Research Article |
Corresponding author: Romeo Di Pietro ( romeo.dipietro@uniroma1.it ) Academic editor: Silvia Poponessi
© 2024 Romeo Di Pietro, Safiya Praleskouskaya, Michele Aleffi, Francesco Di Pietro, Adriano Di Pietro, Giancarlo Tondi, Paola Fortini.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Di Pietro R, Praleskouskaya S, Aleffi M, Di Pietro F, Di Pietro A, Tondi G, Fortini P (2024) New bryological data from relict mires in the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park (Central Apennines) and their interpretation according to the EUNIS classification and Habitats Directive. Plant Sociology 61(2): 21-40. https://doi.org/10.3897/pls2024612/02
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During a phytosociological field-work campaign aimed at studying some relict Scheuchzerio-Caricetea boreal mires of the montane and subalpine belts of the Laga Mountains, the highest and largest siliceous massif of the Apennine range, several bryophyte taxa of particular biogeographic interest were collected. Among these taxa, Schljakovia kunzeana and Ptychostomum cernuum were found to be new records for the whole Apennine range while Hamatocaulis vernicosus (taxon included in annex II of Habitats Directive) and Scorpidium cossonii as new for the Central-Southern Apennines. Two further species, Bryum canariense, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, were found to be confirmations of old records for the Central Apennines dating back to the early 1900s. At the national and regional level, nine, out of the forty-four bryophyte taxa identified in this study, were found to be new for the Lazio administrative Region, and one taxon as new for the Abruzzo Region. The majority of these new records belong to the boreal chorotype, the Laga Mountains being one of the most important conservation sites for the relict circumboreal and arctic-alpine flora in the whole Mediterranean area. According to both the EUNIS Habitat classification and the EU Habitats Directive Annex I, several, out of the 44 bryophytes identified in this study, act as diagnostic species for European Community Habitats. Nevertheless, a complete correspondence between bryophyte taxon and habitat type was not found upon comparing these two environmental policy systems.
Biogeography, Boreal Flora, Cryptogams, EUNIS classification, Habitats Directive, High-altitude fens, Liverworts, Mediterranean mires, Mosses, Nature Conservation, Phytosociology
The Apennines are a southern European mountain range which can be considered a deep extension of the European continent within the central Mediterranean Sea. They can be divided into three large sub-units (Northern, Central and Southern Apennines). The Northern Apennines are the northernmost sub-unit and the lowest in altitude (the highest peak, M. Cimone is 2165 m a.s.l.). However, the Northern Apennines geographical contiguity with the Western Alps and the wide occurrence of siliceous flyschoid substrates makes this sub-unit much more similar to the Alps than to the rest of the Apennines, both in floristic and biogeographical terms (
The Laga Mountains represent the siliceous sub-unit of the Gran Sasso-Monti della Laga National Park (Fig.
Over the last two decades there have been numerous floristic and vegetational studies which have expanded the floristic and phytosociological knowledge of the Laga Mountains, especially with regards to the boreal vascular plant species and communities (see
The Laga Mountains are a 24 km long ridge with four peaks exceeding 2400 m a.s.l., which lies at the boundary between Lazio, Abruzzo and Marche regions, in the central Italy, and are the highest and largest siliceous massif of the whole Apennine range (Fig.
From a bioclimatic point of view, the study area belongs to the Temperate region and to the cold axeric subregion. Mean annual temperature is 5.5°C and the mean temperature of the coldest month is –4°C. Rainfall exceeds 1600 mm/yr and in the period between November and May assume snowy features; frost occurs for more than one month yearly (
a) Geographical position of the Laga Mountains in the context of the Central Apennines range. b) Alignment of the main peaks of the Laga Mountains following a N-S direction, viewed from the top of Mount Pizzo di Sevo (2419 m a.s.l.): M. Cima Lepri (2445 m a.s.l.), M. Pizzo di Moscio (2411 m a.s.l.), M. Gorzano (2455 m a.s.l.) and M. Cima della Laghetta (2369 m a.s.l.). c) Typical pelithic-arenaceous substrates of the Laga Mountains Flysch; d) North-facing deep valley known as “Fosso Pelone” (one of the sampled areas) (Photo R. Di Pietro and F. Di Pietro).
The first mention of bryophytes for the Laga Mountains dates back to the mid-1800s by
Bryophyte specimens were collected during a phytosociological sampling campaign aimed to describe some types of wet meadows rich in boreal species occurring within the upper montane belt of the Laga Mountains and referable to Scheuchzerio palustris-Caricetea fuscae and presumably belonging to Habitat 7210 or 7220 of the Directive 92/43/ECC (see Discussion paragraph). The phytosociological sampling was carried out following the phytosociological approach (
For the identification of the bryological component reference was made to
Regarding the conservation status of the species collected, reference was made to
The bryophyte specimens were grouped according to the collection site. New records for the Apennines were marked with (§) while the new regional records were marked with an asterisk (*).
Voucher specimens are deposited in the Herbarium Flaminio (HFLA; Thiers, 2022 [continuously updated]).
For each site of collection of bryophytes, a phytosociological relevé describing the coenological features of the vascular plant communities was also carried out.
Vascular plants specimens were identified according to
Some bryophyte taxa, out of the 44 identified, are currently considered to be diagnostic for European habitats reported both in the EUNIS classification (
Sixty phytosociological relevé were performed between 2021 and 2022 to describe and syntaxonomically classify the stream bank microthermic rush-sedge meadows of the N-facing slopes of the subalpine and upper montane belts of the Laga Mountains.
