Bryophyte vegetation of the fumaroles from some Mediterranean and Macaronesian territories

The results of a phytosociological investigation on the bryophyte communities, occurring in the fumaroles of Pantelleria (Sicily), Ischia and Pozzuoli (S Italy), Tenerife (Canary Islands), are given. It is a very peculiar vegetation linked to microclimatic hot-moist conditions of tropical type. The Mediterranean communities are included into the new class Campylopodetea vaporarii with one order (Campylopodetalia vaporarii) and one alliance (Campylopodion vaporarii); within this alliance the following associations are recognized: Campylopodetum vaporarii with the subassociations typicum and campylopodetosum pyriformis, Calymperetum erosi, Isopterygio teneri-Cyperetum polystachyi with the subassociations typicum, epipterygietosum tozeri and grimmietosum lisae. The association surveyed in the Macaronesian region is referred to Campylopodion piliferi, alliance belonging to the order Polytrichetalia piliferi of the class Ceratodonto-Polytrichetea piliferi; it is Campylopodetum polytrichoidis with two subassociations: dicranelletosum variae and campylopodetosum introflexi. To evaluate the similarity among the releves a multivariate numerical analysis has been performed.