Liguro-Tyrrhenian Montane Evergreen Forest with Holly and Bay

Remnants of these evergreen forests can be found at elevation ranging from 1000-1500 m in the Madonie Mountains. Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is often the dominant tree, while other common trees include Acer campestris, A. obtusatum, Crataegus laciniata, Daphne laureola, Malus sylvestris, Quercus petraea, Rhamnus catharticus, Ruscus aculeatus, Sorbus forminalis and Ulmus glabra. Other woody elements, which probably date back to Tertiary times, are Taxus buccata and the endemic Abies nebrodensis (Pinaceae). The largest of these forests in this area is Pomieri Woods, which extends for some 1000 ha. There are also isolated stands of Laurus nobilis (bay) in which the rare, local endemic Rhamnus lojaconoi (Rhamnaceae) occurs. These mixed evergreen forests are thought to be relicts of forests that are related to evergreen forest in Macaronesia, the Iberian Peninsula and the Caucasus (Colchis) and appear to have been much more widespread during the interglacial periods and in the late Pliocene.

Liguro-Tyrrhenian Mountain Thorn-Cushion Formations

These formations are characteristic of strongly xeric climates with constant strong winds. Only a few genera have developed the thorn-cushion morphology. The two main ones in this part of the world are Astragalus and Genista, but it can also be found in Anthyllis, Centaurea, Sarcopoterium and Stachys. In this BioProvince most mountain thorn-cushion Astragalus and Genista taxa are local endemics. They include Astragalus calabrus (endemic to Calabria), A. nebrodensis (endemic to Madonie), A siculus (endemic to Etna), A. sirinicus (endemic to the Southern Appennines), A. genergenteus (endemic to Sardinia), Genista acanthoclada subsp. sardoa (endemic to Sardinia), G. corsica and G. lobelii var. lobelioides (endemic to Corsica), G. lobelii var. salmannii (endemic to Corsica and Sardinia), G. cupanii (endemic to Madonie) and G. michelii (endemic to the Gargano Peninsula). However, the chorology of these two thorn-cushion taxa is very different. Astragalus thorn-cusions appear to have their differentiation centre in the Irano-Turanian BioRegion whereas the Genista members of this group are centred in the western Mediterranean. Nevertheless, these formations are thought to be remnants of a very ancient vegetation that was probably much more widespread in the Tertiary period when the Mediterranean became increasingly arid reaching a maxium in the late Miocene. Their antiquity is also borne out by the high incidence of endemics (ranging from 37% in the Astragalus nebrodensis formation to 51% in the A. genargenteus formation). However, only Etna in this BioProvince is sufficiently high to allow optimal development of a thorn-cushion belt. Here at altitudes ranging from 2400-2450 m the thorn-cushion zone is mainly dominated by the endemic Astragalus siculus (Fabaceae). It forms large cushions on volcanic sands. Other endemic plants here include the so-called cushion-hosts such as Viola aethnensis (Violaceae). At higher altitudes Astragalus plants become more sporadic and in the so-called ‘volcanic desert’ above 3000 m they are gradually replaced by Hypochaeris robertia and the local endemics Anthemis aetnensis, Senecio aetnensis (Asteraceae) and Rumex aetnensis (Polygonaceae). In other mountain groups thorn-cushion formations are more localized and mainly confined to mountain summit areas. For example, on the limestones and dolomite of the Madonie Mountains the endemic Astragalus nebrodense (Fabaceae) is the main species, but on quartzite and sandstone this species is replaced by Juniperus hemisphaerica and the endemic Genista cupanii (Fabaceae). The resident endemic violet here is Viola nebrodensis (Violaceae).

Liguro-Tyrrhenian Littoral Thorn-Cushion Formations

In this BioProvince coastal thorn-cushion formations are mainly confined to the wind-swept coasts of Corsica, Sardinia and southern France. These, however, probably represent remnants of vegetation that is still relatively widespread in the islands of the Aegean Basin. On the northwest coast of Sardinia the formation is dominated by the endemic taxa Astragalus massiliensis (Fabaceae), Centaurea horrida (Asteraceae) and Genista acanthoclada (Fabaceae), but on the south coast Sarcopoterium spinosum is the main species. These formations are characteristic of very steep coasts rapidly rising to more than 100 m and probably provide a refuge zone for these plants. In the dryer Tertiary period this type of vegetation appears to have been much more widespread.

Liguro-Tyrrhenian Saltmarsh

Along the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Lazio Region of Italy mostly within the Circeo National Park there are a series of brackish saltmarshes separated from the sea by a series of dune ridges.  The brackish conditions prevail because seawater permeates through various coastal lakes and channels but many have been modified through land reclamation and urbanisation. In simplified terms the following vegetation types have been recognised.

Parapholis incurva-Spergularia salina Saltmarsh
This vegetation has similarities with saltmarsh found in Venice Lagoon. It is characteristic of soil with high salinity and high aridity during late spring. Much of the marsh is poor in species and largely dominated by Parapholis incurva. Among the scattered associates are Anagallis arvensis, Aster tripolium, Atriplex portulacoides, Atriplex prostrata ssp. latifolia, Centaurium erthraea, Cynodon dactylon, Hainardia cylindrica, Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum, Inula crithmoides, Juncus hybridus, Lagurus ovatus, Lolium perenne, Parapholis strigosa, Plantago coronopus, Polypogon monspeliensis, Ranunculus sardous, Scirpus cernuus, Schoenoplectus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera and Trifolium resupinatum.

