Volumen 21 (2022): Heft 1 (June 2022)

The Gulf of Naples is an important centre of endemism, well known from the floristic point of view, but much less from the phytosociological one. In this paper we investigated the non-forest vegetation focusing on communities rich in endemics. We described two communities as new: Eryngio amethystini-Santolinetum neapolitanae for the garrigues on limestone, Globulario neapolitanae-Loniceretum stabianae for the vegetation on dolomitic rocks, both from the Lattari mountains, and we extend the area of Crithmo maritimi-Limonietum cumani for the vegetation on volcanic rocks and rarely on limestones along the coast, which was known for a few localities. The syntaxonomical position and the phytogeographical context of these communities are discussed. A few taxonomic notes are added on rare or interesting species retrieved in the course of the enquiry.

Dry grassland vegetation on fluvial terraces along middle reaches of river Piave and river Brenta in Northeastern high Po plain were investigated through a phytosociological approach. Comparisons with ecologically analogous communities described from neighbouring territories lead to the description of a new association belonging to Centaureion dichroanthae alliance: Astragalo onobrychidis-Koelerietum pyramidatae. Residual fragments of Chrysopogon gryllus-dominated grassland on slighly deeper soils are refered to Chamaecytiso hirsuti-Chrysopogonetum grylli.

This study provides the first contribution to the knowledge of the non-calcareous grasslands of the arenaceous sector of the Monti Sibillini National Park (central Italy). We conducted 55 relevés using the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method and analysed the ecology of plant communities by Redundancy analysis using topographic variables and Ellenberg Indicator Values as predictors. We identified nine plant communities, belonging to four classes. Communities of Calluno-Ulicetea and Nardetea strictae were found on acidic soils at higher elevations, those of Festuco-Brometea were mainly associated with steeper south-facing slopes, while Molinio-Arrhenatheretea communities were associated with low altitudes and gentle slopes, semi-flat lands, and high soil nutrient and moisture values. We recorded a total of 410 taxa at the species and subspecies level, representing about 20% of the flora of the Monti Sibillini National Park. Some of these are of high conservation interest, e.g. Calluna vulgaris, Genista sagittalis, Juncus capitatus, and Ophioglossum vulgatum. Eight species are new to the flora of Sibillini National Park.

Green infrastructure (GI) brings many benefits to urban ecosystems. Green tram tracks can be considered to be a part of GI. The presented study is focused on the comparison of the species’ frequency and composition between conventional tram tracks and green tram tracks in Bratislava, Slovakia, Central Europe. This comparison also provides an insight into the changes of the flora of tram tracks over time, as we compare the results of the older research with recent research on green tram tracks. The results revealed significant differences in the composition of flora between conventional tram tracks and green tram tracks. In particular, the total number of species has decreased over time, as green tram tracks host fewer spontaneously growing taxa than conventional ones. The frequency of occurrence of archaeophytes and neophytes has decreased on the strict rail yard while on the tracksides it has increased. Green tram tracks deliver positive features to ecosystems, but may also have negative aspects because they present a pool of alien, potentially invasive plants.

This paper deals with relationships between vegetation of Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) and soils developed on different parent materials on the territory of North Macedonia. We analysed the floristic composition at localities on limestone, on scree of dolomite marble and on scree of silicate. On limestone and scree of dolomite marble, rendzinas on hard limestone and dolomite have developed, and on silicate parent material brown forest soils. The vegetation was sampled according to the Braun-Blanquet approach. DCA and indicator values were used for ecological interpretation of the vegetation patterns. The mechanical and chemical properties of soil and textural classes were also processed. An evident increased presence of carbonates in the soil of scree of dolomite marble on Nidže Mountain was observed, unlike that on Shar Mountain which has formed on typical limestone. Although it is a forest community dominated by the same species, differences between the massifs, the precipitation regime, geology, differences in soil properties in relation to the appearance of carbonates and pH values, and other factors, result in differences in their floristic composition and are the reason for the distinction between the two groups. On silicate on Nidže Mountain, Macedonian pine forests have also developed on brown forest soils, with a different floristic composition to that of the other group on carbonate (dolomite and limestone).

A second version of the syntaxonomical classification of calcareous Norway spruce communities is presented for the region of Slovak Western Carpathians. Recent knowledge on delimitation of natural Norway spruce woodlands in Slovakia is summarized as well. As result, four in Slovakia traditionally recognized associations are distinguished: Seslerio caeruleae-Piceetum on the ecologically most extreme habitats, followed by Cirsio erisithalis-Piceetum (a replacement for pseudonymically used Cortuso matthioli-Piceetum), tall-forb community of Adenostylo alliariae-Piceetum and ca. species-poor low-forb community of Mnio spinosi-Piceetum (syn. Oxalido-Piceetum). Additionally, two new associations are differentiated: Fragario vescae-Piceetum ass. prov. standing between Cirsio-Piceetum and Adenostylo-Piceetum and acidified Hieracio murorum-Piceetum on deeper soils developed over rocks of the Mráznica formation. For nomenclatural reasons, new order Cortuso-Piceetalia is described for species-rich calcicolous communities of the class Vaccinio-Piceetea as well as subordinated new alliance Cortuso matthioli-Piceion for the supramontane calcicolous Norway spruce communities.

The very little-known Quercus ×numidica Trabut, recently typified and synonymised to Q. ×kabylica Trabut, was found within the Cynosuro peltierii-Quercetum afaredis Laribi ex El Mokni ass. nov. (Quercion suberis Loisel 1971). Both the taxon and the syntaxon are described here for the first time for the oak forests of Kroumiria in Tunisia. The distribution, ecology and field photographs of the new taxon are presented and IUCN Red List assessment is provided in this paper. Threats at the national level are assessed and conservation measures for the taxon are proposed.

