abstract

We present here a case study of the application of vegetational and geomorphological analyses as good methodology for the identification of habitats according to Directive 92/43/CEE. ThIS study relates to a biotope known as “Pian delle Melette”, which is included in SICIT5210066 “Media Val Casana (Monti Coscerno-Civitella)”, and it is realised through an integrated geomorphological and phytosociological approach. The results of this study have allowed its high phytocoenotic diversity to be revealed, which distinguishes this small biotope and increases the knowledge of this Site of Community Importance, recognising two habitats of community interest that have not been described in the previous habitat 6510 “Lowland hay meadows (<i>Alopecurus pratensis</i>, <i>Sanguisorba officinalis</i>)” represented by the associations: <i>Ranunculo neapolitani-Arrhenatheretum elatioris</i> subass. ranunculetosum velutini and <i>Centaureo neapolitanae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris</i> ass. nova hoc. loco and the habitat 91LO “Illyrian oak-hornbeam forests (<i>Erythronio-Carpinion</i>)” with <i>Acer pseudoplatanus</i> and <i>Allium ursinum</i> community. The analyses carried out are, moreover, to be considered of fundamental importance in that they identify the dynamic and chain relationships between the various communities that are fundamental elements for the conservation phase of the whole system through informed management, such that it can take into account the patterns of the communities in the area investigated. It is on this basis that it is necessary to plan the conservational management of these habitats and of the entire landscape that these define.

keywords

phytosociology, geomorphology, habitat conservation, vegetal landscape, vegetation, Natura 2000 network