Fitosociologia 44 (2) S1 2007

S. Rivas-Martínez

Presidente de la “International Federation of Phytosociologie”

Professor emerito de la “Universidad Complutense” de Madrid

Centro de Investigaciones Fitosociologicas Jose Maria Usandizaga 46 Los Negrales (C. Villalba), E-28409 Madrid; e-mail: rivas-martinez.cif@tsai.es

Short notes on the Habitat Directive in Spain. A short comment about Habitat Directive in Spain is here presented. The history of its activation in Spain is described, the aims are indicated and the future perspectives are outlined.

J. Loidi¹, M. Ortega² & O. Orrantia ³

¹Dept. of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country, Ap. 644, E-48080 Bilbao (Spain); e-mail: javier.loidi@ehu.es

²Dept. of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology. University of the Basque Country, Ap. 644, E-48080 Bilbao (Spain)

³CIMAS Av. Madariaga 1-3o, E-48014 Bilbao (Spain)

One decade and a half after being proclaimed, the Habitat Directive has been largely implemented in most of the EU member states under various approaches and with different degrees of intensity. The high contribution to European biodiversity provided by the Spanish territories, along with extensive mountainous areas with low population densities and the engagement in safeguarding biological and ecological patrimony exhibited by a large part of the society and its governments have led to the design of a vast Natura-2000 network in Spain. At present, it includes 23.6% of the national territories which represent 24.7% of total EU network and the proportion of Annex I habitats types incorporated to protected areas embody 30.22% when referred to the total existing in the country. Under these circumstances, naturalistic evaluation appears as an important task for vegetation scientists and some criteria and scales are commented. In this sense undertaking the development of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) schemes, where landowners collaborating to environmental welfare will be rewarded with money, becomes a viable contrivance to political managers.

A. Asensi & B. Díez-Garretas

Departamento de Biología Vegetal (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias, E-29080 Málaga; e-mail: asensi@uma.es

Cartography and conservation state of the natural and seminatural habitat in the Natural Park of The Strait (Cadiz, Spain). In the “Spanish strategy for the biodiversity conservation” there is a special reference to the natural and seminatural habitat of Spain as one of the major importance elements. The Autonomous Community of Andalusia is developing detailed cartography projects to scale 1:5000 of the habitat in natural protected spaces. The characterization and systematizing expressed across the Corine program is inspired in the phytosociological classification of plant communities developed in Europe.
The report that accompanies the cartography, has together information about the floristical and structural composition of the vegetation, evaluation pattern, state of conservation, risk prevention and impact characterization.
We present the used methodology and the results obtained in the cartography of the habitat in the Natural Park of The Strait (Cadiz, Spain).

J.C. Costa¹, T. Monteiro-Henriques¹, C. Neto², P. Arsénio¹ & C. Aguiar ³

¹Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Technical University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda 1300-017 Lisboa, Portugal; e-mail: jccosta @isa.utl.pt; tmh@isa.utl.pt; arseniop@isa.utl.pt

²Dept. Geography, University of Lisbon, Alameda da Universidade 1600-214, Lisboa, Portugal; e-mail: carlosneto@fl.ul.pt

³Escola Superior Agrária de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Apartado 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal; e-mail: cfaguiar@ipb.pt

A succinct review of the application of the Habitats Directive in Portugal is presented. Since 1971 until 2000 Portugal has defined approximately 8,8% of its territory as national protected areas. With the application of the Habitats Directive nature conservation policies extended to more than 17,4 % of the territory increasing by 98% and the knowledge on vegetation community’s habitats was certainly deepened. Including special protection areas (Birds Directive) the Portuguese territory under one or more conservation status totals 21,5%. Finally, the support given by the Portuguese Phytosociology Association – ALFA in the detailed description of the Directive habitats is divulged, showing the importance, usefulness and efficacy of phytosociologic studies.

C. Neto¹, J. C. Costa², J. Honrado³ & J. Capelo¹

¹Dept. Geography, University of Lisbon, Alameda da Universidade, 1600-214 Lisboa, Portugal; e-mail: carlosneto@fl.ul.pt

²Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Technical University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda 1300-017 Lisboa, Portugal; e-mail: jccosta @isa.utl.pt

³Faculdade de Ciências do Porto, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto, Portugal; e-mail: jhonrado@fc.up.pt

⁴National Forest Research Station, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-150 Oeiras, Portugal; e-mail: jorge.capelo@efn.com.pt

The Portuguese coastline is quite long and the littoral ecosystems are of the outmost importance in the context of the national flora and vegetation. The diversity of vegetation types and the endemicity of their flora justify the attention paid to coastal habitats in the implementation of the Natura 2000 network. In this paper we present a synatoxonomical revision of the phanerophytic, chamaephytic and hemicryptophytic communities occurring in the sandy coastal areas of Portugal, together with their correspondence to the “Natura 2000” natural habitat types. The production of synthetic tables with all available relevés has allowed the segregation of plant community types. We also include maps concerning the distribution of all validated vegetation types occurring in the Portuguese sandy coastal areas.

J. S. Rodwell¹, V. Morgan², R.G Jefferson³ & D. Moss⁴

¹European Vegetation Survey, 7 Derwent Road, Lancaster LA1 3ES, UK

²Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, Peterborough PE1 1JY, UK

³Natural England, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 1UA, UK

⁴Dorian Ecological Information, Old Buck House, Buck Yard, Helhoughton, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7BW, UK

In the UK there are 76 Annex I habitats, including 23 priority types, and a total of 613 SACs have been designated covering over 25,000 km2 or 6.5% of the land surface. There is an interpretation manual which provides a modular description of the habitat, a summary of the vegetation types included using a standard phytosociologcial scheme for the country, information about environmental relationships, extent and the rationale for selecting sites. Using examples from a variety of UK grassland types of wider relevance across Europe, this paper examines the quality of definition of the habitats and the extent of their designation within Natura 2000. Details are also given of the UK monitoring programme and some difficulties of defining ‘favourable condition’ are reviewed.

