The Gargano territory represents one of the main biodiversity hotspots at the flora and vegetation level in the Mediterranean Basin (1). Along its coastal belt, lagoon systems, drains, salt marshes and the retrodunal wetland habitats, can be observed halophytic vegetation shaped by coastal dynamics, lagoon evolution and sedimentary processes. Among these plant communities, those dominated by species of the Salicornia group represent among the most distinctive elements of salt marsh vegetation, although their taxonomy is still considered complex and critical at global level. In Apulia, the genus Salicornia is represented by the following taxa: S. fruticosa (L.) L., S. perennans Willd. subsp. perennans, S. perennis Mill. subsp. alpini (Lag.) Castrov., S. perennis Mill. subsp. perennis, S. procumbens Sm. subsp. procumbens. Considering the crucial role of Salicornia vegetation in Gargano territory as 1) habitats under Directive 92/43 EEC, and 2) economic benefits due to its cultivation/commercialization as an edible product, the present study aims to provide an updated phytosociological framework of these perennial (Fig. 1) and annual (Fig. 2) communities. The study area includes several localities as Palude Frattarolo, Palude Sfinale, Varano and Lesina Lakes. Plant nomenclature follows the Portal to the Flora of Italy, while taxonomical identification was carried out using Italian and European dichotomous keys. Twenty sampling sites were selected based on the literature (2, 3) and field surveys conducted in the study area. The vegetational data were collected according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method, by conducting at least two relievés at each site. Preliminary results of this study will contribute to clarify the status and syntaxonomic arrangement of Salicornia-dominated communities in the Gargano coastal wetlands, in order to provide useful information for the conservation and management of these habitats.
Preliminary results on vegetation dominated by Salicornia sp. in the Gargano coast (Puglia, Italy).
Tomaselli V.;Tomaselli V.;
2026-01-01
Abstract
The Gargano territory represents one of the main biodiversity hotspots at the flora and vegetation level in the Mediterranean Basin (1). Along its coastal belt, lagoon systems, drains, salt marshes and the retrodunal wetland habitats, can be observed halophytic vegetation shaped by coastal dynamics, lagoon evolution and sedimentary processes. Among these plant communities, those dominated by species of the Salicornia group represent among the most distinctive elements of salt marsh vegetation, although their taxonomy is still considered complex and critical at global level. In Apulia, the genus Salicornia is represented by the following taxa: S. fruticosa (L.) L., S. perennans Willd. subsp. perennans, S. perennis Mill. subsp. alpini (Lag.) Castrov., S. perennis Mill. subsp. perennis, S. procumbens Sm. subsp. procumbens. Considering the crucial role of Salicornia vegetation in Gargano territory as 1) habitats under Directive 92/43 EEC, and 2) economic benefits due to its cultivation/commercialization as an edible product, the present study aims to provide an updated phytosociological framework of these perennial (Fig. 1) and annual (Fig. 2) communities. The study area includes several localities as Palude Frattarolo, Palude Sfinale, Varano and Lesina Lakes. Plant nomenclature follows the Portal to the Flora of Italy, while taxonomical identification was carried out using Italian and European dichotomous keys. Twenty sampling sites were selected based on the literature (2, 3) and field surveys conducted in the study area. The vegetational data were collected according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method, by conducting at least two relievés at each site. Preliminary results of this study will contribute to clarify the status and syntaxonomic arrangement of Salicornia-dominated communities in the Gargano coastal wetlands, in order to provide useful information for the conservation and management of these habitats.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
