The flora and vegetation of Gyali island, SE Aegean, Greece

Abstract

Gyali is a small volcanic island with a surface of 4.63km2 in the SE Aegean Sea. Flora and vegetation of its main natural ecosystems and their ecological conditions are examined. The main vegetation units on Gyali are: Pinus brutia forest, scrubs and phrygana, psammophilous and halophytic communities. A total of 241 native taxa (species and subspecies) are reported, including 149 new records for the is- land. Analysis of the flora based on ecological indicator values shows that 29%of the taxa are indica- tors of extreme warmth and 72%of very dry or dry habitats. 43%are acidophilous or calcifuge taxa and 45.2 % halotolerant taxa, or facultative or obligatory halophytes.