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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]

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]

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]

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]