A. La Posta, E. Duprè, A.M. Maggiore & N. Tartaglini

Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare – Direzione per la Protezione della Natura; e-mail: laposta.alessandro@minambiente.it; dupre.eugenio@minambiente.it; maggiore.annamaria@minambiente.it; tartaglini.nicoletta@minambiente.it

Natura 2000 Network in Italy: monitoring and management for biodiversity conservation. The Italian Natura 2000 network includes 2283 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 589 Special Protection Areas (SPA), covering about 20% of the country, divided into the three biogeographical regions Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean. The Italian contribution to the conservation of the 130 habitats types belonging to the nine natural and semi-natural habitat categories (annex I Directive 92/43/EEC “Habitat”) is presented: within these categories the most represented are forest and grasslands. The aim to achieve and to maintain a Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) for habitat end species of community interest is a priority objective of the EU and Italy, as set out by the Habitat Directive and in order to meet the Global 2010 Target “halt Biodiversity Loss within 2010” (European Council, Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD). Therefore the recent Ministerial Decree on minimal uniform criteria to define conservation measures for Special Areas Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) is crucial for local authorities involved in the management of Natura 2000 sites. Referring to the management and monitoring of Natura 2000 sites, the support of botanical studies will have a crucial role in the next future, in order to reach an agreed interpretation guide of the habitats of community interest and to define a FCS for the habitats and species of community interest.

C. Blasi, M. Marignani & R. Copiz

Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, Università “La Sapienza” di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, I-00185 Roma; e-mail: blasilab@uniroma1.it

The aim of the Important Plant Areas programme is to identify a network of the best sites for plant conservation throughout Europe. The programme is a mean of identifying and protecting the most important sites for wild plant (higher, lower plants, algae, lichens and fungi) and habitats. Three basic principles lead the IPA identification: criterion A, focusing on species contribution; criterion B, enhancing the importance of rich flora in a European context in relation to its biogeographic zone; criterion C, concentrating on the habitat of global or European plant conservation and botanical importance. We present the metodological approach to adapt the IPA programme to the Italian situation.

L. Rosati, M. Marignani & C. Blasi

Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5 – 00185 Roma; e-mail: leo.ros@libero.it 

Natura 2000 network Gap analysis in Italy. Protected Areas (PAs) are recognized as the most important core ‘units’ for in situ conservation. In spite of this, many studies have demonstrated that the existing PAs system often does not represent and protect the biodiversity of a region. Gap analysis methods are widely applied and documented as useful instruments to identify elements that need further protection. In this context, we introduce the concepts of potentiality of a territory using Potential Natural Vegetation mapping for conservation prioritization. A Gap analysis of Natura 2000 network in Itay was performed to evaluate the representativeness of the Potential Natural Vegetation types. In this context, the PNV map, reflecting the diversity and spatial arrangement of the natural terrestrial ecosystems, can be considered as an appropriate proxy of environmental and biogeographical diversity of Italy. The map was compiled by a panel of regional experts from throughout Italy and produced at a scale of 1:250.000. The construction of the potential vegetation map was based on existing remnants of natural ecosystem and their relation to specific abiotic site condition integrated in a hierarchical land classification approach. The adopted conservation target considered that any PNV included for less than the 10% in the Protected Area was defined as a Gap in the system. Results show that more than 32 % of PNV types recognised on the Italian territory are not protected by Natura 2000 network. The proposed PNV approach can help guiding decisions on where and how to spend scarce conservation management resources.

L. Poldini¹, M. Vidali¹, G. Oriolo² & M. Tomasella¹

¹Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 10, I-34127 Trieste; e-mail: poldini@units.it

²Località Basovizza, 16, I-34012 Trieste

Manual of Friuli Venezia Giulia habitats, environmental evaluations and ecological risks: theoretical approach. In this paper we study the theoretical aspects that brings to development of the Manual of Friuli Venezia Giulia habitats and of a method for the ecological and environmental evaluation of species and habitats and their risk (sensibility). This method was done by means on intrinsic variables coming from flora and vegetation and joining to these extrinsic variables as international, national and regional laws (EsAmbI method).

M. Tomasella¹, L. Poldini¹, M. Vidali¹ & G. Oriolo²

¹Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste; e-mail: michela.tomasella@gmail.com

²Località Basovizza 16, I-34012 Trieste

Manual of Friuli Venezia Giulia habitats, environmental evaluations and ecological risks: Data bases, reports and cartography. The manual of Friuli Venezia Giulia habitats represents an useful cognitive tool both in subject of evaluation and of territorial planning. The application of the methodological and theoretical principles that have brought to the realization of the Manual of the habitats and the evaluations of merit and sensibility develops in three phases: the preparation of a bibliographic Data Base and an habitats Data base, the graphic “report” of habitats and the realization of the cartography of the habitats.

G. Buffa, G. Fruscalzo, D. Mion & G. Sburlino

Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campo Celestia 2737b, I-30122 Venezia; e-mail: buffag@unive.it 

Nel 2002 la Regione Veneto, in collaborazione con le Università di Venezia e Parma, ha avviato una sperimentazione per la definizione di una metodologia per lo snellimento delle procedure relative alla valutazione di incidenza. La metodologia elaborata prevede l’utilizzo di un set di indicatori inerente a: Vulnerabilità ecologica, Pressione antropica e Pregio Ecologico. Gli indicatori utilizzati fanno riferimento sia a caratteristiche spaziali dei poligoni (dimensione, forma, posizione ecc.), sia alle loro proprietà ecologiche (naturalità, rappresentatività, grado di conservazione, ecc.).

N. Merloni

Piazza A.Costa, 15, I-48015 Cervia (RA); e-mail: nmerloni@global-italy.net

Habitats of Community interest (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) in the Natural Reserve of Sacca di Bellocchio (Ravenna and Ferrara Provinces). Vegetal communities of the littoral saltmarsh Sacca di Bellocchio (Ravenna and Ferrara provinces), recently surveyed in order to verify the possible changes in comparison with the regional cartography of the 1999, have been analyzed and classifyed following the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats – EUR 27 July 2007. The following habitats have been recognized: 1150*- Coastal lagoons; 1210 – Annual vegetation of drift lines; 1310 – Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand; 1320 – Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae); 1410 – Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi); 1420 – Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi); 2120 – Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes). Furthermore a syntaxonomical scheme of the detected communities is reported.

