DOI: 10.3897/pls2024612/05

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Gianmaria Bonari, Vanessa Brunco, Gabriella Buffa, Francesco Candini, Silvia Cannucci, Maria Carmela Caria, Giampiero Ciaschetti, Leopoldo De Simone, Adriano Di Pietro, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Massimiliano Ferrarato, Tiberio Fiaschi, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Michele Lonati, Leonardo Lorenzato, Giacomo Marengo, Andrea Mainetti, Francesco Mascia, Giacomo Mei, Ginevra Nota, Duilio Iamonico, Glauco Patera, Enrico Vito Perrino, Simone Marino Preo, Riccardo Rocca, Adriano Stinca, Giovanni Terranova, Angelo Troia, Roberto Venanzoni, Claudia Angiolini

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of some of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 16 records are presented including 9 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites, and 27 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Latium, Marche, Lombardy, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, and Veneto.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2024612/04

Authors: Johann Gabriel Gedeon, Anton Issa Khalilieh

Abstract: Palestine has rich floristic diversity due to its location, diverse biogeographical zones, and various topographical features. The Royal Irises (Iris section Oncocyclus), are a monophyletic group of herbaceous geophytes, consisting of 33 species, endemic to the Middle East. Within the West Bank of Palestine, three Royal Irises are documented. However, their distribution, population size, and status are not studied comprehensively. This study focused on evaluating the occurrence, distribution range, population size, status, number of flowers, inflorescence coloration variety, and habitats of the vulnerable and endemic Iris haynei, the endangered and sub-endemic Iris lortetii, and the vulnerable and sub-endemic Iris atrofusca. I. lortetii was found in 10 sites within Nablus district, with more than 12625 clones and 25088 flowers flowers recorded. I. haynei were documented in 4 sites within Jenin district, three are new to science, where 10729 clones and 9562 flowers were recorded. I. atrofusca was reported in 13 localities in Tubas and Ramallah districts, where 1853 clones and 8460 flowers were recorded, whereas six locatities are new to science. 12, 12, and 7 unique variations in coloration of inflorescences were observed for I. lortetii, I. atrofusca, and I. haynei, respectively. The results indicate that the population size and the distribution range of the three Royal Irises are larger than previously reported, whereas the documented inflorescences’ coloration variations are unique and considerable. This study sheds light on hotspot occurrence sites of endangered and vulnerable species in Palestine, which can assist in laying adequate conservation actions and management plans in the future.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2024612/02

Authors: Romeo Di Pietro, Safiya Praleskouskaya, Michele Aleffi, Francesco Di Pietro, Adriano Di Pietro, Giancarlo Tondi, Paola Fortini

Abstract: 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.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2024612/01

Authors: Silvia Assini, Ilaria Brugellis, Juri Nascimbene, Matteo Barcella, Alessia Gressani, Gabriele Gheza

Abstract: This paper provides an overall look on the diversity of lowland dry grasslands of the western Po Plain, useful to support their conservation and management. Specific aims were: 1) to identify lowland dry grassland-associated plant communities at alliance level, which is useful for their classification under the Council Directive 92/43/EEC, 2) to assess their synecological and synchorological differences, 3) to define the equivalent Directive habitats and their management implications. Seven subareas were analysed: Lomellina, Ticino River, Sesia River, Po River (North), Orba Stream, Scrivia Stream, and Serio River. Floristic-vegetational relevés were carried out considering vascular plant, moss and lichen species. Cluster analysis were performed to syntaxonomically classify them, while statistical tests were performed to characterize them by means of biological life forms, chorotypes and Ellenberg indicator values. Eight plant communities were classified at alliance level and three plant communities were classified at class level. The equivalence with three Natura 2000 Habitats (H2330, H6110* and H6210) was found. Of the 60 studied sites, the 68% are located inside the Natura 2000 Network, while the remnant 31% are located outside. Possible management actions include: cutting of woody species, mowing, sod-cutting, transplants of typical herbaceous species, and ex novo restoration using harvested seeds from donor grasslands.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2024611/03

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Marina Allegrezza, Claudia Angiolini, Simonetta Bagella, Gianmaria Bonari, Silvia Cannucci, Maria Carmela Caria, Giampiero Ciaschetti, Leopoldo De Simone, Romeo Di Pietro, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Tiberio Fiaschi, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Francesco Mascia, Duilio Iamonico, Giacomo Mei, Francesco Minutillo, Giuseppe Misano, Antonio Morabito, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Glauco Patera, Enrico Vito Perrino, Marco Senfett, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gianmarco Tavilla, Giulio Tesei, Valeria Tomaselli, Roberto Venanzoni, Giuseppe Bazan

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 9 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 34 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Calabria, Latium, Lombardy, Marche, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2024611/02

Authors: Alice Misuri, Michele Mugnai, Michele Giunti, Lorella Dell’Olmo, Lorenzo Lazzaro

