Giovanni Spampinato

Caratteristiche bioclimatiche della Sicilia

Abstract The results of a bio-climatic study regarding the Sicilian territory is given. On the basis of thermometric and pluviometric data, some indexes proposed by Rivas-Martinez have been produced for 61 localities of the island. In particular, the indexes utilized for the bio-climatic classification are the following: It (index of thermicity), Iov (ombro-thermic index) and Iovc (compensated ombro-thermic index). Besides, for the individuation and delimitation of the bio-climatic belts and relative thermo-types and ombro-types other data, as average annual temperatures, average annual precipitation, geomorphology and relative climax vegetation, have been considered. On the whole, the bio-climatic belts occurring in Sicily are: inframediterranean, thermomediterranean, mesomediterranean, supramediterranean, oromediterranean and crioromediterranean. The correlations between the vegetation and bio-climate are examined too.

Phytogeographic survey on the endemic vascular flora of the Hyblaean territory (SE Sicily, Italy)

Abstract A survey of the endemic flora of the Hyblaean territory, important centre of biodiversity and speciation in Sicily, is presented. The endemic flora of this area consists of 105 taxa. Among them, 39 are included in the IUCN Regional Red List and 32 in the National Red List, 17 Orchidaceae are protected by the CITES and 3 in the EU 92/43 Habitat Directive. The most represented families are Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (17%), Lamiaceae (10%). A large number of species are endemic to Sicily or central—southern Italy and Sicily. The endemic taxa exclusive to the Hyblaean territory are 20. Life form spectrum of the endemic flora indicates the predominance of geophytes (28.6%), chamaephytes (26.7%), hemicryptophytes (24.8%). The analysis of the habitat put in evidence that the endemics are widespread in garrigues, rocky walls and rocky coasts, dry grassland, woods and synantropic places. In this work, its also provided an assessment of the conservation status of Hyblaean endemics and proposition for their protection.

The endemic vascular flora of Peloritani Mountains (NE Sicily): Plant functional traits and phytogeographical relationships in the most isolated and fragmentary micro-plate of the Alpine orogeny

This study is aimed at (1) producing a complete and updated inventory of the endemic vascular flora of Peloritani Mountains, (2) defining the geographical limits of Peloritani, regarded here as a biogeographical district and (3) highlighting possible paleogeographic connections with other Mediterranean lands. The heterogeneity analysis of the endemic flora was performed by means of contingency tables, through the χ2 test. The endemic flora of this area consists of 129 specific and infraspecific taxa, of which 15 are restricted to the Peloritani Mountains. The analysis of habitats revealed that endemic taxa are most abundant on cliffs, rangelands, woods and garrigues. A large number of surveyed taxa are endemic to central-southern Italy and Sicily, while the number of endemic taxa in common with Calabria, Etna and Aeolian Islands turned out to be rather low, in spite of the geographical proximity. The endemic flora of Peloritani allows to emphasize palaeogeographical relationships not only with the neighbouring Mediterranean territories, but also with currently remote ones, such as southern Spain, Sardinia and Corsica. The phytogeographical framework substantiates the hypothesis that the Peloritani floristic district coincides with the limit given to Peloritani Mountains by structural geologists.

Osservazioni fitosociologiche sul «Lago Gurrida» (Sicilia Nord-Orientale)

Abstract Phytosociological observations on «Lago Gurrida» (N-E Sicily). The results of a phytosociological research on the vegetation of «Lago Gurrida» are given. It is a little marshy area at present partially bonified, which is localized at the base of the N-W slope of Etna and is fed mainly by the water of Flascio river. The natural vegetation is represented by very peculiar plant-communities which are linked to the lenght of the submersion period. The surveyed associations are the followings: Myriophylletum spicati Soo 1927, submerged monophytic vegetation belonging to Potametea; Eleocharido-Alismetum lanceolati ass. nov., hygrophilous association referred to Phragmition which is represented by a more hygrophilous subassociation (bolboschoenetosum) and by a less hygrophilous subassociation (alismetosum); Phragmitetum communis (W. Koch 1925) Schmale 1939 forming a dense monophytic vegetation; Carici otrtibae-Juncetum inflexi ass. nov. of Agropyro-Rumicion crispi, physionomically characterized by the do...

Seed germination and antioxidant pattern in Lavandula multifida (Lamiaceae): A comparison between core and peripheral populations

Abstract We evaluated the environmental adaptability of Lavandula multifida L., a plant species presents in the Western Mediterranean Basin with a threatened peripheral population in Southern Italy. Germination capacity, activities of some hydrolyzing enzymes associated with germination and antioxidative pathway of Calabrian L. multifida were quantified in comparison with a Spanish core population. The Calabrian population showed a lower germination ability and it can be related to the small size of the population and associated inbreeding depression. Difference between two populations in enzymatic assays and antioxidative pattern during germination and early seedling development may in part explain a different ability of these two populations to respond to external cues and a diverse environmental adaptability. The study on germination strategies of isolated populations is important to define possible programmes to preserve genetic biodiversity of autochthon plants populations.

Vegetation of the dry bioclimatic areas in the Dominican Republic

We conduct a study of the dry forest in areas of scant rainfall in the Dominican Republic; these are sites with particular endemic habitats, as the samples reveal a high rate of local and insular endemic species, with 84 (24.85%) endemisms. This work covers dry forests rich in coarse spiny plants and includes a statistical (multivariate analysis), phytosociological and catenal study of the vegetation. We analyse the floristic composition, ecology, distribution and richness in endemisms of each association. The bioclimatic analysis reveals the different thermotypes and ombrotypes on the island, and locates the proposed plant associations in the infra- and thermotropical thermotypes, and in the arid, semiarid and dry ombrotypes. As a result of this phytosociological analysis, we propose the new alliance Harrio nashii–Acacion skleroxylae and four plant associations: Harrisio nashii–Prosopidetum juliflorae, Crotono poitaei–Erythroxyletum rotundifolii, Lonchocarpo pycnophylli–Cylindropuntietum caribaeae and Neoabbottio paniculatae–Guaiacetum officinali; these associations connect catenally with the subhumid forest and mangrove swamps.

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

Abstract Our understanding of the richness and uniqueness of the flora growing on gypsum substrates in Italy has grown significantly since the 19th century and, even today, new plant species are still being discovered. However, the plants and plant communities, growing on gypsum substrates in Italy, are still a relatively unknown subject. The main aim of this paper was to elaborate a checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora, to increase knowledge about this peculiar flora and for which conservation efforts need to be addressed. Through a structured group communication process of experts (application of the Delphi technique), a remarkable number of experienced Italian botanists have joined together to select focal plant species linked to gypsum substrates. From the results obtained, 31 plant species behave as absolute or preferent taxa (gypsophytes and gypsoclines) and form the ‘core’ Italian gypsophilous flora. The most abundant life forms were chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, belonging to Poaceae and Brassicaceae; as for chorotypes, the most represented are Mediterranean and narrow endemics. By improving on previously available information about the flora with a clear preference for gypsum in Italy, this undertaking represents an important contribution to the knowledge of a habitat which is today considered a priority for conservation.

An interesting new species of Alchemilla (Rosaceae) from S Italy

Abstract Brullo, S., Scelsi, F. & Spampinato, G.: An interesting new species of Alchemilla (Rosaceae) from S Italy. — Willdenowia 27: 69–72. 1997. — ISSN 0511-9618. Alchemilla austroitalica from the Aspromonte area in S Italy is described as a species new to science and illustrated, and its relationships are discussed. The new species is particularly remarkable as it is the only member of A. sect. Erectae found to the west of the Balkans.