristics:

Erucastrum virgatum

11

31

11

+2

+1

12

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

.14

Dianthus siculus

..

..

++

..

.2

21

21

..

..

..

..

.+

++

+11

Cheilanthes maderensis

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

32

33

31

23

..

..

.8

Cosentinia vellea

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

21

22

17

Colymbada tauromenitana

12

23

23

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Sedum album

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

12

11

35

Characteristics of alliance

Dianthus rupicolasubsp. rupicola

22

22

21

22

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Antirrhinum siculum

++

1+

..

+1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

.9

Silene fruticosa

..

.1

21

..

.+

++

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

.8

Brassica incana

..

..

11

1.

.+

1.

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Anthyllis vulnerariasubsp.busambarensis.

..

.+

+.

..

.1

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

6Odontites bocconei subsp. bocconei

..

..

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Characteristics of Asplenietea

Sedum dasyphyllum

..

..

1+

..

..

1+

++

+1

1+

+1

1+

11

11

119

Ceterach officinarum

..

..

1+

..

..

++

..

++

.+

13

1+

+1

++

.15

Lomelosia cretica

34

23

..

43

3.

..

33

..

..

..

..

1+

++

114

Athamanta sicula

..

..

1+

.1

+2

13

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Hypochaeris laevigata

..

..

22

..

.1

1+

1+

..

..

..

..

..

++

.9


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Teucrium flavum

..

..

11

.+

+1

22

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Ballota hispanica

..

..

.+

..

.1

1+

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Umbilicus rupestris

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

..

..

.5

Sedum sediforme

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

11

+1

+5

Ficus carica

+.

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Anogramma leptophylla

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

.2

Melica minuta

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Matthiola incanasubsp. rupestris

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Polypodium cambricum

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Companions:

Micromeria graecasubsp. consentina

1+

++

11

.1

11

11

++

..

++

+.

..

..

++

119

Phagnalon saxatile

1+

..

+1

++

+.

.+

++

..

..

..

++

..

++

.14

Campanula erinus

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+1

++

++

11

++

++

+13

Valantia muralis

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

++

++

++

+12


++

1+

..

11

2.

..

++

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

.11

Galium aetnicum

21

..

+1

..

.+

+1

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Phlomis fruticosa

..

..

21

1.

.1

12

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

.8

Prasium majus

11

..

11

+1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Rhamnus alaternus

++

..

..

++

+.

1.

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7


..

..

+1

..

.+

++

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7


1+

..

+1

..

..

..

1+

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6


++

11

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Capparis spinosasubsp.rupestris

11

21

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Gypsophila arrostii

..

..

+1

..

..

++

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Opuntia ficus-indica

.+

++

..

11

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6


..

..

1+

..

.+

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Crupina crupinastrum

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

++

+5

Festuca circummediterranea

..

..

++

..

.+

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Parietaria lusitanica

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

+1

..

..

.5

Teucrium fruticans

11

..

..

11

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.5

Emerus major

..

..

..

..

.1

+.

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Olea europaeavar. sylvestris

..

..

..

++

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Sideritis romana

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1+

++

..

..

..

..

.4

Achyranthes sicula

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Allium ampeloprasum

.+

..

..

+.

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3


..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+.

.3


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Dactylis glomeratasubsp. hispanica

..

..

1+

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3


..

..

++

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Antirrhinum majus

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Elaeoselinum asclepium

..

..

12

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Hyoseris radiata

..

..

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Linaria purpurea

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Malva veneta

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Prospero autumnale

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

.2

Quercus ilex

..

..

..

..

.+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2


++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2


..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

.+

..

..

..

..

.2

Localities: 1-2: Villagonia (Taormina), 16.06.2010; 3: Villagonia (Taormina), 25.07.2010; 4: Madonna della Rocca (Taormina), 25.07.2010; 5-6: Monte Veneretta, 23.08.2010;

7: Capo Sant'Alessio, 07.04.2012; 8-9: Forza D'Agrò, 08.01.2012; 10-12: Monte Galfa, 25.06.2012; 13-14: Monte Galfa, 26.07.2012; 15-19: Monte Veneretta, 02.01.2012;

20-22: Madonna della Rocca (Taormina), 03.05.2012, holotypusrel. 21; 23-26: Capo Taormina, 22.04.2012, holotypusrel. 25; 27: Capo Taormina, 01.05.2012.

Ficus carica, Populus nigra, and Ulmus minorwhile in the shrub layer Hypericum hircinumsubsp. majus, Rubus ulmifolius, Nerium olean-der, etc. is also present. This association belongsto the Platanion orientalisalliance which is wi-dely distributed in the southern Balkan Penin-sula and Aegean area. The alliance occurs alsoin south-east Sicily with the association Pla-tano-Salicetum pedicellatae (BRULLO & SPAM-PINATO, 1990). Platano-Salicetum gussonei, inthe investigated territory, shows two aspects inwhich Platanus orientalis is always dominant(Figure 9). In the first case, it is associated withSalix gussonei and this occurs in watercourseswith a greater scope and slow water flow, whilein the second one, with regards to a small stre-ams, the plane tree is associated with Fraxinusornus, a species with a northern Mediterraneandistribution and linked to less hygrophilous eco-logical conditions. It probably has its origins inwoods which grew on the slopes and which mayactually no longer be present or be severely de-graded. The first case is referable to subassocia-tion platanetosum, already reported by BRULLO& SPAMPINATO (1990) from Peloritani Mounts,while the second is here proposed as a subasso-ciation fraxinetosum orni subass. nova hoc loco(Table 6, holosyntypus: rel.11).