Dzharylhach Island is the largest one in the Black Sea. It is the part of the “Dzharylhatskyi” National Nature Park, which located in the Southern Ukraine. A 1 : 10000 scale vegetation map of Dzharylhach Island has been developed. The main unit for mapping is a complex of associations. In total 28 of such complexes were identified. The map shows the territorial differentiation of vegetation. It has also been used to reconstruct the island vegetation changes over the past 90 and 20 years. A comparison of cartographic materials revealed that the predominant processes in vegetation cover are halophytization and xerophytization of communities. The most distributed types of communities on the island are aquatic – Zosteretea, halophytic – Festuco-Puccinellietea and psammophytic – Festucetea vaginatae. Due to specific hydrological and soil conditions, the northern spit and shores of the island represent natural vegetation types only.

Wild lettuces (Lactuca L.) provide valuable genetic resources for crop breeding, but are also significant invasive weeds. We explored the distributions, habitats, and ecological characteristics of populations of wild Lactuca species in central Chile. We documented two species – Lactuca serriola L. (prickly lettuce) and Lactuca virosa L. (opium/bitter lettuce) in 204 localities. These observations indicate that: i) both allochthonous (Euroasian) Lactuca species occur and are able to regenerate in central Chile; ii) L. serriola forms dense populations in urbanized areas; iii) both species can expand along transport corridors to high elevations; iv) the spread of L. virosa and persistence of dense populations in elevations above 2,000 m a.s.l. prove the invasiveness of this species in extreme climates; v) both species may contain novel traits of interest for germplasm conservation.

This study provides a definition and description of Cyperus eragrostis as a new alien species to Algeria and North African flora. This hemicryptophyte, native to the tropical parts of South America, is recorded for the first time in Jijel eco-complex wetlands in North-East Algeria. Applying the standard phytosociological method we studied the stands in which this alien species grows together with other hygrophilous and ruderal species. The present study improves the knowledge of the Algerian flora and completes the information about the distribution of C. eragrostis reported by the available international literature and public herbaria.

Polygonum samsunicum is one of the endemic species from Turkey. Up to now, it has been only known from the type locality (Samsun /Ladik). This research intends to define the global conservation status and strategies of locally distributed endemic P. samsunicum which has been confronted with the danger of extinction due to anthropogenic effects in recent years. In this research, we did extensive field studies and collected all needed data for determining the precise conservation status of P. samsunicum. We reported nine additional populations from Upper Tersakan valley, where the Mediterranean climate is dominant, and the size of populations, altitude, coordinates, habitat types, and the threats it faces in each locality were given. GeoCAT analyses at global levels indicate the grade of occurrence 21.609 km2 and area of occupancy 10.094 km2 and there could be an inferred decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation of the original population, suggesting local endemic species might be classified as CR, based on criteria B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii) in the Red List categorization. Its parts are also consumed by local people due to its medicinal features. For in-situ conservation, phenological life history and detailed ecological studies, as well as population monitoring and ex-situ conservation studies should be continued together. Establishing cooperation between universities, research institutes, and local management authorities is strongly needed for long-term monitoring of population size, distribution, overgrazing, and public awareness.

The occurrence and invasion status of Amaranthus hypochondriacus in Belarus, Estonia, Italy, the Netherlands, and the North Caucasus were discussed. For Italy, we change the status from casual to naturalized based on living populations which are able to sustain themselves for 5 and over 20 years. Concerning the other countries, we clarified the invasion status of the species (inconsistently reported in literature) indicating it as a casual alien in Belarus, Estonia, and the North Caucasus and naturalized in the Netherlands. Climatic data of the European stations in which Amaranthus hypochondriacus was found were compared with those referring to the native distribution area (Mexico and southeastern regions of the US). The occurrence of the species in Europe appears to be facilitated by the temperate climate (Dutch and Italian localities), which also characterizes the native distribution area (N-America). The occurrence of the species in Estonia, the Netherlands, and the North Caucasus is interesting. In fact, although the types of climates (“Cold, Dfb” and “Temperate, Cfb”) occur in America (northeastern US and central Mexico), there are some differences in precipitation and temperature values, i.e. lower mean precipitation [644.1 mm (Estonia) vs. 1119 mm (N-America); climate Dfb] and lower mean temperature [9.7–11.1 °C (Netherlands and North Caucasus) vs. 15.3 °C (Mexico); climate Cfb].

The paper deals with peculiar features of development of the species Veronica L. in the conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine (central part of the country). Under the action of climatic changes occurring for the last 20 years, the species began to grow 6–14 days earlier and increased the vegetation period by 15–25 days. Under the effect of extreme growing conditions (hot weather and drought) decrease in the area of the leaf blade by almost 2 times was recorded in V. prostrata and V. incana. Length and width of the leaf in V. prostrata and V. incana decreased by 20–30%, but in V. austriaca ssp. teucrium a decrease was observed for the leaf width only while its length increased by 17%. Analysis of correlation of climatic factors (air temperature, precipitation amount) to the morphometric parameters of the leaf during seasonal development showed greater dependence of their value on the air temperature, which was confirmed by the inverse correlation coefficients (r = -0.55–-0.66). In the unfavorable growing conditions, the features of formation of the underground part of species are manifested in the inhibited development of underground shoots (by 80–85%) and stimulation of branching and increase in the length of thin sucking roots (1.5 times). Studied species of the genus Veronica in the climatic conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine go through all stages of phenological development and are marked by rather wide range of phenotypic changes in the vegetative sphere.