An update on the flora of the Lagoon of Capo Peloro (north-eastern Sicily, Italy)

The natural reserve of the Lagoon of Capo Peloro is located in north-eastern Sicily (Italy) and it consists of two euryhaline ponds, Lake Faro and Lake Ganzirri. Communication with the sea takes place through natural and artificial channels; the latter frequently tend to get covered up by sand (1, 2). Both lakes are connected by a canal (Margi), which was once a shallow marsh, reclaimed by human action in historical times. Despite the very strong urbanization that surrounds the lakes has made part of their shores totally cemented, nevertheless both lakes are characterized by a rich vegetation: there are spontaneous halophytic, helophytic, riparian, ruderal and exotic species, mostly introduced by man, which are well adapted (3). Among riparian species, the family Poaceae dominates essentially with three species, namely Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Arundo donax L. and Saccharum biflorum Forssk., which give rise to compact and monospecific formations in various associations (e.g., Phragmition communis Kock and Convolvulion sepium Tüxen). Peculiar plant communities in Lake Ganzirri are one dominated Cyperus alternifolius L., and one characterized by Washingtonia filifera (Gloner ex Kerch., Burv., Pynaert, Rodigas & Hull) de Bary, exotic plants that have been naturalized since long time along the northern shore. Noteworthy, Cynanchum acutum L., a rare paleosubtropical species of euryhaline lake environments, is only present in Lake Faro. Among aquatic species, it should be noted the presence of allochthonous macroalgal species introduced by the importation of molluscs, some of which with invasive behavior (for example, Ulva spp. and Hypnea sp.) especially in Lake Ganzirri, but also of native species with ecological significance for the associated biological communities, such as the angiosperm Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Asch. and the calcareous algae of the family Corallinaceae.