Abstract: Island ecosystems face significant threats from biological invasions due to their unique biomes. In over a quarter of these ecosystems, the number of alien plants surpasses the total count of native ones, leading to notable impacts. This concern is particularly pronounced in the Mediterranean Basin, a globally important hotspot for plant diversity. In line with this, our study aimed to investigate the current distribution of six main alien plant species (Chasmanthe floribunda, Nicotiana glauca, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia stricta, Senecio angulatus, and Zantedeschia aethiopica) on Capraia Island in the Tuscan Archipelago, Italy. We identified invaded vegetation types and N2000 habitats (sensu 92/43/EEC “Habitats” Directive), created a detailed map of the current distribution of these six target species, and analyzed the relationship between their distribution and environmental factors. The six target species were found to be more widespread in areas of the island with higher levels of anthropogenic disturbance, with only O. stricta also spreading into natural habitats. Overall, the invasion covers an area of 71 hectares (3.6% of the island’s surface), of which over 70 hectares are invaded by O. stricta. The habitats most impacted by alien plant invasion include 5330 “Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert scrub”, 5320 “Low formations of Euphorbia close to cliffs”, 1240 “Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts with endemic Limonium spp.”, and 6220* “Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea”, all primarily invaded by O. stricta. Environmental factors most correlated with alien plant distribution include the distance from infrastructure, altitude, and slope aspect.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023602/08

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Salvatore Cambria, Silvia Cannucci, Giulia Capotorti, Maria Carmela Caria, Virginia Chiara Cuccaro, Leopoldo de Simone, Giuliano Fanelli, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Tiberio Fiaschi, Matilde Gennai, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Duilio Iamonico, Dario La Montagna, Francesco Mascia, Giacomo Mei, Antonio Morabito, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Gianluca Orrù, Ines Orrù, Glauco Patera, Gaetano Pazienza, Enrico Vito Perrino, Riccardo Rocca, Silvia Serra, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gianmarco Tavilla, Francesco Todaro, Valeria Tomaselli, Claudia Angiolini

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of 17 Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 11 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 30 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Lazio, Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023602/01

Authors: Erwan Glemarec, Frédéric Bioret

Abstract: Atlantic coastal cliff heathlands are chamaephytic vegetation dominated by Ericaceae, most often associated to Fabaceae (Ulex) and integrated from a phytosociological point of view into alliance of Dactylido oceanicae-Ulicion maritimi Géhu 1975 (class of Calluno vulgaris-Ulicetea minoris Braun-Blanq. & Tüxen ex Klika & Hadač 1944). This alliance gathers coastal heathlands under marine influences whose physiognomy is marked by prostrate or halo-anemomorphic chamaephytes. All Atlantic heathlands are included into habitats of European community interest which justify the designation of Natura 2000 sites. Within these protected areas, heathland conservation or restoration management issues raise the question of the choice of nature and frequency of management methods. For that, it seems important to understand the dynamics of cliff-top coastal heathlands. Stable heathlands, considered as permanent vegetation of primary character, can be managed without any intervention, while heathlands characterized by a progressive dynamic may be subject to interventionist management. The aim of this work is to present the main determinant abiotic and biotic factors driving the cliff-top coastal heathlands. Human uses may influence the composition and structure of these vegetation. This approach helps to assess the primary or secondary character of cliff-top coastal heathlands vegetation, their stability or dynamic. This article clarifies the notions of primitive, primary and secondary coastal heathlands. It proposes criteria to differentiate stable heathlands and unstable heathlands which are characterized by a progressive dynamic towards coastal scrublands or forest: abiotic conditions, floristic combination, physiognomy. The synphytosociological methodology is useful for establishing the typology of the series, permaseries and minoriseries, in which the different types of cliff-top coastal heathlands are included.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023601/05

Authors: Antonio Morabito, Marina Allegrezza, Claudia Angiolini, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Federica Bonini, Mattia Camilletti, Silvia Cannucci, Maria Carmela Caria, Alessandro Crisafulli, Leopoldo de Simone, Assunta Esposito, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Emmanuele Farris, Massimiliano Ferrarato, Tiberio Fiaschi, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Daniela Gigante, Riccardo Guarino, Vincenzo Ilardi, Michele Lonati, Andrea Mainetti, Francesco Mascia, Giacomo Mei, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Glauco Patera, Veronica Ranno, Maria Ravo, Saverio Sciandrello, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gianmarco Tavilla, Giulio Tesei, Giovanni Rivieccio

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 8 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 49 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Campania, Calabria, Marche, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria. Relevés and figures are provided as Supplementary material respectively 1 and 2.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023601/06

