Mattia Martin Azzella

Multi-taxon and forest structure sampling for identification of indicators and monitoring of old-growth forest

Abstract The most commonly used old‐growth forest indicators are structural attributes; nevertheless, they do not necessarily represent the biodiversity value of old‐growth forests. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between species richness data of different taxa and structural indicators of old‐growth and to identify taxonomic/functional groups, species and structural attributes that may be used as indicators of old‐growth. To achieve this goal we sampled forest structure, vascular plants, lichens, bryophytes, fungi, saproxylic beetles and birds in mature and old‐growth stands in southern Italy. We calculated Spearman’s correlation coefficients between species richness data and structural attributes. Analyses of indicator species, co‐occurrences and two‐way clusters were performed on the multi‐taxonomic list. The group of vascular plants most significantly correlated with other groups in terms of species richness; furthermore, it displays the highest proportion of between‐group co‐occurrences. The resulting multi‐taxonomic list of potential indicators may serve as an effective means of detecting and monitoring forest ecosystems; however, for this goal, structure‐based indicators, such as forest structural attributes and vascular plant species composition, are of primary importance.

Plant communities of Italy: The Vegetation Prodrome

The Vegetation Prodrome of Italy was promoted in 2012 by the Italian “Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection”, in collaboration with the “Italian Society of Botany”, to provide a comprehensive and systematic catalogue and description of Italian plant communities. The Prodrome that is presented in this paper is the first full organic synthesis of the vegetation of Italy at the alliance syntaxonomic level. It fulfils several needs, the main one being a unified and comprehensive national framework that may make an important contribution to the definition of the European Vegetation Prodrome. Syntaxonomy, as well as taxonomy, is sometimes based on considerations that may in part diverge: several authors tend to favour models that are divisive or aggregative to a greater or lesser extent in terms of flora, biogeography and ecology. These different points of view stimulate the scientific debate and allow the adoption of a framework that is more widely supported. The Prodrome includes 75 classes, 2 subclasses, 175 orders, 6 suborders and 393 alliances. The classes were grouped into nine broad categories according to structural, physiognomic and synecological elements rather than to syntaxonomic criteria. The rank, full valid name, any synonymies and incorrect names are provided for each syntaxon. The short declaration highlights the physiognomy, synecology, syndynamics and distribution of the plant communities that belong to the syntaxon. The Prodrome of the Italian Vegetation is linked to the European Strategy for Biodiversity, the European Habitats Directive and the European Working Groups related to the ecosystems and their services. In addition to basic applications, the Prodrome can be used as a framework for scientific research related to the investigation of the relationships between plant communities and the environmental factors that influence their composition and distribution.

The Forest Vegetation of the Tolfa-Ceriti Mountains (Northern Latium - Central Italy)