An analysis of the bryological component collected during the field sampling led to the identification of several taxa of biogeographical importance. Some of these taxa are considered diagnostic for EU. Habitats which are currently reported for the Central and Southern Apennines by the official documents of 92/43/EEC Directive but which knowledge (and geographical mapping) is essentially based on “virtual” information (no published data). Among the various taxa identified, we found several rare bryophytes exhibiting here their southernmost limit of distribution and acting as new records for the regional bryophyte flora of Italy. Four bryophyte taxa were never reported for the Central Apennines. These are Schljakovia kunzeana (Huebener) Konstant. & Vilnet and Ptychostomum cernuum (Hedw.) Hornsch. (new for the whole Apennines), Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs, and Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenäs (new for the Central-Southern Apennines).
From a regional floristic point of view, nine species of bryophytes (i.e. Flexitrichum gracile (Mitt.) Ignatov & Fedosov, Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs, Pellia neesiana (Gottsche) Limpr., Philonotis seriata Mitt., Ptychostomum cernuum (Hedw.) Hornsch., Riccardia multifida (L.) Gray subsp. multifida, Sarmentypnum exannulatum (Schimp.) Hedenäs, Schljakovia kunzeana (Huebener) Konstant. & Vilnet, Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenäs) were found to be new for the Lazio administrative Region and one species, Philonotis rigida Brid., for the Abruzzo Region. Two further species (Bryum canariense Brid. and Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop.) were confirmed after old records dating back to the early 1900s.
In the chorological spectrum (Fig.
As far as the conservation status of the species is concerned, the assessments reported in
The bryophyte taxa currently considered diagnostic for the European habitats according both to the EUNIS classification system and the 92/43/EEC Directive Interpretation Manual are reported in Tables
It emerged that there is not an exclusive relationship between bryophyte species and Habitat type, but the same species can be classified as diagnostic in different habitats (e.g. Campylium stellatum is considered diagnostic for Habitats Q41, Q42, Q44, Q45, Q46 in the EUNIS classification as well as Scorpidium cossonii is considered diagnostic for Habitats 7220; 7230; 7240; 7310 in the Interpretation Manual of the Habitats Directive).
Twenty-three taxa were found to be classified as diagnostic species and/or constant species within 40 habitat factsheets reported by the EUNIS classification (Table
We report the list of bryophyte taxa gathered in each collection site. In order to provide information on the coenological features of the different sites of collections, eight phytosociological relevés (one for each site) of the related vascular plant communities are reported.
Distribution of bryophyte diagnostic species in the different habitats according to the EUNIS habitat factsheets (
Eunis code | Factsheet code | 92/43/EEC Annex 1 | Eunis Habitat Factsheet diagnostic species | Eunis Habitat Factsheet constant species |
B1.6a | N1A | 2160 | Brachythecium rutabulum | Brachythecium rutabulum |
B1.7a | N1D | 2180 | Brachythecium rutabulum | Brachythecium rutabulum |
B1.8a | N1H | 2190 | . | Calliergonella cuspidata |
D1.1 | Q11 | 7110 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
D2.1 | Q21 | 7140 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
D2.2a | Q22 | 7140 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
D2.2b | Q23 | 6160 | Philonotis seriata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Sarmentypnum exannulatum | Aneura pinguis, Aulacomnium palustre, Campylium stellatum, Palustriella commutata, Philonotis seriata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Sarmentypnum exannulatum |
D2.2c | Q24 | 7130 | Sarmentypnum exannulatum | Aulacomnium palustre, Calliergonella cuspidata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Sarmentypnum exannulatum. |
D4.1a | Q41 | 7230 | Campylium stellatum, Palustriella commutata, Philonotis calcarea, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum | Aneura pinguis, Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Palustriella commutata, Philonotis calcarea, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
D4.1 | Q42 | 7230 | Aneura pinguis, Aulacomnium palustre, Campylium stellatum, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum | Aneura pinguis, Aulacomnium palustre, Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
D4.1b | Q43 | 7210 | Aneura pinguis, Campylium stellatum | Aneura pinguis, Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Palustriella commutata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
D4.1c | Q44 | 7140 | . | Aneura pinguis, Campylium stellatum, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
D4.2 | Q45 | 7240 | Campylium stellatum, Palustriella commutata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum | Aneura pinguis, Campylium stellatum, Palustriella commutata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
D614 | Q46 | 7230 | Campylium stellatum, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum | Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
E1.1d | R13 | 6110 | . | Tortella tortuosa |
E1.7 | R1M | 6230 | . | Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus |
E1.B | R1S | 6130 | Brachythecium rutabulum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus | Brachythecium rutabulum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus |
E2.3 | R23 | 6520 | . | Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus |
E3.4a | R35 | 6440 | . | Calliergonella cuspidata |
E3.4b | R37 | 6410 | . | Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus |
E4.3a | R42 | 6150 | . | Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus |
E4.4a | R44 | 6170 | . | Tortella tortuosa |
F1.1 | S11 | x | Schljakovia kunzeana | . |
F1.2 | S12 | x | Schljakovia kunzeana | . |
F2.4 | S26 | 4070 | . | Tortella tortuosa |
F3.1g | S37 | x | . | Ctenidium molluscum, Plagiomnium undulatum |
F9.2 | S92 | 4080 | . | Calliergonella cuspidata |
G1.2a | T12 | 9030 | Plagiomnium undulatum | Brachythecium rutabulum, Plagiomnium undulatum |
G1.2b | T13 | 91F0 | . | Brachythecium rutabulum, Plagiomnium undulatum |
G1.4 | T15 | 9080 | Calliergonella cuspidata | Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonella cuspidata |
G1.5 | T16 | 91D0 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
G1.Ab | T1F | 9180 | . | Ctenidium molluscum, Plagiomnium undulatum |
G3.1a | T31 | 9410 | . | Ctenidium molluscum |
G3.2 | T34 | 9430 | . | Tortella tortuosa |
G3.4b | T36 | 9530 | . | Tortella tortuosa |
G3.Da | T3J | 91D0 | Aulacomnium palustre | Aulacomnium palustre |
G3.Db | T3K | 91D0 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
H2.2 | U25 | 8120 | . | Aulacomnium palustre |
H3.1b | U32 | 8220 | Dicranella rufescens | . |
H3.4 | U3D | x | Eucladium verticillatum | Palustriella commutata |
Distribution of bryophyte diagnostic species in the different habitats listed in the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive Interpretation Manual (Eur 28).
