The forests of Pinus pinaster Aiton subsp. pinaster of the NW-Italian Tyrrhenian sector

Abstract

The present work deals with natural and subnatural forests of Pinus pinaster Aiton subsp. pinaster of Liguria and Tuscany regions. After a short introduction on the taxonomy and biogeography of Pinus pinaster subsp. pinaster, three new associations are described: Erico scopariae-Pinetum pinastri, Erico arboreae-Pinetum pinastri and Buxo sempervirentis-Pinetum pinastri. These associations belong to the new alliance Genisto pilosae-Pinion pinastri (Quercetalia ilicis order, Quercetea ilicis class). It also describes the new shrub association Genisto pilosae-Buxetum sempervirentis, dynamically linked to the forest of pine called Buxo sempervirentis-Pinetum pinastri. Characteristic and differential species, ecology, distribution, dynamic and catenal relationships of the new Pinus pinaster subsp. pinaster associations and the new alliance are also described.