DOI: 10.3897/ved.187137

Authors: Paola Fortini, Romeo Di Pietro, Daniele Viciani, Piera Di Marzio, Ilaria Mezza, Lorenzo Lastrucci

Abstract: The hydrophilous and hygrophilous vegetation occurring within the Biferno and Sordo Rivers, in the Molise administrative region (central-southern Italy), was investigated according to the phytosociological approach and syntaxonomically classified. Twenty-three plant communities were identified belonging to the following classes: Salicetea purpureae, Alno glutinosae-Populetea, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Epilobietea angustifolii, Bidentetea tripartitae, Filipendulo ulmariae-Convolvuletea sepium, Lemnetea minoris, and Potamogetonetea pectinati. A new association, the Zannichellietum peltatae ass. nov. was described as an ecologically vicariant community of the Zannichellietum palustris. From a nomenclatural point of view, the following association names: Bolboschoeno maritimi-Schoenoplectetum tabernaemontani, Persicario lapathifoliae-Xanthietum orientalis and Stuckenietum pectinatae were all proposed as nomina mutata nova (Art. 45 ICPN). Numerous discrepancies in the interpretation and syntaxonomic classification of the communities investigated were highlighted comparing the Prodrome of the Italian vegetation and the EuroVegChecklist. Finally, six habitats of conservation value according to the 92/43/CEE Directive Habitats were identified and a critical analysis on the correspondence between specific plant communities and related Annex I Habitat codes was advanced.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.181647

Authors: Mariasole Calbi, Michele Mugnai, Eugenia Siccardi, Virginia Amanda Volanti, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Hamid Gholizadeh, Claudia Angiolini, Simona Maccherini, Daniele Viciani

Abstract: Trait-based approaches are becoming pivotal in predicting vegetation changes and linking ecosystem structures to functions at varying geographical scales. Moreover, spatially explicit plant functional trait measurements for scarcely sampled species including infraspecific variation could be instrumental to better understand how plant functional traits mediate species’ responses to changing environmental conditions. Here we present a dataset of four functional traits measured at the individual level for 67 plant species native to coastal habitats of Tuscany and Liguria (central-northern Italy) including fore- and back dunes, dune slacks, saltmarshes, rocky cliffs, and anthropized coastal environments. We followed standard protocols to make a total of 698 measurements. For each species, we measured traits including leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and plant vegetative height (H) from multiple individuals to capture local intraspecific variability. This dataset adds to the valuable resources for studying plant strategies in Mediterranean coastal systems, assessing trait-environment relationships, and modeling plant community dynamics under environmental change. The data set is openly available for non-commercial purposes.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.176908

Authors: Tiberio Fiaschi, Leopoldo de Simone, Francesco Mascia, Ilaria Bonini, Silvia Cannucci, Bruno Foggi, Matilde Gennai, Giulio Pandeli, Simona Maccherini, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Claudia Angiolini

Abstract: Riverine habitats play a vital ecological role, offering key ecosystem services, regulating hydrology, and supporting high biodiversity, including species and habitats of conservation concern. This study aimed to identify Annex I habitats under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) within a former protected area along the mid-upper Elsa River (Tuscany, central Italy). From 2021 to 2023, 85 vegetation relevés were collected to classify habitats, map their distribution, and assess major threats. Multivariate analyses revealed 15 Annex I habitats, including 32A0, reported here for the first time in Italy, and three priority habitats (7220*, 91E0*, 91AA*). Habitat 32A0, officially included in Annex I following the accession of Croatia to the EU, shows distinct ecological and structural features compared to habitat 7220*, despite sharing some bryophyte species. While the two often occur in close proximity or form mosaics, habitat 32A0 develops in active waterfalls with constant flow and low carbonate deposition, whereas habitat 7220* forms in slow-dripping areas with high tufa accumulation. The absence of habitat 32A0 from the Italian Habitat Manual underscores the need to revise national habitat classifications to improve identification accuracy and conservation strategies. Our study enhances knowledge of riverine habitats and stresses the importance of adaptive management to safeguard the Elsa River ecosystem. Key actions include continuous monitoring and control of invasive alien species. Incorporating the area into a nearby Special Area of Conservation would strengthen long-term protection in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.176891

Authors: Silvia Cannucci, Rossano Bolpagni, Gianmaria Bonari, Francesco Candini, Alice Dalla Vecchia, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Tiberio Fiaschi, Simona Maccherini, Francesco Mascia, Lorenzo Scalia, Claudia Angiolini

