Analysis ofthe syndynamics of vegetation in the south-central area of the Apennines inUmbria and the Marches (Central Italy)

Catorci Andrea and Gatti Renata

Departmentof Botany and Ecology, University of Camerino, Camerino (Macerata)

Thisis a study of the dynamics of vegetation through an analysis of the Series ofVegetation present in the south-central area of the Apennines in Umbria and theMarches, which coincides with the Valleys of the Rivers Potenza, Chienti and Nera.Those valleys cut into that limestone range both on the Adriatic side (Potenzaand Chienti) and the Tyrrhenian side. The area under consideration lies betweenapproximately 300 and 1800 metres above sea level; from a bio-climatic point ofview, it includes hilly sections with strong Mediterranean influences andhigh-mountain zones close to the upper ecological limit for woodland, as wellas sub-continental zones connected by basins between the mountains.

Theforest vegetation inside and outside the zones is therefore highly diversifiedand belongs to at least five groupings (Quercion ilicis, Quercionpubescenti-petraeae, Ostryo-Carpion orientalis, Carpinion betuli and Fagionsylvaticae).

Thesecondary shrub formations dynamically linked to the woodlands mentioned, onthe other hand, belong to the groupings Cytision sessilifolii and Berberidionvulgaris.

Finally,the substitute herbaceous formations fall within the groupings Thero-Brachypodiondistachii, Saturejon montanae, Phleo ambigui-Bromion erecti, Cynosurioncristati and Seslerion apenninae.

Overallmore than 20 sigmeta are described whose territorial distribution andphytosociological composition are evidence of the multiple environmentalcharacteristics of the mountain range as well as the marked ecologicaldifferences between the two slopes.