Abstract
The results of a study on plant community diversity, floristic richness, and spatial patterns in volcanic temporary ponds of Sicily are presented. A total of 166 plots were analyzed, 103 for Etna and 63 for Hyblaean sites. For each plot, the floristic composition and species cover were determined using standard relevé methods. Moreover, for these ponds, pH, conductivity, temperature, rainfall, altitude, and a floristic richness and diversity index were assessed. The plant communities were analyzed using a hierarchical cluster analysis, while the ordination method Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling was used to establish spatial patterns in the scattergram and to generate hypotheses on the vegetation/environment relationships. A total of nine plant communities for Hyblaean and seven for Mount Etna with a specific floristic composition were recognized. The spatial patterns of plant communities mainly followed an ecological gradient related to hydroperiod of the ponds, as well as local topography and human activities. The results show a considerable difference in floristic richness between the two study areas, as well as a different distribution of the life forms. Furthermore, for each study area the floristic richness and diversity index increased from the deep zone towards the shallow zone.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amami B.L., Rhazi S., Bouahim M., Rhazi & Grillas P. 2009. Vegetation recolonisation of a Mediterranean temporary pool in Morocco following small-scale experimental disturbance. Hydrobiologia 634: 65–76.
Bagella S. & Caria M.C. 2012. Diversity and ecological characteristics of vascular flora in Mediterranean temporary pools. C. R. Biol. 335: 69–76.
Bagella S., Caria M.C., Farris E. & Filigheddu R. 2009. Spatialtime variability and conservation relevance of plant communities in Mediterranean temporary wet habitats: A case study in Sardinia (Italy). Plant Biosystems 143 (3): 435–442.
Bagella S., Caria M.C. & Zuccarello V. 2010. Patterns of emblematic habitat types in Mediterranean temporary wetlands. C. R. Biol. 333: 694–700.
Branca S., Coltelli M., Groppelli G. & Lentini F. 2011. Geological map of Etna volcano, 1:50.000 scale. It. J. Geosci. (Boll.Soc. Geol. It.), 130 (3): 265–291.
Bazan G., Marino P., Guarino R., Domina G. & Schicchi R. 2015. Bioclimatology and vegetation series in Sicily: A geostatistical approach. Ann. Bot. Fennici 52: 1–18.
Brullo S. & Minissale P. 1998. Considerazioni sintassonomiche sulla classe Isoeto-Nanojuncetea. Itinera Geobotanica 11: 263–290.
Brullo S. & Di Martino A. 1974. Vegetazione dell’Isola Grande dello Stagnone (Marsala). Boll. Studi ed Inform. Giard. Bot. Palermo 26: 15–62
Brullo S. & Marcenò C. 1974. La vegetazione estiva dei bacini artificiali siciliani. Lav. Ist. Bot. Giard. Col. Palermo 25: 184–194.
Brullo S. & Sciandrello S. 2006. La vegetazione lacustre del Biviere di Gela (Sicilia meridionale). Fitosociologia 43 2): 21–40.
Brullo S. Grillo M. & Terrasi M.C. 1976. Ricerche fitosociologiche sui pascoli di Monte Lauro (Sicilia meridionale). Bollettino Accademia Gioenia Scienze Naturali 12: 84–104.
Brullo S., Di Martino A. & Marcenò C. 1977. La vegetazione di Pantelleria, Studio fitosociologico. Pubblicazioni Istituto di Botanica Università di Catania, 111 pp.
Brullo S., Scelsi F., Siracusa G. & Tomaselli V. 1998. Note fitosociologiche sulla vegetazione di Monte Lauro (Sicilia sudorientale). Bollettino Accademia Gioenia Scienze Naturali 29 (352): 169–184.
Carbone S. 2011. Note illustrative del F. 641 “Augusta” della Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000. Con i contributi di: F. Lentini, R. Ruggieri, V. Scribano, G. Sturiale et alii. ISPRA/Regione Siciliana/D.S.G.-Università di Catania, 248 pp.
Céréghino R., Boix D., Cauchie H.-M., Martens K. & Oertli B. 2014. The ecological role of ponds in a changing world. Hydrobiologia 723: 1–6.
Cherry J.A. & Gough L. 2006. Temporary floating Island formation maintains wetland plant species richness: the role of the seed bank. Aquatic Botany 85: 29–36.
De Beni E., Branca S., Coltelli M., Groppelli G. & Wijbrans J. 2011. 40Ar/39Ar isotopic dating of Etna volcanic succession. It. J. Geosci. (Boll. Soc. Geol. It.) 130 (3): 292–305.
Fofonof N.P. & Millard R.C. 1983. Algorithms for computation of fundamental properties of seawater. UNESCO Technical Papers in Marine Science 44: 559–582.
Giardina G., Raimondo F.M. & Spadaro V. 2007. A catalogue of plants growing in Sicily. Bocconea 20: 5–582.
HillM. O. & Gauch H.G. 1980. Detrended Correspondence Analysis: An Improved Ordination Technique. Vegetatio 42: 47–58.
Lumbreras A., Olives A., Quintana J.R., Pardo C. & Molina J.A. 2009. Ecology of aquatic Ranunculus communities under the Mediterranean climate. Aquatic Botany 90: 59–66.