E. Biondi¹, A. Catorci², M. Pandolfi³, S. Casavecchia¹, S. Pesaresi¹, S. Galassi¹, M. Pinzi¹, A. Vitanzi², E. Angelini¹,
M. Bianchelli¹, S. Cesaretti², M. Foglia², R. Gatti², F. Morelli³, L. Paradisi¹, F. Ventrone¹ & C. Zabaglia⁴

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce bianche, I-60131 Ancona; e-mail: e.biondi@univpm.it

²Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia, Università di Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I-62032 Camerino (MC); e-mail: andrea.catorci@unicam.it

³Istituto di Scienze Morfologiche, Laboratorio di Zoologia e Conservazione, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, via M. Oddi 23, I-61029 Urbino

⁴Regione Marche, Giunta Regionale, Sezione Servizio Ambiente e Paesaggio, P.S. “Tutela degli animali e rete ecologica regionale”, via Tiziano 44, I-60131 Ancona

Viene presentato il progetto di Rete Ecologica Marchigiana (R.E.M.), per la conservazione della Biodiversità del territorio regionale. Della rete fanno
attualmente parte n. 80 S.I.C. e n. 29 ZPS, pari rispettivamente al 10,2 % e al 13,5% del territorio regionale. Per il rilevamento e il monitoraggio di
queste aree della Rete Natura 2000 è stato allestito uno specifico processo metodologico. La struttura complessa, indicata in uno specifico diagramma,
evidenzia il tentativo di massimizzare l’integrazione dei dati di natura biologica (flora, vegetazione, fauna) e fisica (geomorfologia, clima).
La serie di dati provenienti dalle rilevazioni cartografiche e dalle altre ricerche condotte sul terreno è stata inserita nel SIT (Sistema Informativo
Territoriale). Ciò ha richiesto la costruzione di un database geografico relazionale che permettesse di rendere fruibile l’insieme dei dati analitici e le
elaborazioni cartografiche.
Nelle conclusioni si enfatizza come la metodologia utilizzata permetta di conoscere approfonditamente la biodiversità di un territorio e di come ne
consenta il monitoraggio nel tempo e permetta di realizzare oculate scelte gestionali e pianificatorie.

A. Catorci¹, E. Biondi², S. Casavecchia², S. Pesaresi², A. Vitanzi¹, A. Foglia¹, S. Galassi², M. Pinzi², E. Angelini², M. Bianchelli², F. Ventrone², S. Cesaretti¹ & R. Gatti¹

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia, Università di Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I-62032 Camerino (MC); e-mail: alessandra.vitanzi@unicam.it

²Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce bianche, 60131 Ancona 

Vegetational and geosinphytosociological maps of Marche Region for ecological regional network planning and management. A study regards 2 maps about actual vegetation and geosinphytosociological aspects of Marche Region territory is showed. This maps are carried out inside regional Ecological Network Project started by Biodiversity and Ecological Network Office at the end of 2003. Besides some possible applications are proposed.

M. Pandolfi¹, E. Biondi², A. Catorci³,  F. Morelli¹ & C. Zabaglia⁴

¹Laboratorio di Zoologia e Conservazione, Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, via Oddi 21 (61029) Urbino

²Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzione Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona

³Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali, Sezione Botanica ed Ecologia, Università di Camerino

⁴Posizione di Progetto “Biodiversità e Rete Ecologica Regionale” Regione Marche, Dipartimento Territorio e Ambiente

A model for integrating the habitat requirements of threatened animal species and the physionomical structure of vegetation of the territory applied to the building of the Ecological Network in Marches region (Italy). The extreme difficulty in relating data on the presence, diffusion and dispersion of the populations of middle- and large-sized vertebrates and the heterogeneity of the ecological structure (habitat) of the territory is evident in the scientific literature. Studies on vegetation have produced very plausible and effective models, and maps of the different vegetation typologies distribution, according to middle-long term variables, which can be well represented by means of cartography. On the contrary, the ability of “mobility and contemporary use of several habitat”, which is typical of birds and mammals, does not allow to characterize easily and exactly the spatial distribution of the populations of the different species. Furthermore, the variability of the models of animal diffusion and dispersion (phylopatry and migration) does not allow producing univocal and reliable cartographic representations, except for populations homogeneously distributed in stable and wide natural habitats. However, the millenary anthropic action has generally led in Europe and also in Italy to an increasing fragmentation of the territory and the habitats. This fact calls into question also the hypotheses on the potential faunistic distribution, which are regrettably widely used with lack of thought. We have wondered how to characterize single animal species, birds in this case, in relation to the use that they make of the habitats in their phenological moments (breeding, feeding, resting and migration), which are basic for the survival and conservation of the population. The goal of this work has been the integration of the wide and reliable information available in the scientific literature on the various species, concerning their reproductive and alimentary habitat and microhabitat selection, and the connection of these data, by means a GIS system, to the real distribution of vegetation (represented by phytosociological method), to the real land use and the structural and physionomical features of the whole vegetation typologies of the territory. Several surveys carried out in 2004- 2005 on the presence and distribution of the species in SIC and ZPS have allowed to realize a cartographic representation of the real distribution of the species of community interest, and relate it to the change and the variability of the habitats. This methodology also allows also to realize reliable maps of the potential distribution of bird species, because they are connected to the real use of the present habitats and to the specific ecological and ethological features (dispersion models included) of the various species of the existing community.

