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Aims: Chilean vegetation has previously received considerable attention, and several classifications are currently available. The most recent of these was presented for the first time in 2006 and updated in 2017 by the authors. Although widely utilized by researchers both in Chile and Latin America, this information is only available in Spanish, which hampers its usefulness for a broader scientific audience. Here, we provide an overview of the methods and the resulting classification and propose a correspondence between Chilean classification and the International Vegetation Classification (IVC) following the EcoVeg scheme. Study area: Continental Chile. Methods: Based on the criteria of the EcoVeg approach, we established a linkage of zonal and azonal vegetation units to the macrogroup level and to the formation classes of the IVC. We also generated a map to facilitate crosswalk between the classifications. Results: We recognize 23 macrogroups, 13 divisions and 11 formations of zonal vegetation, including three newly proposed macrogroups, one division and one formation. We further recognize 23 macrogroups, 23 divisions and 17 formations of intrazonal vegetation. Together, they encompass all six formation classes of natural vegetation of the IVC. We highlight those units so far not mentioned for Chile in the IVC. Finally, we provide a map of macrogroups and discuss the limitations and prospects of this approach for the classification of Chilean vegetation. Conclusions: Chilean zonal vegetation was successfully accommodated in the IVC down to the macrogroup level. The process of linking Chilean zonal vegetation and macrogroups led us to a few suggestions that may be used to improve the IVC. Taxonomic reference: Zuloaga et al. (2008). Abbreviations: IVC = International Vegetation Classification

In ecophysiology, bioclimatology and global change studies water stress has been generally quantified, during the growing season, in particular in Mediterranean climate. However, early research conducted in the Alps has shown the importance of rainfall continentality and, thus, of winter rainfall for plant species distribution. In this study, we first present in introduction the importance of rainfall continentality for vegetation distribution in Mediterranean climate, through the example of Northern Morocco. We, then, present the results of a bioclimatic study conducted on the eleven states of western USA, in which we used Canonical Correspondence Analysis to analyse the correlations existing between 500 vegetation plots and four climatic variables, the average minimum temperature of the coldest month, the length of the growing season, the rainfall continentality quantified using the Gams (1932) winter index and the summer water deficit. The main results showed the overwhelming importance of rainfall continentality and cold stress, before the length of the growing season and the summer water deficit. This study highlights the importance to distinguish in Mediterranean climate, rainfall continentality from summer water deficit, if we want to improve our predictions of changes in plant species distribution with climate change., Le stress hydrique est traditionnellement quantifié, notamment en région méditerranéenne, pendant la saison de la végétation, aussi bien en écophysiologie qu’en bioclimatologie ou dans les études sur le changement climatique. Néanmoins, des études réalisées dans les Alpes ont très tôt mis en évidence l’importance de la continentalité hydrique et donc des précipitations hivernales dans la répartition des espèces végétales. Dans cette étude nous rappelons en introduction l’importance de la continentalité hydrique pour la distribution des végétaux en climat méditerranéen, à travers l’exemple du Maroc septentrional. Nous présentons ensuite les résultats d’une étude bioclimatique réalisée sur les onze états de l’ouest des États-Unis où nous avons corrélé par analyse canonique des correspondances 500 relevés de végétation de type biogéographique à quatre variables climatiques majeures, la moyenne des températures minimales du mois le plus froid, la longueur de la saison de végétation, la continentalité hydrique mesurée par l’angle de Gams (1932) hivernal et l’aridité estivale. Les résultats de cette étude mettent en évidence une importance primordiale de la continentalité hydrique corrélée également aux températures minimales, suivie de la longueur de la saison de végétation et de l’aridité estivale. Cette étude met donc en évidence la nécessité de distinguer, en particulier dans le contexte de la bioclimatologie méditerranéenne, la continentalité hydrique de l’aridité estivale, notamment si l’on veut améliorer notre pouvoir prédictif de l’effet du changement climatique sur la distribution des espèces végétales., Michalet Richard. L’importance de la continentalité hydrique dans les montagnes méditerranéennes : l’exemple du Maroc et de la Californie / The importance of rainfall continentality in the Mediterranean mountains: the example of Morocco and California. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 44 n°2, 2018. Hommage scientifique au professeur Pierre Quézel (1926-2015) pp. 31-44.