As a result of the degradation of mesic woo-dlands, a secondary shrub develops on moist, ni-trate rich soils (Figure 4, cluster A12). Thisvegetation is widespread in the study area, occup-ying in particular the north-facing slopes. From astructural viewpoint, the vegetation is characteri-zed by intricate, almost impenetrable bushes,such as Rubus ulmifolius, Rosa sempervirens,Prunus spinosa, Hypericum hircinum subsp.majus, etc. This community is ascribed to Rososempervirentis-Rubetum ulmifolii as described byBLASI & al. (2001) from central Italy (Table 6).This vegetation can be considered more mesophi-lous than Clematido cirrhosae-Rubetum ulmifolii,an association described by GIANGUZZI & LAMANTIA (2008) for north-western Sicily. On cal-careous substrates, the thinning of the riparianformations leads to the establishment of shrubswith Nerium oleander and Hypericum hircinumsubsp. majus (Figure 4, cluster A3), ascribed toRubo ulmifolii-Nerietum oleandri subass. hyperi-cetosum maioris subass. nova hoc loco(Table 6,holosyntypus: rel. 14) vicariant of the subassocia-tion hypericetosum hircini described by ANGIUS& BACCHETTA (2009) from Sardinian rivers.Developing on steep slopes overlooking the

narrow incisions crossed by water courses of mo-dest scope, is a shrub vegetation characterized by


176LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Figure 4. – Cluster analysis of the hygrophilous vegetation.


177 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 6

Platano-Salicetum gussoneiBrullo & Spampinato 1990

PlantanetosumBrullo & Spampinato 1990 (1-6)

Fraxinetosum orni suban. nova(7-12)

(Platanion orientalis, Populetalia albae, Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae)

Rubo ulmifolii-Nerietum oleandriBolòs 1956 hypericetosum maioris subass. nova(13-15)

(Rubo ulmifolii-Nerion oleandri, Tamaricetalia, Nerio-Tamaricetea)

Roso sempervirentis-Rubetum ulmifoliiBlasi, Di Pietro & Fortini 2000 (16-25)

Spartio juncei-Bupleuretum fruticosiRaimondo & Ilardi 2009 (26-37)

(Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii, Prunetalia spinosae, Rhamno-Prunetea)

Area (m

2 )10020010010010010010010010010010010010050

5010050

5030

5050

3050

5010010010010010050

5050

5010050

5050

Cover (%)

10010010010010010085

9010010010010010090

8510010010010010010010010010010095

10010095

10010010010010090

10090

Exposure

EE

E-

--

EE

SNE

NENE

EE

EE

EE

--

--

NNE

NN

NE

NEN

NN

NSE

NN

ESlope °

3020

20-

--

1520

510

520

1010

1030

2025

--

--

3530

4540

6050

6030

3530

2020

2025

35Soil

MetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetCa

CaCa

CaMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetMetCa

ArAr

ArAltitude (m)

397268270270260260462460583616588571328323314431425425276270273260470471718380397408409445441442460614420425427Freq

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3334

3536

37

Characteristics:

Rubus ulmifolius

22

12

23

21

21

+1

1+

+3

44

45

55

54

41

+1

12

12

22

++

+37

Platanus orientalis

55

44

55

45

55

55

31

11

..

++

1+

++

..

..

..

..

.+

..

.23


..

..

.2

++

.+

12

..

.2

1.

..

.1

.1

.4

54

54

34

24

34

322

Nerium oleander

..

..

12

21

..

..

44

4.

..

..

.1

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.9

Characteristics of alliance and order

Hypericum hircinumsubsp. majus

.1

21

21

++

+2

11

11

1+

1+

32

11

11

..

..

..

..

.2

..

.24

Ficus carica

11

11

12

1+

.2

13

1+

+.

..

1+

++

..

.1

1+

..

..

.1

..

.22

Melissa officinalissubsp. altissim

a.

1+

++

1+

++

++

+.

.+

+.

+1

11

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

18Fraxinus ornus

..

..

..

23

+2

31

31

..

..

..

..

1+

..

..

.1

1+

+.

..

.14

Salix gussonei

12

34

11

..

..

++

31

..

..

++

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.13

Equisetum telmateia

.+

14

+.

..

2.

..

++

..

..

11

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.11

Vitis viniferasubsp. sylvestris

..

..

++

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Sambucus nigra

..

..

..

+1

2.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

.4

Populus nigra

..

..

..

.1

..

..

..

.3

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.3

Salix alba

..

..

..

..

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

Trasgressives of Pruno-Rubion

Rubia peregrina

11

11

12

11

.1

11

+.