F. Morelli¹, M. Pandolfi¹, S. Pesaresi² & E. Biondi²

¹Istituto di Scienze Morfologiche, Laboratorio di Zoologia e Conservazione, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, via M. Oddi 23, I-61029 Urbino

²Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzione Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via brecce bianche, I-60131 Ancona 

Using monitoring data and habitat variables to model the distribution of bird species in the Marches region (Italy). During the last century several populations of birds in Europe have severely decreased, which has been explained with habitat modifications and common use of intensive agriculture. The often rapid changes of the ecosystems can cause the loss of several animal species even in few years, and the reduction of species diversity is currently considered one of the greatest ecological problems on a worldwide scale. Therefore, understanding the relations between the habitat variables and the animal communities that use them for breeding, feeding or taking refuge is of the highest importance. In this study we have used the data collected in 2004-2005 from monitoring campaignes of 36 bird species: these form a basic knowledge of the species distribution on a regional scale, and have allowed to realize maps elaboration integrating the vegetation physionomy and structure in the study areas, which are all included in SIC and ZPS of the Marches region. A model of spatial species distribution and of prediction of the suitable habitat for each species has been obtained by means of regression analysis, statistical models and GIS analysis. The model is based on the study of 185 atlas cells (1 km square), all of which have been characterized for presence/absence of bird species, vegetation typologies richness, type of the vegetation covering, edge density (as a fragmentation measure), road density and building density. Maps of the real and potential distribution of each species have been obtained: the species potential presence in every unity is associated with a probability value. Suitable habitat maps for each species have also been realized. This distribution model can be used to locate sites of species potential occurrence (for future monitoring), or even habitats which should be especially considered for conservation because ecologically important for the species of interest. The model may also help to develop plans and management strategies for preserving the functionality of the ecosystems.

M. Allegrezza¹, S. Ballelli² & F. Giammarchi¹

¹Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali e Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona

²Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali, Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia, Università degli Studi di Camerino, via Pontoni, I-62032 Camerino (MC)

The Habitats of Community interest on the mountain group of the Valle della Corte (Laga Mountains – central Apennine). The phytosociological study of the vegetation on the Mountain group of the Valle della Corte (Laga Mountains), allowed to increase the knowledge on the Habitats of Community interest and/or priority, here present. Between the numerous associations recognized by the present research, the following ones are particularly interesting: Solidagini-Fagetum sylvaticae (habitat *9210) the forest of beech of the upper supratemperate belt, Carici kitaibelianae-Elynetum myosuroidis (habitat 6170) not indicated for Marche region, Seslerio nitidae-Brometum erecti (habitat *6210), Astragalo sempervirentis-Seslerietum nitidaeTaraxaco-Trifolietum thalii (habitat *6230) are not recognized for arenaceous substrata of the Laga Mountains. Furthermore, many interesting species have been recognized: Kobresia myosuroides, not indicated in the Marche region, Anemone narcissiflora, Scorzonera aristata and Trollius europaeus subsp. europaeus, that are here confirmed, finally Gymnocarpium dryopteris, having a particular biogeographical value.

D. Gigante, F. Maneli & R. Venanzoni

Dipartimento di Biologia vegetale e Biotecnologie agroambientali e zootecniche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, borgo XX giugno, 74, I-06121 Perugia; e-mail: daniela.gigante@unipg.it

Vengono qui trattati alcuni aspetti metodologici inerenti la componente floristico-vegetazionale di alcuni Siti Natura 2000 in Umbria, oggetto di studio nell’ambito della realizzazione dei Piani di Gestione. In particolare si affrontano gli aspetti emersi nel corso della stesura dei Quadri Conoscitivo ed Analitico. Sono inoltre evidenziate alcune problematiche di interpretazione di Habitat dell’Italia centrale che non presentano una chiara corrispondenza con le tipologie riportate nel Manuale di Interpretazione degli Habitat dell’Unione Europea, versione EUR/27.

G. Ciaschetti, G. Pirone, A. R. Frattaroli & L. Di Martino

Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, via Vetoio, loc. Coppito, I-67100 L’Aquila

The work in progress about “Geobotanic cartography of the Sites of Community Importance of the Abruzzo region set out of the protected areas” is shown. After a brief summary about the Natura 2000 network in the Abruzzo region, the thematic maps provided are described: Phytoclimate; Land Facets, Actual Vegetation, Potential Vegetation, Habitats of the 43/92 CEE Directive. The study shows an high biodiversity in therms of climate, environment and vegetation in the territory analized. It also permitted to deepen the knowledge of not well known areas and to find new vegetation types.
In the paper some problems about the corrispondence between natural and semi-natural habitats present in the territory and those listed in the Annex II of the 43/92 CEE Directive are presented, toghether with some proposal reguarding with the inserction in the Annex II of particularly important habitats in therms of biogeography and conservation.

R. Copiz^1-2, S. Burrascano², E. Del Vico², L. Rosati², L. Zavattero¹ & C. Blasi²

¹ Dip.to STAT, Università degli Studi del Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, I-86090 Pesche (IS)

² Dip.to di Biologia Vegetale, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, I-00185 Roma

In this work we relate some information about the habitat status of the Directive 92/43/EEC in Latium region. In this region 182 Site of Community Importance has been proposed (163 terrestrial and 19 marine), for a total surface about 7%. Within SCI 66 habitat are recognised (of which 19 are priority). In particular we focus on the following habitat: 3240 (Alpine rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Salix elaeagnos), 5320 (Low formations of Euphorbia close to cliffs), 6520 (Mountain hay meadows), 7140 (Transition mires and quaking bogs), 7210* (Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae), 8240* (Limestone pavements), 9190 (Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains) and 9280 (Quercus frainetto woods). Moreover, some different regional approaches to habitat interpretation are highlighted.

C. Giancola, P. Di Marzio & A. Stanisci

Università degli Studi del Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (IS); e-mail:giancola@unimol.it

Habitats Directive in highmountain areas of Molise. The main aims of Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) are oriented to the conservation and the protection of the natural and seminatural enviroments. The application of management and planning instruments included in Habitat Directive ensure the conservation of these habitats, but to strenght these purposes, wide and deep knowledge about a site is necessary. The safeguarding, or the restoration of a site involve to know its structure and functional nature, ecological and environmental conditions, dynamic relations between its components.
In relation to the update phase of ministerial data form of Sites of Community Importance (SCI), monitoring and checking activities were conducted in base of a multidisciplinary approach turned to identify and to easily interpret the habitats. In relation to the check of Habitats of Molise region, this work offers a contribution to the knowledge about high mountain vegetation through vegetation and territory analysis.

