Page 23 - GainguzziPaniniCusimano

The vegetation of Mediterranean cliffs and rocky coasts is dorninated by halophilous
chasmophytes, chasmo-comophytes and comophytes, adapted to the high salt concentration in
the substrate and to the direct contact with brackish water and marine aerosol (Figures S9e-f).
This vegetation belongs to the Crithmo-Staticetea class (Barbagallo et al., 1983; Bartolo &
Brullo, 1993; Bartolo, Brullo, & Marcenò, 1982; Bartolo, Brullo, & Signorello, 1992; Brullo
& De Marco, 1989; Brullo & Minissale, 1997; Brullo, Minissale, Siracusa, & Sparnpinato,
1997; Brullo & Siracusa, 1996; Gianguzzi & La Mantia, 2008; Ronsisvalle, 1969, 1979),
whose associations are ascribed to the Crithmo-Staticion and Anthyllidion barbae-jovis
alliances.

23 . Halophilous communities of lagoons, salt flats and brackish marshes with predorninance
of: a) submerged hygrophytes (cl. Ruppietea); b) sub-nitrophilous and succulent therophytes
with summer-autumn cycle (Thero-Suaedetea); c) perennial palustrine herbaceous species
(Juncetea maritimi); d) succulent dwarf shrubs (Sarcocornietea fruticosae)

E UNIS Codes: A2.551, A2.522, A2.523, A2.543, A2.5262, A2.5263, A2.5264, A2.5265, 2.5266, A2.528,
F6.825, E6.11 , J5.1 ; Natura 2000 Codes: 1150*, 1310, 1410, 1420, 1510*

Brackish ponds, coastal lagoons and small lakes - located in coastal areas and sometimes in
the inland - host vegetation strictly conditioned by water salinity, which tends to vary in
space and tirne. From the phytosociological point of view, the plant communities present in
Sicily are mainly ascribed to the following vegetation classes: l ) Thero-Suaedetea (= Thero-
Salicornietea: halophilous communities dorninated by succulent therophytes), with the Thero-
Salicornietalia (Brullo & Furnari, 1976; Frei, 1937; Minissale, Sciandrello, Scuderi, &
Sparnpinato, 2010; Sciandrello, 2007; Scuderi, 2006) and Thero-Suaedetalia orders
(Sciandrello, 2007); 2) Juncetea maritimi (halophilous communities dominated by perennial
herbaceouss pecies), with the Juncetalia maritimi order, including the Juncion maritimi
(Bartolo, Brullo, & Marcenò, 1982; Brullo, 1978; Brullo et al., 1988; Brullo & Di Martino,
1974; Brullo & Fumari, 1976; Brullo & Ronsisvalle, 1975; Guarino, 1998; Licandro, Marino,
& Raimondo, 2011 ; Sciandrello, 2007; Scuderi, 2006) and Plantaginion crassifoliae alliances
(Brullo et al., 1974; Brullo & Furnari, 1976; Scuderi, 2006); 3) Sarcocornietea fruticosae
(palustrine halophilous communities dorninated by succulent dwarf shrubs; Figure S10a),
with the Sarcocornietalia order, including the alliances Sarcocornion fruticosae (Brullo & Di
Martino, 1974; Brullo & Furnari, 1976, 1988; Scuderi, 2006), Arthrocnemion macrostachyi
(Bartolo et al., 1988; Brullo & Di Martino, 1974; Scuderi, 2006), Suaedion verae (Brullo et
al., 1988), Sarcocornion alp ini (Barbagallo et al., 1990; Brullo et al., 1988; Brullo &
Sciandrello, 2006; Sciandrello, 2007; Scuderi, 2006), Inulion crithmoidis (Brullo & Furnari,
1988; Sciandrello, 2007; Scuderi, 2006), and the Limonietalia order, with the Limonion
f erulacei alliance (Brullo & Di Martino, 1974; Scuderi, 2006) .

24. Halo-nitrophilous communities of badlands areas with predorninance of: a) pioneer
therophytes (cl. Saginetea: ord. Frankenietalia pulverulentae), on brackish and washed
surfaces; b) hernicryptophytes and geophytes (cl. Lygeo-Stipetea, ali. Moricandio-Lygeion
sparti), on stirred and raised stations; c) succulent shrubs (cl. Pegano-Salsoletea), within more
evolved surfaces

EUNIS Codes: F6.825, H5.3, E6.11 , E l.3135, El.3136, El.3 137, E1.422; Natura 2000 Codes: 1430, 1510,
6220*