+1

32

2+

+1

+1

2+

1+

11

11

+1

..

.32

Clematis vitalba

31

2+

11

1+

.1

11

..

.1

12

21

3+

1+

.3

11

.+

1+

+1

..

.28

Rosa sempervirens

..

.+

.1

1+

..

..

..

..

.+

++

.+

21

..

+.

..

..

..

..

.11


178LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

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2930

3132

3334

3536

37

Smilax aspera

..

..

..

..

..

..

2+

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

1+

+.

11

+9

Prunus spinosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

.2

1.

.1

+1

1.

..

.7

Crataegus m

onogyna

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.1

21

+.

..

.4


..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

..

.+

..

..

..

.3

Euonymus europaeus

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

Characteristics of class

Spartium junceum

..

..

++

+.

..

..

++

+.

..

.+

++

++

.2

11

23

44

42

22

123

Brachypodium sylvaticum

..

.+

++

++

1+

++

++

+.

..

+.

+1

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.15

Tamus communis

..

.1

++

1+

11

11

..

..

..

.+

.1

..

1.

..

+.

..

..

..

.13

Hedera helixsubsp. helix

21

1.

.2

..

22

22

..

.2

..

..

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.10

Ulmus m

inor

..

.1

+.

12

..

..

..

.2

2.

..

..

..

..

..

+.

..

2.

..

.8

Companions:

Calystegia sylvatica

21

+1

11

11

11

++

..

.1

+1

12

11

11

1.

..

.1

+1

11

..

.27

Acanthus mollis

..

..

..

++

++

+.

..

.+

11

..

..

.+

..

+1

.+

++

++

++

+19


..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

.1

2+

1+

1+

+.

21

213

Rhamnus alaternus

..

..

..

11

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.2

1+

.1

1+

1.

11

112

Eupatorium cannabinum

.1

1+

.+

..

.+

++

..

..

..

21

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.11

Euphorbia ceratocarpa

..

..

++

+.

..

..

..

..

.2

12

11

.1

..

.1

..

+.

..

..

.11

Euphorbia characias

..

..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

1.

1+

11

+1

+.

..

.11

Pteridium aquilinum

..

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

1.

13

..

2.

..

.+

++

+.

..

.11


..

..

..

+.

.+

++

..

..

..

..

..

+.

.1

++

+.

..

.+

..

.10


..

..

+.

..

..

..

..

..

+1

++

++

..

.1

11

..

..

..

..

.10

Emerus major

..

..

..

..

.+

++

11

+.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

21

.1

..

.9


..

..

..

..

..

..

1+

21

1.

..

..

..

..

+.

+.

..

..

..

.7

Pulicaria dysenterica

.+

++

..

..

..

..

+.

+.

..

+.

.+

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.7

Silene latifolia

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

.+

.+

+.

..

.7

Achillea ligustica

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

++

..

..

..

++

++

..

..

..

..

.6

Adiantum capillus-veneris

..

..

..

..

.+

++

++

..

..

1.

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

.6

Calicotome infesta

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

+.

2.

1.

++

16

Ferula comm

unis

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

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.+

++

..

..

..

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+6

Foeniculum vulgaresubsp. piperitum

..

..

+.

..

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..

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..

++

++

+.

..

..

..

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Anthriscus nemorosa

..

..

..

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1.

..

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+1

..

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Phlomis fruticosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

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.+

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15

Pistacia lentiscus

..

..

..

..

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+.

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15

Cytisus villosus

..

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..

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..

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++

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.2

..

..

..

..

.4

Quercus virgiliana

..

..

..

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..

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..

..

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+.

21

1.

..

..

..

.4


179 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Relevé N.

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

1920

2122

2324

2526

2728

2930

3132

3334

3536

37


..

..

..

..

..

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Arisarum vulgare

..

..

..

..

..

..

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+1

+3

Artem

isia arborescens

..

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..

..

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.+

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Arundo collina

..

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..

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.3

Carex pendula

..

..

..

..

.+

++

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..

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..

..

..

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..

..

..

..

.3

Carlina hispanica subsp. globosa

..

..

..

..

..

..

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..

..

..

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.+

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Daphne gnidium

..

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..

..

..

..

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..

..

..

..

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11

23

Dactylis glomeratasubsp. hispanica

..

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..

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Juglans regia

..

..

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Lamium pubescens

..

..

..

..

++

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..

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Micromeria graeca

..

..

..

..

..

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..

..

..

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..

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..

..

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+3

Myrtus communis

..

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Phragmites australis

..

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Smyrnium olusatrum

..

..

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Teucrium fruticans

..

..

..

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11

23

Malva veneta

..

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Ranunculus pratensis

..

..

..

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..

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Teucrium flavum

..

..