7140 | Aneura pinguis, Campylium stellatum, Scorpidium cossonii |
7160 | Philonotis calcarea, P. marchica, P. rigida, P. seriata, Plagiomnium undulatum, Pohlia wahlenbergii, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Sarmentypnum exannulatum |
7220 | Eucladium verticillatum, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Philonotis calcarea,Scorpidium cossonii, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum |
7230 | Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Scorpidium cossonii |
7240 | Scorpidium cossonii |
7310 | Sarmentypnum exannulatum, Scorpidium cossonii |
9050 | Brachythecium rivulare, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Plagiomnium undulatum |
Site 1: Fosso Gorzano (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) Lange & C.E.O.Jensen
Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce
Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra
Philonotis calcarea (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp.
Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R.Spence & H.P.Ramsay
Vegetation type: Eriophorum latifolium & Carex frigida comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 10/07/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, S. Praleskouskaya; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.629331°N, 13.377575°E; Altitude: 1585 m a.s.l.; Area: 16 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (---); Stoniness: (---); Environment: humid fen at the edge of the beech forest; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae.
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex frigida All. 2, Juncus articulatus L. 2, Parnassia palustris L. 2, Pinguicula vulgaris L. 2, Blysmus compressus (L.) Panz. ex Link 3, Eriophorum latifolium Hoppe 3, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl. 1, Carex davalliana Sm. 1, Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O.Schwarz +, Carex viridula Michx. 1, Juncus arcticus Willd. 2, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó +, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Carex flacca Schreb. 3, Alchemilla reniformis Buser +, Leucanthemum ircutianum DC. 1, Trifolium pratense L. +, Prunella vulgaris L. 2, Trifolium repens L. 1, Montio-Cardaminetea: Saxifraga aizoides L. +, Alchemilla coriacea Buser 1, Mulgedio-Aconitetea: Tussilago farfara L. 2, Nardetea strictae: Nardus stricta L. +, Brachypodium genuense (DC.) Roem. & Schult. +, Plantago maritima L. subsp. serpentina (All.) Arcang. +, Viola canina L. +, Elyno-Seslerietea: Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. alpinus (DC.) Rothm. +, Alchemilla nitida Buser +, Polygala alpestris Rchb. subsp. alpestris +, Loiseleurio-Vaccinetea: Juniperus communis L. subsp. nana Syme 1, Festuco-Brometea: Leontodon hispidus L. 2, Briza media L. +, Linum catharticum L. +, Trifolium montanum L. subsp. rupestre (Ten.) Nyman +, Salicetea purpureae: Salix caprea L. +, Salix purpurea L. +, Salix apennina A.K.Skvortsov 1, Carpino-Fagetea: Listera ovata (L.) R.Br. +.
Site 2: Fosso della Pacina (central Italy, Lazio Region) (Fig.
Apopellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Nebel & D.Quandt
Aneura pinguis (L.) Dumort.
Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) Lange & C.E.O.Jensen
Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce
*Flexitrichum gracile (Mitt.) Ignatov & Fedosov
Marchantia quadrata Scop.
Mesoptychia badensis (Gottsche ex Rabenh.) L.Söderstr. & Váňa
Mesoptychia bantriensis (Hook.) L.Söderstr. & Váňa
Palustriella falcata (Brid.) Hedenäs
*Pellia neesiana (Gottsche) Limpr.
Philonotis calcarea (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp.
Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R.Spence & H.P.Ramsay
*Riccardia multifida (L.) Gray
§*Schljakovia kunzeana (Huebener) Konstant. & Vilnet
§*Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenäs
Vegetation type: Carex frigida and Juncus articulatus comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 10/07/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, S. Praleskouskaya; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.629153°N, 13.390942°E; Altitude: 1740 m a.s.l.; Area: 3 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (---); Stoniness: (---); Environment: stream bank vegetation; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex frigida All. 4, Juncus articulatus L. 2, Parnassia palustris L. 1, Pinguicula vulgaris L. 2, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl. +; Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Carex flacca Schreb. 2, Alchemilla reniformis Buser +, Leucanthemum ircutianum DC. +, Trifolium pratense L. +, Crepis aurea (L.) Cass. subsp. glabrescens (Caruel) Arcang. +; Montio-Cardaminetea: Saxifraga aizoides L. 2, Mulgedio-Aconitetea: Jacobaea alpina (L.) Moench subsp. samnitum (Nyman) Peruzzi 2, Pedicularis comosa L. +, Nardetea strictae: Ranunculus apenninus (Chiov.) Pignatti +, Elyno-Seslerietea: Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre 2, Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. alpinus (DC.) Rothm. +, Alchemilla nitida Buser +, Gentiana verna L. 1, Pedicularis verticillata L. +, Festuco-Brometea: Leontodon hispidus L. +, Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. +, Linum catharticum L. +.
Number of “diagnostic” and “constant” species, among those identified in this study, in the different habitats reported in the EUNIS factsheets lists (only habitats containing diagnostic species are reported in the histogram) . Q42: Extremely rich moss-sedge fen; Q41: Alkaline, calcareous, carbonate-rich small-sedge spring fen; Q23: Relict mire of Mediterranean mountains; Q45: Arctic-alpine rich fen; Q43: Tall-sedge base-rich fen; Q46: Carpathian travertine fen with halophytes; R1S: Heavy-metal grassland in Western and Central Europe; Q24: Intermediate fen and soft-water spring mire; T12: Alnus glutinosa-Alnus incana forest on riparian and mineral soils; T15: Broadleaved swamp forest on non-acid peat; N1A: Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune scrub; N1D: Atlantic and Baltic broad-leaved coastal dune forest; T3J: Pinus and Larix mire forest; U3D: Wet inland cliff; S11: Shrub tundra; S12: Moss and lichen tundra; U32: Temperate high-mountain siliceous inland cliff.
