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Satellite remote sensing has gained a key role for vegetation mapping distribution. Given the availability of multi-temporal satellite data, seasonal variations in vegetation dynamics can be used trough time series analysis for vegetation distribution mapping. These types of data have a very high variability within them and are subjected by artifacts. Therefore, a pre-processing phase must be performed to properly detect outliers, for data smoothing process and to correctly interpolate the data. In this work, we compare four pre-processing approaches for functional analysis on 4-years of remotely sensed images, resulting in four time series datasets. The methodologies presented are the results of the combination of two outlier detection methods, namely tsclean and boxplot functions in R and two discrete data smoothing approaches (Generalized Additive Model "GAM" on daily and aggregated data). The approaches proposed are: tsclean-GAM on aggregated data (M01), boxplot-GAM on aggregated data (M02), tsclean-GAM on daily data (M03), boxplot-GAM on daily data (M04). Our results prove that the approach which involves tsclean function and GAM applied to daily data (M03) is ameliorative to the logic of the procedure and leads to better model performance in terms of Overall Accuracy (OA) which is always among the highest when compared with the others obtained from the other three different approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the taxa collected during a survey held in 2011-2013 in Uria Basin, Catanzaro Province (Calabria, S-Italy) is here reported. The investigated territory, part of an area locally known as Presila Catanzarese, is located between the Ionian Sea and the Sila Massif, along the Ionian coast of Calabria region. The vascular flora of the area is scarcely known. The floristic samplings were performed in 318 sites selected as representative of the local environmental diversity as regards to climate, litho-morphology and land-use. The research led to the identification of 871 species and subspecies of vascular plants (652 of which never recorded before in the area), belonging to 100 families and 452 genera. Among these taxa, 8 are new [the most relevant being Erodium salzmannii, Helianthemum jonium, Hypericum hircinum subsp. hircinum, Leontodon siculus, Populus nigra subsp. neapolitana] and 3 confirmed for Calabrian flora, 51 are endemic to Italy, 32 included in IUCN Red Lists of Italian flora. In the area have been found 54 alien species, 2 of which new to Italy [Eucalyptus astringens and E. propinqua], 2 formerly considered native (or crytogenic) to Italy (Oxalis corniculata and Juglans regia). Data confirmed the great relevance of this territory for plant diversity and the need of long-term protection that seems to justify the recent establishment of two specific protected areas (Valli Cupe Regional Natural Reserve and ZSC Valle Uria - IT9330185). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Italian seed bank network (RIBES) aims to improve the quality and safety of the germplasm reserves of native plant species in Italy to ensure the long-term conservation of endangered and/or endemic flora. The strategy includes traditional methods to secure seed conservation. A comprehensive priority list for seed collection is being defined, it was prepared by crossing data of various checklists (red lists, endemics) and will soon be cross-referenced with an updated list of accessions of the whole network. A safety-backup program of duplicates will quickly be implemented to secure the conservation of the most threatened species in at least two seed banks of the network. On the other hand, the RIBES strategy also includes research by applying modern techniques. In collaboration with the Millennium Seed Bank, research on the storage behaviour of seeds and spores through thermal analysis is ongoing to inform conservation. Using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we could evaluate seed lipid properties such as glass transition temperature, melting, crystallization, oxidation behaviour, and thermal stability. Finally, RIBES participates as a co-funder in the LIFE Nature project SEEDFORCE, coordinating 11 seed banks of the network for collecting seeds/spores of 29 threatened species of EU interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is aimed at presenting the data, methods and criteria that are being used for the assessment of ecosystem collapse risk in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ThePinus halepensisMill. forest vegetation of the central-eastern European Mediterranean basin (France, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Greece) is described here. This study was carried out considering published and unpublished phytosociological data, with the organisation of a systematic classification (syntaxonomic scheme) of the orderPinetalia halepensisaccording to the principal floristic variations, at