This article analyzes partial data published in the “Flora Corsica” in order to characterize the Corsican vascular flora. These analyses focus on different aspects of the flora such as species richness, taxonomic distribution, abundance and life-forms at different vegetation belts, habitats and substrates. The results are compared with other geographic regions, particularly from the European Mediterranean and adjacent areas. The decrease of species richness with an increase of altitude as well as the sharp decrease of Fabaceae has been confirmed. Regarding the biological spectrum, the decrease of the therophytes with an increase of altitude is obvious and compensated by the increase of the hemicryptophytes. On Corsica several peculiarities have been highlighted in the different ecological compartments: 1. the littoral and the cryo-oromediterranean belts appear to be very different from the others in many features; 2. the rocky habitats are shown to be especially important for the diversity of families such as Poaceae and Caryophyllaceae; 3. calcareous areas are shown to be extremely important for the alpha diversity as well as for the restricted range taxa. Finally, the specificity of the flora growing on the ultramafic outcrops is confirmed and emphazised.

Aims: To present a statistically based classification of Azorean natural zonal vegetation; (2) to characterize the main features of this vegetation and (3) to present the first model of its potential distribution in the nine Azorean Islands. Study area: Azores (São Miguel, Pico, Terceira and Flores islands). Methods: Information from 139 plots set up in the best preserved vegetation patches was used. Ward’s agglomerative clustering method was applied in order to identify community types. Potential distribution of these community-level entities was modeled in relation to climatic predictors, using MAXENT. Results: Eight vegetation belts were identified: Erica-Morella Coastal Woodlands, Picconia-Morella Lowland Forests, Laurus Submontane Forests, Juniperus- Ilex Montane Forests, Juniperus Montane Woodlands, Calluna-Juniperus Altimontane Scrublands, Calluna- Erica Subalpine Scrublands and Calluna Alpine Scrublands. Modeling results suggest that Picconia-Morella and Laurus forests (Laurel forests) are the potential dominant vegetation in the Azores. With the possible exception of Juniperus woodlands, Pico could have all vegetation types, in contrast with Santa Maria, Graciosa and Corvo with only three. Conclusions: Most of Azorean natural vegetation has been transformed or degraded by human action, with a greater impact on Laurel forests. The best preserved vegetation belts are located above 600 m a.s.l., including Juniperus-Ilex Forests and Juniperus Woodlands, perhaps the only example of island montane cloud forests existing outside the tropics. In the present work, for the first time we used a statistical method to classify zonal vegetation, gave it a bioclimatic foundation and applied it to the whole archipelago, thus defining and describing the main vegetation belts of the Azores. This work also gives the first potential distribution maps of the zonal vegetation for each island. This information may be used for landscape planning and management, selection of sites and species for ecological restoration and evaluation of climate change effects.

JEANMONOD, D., Y. NACIRI, A. SCHLUSSEL & J. GAMISANS (20 15). Floristic analyses of the Corsican flora : biogeographical origin and endemism. Candollea 70 : 21-41. In English. English and French abstracts. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2015v701a3 This article discusses various aspects of the biogeographical origin and endemism of the Corsican flora based on data retrieved from “Flora Corsica” project. It focuses on species richness, taxonomy, life forms, taxa abundance, distribution in vegetation belts, habitats and substrate types. The results are compared to other geographic regions, particularly Mediterranean ones. These data show that in Corsica the species of Mediterranean origin are slightly more numerous than those of Holarctic origin. It is surprising that the Holarctic elements start to dominate at low altitude in the supramediterranean belt. The endemic flora (12.7 %) shows distribution patterns often distinct from those of the non-endemic native flora, particularly regarding taxonomy, biological types and altitudinal distributions. The rates of hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes are for instance higher for the former compared to the latter while it is the reverse for therophytes. These rates are quite similar to those recorded in Sardinia, but rather different from those of other Mediterranean islands. More unexpected is the abundance pattern of endemic species which is quite similar to that of non-endemic ones. However, strictly endemic Corsican species are generally rarer than subendemics. The number of endemic species increases from the coast to the montane belt and then decreases in the upper belts. The percentage of endemic species, meanwhile, regularly increases from the thermomediterranean belt to the alpine one where it reachs a maximum of 43.1 %. The endemic flora also shows a wider altitudinal spectrum than other native species. The distribution of endemic species in the different Corsican habitats is slightly different from the one recorded for the indigeneous taxa. Endemics are however preferentially found in rocky habitats, but without any preference for a particular substrate. In the endemic flora, the Mediterranean origin is predominant but this trend is more marked in subendemics. The strict Corsican endemics have a mostly Holarctic origin and are more often found at high altitudes. These results shed light on the specificity of the Corsican endemic flora and should help the management of endemic species. Resume