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.+

+2

Localities: 1-3: Torrente S. Antonio, 01.08.2010; 4-6: Torrente S. Antonio, 27.08.2010, holotypus rel. 5; 7-8: stream near M. Lapa, 13.05.2012; 9: stream near C.da S. Teodoro

(M. Pernice), 25.06.2012; 10-12: stream near Monte Galfa, 26.07.2012; 13-15: F.so Mortelletto (Castelmola), 29.07.2012, holotypus rel. 14; 16-18: Torrente S. Antonio,

01.08.2010; 19: Torrente S. Antonio, 01.08.2010; 20-22: Torrente S. Antonio, 27.08.2010; 23-24: stream near M. Lapa, 13.05.2012; 25: between M. Lapa and M. Pernice,

25.06.2012; 26-27: Castelmola, 01.08.2010; 28: Lumbia (Castelmola), 01.08.2010; 29: Castelmola, 10.10.2011; 30-33: Costa Ogliastro, 30.01.2012; 34: stream near Monte

Galfa, 26.07.2012; 35-37: Monte Petraro, 20.03.2012.

the dominance of Bupleurum fruticosum andSpartium junceum (Figure 4, cluster B). This ve-getation is generally localized on north facing slo-pes up to about 900m in altitude and mainly onmethamorphic substrata in the bioclimatic rangebetween the thermomediterranean upper humidbelt and the mesomediterranean belt from subhu-mid to humid ombrotype. This vegetation, despitehaving different elements of Quercetea ilicis,should be placed into the Rhamno-Prunetea classdue to the presence and abundance of Rubus ul-mifolius and Spartium juceum. It is located bet-ween evergreen oaks forest and riparianformations. It was reported for the first time byRAIMONDO & ILARDI (2009) in the Tyrrhenianside of the Nebrodi and Peloritani Mountains asSpartio juncei-Bupleuretum fruticosi. A similarcommunity, for its ecology and dynamic role,Hippocrepido-Bupleuretum fruticosae is presentin the Hyblaean Mountains (BRULLO& al., 1993,1998; MINISSALE & al., 2007).Small streams with fresh, fluent and well oxy-

genated waters, show the presence of Heloscia-dietum nodiflori. From a structural viewpoint, thisvegetation tends to form large, almost floatingclumps of Apium nodiflorum, together with seve-ral hygrophilous species, such as Nasturtium of-

ficinale, Plantago major subsp. intermedia, Ve-ronica anagallis-aquatica, Polypogon viridis,Persicaria laphatifolia, Mentha suaveolens, Pu-licaria dysenterica, etc.On the edge of the waterways Cirsio-Eupatorie-

tum cannabini grows. This association is quitecommon along streams or small watersheds andnormally occupies a narrow strip located betweenthe watercourse and the riparian wood. From astructural viewpoint, the vegetation is characterizedby many species of hygrophilous Molinio-Arrhe-nathereteaclass, such as Eupatorium cannabinum,Cirsium creticumsubsp. triumfetti, Mentha suave-olens, Hypericum hircinum subsp. majus, Juncusarticulatus, Dorycnium rectum, Epilobium hirsu-tum, Holoschoenus australis, Agrostis stolonifera,Lytrum junceum, Paspalum paspaloides. The small ponds, subjected to long periods of

submersion, rarely dry out during the summer,and are covered by a peculiar hygrophilous vege-tation, with therophytes having prostrate-ascen-ding habitus, including Juncus bufonius, Menthapulegium, Juncus hybridus, Polypogon mariti-mus, Lythrum hyssopifolia, etc. This is an amphi-bian annual community which prefers acidic soiland is found at altitudes above 600 metres. It hasa maximum expression in the summer-autumn


180LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Figure 5. –Woody vegetation with Quercus virgiliana (Erico-Quercetum virgilianae) near Mongiuffi-Melia.


181 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Table 7Plantago intermediae-Cyperetum fusci ass. nova

(Nanocyperion flavescentis, Nanocyperetalia, Isöeto-Nanojuncetea)

Area (m2) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1Cover (%) 90 85 90 90 90 85 90 95Exposure 3 3 - - 2 3 3 3Slope ° N N - - N N O OAltitude (m) 679 678 678 679 677 662 654 654 FreqRelevé N. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Characteristics:Plantago intermedia 1 2 2 1 + 3 . . 6Cyperus fuscus 3 2 2 2 4 3 3 2 8Characteristics of class and allianceJuncus bufonius 3 2 3 3 1 + 1 + 8Mentha pulegium 3 2 3 1 1 + 2 4 8Lythrum hyssopifolia 2 3 2 2 2 . + . 6Polypogon maritimus + + + + + + . . 6Juncus hybridus 1 + 1 + . 2 . . 5Lotus angustissimus . . . . . . + + 2Companions:Polypogon viridis 1 1 2 1 1 1 + + 8Juncus articulatus + 1 . . + + 1 + 6Trifolium resupinatum . . . . . + + + 3Samolus valerandi . . . . . + + . 2

Companions: Epilobium parviflorumand Eupatorium cannabinum+ in 1; Hypericum hircinumsubsp. majus+ in 4.Localities: 1-4: Monte Veneretta, 24.07.2011, holotypus ass. rel. 1; 5: Monte Veneretta, 10.10.2011; 6: Monte Ve-neretta, 11.08.2012; 7-8: Monte Lapa, 11.08.2012.

