Distribution, ecological role and symbioses of selected shrubby species in the Mediterranean Basin: a review
- Authors: Lombardo E.; Bancheva S.; Domina G.; Venturella G.
- Publication year: 2020
- Type: Review essay (rassegna critica)
- Key words: Ecology; inter-intraspecific interactions; Mediterranean area; plant associations; shrublands
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/418458
Abstract
Among the Mediterranean ecosystems, shrublands are a characteristic type of vegetation, widespread in different habitats. Owing to different factors such as the physiological, morphological, reproductive, phenological and regenerative properties, as well as the inter-intraspecific interactions, each shrubby species represents an important element within the plant community and plays a specific ecological role. In this review, attention was focused on the ecological functions and type of plant-microsymbiont interactions in respect of selected shrubby species within the Mediterranean Basin: Amelanchier ovalis, Astragalus nebrodensis, Crataegus laciniata, Lycium intricatum, Prunus spinosa and Viburnum tinus.