) in order to characterize the alien vascular plant flora of the island. The data analysed focus on different aspects of the alien flora such as diversity (species richness), abundance, lifeforms, vegetation belts, habitats and biogeographical origins. The results show that the alien species richness is currently high, representing 16.5% of the total flora, amongst which 37.5% are naturalized. The penetration of this flora occurs mainly at lower altitudes, and is still weak or absent in the higher altitude vegetation belts whereas it has increased over time within natural closed habitats. Over the last 11 years, the species richness of xenophytes has increased by 18.1%, which corresponds to an increase of 23.0% of the naturalized plants. Moreover, 24.8% of the alien taxa have increased in abundance. A scenario highlighting the trends of the introduced flora, and that includes issues of native biodiversity conservation, is proposed based on the results. The special case of invasive species is also considered, and their exponential increase on Corsica is highlighted. Other aspects of the alien flora, such as its taxonomic spectrum and biogeographical origins, are also analysed and are, whenever possible, compared with those of other geographical regions, particularly from the Mediterranean (Sardinia, Balearic Islands) and Continental Europe.

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This article summarizes and analyzes some of the data published in "Flora Corsica", in order to characterize the Corsican flora (vascular plants). This analysis focuses on different aspects such as diversity (species richness, richest families), abundance (global, in each vegetation belt, in each habitat and substrate types), longevity and life forms (in all the studied area, in each vegetation belt) and phenology (flowering curves). The results are, whenever possible, compared with those of other geographic regions, particularly from the Mediterranean. They help outlining typical Mediterranean patterns, characterizing the Corsican vegetation belts, and identifying characteristics specifically related to the flora of Corsica.

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