Abstract: Ponds are widespread yet highly vulnerable freshwater habitats that support diverse aquatic and terrestrial plant communities influenced by land use and water characteristics. The PONDY (Pond vegetation data and water physico-chemical parameters) dataset integrates vegetation and water physico-chemical data that have been collected to understand the responses of vegetation to environmental parameters. The dataset comprises 575 plots, of which 232 are aquatic and 343 are terrestrial, derived from 115 ponds across continental and insular areas of Italy. The dataset includes 743 vascular plant taxa and 5 macroalgae encompassing 364 genera and 89 families. Terrestrial plots host 690 taxa belonging to 87 families, while aquatic plots host 117 taxa belonging to 36 families. The dataset includes 10 taxa belonging to the Italian Red List and 39 alien species. Moreover, 11% of the aquatic plots have been classified in a Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC habitat type, while 48% have been classified in a EUNIS habitat type. The dataset contains, for each plot, measurements of physico-chemical water variables such as dissolved oxygen, water depth, and temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, and nutrient concentration. The PONDY dataset provides comprehensive information on plant diversity and abundance, community composition, habitat types, and water chemistry in Italian ponds, serving as a key resource for studying plant–environment relationships, developing predictive models, and supporting freshwater conservation efforts.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.177152

Authors: Irene Menegaldo, Victoria Mølbach Sforzini, Roberto Tognetti, Michele Torresani

Abstract: The alpine tree line represents one of the most climate-sensitive ecological boundaries, where multiple interacting factors determine vegetation distribution at its upper limit. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of the tree line in the Senales Valley (South Tyrol, Italy) between 1985 and 2023, combining multi-temporal Landsat imagery, Random Forest (RF) classification, and visual orthophoto interpretation performed by manually delineating the forest boundary to assess both spatial and elevational shifts. Climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, snow cover, and growing season length) were analysed using linear models (LM) and generalized additive models (GAM) to identify long-term trends and potential drivers of tree line migration. The results reveal a consistent increase in forest cover in all 16 study areas, averaging +44%, with the largest expansions occurring on slopes facing W. Elevational advances were recorded in 15 of 16 areas, averaging +32 m for Landsat-derived data and +45 m for orthophotos. Elevated minimum temperatures during spring and autumn, alongside warmer summers and a significant rise in precipitation during the same season, created conditions which maintained soil moisture and reduced water stress—factors known to facilitate tree line advancement. Wind exposure from the N-NW sector and associated föhn effects appeared to limit tree line expansion on S-SE facing slopes. Comparison between manual and RF-derived tree lines revealed overall high agreement, with deviations below one Landsat pixel (30 m) in most cases. This confirms that Landsat imagery combined with RF algorithms provides a robust, cost-effective method for assessing long-term tree line dynamics in heterogeneous alpine environments.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.176328

Authors: Melisa A. Giorgis, Claudia Zitarelli, Agustín Davies, María Virginia Palchetti, Manuele Bazzichetto, Gustavo Bertone, Marcelo Cabido, Alicia T. R. Acosta

Abstract: The ReSurveyChaMon dataset provides a unique set of resurveyed vegetation plots spanning the sharp ecological transition between the Arid Chaco woodlands and the Monte steppe in central-western Argentina. The original plots were established in 1990 along a 300-km east-west transect covering a strong precipitation gradient, from xerophytic woodlands to desert shrublands, and were resurveyed in 2025 using the same protocol and plot size. In total, 104 vegetation plots are included in the dataset (52 original and 52 resurveyed). The dataset contains 164 vascular plant taxa from 113 genera and 41 families, with Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Cactaceae being the richest families. Species were assigned to life forms and chorotypes, and their native and endemic status (4 non-native and 39 endemic taxa) was also documented. All plots have been georeferenced, allowing integration with remote sensing and environmental data for future temporal and spatial analyses. ReSurveyChaMon offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore fine-scale vegetation dynamics across one of South America’s least studied dryland regions and provides a valuable baseline for biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning, and assessment of climate- and land-use-driven changes in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.154284

Authors: Alessandro Bricca, Stefano Chelli, Francesco Petruzzellis, Giacomo Puglielli, Enrico Tordoni

Abstract: Vegetation science is a branch of community ecology that relies on species identities and abundance to classify vegetation in coherent units and to explore species coexistence and turnover dynamics. The advent of trait-based ecology has expanded vegetation science, providing a framework that allows for a better understanding of plant strategies and the functional structure of communities. These complementary disciplines have remained largely independent among Italian plant ecologists. Therefore, in 2021, we launched the ITV-net initiative, a national collaborative effort for bringing together vegetation plots and field-measured plant trait data to develop a national platform that can serve both vegetation and trait-based ecologists. In the first data call, we were able to gather trait data on two key leaf traits (i.e., Leaf Area and Specific Leaf Area) for >700 species across 1,043 georeferenced vegetation plots, complemented with species relative abundances, across eight different EUNIS habitat types. Despite this remarkable first milestone, we aim to enlarge the scope of this initiative to include more vegetation plots and functional traits across more habitat types in Italy. Here, we provide an overview of the ITV-net initiative and its underlying methodological details as a ‘manifesto’ to spread the data call to other potential contributors in the Italian community of plant ecologists. Our ultimate objective is to bridge the vegetation science and trait-based ecological research in Italy towards developing a national database of vegetation plots and plant functional traits. We believe this effort will contribute to building a solid network among Italian plant ecologists to cross the artificial boundaries of different, yet complementary, disciplines.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.155222