Current methodological praxis in present day plant ecology and vegetation science, makes remarkably difficult to treat topics dealing with floristic changes along gradients, when qualitative aspects, based on biogeographical patterns are involved. Due to this, some outstanding “anomalies” in the altitudinal zonation of vegetation in southern Apennines and in the main islands, have traditionally been neglected or underestimated in their explanatory capacity for long-term vegetation processes. In this sense, patterns of floristic changes along topographical gradients observed in the Southern Italian ridges, from Monti Picentini (Campania) to Etna (Sicily) might be crucial for the interpretation of events and genesis of the plant cover of that part of peninsular Italy. Here, the local ranges of some emblematic species are taken into account. Similarity in their sequences along local “catenas” with analogues in other regions of Southern Eurasia, are here used to infer modes of colonization and altitudinal stratification mirroring major events of Neogene climatic and paleogeographical changes. In particular the patterns of altitudinal clustering of some taxa in Monte Etna, seems to be of major relevance for the detection of “fossil” zonations related to ancient environmental scenarios. The local behaviour of Pinus nigra s.l compared to its behaviour in the surrounding massifs and in other S-E European locations, suggests a pervasive persistence of Late-Miocene distribution patterns related to the connections with south and eastern Mediterranean landmasses of the emerging Italy of Late-Neogene.

This article presents the floristic, structural, and syntaxonomical features of plant assemblages in temporary wetlands and the pattern of the corresponding habitat types; according to the Habitats Directive. Nine pristine temporary wetlands covering a wide range of shapes, elevations and substrates were monitored. The "within temporary wetlands" hydrological gradient was strong enough to drive the vegetation and habitat type patterns. Plant assemblages presented a spatial arrangement in three concentric belts repeatedly present in each site in the same relative position. The presence of the H3120 habitat type was recognized in the central and in the intermediate belt. The outer belt was the more suitable for the presence of the H3170* priority habitat. Therefore, it should represent the main conservation target within temporary wetlands. On the other hand, it was the smallest in size (only 13% of the total surface) and in some cases absent, inconspicuous, or severely fragmented.

16 p., [EN] Modern proxy-calibration studies are a powerful tool for paleoecological interpretation. This paper analyzes the relationships among modern pollen rain, vegetation and altitude in the central Pyrenees, where several paleo-palynological studies have been developed, but a modern analog survey is still unavailable. The work analyzes the pollen content of moss polsters from different vegetation communities along an altitudinal transect, as well as the flora and vegetation using the Braun-Blanquet system. DCCA showed that altitude satisfactorily explains both vegetation (r2 = 0.988) and pollen (r2 = 0.841) gradients. Besides the complexity of pollen–vegetation relationships, some regularities were found to be useful for paleoecological and paleoenvironmental interpretation. In general, altitudinal vegetation and pollen patterns show similarities, but pollen belts and boundaries are less well defined, likely because of the homogenizing effect of upward wind transport. Palynological differentiation of montane from subalpine/alpine belts is straightforward from the trends of the more significant pollen types, mainly the low-altitude deciduous trees and the high-mountain herbs. Palynological differences between subalpine and alpine belts, which boundary coincides with the treeline, are more subtle and need quantitative criteria and complementary proxies. From an individual point of view, four main groups of pollen were distinguished, in relation to their usefulness as vegetation and altitudinal indicators: (1) very good indicators, (2) good indicators, (3) non indicators, and (4) allochthonous pollen types. The first two groups resulted to be useful as indicator taxa for modern analogs for paleovegetational and paleoaltitudinal reconstruction, while the latter two groups should be interpreted with caution in paleoenvironmental studies.

The project entitled "Study of montane ecosystems in the Malagasy region" (RCP 225/CNRS, directed by Renaud Paulian) aimed to elucidate the general features of these ecosystems and the origin of their constituent elements, and to test the validity of the High Mountain Domain proposed by Humbert in 1951. From 1970 to 1973, three expeditions (to the Andringitra, Anosy, Ankaratra, itremo, libity and Marojejy massifs) provided informations to characterize the ecology of these particular environments and to analyse systematically certain groups well-known for their biogeographic interest. The altitudinal succession of plant formations, defined by physiognomic and structural criteria, were detailed for each massif. The highest belt, characterized by an ericoid bush and related associations, does not correspond to the High Mountain formation of East Africa. Data on several faunal groups, including invertebrates (Hexapoda: Collembola and Dermaptera), indicate a disjunction between the northern montane massifs (Tsaratanana and marojejy) and the remainder in the Center and South; several floristic groups (Pandanaceae, Araliaceae and Asteraceae) are currently being analyzed in a similar manner. Madagascar's High Mountain Domain is an ecological reality, but it can not be defined floristically, as each massif represents a separate phyrogeographic entity of the island's Central Domain. Faunal groups with limited mobility broadly indicate a trophic and bioclimatic dependence (buffer effect of the intra-forest climate) with regard to vegetation belt, but can respond to local microclimates by a shift at the limits of their ranges.

