This art icle was downloaded by: [ Universit y of Perugia] On: 13 Sept em ber 2012, At : 09: 49 Publisher: Taylor & Francis I nform a Lt d Regist ered in England and Wales Regist ered Num ber: 1072954 Regist ered office: Mort im er House, 37- 41 Mort im er St reet , London W1T 3JH, UK Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology: Official Journal of the Societa Botanica Italiana Publicat ion det ails, including inst ruct ions for aut hors and subscript ion informat ion: ht t p:/ / www.t andfonline.com/ loi/ t plb20 Syntaxonomic survey of the class Pegano harmalae‐Salsoletea vermiculatae Br.‐Bl. & O. Bolos 1958 in Italy a a b a a S. Brullo , G. Giusso del Galdo , R. Guarino , P. Minissale , S. Sciandrello & G. Spampinat o c a Depart ment of Biological, Geological and Environment al Sciences, Universit y of Cat ania, Via A. Longo 19, Cat ania, 95125, It aly b Depart ment of Environment al Biology and Biodiversit y, Universit y of Palermo, via Archirafi 38, Palermo, 90123, It aly c Depart ment S.T.A.F.A, Universit y of Reggio Calabria, P.zza San Francesco 4, Gallina (RC), 89061, It aly Accept ed aut hor version post ed online: 06 Aug 2012.Version of record first published: 11 Sep 2012. To cite this article: S. Brullo, G. Giusso del Galdo, R. Guarino, P. Minissale, S. Sciandrello & G. Spampinat o (): Synt axonomic survey of t he class Pegano harmalae‐Salsolet ea vermiculat ae Br.‐Bl. & O. Bolos 1958 in It aly, Plant Biosyst ems - An Int ernat ional Journal Dealing wit h all Aspect s of Plant Biology: Official Journal of t he Societ a Bot anica It aliana, DOI:10.1080/ 11263504.2012.717544 To link to this article: ht t p:/ / dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/ 11263504.2012.717544 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTI CLE Full t erm s and condit ions of use: ht t p: / / www.t andfonline.com / page/ t erm s- and- condit ions This art icle m ay be used for research, t eaching, and privat e st udy purposes. Any subst ant ial or syst em at ic reproduct ion, redist ribut ion, reselling, loan, sub- licensing, syst em at ic supply, or dist ribut ion in any form t o anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warrant y express or im plied or m ake any represent at ion t hat t he cont ent s will be com plet e or accurat e or up t o dat e. The accuracy of any inst ruct ions, form ulae, and drug doses should be independent ly verified wit h prim ary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, act ions, claim s, proceedings, dem and, or cost s or dam ages what soever or howsoever caused arising direct ly or indirect ly in connect ion wit h or arising out of t he use of t his m at erial. Plant Biosystems, 2012; 1–26, iFirst article Syntaxonomic survey of the class Pegano harmalae-Salsoletea vermiculatae Br.-Bl. & O. Bolos 1958 in Italy S. BRULLO1, G. GIUSSO DEL GALDO1, R. GUARINO2, P. MINISSALE1, S. SCIANDRELLO1, & G. SPAMPINATO3 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 1 Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy; 2Department of Environmental Biology and Biodiversity, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 38, 90123 Palermo, Italy and 3Department S.T.A.F.A., University of Reggio Calabria, P.zza San Francesco 4, 89061 Gallina (RC), Italy Abstract After a general outline on the syntaxonomical framework of the class Pegano harmalae-Salsoletea vermiculatae Br.-Bl. & O. Bolos 1958, the occurrence of this vegetation in the Italian territory is examined. In Italy, this vegetation is mostly found on clayish or marly substrata, particularly if slightly enriched with nitrates and chlorides. With reference to the Rivas-Martı́nez bioclimatic classification, the Italian stands have an infra- to thermo-Mediterranean thermotype (marginally up to the mesoMediterranean one) with dry or arid ombrotype. In particular, this vegetation is well represented in Sicily, while in Sardinia and along the Italian Peninsula, it progressively becomes more rare and localized. Altogether, 21 associations are recognized, 11 of which are described here for the first time. The surveyed associations are ascribed to the following alliances: Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedion mollis (linked to less disturbed and more thermo-xeric habitats) and Artemision arborescentis (more disturbed and less thermo-xeric habitats). Finally, some conservation issues are discussed. Keywords: Phytosociology, Pegano-Salsoletea, Italy, conservation, habitat Introduction The class Pegano-Salsoletea Br.-Bl & O. Bolòs 1958 groups halo-nitrophilous scrublands colonizing marly to clayey substrata and evaporitic sediments in the Mediterranean, Saharan-Atlantic and Macaronesic Regions, particularly under thermo-xeric climatic conditions (Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 2002). This vegetation is characterized by succulent Chenopodiaceae with a chamaephytic to nanophanerophytic habit, such as Salsola (S. oppositifolia, S. vermiculata), Suaeda (S. vera, S. pruinosa), Atriplex (A. halimus, A. glauca), frequently found together with other representative species, belonging to the genera Peganum (P. harmala), Artemisia (A. arborescens, A. herba-alba, A. campestris), Anabasis (A. articulata), Haloxilon (H. articulatum), and Limonium sp.pl. The nomenclatural vicissitudes of the class being studied are rather complicated: it was first described for the Ebro Valley (Spain) by Braun-Blanquet and Bolòs (1958) to emphasize the floristic autonomy of the order Salsolo. vermiculatae-Peganetalia harmalae and the alliance Salsolo-Peganion, previously framed by the same authors (Braun-Blanquet & Bolòs 1954) into the class Chenopodietea Br.-Bl in Br.-Bl et al. 1952. Further researches widened the range of the class to a great deal of the Iberian Peninsula and of the southern Mediterranean territories (Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963; Bolòs et al. 1970; Rigual Magallón 1972; Peinado & Martinez Parras 1984; Brullo et al. 1985; Peinado et al. 1986, 1989; Géhu & Biondi 1986; Biondi 1988; Alcaraz et al. 1991; Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 1993, 2002; Costa et al. 2000; Alonso & De la Torre 2002). In the meantime, several new orders and alliances were added to the class (Appendix 1): the first addition was proposed by Rivas Goday and Rigual Magallón (1958), who described the Salsolo-Fagonion creticae, replacing the Salsolo-Peganion in the Alicante Province. Successively, Rivas Goday and RivasMartı́nez (1963) included new orders in the class two: the Onopordo-Salsoletalia Rivas Goday & Correspondence: S. Brullo, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy. Email: brullo@dipbot.unict.it ISSN 1126-3504 print/ISSN 1724-5575 online ª 2012 Società Botanica Italiana http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2012.717544 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 2 S. Brullo et al. Rivas-Martı́nez 1963 (with the alliances SalsoloPeganion and Onopordion arabici Br.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1958) and the Atriplicetalia glaucae Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963 (with the new alliances SalsoloCarthamion Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963 and Haloxilo-Atriplicion Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963). All these syntaxa were reconsidered and validated by Rigual Magallón (1972), who included into them several associations and proposed the new alliance Salsolo-Suaedion. In later years, some more syntaxa have been proposed for the Iberian Peninsula: the two alliances Salsolo-Artemision and Atriplicion glaucae were described as nomina nuda by Folch (1981); the Medicagini citrinae-Lavaterion arboreae, proposed by Bolòs and Vigo (1984); the order Helichryso-Santolinetalia squarrosae, proposed by Peinado and Martı́nez Parras (1984) to group the alliances Artemisio glutinosae-Santolinion rosmarinifoliae Costa 1975 and Santolinion pectinato-canescentis Peinado & Martı́nezParras 1984, that, in the opinion of the same authors and of Peinado et al. (1986), are closely related to the glareicolous vegetation of the Andryaletalia ragusinae Rivas Goday ex Rivas Goday & Esteve 1972. For the Canary Islands, the endemic order Chenoleoidetalia tomentosae and the alliance Chenoleoidion tomentosae were described by Sunding (1972). His proposal has been followed by RivasMartı́nez et al. (1993), who proposed, in addition, the new endemic order Forsskaoleo angustifoliaeRumicetalia lunariae, with the two alliances Launaeo arborescentis-Schizogynion sericeae and Artemision thusculae-Rumicion lunariae. Also, some synanthropic plant communities characterized by pantropical chorotypes was ascribed to the class Pegano-Salsoletea: this is the case of the order Nicotiano glaucae-Ricinetalia communis, with the alliance Nicotiano glaucae-Ricinion communis, described for the Canary Islands by Rivas-Martı́nez et al. (1999). This is the case, as well, of the Lycio europaei-Ipomoeion purpureae, proposed by Bolòs (1988) for the Mediterranean Region and framed into the Ipomoeetalia purpureae Oberd. ex O.Bolòs 1988, order of the class Ruderali-Manihotetea utilissimae Leonard in Taton 1949. These last two syntaxa have been synonymized by Rivas-Martı́nez et al. (2002) with the SalsoloPeganetalia and Pegano-Salsoletea, respectively, but the alliance Lycio europaei-Ipomoeion purpureae has been kept valid. A syntaxonomical survey of the class at issue in the Iberian and Macaronesian territories was presented by Rivas-Martı́nez et al. (2001, 2002). For the semi-deserts of Cyrenaica (Libya), the order Hammado scopariae-Anabasietalia articulatae was described by Brullo and Furnari (1996) and framed into the class Pegano-Salsoletea with the alliance Limonion tubiflori, a Libyan vicariant of the North-Egyptian Thymelaeion hirsutae Tadros & Atta 1958. Furthermore, the Artemision arborescentis has been described by Géhu and Biondi (1986) for the central Mediterranean territories and the Argiranthemo succulenti-Calendulion maderensis for the Madeira Islands by Capelo et al. (2000). At the centre of the Mediterranean Basin, the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation has been found in the southern part of the Italian Peninsula (Biondi 1988; Biondi et al. 1992, 1994a; Pirone 1995; Brullo et al. 2001), in Sardinia (Biondi et al. 1988; Biondi & Mossa 1992; Biondi et al. 1994b), Corsica (Géhu & Biondi 1986; Géhu et al. 1986, 1988), and Sicily (Brullo et al. 1980, 1985, 1988, 2000; Brullo & Siracusa 2000). In all these sites, the vegetation hitherto described belongs to the order Salsolo vermiculatae-Peganetalia harmalae, even if the occurrence of stands ascribable to the Nicotiano glaucaeRicinetalia communis cannot be excluded. Aim of this study is to make a point about the consistence of the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation in Italy, basing on literature and original data. Material and methods Our survey is based on 263 phytosociological relevés, partially taken from literature. On the whole, 21 associations have been recognized, 11 of which are new. For the identification of the new associations, besides the structural and floristic homogeneity, particular care was paid to the dominant species, often denoting slightly different edaphic and microclimatic conditions in the vegetation at issue. The numerical analysis has been performed on the cover data of 72 selected relevés (Van der Maarel 1979), three for each plant community (Table S1), processed by the software package Syn-Tax 2000 (Podani 2001). The relevés selected for the numerical analysis are those whose ratio between the total number of species and the character ones was minimized (Westhoff & Van der Maarel 1973; Noest et al. 1989). The Euclidean distance algorithm was used to produce the dissimilarity matrix, and the simple average criterion was adopted to produce the classification dendrogram. Vegetation data were interpreted in terms of syntaxonomical classification, based on cover and floristic affinities, following the ZurichMontpellier approach (Braun-Blanquet 1964). In the list commented below, the associations of each alliance are alphabetically reported. The structure of the entries mostly follows the proposal of Dengler et al. (2003), as well as the recommendations of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Weber et al. 2000). The bioclimatic classification follows Rivas-Martı́nez (1997) and Rivas-Martı́nez et al. (2004a, 2004b). For the taxa nomenclature, some vascular plant checklists have Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy been followed (Conti et al. 2005; Giardina et al. 2007; Greuter 2008). Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Results The Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation of Italy is chiefly found on clayish and marly soils, particularly if slightly enriched with nitrates and chlorides, in places with infra- or thermo-Mediterranean thermotype (marginally up to the meso-Mediterranean one) with dry or arid ombrotype. This vegetation is well represented in Sicily, while in Sardinia and southern Italy, it becomes more rare and localized. The following differential/character species of PeganoSalsoletea and Salsolo. vermiculatae-Peganetalia harmalae are frequently found in Italy: Lycium intricatum, Atriplex halimus, Capparis sicula, Moricandia arvensis, and Asparagus stipularis. According to our surveys (Table I), the vegetation can be ascribed to the following two alliances (Appendix 2): (A) Salsolo. oppositifoliae-Suaedion mollis Rigual 1972: vegetation of natural habitats, sometimes favoured by human activities, in remarkable xeric conditions. The associations ascribed to this alliance have their primary stands on clayey badlands (locally named ‘‘calanchi’’), coastal slopes and along the borders of salt marshes and coastal lagoons, slightly above the watertable. They can be considered as permanent edapho-xerophilous plant communities dominated by relatively few highly specialized species. In former contributions, these associations were ascribed to the Salsolo vermiculataePeganion harmalae (see Brullo et al. 1980, 1985, 2000, 2001; Brullo & Siracusa 2000; Bartolo et al. 1982, 1990). According to Rivas-Martı́nez et al. (2002), the latter name applies to plant communities linked to meso-supramediterranean semiarid and lower-dry semicontinental bioclimates of the inner Iberian Peninsula, while those of Italy, for their ecology and floristic settlement, should be ascribed to the Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedion mollis (RivasMartı́nez 2011). Indeed, the Italian communities are well characterized by the occurrence of Salsola oppositifolia, Salsola vermiculata and Suaeda vera, all linked to remarkable thermoxeric habitats falling in the infra- and thermoMediterranean bioclimatic belt. (B) Artemision arborescentis Géhu & Biondi in Géhu et al. 1986: vegetation of disturbed habitats, particularly frequent on clayish slopes next to human settlements, roadsides, and folds, on soils enriched with nitrogen and phosphates. It is found in the thermo- and, marginally, 3 meso-Mediterranean bioclimatic belt, under some more mesic conditions than the phytocoenoses ascribed to the previous alliance. Differential species are Artemisia arborescens and Anagyris foetida, with the former one often dominant in such vegetation. Also, the numerical analysis strongly supports the recognition of two groups, clearly corresponding to the two alliances occurring in Italy (Figure 1). Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedion mollis Suaedo verae-Atriplicetum halimi Biondi 1988 – Table I (21–22) Holotypus: rel.2, tab.4, Biondi (1988). Character species: Suaeda vera. Structure and ecology: Markedly, halo-nitrophilous association colonizing coastal rocky habitats (marls, conglomerates, limestone and sandstone) were directly influenced by the sea-spray and dunged by the seabirds. The physiognomy is given by the dense bushes of Suaeda vera and Atriplex halimus, normally achieving high cover values. According to Biondi (1988), several different sub-associations can be identified, depending on the type of substratum and on the ecotonal contacts with other plant communities (see Biondi 1988). Distribution: Central and southern Italy (Figure 2, online Appendix), along the Adriatic coast, and Tremiti Islands (Biondi 1988; Pirone 1995). Camphorosmo monspeliacae-Atriplicetum halimi Biondi, Ballelli & Taffetani 1992 – Table I (18) Holotypus: rel.2, tab.2, Biondi et al. (1992). Character species: Camphorosma monspeliaca. Structure and ecology: This association is found inland, where it colonizes the steepest part of clayey badlands at 200 to 600 m a.s.l., within the mesoMediterranean subhumid bioclimatic belt (Biondi et al. 1992). The structure is given by a prostrate layer of Camphorosma monspeliaca mixed with scattered bushes of Atriplex halimus. On less sloping sites, this vegetation comes into contact with the perennial dry grasslands of Camphorosmo monspeliaci-Lygeetum sparti Biondi et al. 1992. Distribution: Basilicata, in the valley of Basento River (Figure 2 online Appendix). Atriplici halimi-Polygonetum tenoreani Biondi, Ballelli & Taffetani 1992 – Table I (19) Holotypus: rel.2, tab.3, Biondi et al. (1992). Character species: Polygonum tenoreanum, endemic to southern Italy. Structure and ecology: This association replaces the Camphorosmo monspeliacae-Atriplicetum halimi on Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 4 S. Brullo et al. Table I. Synoptic table of the Pegano-Salsoleta vegetation in Italy. (continued) Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table I. (Continued). Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 1 - Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (SE Sicily (after Bartolo et al. 1982, Tab. 24, sub Suaedo-Salsoletum oppositifoliae). 2 - Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Adrano; Brullo & Siracusa 2000, Tab.17, sub Suaedo-Salsoletum oppositifoliae). 