Abstract
AbstractColymbada tauromenitana(Guss.) Holub (Asteraceae) is a rare paleoendem-ic, chasmophyte species, occurring on calcareous cliffs in the eastern part of Sicily (Italy). The aim of this work is to analyze the structure and floristic composition of theC. tauromenitanacommunity, in order to characterize the diversity of populations in relation to different ecological data. In all, 61 plots were examined. For each plot, the floristic composition and the cover of the species were determined using the standard relevé method. Three vegetation types emerged from canonical components analysis (CCA), correlated to a gradient of environmental conditions ranging from the coast to inland areas. The first group withLomelosia creticaandDianthus rupicolasubsp.rupicolawas correlated to thermo-xerophilous conditions (lower thermo-Mediterranean belt), the second group withSilene fruticosaandColymbada tauromenitanawas linked to thermophilous conditions (upper thermo-Mediterranean belt) and the third withDianthus siculusandOdontites boc-coneiwas correlated to mesophilous conditions (meso-Mediterranean belt). Altitude is the main factor influencing both species richness and floristic composition. The density ofC. tauromenitanais influenced mainly by rainfall. Finally, we propose a new risk status for this rare species.
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