multiple spatial scales and according to the physiognomic–structural, floristic, ecological and biogeographical characteristics. Five alliances and 25 associations are recognised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phleum hirsutumHonck. subsp. ambiguum(Ten.) Tzvelev is an important component of the vegetation of some semi-natural grassland habitats of central and southern Italy and especially of those referring to the 6210*habitat (Directive 92/43/EEC). Seeds of this species are required for the execution of restoration works concerning this habitat. Therefore, the recovery and the study of autochthonous germplasm are needed. This study focused on the intra-specific variations in seed mass and size and in seed germination behavior in this species since the knowledge of these aspects can be very useful in the planning of restoration projects. The present research evidenced significant differences in mean seed mass and size in the populations studied that were correlated to the precipitation values of their collection sites. Studied seeds are able to germinate under a wide range of temperatures. They reached their maximum germination between 5 and 25°C and are capable of germination even at 30°C but with a remarkable reduction in germination percentage. Temperature was found to strongly influence germination, especially in terms of the speed. Light was found to enhance germination in almost all the populations studied while the removal of outer covering structures was found to be of no effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of the project “Syntaxonomic checklist of the Italian classes, orders and alliances (Vegetation Prodrome of Italy)”, promoted in 2012 by the Italian “Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection” in collaboration with the “Italian Society of Botany”, it arises that some syntaxa are not validly published according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature rules. For this reason, these syntaxa names are validated in this paper. Furthermore, other new syntaxa of different hierarchical levels are here described for the first time. Therefore, one new order, two new suborders, six new alliances, two new suballiances and three new associations are here described. These new syntaxa belong to the following classes:Juncetea maritimi,Stellarietea mediae,Trifolio medii–Geranietea sanguinei,Alnetea glutinosaeandSalici purpureae–Populetea nigrae.Finally, the syntaxonomic arrangement ofAlnion incanaeis here discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to provide new syntaxa for the Italian vegetation checklist. For the classRhamno–Pruneteawhich includes the classPaliureteathe new allianceRhamno saxatilis–Paliurion spinae-christiis described, that is included in the orderPaliuretalia spinae-christiwith a central-western Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean distribution. Otherwise, the more thermophilousPaliurus spina-christivegetation is included in the new suballiance named asOleo sylvestris–Paliurenion spinae-christiwithin the allianceOleo–Ceratonionof the classQuercetea ilicis. For the classTrifolio–Geranietea medii, a new alliance namedHyperico calabricae–Asphodelion macrocarpiis proposed here. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Vegetation Prodrome of Italy was promoted in 2012 by the Italian “Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection”, in collaboration with the “Italian Society of Botany”, to provide a comprehensive and systematic catalogue and description of Italian plant communities. The Prodrome that is presented in this paper is the first full organic synthesis of the vegetation of Italy at the alliance syntaxonomic level. It fulfils several needs, the main one being a unified and comprehensive national framework that may make an important contribution to the definition of the European Vegetation Prodrome. Syntaxonomy, as well as taxonomy, is sometimes based on considerations that may in part diverge: several authors tend to favour models that are divisive or aggregative to a greater or lesser extent in terms of flora, biogeography and ecology. These different points of view stimulate the scientific debate and allow the adoption of a framework that is more widely supported. The Prodrome includes 75 classes, 2 subclasses, 175 orders, 6 suborders and 393 alliances. The classes were grouped into nine broad categories according to structural, physiognomic and synecological elements rather than to syntaxonomic criteria. The rank, full valid name, any synonymies and incorrect names are provided for eachsyntaxon. The short declaration highlights the physiognomy, synecology, syndynamics and distribution of the plant communities that belong to thesyntaxon. The Prodrome of the Italian Vegetation is linked to the European Strategy for Biodiversity, the European Habitats Directive and the European Working Groups related to the ecosystems and their services. In addition to basic