The plant landscape of an interesting stretch of coastline in southern Sicily : the area between Punta Grande and Capo Rossello (Realmonte, Agrigento), biotope worthy of preservation

The coastal areas of southern Sicily are largely altered by human activities that have led to profound changes in the landscape over time, in addition to the depletion of the environmental resources. The most intact biotopes are largely subject to restrictions of protection, through the establishment of nature reserves and other types of protected areas resulting from implementation of the Habitats Directive (SCIs, SPAs). However, these protected areas do not include the stretch of coast between Punta Grande and Capo Rossello (Realmonte, Agrigento province), in which the “Scala dei Turchi” falls. This is a site of particular naturalisticenvironmental and landscape significance, exposed to considerable human pressure, gradually widened in recent years. This study aims to provide the first scientific data on the plant landscape of the biotope, precisely directed to its inclusion in a protected area. The landscape is characterized by the alternation of high rocky coasts and small beaches, placed close to the hilly high grounds which break off abruptly towards the sea, in which plant aspects are strongly influenced by the peculiarity of the substrates, with different concentrations of salinity. The geomorphological nature of the area gives rise to a myriad of microenvironments, such as the typical dune formations, the rocky expressions of the “Trubi”, and other habitats which originate as a consequence of: 1. landslides with detachment of clayey boulders; b. gully erosion processes or caused by small rivulets with brackish water; c. undercutting at the slope foot, with subsequent falls. Several phytocoenoses are present, in turn constituted by the typical expressions of the dune complexes (Cakiletea maritimae, Ammophiletea), hygro-subhalophilous associations (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea), herbaceous coenoses of more or less salty clayey substrates (Lygeo-Stipetea), halo-nitrophilous shrub formations (PeganoSalsoletea), maquis communities (Quercetea ilicis), etc.