Volume 12 (2013): Edition 1 (June 2013)

Polycnemum verrucosum A. F. Lang is recorded for the first time for Italy (Lazio region, Central Italy). Morphological and ecological characteristics of this species, as compared with the related P. arvense L., are presented and discussed. Taxonomical notes are also provided.

We studied the phytosociology, ecology and biogeography of the Dinaric fir-beech stands (Omphalodo-Fagetum) in the Trnovski gozd plateau, at the north-western part of the Illyrian floral province. We identified and confirmed two geographical variants (var. geogr. Saxifraga cuneifolia - central and western part of the plateau, and var. geogr. Calamintha grandiflora - eastern part of the plateau), and 10 floristically and ecologically well differentiated subassociations (-rhododendretosum hirsuti,-saxifragetosum cuneifoliae, -adenostyletosum glabrae, -festucetosum altissimae, -calamagrostietosum arundinaceae, -stellarietosum montanae, -seslerietosum autumnalis, -calamagrostietosum variae, -sambucetosum nigrae and -asaretosum europei). The most frequent stands bellong to the subassociation -festucetosum altissimae and -calamagrostietosum arundinaceae, which, in terms of site ecology and floristic composition, represent the central forest types in the research area. They are floristically impoverished and lack majority of association’s characteristic species which is in line with the biogeographic peculiarites of the research area.

This study presents a floristic and vegetational analysis of the territory of the Onferno Nature Reserve. The site extends over about 120 hectares, and is located in central Italy, in a hilly area near the Adriatic coast. It is characterised by the presence of large gypsum blocks that have karst caves, where important colonies of bats lives. This study of the vegetation allowed the description of six main vegetation series, divided into three different geosigmeta: a geomorphological unit of gypsum substrata (Gessi di Onferno); a geomorphological unit of clay substrata (Formazione del Santerno); and a geomorphological unit of compact sandstone substrata (Formazione Montecalvo in Foglia). This floristic and vegetation studies carried out on the secondary grasslands (EC Habitat 6210) have allowed the evaluation of the grazing effects on the conservation of their biodiversity, and highlight the critical nature of this management method. Furthermore, on the basis of the vegetation studies, the list of habitats according to EC Directive 92/43/CEE has been better defined and updated.

This paper comments on nomenclature of the name Piceion excelsae of Pawłowski et al. (1928), which should be preferably referred using the form “Piceion excelsae Pawłowski ex Pawłowski et al. 1928”. In the author’s opinion, the definition of Recommendation 46D in the current International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (author citations with “ex”) needs to be revised to define alternatively the difference in contrast to Recommendation 46C (author citations with “in”): to highlight the difference at the place and time of the valid publication of the name handled. The equally aged name “Fagetalia sylvaticae Pawłowski ex Pawłowski et al. 1928” is invalidly published. The oldest validly published homonym found should be ascribed to Walas (1933).

A phytosociological survey was carried out in a poorly known travertine area of southern Tuscany harbouring a rich vegetation mosaic with chamaephytic garrigues, species-rich xerophytic grasslands, chasmophytic coenoses, annual species-dominated communities, shrublands and thermophilous deciduous forests. Field sampling and data analysis allowed to identify and characterize several community types, some of which of significant interest due to their ecological specificity and rarity in peninsular Italy. In particular, our data confirm the associations Pistacio terebinthi-Paliuretum spinosae and Pistacio terebinthi-Quercetum pubescentis, respectively a shrub and forest community type previously unknown for Tuscany. In addition, a new therophytic association of travertine debris named Sedetum hispanico-caespitosi and placed in the Hypochoerion achyrophori alliance (Brachypodietalia distachyi order, Tuberarietea class) is also described. Finally, dynamic relationships between the vegetation types are highlighted and the presence of conservation priority habitats in the area are pointed out.

Distribution, morphological types and coenotic affinity of Gagea bohemica in Slovakia was studied during 2008-2011. Revision of herbarium material showed presence of three taxa in the flora: 1) subsp. bohemica, 2) subsp. bohemica var. stenochlamydea and 3) subsp. saxatilis. Taxonomic status of var. stenochlamydea is uncertain and requires further research. In total, 42 localities of G. bohemica sensu lato were documented. Nominate subsp. bohemica (including var. stenochlamydea) predominated and it was recently confirmed at 21 localities. These current sites represent about 50% of all known sites, therefore we re-assessed the status of G. bohemica in the Slovak Red List and we proposed the IUCN category EN (endangered) for this taxon. Subsp. saxatilis was found as new to Slovakia. The taxon occurred only at single locality (Vinosady) and it was not confirmed recently. We assessed it as data deficient (DD).