Minissale P. & Sciandrello S. 2016. Ecological features affect patterns of plant communities in Mediterranean temporary rock pools. Plant Biosystems 150 (1): 171–179.
Minissale P. & Spampinato G. 1986. Osservazioni fitosociologiche sul “Lago Gurrida” (Sicilia Nord-Orientale) Giornale Botanico Italiano 119 (3–4): 197–225.
Minissale P., Santo A. & Sciandrello S. 2011. Analisi geobotanica del SIC “Capo Murro di Porco, Penisola della Maddalena e Grotta Pellegrino” (Siracusa, Sicilia). Fitosociologia 48 2): 77–98.
Oertli B., Auderset Joye D., Castella E., Juge R., Cambin D. & Lachavanne J.B. 2002. Does size matter? The relationship between pond area and biodiversity. Biological Conservation 104: 59–70.
Peech M. 1965. Hydrogen-ion activity, pp. 914–916. In: Black C.A. (ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis Part. 2. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, USA.
Perry J.E. & Hershner C.H. 1999. Temporal changes in the vegetation pattern in a tidal freshwater marsh. Wetlands 19: 90–99.
Pinto-Cruz C., Molina J.A., Barbour M., Silva V. & Espĕrito-Santo M.D. 2009. Plant communities as a tool in temporary ponds conservation in SW Portugal. Hydrobiologia 634: 11–24
Podani J. 2001. SYN-TAX 2000, computer program for multivariate analysis in ecology and taxonomy. Scientia Publishing, Budapest.
Puglisi M., Minissale P., Sciandrello S. & M. Privitera 2015. The bryophyte vegetation of the Mediterranean temporary ponds in Italy. Plant Sociology 52 2): 69–78.
Raimondo F.M. 1980. Carta della vegetazione di Piano della Battaglia e del territorio circostante (Madonie, Sicilia). Quaderni C.N.R., AQ/1I89, Roma.
Raimondo F.M., Romano S. & Rossitto M. 1981. Aspetti degli Isoetalia rilevati nell’Isola di Favignana (Arcipelago delle Egadi). Nuovo Giornale Botanico Italiano 115 (6): 356.
Rhazi L., Rhazi M., Grillas P. & El Khyari D. 2006. Richness and structure of plant communities in temporary pools from western Morocco: influence of human activities. Hydrobiologia 570: 197–203.
Rhazi L., Grillas P., Rhazi M. & Aznar J.C. 2009. Ten-year dynamics of vegetation in a Mediterranean temporary pool in western Morocco. Hydrobiologia 634: 185–194.
Richards L.A. 1974. Diagnòstico y rehabilitaciòn de suelos salinos y sòdicos. Ed. Limusa, México
Rivas-Martinez S. 1993. Bases para una nueva clasificacion bioclimatica de la tierra. Folia Botanica Matritensis 10: 1–23.
Rivas-Martínez S., Penas A. & Diaz T.E. 2004. Biogeographic map of Europe. Cartographic service, University of Léon.
Sciandrello S. 2007. La vegetazione alofila di Piana del Signore presso Gela (Sicilia meridionale): proposte di conservazione e gestione del biotopo. Informatore Botanico Italiano 39 1): 129–141.
Sciandrello S. 2009. La vegetazione igrofila dei bacini artificiali della Provincia di Caltanissetta (Sicilia centro-meridionale) Informatore Botanico Italiano 41 1): 53–62.
Sciandrello S., D’Agostino S. & Minissale P. 2013. Vegetation analysis of the Taormina Region in Sicily: a plant landscape characterized by geomorphology variability and both ancient and recent anthropogenic influences. Lazaroa 34: 151–190.
Spellerberg I. F. & Fedor P.J. 2003. A tribute to Claude Shannon (1916–2001) and a plea for more rigorous use of species richness, species diversity and the ‘Shannon–Wiener’ Index. Global ecology and biogeography 12 3): 177–179.
Tanguy J.C., Condomines M., Branca S., La Delfa S. & Coltelli M. 2012. New archeomagnetic and 226Ra-230Th dating of recent lavas for the Geological map of Etna volcano. It. J. Geosci. (Boll. Soc. Geol. It.) 131 (2): 241–256.
Vogiatzakis I.N., Kazakis G. & Ghosn D. 2009. Macrophyte community structure and species occurrence in relation to environmental determinants in the ephemeral aquatic habitats of Gavdos, Greece. Hydrobiologia 630 (1): 127–138.
Westhoff V. & E.van der Mareel 1978. The Braun-Blanquet approach, pp. 287–399. In: Whittaker R.H. (ed.), Classification of Plant Communities, second ed. Dr Junk, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Zacharias I., Dimitriou E., Dekker A. & Dorsman E. 2007. Overview of temporary ponds in the Mediterranean region: threats, management and conservation issues. J. Environ. Biol. 28: 1–9.
Zampino S., Duro A., Piccione V. & Scalia C. 1997. Fitoclima della Sicilia. Termoudogrammi secondo Walter & Lieth. Atti 5° Workshop Prog. Strat. C.N.R. “Clima, Ambiente e Territorio nel Mezzogiorno” Amalfi 2: 7–54.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sciandrello, S., Privitera, M., Puglisi, M. et al. Diversity and spatial patterns of plant communities in volcanic temporary ponds of Sicily (Italy). Biologia 71, 793–803 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2016-0096
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2016-0096