Faggete e cerrete mesofile nell’Alto Molise

Beech and mesophilous Quercus cerris woodlands in Alto Molise (central Italy). In this paper a phytosociological analysis of mesophilous Quercus cerris and Fagus sylvatica subsp. sylvatica woods of Alto Molise is presented. From geomorfological point of view the area is characterized by limestone mountains and clay-sandy hills. Termophilous beech woods referred to Anemono-apenninae-Fagetum sylvaticae association and mesophilous beech woods referred to Cardamino kitaibelii-Fagetum sylvaticae association were investigated. Main part of the study area is occupied from mesophilous turkey oak woods with Carpinus betulus. These woods are referred to Aremonio agrimonioidis-Quercetum cerridis new association. In this paper a floristic, ecological and chorological diagnosis of such woods is proposed. So Alto Molise represents link between central-northern and central-southern Italy woods; here they reach their southern and northern boundary respectively.