P. Pavone¹, G. Spampinato², V. Tomaselli³, P. Minissale¹, R. Costa¹, S. Sciandrello¹ & F. Ronsisvalle¹

¹Dip. di Botanica, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, 95125, Catania

²Dip.S.T.A.F.A., Università Mediterranea, 89060 Feo di Vito, Reggio Calabria

³CNR, Istituto di Genetica Vegetale, Via G. Amendola 165/A 70126, Bari

Map of the habitats of the EEC Directive 92/43 in the biotopes of the Syracuse province (eastern Sicily). In the framework of the activities aimed to the creation of the provincial landscaping plan of Syracuse, a map of the habitats (scale 1:10.000) of the EEC Directive 92/43 is presented. The habitat mapping, realized in a GIS environment, allowed the implementation of a geo-referred database within a territorial informative system and the production of thematic maps. 32 biotopes were identified for a total area of 30,597 ha. A total of 48 habitat types were recognized: 30 natural habitat types of community interest, most of which classified as priority habitat, and 18 not included in the EEC Directive. At last, some considerations concerning the interpretation of the EEC Directive and the habitat mapping were provided.

L. Gianguzzi, B. Spennati & A. La Mantia

Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 38, I-90123 Palermo; e-mail: gianguzz@unipa.it

Vegetation of Carcaci Mountain, Site of Community Importance in Sicani Mountains (western Sicily). A phytosociological study was carried out in SCI “Monte Carcaci, Pizzo Colobria ed Ambienti umidi” (ITA020034), in Sicani Mountains. A vegetation map (1/10.000 scale) was elaborated, in order to support management for biodiversity conservation. The coenoses checked in the area were referred to different vegetation series and edaphic microgeoseries, for which the main ecological and sindynamic characteristics were also defined.

L. Gianguzzi, A. D’Amico & O. Caldarella

Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo; e-mail: gianguzz@unipa.it

Priority habitats and plant species in “Rocche di Entella” SCI (western Sicily). A floristic and phytosociological study was carried out in “Rocche di Entella”, a Site of Community Importance (SCI ITA020042) lying on the Gessoso-Solfifera Formation of Sicily. The species and habitats listed in Annexes I and II (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and occurring in the area were checked. A vegetation map was elaborated in GIS. The coenoses recognized in the area were referred to different vegetation series and edaphic microgeoseries, for which the main ecological and sindynamic characteristics were also defined.

E. Bocchieri & G. Iiriti

Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio 13, I-09123 Cagliari; e-mail: bocchi@unica.it; lucaiiriti@tiscali.it

New data on the presence of habitats and vegetation species of Community interest in some Sites of Community Importance in the Sarrabus-Gerrei area (south eastern Sardinia). The Authors report on new data regarding the habitats and vegetation species inserted in Annexes I and II of Directive 92/43/EEC identified in some proposed Sites of Community Importance (pSCI) of the Sarrabus-Gerrei area (south eastern Sardinia). Indication is made of the presence of Linaria flava (Poiret) Desf. ssp. sardoa (Sommier) A. Terracc. and of Limonium insulare (Bég. et Landi) Arrigoni et Diana together with other rare species or species of phyto-geographic significance not shown in the Natura 2000 forms. Amongst the new habitats identified, special importance is attached to that denominated “Malcolmietalia dunes grasslands (2230)” and in particular, one of primary importance “Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170)”.

R. Di Pietro & D. Germani

Dipartimento di Industrial Design, Tecnologie nell’Architettura e Cultura dell’Ambiente Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, Via Flaminia 70, I-00196 e-mail: romeo.dipietro@uniroma1.it; l.germani@tiscali.it

Preliminary phytosociological and cenological considerations about the presence of Styrax officinalis in the area of Cornicolani Mounts (central Latium). A preliminary study on the distribution and cenology of Styrax officinalis in central Latium is presented in this paper. This species exhibits a primary role both in the undergrowth of the termophilous oak-woodlands and in the shrubland communities involved in the secondary reforestation dynamics. In particular this species represents the guide element of a typical tall-shrubland community type together with Cercis siliquatrum, Pistacia terebinthus and Acer monspessulanum. Although the extremely restricted distribution area of this species in Italy and its peculiar biogeographical role, italian Styrax officinalis communities are still not considered in any of the “Habitat type” included in the Annexe I of the 43/92/EEC Habitat Directive.

L. Forte¹, F. Carruggio², F. Curione¹, F. Mantino³ & F. Macchia¹

¹Dpt. Scienze delle Produzioni Vegetali, Museo Orto Botanico, Università degli Studi di Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70126 Bari; e-mail: forte@botanica.uniba.it

²Dpt. DACPA, Università di Catania, Via Valdisavoja 5, 95123 Catania

³Dpt. DiSACD, Università degli Studi di Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71100 Foggia

In situ conservation of Stipa austroitalica Martinovsky ssp. austroitalica, listed as priority species in the Annex II of ‘Habitats’ Directive. This paper deals with some experimental techniques and the results yielded by the action of the population reinforcement of Stipa austroitalica Martinovsky ssp. austroitalica in the pSCI area ‘Area delle Gravine’ and, more specifically, between the gravine of Palagianello and Castellaneta (Ta – Apulia). During the field and laboratory experimentation a species-specific protocol was drawn up, including all the phases in the process, from seed collection to planting on site. Briefly, the protocol provides for the collection of anthecia between the end of May and early in June, their cleanig by awn elimination, their chilling without medium (T = 3 °C, time = 75 days) after soaking in water for 24 hours and finally their sowing in February (soil manually dug up through its superficial layers only).

R.P. Wagensommer¹ & R. Di Pietro²

¹Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, I-50121 Firenze; e-mail: robertphilipp.wagensommer@unifi.it

²Dipartimento I.T.A.C.A., Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Via Flaminia 70, I-00196 Roma; e-mail: romeo.dipietro@uniroma1.it

Coenological and syntaxonomical aspects of some rare and/or endangered species from Gargano (northern Apulia, Italy). Many rare and/or endan- gered species from the Gargano promontory are chasmophytes on calcareous rocky slopes (Habitat 8210 according to Directive 92/43/EEC). The conservation strategies of these species depend on the knowledge and the protection of the entire community of which they are part. With this purpose in mind, the communities characterized by the presence of one of the following species are described: Campanula garganica, Lomelosia crenata subsp. dallaportae, Inula verbascifolia and Ephedra nebrodensis. Because of the presence of numerous endemic and biogeografically important species we propose to add the alliance Asperulion garganicae to the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats.