3 - Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Porto Empedocle, Tab.4B). 4 - Asparago albi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily and S Calabria; Tab.4A). 5 - Thapsio pelagicae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Lampedusa; Bartolo et al. 1990, Tab.10, sub Suaedo-Salsoletum oppositifoliae). 6 - Limonio opulenti-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Porto Empedocle; Brullo et al. 1980, Tab.1). 7 - Limonio catanzaroi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Capo Bianco; Brullo et al. 1985, Tab.1). 8 - Limonio catanzaroi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Ribera, Tab.2A). 9 - Limonio calcarae-Suaedetum verae (C Sicily, S. Angelo Muxaro, Tab.2B). 10 - Salsoletum agrigentinae (C Sicily; Brullo et al. 1985, Tab.2). 11 - Salsoletum agrigentinae (E Sicily, Adrano; Brullo & Siracusa 2000, Tab.18). 12 - Salsoletum agrigentinae (Sicily, Tab.2C). 13 - Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedetum pelagicae (Lampedusa; Bartolo et al. 1990, Tab.11). 14 - Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali (Lampedusa; Bartolo et al. 1990, Tab.12). 15 - Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali (Sicily, Tab.3A). 16 - Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (S Sicily, Manfria; Brullo et al. 2000 Tab.9). 17 - Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Ribera, Tab.4C). 18 - Camphorosmo monspeliacae-Atriplicetum halimi (Basilicata; Biondi et al. 1992, Tab.2). 19 - Atriplici halimi-Polygonetum tenoreani (Basilicata; Biondi et al. 1992, Tab.3). 20 - Atriplici halimi-Halimionietum portulacoidis (Sicily, Catania; Tab.3B). 21 - Suaedo verae-Atriplicetum halimi (Apulia, Tremiti Islands; Biondi 1988, Tab.4). 22 - Suaedo verae-Atriplicetum halimi (Abruzzo; Pirone 1995, Tab.21, ril.1-3). 23 - Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae typicum (Sardinia, Capo S. Elia; Biondi & Mossa 1992, Tab.15, rel.3-8, sub Salsolo vermiculatae-Atriplicetum halimi). 24 - Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae typicum (Sardinia, Cala Mosca, Tab.5A, rel.1-4). 25 - Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae artemisietosum arborescentis (Sardinia, Capo S. Elia; Biondi & Mossa 1992, Tab.15, rel.9-13, sub Salsolo vermiculatae-Atriplicetum halimi ). 26 - Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae artemisietosum arborescentis (Sardinia, Cala Mosca, Tab.5A, rel.5-10). 27 - Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae artemisietosum arborescentis (Sardinia, Cagliari; Biondi et al. 1994b, Tab.2, sub Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis). 28 - Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis (Sicily, Tab.7B). 29 - Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis (Sicily, Agira; Costanzo et al., 2005, Tab.15). 30 - Limonio optimae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Ponte Cinque Archi, Tab.7A). 31 - Coronillo valentinae-Artemisietum arborescentis (Sicilia, Caltavulturo, Tab.7C). 32 - Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Manfria; Brullo et al. 2000, Tab.8 sub Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae). 33 - Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Tab.5B). 34 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Siculiana, Tab.6A). 35 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Agira; Costanzo et al. 2005, Tab.14). 36 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis halimionetusum portulacoidis (Sicily, Foce Simeto; Sardinia; Tab.6B). 37 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis typicum (Apulia, Gargano & Tremiti Islands; Biondi 1988, Tab.1). 38 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis typicum (N Sardinia; Biondi et al. 1988, Tab.1). 39 - Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis typcum (N Calabria; Biondi et al. 1994a, Tab.8). 40 - Medicagini arboreae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (Sicily, Licata, Tab.5C). 5 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 6 S. Brullo et al. Figure 1. Dendrogram of the relevés of Table S1. Algorithm: simple average, Euclidean distance. steep, heavily eroded badlands formed by alternating clayey and sandy layers. Due to the fast weathering of the dwelled sites, this vegetation never achieves high cover values. The structure is given by clumps of Polygonum tenoreanum, mixed with more scattered bushes of Atriplex halimus. Distribution: Basilicata, in the valley of Basento River (Figure 3 online Appendix). Limonio opulenti-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Grillo & Scalia 1980, nom. inver. propos. – Table I (6). Syn.: Salsolo oppositifoliae-Limonietum opulenti Brullo, Grillo & Scalia 1980 Holotypus: rel.14, tab.1, Brullo et al. (1980). Character species: Limonium opulentum, Herniaria empedocleana and Suaeda kocheri, all endemic to SSicily, plus Reaumuria vermiculata, a South-Mediterranean and Saharo-Syndic element, in Italy found only in few places along the southern coast of Sicily. Structure and ecology: Chamaephytic and nanophanerophytic vegetation colonizing coastal badlands and steep heavily eroded marly outcrops, within the lower thermo-Mediterranean lower dry bioclimate belt. The most abundant species are Salsola oppositifolia, Atriplex halimus, and Suaeda vera. On less sloping sites, this vegetation comes in contact with the Euphorbietum dendroidis Guinochet in Guinochet and Drounieau 1944. According to the Art 42 of the ICPN (Weber et al. 2000), it is proposed here to modify the name of the association, since Salsola oppositifolia is the species physiognomically dominant. Distribution: Sicily, near Porto Empedocle and Agrigento (Figure 5 online Appendix). Very localized but, until a recent past, relatively common in this area, both inland and along the coast (Brullo et al. 1980). At present times, a deregulated urban sprawl, stone-quarries and landfills are seriously threatening this plant community. Salsoletum agrigentinae Brullo, Guglielmo & Pavone 1985 – Table I (10–12); Table II C Holotypus: rel.4, tab.2, Brullo et al. (1985). Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table II. Limonio catanzaroi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (A), Limonio calcarae-Suaedetum verae (B), Salsoletum agrigentinae (C) Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 7 (continued) Table II. (Continued). Rel. 1-2, Capo Bianco (Siculiana), 04.06.2009; 3-4, Montagna Magone (Ribera), 05.06.2009; 5-9, C.da Ancidra (Ribera), 05.06.2009; Rel. 10, Sant’ Angelo Muxaro (Agrigento), 13.05.2009; 11-15, ibid., 05.06.2009; 16-17, C.da Valanghe (Adrano), 25.05.2009; 18-19, ibid., 26.03.2009; Rel. 20-23, Maccalube di Aragona, 13.05.2009. S. Brullo et al. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 8 Character species: Salsola agrigentina, endemic to central and southern Sicily, belonging to the cycle of Salsola vermiculata (Botschantzev 1975). Structure and ecology: Nanophanerophytic vegetation colonizing steep heavily eroded clayish badlands within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. It tolerates high concentrations of chlorides, as testified by the occurrence of salt crystals on the ground surface during the summer months. This vegetation is relatively dense with Salsola agrigentina, the dominant species, growing together with Salsola oppositifolia, Suaeda vera and Atriplex halimus. On less sloping sites, this vegetation comes into contact with the perennial dry grasslands of Lavatero agrigentinaeLygeetum sparti Brullo 1985. Distribution: Central and southern Sicily, both inland and near the coast (Figure 4 online Appendix). Limonio catanzaroi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Guglielmo & Pavone 1985, nom. inver. propos. – Table I (7–8); Table IIA Syn.: Salsolo oppositifoliae-Limonietum catanzaroi Brullo, Guglielmo & Pavone 1985. Holotypus: rel.8, tab.1, Brullo et al. (1985). Character species: Limonium catanzaroi, endemic to few scattered sites of western Sicily, and Helminthotheca aculeata, having a Sicilian-Maghrebid distribution. Structure and ecology: The physiognomy of this association is given by the dominance of Salsola oppositifolia and Limonium catanzaroi, growing on salty lithosoils deriving from the erosion of marls or marly clays interposed to sandstone layers. It occurs within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. On more mature soils, as the salinity decreases, this vegetation is replaced by the maquis of the Pistacio-Chamaeropetum humilis Brullo e Marcenò 1985 or by perennial dry grasslands of the Astragalo huetii-Ampelodesmetum mauritanici Minissale 1995. According to the Art 42 of the ICPN (Weber et al. 2000), it is here proposed to modify the name of the association, since Salsola oppositifolia is the species physiognomically dominant. Distribution: South-western Sicily, from Ribera to Capo Bianco (Figure 5 online Appendix). Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedetum pelagicae Bartolo, Brullo, Minissale & Spampinato 1990 – Table I (13) Holotypus: rel.4, tab.11, Bartolo et al. (1990) Character species: Suaeda pelagica, endemic to Lampedusa and belonging to the cycle of S. palestina Eig & Zohary (Bartolo et al. 1988). Structure and ecology: Nano-phanaerophytic vegetation colonizing steep south-facing marly outcrops and the detritus accumulating at their base, within the infra-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. The Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table III. Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali (A), Atriplici halimi-Halimionietum portulacoidis (B). Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 9 (continued) Table III. (Continued). Rel. 1-3, Porto Empedocle, near Villa Romana, 04.06.2009; 4-8, Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte, 04.06.2009; Rel. 9, Lido Rossello, Realmonte, 04.06.2009; 10-11, Punta Braccetto (Ragusa), (Bartolo et al. 1982, tab.22, rel.14-15); Rel. 12-17, Rocky coast of Catania, 25.04.1995; 18-19, ibid., 29.03.1994. S. Brullo et al. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 10 climatic stress is further amplified by the intense direct sunlight, by the frequent coastal winds and salt spray. Near the sea, this association gets in contact with the Limonietum lopadusani Bartolo et al. 1990, while on vertical cliffs, it is replaced by the Chiliadenetum lopadusani Bartolo et al. 1990. Distribution: Island of Lampedusa, along the southwestern coast (Figure 2 online Appendix). Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali Bartolo, Brullo, Minissale & Spampinato 1990 – Table I (14–15); Table IIIA Holotypus: rel.2, tab.12, Bartolo et al. (1990) Character species: Limoniastrum monopetalum, a South-Mediterranean species normally found in coastal salt marshes, as a member of the vegetation ascribed to the class Sarcocornietea fruticosae. In the context of Pegano-Salsoletea, it can be regarded as a differential species. Structure and ecology: Association dominated by the big prostrate shrubs of Limoniastrum monopetalum mixed with succulent Chenopodiaceae like Suaeda vera, Salsola Oppositifolia, and Atriplex halimus. It colonizes loamy sediments resulting from the weathering of marly clays, marls, and carbonatic sandstones. Even if linked to thermo- and infraMediterranean dry bioclimatic belt, it benefits from a slight edaphic humidity provided by the shallow water-table. It is typically found on flat or gently sloping coastal sites, exposed to southern winds and to the sea-spray. In more sheltered and elevated places, it is replaced by the maquis of Oleo-Ceratonion and Periplocion angustifoliae Rivas-Martinez 1975. Distribution: This association was first described for the Island of Lampedusa by Bartolo et al. (1990). Recently, it has been recorded, as well, in some localities along the southern and western Sicilian coast (Figure 3 online Appendix). Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Guarino & Ronsisvalle 2000 – Table I (16–17); Table IVC Holotypus: rel.5, tab.9, Brullo et al. (2000). Character species: Halimione portulacoides. Structure and ecology: Association colonizing hollowed sites and basins created by the weathering on horizontal layers of limestone and carbonatic sandstones, where the combined action of sea-storms and coastal winds accumulates loamy sediments and organic matter. This explains the abundance of the Halimione portulacoides, a species normally found in coastal salt marshes belonging to the class Sarcocornietea fruticosae Br.-Bl. & R. Tx. ex A. & O. Bolòs 1950, and particularly in the Halimiono portulacoidisSuaedetum verae. In this context, instead, Halimione portulacoides grows together with many characteristics of the class Pegano-Salsoletea, such as Suaeda vera, Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 11 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table IV. Asparago albi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (A), Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (B), Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositilofilae (C) Rel. 1-2, Sicily, Porto Empedocle, 04.06.2009; 3-4, Sicily, Porto Empedocle near Villa Romana, 04.06.2009; Rel. 5, Sicily, C.da Ancidra (Ribera), 05.06.2009; 6, Calabria, rocky coast near Capo dell’Armi, 04.05.1987 (Brullo et al. 2001, tab.48, rel.2); Rel. 7, Calabria, Saline Ioniche, 06.06.1996 (Brullo et al. 2001, tab.48, rel.3); 8-9, Sicily, Porto Empedocle, 04.06.2009; Rel. 10-11, Sicily, Porto Empedocle near Villa Romana, 04.06.2009; 12, C.da Ancidra (Ribera), 05.06.2009. Salsola Oppositifolia, and Lycium intricatum, within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. Distribution: Southern Sicily (Figure 5 online Appendix), near Gela (Brullo et al. 2000; Guarino et al. 2008), and Ribera (Agrigento). Atriplici halimi-Halimionietum portulacoidis ass. nova – Table I (20); Table IIIB Holotypus: rel.13, tab.3, hoc loco. Character species: Halimione portulacoides. Structure and ecology: Nano-phanerophytic vegetation colonizing flat or gently sloping volcanic outcrops along the sea, influenced by the sea-spray and by the organic waste accumulated during the sea-storms. It is linked to thermo-Mediterranean subhumid bioclimatic belt, in catenal contact with the CrithmoLimonietea vegetation. Like the Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae, this association is characterized by the dominance of Halimione portulacoides, but it clearly differs from the latter for the habitat conditions and for the absence of Salsola oppositifolia. Distribution: North-eastern Sicily, along the volcanic coast of Catania (Figure 5 online Appendix). Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 12 Table V. Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae (A), Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (B), Medicagini arboreae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (C). S. Brullo et al. (continued) Rel 1-4, 6-8 Cagliari, Cala Mosca, 26.4.1989; 5, 9, 10, ibid., 24.06.2009; 11-12, Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte, 04.06.2009; 13, rocky coast near Mt. Poliscia (Licata), 28.05.2009; Rel. 14-19, Mt. Lungo (Gela), 16.08.2005; 20-22, C.da Mollarella (Licata), 05.05.2007; 23, ibid., 28.05.2009; 24, rocky coast near Mt. Poliscia (Licata), 28.05.2009. Table V. (Continued). Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 13 Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I (1–3); Table IVB Syn.: Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae auct. sic. non Rivas Goday & Rigual 1958 Holotypus: rel.10, tab.5, hoc loco. Character species: Capparis sicula. Structure and ecology: Nano-phanerophytic vegetation colonizing heavily eroded clayey badlands, both inland and in coastal sites. It can tolerate extreme edaphic conditions, where the concentration of chlorides is so high that often, during the summer drought, they become visible as salt crystals on the ground surface. This association is a permanent edaphophilous community linked to the lower thermo-Mediterranean lower dry bioclimatic belt, within the climatic plant communities of the OleoCeratonion. Distribution: Western flank of Mt. Etna, near Adrano, and southern Sicily, from Porto Empedocle (Agrigento) to Capo Passero (Fig.4 online Appendix). By previous authors (Bartolo et al. 1982; Brullo & Siracusa 2000), this vegetation was ascribed to the Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (O. Bolòs 1957) Rivas Goday and Rigual 1958, association described for the Province of Alicante, in southern Spain. Despite the relatively similar physiognomy, chiefly given by the dominance of Salsola oppositifolia and Suaeda vera, the Spanish vegetation is well characterized by a pool of W-Mediterranean species missing from Sicily. Therefore, a new association is proposed here. Limonio calcarae-Suaedetum verae ass. nova – Table I (9); Table IIB Holotypus: rel.10, tab. 2, hoc loco. Character species. Limonium calcarae, endemic to central Sicily. Structure and ecology: Halo-nitrophilous association colonizing clayish badlands belonging to the Sicilian evaporitic series. It dwells heavily eroded gullies and steep slopes within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. The structure is given by scattered tufts of Limonium calcarae, by far the most abundant species in this context, mixed with sparse individuals of Suaeda vera and Moricandia arvensis. Distribution: Central Sicily (Figure 5 online Appendix), far from the sea (Caltanissetta and Agrigento provinces). Thapsio pelagicae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I(5) Syn.: Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Bartolo et al. 1990 non Rivas Goday & Rigual 1958 Holotypus: rel.5, tab.10, Bartolo et al. (1990), hoc loco. Character species: Thapsia pelagica, endemic to Lampedusa (formerly attributed to T. garganica by 14 S. Brullo et al. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table VI. Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis subass. salsoletosum oppositifoliae (A), subass. halimionetosum portulacoidis (B). Rel. 1-5, Siculiana Marina, 15.05.1993; 6-8, Capo Bianco (Siculiana), 04.06.2009; Rel. 9-11, Foce del Simeto (Brullo et al. 1988, tab.19); 12-13, Cagliari, Stagno di Santa Gilla, 25.06.2009. Bartolo et al. 1990), and Reichardia tingitana, a South-Mediterranean species ranging up to the Pelagic Islands. Structure and ecology: Nano-phanerophytic vegetation linked to marly substrata dunged by the seabirds, within the infra-Mediterranean semiarid bioclimatic belt. Its physiognomic characterization is given by a dense layer of Salsola oppositifolia, Suaeda vera, and Atriplex halimus that, towards the inland, are progressively replaced by the climatophilous vegetation of the Periplocion angustifoliae. Distribution: Island of Lampedusa (Figure 4 online Appendix). Note: This vegetation was previously ascribed by Bartolo et al. (1990) to the Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (O. Bolòs 1957) Rivas Goday and Rigual 1958, association described for the Province of Alicante, in southern Spain. Despite the relatively similar physiognomy given by the dominance of Salsola oppositifolia and Suaeda vera, the Spanish vegetation is well characterized by a pool of WMediterranean species, lacking from Lampedusa. The Lampedusa populations ascribed by Bartolo et al. (1990) to Thapsia garganica have been recently described by Brullo et al. (2009) as new species, namely T. pelagica. Asparago albi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I (4), Table IVA Holotypus: rel.4, tab.4, hoc loco. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table VII. Limonio optimae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (A), Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis (B), Coronillo valentinae-Artemisietum arborescentis (C) Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy 15 (continued) Table VII. (Continued). Rel. 1-10, Ponte Cinque Archi , 26.08.1993; 11-14, Caltavuturo (Palermo), 04.06.1993; 15, Agira (Enna), 04.06.1993; Rel. 16, Alia, 25.06.1993; 17-21, Caltavuturo, 04.06.1993. S. Brullo et al. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 16 Character species: Asparagus albus. Structure and ecology: Nano-phanaerophytic vegetation chiefly colonizing coastal stands, or rarely inner stand, characterized marly soils. It usually dwells very steep slopes, mainly represented by cliffs or rocky outcrops. It is floristically differentiated by Salsola oppositifolia, usually reaching high cover values, and by the occurrence of Asparagus albus. This association is a permanent edaphophilous community linked to the lower thermo-Mediterranean lower dry bioclimatic belt, within the climatic plant communities of the Oleo-Ceratonion. Distribution: Southern Sicily, near Porto Empedocle and Ribera (Agrigento), and southern Calabria, near Reggio Calabria, along the rocky coast between Capo dell’Armi and Saline Ioniche (Figure 4 online Appendix). Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae ass. nova – Table I (23–27); Table VA Syn.: Salsolo vermiculatae-Atriplicetum halimi Biondi & Mossa 1992 non Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 1991. Holotypus: rel.8, tab.15, Biondi & Mossa (1992), hoc loco. Character species: Salsola vermiculata, a W-Mediterranean species ranging up to southern Sardinia, and Limonium dubium, endemic to Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. Structure and ecology: Vegetation colonizing relatively steep marly slopes exposed to the salt-spray and dunged by the seabirds, within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt. Its ecological niche stretches between the vegetation of Crithmo-Limonietea Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1952 and the thermoxerophilous maquis ascribed to the Euphorbio dendroidis-Anagyretum foetidae Biondi and Mossa 1992 (Oleo-Ceratonion Br.-Bl. ex Guinochet and Drouineau 1944). The structure is given by Salsola vermiculata, that together with Atriplex halimus, Asparagus stipularis, and Suaeda vera, forms a tangled scrubland, densely covering the ground. We agree with Biondi and Mossa (1992) which, besides to the typical aspect without Artemisia arborescens, describe the subass. artemisietosum arborescentis (Biondi & Mossa 1992) comb. nov. which is characterized by the occurrence of A. arborescens, often with high cover values. From the ecological viewpoint, the subass. typicum is exclusively linked to primary stands, as testified by the lacking of A. arborescens, while the subass. artemisietosum arborescentis grows on disturbed habitats, with an higher concentration of nitrates. Distribution: Southern Sardinia, on promontories and coastal capes eastward of Cagliari (Figure 3 online Appendix). Note: This vegetation was already sampled by Biondi and Mossa (1992) and ascribed to the Salsolo Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy vermiculatae-Atriplicetum halimi (Br.-Bl. & Bolos 1958) Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 1991. Despite the similar physiognomy, the Sardininan stands are quite different from those of the Iberian Peninsula for ecological and floristic reasons: the Spanish association grows inland, within the meso-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt and belongs to the SalsoloPeganion harmalae, an alliance that is not represented in Italy. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Artemision arborescentis Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis Biondi 1988 – Table I (34–39); Table VI Holotypus: rel.4, tab.1, Biondi (1988). Character species: Atriplex halimus and Artemisia arborescens. Structure and ecology: Synanthropic shrublands dominated by the two nominal species of the associations, sometimes growing together with Suaeda vera. This very poor floristic settlement is often found in coastal sites, on marly and conglomeratic substrata, sometimes used as dumping places for urban waste and rubbles (Biondi 1988). It can be considered as a permanent edaphic community whose evolution is contrasted by the human disturbance, combined to the action of natural ‘‘hecklers’’ like coastal winds, seabirds, salt-spray, etc. It is found within the thermo-Mediterranean dry to subhumid bioclimatic belt, often in contact with the Oleo-Ceratonionvegetation. In addition to the typical aspect and to the var. with Suaeda vera, already described by Biondi (1988), the following two sub-associations can be recognized: (a) subass. salsoletosum oppositifoliae Costanzo et al. 2005 (holotypus: rel.3, tab.14, Costanzo et al. 2005), dwelling steep marly cliffs exposed to the sea; (b) subass. halimionetosum portulacoidis subass. nova (holotypus: rel.9, tab.6, hoc loco), which is found on loamy sediments surrounding coastal salt marshes. Distribution: Southern Italy (Tremiti Islands, Gargano, and northern Calabria), Sardinia and Sicily (Figure 3 online Appendix). Limonio optimae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I (30); Table VIIA Holotypus: rel.5, tab.7, hoc loco. Character species: Limonium optimae, endemic to central Sicily (Raimondo 1993, Falci 2000). Structure and ecology: Association colonizing marly limestone and warps along the Salso river and its tributaries, known since ancient times for the salinity of their water, resulting from the leaching of evaporitic layers. This vegetation is found between 300 and 400 m a.s.l., within the thermo-Mediterranean subhumid bioclimatic belt. Typically, it has quite an open structure, given by sparse shrubs of 17 Salsola oppositifolia and Artemisia arborescens, mixing together with denser clumps of Limonium optimae. Distribution: Central Sicily, near Caltanissetta (Figure 5 online Appendix). Coronillo valentinae-Artemisietum arborescentis ass. nova – Table I (31); Table VIIC Holotypus: rel.21, tab.7, hoc loco. Character species: Coronilla valentina, Ruta chalepensis. Structure and ecology: Association colonizing steep, heavily eroded, marly slopes, within the thermoMediterranean subhumid bioclimatic belt, between 400 and 500 m a.s.l. The structure is given by sparse shrubs of Artemisia arborescens, Salsola oppositifolia and Anagyris foetida, mingled with the smaller bushes of Coronilla valentina and Ruta chalapensis. This vegetation is ecologically quite specialized, linked to relatively fine-grained debris frequently disturbed by the deposition of new eroded material. In more stable contexts, it tends to be replaced by the OleoCeratonion vegetation. Distribution: Central and northern Sicily (Figure 3 online Appendix). Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis ass. nova –Table I (28–29); Table VIIB Holotypus: rel.15, tab.7, hoc loco. Character species: Lycium europaeum. Structure and ecology: Halo-nitrophilous association colonizing clayey substrata next to urban and rural settlements, within the meso-Mediterranean dry to subhumid bioclimatic belt, at 500–700 m a.s.l. It has some more mesophilous requirements in comparison with the above-mentioned associations and often achieves high cover values. The structure is given by the big bushes of Artemisia arborescens and Atriplex halimus, tangled with Lycium europaeum: a synanthropic species frequently found in secondary habitats like road-sides, pathways, and embankments. Distribution: Central and northern Sicily (Figure 2 online Appendix). Notes: This plant community was formerly described by Costanzo et al. (2005) as ‘‘aggr. Lyceum europaeum’’ from central Sicily. Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I (32–33); Table VB Syn.: Suaedo verae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo et al. 2000 non Rivas Goday & Rigual 1958 Holotypus: rel.14, tab.5, hoc loco. Character species: Lycium intricatum, a SW-Mediterranean thermo-xerophilous species. Structure and ecology: Halo-nitrophilous association growing on steep marly to clayish badlands, often with southern exposures. Its optimum is within the thermo-Mediterranean dry bioclimatic belt, near the coast. The structure is rather dense and intricate, 18 S. Brullo et al. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 with big bushes of Salsola oppositifolia, Suaeda vera, Asparagus stipularis and Lycium intricatum, growing together with Artemisia arborescens, which tends to prevail in the most disturbed sites. On gently sloping sites, this vegetation is progressively replaced by dry grasslands with Lygeum spartum. Distribution: Coasts of southern Sicily, from Realmonte (Agrigento) to Gela (Fig.2 online Appendix). Notes: In a previous contribution (Brullo et al. 2000), this vegetation was ascribed to the Suaedo veraeSalsoletum oppositifoliae (O. Bolòs 1957) Rivas Goday and Rigual 1958, association described for the Province of Alicante, in southern Spain. Depite the relatively similar physiognomy, due to substantial floristic and ecologic differences, it is here preferred to describe a new association. Medicagini arboreae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova – Table I (40); Table VC Holotypus: rel.19, tab.5, hoc loco. Character species: Medicago arborea, a NW-Mediterranean species which is very rare in Sicily. Structure and ecology: This association is found on limestone and carbonatic sandstones disturbed by the sea-spray and dunged by the seabirds. It can be considered an edaphic vicariant of the Lycio intricatiSalsoletum oppositifoliae. Also in this case, the structure is very dense, with Medicago arborea as dominant species, and Salsola oppositifolia, Artemisia arborescens, Suaeda vera and Atriplex halimus as subordinates. Distribution: Southern coast of Sicily, near Licata (Figure 2 online Appendix). Discussion The phytosociological surveys carried out on this very peculiar vegetation allowed to examine not only the ecological differences of the investigated plant communities, but also to evaluate the anthropogenic effects on their structure and floristic composition. Furthermore, thanks to synecologic approach, it was possible to analyse the transformation of the plant landscape in Sicily (Biondi 2011; Pott 2011; Blasi & Frondoni 2011). All the associations occurring in Italy, and examined in this study, are structurally, floristically, and ecologically well differentiated, as also confirmed by the numerical analysis. Figure 1 shows two clusters clearly separated, corresponding to the Salsolo-Suedion mollis (cluster A) and to the Artemision arborescentis (cluster B). Cluster B is quite homogenous, since it includes plant communities floristically poor, and chiefly playing a secondary role, while three subclusters can be recognized within cluster A. In particular, subcluster A1 groups the associations characterized by the occurrence and dominance of Salsola oppositifolia, thus suggesting that these phytocoenoses are strictly linked to particularly dry environments. The associations falling in subcluster A1 are found on stands of centralsouthern Sicily, Lampedusa, as well as the southernmost point of Calabria (i.e., Capo dell’Armi); from the bioclimatic viewpoint, the thermotypes of these growing sites are ranging from the infra- to the thermo-Mediterranean dry. Subcluster A2 gathers the plant communities dominated by Suaeda vera, plant having its optimal growth conditions on soils with a higher water capacity. The ecological behaviour of S. vera is also testified by the fact that it is the key-species of the Suaedion verae (Sarcocornietea fruticosae), alliance including subhalo-nitrophilous phytocoenoses colonizing the edges of salt-marshes. The associations of this subcluster are known only for Sicily and Lampedusa. Finally, subcluster A3 groups the associations exclusively occurring in Sardinia and central-southern Italy. Such plant communities are characterized by the dominance of Atriplex halimus, usually growing together with Suaeda vera, while Salsola oppositifolia is definitely missing. This is probably due to the bioclimatic features of the dwelled sites, which are usually less arid than the previous ones, since they fall into mesoMediterranean thermotype, or more rarely into the thermo-Mediterranean one. Conclusions The class Pegano-Salsoletea is represented in Italy by several well-differentiated phytosociological units, that deserve more attention than what is normally attributed to such vegetation. Apart from the botanical interest, it is worth to remind that all the surveyed associations are to be ascribed to the habitat ‘‘1430 – Halo-nitrophilous shrubs (Pegano-Salsoletea)’’, mentioned in the Supplement 1 of the European Directive 43/92. Moreover, most of the sites colonized by this vegetation have an outstanding stratigraphic and geomorphological interest. Just to make an example, the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) identifies in Mt. San Nicola, near Gela (S Sicily), the stratigraphic reference for the Quaternary/Pleistocene lower boundary. Similarly, the badlands of Vrica, in southern Calabria, identify the early stage of Pleistocene, known as ‘‘Calabrian Stage’’ (Gibbard et al. 2010). It can be noted, as well, that most of the species characterizing the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation have an outstanding bio-geographical interest, to track back the Plio-Pleistocenic phases of the Mediterranean Basin. In fact, they originated from IranoTuranian and Saharo-Arabian elements and spread around the Mediterranean basin during the Messinian Age, of which they can be considered as ‘‘living Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy traces’’ (Guarino et al. 2006). Quite relevant is the occurrence within the surveyed plant communities of several rare endemic species, such as Thapsia pelagica, Suaeda kocheri, S. pelagica, Herniaria empedocleana, Limonium opulentum, L. dubium, L. catanzaroi, L. calcarae, L. optimae, Salsola agrigentina, and Polygonum tenoreanum. The dwelled sites are chiefly represented by ecologically very specialized habitats, whose geographical and overall ecological isolation strongly favoured the speciation processes of these halophytes. Unfortunately, many of the stands colonized by the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation are prone to the recent demographic changes that invested the Mediterranean people in last decades. The so-called ‘‘coastalization’’ (Cori 1999; Ivanov et al. 2008) associated to a deregulated urban development has determined quite an high human density in the close proximity of most of the Pegano-Salsoletea stands in Italy. The proximity of these sites to areas of rapid population growth and urban development is a source of increasing concern, also because the naturalistic and scientific value of such vegetation is ignored by the most, the public access to sensitive habitats/biotopes is totally uncontrolled. The residential development appropriated (often embezzled) a great deal of the areas where the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation was growing relatively undisturbed until recent years. In this sense, the case of the Limonio opulenti-Salsoletum oppositifoliae is emblematic: it is estimated that in the last three decades, 80% of the habitat went lost, even if some floristic reminiscences of the former vegetation can be sadly found in dumpsites, parking places, garaging, and towing services, along the walls of the power station of Porto Empedocle. The same holds true for the many ‘‘badlands’’ that, due to the waterproof properties of the clay, have been transformed in landfills for the urban solid waste. This is the case, for instance, of a relevant percentage of the habitat formerly occupied by the Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae, near the town of Adrano. Impacts from human activities are resulting in a severe habitat loss and declining environmental quality for the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation. Roads, dust, pollution, industrial activities, and uncontrolled off-road access are limiting factors in the population dynamics of the most sensitive species. Moreover, the overall disturbance will