Lathyro asphodeloidis-Klaseetum lycopifoliae, a new plant association in the alliance Cynosurion cristati Tüxen, 1947 in Central Apennines

Abstract

This study presents a new plant association discovered in the Central Apennines and named Lathyro asphodeloidis-Klaseetum lycopifoliae. It consists of a semi-natural meadow characterized by the co-dominance of two rare taxa, Klasea lycopifolia and Lathyrus pannonicus subsp. asphodeloides, occurring in Italy in only a few localities in the Central and Northen Apennines. The association was discovered on the Altopiano delle Rocche high plateau in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo region, Italy).Multivariate analysis of the relevés shows two floristic and ecological aspects, corresponding to two different subassociations: festucetosum circummediterraneae, with elements from the Festuco-Brometea class, growing in the outer portions of the plateau, and narcissetosum poëtici, corresponding to the most typical aspect and occupying the central part of the plateau, differentiated by meso-hygrophilous species of the Molinietalia and Trifolio-Hordeetalia orders.The plant association has great natural value, due to the presence of several rare plant species, and cultural importance in association with the traditional "Narcissus Fest" held each year in May.

Proposals for improvement of Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC: Central Italy

“…Just like other Annex I Habitats (e.g., 6210) these communitites are depending on the persistence of a traditional land use (mowing, grazing), deeply related to the montane management systems: the increasing land abandonment and the consequent land use changes are causing their reduction and collapse (Blasi et al 2009;Viciani et al 2018). This semi-natural habitat host a remarkable rate of the montane biodiversity within the context of traditional agricultural landscapes (Gerdol and Piccoli 1980;Poldini and Oriolo 1994;Francalancia et al 1995;Antrop 1997;Watkinson and Ormerod 2001;Ciaschetti and Pirone 2019). Compared to lowland hay meadows, these plant communities have a peculiar floristic richness, also due to the ingression of annuals colonizing the breakings in the grass turfs created as a result of the trampling action by grazing animals.…”