The Orophilous Shrubby Vegetation of the Juniperetalia hemisphaericae Order in Sicily: A Refuge Habitat for Many Endemic Vascular Species.

An in-depth analysis of the orophilous vegetation dominated by Juniperus hemisphaerica in Sicily, based on literature data and unpublished relevés, is presented. A total of 156 phytosociological relevés were processed and analyzed using classification and ordination methods. Overall, 151 vascular plant species were recorded, of which 38% were endemic species, with a dominant hemicryptophytic biological form (49%). Classification of the relevés, supported by ordination, showed two main vegetation groups: one including the Juniperus communities of Mt. Madonie ( Cerastio tomentosi - Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Pruno cupanianae - Juniperetum hemisphaericae ), and the other including the vegetation of Mt. Etna ( Bellardiochloo aetnensis - Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Roso siculae - Juniperetum hemisphaericae ass. nova). Furthermore, a new alliance, Berberido aetnensis - Juniperion hemisphericae , is proposed for Sicily.