Bryophyte diversity in some Sicilian protected areas

Abstract

The results of some investigations carried out in two Sicilian protected areas characterized by chalky reliefs are reported. These are the Serre di Ciminna and Monte Conca reserves. The Oriented Nature Reserve of Serre di Ciminna is located in northwestern Sicily, in the province of Palermo. Established in 1997 to protect the interesting karst phenomena in a vast macro-crystalline gypsum outcrop of the Messinian age, the series of "collapse valleys" and a swallowtail, the reserve falls within the Rocche di Ciminna, Site of Community Importance (SIC) (code ITA 020024). It includes some habitats of Community interest: pseudo-steppes with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea (code 6220), western Mediterranean and thermophilous screes (code 8130) and thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert shrublands (code 5330). In order to contribute to the knowledge of biodiversity within the reserve, collections of bryophytic material were carried out in the grasslands, garigues, maquis and small fragments of Quercus virgiliana (Ten.) Ten., forest repeatedly burned, situated in the localities of Balzo di Canalotto, Annunziata, Stretta di Carcaci, Cerami, Santa Caterina, Balzi della Chiusa e Cozzo Ginestra. The determination of specimens allowed to recognize 32 taxa (30 mosses and 2 liverworts), belonging to 23 genera of 13 families. This is a rather large contingent of species, given the dryness characterizing the area in general. Overall, saxicolous, photophylous, markedly xerophylous and calcicolous species prevail. From a chorological point of view the temperate, Mediterranean and oceanic-Mediterranean taxa are highly represented. The Integral Natural Reserve of Monte Conca is located in central Sicily, in the province of Caltanissetta. It was established in 1995 to protect the numerous karst environments in the area, extending to 2.45 Kmq. It is constituted by the homonymous chalk relief and it is crossed, from east to west, by the river Gallo d'Oro. The site is mostly characterized by farming systems and in the most natural areas there are riparian communities with Populus, Tamarix and Salix species, as well as some aspects of maquis and garigue. 11 taxa, of which 10 mosses belonging to 5 families, and one liverwort were found. They mainly include Mediterranean and widely spread in temperate zones species. Particularly interesting is the occurrence of Tortula revolvens (Sw. ex anon.) Rubers. moss, rare in Europe, linked to the chalky substrates.