Authors: Gianmaria Bonari, Michele Dalle Fratte, Michele Lonati, Marco Caccianiga, Cesare Lasen, Stefano Armiraglio, Matteo Barcella, Gabriella Buffa, Bruno Enrico Leone Cerabolini, Andrea Mainetti, Luca Miserere, Giuseppe Oriolo, Alberto Selvaggi

Abstract: Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) is the cornerstone of nature conservation in Europe and is at the core of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. There is room, however, for its improvement, at least for northern Italy, where ambiguities in the definition of habitat types of Annex I of the Habitats Directive are not novel and interpretation difficulties have been highlighted. Sharpening the characterization of habitat types represents an opportunity for lowering classification uncertainties and improving conservation success. With the aim to refine the definitions of habitat types and associated typical species of the Habitats Directive, a group of vegetation scientists of the Italian Society of Vegetation Science based in northern Italy made the exercise of finding viable proposals for those habitat types having a problematic interpretation in the Alpine biogeographical region of Italy. Such proposals arise from group discussions among scientists, and professionals, thus offering a shared view. We prepared 9 habitat proposals important for this geographic area. They include new habitat types at the European level, new subtypes within pre-existing habitat types, including some adjustments of the recently proposed subtypes with respect to northern Italy, and recognition of priority criteria for a pre-existing habitat type. With a vision of tailored conservation, our proposals represent a starting point in view of a future update of Annex I. Furthermore, the list of typical species could be useful for preparing expert systems for automatic classification. Irrespective of legally binding solutions in place, we caution these proposals represent relevant baseline conservation indications that local and regional administrations of the Alpine Arch should consider.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023601/03

Authors: Lorenzo Lastrucci, Claudia Angiolini, Gianmaria Bonari, Alessandro Bottacci, Vincenzo Gonnelli, Antonio Zoccola, Michele Mugnai, Daniele Viciani

Abstract: Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity conservation. They are among the most threatened habitats in the world. However, the wetlands of southern European mountains still lack fine-scale plant community studies. Here we studied submontane and montane palustrine communities of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. Data from 123 vegetation plots dominated by palustrine species were analysed by means of cluster analysis. We identified 18 vegetation types that we attributed to five classes (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Montio-Cardaminetea, Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, and Epilobietea angustifolii), and to two Natura 2000 habitats (3130 - Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, and 6430 - Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels). According the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature we corrected the names Phragmition communis Koch 1926 nom. inept. in P. australis Koch 1926 nom. corr., Phragmitetum communis Savič 1926 nom. inept. in P. australis Savič 1926 nom. corr., Glycerietum plicatae Kulczyński 1928 nom. inept. in G. notatae Kulczyński 1928 nom. corr., Beruletum angustifoliae Roll 1938 nom. inept. in Beruletum erectae Roll 1938 nom. corr., and we mutated the name Scirpetum lacustris Chouard 1924 nom. inept. in Schoenoplectetum lacustris Chouard 1924 nom. mut. nov. Our study highlights the diversity of marsh vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines. Most of the palustrine communities, though important from the point of view of conservation, cannot be attributed at present to any habitat type legally protected at the European level.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2023601/02

Authors: Adriano Stinca

Abstract: This paper illustrates the results of a survey aimed at deepening knowledge on vegetation in which Festuca lachenalii and Ophioglossum lusitanicum were recently discovery on Mt. Vesuvius (Italy) after about 200 and 150 years from the last observation, respectively. Both species were previously thought to be locally extinct. These noteworthy microphytes are rare and poorly documented species within their global distribution range. They were found within a habitat of community interest (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC), where they are subject to extensive anthropogenic impact and require urgent actions for their in situ conservation.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022592/07

Authors: Annalisa Santangelo, Gabriele de Filippo, Valeria Rossetti, Sandro Strumia

Abstract: The implementation of the Habitat Directive (Dir. 92/43/EEC) entails gathering a large amount of field data. As for monitoring activities, along with spatial data (GIS data), tabular data regarding habitat, plant and animal species population size, and pressures and threats acting on them are collected. In this paper we describe two relational databases designed to ensure a correct and efficient data storage for the habitats listed in Annex I and the Plant species listed in the Annexes II, IV and V. The two relational Databases were designed in Microsoft Access format. In both databases, “Lookup Tables” related to the taxon were used to avoid replication and to centralize the data. Data Tables were used to store the raw data deriving from monitoring activities. The adopted databases allow the storage of collected data in a standard and homogeneous format and make data entry easier to users, reducing input errors. The databases comply with the mandatory actions of art. 11 and 17 of the Habitat Directive and give a prompt reply to the basic requests of users. Finally, the databases aim to provide citizens and/or other end users with all the data gathered in a single regional repository, with zoological data in addition.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022592/06

