Antonino La Mantia & Lorenzo Gianguzzi

Considerations on protection and forestal restoring of the Quercus calliprinos vegetation in Sicily

Introduction

Abslract

La Mantia, A. & Gianguzzi, L.: Considerations on protection and forestal restoring of the Querclls calliprinos vegetation in Sicily. - Bocconea 16(2): 823·829. 2003. - ISSN 11 20-4060.

This study is based on field investigations aimed IO monitoring relic tua l Kermes oak vegetation in Sicily and characterizing il from ecologica I, phytocoenotic and synphytosociol ogical point of view. Fidd surveys display a nOlable ecologica! r~nge and good silvicultural potentialities for Quercus ca/liprinos . This species is suitable for foresta l restoration projects inside Sicilian natural protected areas.

The Kennes oak (Q~ercus coccifera L. S. I. ) is chaTacteTized by a TemaTkable morpho­logical vaTiation and scatteTed distTibution within its wide geogTaphical Tange (Fig. I). According to different authors, many taxa at specific and intraspecific rank are included in the Quercus coccifera group.

As alTeady pointed out by Lojacono-Pojero ( 1904), Kennes oak populations aTe always very heterogeneous (Fig. 2) and fTagmented, 'even if today most authoTs have Teferred the ones pTesent in Sicily to as Quercus calliprinos Webb (Gentile 1962; FumaTi 1965 ; Marcenò & Raimondo 1972; Brullo & Ronsisvalle 1975; Genti le & Gastaldo 1976; Bartolo & al. 1978; BaTbagallo 1983; Ottonello & al. 1991; La Mantia & Gianguzzi 1999a; ecc.).

Un like Quercus coccifera s. S., the mai n taxonomical characters of Quercus calliprinos aTe TepTesented by the aTboTeous habit, the young twigs yell owish, ste llate-pubescent peTsist ing unti I the second yeaT anf female catkins tomentose (Pignatti 1982).

Due to the ancient human action in the is land, the originai maquis vegetation is at present Teduced and few Quercus calliprinos formations aTe scatteTed along the coastal belt of western and southern Sicily. This study is based on tie ld investigations aimed to monitoring the Telictual vegetation aspeclS and characterizing them from ecological, phytocoenotic and synphytosociological point of view. Silvicultural potentialities of these coenoses in suitable areas are also discussed. In order to reach a satisfying cartographic representation ofthese communities, herbarium , bibliographic and field researches were carried OUt. In a former study (La Mantia 2003) data weTe reported on I :25000 scale support (Tavolette I.G.M.I. ) and for more limited aTeas on 1:10000 scale support (C.T.R.). tield surveys based on Braun-Blanquet method, were recorded and the vegetation series and dynamic connections

824 La Mantia & Gianguzzi: Considerations on protection and foresta!...

were analyzed. Furthermore Rivas-Martinez (1995) bioclimatic indexes were applied to the data from Hydrographic Servi ce of Genio Civile (Duro & aL 1996).

Resul!s

According to field researches and bibliographic data, Sicilian Quercus calliprinos populations are distributed - trom North to South and from West to East - in the following

Fig. 1. Distribution ofthe Quercus coccifera L. group (from La Mantia &

c

Fig. 2. MorphologiCal variation ofacom in Sicilian Quercus calliprinos: A. et B. Capo Mongerbino; C. Capo Rama; D. Cava Randello; E. Sciare di Marsala; F. Niscemi.

Bocconea 16(2) - 2003 825

areas: Catalfano (Gussone 1843; Marcenò & Raimondo 1972), Capo Rama (La Mantia & Gianguzzi 1999a), Marausa (Gussone 1843; Ottonello & al. 1991), Sciare di Marsala (Gussone 1843; Lojacono-Pojero 1904), Sciare di Mazara and Gorghi Tondi (Gussone 1843 ; Brullo & Ronsisvalle 1975), Torretta Granitola and Campobello di Mazara (Gussone 1843; Lojacono-Pojero 1904), Piano Stra volata near Niscemi (Tomabene 1887; Lojacono­Pojero 1904; Barbagallo 1983), Bosco di Santo Pietro (Furnari 1965), Cava Randello and Cava d'lppari (Gussone 1843; Gentile 1962; Bartolo & al. 1982), Punta delle Formiche (Bartolo & al. 1976). Based on field observations the populations recorded from Cofano (Ponzo 1900) and Fondaco dell' Agnone (Gussone 1843; Tomabene 1887) were not checked.