G. Misano¹ & R. Di Pietro²

¹CEA “Parco delle Gravine”, Via San Francesco 53, I-74014 Laterza (TA); e-mai: www.ceaparco dellegravine.it

²Dipartimento ITACA sez. TECA, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Via Flaminia 70, I-00196 Roma

Habitat 9250 “Quercus trojana woods” in Italy. The Habitat 9250 “Quercus trojanaQuercus trojana woods in Apulia region is provided. Moreover the coenological features and syntaxonomical scheme of these woodlands is presented. Finally some indications aimed to a sustainable management and conservation of the survived stands of this peculiar woodland type are provided.

G. Bacchetta¹, E. Farris², G. Fenu¹, R. Filigheddu², E. Mattana¹ & P. Mulè¹

¹Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB), Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, v.le Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, I-09123 Cagliari; e-mail: bacchet@unica.it

²Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Botanica ed Ecologia vegetale, via Muroni 25, I-07100 Sassari; e- mail: emfa@uniss.it

Contribution to the knowledge of the Sardinian Laurus nobilis L. stands, a priority habitat of the 92/43/EEC Directive. The results of the phytosociological study of the Sardinian Laurus nobilis L. stands are here presented. The statistical analysis of the surveys, carried out on the best known populations, allowed us to recognize four new plant communities, referred to one association and three subassociations.
In Sardinia the Laurus nobilis L. stands are present on effusive and metamorphic substrata, on typic xerorthent or lithic xerorthent soils, in the oceanic pluviseasonal Mediterranean bioclimate. The investigated stands show a good conservation status and high recruitment levels, in relation to the high naturalness of the ravines and valleys in which they occur.

S. Bagella, M.C. Caria, E. Farris & R. Filigheddu

Dipartimento di Botanica ed Ecologia Vegetale, via Muroni 25, Università degli Studi di Sassari, I-07100 Sassari

From a biological and biogeographic point of view, Mediterranean temporary wet habitats are recognised to be amongst the most interesting habitats in the Mediterranean bioclimatic region. They are considered to be habitats of Community Interest and are included in the “standing water group”. Due to an overlap in the plant species and syntaxa indicated as characteristic, the assignment of the plant communities to the habitats 3120, 3130 and 3170* is far from straightforward. We propose that the Isoetion communities be assigned to habitat 3170*, the Preslion cervinae, Cicendio-Solenopsion and Agrostion pourretii communities to habitat 3120, and the Cyperetalia fusci and Littorelletea uniflorae communities to habitat 3130.

C.F. Izzi¹, A. Acosta¹, M.L. Carranza², M. Carboni¹, G. Ciaschetti³, F. Conti⁴, S. Del Vecchio¹, L. Di Martino3, A. Frattaroli³, G. Pirone³ & A. Stanisci²

¹Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, V.le Marconi 446, I-00146 Roma 2Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Ambiente e il Territorio (STAT), Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, I-86170 Pesche (IS)

³Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università degli Studi de L’Aquila, Via Vetoio Loc. Coppito, I-67100 L’Aquila;

⁴Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università di Camerino – Centro Ricerche Floristiche dell’Appennino, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, S. Colombo, I-67021 Barisciano (AQ)

Threatened plant species of coastal dune habitats in Central Italy. Coastal dune habitats and the associated backdune marshes represent fragile environments, which therefore host many seriously threatened plant species. In this paper we present the results of a floristic census, which considered dune plant species of three regions in central Italy, focusing in particular on threatened species and on their conservation status. Numerous dune species recorded are typical of coastal dune habitats that are listed in “Habitats” Directive and many are included in regional Red Lists. Abruzzo is the region with the highest number of threatened species, followed by Molise and Lazio. The threat status of many typical coastal dune species often differs among examined regions. Floristic data obtained through this census, coupled with distribution maps of the single species, represent a useful tool for more objective compiling of red lists, for the individuation of new dune species that deserve protection and for a future reconsideration of species to be considered threatened on the basis of the new 3.1 version of the IUCN categories and criteria.

A. Esposito¹ & L. Filesi²

¹Dipartimento di Scienze della vita, Seconda Università di Napoli, via Vivaldi 43 81100 Caserta; e-mail: assunta.esposito@unina2.it

²Dipartimento di Pianificazione, Università IUAV di Venezia, Santa Croce 1957, I-30135 Venezia; e-mail: leonardo@iuav.it

Characterization of Crucianella maritima communities and relationship with bryophytes. The object of the present work are the Crucianella maritima primary communities of coastal dunes and the contiguous edges with bryophytes. In particular the serial contact between bryophytes and Crucianella maritima communities it has been analysed to better understand in terms of floristic, ecological and dynamic point of view the 2210 habitat.

E. Farris, Z. Secchi & R. Filigheddu

Dipartimento di Botanica ed Ecologia vegetale, Università di Sassari, Via Muroni 25 – 07100 Sassari, Italia; e-mail: emfa@uniss.it; filighed@uniss.it

Phytosociological characterization of the priority habitat 6220*-Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea: case study from Northern Sardinia. In this paper we aimed at characterizing phytosociologically the priority habitat 6220* in Northern Sardinia. In the study area this habitat is identified on the field by the presence of 18 plant associations, referred to the following syntaxonomic classes: Helianthemetea guttati, Poetea bulbosae, Artemisietea vulgaris and Lygeo-Stipetea. Within the Brachypodio ramosi-Dactyletalia hispanicae order of the Artemisietea vulgaris class, three new associations are here described for the first time: Ophrydo praecocis-Dactyletum hispanicae, Orchido longicorni-Dactyletum hispanicae and Orchido collinae-Dactyletum hispanicae which are all referred to the Leontodo tuberosi-Bellidion sylvestris alliance. The wide structural and functional heterogeneity, that prevent from outlineing common management strategies to all the 4 vegetation classes included in the habitat, suggests the need of a clarification of the Habitats Directive and its revision on the basis of the recent phytosociologic findings.

