The Orophilous Shrubby Vegetation of the Juniperetalia hemisphaericae Order in Sicily: A Refuge Habitat for Many Endemic Vascular Species

Abstract

An in-depth analysis of the orophilous vegetation dominated by Juniperus hemisphaerica in Sicily, based on literature data and unpublished relevés, is presented. A total of 156 phytosociological relevés were processed and analyzed using classification and ordination methods. Overall, 151 vascular plant species were recorded, of which 38% were endemic species, with a dominant hemicryptophytic biological form (49%). Classification of the relevés, supported by ordination, showed two main vegetation groups: one including the Juniperus communities of Mt. Madonie (Cerastio tomentosi–Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Pruno cupanianae–Juniperetum hemisphaericae), and the other including the vegetation of Mt. Etna (Bellardiochloo aetnensis–Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Roso siculae–Juniperetum hemisphaericae ass. nova). Furthermore, a new alliance, Berberido aetnensis–Juniperion hemisphericae, is proposed for Sicily.