Number of “diagnostic” species, among those identified in this study, in the different habitats reported in the 92/43/EEC Interpretation manual (Only Habitats containing diagnostic species are reported in the histogram). 7140: Transition mires and quaking bogs; 7160: Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens; 7220*: Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion); 7230: Alkaline fens; 7240*: Alpine pioneer formations of Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae; 7310: Boreal mires; 9050: Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies.
Site 3: Fosso Pelone (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Bryum canariense Brid.
Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) Lange & C.E.O.Jensen
Conocephalum salebrosum Szweyk., Buczk. & Odrzyk
Dicranella rufescens (Dicks.) Schimp.
Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst.
Eucladium verticillatum (With.) Bruch & Schimp.
Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch.
§*Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs
Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra
Pedinophyllum interruptum (Nees) Kaal.
Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda
Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid.
*Philonotis seriata Mitt.
Pohlia wahlenbergii (F.Weber & D.Mohr) A.L.Andrews
*Ptychostomum cernuum (Hedw.) Hornsch.
Rhynchostegium riparioides (Hedw.) Cardot
Rhythidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst.
*Sarmentypnum exannulatum (Schimp.) Hedenäs
Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr.
Vegetation type: Carex frigida and Juncus articulatus comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 22/07/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, F. Di Pietro, A. Di Pietro; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.635831°N, 13.394442°E; Altitude: 1850–2050 m a.s.l.; Area: 10 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (---); Stoniness: (---); Environment: small fens nearby the melting-snow streams; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex frigida All. 3, Juncus articulatus L. 3, Parnassia palustris L. 1, Equisetum variegatum Schleich. ex F.Weber & D.Mohr 3, Pinguicula vulgaris L. 3, Juncus alpinoarticulatus Chaix 1, Blysmus compressus (L.) Panz. ex Link 2, Eriophorum latifolium Hoppe 3, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl. 2, Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O.Schwarz 1, Juncus arcticus Willd. 1, Tofieldia calyculata (L.) Wahlenb. 2, Pedicularis verticillata L. +, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Carex flacca Schreb. subsp. flacca 2, Agrostis stolonifera L. subsp. stolonifera 1, Alchemilla reniformis Buser 2, Leucanthemum ircutianum DC. 1, Trifolium pratense L. +, Ranunculus repens L. 1, Alchemilla marsica Buser +, Trollius europaeus L. +, Veronica beccabunga L. +, Mulgedio-Aconitetea: Jacobaea alpina (L.) Moench subsp. samnitum (Nyman) Peruzzi 1, Nardetea strictae: Nardus stricta L. +, Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata (Gaudin) Markgr.-Dann. 1, Brachypodium genuense (DC.) Roem. & Schult. +, Plantago maritima L. subsp. serpentina (All.) Arcang. +, Plantago atrata Hoppe subsp. atrata +, Elyno-Seslerietea: Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. alpinus (DC.) Rothm. 1, Phyteuma orbiculare L. +, Campanula scheuchzeri Vill. subsp. scheuchzeri +, Galium anisophyllon Vill. +, Pulsatilla alpina (L.) Delarbre subsp. millefoliata (Bertol.) D.M.Moser +, Festuco-Brometea: Leontodon hispidus L. 1, Briza media L. 1, Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. 1, Trifolium montanum L. subsp. rupestre (Ten.) Nyman 1; Betulo carpaticae-Alnetea viridis: Salix foetida Schleich. ex DC. +.
Site 4: Fosso Cerruglia (Lazio) (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwägr.
Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske
§*Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs
Philonotis rigida Brid.
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop.
Vegetation type: Carex acuta and C. panicea comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 14/08/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, P. Fortini; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.588267°N, 13.335103°E; Altitude: 1290 m a.s.l.; Area: 20 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (---); Stoniness: (---); Environment: peat bog Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex panicea L. 2, Succisa pratensis Moench 3, Carex echinata Murray 2, Menyanthes trifoliata L. 2, Equisetum variegatum Schleich. ex F.Weber & D.Mohr 1, Blysmus compressus (L.) Panz. ex Link 1, Carex davalliana Sm., 1, Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O. Schwarz 1, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó 1, Juncus articulatus L. +, Eriophorum latifolium Hoppe +, Carex rostrata Stokes +, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea; Carex acuta L., 3, Carex leporina L., 2, Carex pallescens L. 2, Juncus conglomeratus L. 2, Agrostis stolonifera L. subsp. stolonifera 1, Juncus inflexus L. 1, Equisetum palustre L. 1, Trifolium pratense L. 1, Anthoxanthum odoratum L. 1, Carex distans 1, Equisetum fluviatile L. 1, Galium palustre L. subsp. elongatum (C.Presl) Arcang. 1, Juncus effusus L. subsp. effusus 1, Lathyrus pratensis L. subsp. pratensis +, Ranunculus polyanthemoides Boreau +, Geum rivale L. +, Cardamine apennina Lihová & Marhold +, Mentha longifolia (L.) L.+, Montio-Cardaminetea: Epilobium alsinifolium Vill. +, Epilobium obscurum Schreb +. Mulgedio-Aconitetea: Hypericum tetrapterum Fr. 1. Nardetea strictae: Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. subsp. cespitosa 2, Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. 2, Nardus stricta L. +, Festuco-Brometea; Briza media L. 1, Galium verum L. 1, Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. glomerata +, Cerastium arvense L. +. Epilobietea angustifolii: Angelica sylvestris L. subsp. sylvestris 1, Epilobium hirsutum L. 1, Valeriana officinalis L. subsp. officinalis +.
