Syntaxonomy, chorology and dynamics of Carpinus orientalis communities in Central Italy

This paper deals with the synecological and syndynamic aspects of the Carpinus orientalis communities of the Ausoni mountains. The Ausoni are a large limestone massif of southern Lazio (Tyrrhenian district of Central Italy), the bioclimatic features of which are well suited to the ecological requirements of Carpinus orientalis. The new association Lonicero etruscae-Carpinetum orientalis is introduced here. A thermophilous aspect of this association (Lonicero-Carpinetum orientalis phillyreetosum latifoliae) is also identified. From a syndynamic standpoint Carpinus orientalis woodlands are secondary communities following the destruction of the primary Quercus pubescens communities (Roso sempervirentis-Quercetum pubescentis). These are also compared with the other types of Carpinus orientalis communities in the Italian peninsula and the Adriatic side of the Balkan peninsula.