SPARTINA VERSICOLOR FABRE IN COASTAL AREAS OF TUSCANY (ITALY)

This paper aims to present an overview of Spartina versicolor Fabre populations in the coastal areas of Tuscany (Italy), in relation to its ecology and phytosociology. Geobotanical surveys were carried out on the sedimentary coasts along the whole region. Data show that the species grows in embryo dunes, retrodunal sandy lowlands and surrounding wet areas that are moderately saline. In all cases observed, the species exhibited also a high sterility and clonal spread. Phytosociological data show different associative behaviours of S. versicolor in different environment types. In particular it is possible to identify three different phytocoenoses strictly related to the environmental typologies (dunal, interdunal/retrodunal or wet) and also to soil salinity. In addition, the observations led us to describe a new subassociation.