Floristic Update of the SAC “Pentidattilo” (Calabria, Southern Italy)

The main aim of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive approved in 1992 by European Union is to preserve biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna in all European member states. To this end, the Natura 2000 Network was established: it identifies Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (former Sites of Community Interest (SCIs)) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). In order to analyze the biodiversity of an area of exceptional natural, historical and cultural importance such as the ‘Pentidattilo’ SAC, its vascular flora was sampled and all its habitats detected between December 2021 and May 2023. Thanks to this study, it was possible to update previous floristic knowledge, from around 25 years ago until 2018. To date, 343 taxa belonging to 61 families have been recorded: among these, the most representative is the Asteraceae, followed by the Fabaceae and Poaceae. Using the software QGIS 3.28, the boundaries established by the Natura 2000 Network for the ‘Pentidattilo’ SAC were drawn and all surveys were conducted within them. Using the orthophotos of the area and the previously published cartography for monitoring the Natura 2000 Network, 14 habitats were identified, of which 5 of Habitats Directive.