Authors: Maria Carla de Francesco, Maria Laura Carranza, Giulia Capotorti, Eva Del Vico, Chiara D’Angeli, Alessandro Montaldi, Bruno Paura, Lucia Antonietta Santoianni, Marco Varricchione, Angela Stanisci

Abstract: We developed the DALIA relational database (DAtabase of tree, shrub and LIAna taxa), which contains records of tree, shrub, and liana taxa recorded in the Functional Urban Area of Campobasso, a small city located in the inner-Mediterranean Region of Southern Italy. The DALIA database, developed through the PostgreSQL data management system, includes 170 species and subspecies (126 native and 44 alien) belonging to 46 taxonomic families (35 native species and 23 alien species). Each taxon, whether native or alien, was classified according to multiple ecological, functional, and biogeographic groups. Moreover, the diagnostic value for Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, the IUCN red list conservation category, and, specifically for alien taxa, residence time and invasion status are reported. We described the dataset by bar and donut charts, density plots, and box plots. Results highlighted that native taxa are mainly Eurasian deciduous and Mediterranean evergreen with a prevalent zoochorous dispersal. By contrast, alien taxa are from Temperate Asia, North America, and Tropical Asia and count many anemochorous species with winged diaspores. Alien plant taxa show different characteristics in terms of ecological and disturbance indicator values, indicating a potential greater competitiveness in highly disturbed environments than native ones. The DALIA checklist of native and alien plant taxa collects important ecological information that is useful for monitoring plant diversity, implementing ecological restoration actions, and supporting sustainable urban greenery plans and actions.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.144362

Authors: Hamid Gholizadeh, Gianmaria Bonari, Emilia Pafumi, Andrea Bertacchi, Mariasole Calbi, Paolo Castagnini, Daniela Ciccarelli, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Giulio Ferretti, Tiberio Fiaschi, Bruno Foggi, Matilde Gennai, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Michele Mugnai, Simona Sarmati, Daniele Viciani, Claudia Angiolini, Simona Maccherini

Abstract: Surveying vegetation is essential for documenting plant diversity, especially for coastal vegetation that results among the most threatened ecosystems globally. To support conservation and management programs, we developed the SALt-affected vegeTatIon dataset of Tuscany coaStal Habitats (SALTISH). This dataset comprises 734 newly sampled vegetation plots of 4 m2 (2 m × 2 m) from the Tuscany region in central Italy, including 569 sand dune plots and 165 salt marsh plots, recorded between 2018 and 2023. In total, the dataset contains 4,541 occurrences of vascular plant taxa. Overall, it comprehends 257 vascular plant taxa belonging to 165 genera and 56 families. The Poaceae family is the most diverse, represented by 50 taxa, while the most represented genus is Juncus, with seven species. Species richness within individual plots ranges from one to 55 species, with 622 plots (84%) containing fewer than 10 species. Juniperus macrocarpa emerges as the most frequent and dominant species in the dataset. Helichrysum stoechas, Festuca fasciculata, and Medicago littoralis are present in over 20% of the plots, whereas 157 taxa are recorded in fewer than 1% of plots. The dataset includes noteworthy taxa: four Italian endemics (Centaurea aplolepa subsp. subciliata, Limonium etruscum, L. multiforme, and Solidago virgaurea subsp. litoralis), eight taxa listed as threatened in the Italian Red List, and 18 archaeophyte and neophyte alien species. SALTISH provides critical data for monitoring and conserving threatened coastal habitats in Tuscany. This resource will facilitate comparisons of biodiversity status and vegetation changes over time and will aid in identifying habitats harboring rare and endangered plant species.

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DOI: 10.3897/ved.139363

Authors: Lucia Antonietta Santoianni, Fabrizio Bartolucci, Marta Carboni, Fabio Conti, Greta La Bella, Marco Varricchione, Angela Stanisci

Abstract: The MARA (Monitoring Alien species along mountain Roads in the central Apennines) database was developed to monitor the distribution of vascular plant species along mountain roads in the Central Apennines, Italy, focusing on alien (i.e. neophytes) and thermophilous plant species. Data were gathered in 2022 from 118 plots spanning an elevation range from 420 to 2125 meters a.s.l. along 3 main road corridors on three massifs (Gran Sasso, Maiella and Terminillo), following the MIREN road survey protocol. The database comprises 810 taxa (species and subspecies), of which 16 are identified as alien taxa. Major plant families in frequency are Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae. MARA captures detailed information on species cover, taxonomy, and ecological traits, such as life forms and Ecological Indicator Values for Europe (EIVE) related to temperature. Notably, 53% of the alien species recorded were thermophilous, thriving in warmer environments, and predominantly concentrated below 1200 meters, though a few species extend to higher elevations. This suggests that rising temperatures due to climate change may facilitate the upward movement of these species, potentially disrupting native vegetation. For such reasons, the MARA database is a valuable resource for long-term ecological monitoring, providing valuable data for both national and international research networks.

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