Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea
Mt Etna in Sicily hosts a bryophyte floristic richness of 306 taxa, corresponding to 259 mosses, 43 liverworts, and 4 hornworts. Species richness shows a hump-shaped relationship with the elevation, with a peak at 1200–1700 m a.s.l. Chorotype patterns clearly change along an altitudinal gradient, fr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/14/2655 |
| _version_ | 1827731947694063616 |
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| author | Marta Puglisi Saverio Sciandrello |
| author_facet | Marta Puglisi Saverio Sciandrello |
| author_sort | Marta Puglisi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mt Etna in Sicily hosts a bryophyte floristic richness of 306 taxa, corresponding to 259 mosses, 43 liverworts, and 4 hornworts. Species richness shows a hump-shaped relationship with the elevation, with a peak at 1200–1700 m a.s.l. Chorotype patterns clearly change along an altitudinal gradient, from the Mediterranean, located at 0–300 m a.s.l., to Arctic-montane and boreo-Arctic montane at 1800–2700 m a.s.l., showing a correlation with the bioclimatic belts identified for the Mt Etna. In regard to the life form pattern, the turf species are the most represented in each elevation gradient, except at 2300–2700 m a.s.l. where the tuft species are prevalent. The life strategy pattern shows the colonists as the prevailing species, featured by an increasing trend up to 2200 m of elevation; above this limit, they are exceeded by the perennial stayers. Furthermore, taking into consideration the red-listed species (at the European and/or Italian level), as well as the species of phytogeographical interest, it was possible to identify the high bryophyte conservation priority areas; these areas are located in thermo-Mediterranean and oro-Mediterranean bioclimatic belts, the latter corresponding to the oldest substrates of the volcano where some of the most interesting bryophyte glacial relicts find refuge. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:42:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ec68aba7da34ce3afea905bf5b4bcc4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:42:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ec68aba7da34ce3afea905bf5b4bcc42023-11-18T21:00:09ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-07-011214265510.3390/plants12142655Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in EuropeaMarta Puglisi0Saverio Sciandrello1Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A. Longo 19, 95125 Catania, ItalyMt Etna in Sicily hosts a bryophyte floristic richness of 306 taxa, corresponding to 259 mosses, 43 liverworts, and 4 hornworts. Species richness shows a hump-shaped relationship with the elevation, with a peak at 1200–1700 m a.s.l. Chorotype patterns clearly change along an altitudinal gradient, from the Mediterranean, located at 0–300 m a.s.l., to Arctic-montane and boreo-Arctic montane at 1800–2700 m a.s.l., showing a correlation with the bioclimatic belts identified for the Mt Etna. In regard to the life form pattern, the turf species are the most represented in each elevation gradient, except at 2300–2700 m a.s.l. where the tuft species are prevalent. The life strategy pattern shows the colonists as the prevailing species, featured by an increasing trend up to 2200 m of elevation; above this limit, they are exceeded by the perennial stayers. Furthermore, taking into consideration the red-listed species (at the European and/or Italian level), as well as the species of phytogeographical interest, it was possible to identify the high bryophyte conservation priority areas; these areas are located in thermo-Mediterranean and oro-Mediterranean bioclimatic belts, the latter corresponding to the oldest substrates of the volcano where some of the most interesting bryophyte glacial relicts find refuge.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/14/2655bryophyte florachorotypesconservationdiversityelevation gradientslife forms |
| spellingShingle | Marta Puglisi Saverio Sciandrello Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea Plants bryophyte flora chorotypes conservation diversity elevation gradients life forms |
| title | Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea |
| title_full | Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea |
| title_fullStr | Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea |
| title_short | Bryophyte Diversity and Distribution Patterns along Elevation Gradients of the Mount Etna (Sicily), the Highest Active Volcano in Europea |
| title_sort | bryophyte diversity and distribution patterns along elevation gradients of the mount etna sicily the highest active volcano in europea |
| topic | bryophyte flora chorotypes conservation diversity elevation gradients life forms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/14/2655 |
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