R. Di Pietro¹, M. Caccianiga² & S. Verde²

¹Dipartimento ITACA Sezione TECA, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Via Flaminia 70, 00196, Roma

²Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Botanica Sistematica e Geobotanica, Università di Milano

Distribution and phytosociological corresponding of beech woods Habitats in the Italian Peninsula. The Italian beech woodlands are included in several Habitats of community importance listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC. However the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats exhibits various coenological and syntaxonomical inadequacies which do not allow a precise identification of these Habitats within the Italian territory. The present paper is aimed to clarify some of these problematic issues.

C. Lasen

Via Mutten 27, I-32032 Arson di Feltre (BL); e-mail: cesarelasen@tele2.it

Notes on the interpretation and management handbooks of the ecological nets “Natura 2000”, edited by the autonomous provinces of Südtirol, Trento, and in the Veneto region. The aims and the contents of two handbooks edited by the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento are here presented. The handbooks concern identification of Natura 2000 habitats and their management. In particular, paper points out some limits in the interpretation of the habitats and in the proposals for their management. Moreover, some plant communities of remarkable ecological and phytogeographic interest, not included in the annex 1 of Directive Habitat (EU 92/43) are listed. Furthermore some practical proposals aiming at preserving the informations on these plant communities in vegetation mapping are presented.

S. Assini

Dipartimento di Ecologia del Territorio, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, I–27100 Pavia; e-mail: assini@et.unipv.it

Pioneer vegetation of the Lomellina dunes (PV – North Italy).The Lomellina dunes (PV – North Italy) are formed by fluvial sands. Human action caused their distruction and actually only some relicts are still present. These are sited at S. Giorgio Lomellina and Remondò, where 22 relevè have been carried on. The studied pioneer vegetation has been attributed to the Spergulo morisonii-Corynephoretum canescentis association Tx. (1928) 1955 and to the cladonietosum subassociation. This vegetation can be attributed to the habitat 2330 – Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and
Agrostis grasslands (of the Habitat Directive).

L. Gratani, G. Fabrini, M.F. Crescente, L. Varone, A. Bonito & M. Marcoccia

Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma; e-mail loretta.gratani@uniroma1.it

Growth efficiency of Bidens cernua L. Italian flora rare species.The growth efficiency of Bidens cernua L., included in the Red List of Italian Flora (status CR), was analysed. Experiments were carried out in situ (Posta Fibreno lake, Latium) and ex situ (Botanical Garden of Rome) during the year 2006. The time span from seedlings emergence to seed dispersion was 7 months. Air temperature changing influenced the length of the vegetative activity period and the maximum plant height. Maximum plant height was reached 131 and 96 days after seedlings emergence in situ and ex situ, respectively.

A. Finco, M. Pollonara & G. Di Pronio

Dipartimento di Scienze Applicate ai Sistemi Complessi (SASC), Università Politecnica delle Marche, via brecce bianche, I-60131 Ancona

Biodiversity conservation is currently one of the most important goals in European strategy. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which was thoroughly renewed by the 2003 reform, aims at combining agricultural and environment, both through the compulsory cross compliance measure, either through rural development policy and agri-environment measures. The CAP put particular attention to agri-environmental problems such as biodiversity conservation, specifically in the Nature 2000 areas.
In the agri-pastoral system, multifunctional agriculture has an important role in biodiversity conservation and rural landscape complexity. The paper analyses the economic theoretical concerns about the biodiversity that is defined by an economic point of view a positive externalities characterized by a total economic value (TEV). Being an external market, biodiversity needs of the governmental intervention and of financial instruments that can preserve and protect this important environmental function. These instruments are represented by the agro-environmental Com- munity policy (CAP and RDP).

R. Buchwald¹, A. Rath¹, M. Willen¹ & D. Gigante²

¹Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany

²Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, I- 06121 Perugia

In Central Europe a strong decline of poor, species-rich grassland takes place since 3-4 decades. However, long-term efforts on the (re-)establishment of species-rich meadows on former fields or intensively used grassland often fail or last more than 10-20 years, because of factors regarding content of soil nutrients, seed bank or dispersal. We present two case studies on meadow restoration studying the significance of seed bank and hay transfer for the improvement of SIC-habitats. We found that the seed bank of former fields is poor in individuals and numbers of grassland species, consisting mainly of weed and ruderal species. The seed bank of mountainous meadows is richer in grassland species, which, however, were found also in the present vegetation. Therefore, in concordance with similar studies, the seed bank hardly contributes to the (re-)establishment of species-rich meadows. In SW- and NW-Germany we studied hay transfer on 18 areas to create mesophilous meadows (Arrhenatheretum, Geranio-Trisetetum). In a pilot project 2004 we transferred species-rich hay from a donor meadow to three field areas at Tüllinger Berg. After 2-3 years many grassland species have colonized these areas while the number of weed and ruderal species has continously declined. As already shown for grassland of dry and wet habitats, hay transfer plays an important role also for the (re-)establishment of poor, mesophilous species-rich grassland.

S. Cesaretti, R. Gatti, A. Malfatti, P. Scocco, D. Beghelli & A. Catorci

Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università di Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I-62032 Camerino (MC); e-mail: sabrina.cesaretti@unicam.it

Integrated methodological approach for analysis and monitoring of the zootechnical activities for the conservation of habitat 6210: a case study in the Umbria-Marche Apennines. This work shows a methodological approach carried out with the aim to evaluate the effort of different kind of pastoral system management. It is based upon an integrated research including vegetation sciences, nutriments chemical properties, alpine farming and animal physiology and anatomy.

