abstract

In Lombardy, boreal-like conifer forests are widespread on the whole alpine chain, particularly in the central Raethian Alps with continental climate and, on a lesser extent, in the Lepontine Alps with oceanic climate and in the peripheral chains with intermediate climatic traits (Orobian Alps, Camonica Valley, Pre-Alps). The average yearly rainfall can exceed 2000 mm in the Lepontine Alps, while it falls below 1000 mm in the inner Rhaetian Alps. The bedrock consists mainly in siliceous rocks.
In the present work, the main forest communities have been outlined on the basis of 253 relevés, analysed by multivariate analyses and by the comparison with the main syntaxonomic schemes found in literature. The described communities can be related to the main biogeographical and ecological domains of Lombardy. Communities belonging to Piceetalia excelsae Pawl. in Pawl. et al. 1928 can be observed on acidic, oligotrophic soils. The alliance Piceion excelsae Pawl. in Pawl. et al. 1928 is divided into two suballiances: the first (Vaccinio-Piceenion Oberd. 1957) includes the subalpine forests of the continental inner Alps; the second (Vaccinio-Abietenion Oberd. 1962) the upper montane and subalpine forests belonging to the oceanic domains (e.g. Lepontine and Orobian Alps)

keywords

Alps, coniferous forests, Lombardy, Piceetalia excelsae, vegetation