Site 5: Fosso Gorzano (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp.
Conocephalum salebrosum Szweyk., Buczk. & Odrzyk
Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst.
§*Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs
Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda
Pohlia wahlenbergii (F.Weber & D.Mohr) A.L.Andrews
Vegetation type: Salix hastata dmarf-shrub community
Phytosociological relevé: Date: 28/08/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, G. Tondi; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.627136°N, 13.378733°E; Altitude: 1640 m a.s.l.; Area: 20 m2; Cover: (90%); Rockiness: (15%); Stoniness: (10%); Environment: Boreo-alpine willow low scrubs of the long-snow-covered slopes, at the edge of streams; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Betulo carpaticae-Alnetea viridis.
Phytosociological Sample:
Betulo carpaticae-Alnetea viridis: Salix hastata L. 4, Adenostyles australis (Ten.) Iamonico & Pignatti 1, Chaerophyllum hirsutum L. 1, Jacobaea alpina (L.) Moench subsp. samnitum (Nyman) Peruzzi 2, Carpino-Fagetea: Cardamine enneaphyllos (L.) Crantz 1, Hieracium lachenalii Suter +, Veronica urticifolia Jacq. 1, Elyno-Seslerietea: Pedicularis verticillata L. subsp. verticillata +, Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre 1, Crepis aurea (L.) Cass. subsp. glabrescens (Caruel) Arcang. +, Thlaspietea rotundifolii: Bellidiastrum michelii Cass. +, Leucopoa dimorpha (Guss.) H.Scholz & Foggi 1, Valeriana montana L. 1, Arenaria bertolonii Fiori +, Festuco-Brometea: Lotus corniculatus L. +, Salicetea purpureae: Salix apennina A.K.Skvortsov +, Salix purpurea L. subsp. purpurea 1, Montio-Cardaminetea: Saxifraga aizoides L. 2, Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex frigida All. 1, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl. 1, Parnassia palustris L. 1, Pinguicula vulgaris L. 2.
Site 6: Castellano stream, confluencе with Fosso Cerruglia (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Brachythecium rivulare Schimp.
Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp.
Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dumort.
Hygrohypnum luridum (Hedw.) Jenn.
Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop.
Rhynchostegium riparioides (Hedw.) Cardot
Vegetation type: Willow trees gallery wood over a stream.
Phytosociological relevé: Date: 20/08/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, P. Fortini, F. Di Pietro; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.592317°N, 13.324914°E; Altitude: 1265 m a.s.l.; Area: 80 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (10%); Stoniness: (---).; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Carpinion betuli
Phytosociological Sample:
Carpino-Fagetea: Corylus avellana L. 3, Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. 2, Bromopsis ramosa (Huds.) Holub subsp. ramosa 2, Pulmonaria vallarsae A.Kern. subsp. apennina (Cristof. & Puppi) L.Cecchi & Selvi 2, Ranunculus lanuginosus L. 2, Viola odorata L. 2, Daphne mezereum L. 1, Festuca heterophylla Lam. 1, Knautia gussonei Szabó 1, Melica uniflora Retz. 1, Poa nemoralis L. subsp. nemoralis 1, Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. 1, Fragaria vesca L. subsp. vesca +, Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC. subsp. agrimonoides +, Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich. +, Epilobium montanum L. +, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz +, Euphorbia dulcis L. +, Rubus hirtus Waldst. & Kit. +, Vicia sepium L. +, Viola riviniana Rchb. subsp. riviniana +, Salicetea purpureae: Salix purpurea L. 4, Salix alba L. 3, Rhamno-Prunetea: Viburnum lantana L. 2, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. 1, Lonicera xylosteum L. 1, Lonicera caprifolium L. +, Prunus spinosa L. subsp. spinosa +, Epilobietea angustifolii: Aegopodium podagraria L. 3, Chaerophyllum hirsutum L. 2, Cardamine impatiens L. subsp. impatiens 1, Urtica dioica L. subsp. dioica 1, Chaerophyllum aureum L. +, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. +, Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. +, Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb +, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl. +, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. glomerata 1, Equisetum palustre L. 1, Ranunculus repens L. 1, Asperula laevigata L. +, Galium palustre L. subsp. elongatum (C.Presl) Arcang. +, Veronica beccabunga L. +, Veronica chamaedrys L. +, Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. subsp. cespitosa +, Galium mollugo L.+.
Site 7: Springs within the mild slope of the left side of Castellano stream (central Italy, Lazio Region)
Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske
Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) Lange & C.E.O.Jensen
Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dumort.
Marchantia polymorpha L. subsp. polymorpha
Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda
Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop.
Rhynchostegium riparioides (Hedw.) Cardot
Vegetation type: Carex davalliana and C. hostiana comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 19/08/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, P. Fortini, F. Di Pietro; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.592067°N, 13.324183°E; Altitude: 1275 m a.s.l.; Area: 20 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (10%); Stoniness: (10%); Environment: peat bog; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex davalliana Sm. 3, Carex hostiana DC. 2, Carex panicea L. 1, Juncus articulatus L. 2, Menyanthes trifoliata L. 2, Succisa pratensis Moench 2, Carex echinata Murray 1, Parnassia palustris L. 1, Triglochin palustris L. 1, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó +, Pinguicula vulgaris L. +, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Carex acuta L. 2, Carex distans 1, Carex flacca Schreb. 1, Juncus effusus L. subsp. effusus 1, Juncus inflexus L. 1, Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. 1, Montio-Cardaminetea: Saxifraga aizoides L. +, Mulgedio-Aconitetea: Calamagrostis varia (Schrad.) Host 1, Nardetea: Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. subsp. cespitosa 2, Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. 2, Festuco-Brometea: Centaurea jacea L. subsp. angustifolia (DC.) Gremli 1, Briza media L. +, Epilobietea angustifolii: Eupatorium cannabinum L. subsp. cannabinum 2, Carpino-Fagetea: Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich. +.
