Abstract
This article presents the results of a study on plant diversity at different levels in residual forest stands, located in the historical Favorita Park in Palermo, Italy (established and named in 1799 by King Ferdinand IV of the House of Bourbon). These forest aspects have naturally evolved for over two centuries, under minimal conditions of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. deforestation, fires, grazing activities, etc.). This is especially true in the area known as “Bosco Niscemi”, spread over about 8.5 hectares, in the centre of the park. Bosco Niscemi is characterized by the widespread presence of old trees, abundant necromass and litter. In this study, four different soil profiles were analysed, and classified as follows: (i) Solimovic Regosol (Arenic); ii) Eutric Arenosol (Chromic); (iii) and (iv) Skeletic Regosol (Ochric). From a phytosociological point of view, four forest communities have been identified, two of which are described as new associations ( Viburno tini-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova and Teucrio flavi-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova). The species richness was also found to be noteworthy, with the co-occurrence of several taxa (phanerogams and cryptogams) that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily, including: i) vascular flora (e.g. Viburnum tinus and Arbutus unedo , both very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily); ii) bryophytes [ Cryphaea heteromalla (new record of a very rare species in Sicily) as well as Hypnum cupressiforme and Leptodon smithii , also never previously found at such low altitudes]; iii) lichens (e.g. Bacidia rosella , Gyalecta derivata , Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana ); iv) mushrooms (e.g. Eichleriella leucophaea , only known location in Italy). Based on the scientific documentation produced in this study, these woods can be reported as “old-growth forests” to be included in the “National Network” that has been recently established in Italy (Ministerial Decree of 23 June 2023). This area might serve as an ideal control for urban environmental studies, given its pristine ecological setting.
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Claims 13
Claim · model-written summary
Four forest communities were identified, two of which are described as new associations.
Verbatim
e1“four forest communities have been identified, two of which are described as new associations”
Claim · model-written summary
Viburnum tinus is very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily.
- Taxon
- Viburnum tinus
Viburnum tinuse1 - Outcome
- very raree1
- Setting
- western sector of Sicilye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Viburnum tinus and Arbutus unedo , both very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Arbutus unedo is very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily.
- Taxon
- Arbutus unedo
Arbutus unedoe1 - Outcome
- very raree1
- Setting
- western sector of Sicilye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Viburnum tinus and Arbutus unedo , both very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Cryphaea heteromalla is a new record of a very rare species in Sicily.
- Taxon
- Cryphaea heteromalla
_2317.JPG?width=60)
Cryphaea heteromallae1 - Outcome
- new recorde1
- Setting
- Sicilye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_2317.JPG?width=500)
Verbatim
e1“Cryphaea heteromalla (new record of a very rare species in Sicily)”
Claim · model-written summary
Hypnum cupressiforme was found at low altitudes where it had never previously been found.
- Taxon
- Hypnum cupressiforme
Hypnum cupressiformee1 - Outcome
- found at such low altitudese1
- Qualifier
- never previouslye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Hypnum cupressiforme and Leptodon smithii , also never previously found at such low altitudes”
Claim · model-written summary
Leptodon smithii was found at low altitudes where it had never previously been found.
- Taxon
- Leptodon smithii
Leptodon smithiie1 - Outcome
- found at such low altitudese1
- Qualifier
- never previouslye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Hypnum cupressiforme and Leptodon smithii , also never previously found at such low altitudes”
Claim · model-written summary
Bacidia rosella is of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily.
- Taxon
- Bacidia rosella
Bacidia rosellae1 - Outcome
- biogeographic interest or raree2
- Setting
- Sicilye2
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Bacidia rosella , Gyalecta derivata , Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana”
e2“that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Gyalecta derivata is of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily.
- Taxon
- Gyalecta derivataGyalecta derivatae1
- Outcome
- biogeographic interest or raree2
- Setting
- Sicilye2
Verbatim
e1“Bacidia rosella , Gyalecta derivata , Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana”
e2“that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Ramalina roesleri is of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily.
- Taxon
- Ramalina roesleri
_Hue_84225.jpg?width=60)
Ramalina roeslerie1 - Outcome
- biogeographic interest or raree2
- Setting
- Sicilye2
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_Hue_84225.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e1“Bacidia rosella , Gyalecta derivata , Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana”
e2“that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Waynea stoechadiana is of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily.
Verbatim
e1“Bacidia rosella , Gyalecta derivata , Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana”
e2“that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily”
Claim · model-written summary
Eichleriella leucophaea has its only known location in Italy.
- Taxon
- Eichleriella leucophaea
_K.Wells_3441165907.jpg?width=60)
Eichleriella leucophaeae1 - Outcome
- only known locatione1
- Setting
- Italye1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_K.Wells_3441165907.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e1“Eichleriella leucophaea , only known location in Italy”
Claim · model-written summary
Based on the documentation, these woods can be reported as old-growth forests for the National Network.
Verbatim
e1“these woods can be reported as “old-growth forests” to be included in the “National Network””
Claim · model-written summary
Four different soil profiles were analysed and classified.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e1“four different soil profiles were analysed”