Edaphic characteristics of Quercus suber woods in Latium.

In this paper the results are reported of a soil survey done in selected sites of Latium under the most significant Quercus suber woods (Cytiso-Quercetum suberis Testi, Pignatti and Lucattini 1994) previously studied from a phytosociological point of view. After describing the dominant soil type of each area, physical-chemical characteristics have been analysed in order to point out the significance of edaphic factors in the distribution and floristic composition of the Quercus suber coenoses. Bioclimatic, structural and edaphic features of this vegetation showed a great convergence; among all the parameters examined, AWC resulted to be the most effective one in conditioning the mesophilous character of Quercus suber coenoses growing in Latium. In this respect this type of vegetation shows rather strong affinities with mixed Quercus cerris woods, both in the floristic composition and in the edaphic requirements, as already suggested in the most recent phytosociological studies.