Floristic and Vegetation Changes on a Small Mediterranean Island over the Last Century

Abstract

A synthetic and updated overview about the vascular flora and vegetation of the Island of Capo Passero (SE-Sicily) is provided. These data issue from two series of field surveys—the first carried out between 1997 and 2000, and the second between 2005 and 2019 and mostly focused on refining and implementing vegetation data. The current islet’s flora consists of 269 taxa, of which 149 (58%) are annual plants. The Mediterranean species are largely prevailing, 108 (40%) of which have a strictly Mediterranean biogeographical status. The comparison with a species list published in 1919 and updated in 1957 suggest that, despite the overall prevalence of anemochorous taxa, the vertebrate fauna represents an important vector for the plant colonization of the island, while the immigration of myrmechocorous taxa does not compensate the extinction rate. As many as 202 phytosociological relevés, 191 of which issue from original recent field surveys, enabled identifying 12 different plant communities. The comparison with a vegetation map published in 1965 suggests a strong reduction in dune habitats (2120 and 2210 according to EU ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43), as well as a deep disruption in the succession typical of the local psammophilous vegetation series. In order to preserve rare, endangered and protected plant species (such as Aeluropus lagopoides, Cichorium spinosum, Limonium hyblaeum, L. syracusanum, Poterium spinosum, Senecio pygmaeus and Spergularia heldreichii) and to stop the ongoing habitat degradation, urgent and effective conservation measures should be adopted for this tiny, yet precious islet.

Unexpected Discovery of Thelypteris palustris (Thelypteridaceae) in Sicily (Italy): Morphological, Ecological Analysis and Habitat Characterization

“…Our finding, during a survey in the Nebrodi Mountains (northern Sicily), is very interesting because the species is quite rare in the Italian territory since the habitats where it grows are in strong reduction, and even more because the Sicilian population represents the southernmost limit of its distribution range. The new finding is certainly unexpected because the flora of Sicily is one of the best studied in Italy and probably in Europe: consider that the start of a "modern" botanical exploration of the island date back to 1664 at least [22] Marginal habitats in the Mediterranean area represent sites of high ecological importance and a refuge for threatened plants (e.g., hygrophytes) like the case of Thelypteris palustris. In fact, these hydrophytic species are linked to peculiar ecological requirements and are highly susceptible to climate changes, and this could be led to their disappearance in the next years.…”

Where we Come from and where to Go: Six Decades of Botanical Studies in the Mediterranean Wetlands, with Sardinia (Italy) as a Case Study

“…Comparisons during a relatively short time span have often uncovered significant vegetation changes (e.g. Sciandrello et al 2021), such as local extinction or colonisation of exotic taxa, which are mainly caused by humanrelated factors. Monitoring and evaluating these changes, could be key issues to the conservation of vascular plants and other living organisms associated with them.…”

The Role of Vegetation Monitoring in the Conservation of Coastal Habitats N2000: A Case Study of a Wetland Area in Southeast Sicily (Italy)

“…Suffruticose chamaephyte endemic to the Hyblean Ionian coast, between Augusta and Capo Passero (south-eastern Sicily) [18,48]. The species characterizes the halophilous phytocoenoses of the rocky coasts of the Crithmo-Limonietea class, together with Crithmum maritimum L. and Arthrocaulon meridionale Es.…”