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Claudia Angiolini, Mattia Martin Azzella, Simonetta Bagella, Gianmaria Bonari, Federica Bonini, Silvia Cannucci, Maria Carmela Caria, Alessandro Crisafulli, Romeo Di Pietro, Assunta Esposito, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Emmanuele Farris, Valentina Ferri, Tiberio Fiaschi, Luigi Forte, Paola Fortini, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Daniela Gigante, Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Giovanni Maiorca, Francesca Mantino, Giacomo Mei, Francesco Minutillo, Antonio Morabito, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Glauco Patera, Enrico Vito Perrino, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gianmarco Tavilla, Valeria Tomaselli, Giancarlo Tondi, Robert Philipp Wagensommer, Giuseppe Bazan

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 8 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 27 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Sardinia, and Sicily.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022592/05

Authors: Romeo Di Pietro, Marco Giardini, Duilio Iamonico, Giancarlo Tondi, Daniele Angeloni, Emanuela Carli, Michele Aleffi, Mattia Martin Azzella, Francesco Di Pietro, Elisa Proietti, Sonia Ravera, Paola Fortini

Abstract: During a phytosociological field-work campaign on the vegetation of the travertine outcrops, included in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) “Travertini Acque Albule (Bagni di Tivoli)” (Central Italy), several taxa of particular interest were identified. Carex vulpina, Lolium apenninum, Onosma echioides subsp. angustifolia, Typha domingensis, T. laxmannii and Vicia pannonica subsp. pannonica are new for the Lazio administrative Region, while Ophrys illyrica and Zannichellia peltata are confirmed for the flora of this Region. For each of these taxa phytosociological samples describing the plant communities in which they were found are provided. New records for rare species were also reported for cryptogams such as Algae, Lichens and Mosses.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022592/04

Authors: Michele Mugnai, Emilio Corti, Andrea Coppi, Daniele Viciani, Lorenzo Lazzaro

Abstract: We analysed two different plant communities hosting Ionopsidium savianum (Brassicaceae), a species of EU interest included in the Habitats Directive 92/43/CEE annexes, for which specific studies on the ecology of communities where the species grows are lacking and more in-depth knowledge is needed. We examined two important sites of occurrence of this species in Tuscany with different soil types, namely limestone (Mt. Calvi) and serpentine (Mt. Pelato), to determine the structural and functional profile of the communities hosting this species in such different contexts. At each site, we surveyed the plant communities with I. savianum in ten 1 m2 quadrats to determine information on communities' species composition and total plant cover, as well as taxonomic (species richness, and Shannon H’ index), phylogenetic (phylogenetic diversity, mean nearest taxon distance and mean pairwise distance) and functional diversity (focusing on Rao’s Q, leaf functional traits and adaptive strategies community weighted mean). We took into account site location, soil type, slope aspect and microrelief as plot-level environmental factors. The two communities were highly diverging from multiple points of view. Differences were in species composition, richness and diversity, with Mt. Calvi hosting higher diversity. The indices of phylogenetic diversity were influenced significantly by site and microrelief, allowing the presence of peculiar niches occupied by the fern Asplenium ceterach. From the functional point of view, communities at Mt. Calvi showed a higher functional diversity and a higher specific leaf area. Plant height was influenced by the slope aspect and was higher on north-facing slopes. In terms of Grime’s adaptive strategies, the Mt. Pelato communities resulted to be more stress tolerant than those surveyed at Mt. Calvi. Here, a decrease in stress-tolerant strategy associated with an increase in ruderal strategy was detected in communities on north-facing slopes.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022592/01

Authors: Fotios Xystrakis, Minas Chasapis, Eleni Eleftheriadou, Dimitrios Samaras, Konstantinos Theodoropoulos

Abstract: The definition of typical species inventories of the 92/43/EEC Directive habitat types is a valuable information for the optimization of the conservation status assessment. Habitat-specific assessment protocols and predefined local inventories of typical species provide a method for a relatively fast and accurate assessment of the criterion “structures and functions”. Habitat types are often defined and described on the basis of a phytosociological description of vegetation units, mainly at the syntaxonomical level of alliance. Therefore, the definition of typical species inventories can be based on phytosociological approaches. Within this concept we surveyed the vegetation of a NATURA 2000 Special Area of Conservation in northern Greece in order to optimize and downscale the existing region-wide inventories of typical species. In total, we sampled 164 relevés in beech and in thermophilous deciduous broadleaved forests. The relevés were assigned to vegetation units and habitat types using numerical approaches and their differential and constant taxa were defined. We used these taxa to draw up the optimized, site-specific inventories of typical species for seven habitat types of community interest and one habitat type of national interest.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022591/05

Authors: Gianmarco Tavilla, Claudia Angiolini, Simonetta Bagella, Federica Bonini, Salvatore Cambria, Maria Carmela Caria, Assunta Esposito, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Valentina Ferri, Tiberio Fiaschi, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Vincenzo Ilardi, Giacomo Mei, Pietro Minissale, Giovanni Rivieccio, Saverio Sciandrello, Adriano Stinca, Giuseppe Bazan

