abstract

The wetland vegetation along the Arno River between Castelluccio (Capolona) and S. Giovanni Valdarno in the Arezzo province (Tuscany, Central Italy) is described according to the phytosociological method. The study area includes two Natural Reserves (Ponte a Buriano-Penna and Valle dell’Inferno-Bandella). This survey shows the presence along the river of hydrophytic communities (Lemnetea and Potametea classes), helophytic swampy communities (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class), hygrophilous and hygro-nitrophilous perennial communities (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Galio-Urticetea and Artemisietea vulgaris classes), hygro-nitrophilous annual communities (Bidentetea tripartitae class) and riparian wet deciduous woodland and willow communities (Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae class). A new association is proposed: Leersio oryzoidis-Juncetum effusi, a swampy community dominated by Juncus effusus subsp. effusus with the presence of Leersia oryzoides.

keywords

Arno river, Natural Reserves, phytosociology, Tuscany, wetland vegetation