Figure 6. – Low-shrub vegetation with Phlomis fruticosa and Micromeria graeca subsp. consentina (Micromerioconsentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae) on limestone outcrops of M. Galfa, Quercus ilex on the top.

period, when the soil surfaces are still more orless moist, but not submerged. The presence ofCyperus fuscus and Plantago intermedia, is sig-nificant because they belonging to the Nanocype-retalia order, with a Central-European andAtlantic distribution while in the Mediterranean

regions penetrations are limited to mountainousareas (BRULLO & MINISSALE, 1998). For its flo-ristic peculiarity, this community is here proposedas a new association, named Plantago interme-diae-Cyperetum fusci (Table 7, holosyntypus:rel.1).


182LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Figure 7. –Perennial dry grassland plant communities with Ampelodesmos mauritanicus(M. Veneretta and M. Ziretto).

Figure 8. –Rupicolous vegetation with Lomelosia creticaand Colymbada tauromenitana (Erucastretum virgati sub-ass. centauretosum tauromenitani) on limestones outcrops of M. Lapa.

SINDYNAMIC FEATURES

The floristic composition of the plant commu-nities is the expression of several ecological fac-tors, such as the nature of the substrate, soil depth,climate and, in particular, meso- and micro-cli-matic conditions (RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ, 2005; MINIS-SALE & SCIANDRELLO, 2013). This is particularlyevident in the Taormina region where abiotic con-ditions vary depending on altitude and the expo-sure of slopes since the territory has a somewhatrough geomorphology with reliefs characterizedby steep, furrowed slopes with occasional deepincisions.Human activity overlaps with abiotic factors

to contribute strongly in the shaping of the lands-cape (Figure 7). This is evident in the study areawhere human influence has occurred with remar-kable intensity for more than two millennia, es-pecially by grazing, bushfires and timber loggingwhich has led to the emergence and spread of thedegradation of the natural vegetation (TOMASELLI& al., 2012). Only in the last few decades a par-tial change of land use has occurred. Two oppo-site trends can be observed: the abandonment ofcultivation over vast hilly areas which have pro-moted the recovery and reaffirmation of woody

vegetation; and intense urbanization of the coas-tal strip and around the town of Taormina, whichhas excluded any possibility of vegetation reco-very.The analysis of the dynamic relationships ob-

served between the various phytocoenoses detec-ted in the study area has allowed the identificationof a vegetation series, which, in agreement withRIVAS-MARTÍNEZ (2005), can be distinguished inthe climatophilous, edaphoxerophilous, and eda-phohygrophilous series and also the perma-series.The analysis of the vegetation series allows thepotential of plant communities, which make upthe current patchwork of landscape to be evalua-ted in order to plan environmental restoration orrecovery of the vegetation cover. The identifiedseries highlighting each step and the mature plantcommunities associated with them are describedbelow.

CLIMATOPHILOUS VEGETATION

Acidophilous ser ies of metamorphic substrates(Erico�arboreae-Querco�virgilianae�sigmetum)

In places with deep, well-drained soils, rangingfrom flat to more or less inclined, the climatophi-


183 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

Figure 9. –Riparian wood with Salix gussonei and Platanus orientalis(Platano-Salicetum gussonei) at base of M. Galfa.

lous vegetation is represented by Erico arboreae-Quercetum virgilianae. This series had been iden-tified for this territory by BAZAN & al. (2010)where they indicate the substrates acids of north-eastern Sicily at altitudes between 200 m and1200 m. In the territory examined, these thermo-philous woods represent the potential vegetationeven at altitudes close to sea level. They howeverremain allocated on the cooler and wet slopes onnorthern exposure.The degradation of these woodlands as a re-

sult of disturbances, such as bushfires and log-ging, determines the establishment of secondaryscrub with the dominance of Calicotome infestaand Cistus salviifolius, here referred to as Cistosalviifolii-Calicotometum infestae. The repeti-tion of bushfires determines the success of Am-pelodesmos mauritanicusgrasslands, referred toas Galio-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici, in deepsoil reaches and acidophilus arid grasslands re-lated to Loto conimbricensis-Tuberarietum plan-tagineae in places with strongly eroded surfacesoils.

Basophilous ser ies of sedimentary substrates(Oleo-Querco�virgilianae�sigmetum)

In the examined area, it was not possible to de-tect woodlands of deep soils derived from sedi-mentary carbonate rocks but only isolatedindividuals of Quercus virgiliana. In those fewareas with deep soils originated from sedimentaryrocks, it can be argued that bioclimatic conditionsfavour the deciduous oak forest related to Oleo-Quercetum virgilianae. These thermophilouswoods represent the vegetation potential on subs-trates not suitable for the acidophilous species.The degradation of this vegetation after distur-bances such as bushfires and logging has led tothe establishment of the secondary maquis repre-sented by Teucrio-Rhamnetum alaterni. The fre-quent occurance of bushfires has resulted in theemergence of grasslands with Ampelodesmosmauritanicus (Seselio-Ampelodesmetum mauri-tanici) in deep soil reaches, mixed with epheme-ral arid grasslands of Trachynion distachyae(Astragalo sesamaei-Medicaginetum rectae) wherethe soil is shallower.