Abstract: In this contribution, Italian new data concerning the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 3150, 3170*, 3260, 4090, 91L0, 91M0, 9340 are reported. In detail, 20 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 30 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Campania, Lazio, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, and Umbria.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022591/03

Authors: Daniele Viciani, Claudia Angiolini, Gianmaria Bonari, Alessandro Bottacci, Lorella Dell´Olmo, Vincenzo Gonnelli, Antonio Zoccola, Lorenzo Lastrucci

Abstract: The importance of wetlands for biodiversity conservation is widely recognized. Their relevance is crucial in the identification of habitat types included in the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and in the application of the following conservation measures. Yet, several montane and submontane areas are poorly investigated from the phytosociological point of view. Here we studied aquatic communities of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines in Italy using 52 vegetation plots dominated by hydrophytes collected in wetlands of natural and artificial origin. We analysed our data using a cluster analysis and identified 12 vegetation types that we classified as three vegetation classes Charetea intermediae, Lemnetea and Potamogetonetea, and two habitat types of conservation importance, as the hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. (Natura 2000 code 3140) and the natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition (Natura 2000 code 3150). Our study highlights the diversity of aquatic habitats in montane and submontane areas of the Northern Apennines where water bodies are generally small and scattered. This study further highlights the important role of natural freshwater ecosystems for vegetation, but also the notable role of partly or entirely artificial water bodies in maintaining aquatic communities.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2022591/01

Authors: Matilde Gennai, Claudia Angiolini, Andrea Bertacchi, Antonio Gabellini, Simona Sarmati, Daniele Viciani, Bruno Foggi

Abstract: This study aims to characterize saline habitats of the Tuscan coast based on the Natura 2000 Habitats Directive 92/43/ECC. These habitats include Atlantic salt meadows (1330), Mediterranean salt meadows (1410) Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (1420), and Mediterranean salt steppes (1510). We compiled vegetation data from a total of 418 plots carried out during our own fieldwork (N = 157) and published scientific literature (N = 261). We performed a Linear Discriminant Analysis to associate species to habitats and used the phi coefficient of association to identify diagnostic species of each habitat. For each habitat, we provide a regional syntaxonomic framework, constant species, cover coefficients, diagnostic species (phi) and “typical species”. We identified groups of species, that we called “local assembly of typical species”, composed by species with a phi coefficient > 20 and/or a cover coefficient > 50 that can be used to identify the habitats and to monitor their conservation status at the local level. This study revealed differences in the “local assembly of typical species” among habitats, characterized by fewer species in habitats 1420 and 1510, and many species in habitats 1410 and 1310. Our results showed that the habitat 1510 was recognizable only for the high cover value of Limonium narbonense and, at least in Tuscany, its syntaxonomic attribution to the order Limonietalia is uncertain. We tested this approach only for a few habitats, but a broader applicability based on other habitats is desirable.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021582/08

Authors: Simona Casavecchia, Marina Allegrezza, Claudia Angiolini, Edoardo Biondi, Federica Bonini, Eva Del Vico, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Bruno Foggi, Daniela Gigante, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Cesare Lasen, Simona Maccherini, Mauro Mariotti, Simone Pesaresi, Gianfranco Pirone, Livio Poldini, Federico Selvi, Roberto Venanzoni, Daniele Viciani, Marisa Vidali, Giampiero Ciaschetti

Abstract: The main purpose of the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, understood as habitat types and species of the flora and fauna of the European Union. To achieve this goal, natural and semi-natural biodiversity as a whole must be recognized and included in its annexes. As for the conservation of biotopes, named habitat types, Italy is unfortunately lacking as it the Annex I does not include important ecosystems that are typical of its territory, rare for biogeographical reasons or threatened. Therefore, the opportunity to identify a first list of significant habitats for central Italy is discussed here. For each of the new proposed types (new habitats or new subtypes) a sheet has been prepared to highlight their salient characteristics. The new proposals concern seven habitat types and one subtype: sedge and reeds formations (Freshwater large sedge and reed beds), willow shrublands (Shrubby willow formations of river banks and fens), Apennine garrigues (Apennine hilly and montane garrigues), a new subtype of Annex I Habitat 6130 (Communities of herbaceous and dwarf shrub-suffrutescent plants of Italian ultramafic substrates), ancient olive groves ("Centuries-old olive groves" with evergreen Quercus spp. and arborescent matorral), secondary meadows (Italian submontane and montane pastured meadows dominated by Cynosurus cristatus), badlands (Pioneer halophilous and sub-halophilous communities of “calanchi” and “biancane” badlands) and hop-hornbeam woods (Italian-Balkan hop-hornbeam woods).