AlI the Sicilian populations are distributed in the thermomediterranean bioclimatic belt with different ombrotypes from lower dry to lower subbumid (Fig. 3); on carbonati c substrata (Triassic-Miocene) and sandish and calearenitic substrata (Plio-Pleistocene). From a syntaxonomic point of view, the Sicilian Quercus cal/iprinos vegetation aspects have been referred to as two different associations (Table I): Junipero turbinatae­Quercetum calliprini Bartolo, Brullo & Marcenò 1982 (character species: Juniperus turbinata) and Chamaeropo humilis-Quercetum cal/iprini Brullo & Marcenò 1985 (cha­raeter and differential species: Chamaerops humilis, Galium litorale and Quercus x soluntina).

The Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum calliprini was surveyed in some stands of southern Siciliy, as Niscemi territory. From a physiognomic point of view, the phytocoenoses is characterized by forestal aspects dominated by Quercus calliprinos, in association with Juniperus macrocarpa, Teucriumfrulicans, Pistacia lentiscus, Ephedrafragilis, Phi//yrea

Lower thermomediterranean belt (T ~ 18-16' C) ~ Lower dry (P ~ 350-450 mm) rrm Upper dry (P ~ 450-600 mm)

Upper therrnomediterranean belt (T ~ 18-16' C) _ Upper dry (P ~ 450-600 mm) Wl Lower Subhumid (P 600-800 mm)

Fig. 3. Bioclimatic map of Quercus calliprinos potential range in Sicily.

'" '" ~

'" '" '"

826 La Mantia & Gianguzzi: Considerations on protection and foresta\.. .

/ati/olia, Olea europaea varo sy/vestris, Lonicera imp/exa, Smi/ax aspera, ecc. (Table I, columns 1-2). From phytosociological point of view, the association is referred to as Juniperion turbinatae Rivas-Martinez ( 1975) 1987 (Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alterni Br.-BI. 1936 em. Rivas-Martinez 1975, Quercetea ilicis Br.-BI. 1947).

The Chamaeropo humilis-Querceturn calliprini association represents another type of maquis, distributed along the coastal belt of western Sici ly on carbonati c and calcarenit ic substrata. Besides in the southern part ofthe island it is very scattered (Fig. 4). When there are very good ecological conditions Q. calliprinos reaches arboreous habit dorninating the phytocoenoses in association with many other sclerophyllous species referred to the Oleo­Ceratonion alliance BL-BI. 1936 em. Rivas-Martinez 1975 and to Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alterni order (Quercetea ilicis c1ass). Other widespread species are Pisfacia lentiscus, Olea europaea varo sy/vestris, Phil/yrea !atifolia, Rhamnus lycioides subsp. o/eoides, Quercus i/ex, Calic%me infesta, Ampedesmos mauritanicus, Asparagus a/bus, Teucriumfnaicans. Prasium majus, Osyris alba, ecc. (Table l , columns 3- 12).

Q. calliprinos is alsa recorded from other forestal coenases fragmented due to the fire and deforestation: one in Niscemi and Caltagirone territori es dominated by Quercus suber (Stipo bromoidis-Quercetum suberis Barbagallo 1983, Erico-Quercion ilicis Brullo, Di Martino & Marcenò 1977, Querce/alia ilicis, Quercetea ilicis) and another one in Ippari Valley characterized by Pinus halepensis Mi ller (Thymo-Pinelum halepensis De Marco & Caneva 1985). The latter one, in Vittoria territory, is referred to the Cisto-Ericion Horvatic 1958 (Cisto-Ericetalia Horvatic 1958, Cisto-Micromerietea Oberd. 1954).

... ...... ....

.... .... -, ....

~ ~

.... ----,

.-.-

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Fig. 4. Distribution of Querclls calliprinos assocl3l1Ons in Sicily: ( • ) Chamaeropo­Quercetum ca/liprini; (. ) Junipero-Quercelum calliprini; (- - ) potential rango

Boccone. 16(2) - 2003 827

T.ble I . Synthetic table of the Quercus calliprinos associations in Sicily (accidental species are not inc1uded): Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum calliprini (rels. 1-2), and Chamaeropo humilis-Quercetum

calliprini (rels. 3-12). NUMBER OF COLUMN 1 2 , 5 6 9 IO 11 12 NUMBER OF RELEVES 8 2 , J , , , 2 , Dom inan! sptcies Qucrci/$ calJiprinos Webb V 2 , J 4 V V , 2 2

Char. Sp«iH ofthe Jun;~ro lurbinulne-Quercetum ('uffiprin; IIssocilition and J a,.; rion lurbim,tu4! II l1iance

.Iuniperll., turbinafa Guss. ssp. IIlrhinata V Jun ipc/'us muc/YX'0/1Jt. / S. c l S. 11

Chaf. Ilnd diff. species ofthe Chomul!1'opo humiUs -Querceru", ('ullipTini assodation Chal/laeropJ humilis L V

