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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.

An analysis of the main features of relict dunes and scarcely anthropized zones located along the littoral of the Marche Region is reported. The coast is strongly affected by man-made transformations mostly implemented from the ‘60s of the previous century to face beach erosion triggered by a reduction of river solid load derived from man-made interventions in the hydrographic basins. Presently, no real beach-dune still exists, but, locally, some eroded remnants can be found. The typical vegetation of dunes is very fragmented, depleted and strongly altered. Standing their extremely relevant ecologic function, it is instrumental to carry out actions aiming at preserving these relic dunal areas.

The main purpose of the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, understood as habitat types and species of the flora and fauna of the European Union. To achieve this goal, natural and semi-natural biodiversity as a whole must be recognized and included in its annexes. As for the conservation of biotopes, named habitat types, Italy is unfortunately lacking as it the Annex I does not include important ecosystems that are typical of its territory, rare for biogeographical reasons or threatened. Therefore, the opportunity to identify a first list of significant habitats for central Italy is discussed here. For each of the new proposed types (new habitats or new subtypes) a sheet has been prepared to highlight their salient characteristics. The new proposals concern seven habitat types and one subtype: sedge and reeds formations (Freshwater large sedge and reed beds), willow shrublands (Shrubby willow formations of river banks and fens), Apennine garrigues (Apennine hilly and montane garrigues), a new subtype of Annex I Habitat 6130 (Communities of herbaceous and dwarf shrub-suffrutescent plants of Italian ultramafic substrates), ancient olive groves ("Centuries-old olive groves" with evergreen Quercus spp. and arborescent matorral), secondary meadows (Italian submontane and montane pastured meadows dominated by Cynosurus cristatus), badlands (Pioneer halophilous and sub-halophilous communities of “calanchi” and “biancane” badlands) and hop-hornbeam woods (Italian-Balkan hop-hornbeam woods).

In Mediterranean cropping systems, it is important to utilize marginal lands for the cultivation of non-food crops. Spontaneous thistle genera such as Cynara cardunculus L. and Onopordum tauricum Willd. are native to southern Europe. Previous research has focused on their spontaneous growth in the environment or ability to supply biofuel. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of two different planting densities on the flower differentiation, vegetable rennet production and weed control of O. tauricum Willd. and C. cardunculus L. in rainfed unfertilized Mediterranean cropping systems. The results showed that plant density influenced most of the biomass parameters for O. tauricum Willd. but no significant differences were observed for C. cardunculus L. Higher densities of both species were beneficial for weed control. We recommend the use of C. cardunculus L. and O. tauricum Willd. as suitable species for vegetable rennet production in Mediterranean organic cropping systems.

The study of biodiversity is commonly carried out through different approaches, such as those at the level of genetics, species, communities/ecosystems, and landscapes. The group of geneticists, geobotanists and landscape researchers of the Department of agriculture, food and environmental sciences has been dealing with this topic for many years. In this chapter, the principal research lines followed during the last thirty years are briefly described in order to put the best results achieved and the future targets into evidence. For the research group in geobotany, the main fields of research involve phytosociology, syntaxonomy, vegetation mapping, species and habitat conservation, ethnobotany and the ecology of agroecosystems. Regarding genetic biodiversity, the research carried out in plant genetics and breeding has dealt with the collection, evaluation and molecular characterization of some populations of the grass pea in the Marche region. Concerning the study of biodiversity at the landscape level, the research carried out has focused on the rural landscape and has dealt with the role of geomatics, robotics and new technologies in analyzing spatial heterogeneity, the importance of a bionomics approach to the landscape and its interfaces, and the integration of the landscape into the economic development and sustainable growth.

The Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System according to Rivas-Martínez (WBCS) is a bioclimatic classification that is widely used in vegetation science, geobotany, and landscape ecology. To date, only one complete WBCS map has been produced for Italy at the national scale. Here, we define two major updates to the WBCS map of Italy: improvements to the surface spatial accuracy for the climate, especially for precipitation; and detailed mapping of the Submediterraneity Index and its levels, which mainly characterize the ecotone area between the Mediterranean and the Temperate macrobioclimates. Finally, all WBCS units (i.e. macrobioclimates, bioclimatic variants, bioclimates, continentality types, bioclimatic belts) and the Submediterraneity Index are mapped on a scale of 1:2,500,000. These maps and the bioclimatic indices and monthly climatic surfaces are available here as raster data-sets (resolution, 900 m) and are useful for accurate bioclimatic diagnosis for the entire Italian territory. They will also support vegetation–environment relationship analysis, ecological modeling, and applied studies of climate change at the national scale.

Phytosociology is a reference method to classify vegetation that relies on field data. Its classification in hierarchical vegetation units, from plant associations to class level, hierarchically reflects the floristic similarity between different sites on different spatial scales. The development of remotely sensed multispectral platforms as satellites enormously contributes to the detection and mapping of vegetation on all scales. However, the integration between phytosociology and remotely sensed data is rather difficult and little practiced despite being a goal for the modern science of vegetation. In this study, we demonstrate how normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series with functional principal component analysis (FPCA) could support the analyses of phytosociologists. The approach supports the recognition and characterization of forest plant communities identified on the ground by the phytosociological approach by using NDVI time series that encode phenological behaviors. The methodology was evaluated in two study areas of central Italy, and it could characterize and discriminate six different forest plant associations that have similar dominant tree species but distinct specific composition: three dominated by black hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) and three dominated by holm oak (Quercus ilex). The methodology was also able to optimize the ground data collection of unexplored areas (from a phytosociological point of view) by using a phenoclustering approach. The obtained results confirmed that by using remote sensing, it is possible to separate and distinguish plant communities in an objective/instrumental way, thus overcoming the subjectivity intrinsic to the phytosociological method. In particular, FPCA functional components (NDVI seasonalities) were significantly correlated with vegetation abundance data variation (Mantel r = 0.76, p &lt, 0.001).

The classification of plant associations and their mapping play a key role in defining habitat biodiversity management, monitoring, and conservation strategies. In this work we present a methodological framework to map Mediterranean forest plant associations and habitats that relies on the application of the Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to the remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series. FPCA, considering the chronological order of the data, reduced the NDVI time series data complexity and provided (as FPCA scores) the main seasonal NDVI phenological variations of the forests. We performed a supervised classification of the FPCA scores combined with topographic and lithological features of the study area to map the forest plant associations. The supervised mapping achieved an overall accuracy of 87.5%. The FPCA scores contributed to the global accuracy of the map much more than the topographic and lithological features. The results showed that (i) the main seasonal phenological variations (FPCA scores) are effective spatial predictors to obtain accurate plant associations and habitat maps; (ii) the FPCA is a suitable solution to simultaneously express the relationships between remotely sensed and ecological field data, since it allows us to integrate these two different perspectives about plant associations in a single graph. The proposed approach based on the FPCA is useful for forest habitat monitoring, as it can contribute to produce periodically detailed vegetation-based habitat maps that reflect the “current” status of vegetation and habitats, also supporting the study of plant associations.

The revision of the Paliurus spina-christi dominated vegetation of Europe is presented here. The study area includes the north-eastern part of Iberian Peninsula and Provence to the west, and spreads through the Apennine Peninsula to the Balkan Peninsula and up to Eastern Mediterranean areas. The phytosociological releves of Paliurus spina-christi dominated vegetation found in the literature for these European territories were gathered together in a phytosociological table. Floristic analysis, cluster analysis, and indirect gradient analysis were performed to determine the similarities and differences between the different Paliurus spina-christi dominated communities and their correlations with the main bioclimatic indices described in the literature. The various analyses highlight the existence of nine different associations (one of which is described here for the first time) that are attributed to different syntaxonomic levels. In the conclusion, a syntaxonomical scheme is proposed that classifies the European vegetation of shrublands in the class Rhamno-Prunetea which includes the class Paliuretea. Currently, we recognized three orders within this class: Prunetalia spinosae for central and south-central Europe; Pyro spinosae-Rubetalia ulmifolii within the Temperate oceanic bioclimate of the sub-Mediterranean variant; Paliuretalia spinae-christi with a central Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean distribution, that mainly occurs in the central-eastern Mediterranean (Southern Apennine Peninsula) and the Balkans. Finally, a part of the shrub vegetation dominated by Paliurus spina-christi is referred to the class Quercetea ilicis, the order Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni, the alliance Oleo sylvestris-Ceratonion siliquae and the suballiance Oleo sylvestris-Paliurenion spinae-christi that refers to thermophilous shrub communities that require high edaphic humidity.