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021582/05

Authors: Riccardo Guarino, Salvatore Pasta, Giuseppe Bazan, Alessandro Crisafulli, Orazio Caldarella, Gian Pietro Giusso del Galdo, Alessandro Silvestre Gristina, Vincenzo Ilardi, Antonino La Mantia, Corrado Marcenò, Pietro Minissale, Saverio Sciandrello, Leonardo Scuderi, Giovanni Spampinato, Angelo Troia, Lorenzo Gianguzzi

Abstract: Field investigation carried out by the Sicilian botanists in the last 20 years enabled them to identify eight habitat types of high biogeographic and conservation interest, neglected by the Directive 92/43, which deserve ad hoc conservation measures. For each of these habitats, a syntaxonomic interpretation of the corresponding plant communities, their main ecological, physiognomic and syndynamic traits and a list of diagnostic species are provided. Their classification into the macrotypes listed in the Annex I of the Directive 92/43 and the respective correspondence in EUNIS habitat classification are proposed. The habitats here described integrate those already proposed by the Italian Botanical Society, with the hope of an adequate recognition at national at supranational level.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021582/07

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Michele Aleffi, Claudia Angiolini, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Federica Bonini, Maria Carmela Caria, Simona Casavecchia, Miris Castello, Davide Dagnino, Maria Carla de Francesco, Emanuele Farris, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Tiberio Fiaschi, Luigi Forte, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Flavia Landucci, Fabio Maneli, Francesca Mantino, Mauro Mariotti, Gianfranco Pirone, Livio Poldini, Silvia Poponessi, Safiya Praleskouskaya, Angela Stanisci, Valeria Tomaselli, Francesco Pio Tozzi, Claudia Turcato, Roberto Venanzoni, Daniela Gigante

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 1510*, 2130*, 2250*, 3180*, 3260, 5230*, 6410, 7140, 7220*, 9320 are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 14 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 20 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Marche, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021582/06

Authors: Mauro Fois, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Maria Carmela Caria, Donatella Cogoni, Emmanuele Farris, Giuseppe Fenu, Manuela Manca, Maria Silvia Pinna, Stefania Pisanu, Giovanni Rivieccio, Simonetta Bagella

Abstract: The ‘Habitats’ Directive (HD 92/43/EEC) is one of the primary legal tools aiming at conserving nature in Europe. Due to the complex iter to revise it, the habitats listed in the Annex I have been seldom updated after the HD adoption. Basing on already available information and expert knowledge, this paper presents a preliminary list of relevant habitats occurring in Sardinia, not yet considered and worth to be placed in the Annex I. Two new habitat proposals, one habitat new for Italy, and nine new subtypes of already existing HD habitats are here described. Most of the proposed new habitats and subtypes have a limited distribution range, due to the high number of narrow, often endangered, endemic species that characterize them. Being neglected, they are consequently poorly investigated, inconstantly monitored and unprotected. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to promote their conservation through implementation of HD and its interpretation manuals.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021581/09

Authors: Giuseppe Bazan, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Simonetta Bagella, Gianmaria Bonari, Federica Bonini, Giacomo Calvia, Maria Carmela Caria, Giovanni Rivieccio, Lorenzo Gianguzzi

Abstract: New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 3170*, 6110*, 91E0*, 9320, 9330 are reported in this contribution. Specifically, one new occurrence in Natura 2000 sites is presented and six new cells are added in the European Environment Agency 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Sardinia, Sicily and Umbria.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020581/08

Authors: Gianmaria Bonari, Edy Fantinato, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Marta Gaia Sperandii, Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta, Marina Allegrezza, Silvia Assini, Marco Caccianiga, Valter Di Cecco, Annarita Frattaroli, Daniela Gigante, Giovanni Rivieccio, Giulio Tesei, Barbara Valle, Daniele Viciani, Giulia Albani Rocchetti, Claudia Angiolini, Emilio Badalamenti, Davide Barberis, Matteo Barcella, Giuseppe Bazan, Andrea Bertacchi, Rossano Bolpagni, Federica Bonini, Alessandro Bricca, Gabriella Buffa, Mariasole Calbi, Silvia Cannucci, Luigi Cao Pinna, Maria Carmela Caria, Emanuela Carli, Silvia Cascone, Mauro Casti, Bruno Enrico Leone Cerabolini, Riccardo Copiz, Maurizio Cutini, Leopoldo De Simone, Andrea De Toma, Michele Dalle Fratte, Luciano Di Martino, Romeo Di Pietro, Leonardo Filesi, Bruno Foggi, Paola Fortini, Roberto Gennaio, Gabriele Gheza, Michele Lonati, Andrea Mainetti, Marco Malavasi, Corrado Marcenò, Carla Micheli, Chiara Minuzzo, Michele Mugnai, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Francesca Napoleone, Ginevra Nota, Giovanna Piga, Marco Pittarello, Ilaria Pozzi, Safiya Praleskouskaya, Francesco Rota, Giacomo Santini, Simona Sarmati, Alberto Selvaggi, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Francesco Pio Tozzi, Roberto Venanzoni, Mariacristina Villani, Katia Zanatta, Magda Zanzottera, Simonetta Bagella

