abstract

Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus and Paliurus spina-christi Miller scrubs in the intermontane areas of the Abruzzo region (Central Apennine, Central Italy). The present paper focuses on a phytosociological, chorological and syndynamical analysis of the Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus communities, widespread in the mountain basin of the calcareous central Apennine. Various other species are physiognomically relevant in those coenoses like Rhamnus saxatilis subsp. infectoria, Chamaecytisus spinescens, Osyris alba, Buxus sempervirens, Daphne sericea, and Paliurus spina-christi. These communities are included in a vegetation mosaic with grazed areas and garrigues (Cisto-Micromerietea Oberd. 1954), showing dynamical connections with forest coenoses dominated by Quercus pubescens (Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis Horvat (1958 n.n.) 1959 and Quercion pubescenti-petraeae Br.BI. 1932 em. Riv.Mart.1972).
Within the Cytision sessilifolii Biondi in Biondi, Allegrezza, Guitian 1988, an endemic syntaxon who defined an apenninic scrub communities, two coenoses are found: the new association Chamaecytiso spinescentis-Juniperetum oxycedri with two subassociations, and Rhamno saxatilis-Paliuretum spinae-christi Biondi 1999.
The coenological and chorological features (high percentage of Mediterranean (Steno- and Euri-) and Eastern species) of the red juniper scub in the apenninic area, need a new synsystematic assessment, as they suggest strong similarities with analogues described in Eastern Europe.

keywords

Central Apennine, scrub communities, phytosociology, Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus, Paliurus spina-christi,, syntaxonomy