A. Bartolucci¹, P. Giacchini², F. Renzaglia¹ & C. Urbinati¹

¹Dipartimento SAPROV, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona; e-mail: c.urbinati@univpm.it

²Hystrix, Società di ricerca e consulenza naturalistica, Fano (PU)

Close-to-nature silviculture for conservation and restoration of diurnal raptors forest habitats in the SCI Alpe della Luna-Bocca Trabaria. This study aimed to define suitable silvicultural actions for forest habitats conservation and improvement of four raptor species present in SCI “Alpe della Luna- Bocca Trabaria” (province of Pesaro and Urbino): Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus), Buzzard (Buteo buteo); Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus). By means of a GIS multi-layered analysis we have crossed the information concerning the composition and structure features of the forest vegetation and the ecological requirements of the four raptor species. We have obtained a Forest Habitat Suitability Index (IIHF) that allowed to estimate the fitness of the different forest types and the priority of specific silvicultural treatments to improve the single bird habitats. Very important value have high forest (in transition from coppice) with Fagus sylvatica and Quercus cerris and those mixed with Abies alba, which are ideal habitats for diurnal raptors and in particular for Goshawk and Sparrow hawk. The proposed forestry actions are based on close-to-nature silviculture and aimed to obtain a structural and functional diversity of the forest stands in order to guarantee the conservation of the existing and potential ecological values.

R. Guarino, A Guglielmo, F. Ronsisvalle & S. Sciandrello

Dipartimento di Botanica, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Antonino Longo 19, Catania; e-mail: a.guglielmo@unict.it

The ECONET-COHAST project: strategies for the conservation of the coastal habitats of Torre Manfria (S-Sicily).The coexistence of several lithological substrata, together with particular geomorphologic and climatic features, are determining the exceptional floristic and faunistic interest of the coastal trait between Gela and Torre Manfria. In order to preserve and enhance coastal habitats, such area has been chosen as case-study in the Interreg project ECONET-COHAST, which involves six partners from four EU countries (Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta). In this paper, the main features of the area are described and the approach followed in order to implement conservation strategies accounting for the local development exigencies is illustrated.

A. Catorci¹, R. Gatti¹, S. Picchio² & A. Vitanzi¹

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia, Università di Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I-62032 Camerino (MC); e-mail: alessandra.vitanzi@unicam.it

²Dipartimento di Pianificazione, Università IUAV di Venezia, Via S. Croce, I-30135 Venezia (VE)

The historical-cartographical approach for analysis and management SIC and ZPS: a case of study in the Sibillini Mountains National Park. In this study is described the historical-cartographic methodological approach used for the analysis and the formulation of the Management Plan of the SIC IT5340019. Beginning from some tied up shared concepts to the interpretation and the reading of the landscape, according to different schools of thought, the territory of the Ambro Valley has been investigated through elaborations such as GIS-cartographic of the ortophotos, putting to compari- son the data related to the vegetable coverage in 1954 and 2001.

A. Catorci¹, S. Cesaretti¹, R. Gatti¹, E. Orsomando¹, P. Savini², F.M. Tardella¹    & A. Vitanzi¹

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali – Sez. di Botanica ed Ecologia, Università di Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I – 62032 Camerino (MC); e-mail: andrea.catorci@unicam.it

²Strada Cenerente 9H, I-06080 Perugia

Per conservare gli habitat e le specie di interesse comunitario, la Commissione Europea ha emanato la Direttiva 92/43/CEE “Habitat” che ha istituito la rete ecologica europea Natura 2000. Per tutelare i siti appartenenti a questa rete la direttiva prevede, tra le altre misure di conservazione, la redazione di piani di gestione. Viene qui presentato un esempio di realizzazione di un piano di gestione per quanto riguarda gli aspetti geobotanici per il SIC “Monti Maggio e Nero” (Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano-Italia). E’ stata realizzata un’analisi fitosociologica, necessaria alla redazione della Carta della vegetazione e della Carta degli Habitat di interesse comunitario. Per analizzare e sintetizzare i principali aspetti riguardanti la conservazione degli habitat e per fornire indicazioni ai fini della gestione del sito, sono state realizzate quattro matrici: elenco degli Habitat di interesse comunitario; sintesi delle analisi generali riguardanti gli habitat; individuazione dei fattori di minaccia e valutazione degli impatti; minacce principali e norme di gestione.

S. Fascetti & M.R. Lapenna

Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali, Università della Basilicata, Via Ateneo Lucano, 10, I 85100 Potenza; simonetta.fascetti@ unibas.it

Basic cognitive study for the natural restoration project into ICS-SPZ IT9220260 “Valle Basento-Grassano Scalo-Grottole”. The results about the environmental basic study to identify guide-lines to carry out the project LIFE04NAT/IT/000190 for the natural restoration in surfaces interested by degradation phenomena are presented. The environmental and phytosociological study is completed by Corine Land Cover and thematic maps.

D. Uzunov & C. Gangale

Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria ed Orto Botanico, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, I-87036 Rende (CS); e-mail: duzunov@libero.it

Problems in drawing up management plan for Sites of Community Importance (SCIs): Natura 2000 network in Calabria (S Italy). The present study summarises the experience in management plans (MP) elaboration of 96 SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) in Calabria (S Italy). Their elaboration has been driven by the province administrations that propose also the direct managers. One of the main difficulties is related to the lack of naturalistic data. A gap analysis about knowledge of rare species, floristic data and vegetation in SACs is presented. Cartographic interpretation of the environmental units, applying different vegetation and habitat classification systems has been adopted having in mind the limits of each method. Different approaches in support of the decision making process of dynamic territorial governance based on the monitoring are discussed.

R. Calandra & A. Leccese

Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Sezione di Geopedologia e Meccanica Agraria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, I–06121 Perugia; e-mail: calandro@unipg.it, angeloleccese@yahoo.com

Soil map of Monti Sibillini Park territory (with an example of a thematic map). Preliminary studies were carried out about survey, classification and cartography of soil of M. Sibillini National Park. These studies allowed to carry out the soil and erosion thematic map.

R. Calandra & A. Leccese

Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Sezione di Geopedologia e Meccanica Agraria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, I– 06121 Perugia; e-mail: calandro@unipg.it, angeloleccese@yahoo.co

Soil map of Monte Conero Park. Pedological researches were carried out about survey and description of soil of M. Conero Regional Park. Soil samples were subjected to physical and chemical analysis. These studies allowed to carry out the soil thematic map.