Abstract: Habitat monitoring in Europe is regulated by Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, which suggests the use of typical species to habitat conservation status. Yet, the Directive uses the term “typical” species but does not provide a definition, either for its use in reporting or for its use in impact assessments. To address the issue, an online workshop was organized by the Italian Society for Vegetation Science (SISV) to shed light on the diversity of perspectives regarding the different concepts of typical species, and to discuss the possible implications for habitat monitoring. To this aim, we inquired 73 people with a very different degree of expertise in the field of vegetation science by means of a tailored survey composed of six questions. We analysed the data using Pearson’s Chi-squared test to verify that the answers diverged from a random distribution and checked the effect of the degree of experience of the surveyees on the results. We found that most of the surveyees agreed on the use of the phytosociological method for habitat monitoring and of the diagnostic and characteristic species to evaluate the structural and functional conservation status of habitats. With this contribution, we shed light on the meaning of “typical” species in the context of habitat monitoring.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020581/05

Authors: Miris Castello, Livio Poldini, Alfredo Altobelli

Abstract: Lake Doberdò (Classical Karst) is a well-known example of karst lakes, temporary lakes that seasonally fill and empty through springs and swallow holes connected to the underground waters. It is an area of exceptional interest for geological-geomorphological and biodiversity conservation, and is part of the Natura 2000 network. Its peculiar hydro-ecological nature allows an impressive variety of species and habitats. A phytosociological survey was carried out to provide a comprehensive analysis of the vegetation. On the basis of 177 phytosociological relevés and multivariate analysis 43 communities were found, belonging to Platyhypnidio-Fontinalietea antipyreticae, Lemnetea minoris, Potametea pectinati, Bidentetea tripartitae, Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Agrostietea stoloniferae, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Filipendulo ulmariae-Convolvuletea sepium, Alnetea glutinosae, Rhamno catharticae-Prunetea spinosae, Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae. The Leucojo aestivi-Poetum pratensis association including waterside periodically flooded meadows is validated. Compared to the past, various communities show a change in their distribution while some valuable coenoses were not found. 21 communities are attributed to 8 Annex I Habitats of the 92/43/EEC Directive. The study confirms the high value of Lake Doberdò for biodiversity conservation but highlights an ongoing process of environmental change due to both natural and human-related causes including modifications of the hydrological regime and abandonment of traditional agricultural practices. An overview of the features of Lake Doberdò is provided to compare this disappearing lake with the karst groundwater-dependent wetlands found in Ireland called “turloughs”, corresponding to Annex I Habitat 3180*. Also on the basis of the current interpretation and distribution of this habitat type at the EU level, a proposal is presented to recognize and protect this outstanding area of the Natura 2000 network in Italy as the habitat 3180*, modelled on Irish turloughs.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2021581/03

Authors: Andrea Bertacchi, Tiziana Lombardi, Angela Saggese, Valerio Lazzeri

Abstract: The paper presents the results of phytosociological surveys carried out in Galanchio-Cornacchiaia, a salt marsh area on the Pisan coast (northern Tuscany), which survived the agricultural reclamation. The vegetation surveys confirm the brackish features of the site, while highlighting three substantially different subareas in terms of prevailing vegetation. The phytosociological study allowed the identification of 11 marsh phytocoenoses attributable to 12 associations (Crypsidetum aculeatae; Parapholidetum filiformis; Suaedo maritimae-Salicornietum patulae; Suaedetum maritimae; Puccinellio festuciformis-Halimionetum portulacoidis; Puccinellio festuciformis-Sarcocornietum perennis; Elytrigio elongatae-Inuletum crithmoidis; Limonio narbonensis-Juncetum gerardi; Puccinellio festuciformis-Aeluropetum litoralis, Junco maritimi-Spartinetum junceae; Juncetum maritimi-acuti; Phragmitetum australis). These plant communities are referable to 3 brackish habitats and related subtypes, reported in 92/43 ECC Directive habitats. This biotope, although part of the neighboring area of the Regional Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, is currently in an extremely precarious balance and threatened by the surrounding agricultural activities. The knowledge of its naturalistic peculiarities and remarkable biodiversity, can contribute to its increased protection and conservation. This study add new data to the knowledge of the brackish vegetation of Tuscany.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020572/05

Authors: Giovanni Rivieccio, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Federica Bonini, Maria Carmela Caria, Davide Dagnino, Mauro Mariotti, Claudia Turcato, Lorenzo Gianguzzi