probably make introduced feral species more competitive, opening the way to multiple problems, such as the potential to out-compete native species, habitat alteration, and alteration of the trophic levels. Up to now, the only non-native species having a significant presence in the Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation of Italy are as follows: Boerhavia repens, Ricinus 19 communis, Solanum sodomaeum, and Nicotiana glauca, but if the human disturbance increases, it cannot be excluded that, in the next future, new exotic species become stronger competitors of the native ones. An integrated management plan is urgently needed. It should include a zoning framework to protect key habitats and species from detrimental human activities as well as to allow (and suggest) appropriate sustainable uses. It is to be hoped that, in the next future, men and resources will be found in order to make more acceptable the conflict between human activities and conservation needs for the still surviving patches of Pegano-Salsoletea vegetation. References Alcaraz F, Sànchez-Gòmez P, De la Torre A. 1991. Biogeografı̀a de la Provincia Murciano-Almeriense. Rivasgodaya 6: 77–100. Alonso MA, De la Torre A. 2002. Las comunidades de Suaeda Forsskal ex J.F. Gmalin en la Peninsula Iberica e Islas baleares. Lazaroa 23: 95–105. Bartolo G, Brullo S, Marcenò C. 1982. La vegetazione costiera della Sicilia sud-orientale. Quaderni C.N.R. AQ/1/226. Roma. Bartolo G, Brullo S, Minissale P, Spampinato G. 1990. Flora e vegetazione dell’isola di Lampedusa. Boll Acc Gioenia Sci Nat 21: 119–255. Bartolo G, Brullo S, Pavone P. 1988. A new species of Suaeda (Chenopodiaceae) from Lampedusa, Sicily. Willdenowia 16: 391–393. Biondi E. 1988. Aspetti di vegetazione alo-nitrofila sulle coste del Gargano e delle isole Tremiti. Arch Bot Biogeogr Ital 64: 19–33. Biondi E. 2011. Phytosociology today: Methodological and conceptual evolution. Pl Biosystems 145 (suppl. 1): 19–29. Biondi E, Mossa L. 1992. Studio fitosociologico del promontorio di Capo S. Elia e dei colli di Cagliari (Sardegna). Doc Phytosoc n.s. 14: 1–24. Biondi E, Allegrezza M, Filigheddu R. 1988. Su alcune formazioni ad Artemisia arborescens L. della Sardegna settentrionale. Boll Soc Sarda Sci Nat 26: 177–185. Biondi E, Ballelli S, Taffetani F. 1992. La vegetazione di alcuni territori calanchivi in Basilicata (Italia meridionale). Doc Phytosoc n.s. 14: 489–498. Biondi E, Ballelli S, Allegrezza M, Taffetani F, Francalancia C. 1994a. La vegetazione delle fiumare del versante ionico lucanocalabro. Fitosociologia 27: 51–66. Biondi E, Blasi C, Brugiapaglia E, Fogu MC, Mossa L. 1994b. La vegetazione nitrofila della città di Cagliari (Sardegna). Allionia 32: 303–323. Blasi C, Frondoni R. 2011. Modern perspectives for plant sociology: The case of ecological land classification and the ecoregions of Italy. Pl Biosystems 145 (suppl. 1): 30–37. Bolòs O de. 1988. Irradacions tropicals dins lòa vegetació nitrofila Mediterrania. Acta Bot Barcionon 37: 25–31. Bolòs O de, Molinier R, Montserrat P. 1970. Observations phytosociologiques dans l’Ille de Minorque. Acta Bot Barcionon 5: 1–150. Bolòs O de, Vigo J. 1984. Flora vascular y vegetació de les Illes Medes. Arxius Secc Ci Inst Estud Catalans 73: 131–208. Botschantzev V. 1975. Species subsectionis Vermiculatae Botsch. sectionis Caroxylon (Thunb.) Fenzl generis Salsola L. Nov Syst Plant Vasc 12: 160–194. Braun-Blanquet J, Bolòs O. 1954. Datos sobre las comunidades terofiticas de las llanuras del Ebro Medio. Collect Bot 4: 235– 242. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 20 S. Brullo et al. Braun-Blanquet J, Bolòs O. de 1958. Les groupements végétaux du bassin moyen de l’Ebre et leur dynamisme. Anal Estac Exp Aula Dei 5: 1–266. Braun-Blanquet J. 1964. Pflanzensoziologie. Grundzüge der Vegetationskunde. 3rd ed. Wien: Springer Verlag. pp. 1–865. Brullo S, De Santis C, Furnari F, Longhitano N, Ronsisvalle AG. 1988. La vegetazione dell’Oasi della Foce del Simeto (Sicilia orientale). Braun-Blanquetia 2: 165–188. Brullo S, Furnari F. 1996. L,a vegetazione del Gebel el-Akhdar (Cirenaica settentrionale). Boll Acc Gioenia Sci Nat 27: 197– 412. Brullo S, Grillo M, Scalia C. 1980. Su una nuova associazione dei Pegano-Salsoletea osservata presso Porto Empedocle (Agrigento). Giorn Bot Ital 114: 43–52. Brullo S, Guarino R, Ronsisvalle G. 2000. La vegetazione del litorale di Manfria, presso Gela (Sicilia), area soggetta a vincolo archeologico. Arch Geobot 4: 91–107. Brullo S, Guglielmo A, Pasta S, Pavone P, Salmeri C. 2009. Note citotassonomiche sul genere Thapsia L. (Apiaceae). Inf Bot Ital 40 (suppl. 3): 41–48. Brullo S, Guglielmo A, Pavone P. 1985. La classe PeganoSalsoletea in Sicilia. Boll Acc Gioenia Sci Nat 18: 247– 254. Brullo S, Scelsi F, Spampinato G. 2001. La vegetazione dell’Aspromonte. Studio fitosociologico. Reggio Calabria: Laruffa Editore, 368 pp. Brullo S, Siracusa G. 2000. Indagine fitosociologica su di un’area umida del varsante sud-occidentale dell’Etna di notevole interesse naturalistico. Arch Geobot 4: 71–90. Capelo J, Costa JC, Lousã M, Fontinha S, Jardim R, Sequeira M, Rivas-Martı́nez S. 2000. Vegetação da Madeira (Portugal). I – Aproximação à tipologia fitossocilógica. Silva Lusitana 7: 257– 282. Conti F, Abbate G, Alessandrini A, Blasi C. 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora. Roma: Palombi Editore. 420 pp. Cori B. 1999. Spatial dynamics of Mediterranean coastal regions. J Coast Cons 5: 105–112. Costanzo E, Pavone P, Spampinato G, Tomaselli V. 2005. Analisi floristico-vegetazionale della R.N.O. ‘‘Vallone Piano della Corte’’ (Agira, Sicilia) finalizzata alla pianificazione ambientale. Quad Bot Amb Appl 16: 127–158. Costa JC, Capelo JH, Aguiar C, Neto C, Lousã, Espı́rito-Santo MD. 2000. An overview of the Pegano-Salsoletea vermiculatae vegetation class in continental Portugal. Coll Phytosoc. 27: 81– 93. Dengler J, Berg C, Eisenberg M, Isermann M, Jansen F, Koska I, Löbel S, Manthey M, Päzolt J, Spangenberg A, Timmermann T, Wollert H. 2003. New descriptions and typifications of syntaxa within the project ‘Plant communities of MecklenburgVorpommern and their vulnerability’. Feddes Repert 114: 587–631. Falci A. 2000. Contributo alla conoscenza di Limonium optimae Raimondo (Plumbaginaceae, Magnoliophyta). Nat Sic 4 24: 55– 58. Folch R. 1981. La vegetació dels Paı̈sos Catalans. Mem Inst Catal Hist Nat 10: 1–513. Géhu JM, Biondi E. 1986. Sur les formations méditerranéennes à Artemisia arborescens. VI Jornades de fitosociologia. Vegetació nitrófila. Barcelona: 77–78. Géhu JM., Biondi E, Géhu-Franck J. 1986. Les végétations nitrohalophiles des falaises de Bonifacio (Corse). VI Jornades de fitosociologia. Vegetació nitrófila. Barcelona: 79–82. Géhu JM, Biondi E, Géhu-Franck J. 1988. Les végétations nitrohalophiles des falaises de Bonifacio (Corse). Acta Bot Barc 37: 237–243. Giardina G, Raimondo FM, Spadaro V. 2007. A catalogue of plants growing in Sicily. Bocconea 20: 1–582. Gibbard PL, Head MJ, Walker MJC. 2010. Formal ratification of the Quaternary System/Period and the Pleistocene Series/ Epoch with a base at 2.58 Ma. J Quat Sci 25: 96–102. Greuter W. 2008. Med-Checklist, 2. Dicotyledones (Compositae). Palermo: Tipolitografia Luxograph. 798 pp. Guarino R, Giusso del Galdo G, Pignatti S. 2006. The Mediterranean dwarf shubs: origin and adaptive radiation. Ann Bot (Roma), 5: 93–101. Guarino R, Minissale P, Sciandrello S. 2008. La biodiversità vegetale e relativa cartografia del pS.I.C. ‘‘Torre Manfria’’ (Gela – CL). Quad Bot Amb Appl 19: 37–66. Ivanov E, Manakos I, Zdruli P. 2008. Coastal habitat conservation strategies. Towards harmonization and integration in the Mediterranean. Ideaprint, Bari. 295 pp. Noest V, Van der Maarel E, Van der Meulten F, Van der Loan D. 1989. Optimum-transformation of plant species cover abundance values. Vegetatio 83: 167–178. Peinado M, Martinez Parras JM. 1984. Sobre la clase PeganoSalsoletea: Helichryso-Santolinetalia ord. novo. Anal J Bot Madrid, 40: 437–444. Peinado M, Martinez Parras JM, Bortolomé C. 1986. Revision de la clase Pegano-Salsoletea en España. Com. VI jornadas de Fitosociologia: 22. Peinado M, Martinez Parras JM, Bortolomé C, Alcaraz F. 1989. Sintesis sintaxonomica de la clase Pegano-Salsoletea en España. Doc Phytosoc n.s. 11: 283–301. Pirone G. 1995. La vegetazione alofila della costa abruzzese (Adriatico centrale). Fitosociologia 30: 233–256. Podani J. 2001. Syn-Tax 2000. Computer program for data analysis in ecology and systematics. Budapest: Scientia Publishing. Pott R. 2011. Phytosociology: A modern geobotanical method. Pl Biosystems 145 (suppl. 1): 9–18. Rigual Magallón A. 1972. Flora y vegetaciòn de la provincia de Alicante. (El paisaje vegetal alicantino). Publ Inst Estud Alicantinos ser. 2, 1: 1–403. Raimondo FM. 1993. Limonium optimae a new species from central Sicily. Fl Medit 3: 13–18. Rivas Goday S, Rivas-Martı́nez S. 1963. Estudio y clasificacion de los pastizale Espanoles. Publ Minist Agric Madrid. Rivas Goday S, Rigual Magallón A. 1958. Algunas asociaziones de la provincia de Alicante. Anal Inst Bot Cavanilles 16: 533–548. Rivas-Martı́nez S. 1997. Clasificación bioclimática de la Tierra. Itin Geobot 10. Rivas-Martı́nez S. 2011. Mapa de las Series, Geoseries y Geopermaseries de vegetation de España. Itin Geobot, 18: 5– 800. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Báscones JC, Dı́az TE, Fernández-González F, Loidi J. 1991. Vegetación del Pirineo occidental y Navarra. Itin Geobot 5: 5–456. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Fernández-González F, Loidi J. 1999. Checklist of plant communities of Iberian Peninsula, Balearic and Canary Islands to suballiance level. Itin Geobot 13: 353– 451. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Fernández-González F, Loidi J, Lousã M, Penas A. 2001. Syntaxonomical checklist of vascular plant communities of Spain and Portugal to association level. Itin Geobot 14: 5–341. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Diaz TE, Fernández-González F, Izco J, Loidi J, Lousã M, Penas A. 2002. Vascular plant communities of Spain and Portugal. Addenda to the Syntaxonomical checklist of 2001. Itin Geobot 15: 5–922. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Penas A, Dı́az TE. 2004a. Bioclimatic Map of Europe, Bioclimates: Cartographic Service. University of León, Spain. Rivas-Martı́nez S, Penas A, Dı́az TE. 2004b. Bioclimatic Map of Europe, Thermoclimatic Belts: Cartographic Service. University of León, Spain. Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Rivas-Martı́nez S, Wildpret W, del Arco M, Rodriguez O, Pérez de Paz PL, Garcı́a Gallo A, Acebes JR, Dı́az TE, FernándezGonzález F. 1993. Las comunidades vegetales de la Isla de Tenerife (Islas Canarias). Itin Geobot 7: 169–374. Sunding P. 1972. The vegetation of Gran Canaria. Skr Norske Vidensk Akad Oslo, Mat-Naturvidensk Kl n.s. 29: 1–186. Van der Maarel E. 1979. Transformation of cover-abundance values in phytosociology and its effects on community similarity. Vegetatio 39: 97–114. Weber HE, Moravec J, Teurillat JP. 2000. International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. 3rd ed. J Veg Sci 11: 739–768. Westhoff V, Van der Maarel E. 1973. The Braun-Blanquet’s approach. In: Whittaker RH, editors. Ordination and classification of communities. Handbook of Vegetation Science. 5: 617–726. Appendix 1. Syntaxonomical scheme of the class Pegano-Salsoletea in the Mediterranean Basin (up to alliance level) PEGANO HARMALAE-SALSOLETEA VERMICULATAE Br.-Bl & O.Bolòs 1958 Syn.: Ruderali-Manihotetea utilissimae Leonard in Taton 1949 corr. O.Bolòs 1988 SALSOLO VERMICULATAE-PEGANETALIA HARMALAE Br.Bl. & O.Bolòs 1954 Syn.: Onopordo-Salsoletalia Rivas Goday & RivasMartı́nez 1963 Atriplicetalia glaucae Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963 Ipomoeetalia purpureae Oberd. ex O.Bolòs 1988 Salsolo vermiculatae-Peganion harmalae Br.-Bl. & O.Bolòs 1954 Syn.: Salsolo-Fagonion creticae Rivas Goday & Rigual Magallon 1958 Salsolo-Carthamion arborescentis Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez 1963 Salsolo-Artemision Folch 1981 n.n. Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedion mollis Rigual 1972 Syn.: Suaedenion fruticoso-verae Peinado, Martı́nez Parrasa & Bartolomè 1986 Suaedenion verae Peinado, Martı́nez Parrasa & Bartolomè 1986 corr. Peinado et al. 1989 Artemision arborescentis Géhu & Biondi in Géhu et al. 1986 Hammado articulatae-Atriplicion glaucae Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez ex Rigual 1972 corr. Alcaraz et al. 1991 Syn.: Haloxilo-Atriplicion Rivas Goday & RivasMartı́nez 1963 n.n. Haloxilo-Atriplicion Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martı́nez ex Rigual 1972 Atriplicion glaucae Folch 1981 n.n. Atriplicenion glaucae Peinado, Martı́nez Parrasa & Bartolomè 1986 Medicagini citrinae-Lavaterion arboreae O.Bolòs, Folch & Vigo in O. Bolòs & Vigo 1984 Lyceo europaei-Ipomoeion purpureae O.Bolòs 1988 21 HAMMADO SCOPARIAE-ANABASIETALIA ARTICULATAE Brullo & Furnari 1996 Limonion tubiflori Brullo & Furnari 1996 Thymelaeion hirsutae Tadros & Atta 1958 CHENOLEOIDETALIA TOMENTOSAE Sunding 1972 Chenoleoideion tomentosae Sunding 1972 HELICHRYSO-SANTOLINETALIA SQUARROSAE Peinado & Martinez Parras 1984 Artemisio glutinosae-Santolinion rosmarinifoliae Costa 1975 Santolinion pectinato-canescentis Peinado & Martinez Parras 1984 FORSSKAOLEO ANGUSTIFOLIAE-RUMICETALIA LUNARIAE Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 1993 Launaeo arborescentis-Schizogynion sericeae RivasMartı́nez et al. 1993 Artemision thusculae-Rumicion lunariae Rivas-Martı́nez et al. 1993 Argyranthemo succulenti-Calendulion maderensis Capelo et al. 2000 NICOTIANO GLAUCAE-RICINETALIA COMMUNIS RivasMartı́nez, Fernandez-Gonzalez & Loidi 1999 Nicotiano glaucae-Ricinion communis Rivas-Martı́nez, Fernandez-Gonzalez & Loidi 1999 Appendix 2. Syntaxonomical scheme of the surveyed associations PEGANO-SALSOLETEA Br.-Bl & O.Bolòs 1958 Salsolo vermiculatae-Peganetalia harmalae Br.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1954 Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedion MOLLIS Rigual 1972 Asparago albi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Atriplici halimi-Halimionietum portulacoidis ass. nova Atriplici halimi-Polygonetum tenoreani Biondi, Ballelli & Taffetani 1992 Camphorosmo monspeliacae-Atriplicetum halimi Biondi, Ballelli & Taffetani 1992 Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Guarino & Ronsisvalle 2000 Limonio calcarae-Suaedetum verae ass. nova Salsoletum agrigentinae Brullo, Guglielmo & Pavone 1985 Limonio catanzaroi Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Guglielmo & Pavone 1985 nom. invers. propos. Limonio opulenti-Salsoletum oppositifoliae Brullo, Grillo & Scalia 1980 nom. invers. propos. Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedetum pelagicae Bartolo et al. 1990 Suaedo verae-Atriplicetum halimi Biondi 1988 Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali Bartolo et al. 1990 22 S. Brullo et al. Thapsio pelagicae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae ass. nova a) typicum b) artemisietosum arborescentis (Biondi & Mossa 1992) comb. nova Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 ARTEMISION ARBORESCENTIS Géhu & Biondi in Géhu et al. 1986 Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis Biondi 1988 a) salsoletosum oppositifoliae subass. nova b) halimionetosum portulacoidis subass. nova Coronillo valentinae-Artemisietum arborescentis ass. nova Limonio optimae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis ass. nova Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Medicagini arboreae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae ass. nova Figure 2. Distribution map of some Pegano-Salsoletea associations occurring in Italy, Sardinia, and Sicily. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy Figure 3. Distribution map of some Pegano-Salsoletea associations occurring in Italy, and Sicily. 23 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 24 S. Brullo et al. Figure 4. Distribution map of some Pegano-Salsoletea associations occurring in Calabria and Sicily. Figure 5. Distribution map of some Pegano-Salsoletea associations occurring in Sicily. Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 Table S1. Asparago albi-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.1-3), Capparido siculae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.4-6), Halimiono portulacoidis-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.7-9), Limonio catanzaroiSalsoletum oppositifoliae, Limonio calcarae-Suaedetum verae (rel.13-15), Salsoletum agrigentinae (rel.16-18), Suaedo verae-Limoniastretum monopetali (rel.19-21), Atriplici halimi-Halimionietum portulacoidis (rel.22-24), Camphorosmo monspeliacae-Atriplicetum halimi (rel.25-27), Atriplici halimi-Polygonetum tenoreani (rel.28-30), Thapsio pelagicae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.31-33), Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedetum pelagicae (rel.34-36), Suaedo verae-Atriplicetum halimi (rel.37-39), Limonio opulenti-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.40-42), Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis typus (rel.43-45), Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis salsoletosum oppositifoliae (rel.46-48), Atriplici halimi-Artemisietum arborescentis halimionetosum portulacoidis (rel.4951), Limonio optimae-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.52-54), Lycio europaei-Artemisietum arborescentis (rel.55-57), Coronillo valentinae-Artemisietum arborescentis (rel.58-60), Asparago stipularisSalsoletum vermiculatae typicum (rel.61-63), Asparago stipularis-Salsoletum vermiculatae suedietosum (rel.64-66), Lycio intricati-Salsoletum oppositifoliae (rel.67-69), Medicagini arboreaeSalsoletum oppositifoliae (rel. 70-72). Pegano-Salsoletea in Italy (continued) 25 Downloaded by [University of Perugia] at 09:49 13 September 2012 26 S. Brullo et al. Table S1. (Continued).