Contribution to the knowledge of the vascular flora of Miniera di Murlo area (southern Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract

This work aims to increase the floristic knowledge of southern Tuscany by means of a floristic investigation which took place in the Miniera di Murlo (southern Tuscany, Italy). The study area, located in the province of Siena, has an extension of 2.26 km2 and hosts a heterogeneity of habitats like rocky outcrops, woodlands, meadows and riparian formations. The prevalent geological type is an acidic sedimentary rock known as diaspri formation (jasper). The checklist of vascular flora consists of 501 taxa and includes six endemics and 13 alien species, among which Vitislabrusca is a newly-found species for the Province of Siena along with the native Rosabalsamica and Rosasquarrosa. The most interesting species, such as Anthoxanthumaristatum, Gageabohemica, Paragymnopterismarantae, Saxifragagranulata, and Teesdaliacoronopifolia, are found on acidic rocks. Species of the Italian Red List, such as Ruscusaculeatus, and species of Regional conservation interest, such as Centaureaaplolepasubsp.carueliana, Ervilialoiseleurii, and Vicianigricans, were recorded. The chorological spectrum reveals a dominance of Mediterranean species indicating warm climate conditions and mild winters whereas the life-form spectrum shows a slight dominance of hemicryptophytes followed by therophytes. However, a clear dominance of one life-form type over the other is lacking, since the acidic and dry rocky substrate partially compensates for the humidity provided by the stream. This study highlights the relevant floristic value of the Miniera di Murlo area and supports the possible creation of a protected area or its inclusion in the adjacent one.

Variations in Plant Richness, Biogeographical Composition, and Life Forms along an Elevational Gradient in a Mediterranean Mountain

“…Species with wide distributions are typically indicative of areas with anthropogenic disturbance or occupied by azonal vegetation [99] or characterized by transitional environments [16,18]. The small proportion of species with wide distribution (Cosmopolitan, Boreal and Paleotemperate) in the study area is in line with the fact that, despite the presence of pastures, disturbance is relatively reduced there.…”

Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) Threatened and Endemic to Italy: Urgent Actions for Protection and Use

“…ochroleuca is reported in many places of Tuscany (e.g. [ 198 , 199 ]), Campania (e.g., [ 200 , 201 ]), Basilicata (e.g., [ 202 ]), Calabria (e.g., [ 203 , 204 , 205 ]) and Sicily (e.g., [ 206 , 207 ]), while it is doubtfully occurring in Lazio and Abruzzo [ 18 ]. It is a diagnostic taxon of the deciduous woodlands of Festuco exaltatae-Aceretum neapolitani Mazzoleni & Ricciardi 1995 association [ 201 ], plant community ascribable to the priority habitat “ Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines” (code 9180*).…”

Plant Diversity in Archaeological Sites and Its Bioindication Values for Nature Conservation: Assessments in the UNESCO Site Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia (Italy)

“…The marked prevalence of Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean components and Eurasian ones is due to the bioclimatic conditions, and the high proportion of widely distributed species is due to the anthropic disturbance in the area [101].…”