The Forest Vegetation of the Tolfa-Ceriti Mountains (Northern Latium - Central Italy) The forests of the Tolfa-Ceriti mountains (Latium, central Italy) were investigated through a phytosociological approach. 249 relevés were performed and treated with multivariate analysis. 13 woodland communities were identified, of which 7 belong to Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae, 1 to Fagetalia sylvaticae, 1 to Populetalia and 4 to Quercetalia ilicis. The thermophilous Turkey oak-forests occurring on the trachytic hills of the Ceriti Mountains and on the flysch substrates of the Tolfa Mountains were included in Rubio peregrinae-Quercetum cerridis ass. nova. Quercus cerris and Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa woodland communities of the footslopes have been ascribed to Fraxino oxycarpae-Quercetum cerridis, while the widespread mesophilus Turkey oak forests have been ascribed to Melico-Quercetum cerridis. Cephalantero longifoliae-Quercetum cerridis has been restricted to acid and oligotrophic soils. Quercus petraea woodlands, occurring on trachytic substrates have been described as a new association named Carici olbiensis-Quercetum petraeae ass. nova. All these mixed oak woods have been included in the alliance Crataego laevigatae-Quercion cerridis Arrigoni 1997. The nomenclatural problems concerning the prior name Teucrio siculi-Quercion cerridis Ubaldi 1988 are also discussed. The beech forests of the higher altitudes have been included in Fraxino orni-Fagetum sylvaticae, while the Alnus glutinosa ravine woodlands have been described as belonging to the new association Polysticho setiferi-Alnetum glutinosae. Secondary communities of Acer monspessulanum and Acer campestre developed on flysch substrates, and of Erica arborea and Arbutus unedo (Erico-Arbutetum unedonis) developed on trachytic substrates, have also been identified. Finally two types of Quercus ilex wood have been identified: Cyclamino repandi-Quercetum ilicis, on sandstones, and the new association Arbuto unedonis-Quercetum ilicis ass. nova on volcanic soils. This latter community can be considered as a coenological and geographical vicariant in central Italy of the sicilian Erico-Quercetum ilicis. Fitocenološko so bili raziskani gozdovih na pogorju Tolfa-Ceriti (Lacij, osrednja Italija). Izdelano je bilo 249 fitocenoloških popisov, ki so bili obdelani z multivariantimi metodami. Ugotovljenih je bilo 13 gozdnih združb, od katerih jih 7 uvrščamo v red Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae, 1 v red Fagetalia sylvaticae, 1 v red Populetalia in 4 v red Quercetalia ilicis. Termofilni cerovi gozdovi, ki jih najdemo v gričevnatem svetu pogorja Ceriti in se razvijejo na flišu v pogorju Tolfa, so vključeni v asociacijo Rubio pereginae-Quercetum cerridis ass. nova. Gozdovi cera (Quercus cerris) in ozkolistnega jesena (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa) na vznožjih so uvrščeni v združbo Fraxino oxycarpae-Quercetum cerridis, medtem ko so široko razširjeni mezofilni cerovi gozdovi uvrščeni v združbo Melico-Quercetum cerridis. Združba Cephalanthero longifoliae-Quercetum cerridis je razširjena le na grušču na kislih in oligotrofnih tleh. Gradnovi gozdovi, ki se pojavljajo na trahičnem substratu, so uvrščeni v novo asociacijo Carici olbiensis-Quercetum petraeae. Vsi obravnavani mešani hrastovi gozdovi so vključeni v zvezo Crataego laevigatae-Quercion cerridis Arrigoni 1997; poleg tega pa obravnavamo tudi starejše ime Teucrio siculi-Quercion cerridis Ubaldi 1988. Bukove gozdove, ki se pojavljajo na večjih nadmorskih višinah, uvrščamo v združbo Fraxino orni-Fagetum sylvaticae, medtem ko jelševe gozdove, ki jih najdemo po grapah, uvrščamo v novo asociacijo Polysticho setiferi-Alnetum glutinosae. Ugotovili smo tudi sekundarni združbi, in sicer na flišu združbo trokrpega javorja (Acer monspessulanum) in maklena (Acer campestre) ter na trahičnem substratu združbo drevesaste rese (Erica arborea) in jagodičnice (Arbutus unedo) - Erico-Arbutetum unedonis. Ugotovili smo tudi dva tipa gozdov črničevja (Quercus ilex): Cyclamino repandi-Quercetum ilicis na peščenjakih in novo asociacijo Arbuto unedeonis-Quercetum ilicis ass. nova na vulkanskih tleh, ki jo lahko obravnavamo kot cenološko in geografsko vikariantno združbo združbe Erico-Quercetum ilicis, ki jo najdemo na Siciliji.

Loss detection of aquatic habitats in Italian volcanic lakes using historical data

Italian volcanic lakes represent an important hotspot of aquatic plant diversity. By comparing original data collected in 2009/10 with historical data, we detected species extinction and loss of habitats 3140 and 3150 (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC). The speed of change detected claim for frequent monitoring and rapid management interventions.

The silent invasion of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. in Italy

This article provides general information and original data on the period of first introduction in Europe (1823–1825) and in Italy (first half of the 19th century), and on the current distribution and impacts in Italy of the invasive macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes. Two main pathways are responsible for the presence of this species in Italy: (i) introduction as an ornamental and (ii) research and use for phytoremediation. After a time lag of more than 100 years, E. crassipes has recently started invading the Italian freshwaters. A specific action plan for this species is required, including local eradication and awareness campaigns. Furthermore, regulations in the trade sector of invasive aquatic plant species need to be introduced and the possibilities for biological or integrated control evaluated.

The MAES process in Italy: Contribution of vegetation science to implementation of European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

Abstract Target 2 of the European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, whose aim was to maintain and restore ecosystems and their services, deals in practical terms with the mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services, with the development of green infrastructure and with halting the loss of biodiversity at the EU, national, and subnational levels. The aim of this short communication was to show the activities currently being carried out in Italy that are related to this target, focusing on the contribution of vegetation science skills to the national implementation process. In particular, we outline noteworthy inputs in ecosystem mapping, in the assessment of ecosystem conservation status, in the individuation of priorities for the restoration of ecosystems, and in the settingup of an ecological framework to promote green infrastructure. An overview of the process outcomes and their relevance within the national and international contexts is also provided.

Isoëtes sabatina (IsoëtaceaeLycopodiophyta), a new aquatic species from central Italy

The new species Isoëtes sabatina is described and illustrated. Morphological, anatomical, and ecological characters are given. It differs from the similar I. echinospora by several characters, such as megaspore ornamentation and size, microspore size, velum extension and form, and also for its ecology. A table showing the main differential characters of the new species compared with those of the other European aquatic species is presented. So far, the species is known from a single locality (Bracciano Lake, central Italy), having a peculiar ecology and within the Mediterranean bioclimate.