abstract

The phytosociological study of the forest vegetation of the Abeti Soprani area (Alto Molise, southern Apennine). The phytosociological study of the forest vegetation of the Abeti Soprani in the territory of the mountain community of Alto Molise, within the SIC (IT7218215), has allowed the individuation of three vegetation typologies. These substitute for each other along an altitude gradient from 1150 m asl to 1550 m asl, according to the substrata, the morphology and the bioclimatic conditions. In particular, three associations have been identified, of Turkey oak, fir, and beech woods. The Turkey oak wood has been included in the association Aremonio agrimonioidis-Quercetum cerridis, which has already been described for the mesophilous submontane Turkey oak woods of High Molise, which is part of the eastern alliance Erythronio dentis-canis-Carpinion betuli, of the Apennine suballiance Pulmonario apenninae-Carpinenion betuli. The fir wood, which is found in the low supratemperate bioclimate belt on a subplain or slightly sloping morphology and in hydromorphic soils, has been included in the new association Pulmonario apenninae-Abietetum albae, while the microthermal beech wood that is found at higher altitudes on steeper slopes in calcareous and calcareo-marl substrata that is sometimes superficial, has been included in the new association Luzulo siculae-Fagetum sylvaticae. Both the fir wood and the beech wood have been included in the southern Italy alliance of Geranio versicoloris-Fagion sylvaticae.

keywords

beech wood, fir wood, Molise, southern Italy, turkey oak wood