applications, the Prodrome can be used as a framework for scientific research related to the investigation of the relationships between plant communities and the environmental factors that influence their composition and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We drew up a checklist of the Italian vegetation (http://www.prodromo-vegetazione-italia.org/), up to the syntaxonomical rank of alliance. During the compilation of this checklist, we observed that some syntaxa were invalidly published. For this reason, in this article we validated some syntaxa names and, at the same time, described new syntaxa of different hierarchical levels. Therefore, 10 new orders, 1 new suborder, 18 new alliances, 3 new suballiances and 5 new associations are described here. These new syntaxa belong to the following classes:Adiantetea capilli-veneris,Parietarietea judaicae,Thlaspietea rotundifolii,Artemisietea vulgaris,Stellarietea mediae,Galio aparines–Urticetea dioicae,Mulgedio alpini–Aconitetea variegati,Trifolio medii–Geranietea sanguinei,Festuco-Seslerietea,Salicetea herbaceae,Festuco valesiacae–Brometea erecti,Molinio-Arrhenatheretea,Cisto cretici–Micromerietea julianae,Rhamno catharticae–Prunetea spinosae,Salici purpureae–Populetea nigrae,Salicetea purpureae,Quercetea ilicisandQuerco roboris–Fagetea sylvaticae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex-dispersal differences of four phloem-feeding vectors and their relationship to wild-plant abundance were analyzed over 2 yr in two vineyard agroecosystems. Adults of Euscelis lineolatus Brullè, Neoaliturus fenestratus (Herrich-Schäffer), Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom), and Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret were sampled by using yellow sticky traps at two heights (20 and 150 cm) above the ground in a regular geo-referenced grid. Wild vegetation was surveyed around each sampling point. The most abundant species collected was N. fenestratus, followed by P. alienus, H. obsoletus, and E. lineolatus. Low traps were more effective in capturing the females of N. fenestratus and P. alienus and the males of all of the species, except N. fenestratus at one site. Sex ratio was male-biased for N. fenestratus in both agroecosystems at both trap heights, and only in low traps for H. obsoletus and P. alienus at one site. Insect abundance, temporal population dynamics, and dispersal patterns showed considerable fluctuations according to vineyard agroecosystems and years. In the current study, all of the four phloem-feeding vectors were not found homogeneously in the vineyards, and they were aggregated in correspondence with their herbaceous wild-plant hosts. Insects tended to disperse from the borders toward the vineyard, or vice versa. Colonizing pattern was strongly affected by border vegetation, fallow fields, and vineyard ground-cover vegetation. Different plant communities were identified inside the agroecosystems, and significant correlations among insect and plant-species abundances were recorded. Data highlight the importance of understanding the dispersal patterns of vector species for the application of correct integrated pest-management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is the syntaxonomic interpretation of hyperhalophilous woody or semi-woody vegetation withHalocnemumM. Bieb. along the coasts of the Mediterranean Basin. For this area, the two species ofHalocnemum, H. strobilaceum(Pall.) M. Bieb. andH. cruciatum(Forssk.) Tod. are identified; their morphological characteristics, synonymy and distribution are here described. The study carried out of particular aspects of the plant morphology and the micromorphological characteristics of the seeds collected from different places in the Mediterranean allows to better differentiate the two species. Vegetation studies already done in many communities of the Mediterranean by several authors threw into great confusion because onlyH. strobilacemhas been recognized as a dominant species. As regards the syntaxonomic analyses of the vegetation, the authors refer to the proposals already made by various scientists for the vegetation of inland salt basins of Eurasia and the Irano-Anatolian area, who suggested the classesKalidietea foliateandHalocnemetea strobilaceiirano-anatolica, respectively. Conversely, in the Mediterranean Basin, the vegetation study is present only in coastal areas where it is considerably impoverished in the number of species. Therefore, the authors propose to include hyperhalophilous, woody and fruticose vegetation in the classSarcocornietea fruticosae.However, the phytosociological and ecological diversity is highlighted proposing the orderHalocnemetalia cruciatiin which both the allianceHalocnemion strobilacei, for middle Eastern Europe, and the allianceHalocnemion cruciati, for North Africa with penetrations in the Western and Eastern Europe up to the Middle East coast, are included. This new interpretation has required the correction of the names of two associations (Frankenio corymbosae–Halocnemetum cruciatiandZygophylloalbi–Halocnemetumcruciati) and the proposal of two new associationsArthrocnemo machrostachyi–Halocnemetum cruciatiandHalocnemo cruciati–Sarcocornietum fruticosae.A further proposal concerns the addition of the allianceLimoniastrion monopetali, previously included in the orderLimonietalia, in the orderHalocnemetalia cruciati. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to establish the main types of oak-hornbeam (Carpinus betulus and Quercus sp. div) forests on the Apennines, Balkan peninsula and southern Alps and their correlations with the main ecological and phytogeographical gradients in the region. Furthermore, the comparison with the major types recognized in the traditional expert-based classification was done. 1676 relevés of oak-hornbeam forests (alliances Erythronio-Carpinion, Carpinion moesiacum, Physospermo verticillati-Quercion cerris) from the area of the Apennines, Balkan peninsula and southern Alps were collected and entered in a Turboveg database. 508 relevés remained after stratification and were classified with a Modified Two Way Indicator Species Analysis, which resulted in four main clusters that are phytogeographically interpretable, such as (1) southern Apennines, (2) northern-central and central Apennines, (3) central-southern Balkan and (4) north-western Balkan and southern Alps, further divided into subclusters. Pignatti indicator values calculated for relevés of each subcluster were subjected to PCA in order to show the ecological relationships among subclusters, and the spectra of geo-elements were calculated to show the phytogeographical relationship between them. The diagnostic species combination was calculated by a fidelity measure (phi-coefficient) and presented in a synoptic table. Synsystematic classification of the elaborated groups is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we validated some syntaxa, the published names of which were regarded as invalid on the basis of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The validations concern syntaxa of different hierarchical levels, belonging to different phytosociological classes. Most validations regard syntaxa that are invalid with respect to art. 5 of the Code. Indeed, the nomenclatural types were not indicated in the correct form (typus, holotypus, lectotypus, and neotypus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the value of some nitrophilous plants as bioindicators related to global warming. As a case study, the space–time dynamics of the populations of some nitrophilous and ruderal species have been investigated along the southern-central Adriatic side of the Italian Peninsula. These have been examined according to the range of their distribution areas, to their ecological needs, and to the availability of past data, which have then been related to the data on global warming across the same territories. The choice for this investigation was for nitrophilous species with a Mediterranean distribution – of the Stenomediterranean type – and for some recent entries into the local flora as alien species. The spread of these species occurs in areas with intense human activity, where they have exploited the conditions of the warmer niche, such that their presence and their spatial spread observed over time are clearly linked to global warming. For all of the species in question, rapid increases in the population numbers have been observed, along with a northward shift of their distribution areas. These changes correspond to the increase in average annual temperature as revealed by the thermometric measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A mapping methodology is presented here that allows the practical implementation of synphytosociological and geosynphytosociological surveys. The proposed methodology consists in carrying out synreleves from vegetation maps produced through the use of geographic information system (GIS). Such mapping has the great advantage of allowing the overlaying of the study area map with many thematic maps that are particularly useful in the definition of the areas of potential vegetation. In the present case, the use of solar radiation maps is proposed, as these are more representative than aspect maps (exposure) of the actual conditions of the mapped areas. Indeed, the main ecological factors that delimit the ecological niche of plant communities, the vegetation series and the geosigmeta are defined qualitatively and quantitatively. The methodology is here applied to an area of the Italian Adriatic coast that has a great diversity of environmental conditions. The conclusions confirm that the proposed methodology allows predictive models of the plant landscape units (geosigmeta) to be obtained with great precision; they can be mapped and quantified in concrete terms insofar as they are defined through multidimensional correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]