21 ~ IV v 4 Qlllm :us ."C •• 'olumina Tod.cx Lojnc, Culil/m litorale Guss. III , Cha r. specie! ofthe O/eo-CeralOllion ll iliance and the Pislllciu-Rhunlllctalia alarerni order TCllcri/lmf/'1lticans L. V 2 J IV V , 2 2 Pi.f(Uciu Icntiscus L. V 2 2 11 V 3 2 2 Prasillm I1IUj ll.f L. V 2 3 3 V V J 2 O/t'a ellropueu lovar. s)'I\'(~srris Hoffmgg. el Link 1 2 l 1 II I 2 CulicOlOl1Ie infesw (PresI) Guss. , 11 4 2 f,phedraFagili.f Des[ V ASfX11'aglls a/bus L I III 1 4 Rh/lnmllS Iycioides L ssp. o/eoidcs (L.) Johandiez et Mairc , IV V , Ceratonia ~'iliqlW L. Clc/l/otis cìrrhosa L. Te/lcl'Ìu/l/j1uvlI/I/ L. 11 I Ellphorbia del/droide:; L. 11 Phi/~l're(l angllstìJo/ia L. IV 11 Ib parO!!IIS stipularis ForsskAl Aspwog/ls aphylllls L. Pis(m:ia u:rebimhlls L Anclg)'I'isfoetida L. Pil/IIS halrpcmis Miller

C har. species or t he Querce/cII ilid~' clou Asparagl/,I' iJ('mifolil/s L. 2 , 4 11 V 2 Phill)'/'I!o la/ifolia L V 2 , III 1 4 2 RuMo perl!grino L ss p, /ongifo/io (Poiret l Dc Bo los IV l 2 11 11 2 2 Smilox aspero. L. II I I J 4 11 Lonkl!ra implexo Aiton II I I Ampelodesll/os mouritOl1iC/lS (Poircl) DuT. CI Sch. , 11 IV OsJ'ris olba L. 11 IV QIII!/'ClIl' ile.r: L. 11 II I Daphlle gllidillm L 11 1 4 P/lNcuria odora (L.) Rehb. 2 1 Care).' di.~ruchya Dcsf. 4 ArbllfllS III/cdo L 11 Q""/,(,1I5 sI/ber L. ()dulllcn /'cpOl1dllm S, el S, 2 Rwa chalepe/lsis L. Melit'u urre(·t(I Kuntze E/lphurhia ~'haracias L.

Other species A.rl)h(xJellis microcarPlis Viv, 11 I 11 CislI'" C/'I!,kll,~ L. I 4 4 IV II I 4 2 AriSllrlllI1 vlI/gc/re larg,-Tozz. V I , 2 Ur}!Ìlwa mari/ima (L.) Bakcr 2 III II I Ory:opsis /l/ilil/eeo (L.) Aseh, et Schw;nf. IV 2 2 1 2 Dact)'lis i,I'lxmica Roth IV II I IV Erietl multij/ora L. , 11 BJ'(,,'h)1xxlium romO.wm (L) R. et S. 4 4 II I III 3 CU/') '(Jothymus ('lIpitaIIlS Rchb. r. 111 11 l AJlill/ll subhiriS lIllIlII L. 111 1 IV

828 La Mantia & Gianguzzi: 'Considerations on protection and foresta!...

Conclusions

Besides a protection of these present Kermes-oak vegetation aspects, a forestal program aimed to restare the scattered coenoses and to increase their extension, is to be established. The autecology of Q. calliprinos allows the utilization of this species in several areas of Sicily, above ali in the xeric places of southem and western parto Field surveys display a notable ecological range, a high seed germination (over 90%) and a good sprouting capability of young plants (La Mantia 2003). Conservation in situ of this germplasm is connected to development of seedling nurseries, at present not satisfying forestI)' activities. Based 00 of the study of the vegetation series of sicilian territory, Quercus calliprinos shows a good suitability to be utilized in forestal restoration plans of different protected areas (Natural reserves and Sites ofCommunity Importance).

References

Barbagallo, C. 1983: Vegetazione di alcuni boschi di sughera della Sicilia meridionale. - BolI. Acc. Gioenia Se. Nat. 16(321): 289-296.

Bartolo, 0., Brullo, S., Lo Ci cero, E. , Marcenò, C., Piccione, E. 1978: Osservazioni fitosociologiche sulla pineta di Vittoria. - Arch. Bot. Biogeogr. !tal. 54: 137-159. , -, Marcenò, c., 1976: Contributo alla flora sicula. ~ BolI. Acc. Gioenia Sco Nat. 5(303-304): 73-74. , - , - 1982: La vegetazione costiera della Sicilia sud-orientale. Contributo alla interpretazione delle fasce di vegetazione delle coste mediterranee. ~ Collana del programma finalizzato "Promozione della qualità dell'ambiente". - C.N.R., AQ/1 /226 Roma. , Marcenò, c., 1985: Contributo alla conoscenza della classe Querce/ea ilicis in Sicilia. ­Not. Fitosoc. 19(1): 183-229. , Ronsisvalle, o. A. 1975: La vegetazione dei Gorghi Tondi e del lago Preola presso Mazara del vallo (Sicilia occidentale). - Nol. Fitosoc. lO: 45-67.