Site 8: M. Cima della Laghetta, subalpine belt mires (central Italy, Abruzzo Region)
Ctenidium molluscum (Hedw.) Mitt.
Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr.
Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch.
*Philonotis rigida Brid.
Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra
Vegetation type: Carex davalliana and C. echinata comm.
Phytosociological relevé. Date: 12/09/2022; Samplers: R. Di Pietro, S. Praleskouskaya, G. Tondi; Coordinates: WGS84: 42.579114°N, 13.393047°E; Altitude: 1940 m a.s.l.; Area: 20 m2; Cover: (100%); Rockiness: (---); Stoniness: (---); Environment: peat bog; Preliminary syntaxonomic classification: Caricion davallianae
Phytosociological Sample:
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae: Carex echinata Murray 3, Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O.Schwarz 3, Carex frigida All. 2, Carex panicea L. 2, Eriophorum latifolium Hoppe 2, Juncus articulatus L. 2, Triglochin palustris L. 2, Blysmus compressus (L.) Panz. ex Link 1, Carex davalliana Sm. 1, Equisetum variegatum Schleich. ex F.Weber & D.Mohr 1, Juncus alpinoarticulatus Chaix 1, Parnassia palustris L. 1, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea: Cirsium palustre (L.) Scop. 2, Agrostis stolonifera L. subsp. stolonifera 1, Carex flacca Schreb. 1, Equisetum palustre L. 1, Juncus inflexus L. 1, Prunella vulgaris L. 1, Scorzoneroides autumnalis (L.) Moench 1, Cynosurus cristatus L. +, Trifolium repens L. +, Montio-Cardaminetea: Alchemilla coriacea Buser 2, Epilobium alsinifolium Vill. 1, Nardetea strictae: Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. subsp. cespitosa 1, Luzula campestris (L.) DC. +, Festuco-Brometea: Linum catharticum L. 1, Briza media L. +, Cerastium arvense L. +, Gentianopsis ciliata (L.) Ma +.
In this study, some montane and subalpine mires of the Laga Mountains were investigated. Despite a significant number of papers published concerning the vascular flora and boreal-type vegetation, the researches concerning the bryophyte flora of the Laga Mountains are very limited. Accordingly, in this study we provided new information useful not only for updating regional and national bryophyte lists, but also for investigating the ecological features of some rare boreal bryophyte species at the southernmost boundaries of their range. Moreover, we analysed the coenological and biogeographical correspondence between the bryophyte species identified and the Habitat types which are currently reported for the Apennines by the EUNIS classification and the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive.
As expected, the chorological spectrum relating to all the 44 species identified is in accordance with the bioclimatic features of the sites of collection, which are located at the border between the upper-montane and the subalpine belts, and with the ecology of the communities investigated. The Boreal element is dominant and it exhibits higher percentages than the Temperate element, which is dominant when all the bryophytes of the whole Laga mountain territory are considered (
From a national (regional) floristic point of view, nine, out of the forty-four species of bryophytes collected, were found to be new for the Lazio administrative Region and one to be new for the Abruzzo Region. These regional records, which might seem of little interest from a large-scale perspective, become very important when dealing with procedures related to Habitats and biodiversity conservation and with the environmental policies involved in achieving this goal. The majority of the policies for biodiversity safeguarding in Italy, and the related evaluation of the conservation actions applied, are established and managed by the governance of the single administrative Regions, which normally is required to deal with matters of conservation concerning their own territory only. Accordingly, new regional floristic records represent the essential data set through which each administrative region is periodically called upon to implement new and more adequate conservation measures for safeguarding biodiversity or for modifying the existing measures (especially when these records concern rare or protected species or when SAC or other types of protected areas are involved).
From a strictly chorological point of view, our findings are to be considered of a large-scale interest, given that the aforementioned new records also involve a southward extension of the overall range of some of the rare species identified (e.g. Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Ptychostomum cernuum, Schljakovia kunzeana, Scorpidium cossonii). The modifications of the known distribution area of species with high biogeographical importance always receive much attention in the field of conservation biology, especially when these modifications concern populations that are more or less isolated or restricted to the very edge of their range. It is not by chance that such species are often attributed an importance similar to that normally given to narrow endemics or rare taxa (
In this perspective, one of the most important findings of our study is the new record for Hamatocaulis vernicosus, a species currently included in the Annex II of the Habitats Directive and distributed in North and South America, Asia and throughout Europe, except for the Mediterranean region (
According to
In addition to H. vernicosus, there are further two species, Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenäs and Schljakovia kunzeana (Huebener) Konstant. & Vilnet, whose Italian distribution was known for northern Italy only (
As far as Schljakovia kunzeana is concerned, the new finding of the species in the Laga Mountains is located along the current southernmost limit of its range, more or less at the same latitude of its south-western limit (Iberian Peninsula) and its south-eastern limit (Southern Balkans) (see GBIF at https://www.gbif.org/species/4891040). Indeed, the already established southernmost records of S. kunzeana for the Iberian Peninsula are located in the mountains of Navarra and Asturias in northwestern Spain and in the Central Pyrenees (
The chorological identity of Ptychostomum cernuum is a little different. This species is currently reported for three administrative regions of northern Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, and Trentino-Alto Adige) only based on old data deriving from collections published before 1968 (
Many of the bryophyte species found in the study area represent diagnostic species of different Habitats listed in the European conservation Directives. On the basis of the EUNIS European Habitats classification (