Parapholis filiformis saltmarsh
Largely consisting of ephemeral grassland this vegetation is confined to humid soils of low salinity but can become completely desiccated in summer. It was orginally thought to be confined to Sicily in Italy. Associated species include Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex portulacoides, Atriplex prostrata ssp. latifolia,  Catapodium rigidum, Cressa cretica, Cynodon dactylon, Elytrigia atherica, Gaudinia fragilis, Hordeum marinum, Limonium narbonense, Parapholis strigosa, Phalaris coerulescens, Picris echioides, Puccinellia festuciformis, ssp. convoluta, Romulea ramiflora, Salsola soda, Spergularia salina, Suaeda maritima and Triglochin bulbosa.

Parapholis incurva-Frankenia pulverulenta Saltmarsh
Widespread in the western Mediterranean basin this vegetation mainly comprises nitrophilous annuals growing on strongly saline, clay soils subject to strong aridity during spring and summer. Associated species include Anthrocnemum macrostachyum, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, Puccinellia festuciformis, ssp. convoluta, Salicornia patula, Salsola soda, Spergularia salina, Sphenopus divaricatus, Suaeda maritima and Suaeda vera.

Spergularia salina Saltmarsh
This comparatively rare saltmarsh grows on humid salt clay containing some peat. In forms almost monospecific stands but Juncus hibridus may be present.

Salicornia emerici Saltmarsh
This rare community is confined to humid, frequently inundated mud. The few associated species include Atriplex prostrata ssp latifolia, Inula crithmoides, Limonium narbonense, Phragmites australis, Salicornia patula and Suaeda maritima.

Suaeda maritima-Salicornia patulae Saltmarsh
This community represents the most widespread glasswort community in the Mediterranean and can adapt to both nutrient enrichment and to high levels of disturbance. It is associated with both mud and sand that is inundated in winter but can also tolerate completely desiccated in summer. Associated species include Aster squamatus, Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia pulverulenta, Juncus hybridus, Limonium narbonense, Parapholis incurva, Polypogon monspeliensis, Puccinellia festuciformis ssp. convoluta, Salicornia dolichostachya, Salicornia emerici, Salsola soda, Schoenoplectus maritimus and Spergularia salina.

Puccinellia festuciformis-Sarcocornia perennis Saltmarsh
Saltmarsh dominated by perennial glasswort is largely confined to areas that remain inundated for long periods of time and is often associated with salt basins where salinity is high during summer. Associated species include Aeluropus littoralis, Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus maritimus, Juncus subulatus, Limonium narbonense, Sonchus arvensis, Spergularia salina, Suaeda maritima and Triglochin bulbosa.

Puccinellia festuciformis-Atriplex portulacoides Saltmarsh
Rare in the Mediterranean, this vegetation largely occurs in ungrazed, relatively undisturbed areas. Associated species include Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex prostrata ssp latifolia, Inula crithmoides, Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia festuciformis ssp. convoluta, Romulea ramiflora, Sarcocornia perennis and Suaeda maritima.

Limonium narbonensis-juncus gerardi Saltmarsh
This rare community consisting of low grassland dominated by juncus gerardi ssp. gerardi occurs on sand and mud susceptible to inundation. The few other associates include Aster tripolium, Atriplex prostrata ssp latifolia, Bromus hordeaceus, Elytrigia atherica and Polypogon monspeliensis.

Puccinellia festuciformis-Juncus maritimus Salt marsh
The vegetation is characteristic of low salinity soils on the upper shore. Associated species include Aeluropus littoralis, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex prostrata ssp latifolia, Elytrigia atherica, Inula crithmoides, Phragmites australis and Sarcocornia perennis.

Juncus acutus-Juncus maritimus Saltmarsh
Vegetation characterised by Juncus acutus is quite common on this stretch of coastline especially in the Circeo National Park. It tends to occupy landward transition zones where it is usually avoided by grazing stock but may be removed by farmers. Associated species include Alopecurus rendlei, Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex portulacoides, Atriplex prostrata ssp latifolia, Brazza minor, Bromus hordeaceus, Gaudinia fragilis, Inula crithmoides, Limonium narbonense, Phragmites australis, Polypogon monspeliensis, Puccinellia festuciformis ssp. convoluta, Romulea ramiflora, Sarcocornia perennis, Schoenoplectus maritimus and Sonchus maritimus. 

Juncus maritimus-Spartina versicolor Saltmarsh
The neophyte (recently introduced) Spartina versicolor forms dense grasslands with Juncus maritimus in brackish transition zones between alluvial plains and sand dunes. The few associated species include Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex portulacoides, Calystegia sepium, Inula crithmoides and Phragmites australis.

Elytrigia atherica Saltmarsh
This species poor vegetation forms narrow belts on the upper higher parts of the shore. Associated species include Artemisia coerulescens, Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Atriplex portulacoides, Avena barbata, Bromus hordeaceus, Carex otrubae, Catapodium rigidum, Inula crithmoides, Inula viscosa, Juncus acutus, Limonium narbonense, Phalaris coerulescens, Phragmites australis, Sarcocornia perennis, Spartina versicolor and Vicia parviflora.

Juncus subulatus Saltmarsh
Species poor vegetation dominated by Juncus subulatus occurs along the banks of inundation basins on clay and mud. The few associates include Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Polypogon monspeliensis and Schoenoplectus maritimus.

Schoenoplectus maritimus Saltmarsh
This species forms large, vigorous communities on brackish mud which is inundated for most of the year but becomes encrusted by weeds in summer. The few associates include Agrostis stolonifera, Aster tripolium ssp. pannonicus, Carex otrubae, Polypogon monspeliensis and Typha angustifolia.

 

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