Phleum hirsutum Honck. 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 remarkab...

The Pinus halepensis Mill. 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 order Pinetalia halepensis according 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.

In this contribution new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, exclusions, and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the generaAsplenium,Bolboschoenus,Botrychium,Chamaerops,Crocus,Galeopsis,Grafia,Helosciadium,Hieracium,Juniperus,Leucanthemum,Lolium,Medicago,Phalaris,Piptatherum,Potamogeton,Salicornia,Salvia,Seseli,Silene,Spiraea,TorilisandVicia.Rhaponticoidescalabricais proposed assynonym novumofR.centaurium. Furthermore, new combinations in the generaGalatellaandLactucaare proposed.

The aim of this study is to provide new syntaxa for the Italian vegetation checklist. For the class Rhamno–Prunetea which includes the class Paliuretea the new alliance Rhamno saxatilis–Paliurion spinae-christi is described, that is included in the order Paliuretalia spinae-christi with a central-western Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean distribution. Otherwise, the more thermophilous Paliurus spina-christi vegetation is included in the new suballiance named as Oleo sylvestris–Paliurenion spinae-christi within the alliance Oleo–Ceratonion of the class Quercetea ilicis. For the class Trifolio–Geranietea medii, a new alliance named Hyperico calabricae–Asphodelion macrocarpi is proposed here.

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 subc...

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, ...

The aim of the article is the syntaxonomic interpretation of hyperhalophilous woody or semi-woody vegetation with Halocnemum M. Bieb. along the coasts of the Mediterranean Basin. For this area, the two species of Halocnemum, H. strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. and H. 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 only H. strobilacem has 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 sugg...

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).

The aim of this study is to define a methodological framework that allows the Natura 2000 network to be integrated with the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN). The proposed methodology is based on phytosociological analyses, as these analyses led to the definition of the habitats of Directive 92/43/EEC and determined the choice of the Natura 2000 sites. At the landscape level, the methodology is integrated with geosynphytosociological analyses and with analyses that are currently in use in landscape ecology as these were used in the spatial schematization of the PEEN. The aim is thus to spatialize the elements of the network, to extend its meaning not only to biological features but also to landscape planning and management. The central nodes of the network (core areas and buffer zones) are defined on the basis of areas where there is a higher density of the habitats of the Directive. These areas were identified using the kernel method which estimates the density distribution across the territory obtaining a cumulative density surface in all of the points in space. The ecological corridors are identified according to the distribution of the plant communities and of the spread elements of the agricultural landscape. The polygons obtained merging different vegetation patches that are spatially continuous were classified according to their sizes and indirectly to their degree of internal spatial connection. As a case study, this methodology is applied in the province of Ancona (central Italy).

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 meth...

This article aims to present the Italian forest biodiversity based on the habitats of Annex I of the Habitats Directive. This puts on evidence for the area five categories corresponding to the codes 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95. After a brief presentation of the physical and biogeographical factors that characterize the Italian peninsular area, we review the different types of forest habitats acknowledged by the Directive for this peninsula, highlighting their syntaxonomic position which is summarized in a complete syntaxonomic scheme. Regarding the habitat 91AA* « Eastern white oak woods », species related to the white oak group previously considered in synonymy (Quercus pubescens s.l.) have been recognized. This led to the correction of the association Roso sempervirentis- Quercetum pubescentis Biondi 1986 into Roso sempervirentis—Quercetum virgi- lianae and the description of three new associations.