EUNIS Habitat Q43 (Tall-sedge base-rich fen), which is described as including “tall-sedge fens and medium to tall graminoids over a ground carpet of rich-fen bryophytes”, acts as a possible alternative reference, especially for the communities developed over larger dimension flat landforms. This environmental type could be applied to the communities we found at Fosso Cerruglia and along the banks of the Castellano river (sites 4 and 7, respectively). In these sites, the physiognomic dominance is given by tall sedges (e.g. Carex acuta, C. panicea, C. pallescens) and other medium-size species (Juncus effusus, J. inflexus, Deschampsia cespitosa), together with species considered to be diagnostic and frequently occurring in Q43 habitat (e.g. Carex echinata, C. rostrata, Menyanthes trifoliata, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis). Regarding bryophytes considered as diagnostic in Habitat Q43, we found Aneura pinguis and Campylium stellatum. In addition, we found Calliergonella cuspidata, Ctenidium molluscum, Palustriella commutata, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum as constant species. It is worth highlighting that Habitat Q43 is one of the two habitats, out of those identified in this study, exhibiting the highest number of bryophyte constant species. The other one is Habitat Q23 - Relict mire of Mediterranean mountains. Habitat Q23 characterizes the oligo-mesotrophic mires occurring in the montane and subalpine belts over siliceous bedrocks and exhibits a peculiar geographical distribution that comprises the Balkans, the mountains of Corsica and the Sierra Nevada massif in southern Spain. The diagnostic bryophyte species we collected in our samples are Philonotis seriata, Ptychostomum pseudo triquetrum and Sarmentypnum exannulatum. The finding of this habitat in the middle of the Italian Peninsula could be considered evidence for a natural geographical connection bridging an anomalous biogeographical gap along the W-E (or E-W) alignment of the Mediterranean mountain ranges. Moreover, the Laga Mountains, being a siliceous Mediterranean massif characterized by acidic soil, correspond significantly to the diagnosis of Habitat Q23, especially considering that the communities we sampled are developed at the edge of melting snow streams in the upper montane and subalpine belts. Last, but not least, the Central Apennines are biogeographically strictly related to the Balkans (core area of Q23 Habitat) and form the Apennine-Balkan biogeographical Province (see
EUNIS Habitat Q45 includes several of the species and communities we detected, although its diagnosis and current distribution “Fens developed on open substrates constantly flushed by icy, base-rich water alongside small rivers, springs or glaciers in the alpine belt of European mountains and in the Arctic” would not support its occurrence in a Mediterranean mountain range such as the Apennines. However, the presence in our samples of Q45 diagnostic bryophytes, such as Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Palustriella commutata, Campylium stellatum, together with several diagnostic vascular plant species, testifies to the importance of the Laga Mountains for the conservation of boreal species during the post-glacial period. This statement is particularly supported by the finding of Schljakovia kunzeana which is currently considered as diagnostic for extreme glacial habitats, such as S11 “Shrub tundra” and S12 “Moss and lichen tundra”, both limited to the northern sector of Scandinavia.
Our attempts to find a correspondence between the bryophytes found in the study area and the diagnostic species lists occurring in Annex I, of the EUR 23 interpretation manual of Directive 92/43/EEC, reveal that the information obtained from Annex I is limited and partially indeterminate. This is probably due to the lower degree of detail used in Annex I in evaluating both the numerical consistency of the pools of species typical of a given Habitat and, more specifically, the ecological (and coenological) role of the bryophyte component within each habitat type. Habitat 7160 (Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens) is the one showing the highest number of diagnostic bryophyte species, among those we collected during our sampling. This evidence is quite surprising, even just considering the diagnosis of Habitat 7160 and the geographical distribution declared in it. However, this Habitat would not seem like a good reference for the communities we sampled also from a floristic point of view, since only Epilobium alsinifolium was found in our surveys among all the vascular plant species reported as diagnostic for 7160 in the Manual of interpretation. It is no coincidence that, the Italian Manual for Habitats Directive (
The Habitat types exhibiting the greatest coherence with the cryptogamic and vascular flora occurring in our sampled sites, according to the EUR 28 Manual, are certainly Habitats 7220* (Petrifying springs with tufa formation) and 7230 (Alkaline fens). Both these habitats share numerous diagnostic species (e.g. Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Parnassia palustris, Pinguicula vulgaris, Saxfraga aizoides, Tofieldia calyculata). However, the environments characterized by the two aforementioned habitats appear to be very different from each other, as can be deduced even just by considering the phytosociological alliances proposed as syntaxonomic reference in the Manual. Habitat 7220* is characterized by communities mainly developed near springs and dripping walls, normally in shady locations, which are generally classified in the alliance Cratoneurion commutati. This type of vegetation does not correspond, if not very partially, to the communities we detected. In fact, at least in Italy, Habitat 7220 is not linked to the mountain environment, but is widely distributed in all the Italian administrative Regions, including Sicily and Sardinia.
However, as emerged from our samples, the bryophytes listed as diagnostic for Habitat 7220* (Eucladium verticillatum, Philonotis calcarea, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Scorpidium cossonii) show high frequency and coverage values also in a completely different environment, such as the Caricion davallianae meadows. This grassland type closely matches Habitat 7230, which, accordingly, is to be considered the most suitable reference for the communities we sampled, both considering their ecology and structure, and the syntaxonomic classification provided in the diagnosis itself (i.e. small sedge and brown moss mire communities belonging mainly to Caricion davallianae developed on soils permanently waterlogged with the water table at, or slightly above or below, the substratum).
