Fitosociologia 45 (1) 2008

U. Gamper¹, L. Filesi², G. Buffa¹ & G. Sburlino¹

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Venezia, Campo Celestia 2737/b, I-30122 Venezia; e-mail: gamper@unive.it, buffag@unive.it, sburlino@unive.it

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

Phytocoenotic diversity of the N-Adriatic coastal sand dunes. 1 – The phanerophytic communities. The phanerophytic and nanophanerophytic communities present on the N-Adriatic coastal sand dunes have been studied from the phytosociological point of view. The floristic-sociological analysis pointed out the existence of the following endemic associations: Vincetoxico-Quercetum ilicis ass. nova, Viburno lantanae-Phillyreetum angustifoliae ass. nova, Erico carneae-Osyridetum albae ass. nova and Junipero-Hippophaetum fluviatilis. Viburno lantanae-Phillyreetum and Erico carneae-Osyridetum represent respectively the phanerophytic and the chamaephytic-phanerophytic mantle of the Quercus ilex wood, while Junipero-Hippophaetum fluviatilis is the mature stage of an independent series. The high originality of the vegetation is the result of both bioclimatic and phytogeographic features; the temperate macrobioclimate causes the extrazonal character of the holm-oak wood; the floristic migrations during the different climatic phases of the last postglacial period influenced the composition of the flora, which is made up by taxa of different origin (mainly mediterranean and eastern but even orophilous). The chamaephytic, hemicryptophytic and therophytic communities will be the object of a next paper.

A. Agnelli, M. Allegrezza, E. Biondi, S. Cocco, G. Corti & F. Pirchio

Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Facoltà di Agraria, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona

Pedogenesis and vegetal landscape: the role of the exposure. This work deals with the influence of the exposure on soil evolution and on vegetal landscape. The study has been conducted within the hydrographic basin of the Selva di Gallignano (Ancona, Italy), where the bioclimate is temperate oceanic submediterranean variant and the vegetal landscape is typically submediterranean and representative of the variability phytocenotic and sinphytocenotic biodiversity of the Ancona hilly district. Within the study area, physical and chemical properties of three soils with the same pedogenetic characteristics and different exposure (nord, sud-ovest, sud) were determined. Further, a previous phytosociological analysis had revealed distinct forest types in each site. The obtained data suggested that, under the same conditions, the exposure is one of the main factor affecting the soil development and, hence, the phytocenotic biodiversity. The study showed that the vegetal association evaluated by a detailed phytosociological survey can be considered a valid tool to assess environmental variation in areas characterised by high biodiversity.

M. Allegrezza¹, E. Biondi¹ & M. Mentoni²

¹Dip.to Scienze Ambientali e Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, I-60131 Ancona; e-mail: m.allegrezza@univpm.it

²Geologo, libero professionista, Cerreto d’Esi (AN)

Iso-orogeosigmeta and iso-orogeoserie in the calcareous ridge of Mount San Vicino (central Apennine). An integrated detailed geobotanical and geological study is here presented in order to put in evidence the strict tie between vegetation series and detailed lithologies belonging to the umbrian-marche sequence, that appear in different bioclimatic belts, in a limited territory, characterized by a well defined geological history. With this aim, the M. San Vicino’s Marche ridge has been taken into consideration, that a recent published study indicated as a representative example of central Apennine phytocoenotic and sinphytocenotic diversity. The lithological formations that appear to the nucleus of the macro-anticlinalica structure, from the lower mesotemperate to the lower supratemperate belt have been investigated.These formations are represented, from the most ancient to the most recent term, by Calcare Massiccio, Calcari diasprini umbro-marchigiani and Maiolica, each one having mineralogical and lithological characteristics, qualified for specific vegetation series and geosigmeta.
The results obtained through the present study allowed to individuate the geosigmeta of each lithological formation developing on three different bioclimatic belts. The relativity affinity between the geosigmeta of the Calcare Massiccio formation and those of the Maiolica (even if there are differences in the stages of the relative sigmeta) and the substantial difference between these and the geosigmeta of the Calcari diasprini u-m formation has been recognized.
Regarding the individuation of the oro-geoserie, even if tectonic and erosion have often caused the altitudinal discontinuity within the same formation, it is possible to individuate (also with the same exposition) the iso-orogeoserie, corresponding to the three considered belts, on the formation of the Maiolica that represents the most diffused and representative formation of the ridge.

S. Ceschin & G. Salerno

Dipartimento di Biologia – Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, I-00146 Roma; e-mail:
ceschin@uniroma3.it; g.salerno@uniroma3.it 

The vegetation of the terminal course of the Tiber River and of its affluents (Latium, Italy). The aquatic and riverbank vegetation of the Tiber River’s terminal course and of its main affluents (Treia, Farfa, Aniene) are described. The phytosociological approach is applied and, utilizing ecological and water chemical-physical analysis, it has been possible to define more accurately the synecology of macrophytes communities. This study allowed to identify thirty-one vegetational types, among which aquatic communities mainly belonged to classes Lemnetea minoris and Potametea pectinati, bank macrophyte types to Phragmito-Magnocaricetea and, in conditions of higher human disturbance, to Bidentetea tripartitae. The woody riparian vegetation has been included in Salicetea purpureae and Querco-Fagetea.