Some methodologies utilised for the analyses, with different scales, earried out in the study of the renaturalisation processes that determine in the territories that are not more utilised for agro-pastoral practices, are here described. In fact, during the last fifth teen years a progressive process of abandonment of the hilly and mountain territories. not more economically remunerative according to the present technological and market requests, have taken pIace. Therefore, in these territories. quick recovery processes by spontaneous vegetation are developing. having a great scientific and applicative importance, these processes caused, as result. a deep transformation of the plant Iandscape. These processes have been studied trough the methodologies of the phytosociological. synphytosociological and geosynphytosociological analyses in order to interpret the dynamic successions and to predict the time for the recolonisation according to diachronic studies associated to population dynamic anaIyses. To these studies are connected analyses on the architectural model of growth of Spartium junceum, species particularly active in the vegetation recovery processes, that have been canied out in CentraI ltaIy territories. These analyses allow a better comprehension of the rale of this species.

The worldwide bioclimatic classification system (WBCS) of Rivas-Martinez was applied to the Italian territory and surrounding areas between latitudes 35°47′–46°60′ N and longitudes 5°92′–21°39′ E. The ‘WorldClim’ precipitation and temperature dataset was used as the source data. Application of the WBCS in a geographic information system allowed the production of macrobioclimates, bioclimates, ombrotypes, continentality, compensated thermicity index and ombro-evaporal index maps at a scale of 1:5,500,000, and a map of thermotypes at a scale of 1:2,250,000. Moreover, the isobioclimates of Italy are identified and quantified in terms of areas. These maps are available here as raster datasets (1 km spatial resolution) and are useful for: (i) rapid bioclimatic diagnosis of the Italian territories; and (ii) vegetation–environment relationship modeling at the national scale.

The vegetation of sandy coasts of California between Point Arena and Morro Bay, was investigated. Near the tide line, was annual vegetation of the Cakile maritima community. Dunal vegetation included the new Abronio latifoliae-Ambrosietea chamissonis class with the new Ambrosietalia chamissonis order and the new Ambrosion chamissonis alliance (proposed). Foredune vegetation included the two new Abronio latifoliae-Elymetum mollis and Atriplici leucophyllae-Abronietum maritimae associations, with the new Polygono paronychiae-Artemisietum pycnocephalae and Erigero glauci-Abronietum latifoliae associations on more stabilised surfaces. In some localities, Ammophila arenaria var. australis occurs within a Lupino variicoloris-Ammophiletum australis association, which colonises the whole dune ecosystem. In the flat areas characterised by grit and affected by frequent sea ingression is an association characterised by Juncus lesueurii and Distichlis spicata (Junco lesueurii-Distichletum spicatae). In the h...

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.

L’articolo ha per oggetto una breve presentazione delle comunita vegetali (associazioni) forestali sino ad oggi riconosciute per il territorio del Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (Appennino centro-meridionale). I dati sulle formazioni forestali che vengono forniti riguardano una sintetica diagnosi dell’associazione con l’indicazione delle specie caratteristiche ed un rilievo fitosociologico esemplificativo, la distribuzione nel Parco Nazionale e i relativi riferimenti bibliografici. Le comunita forestali vengono presentate in relazione con il macrobioclima e le caratteristiche del substrato. Le stesse vengono suddivise nei seguenti gruppi: boschi zonali, legati al clima regionale e caratteristici di una zona bioclimatica (boschi mesofili di caducifoglie (faggete), boschi termofili e submesofili di caducifoglie (querceti a Roverella e Cerro e boschi di Carpino nero), boschi di Pioppo tremolo; boschi extrazonali, presenti al di fuori della zona biogeografica e bioclimatica tipica (boschi misti di sclerofille sempreverdi e di caducifoglie); boschi azonali, svincolati da un’area biogeografica e bioclimatica (boschi di Carpino bianco e Nocciolo, boschi di forra con Aceri, Tigli e Olmo montano, saliceti arboreo-arbustivi e ontanete). Vengono in totale discusse e presentate 26 associazioni forestali appartenenti a 4 classi di vegetazione, la cui posizione gerarchica risulta dall’allegato schema sintassonomico. Da ultimo viene presentato il quadro delle tipologie di habitat forestali, sensu Direttiva (92/43/CEE), presenti nel Parco, che rappresentano una parte importante della biodiversita ricadente nel suo territorio.