The vegetation occurring between Bardas Blancas and Pehuenche Pass in the south of Mendoza is studied for the purpose of obtaining floristic-ecological information about plant communities. Work is carried out along an altitudinal gradient from 1420 to 2800 m a.s.l., using phytosociological method. The major plant communities yielded by analyses of comparative survey tables are described. In all, 19 plant communities are revealed, including high- and low-altitude wetlands, and 24 floristic groups characterized by diagnostic, exclusive, preferential and accompanying species. Analysis of dispersal and of hierarchical conglomerates allows confirming the close relationships of plant communities with temperature and altitude. The chorological analysis allowed to identificate two phytogeographic provinces: Patagonia and High Andes. There is a floristic-ecological relationship of phytogeographic environments with life forms. The phytosociological study revealed three vegetation belts: 1- scrubland of Neosparton ephedroides, Larrea nitida, Colliguaja integerrima and Fabiana imbricata, 2- scrubland of Adesmia volckmannii, Chuquiraga oppositifolia, Adesmia pinifolia and Adesmia obovata, and 3- steppe of Azorella monantha, Nassauvia revoluta, Empetrum rubrum and Ochetophila nana. The results may probably allow extrapolation in the north and south of the area. Se estudió la vegetación entre Bardas Blancas y Paso Pehuenche en el Sur Mendocino a fin de obtener información florístico-ecológica de las comunidades vegetales andinas. Se trabajó en un gradiente altitudinal de 1420 a 2800 m s.n.m. y se utilizó el método fitosociológico. Se describen las principales comunidades vegetales que surgen de los análisis de tablas comparativas de relevamientos. Se revela a 19 comunidades vegetales, incluídas las vegas de altura y baja altura, y 24 grupos florísticos caracterizadas por especies diagnósticas, exclusivas, preferenciales y acompañantes. El análisis de dispersión y de conglomerados jerárquicos reafirma las estrechas relaciones de las comunidades vegetales con las temperaturas y altitudes. El análisis corológico identifica a 2 provincias fitogeográficas: Patagonica y Altoandina. Hay una relación florística-ecológica con los ambientes fitogeográficos y las formas de vida. El estudio fitosociológico determina a 3 pisos de vegetación: 1- de los matorrales de Neosparton ephedroides, Larrea nitida, Colliguaja integerrima y Fabiana imbricata, 2- de los matorrales de Adesmia volckmannii, Chuquiraga oppositifolia, Adesmia pinifolia y Adesmia obovata y 3-. de las estepas de Azorella monantha, Nassauvia revoluta, Empetrum rubrum y Ochetophila nana. Los resultados probablemente podrían extrapolarse al N y S del área. Fil: Mendez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina

In the distinctive mountsinod area of the Mt. Stara Planina, mesoclimate zoning was performed with certain generalization level in climate zone separation. Furthermore, due to lack of available data base, the aforementioned altitude zoning must not be considered strictly within presented altitude volumes. Outstanding terrain dissection, different level of vegetation covering and enhanced impact of secondary, i.e. tertiary climate modificators in certain parts of the Mt. Stara Planina, may create microclimate or topoclimate conditions which essentially differ from the present quantitative values of climatic elements in sub-mountainous, mountainous or high-mountainous areas. This fact is particularly apparent if we have in mind that the climate is one of the essential factors for creation of the relief periglacial forms; their inventory and systematization as well as complex population analysis could indirectly offer data on climate conditions in huge areas which are not covered by meteorological monitoring. However, quantification of climate elements in this region is a methodological problem which requires qualitatively different access and a different data base. Substantial lack of appropriate climatologic data has been substituted by particularly detailed study on vegetation of this mountain area with data on climatogene communities and communities for which there are good climatic indicators (particularly communities with detailed measurements in other mountainous areas); as far as the areas above the upper forest limit are concerned, detailed research has been performed regarding the recent periglacial processes and their relief forms as direct climatic-geomorphologic indicators of the high mountains (periglacial) climate. We believe that this attempt of climate zoning of the Mt. Stara Planina, as distinctive mountainous area, by comparison of detailed vegetation and periglacial-geomorphologic research as well as research of the upper forest limit, is the only proper way of performing this task due to lack of instrumental measurements at high altitudes. . U radu je učinjen pokušaj da se kompleksnim istraživanjima različitih oblasti (klimatologija, botanika, geomorfologija) i međusobnom komparacijom dobijenih rezultata nadoknadi nedostatak instrumentalnih meteoroloških merenja na većim visinama. Dobijena klimatska rejonizacija koja se u uslovima Stare planine svodi na visinsku pojasnost jasno pokazuje direktnu uslovljenost klime, savremenog stanja u rasporedu vegetacije i savremenih periglacijalnih geomorfoloških procesa iznad gornje šumske granice. .