EDAPHIC VEGETATION

Edaphomesophilous series of semirupestrian ma-quis (Bupleuro�fruticosi-Querco�ilicis�sigmetum)

This series is observed on the slopes androcky debris that occurs at the base of the limes-tone hills, such as Mount Veneretta, M. Lapa, M.Ziretto, and M. Galfa. These locations are sub-jected to humid currents that rise up from the Io-nian Sea. The head of the series is representedby Quercus ilex woody communities related toBupleuro fruticosae-Quercetum ilicis, whichnormally occurs from 500 m up to the highestaltitudes, although it could grow at lower altitu-des (300 m) when exposed to the north in na-rrow valleys. This vegetation, due to humandisturbance, is connected with various secon-dary aspects, as the low scrub of Micromerioconsentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae in rockywalls and arid locations, and Spartio juncei-Bu-pleuretum fruticosae in cooler rock stationsclose to watercourses. The start of the degrada-tion processes of these communities leads tothinning of the shrubs and this phenomenon fa-cilitates the establishment of other more resis-tant species to disturbances (Figure 6).The replacement of this vegetation with grass-

lands of Seselio-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici oc-curs at the highest altitudes, while on sunny loweraltitudes slopes Ferulo communi-Hyparrhenietumhirtaegrows. On shallow soil with rock outcrops,disturbances favour the establishment of epheme-ral grassland of the Stipo-Trachynietea distachyaeclass, such as Astragalus sesamaei-Medicagine-tum rectae from low altitudes up to 800 metresand lawns dominated by Trifolium subterraneum,referable to Poo bulbosae-Trifolietum subterraneiplantaginetosum serrariaeat the highest altitudesof less drained and more compact soils.

Edapho-hygrophylous geoser ies of r ivers andstreams (Platano-Salico�gussonei�geosigmetum)

The streams are affected by hygrophilouswoody vegetation, represented by Platano-Sali-cetum gussonei (Figure 9). This association in thePeloritani region is represented by two facies, the


184LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

first one with Plantanus orientalisof watercour-ses with greater scope, the second one with Fra-xinus ornus linked to small streams. Thisvegetation, due to various disturbances (fire,landfills, pollution, water captations, etc.) is re-placed by shrub formations ascribed to Roso-Ru-betum ulmifolii which normally forms the mantlepreforestal. The woody vegetation is normally as-sociated with hygrophylous herbaceous commu-nities, in relation to ecological factors that varyfrom the shore of the watercourse to inside thewater. In open areas with significant soil andwater availability, hydric herbaceous formationsof Cirsio-Eupatorietum cannabini are establishedwhile waterbanks characterized by a slow but ste-ady water flow are populated by Helosciadietumnodiflori. The edges of small streams at higher al-titudes are populated by amphibian communitiesof Cyperus fuscus related to Plantago interme-diae-Cyperetum fusci.

PERMASERIES

Chasmophilous permaser ies of cliffs (Erucas-tro�virgati�permasigmetum,�Limonio�ionici�per-masigmetum)

The limestone cliffs, at altitudes ranging from50 m and 1000 m above sea level, are populatedby chasmophilous vegetation ascribed to Erucas-tretum virgati, by phytocoenosis up to 800 m anddominated by Colymbada tauromenitana, whileat higher altitudes it is replaced by Dianthus si-culus. This community is mixed with microphyticchasmophilous vegetation of Sedo dasyphilli-Cheilanthetum maderensisand Sedo albi-Cosen-tinietum velleae localized in small crevices of thecliffs and with the comophilous community ofPolypodietum serratae, found on small rockycrags. It is also in contact with the stain rock ofEuphorbietum dendroidis, localized on walls andnot so steep slopes with aspects of the series ofBupleuro-Quercetum ilicis (Figure 8). Frequently, the outcrop of aquifers, through the

phenomena of dripping, favours the growth ofEucladio-Adiantetum. On rocky coasts, the per-maseries is instead characterized by Limonietumionici.

Semirupestr ian maquis (Euphorbio�dendroidispermasigmetum)

On the more or less inclined and sunny limes-tone cliffs, the climax vegetation is representedby the maquis of Euphorbietum dendroidis. Itusually occurs from sea level up to altitudes of600 m on very sunny slopes, otherwise the holmoak series takes over. On the whole, it is quite re-sistant to human activities: only when the distur-bance is very intense is this shrub communityreplaced by sparse grassland of Hyparrheniahirta. The increase of nitrophilous conditionsleads to the onset of vegetation with Artemisia ar-borescens in which some invasive species are fre-quent such as Opuntia ficus-indica, Lantanacamara, Rhus coriaria, etc.

