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Itineraries
(PHRAGMITO-MAGNOCARICETEA). These assemblages, linked to
meso- and eutrophic slow flowing waters, are ascribed to Phragmite-
tum communis and Typhetum latifoliae (PHRAGMITION COMMUNIS)
and MAGNOCARICION ELATAE (Caricetum hispidae). The muddy
and shallow river banks are often covered by Helosciadetum nodiflo-
ri and Nasturtietum officinali (GLYCERIO-SPARGANION) and spe-
cies-poor assemblages referred to MOLINIO-ARRHENATHERETEA
and MENTHO LONGIFOLIAE-JUNCION INFLEXI.
Only few small temporary ponds occur in this area. Some of them host
communities ascribed to POTAMETEA PECTINATI and RANUNCU-
LION AQUATILIS. More in detail, Ranunculetum baudotii occurs at Favi-
gnana, while a little temporary pond located SE of Mt. Cofano hosts both
Ranunculetum peltati and Lemnetum gibbae (LEMNETEA). As concerns
ISOËTO-NANOJUNCETEA, some simplified aspects of ISOËTION occur
on the Egadi Islands (Levanzo and Marettimo) and in the northern sector
of Zingaro reserve, the association Elatinetum macropodae is recorded for
Favignana, while species-poor assemblages ascribed to VERBENION SU-
PINAE are known for some disturbed ponds and rockpools of Marettimo,
Favignana, and near the coast W of Mt. Cofano.
Several fragments of Vitex agnus-castus-dominated riparian scrub
(NERIO-TAMARICETEA) occur along the stony seasonal streams
between Castellamare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo (e.g. Guida-
loca, near the village of Scopello, Zingaro reserve, near the touristic
village of Cala ’mpiso). Most of these watercourses are covered with
Calystegio sylvaticae-Arundinetum donacis, a sciaphilous-nitrophilous
reed community ascribed to EPILOBIETEA ANGUSTIFOLII-CON-
VOLVULETALIA SEPIUM, often intermingled with dense and al-
most pure populations of Rubus ulmifolius.
Anthropogenic vegetation
Local arable crop fields on neutral sandy-loamy soils host plant
communities ascribed to the alliance RIDOLFION SEGETI, that of
base-rich soils to ROEMERION HYBRIDAE, the vegetation of vi-
neyards, orchards and groves is represented by associations of the
alliance FUMARION WIRTGENII-AGRARIAE (e.g. Diplotaxietum
vimineo-erucoidis at Marettimo), while the annual crop cultures irri-
gated during summer (e.g. Amarantho graecizanti-Cyperetum rotundi at
Favignana) belong to DIPLOTAXION ERUCOIDIS.

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