En el marco de investigaciones botánicas y fitosociológicas de los altos Andes centrales de la Argentina, se estudia la vegetación de la vertiente oriental del Cordón del Plata. Después de una síntesis informativa de las características geológicas, geomorfológicas, climáticas, edafológicas, hídricas y de uso actual del área, se describen en sus composiciones fisonómicas-estructurales, florísticas y ecológicas las comunidades vegetales principales que surgen de los análisis de tablas comparativas de la vegetación. El estudio de la vegetación actual del flanco oriental del Cordón del Plata reveló para 14 agrupamientos vegetales y 26 grupos florísticos, 3 provincias fitogeeográficas: del Monte, Andina y Altoandina y la existencia de 3 distritos y 6 subdistritos fitogeográficos. La provincia fitogeográfica del Monte y el distrito del Monte Cuyano están caracterizados por los subdistritos de los matorrales de Larrea cuneifolia (1200-1750 m s.m.) y L. divaricata (1300-1950 m s.m.) ; la Provincia Andina y el distrito Andino Cuyano por los subdistritos de los matorrales de Junellia scoparia-Colliguaja integerrima (1500-2250 m s.m.) y de Adesmia horrida (2100-3200 m s.m.) y la Provincia Altoandina y el distrito altoandino Cuyano por los subdistritos de las estepas y cojines de Adesmia subterranea - Azorella monantha ( 2750-3700 m s.m.) y de Nassauvia cummingii-Senecio chrithmoides (3500-4200 m s.m.) . Cada subdistrito representa un piso de vegetación. Vegetation of the high andes I. Vegetation belts on the eastern slope of the Cordón del- Plata (Mendoza, Argentina). Within the framework of the botanical and phytosodological research on the high Central Andes of Argentina, this is a study on the vegetation of the eastern slope of the Cordón del Plata. After an informative synthesis of the characteristics of the area -its current use, geology, geomorphology, climate, edaphology, and hydrology- there is a description of the ecological, floristic, and structural-physiognomic composition of all plant communities which resulted from analyzing comparative vegetation tables. The study on the current vegetation on the eastern slope of the Cordón del Plata revelated, for 14 plant groupings and 26 floristic groups, 3 phytogeographical provinces: Monte, Andean and High-Andean, and the existence of 3 phytogeographical districts and 6 subdistricts. The Monte phytogeographical province and the Monte Cuyano district are characterized by the shrubland subdistricts of Larrea cuneifolia (1200-1750 m a.s.l.) and Larrea divaricata (1300-1950 m a.s.l.); the Andean province and the Cuyo Andean district by the shrubland subdistricts of Junellia scoparia-Colliguaja integerrima (1500-2250 m a.s.l.), and Adesmia hórrida (2100-3200 m a.s.l.); and the High-Andean province and the Cuyo Hig-Andean district by the steppe subdistrict with presence of cushions of Adesmia subterránea- Azorella monantha (2750-3700 m a.s.l.) and the Nassauvia cummingiiSenecio crithmoides (3500-4200 m a.s.l.). Each subdistrict represents a vegetation belt. Fil: Mendez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina

IN THE MEMORY OF DR. M. DE TOMMASINI IMPERIAL MAGISTRATE IN TRIESTE. Critical enumeration of the Orchids growing in the Illyrian region on the basis of an original list published by Tommasini in 1851. The problem of the vegetation belts of this region is discussed. Ecology and geographical distribution of each species are indicated.