The Peat Bogs of Aspromonte National Park (Southern Italy): Flora and Vegetation

The peat bog habitat is prevalent in north-central Europe, while it is rare and localised in the Mediterranean. In Italy, it is widespread mainly in the Alps and central-northern Apennines. In Calabria, sphagnum peat bogs are rare and localised mainly in Sila, few sites are present on the Catena Costiera, on the Serre and in Aspromonte. The peat bogs of Calabria are all referable to habitat of the Directive 43/92 EEC “7140: Transition mires and quaking bogs”. A flora and vegetation study were carried out to analyse the plant biodiversity of this peculiar habitat. A total of 70 species of vascular plants were surveyed, planted on the mossy carpet consisting mainly of Sphagnum inundatum. Species of special conservation interest include: Caltha palustris L.; Carex echinata Murray; Agrostis canina L. subsp. Aspromontana Brullo, Scelsi & Spamp.; Soldanella calabrella Kress; Juncus bulbosus L.; Veronica scutellata L. Twelve sites have been surveyed, two of which are unknown in the literature, while two have been found to be extinct. To preserve this fragile and easily altered habitat, special attention in management and continuous monitoring is required. The Aspromonte peat bogs are part of the associations: Sphagno inundati-Caricetum echinateae Brullo, Scelsi, Spamp. 2001, (class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae Tx. 1937) and Ranunculo fontani-Potametum polygonifolii Brullo, Scelsi, Spamp. 2001, (class Littorelletea uniflorae Br-Bl. & Tüxen ex Westhoff, et al. 1946).