The Orophilous Shrubby Vegetation of the Juniperetalia hemisphaericae Order in Sicily: A Refuge Habitat for Many Endemic Vascular Species

An in-depth analysis of the orophilous vegetation dominated by Juniperus hemisphaerica in Sicily, based on literature data and unpublished relev & eacute;s, is presented. A total of 156 phytosociological relev & eacute;s were processed and analyzed using classification and ordination methods. Overall, 151 vascular plant species were recorded, of which 38% were endemic species, with a dominant hemicryptophytic biological form (49%). Classification of the relev & eacute;s, supported by ordination, showed two main vegetation groups: one including the Juniperus communities of Mt. Madonie (Cerastio tomentosi-Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Pruno cupanianae-Juniperetum hemisphaericae), and the other including the vegetation of Mt. Etna (Bellardiochloo aetnensis-Juniperetum hemisphaericae and Roso siculae-Juniperetum hemisphaericae ass. nova). Furthermore, a new alliance, Berberido aetnensis-Juniperion hemisphericae, is proposed for Sicily.