Biogeographia vol. XX VII - 2006 (Pubblicato il 30 dicembre 2006) Biogeografia de/l’Appennino centrale e settentrionale: trenfanni dopo Lineamenti vegetazionali e paesaggio Vegetale dell’Appennino centrale e settentrionale EDOARDO BIONDI*, MARINA ALLEGREZZA*, SIMONA CASAVECCHIA*, SIMONE PESARESI*, ILDA VAGGE** *Dz'pzzm'77'2em‘o zli S£ieI2zeA712bie7ztzz[i e delle PVOd’llZi07Zi l/Egetzzli, Urziz/e7‘5it2z Politeciriczz delle Mzzrc/73, z/in Brecce Bizmc/9e, 60131 A7/zcomz (Italy) e—mrzz'/: e. bz'07zdz'@mz1'21pn2. it **Dz;z7zzn‘z'772em‘o di Pmdzzzzbne I/Egerzzle, U7-zzbersziz‘/‘z degli Srztdi [Ii Milzmo, z/izz Celorizz 2, 20133 Milzzno (Italy) Key words: central—northern Apennines, bioclimatology, biogeogtaphy, plant landscape, syntaxonomy, vegetation SUMMARY The aim of this paper is to assess tl1e progress report of vegetation and plant landscape knowledge of the northern and central sectors ofApennines. This knowledge has been obtained through the methodologies of phytosociologieal and geosynphytosociological analyses that are here briefly presented. These methodologies, especially in the last years, have led to a large interpretation of the vegetation coverage in phytocoenotical, dynamical and landscape terms. The syntaxonomical lists of the main vegetation classes are here presented with short descriptions while the distribution of the syntaxa is shown through synchorological maps. Furthermore, for the northern part of Mttrche, a model for the biogeographic tegionalization recently proposed, is here presented. INTRODUZIONE SU FITOSOCIOLOGIA E BIOGEOGRAFIA Nell’introdurre la vegetazione e il paesaggio vegetale dell’Appennino centrale e settentrionale, si ritiene utile per i non fitosociologi presentare brevernente il metodo con il quale sono state condotte le analisi e che negli anni ha portato alle acquisizioni scientifiche di seguito esposte. Si vuole inoltre dimostrare come le analisi sulla vegetazione e sul paesaggio vegetale possono contribuire a tnigliorare la classificazione gerarchica dei territori in base alle concezioni della biogeografia, integrando i dati di distribuzione di taxa con quelli cli sintaxa e di unita di paesaggio 0 geosintaxa. Ad Alexandre de Humboldt si deve il “Saggio sulla geografia delle piante” con il quale viene fondata la scienza che considera i vegetali in rapporto con le loro Capacita associative. Dello stesso studioso e anche il termine “associazione” (1806): “le piante si riuniscono in

The Regional Natural Park of Conero is situated in the central-eastern part of the Italian peninsula where it covers an area of about 6,000 ha (Fig. 1). The protected area extends in a north-south direction for a distance of about 20 Km, reaching a maximum width corresponding to Conero Mountain (about 7 Km) and narrowing towards its northern extremity. The wide floristic and biocoenotic biodiversity which characterises the area is determined by its central position with respect to the basin of the Adriatic Sea, by the height of the Conero promontory, which with its height of 572 m greatly surpasses the average of the Italian Adriatic coast, and by the diversity of the geological, geomorphological and climatic conditions of the territory enclosed by the Natural Park (Brilli-Cattarini, 1967; Biondi, 1986). The agricultural, timbering and shepherding activities that were very developed in the past have contributed in part to the increase in the biodiversity of the territory, determining a high diversification of the plant landscape and favouring the development of ecotonal areas. The abandonment of the agricultural activities in large areas that followed, and of the timbering and shepherding activities in almost all of the territory, has determined the development of the natural dynamic processes of the recovery of the vegetation.