Abstract: New data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 3120, 3260, 6310, 9180* and 92A0 are reported in this contribution. In detail, 3 new occurrences in Natura 2000 Sites are presented and 5 new cells in the EEA 10 km x 10 km Reference grid are added. The new data refer to Italy and in particular to the Administrative Regions of Liguria, Sardinia, Sicily and Umbria. This issue of the section “Habitat records” includes an Errata corrige referring to the last released issue.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020571/09

Authors: Daniela Gigante, Gianni Bacchetta, Simonetta Bagella, Daniele Viciani

Abstract: The current issue is the first one of the new version of Plant Sociology, the international peer-reviewed journal of the "Società Italiana di Scienza della Vegetazione" (SISV). The technical management of the journal has been entrusted to the editorial platform Pensoft, the Editorial Board has been largely reshaped, now including also a dedicated Social media team. Plant Sociology is focused on all aspects of vegetation from phytocoenosis to landscape level, through time and space, at different geographic and ecological scales; the journal contributes to spread around the issues related to management and conservation of plant communities and plant diversity. All the articles are freely available in Open Access (OA) with affordable article processing charge (APC). In the present Editorial, we briefly discuss the importance of opening the access to knowledge and data about vegetation. We believe that disseminating plant science might be a precious tool for understanding ecological processes, modelling future trends and supporting decision makers. The introduced technological improvement will hopefully allow a larger visibility and circulation for the papers published on Plant Sociology.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020571/07

Authors: Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Simonetta Bagella, Giuseppe Bazan, Maria Carmela Caria, Bruno Enrico Leone Cerabolini, Alice Dalla Vecchia, Giovanni Rivieccio, Rossano Bolpagni

Abstract: New data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 3160, 7210* and 9320 are reported in this contribution. In detail, 24 new occurrences in Natura 2000 Sites are presented and 42 new cells in the EEA 10 km x 10 km Reference grid are added. The new data refer to Italy and in particular to the Administrative Regions Lombardy, Sardinia, and Sicily.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020571/05

Authors: Irene Prisco, Claudia Angiolini, Silvia Assini, Gabriella Buffa, Daniela Gigante, Corrado Marcenò, Saverio Sciandrello, Mariacristina Villani, Alicia T.R. Acosta

Abstract: Coastal dunes are among habitats with the worst conservation status on a global, European and national scale. Monitoring and reporting are of strategic importance to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of Habitats Directive and to preserve the unique biodiversity heritage of the Italian dunes. In this study we show main results of the 4th National Report with specific reference to the macro-habitat “Coastal Sand Dunes and Inland Dunes”, highlighting its updated current conservation status at the national and Biogeographical level. A comprehensive Working Group of territorial experts collected, updated, validated and integrated the data available for 11 Annex I Habitats, distributed in the Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean Biogeographical Regions. The conservation status was evaluated through the following criteria: geographic range, surface area, structure, functions, pressures, threats, conservation measures and prospects. Results highlighted the dramatically bad conservation status of Italian dune Habitats: the overall assessment reported 88% of habitats in bad conservation status and the remaining 12% is in inadequate conditions. Results showed a generalised threat and a worrying conservation status both on herbaceous and wooded communities, in particular in some relevant habitats, such as the shifting dunes. Main pressures and threats were linked to residential, commercial and industrial activities, as well as alien species. Although some of the changes in distribution and trends are probably deriving from more accurate and updated data, the alarming conservation status of Italian sand dunes requires a better knowledge of pressures and threats for further management actions and monitoring plans, inside and outside protected areas.

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DOI: 10.3897/pls2020571/02

Authors: Walter De Simone, Michele Di Musciano, Valter Di Cecco, Giorgia Ferella, Anna Rita Frattaroli

Abstract: Wildfires are currently one of the most important environmental problems, as they cause disturbance in ecosystems generating environmental, economic and social costs. The Sentinel-2 from Copernicus Program (Sentinel satellites) offers a great tool for post-fire monitoring. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of Sentinel-2 in a peculiar mountainous landscape by measuring and identifying the burned areas and monitor the short-term response of the vegetation in different ‘burn severity’ classes. A Sentinel-2 dataset was created, and pre-processing operations were performed. Relativized Burn Ratio (RBR) was calculated to identify ‘burn scar’ and discriminate the ‘burn severity’ classes. A two-year monitoring was carried out with areas identified based on different severity classes, using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to investigate the short-term vegetation dynamics of the burned habitats; habitats refer to Annex I of the European Directive 92/43/EEC. The study area is located in ‘Campo Imperatore’ within the Gran Sasso – Monti della Laga National Park (central Italy). The first important result was the identification and quantification of the area affected by fire. The RBR allowed us to identify even the less damaged habitats with high accuracy. The survey highlighted the importance of these Open-source tools for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of fires and the short-term assessment of vegetation recovery dynamics. The information gathered by this type of monitoring can be used by decision-makers both for emergency management and for possible environmental restoration of the burned areas.

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