The bryophytes that the Manual EUR 28 reports as diagnostic for the Habitat 7230 are Campylium stellatum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Ctenidium molluscum, Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum, Scorpidium cossonii. However, compared to Habitat 7220*, there is a significantly higher number of diagnostic vascular plant species. What is apparently not entirely consistent comparing the study area with the Habitat diagnosis, is that Habitat 7230 is normally associated with calcareous substrates with neutral alkaline pH values, and dominated by calciphilous small sedges. This is actually not exactly in line with the soil characteristics of the Laga Mountains, which especially in the highest bioclimatic belts are characterized by typical acidophilous communities, such as the Nardus stricta L., and Patzkea paniculata (L.) G.H.Loos communities among the grasslands, the acidophilic beech forest of the upper montane belt with Veronica urticifolia Jacq. and Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newman and of the Vaccinium myrtillus L. heathlands throughout the lower subalpine belt (see
If only the type of substrate and the pH values are considered, Habitat 7240 (Alpine pioneer formations of Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae) would be the most suitable to be used as reference, as it refers to a neutral or slightly acidic pH. However, in neither the EUR23 Interpretation Manual, nor the Italian version of it, is there a list of diagnostic bryophyte species for this habitat, apart from a coenological reference to a “Scorpidium revolvens-Carex saxatilis community”. Instead, there are several vascular plant species listed as diagnostic for Habitat 7240, including some occurring as dominant in the communities we sampled (e.g. Carex frigida, Juncus alpinoarticulatus, J. arcticus).
The remaining habitats as hosting some of the bryophyte species detected in the sampled area (i.e. 7140; 7310) cannot be taken into consideration, as they are both strictly related to the peatbogs of Northern Europe and characterized by the absolute dominance of Sphagnum species in their bryophyte component. Finally, Habitat 9050, which includes among its diagnostic species Brachythecium rivulare, Plagiomnium undulatum, P. cuspidatum, actually concerns open coniferous forest vegetation totally unrelated to the fen and mires communities we investigated.
It emerges that the choice of the habitat to which to assign the communities we detected may not be unambiguous, depending on whether the interpretations are made using the EUNIS Habitats factsheets or the EUR28 Habitat Interpretation manual. If we refer to the EUNIS factsheets it is possible to identify two different habitats (i.e. Q41 for the small pools dominated by small sedge communities and Q43 for the larger pools characterized by bigger size sedge species). Instead, if we refer to the EUR28 Interpretation Manual there would seem to be only a single Habitat type (7230) to which to assign both of the above-mentioned community types. At the same time, however, it is evident that EUNIS habitats Q41 and Q43 are partially overlapping from both a floristic and an ecological point of view so that the choice to consider them as two separate habitats may not be fully shared by the scientific community. Consequently, the uncertainty on which of the two interpretations should be considered the most correct, the one proposed by the EUNIS factsheets or the one proposed by the EUR28 Manual. This paper does not have necessary research data to provide a solution to this question. Apparently, at least in our study case, the EUNIS classification is able to identify two distinct habitats as it uses greater detail than the EUR 28 Manual in the resolution and description of the environmental pattern of the mires and fen occurring in the study area. It seems that the EUNIS classification interpreted the communities using a higher detail scale than that adopted by the EUR 28 Manual. However, the issue of the scale adopted may not be the one to be called into question and the differences between the two aforementioned classification systems have to be attributed to other factors. In fact, in the EUNIS terrestrial habitat classification with crosswalks to Annex I (
This study made it possible to fill some knowledge gaps on the presence and distribution of relict bryophyte species of boreal origin in the high altitude bioclimatic belts of the Central Apennines. Nine species of bryophytes were found to be new records for the Lazio administrative Region and one species for the Abruzzo administrative region. For some of these species (e.g. Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Schljakovia kunzeana and Scorpidium cossonii), the new findings have led to an extension of the southernmost limit of their distribution range (at the national and global scale). Of particular interest are the new records of Hamatocaulis vernicosus, a species currently included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, which was still unknown for the Apennines.
The correspondence between the bryophyte species identified and the Habitats available using the EUNIS factsheet and the 92/43/EEC Directive Interpretation Manual led to results that were not completely in agreement in terms of number of species considered and Habitat type involved. The EUNIS classification highlighted two possible Habitats to be used as reference (Q41 and Q43), whereas the Habitat directive Manual highlighted just one Habitat (7230).
The amount of information provided by the EUNIS expert classification system was found to be greater and more complete than that provided by the Habitats Directive Interpretation Manual overall. Based on a continuously updated database of phytosociological surveys and syntaxonomic framework (EuroVegChecklist), the EUNIS factsheets prove to be more effective in providing useful qualitative and quantitative information regarding the cenological role of bryophytes. In contrast, the information provided by the EUR28 interpretation Manual was found to be a little flatter, especially owing the fact that it was not directly derived from statistically-derived diagnostic species. Moreover, the EUR 28 Manual was sometimes found to be deficient in providing information on the ecological role of the diagnostic species and lacking in updated syntaxonomic references to be used for the correct identification of Habitats.
The importance of the Habitats Directive in the management of the environment is clearly recognized in all the European Union countries. All the implications, not only scientific, but also administrative, bureaucratic, and legal linked to the identification, monitoring and assessment of EU Habitats are also recognized. Updated taxonomic, syntaxonomic and ecological information deriving from a robust basis of georeferenced field surveys and validated through publications in scientific journals would therefore be an essential and indispensable help for all the bodies responsible for the management and conservation of the Natura 2000 sites. The need for effective tools which could help in procedures of habitat identification and interpretation (see
The research was in part supported by private funds of the authors and in part by: i) National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2: Investment 1.4 - Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of Italian Ministry of University and Research; Award Number: Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, Project funded by the European Union – “NextGenerationEU NBFC”. A) R. Di Pietro: CUP B83C22002950007, Project title “National Biodiversity Future Center; ii) Ateneo Sapienza progetti medi: prot. RM123188F7AAEE40 Resp. Romeo Di Pietro.
The authors wish to acknowledge the colleague A. Alegro, the anonymous rewiewer and the subject Editor for valuable feedbacks on an earlier version of the manuscript. The authors wish also to thank the colleagues from University of Brno S. Kubešová, E. Mikulášková, T. Peterka, P. Hájková, M. Hájek for their help in the identification of some specimens.