F. Bioret¹ & J.-M. Géhu²

¹Institut de Géoarchitecture, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CS 93837 29238 Brest cedex 3; e-mail: frederic.bioret@univ-brest.fr

²16, rue de l’Eglise, 80860 Nouvion-en-Ponthieu, France

A phytosociological analysis of the halophilous vegetation of the french atlantic coastal cliffs. A phytosociological analysis of the halophilous vegetation of the french atlantic coastal cliffs is provided by the analysis of 1072 relevés. 37 plant associations: chasmophytic vegetation linked to rocky cracks (8 associations), chomophytic vegetation on silt and clay loam platings (7 associations), and maritime grasslands on deeper soils (22 associations), are described and gathered within a new Class: Armerio maritimae-Festucetea pruinosae class nov.

E. Biondi¹, S. Casavecchia¹, A.R. Frattaroli², G. Pirone², S. Pesaresi¹, L. Di Martino², S. Galassi¹, L. Paradisi¹, F. Ventrone¹, E. Angelini¹ & G. Ciaschetti²

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, Università dell’Aquila, Loc. Coppito, via Vetoio, I-67100 L’Aquila; e-mail: pirone@univaq.it

Here we present a phytosociological study of the forest vegetation of the Upper valley of the Vomano River, located on the Adriatic side of the central Apennines. The study area belongs to the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga and is located in a particular area having a high lithological, geomorphological, lanscape and biological diversity.
Ten forest associations were here found, which five are here described for the first time together with twelve new subassociations. The high diversity of the woods, demonstrates the important environmental diversity.

M. Allegrezza & E. Biondi

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

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.

R. Di Pietro¹ & R.P. Wagensommer ²

¹Dipartimento I.T.A.C.A., Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Via Flaminia 70, I-00196 Roma; e-mail: romeo.dipietro@uniroma1.it

²Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, I-50121 Firenze; e-mail:
robertphilipp.wagensommer@unifi.it

Phytosociological analysis on some rare and/or endangered species of Gargano National Park (central-southern Italy) and syntaxonomical considerations on the chasmophytic communities of Apulia Region. In this study the phytosociological and syntaxonomical features of some rare species of the Gargano area (Campanula garganica, Lomelosia crenata subsp. dallaportae, Inula verbascifolia and Ephedra nebrodensis) is presented. Four new community types are described: Pimpinello tragii – Inuletum verbascifoliae, Aubrieto – Campanuletum garganicae subass. picridetosum spinulosae, “Ephedra nebrodensis and Aurinia sinuata comm.” and “Ephedra nebrodensis and Scorzonera villosa subsp. columnae comm”. The former three communities are linked to cliffs or rocky environments while the latter to dry stony grasslands. The combined statistical analysis of our relevés and those published in Bianco et al. (1988) suggests that the subassociaton Centaureetum subtilis scabiosetosum dallaportae Bianco et al. 1988 should be included completely in the Scabiosetum dallaportae. As far as the higher syntaxonomical ranks are concerned the reference to Asperulion garganicae for the chasmophytic communities dominated by Campanula garganica, Lomelosia crenata subsp. dallaportae and Inula verbascifolia is confirmed although the biogeographical and coenological features of this alliance are newly evaluated taking into consideration the other chasmophytic alliances of the surrounding areas. In relation to this, the order Centaureo kartschianae-Campanuletalia pyramidalis which was described invalidly by Trinajstic (1980) is proposed again in a valid form on the basis of the rules of ICPN. Moreover a new alliance named Campanulo versicoloris – Dianthion japigici is described for the Mediterranean chasmophytic communities of Salento and Murgia territories. In fact from both a floristic and a biogeographical point of view, the communities belonging to this new alliance differ from those described for the Gargano promontory included in the alliance Asperulion garganicae as well as from those occuring in various sites of Greece and which were included in the alliance Campanulion versicoloris and in the order Onosmetalia frutescentis.

I. Vagge¹ & E. Biondi²

¹Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, I-20133 Milano; e-mail: ilda.vagge@unimi.it

²Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e Produzioni vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona; e-mail: e.biondi@unipm.it

The Juniperus thurifera L. vegetation of the western Alps. We here present a phytosociological study of the Juniperus thurifera L. phytocoenoses, including the chamaephyte phytocoenoses that are dynamically linked to them, in the western Alps of Italy and France. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding in more detail the significance of the 9560 habitat “Endemic Mediterranean forests of Juniperus spp.” in the Italian territory.
The Juniperus thurifera vegetation in the two Italian study areas, of Moiola, in Stura Valley (at altitudes between 800 m and 1,000 m), and of Valdieri, in Gesso Valley (at altitudes between 950 m and 1,670 m), have been referred to the new association Juniperetum communis-thuriferae. The vegetation of the French study areas that has already been attributed to the association Juniperetum hemisphaerico-thuriferae, which is widely spread also along the Iberian peninsula, has been recognized as the new subassociation amelanchieretosum embergeri, which distinguishes the French formations of J. thurifera from those Iberian.
Both of these juniper wood types are dynamically connected with Mediterraneo-montane chamaephyte formations that have been referred to the new association Hyperico coris-Lavanduletum angustifoliae, which is here seen as the new subassociation tipica lavanduletosum angustifoliae and the thymetosum vulgaris
At lower altitudes, in chain contact with woods of Quercus pubescens or of Ostrya carpinifolia, the J. thurifera formations are substituted by others of J. phoenicea ssp. phoenicea, attributed to the new association Cytiso sessilifoliae-Juniperetum phoeniceae, to which are also referred the formations indicated as low supraMediterranean (Barbero & Quezel, 1986) that are present in the French Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.