CONCLUSIONS

The framework of the vegetation so far outli-ned has highlighted the great diversity of the plantlandscape. It is characterized by a climatophilousseries of metamorphic substrates and another lesscommon one of limestone substrates. The latteris characterized by several edaphic series reflec-ting not only the articulated geomorphology butalso the climatic conditions, which are subjectedto significant changes especially in relation to al-titudinal gradient and exposure. This biodiversity should be protected and ma-

naged with targeted actions (SCIANDRELLO& TO-MASELLI, 2011; GIANGUZZI & al., 2010). In thisregard, it should be highlighted that the studiedarea, for a large part, falls into Sites of Commu-nity Importance, a system of protected areas forwhich conservation measures are not only appro-priate but required by management plans for Na-tura 2000 sites and recently approved by theRegional authority of Sicily (PAVONE & al.,2007). Nowadays, the main threat to the area is exces-

sive, uncontrolled bushfires and pastoral activityconnected with it. Grazing following bushfirespromotes, on the one hand, the development anddissemination of ephemeral spring lawns and pe-rennial grasslands while, on the other, results in


185 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

the elimination of the more mature communitiesrepresented by the maquis or the wood. The resultis a drastic reduction of the woodland cover, anaccelerated erosion processes and an overall lossof biodiversity value, etc. Therefore, the mainconservation measures of the flora and plant com-munities should be targeted especially to the re-gulation of grazing and, above all, a preventiveprogram regarding summer bushfires. In general,the establishment of processes to promote the de-velopment of economic activities compatible withthe conservation objectives of the area should beset in place. Identifying actions to enhance com-

munication and increase awareness and kno-wledge about environmental habitats should alsobe carried out. Finally, in order to better preservethis precious natural landscape, it would be des-irable to establish a Nature Reserve through a ma-naging body qualified to protect this biodiversityhot spot.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank anonymous referees for theirvaluable suggestions.


186LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

SYNTAXONOMIC SCHEME

CLIMATOPHILOUS VEGETATION

QUERCETEA ILICISBr.-Bl. ex A. & O. Bolòs 1950Quercetalia calliprini Zohary ex Quézel et al. 1992Oleo sylvestris-Ceratonion siliquaeBr.-Bl. ex Guinochet & Drouineau 1944 em. Rivas-Martínez1975Euphorbietum dendroidisGuinochet in Guinochet & Drounieau 1944Teucrio fruticantis-Rhamnetum alaterni Brullo, Minissale, Scelsi & Spampinato 1993Cisto salviifolii-Calicotometum infestae ass. nova hoc locoMicromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae ass. nova hoc locoMicromerio consentinae-Phlomidetum fruticosae odontidetosum bocconei subass. nova

Quercetalia ilicisBr.-Bl. ex Molinier 1934 em. Rivas-Martínez 1975Quercion ilicisBr.-Bl. ex Molinier 1934 Bupleuro fruticosi-Quercetum ilicis ass. nova hoc locoOleo-Quercetum virgilianaeBrullo 1984Erico arboreae-Quercion ilicisBrullo, Di Martino & Marcenò 1977Erico arboreae-Quercetum virgilianaeBrullo & Marcenò 1985

PERENNIAL AND ANNUAL DRY GRASSLAND

LYGEO-STIPETEARivas-Martínez 1978HyparrhenietaliaRivas-Martínez 1978Avenulo-Ampelodesmion mauritanici Minissale 1995Galio aetnici-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici Minissale 1995Seselio tortuosi-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici Minissale 1995Hyparrhenion hirtaeBr.-Bl., P. Silva & Rozeira 1956Ferulo communis-Hyparrhenietum hirtaeBrullo & Siracusa 1996Arundion collinaeBrullo, Giusso, Guarino & Sciandrello 2010Euphorbio ceratocarpae-Arundinetum collinaeBrullo, Giusso, Guarino & Sciandrello 2010Aristido caerulescentis-Hyparrhenion hirtaeBrullo, Scelsi & Spampinato 1997Cenchro ciliaris-Hyparrhenietum hirtaeWildpret & Rodriquez in Rivas-Martínez & al. 1993


187 LAZAROA 34:�151-190.�2013

ONOPORDETEA ACANTHII Br.-Bl.1964Carthametalia lanati Brullo in Brullo & Marcenò 1985Silybo-UrticionSissing ex Br.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1958Cynara cardunculuscomm.

POETEA BULBOSAERivas Goday & Rivas-Martínez in Rivas-Martínez 1978Poetalia bulbosaeRivas Goday & Rivas-Martínez in Rivas Goday & Ladero 1970Trifolio subterranei-PeriballionRivas Goday 1964 Poo bulbosae-Trifolietum subterranei Rivas Goday 1964 plantaginetosum serrariae subass. nova

TUBERARIETEA GUTTATAE (Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. & al. 1952) Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martínez 1963Tuberarietalia guttataeBr.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. & Wagner 1940Tuberarion guttataeBr.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. & Wagner 1940Loto conimbricensis-Tuberarietum plantagineae ass. nova hoc loco

STIPO-TRACHYNIETEA DISTACHYAE Brullo in Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato 2001Trachynietalia distachyaeRivas-Martínez 1978Trachynion distachyaeRivas-Martínez 1978Astragalo sesamaei-Medicaginetum rectae ass. nova