Duro, A., Piccione, v., Scali a, C., Zampino, D. 1996: Precipitazioni e temperature medie mensili in Sicilia relative al sessantennio 1926-1985. - Atti 5° Workshop Progr. Stral. C.N.R. , Clima Amb. GERR. Mezzog. (Amalfi, 28-30 aprile 1993).

Furnari , F. 1965: Boschi di QlIercus suber L e di Querclls i1ex L. e garighe del Rosmarino-Ericion in territorio di Santo Pietro (Sicilia meridionale). - BolI. 1st. Bot. Univo Catania s. 3, 5: 1-3 1.

Gentile, S. 1962: Frammenti di macchia particolannente con Quercus calliprinos Webb nel territo­rio di Ragusa. - Delpinoa 4: 125-147. , Gastaldo, P. 1976: Quercu.\· calliprinos Webb e Quercus coccifera L.: ricerche sull'anatomia fogliare e valutazioni tassonomiche e corologiche. - Giorn. Bot. Ital. ]]0: 89-115.

Gussone, J. 1843: Flora Siculae synopsis. - Napoli. 1843: Supplementum ad Florae Siculae synopsis. - Napoli.

La Mantia, A. 2003: Su alcune specie relitte della macchia costiera siciliana di possibile utilizzazione nella forestazione ecologica e nelle progettazioni ambientali: Quercu.\" coccifera L , Juniperus turbinata Guss. e Juniperus macrocarpa S. et Sm. - Ph. D. Thesis, University ofCatania. , Gianguzzi, L. 1999a: Nuove stazioni di Quercia spinosa (Quercus calliprinos Webb) presso Capo Rama (Sicilia Nord-occidentale). - Naturalista Sicil. 23: 113-129. ,- 1999b: La Quercia spinosa in Sicilia. - Sicilia Foreste (6) 21/22: 2-10.

Lojacono-Pojero, M. 1904: Flora sicula, 2 (2). - Palenno. Marcenò, c., Raimondo, F.M. 1972: Sulla presenza della Quercus calliprino.\" Webb nella Sicilia

nord-occidentale. - Giorn. Bot. Ital. 106: 290-291.

Bocconea 16(2) - 2003 829

Ottonello, D., Aleo, M. , Romano, S. 1991: La macchia mediterranea a Quercus cal/iprinos Webb di Marausa (TP): un'area da conservare. - Giorn. Bot. HaI. 125: 435.

Pigoatti, S. 1982: Flora d'Italia. - Bologna. Ponzo, A. 1900: La flora trapanese. - Palermo. Rivas-Martinez, S. 1995: C!assificacion bioclimatica de la Tierra (Bioclimatical Classification

System ofthe World). - Folia Botanica Madritensis 16: 1-25. Tomabene, F. 1887: Flora sicula. - Catania.

Addresses of authors: Antonino La Mantia*, D.M.F.C.I, Università di Catania, via A. Doria 440, 95125 Catania, Italy. Lorenzo Gianguzzi**, Università degli Studi di Palenno, Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, via Archirafi 38, 90123 Palermo, Italy. (*)Email : kirikuri@inwind.it (**)Email: gianguzz@unipa.it

Appendix - Refences of the relevés reported in Table l.

l - Passo Marinaro (Ragusa), from Bartolo, Brullo & Marcenò (1982), Tab. 32; 2 - Passo Marinaro (Ragusa), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 6: rels. 8-9; 3 - Monte Catalfano (Bagheria), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 5: rels. 1-4; 4 - Capo Rama (Terrasini), from La Mantia & Gianguzzi (1999), Tab. l ; 5 - Marausa (Trapani), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 5: rels. 8- 11; 6 - Contrada Chircl? (Marsala), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 5: reI. 20; 7 - Sciare (Marsala and Mazara del Vallo), from Brullo & Marcenò (1985), Tab. 23: rels. 1,6-9; 8 - Gorghi Tondi (Mazara del Vallo), from Brullo & Marcenò (1985), Tab. 23: re\s. 10-16; 9 - Torretta Granitola (Campobello di Mazara), from Brullo & Marcenò (1985), Tab. 23: rels. 2-5; lO - Poggio Tremolazza (Ragusa), from Gentile (1962); II - Poggio Tremolazza (Ragusa), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 7: rel s. 10-11 ; 12 - Punta delle Formiche (Pachino), from La Mantia (2003), Tab. 5: reL 19.