Segetal plant communities of traditional agroecosystems: a phytosociological survey in central Italy

This is the final paper: “Segetal plant communities of traditional agroecosystems: a phytosociological survey in central Italy", published in PHYTOCOENOLOGIA, vol. 49, p. 165-183, ISSN: 0340-269X, doi: DOI: 10.1127/phyto/2019/0282,

Abstract
Aims: We present the results of a phytosociological investigation of segetal plant communities colonizing winter
arable fields, olive groves, and vineyards in selected traditional agricultural areas of central Italy. Some of
these communities have great environmental and cultural value and are threatened by changes in agriculture.
Given the lack of knowledge, this paper aims to introduce the recent diversity of traditional agriculture weed
vegetation in this part of Italy by means of the collection of original data. Study area: Latium and Abruzzo
regions (central Italy). Methods: Hierarchical classification of 132 unpublished relevés, carried out with fixed
area plots in 44 cultivated patches, and their characterization in phytosociological, chorological, structural, and
ecological terms. Results: The numerical analyses detected the presence of 10 vegetation types, attributable to
four phytosociological classes: Chenopodietea, Festuco-Ononidetea striatae, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, and Papaveretea
rhoeadis. Two Natura 2000 Habitats were recognized. Conclusions: The study allowed the detection
and classification of well-preserved communities of traditional agricultural systems, some of which are disappearing
in Europe.