CLIFF VEGETATION

ASPLENIETEA TRICHOMANIS (Br.-Bl. in Meier & Br.-Bl. 1934) Oberd. 1977Asplenietalia glandulosi Br.-Bl. in Meier & Br.-Bl. 1934Dianthion rupicolaeBrullo & Marcenò 1979Erucastretum virgati Brullo & Marcenò 1979 subass. typicumsubass. centauretosum tauromenitani Pirola ex Brullo & Marcenò 1979

Cheilanthetalia maranto-maderensisSáenz de Rivas & Rivas-Martínez 1979Phagnalo saxatilis-Cheilanthion maderensisLoisel 1970 corr. Pérez-Carro & al. 1989Sedo dasyphilli-Cheilanthetum maderensis ass. nova hoc locoSedo albi-Cosentinietum velleae ass. nova hoc loco

Tortulo-CymbalarietaliaSegal 1969Parietarion judaicaeSegal 1969Capparietum rupestrisO. Bolòs & Molinier 1958

ANOMODONTO-POLYPODIETEARivas-Mart. 1975Anomodonto-Polypodietalia serrati O. Bolòs & Vives in O. Bolòs 1957Polypodion serrati Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl., Roussine & Négre 1952Polypodietum serrati Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl., Roussine & Négre 1952

CRITHMO-LIMONIETEA Br.-Bl. in Br- Bl., Roussine & Nègre1952Crithmo-LimonietaliaMolinier 1934Crithmo-LimonionMolinier 1934Limonietum jonici Bartolo & Brullo 1993

ADIANTETEA Bl.-Bl. 1948AdiantetaliaBr.-Bl. ex Horvatic 1934AdiantionBr.-Bl. ex Horvatic 1934Eucladio-Adiantetum capilli-venerisBr.-Bl. ex Horvatic 1934


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HYGROPHILOUS VEGETATION

SALICI PRUPUREAE-POPULETEA NIGRAE (Rivas-Mart. et Cantó ex Rivas-Mart. et al. 1991) Rivas-Mart.et Cantó in Rivas-Mart. et al. 2002 Populetalia albaeBr.-Bl. ex Tchou Yen Tchen 1948Platanion orientalis I. Kárpáti & V. Kárpáti 1961Platano-Salicetum gussonei Brullo & Spampinato 1990 subass. platanetosumBrullo & Spampinato 1990subass. fraxinetosum orni subass. nova hoc loco

NERIO-TAMARICETEA Br.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1958TamaricetaliaBr.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1958Rubo ulmifolii-Nerion oleandri O. Bolòs 1985Rubo ulmifolii-Nerietum oleandri Bolòs 1956 subass. hypericetosum maioris subass. nova hoc loco

RHAMNO-PRUNETEARivas Goday & Borja ex Tüxen 1962Prunetalia spinosaeTüxen 1952Pruno-Rubion ulmifolii O. Bolòs 1954Roso sempervirentis-Rubetum ulmifolii Blasi, Di Pietro & Fortini 2000Spartio juncei-Bupleuretum fruticosi Raimondo & Ilardi 2009

PHRAGMITO-MAGNO-CARICETEA Klika in Klika & Novák 1941Nasturtio-GlycerietaliaPignatti 1953Nasturtion officinalisGéhu & Géhu-Franck 1987Helosciadietum nodiflori Maire 1924

MOLINIO-ARRHENATHERETEA Tx.1937Plantaginetalia majorisTx. & Preising in Tx. 1950Mentho-Juncion inflexi De Foucault 1984Cirsio-Eupatorietum cannabini Brullo & Spampinato 1990

ISOETO-NANOJUNCETEA Br.-Bl. & Tx. ex Br.-Bl., Roussine et Nègre 1952NanocyperetaliaKlika 1935NanocyperionKoch 1926 Plantago intermediae-Cyperetum fusci ass. nova hoc loco

Angius, R. & Bacchetta, G. —2009— Boschi e boscaglieripariali del Sulcis-Iglesiente (Sardegna sud-occidentale,Italia) — Braun-Blanquetia 45: 3-62.

Bazan, G., Brullo, S., Raimondo, F.M. & Schicchi, R. —2010— Le serie di vegetazione della regione Sicilia —In: Blasi, C. (Ed.). La vegetazione d’ Italia. Pp. 428-469.Palombi Editori, Roma.

Biondi, E. —2011— Phytosociology today: Methodologicaland conceptual evolution — Plant Biosyst. 145: 19-29.

Biondi, E. & Guerra, V. —2008— Vegetazione e paesaggio

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Blasi, C., Di Pietro R., & Fortini P. —2000— A phytoso-ciological analysis of abandoned terraced olive groveshrublands in the Tyrrhenian district of Central Italy —Plant Biosyst. 134 (3): 305-331.

Blasi, C., Marignani, M., Copiz, R., Fipaldini, M., Bonac-quisti, S., Del Vico, E., Rosati, L. & Zavattero, L. —2011— Important Plant Areas in Italy: From data tomapping — Biol. Conserv. 144 (1): 220-226.

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Received: 21 February 2013Accepted: 23 May 2013

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