Considerazioni fitogeografiche sulla flora della Sicilia

On the whole the flore of Sicily is quite rich and interesting (ca. 3000 species, of which 10% are endemic), this must be mainly attributed to the physiographic peculiarities of the island as well as the paleogeographic vicissitudes. Although, this flora was object of numerous floristical and taxonomical studies since last century, it is worth inquiring furtherly because of the occurrence of critical species and groups. In order to emphasize the floristic diversity and remarkable phytogeographical interest of this flora, a subdivision of the territory, coinciding with the Sicilian dominion, is proposed ; in particular, on the ground of the presence of exclusive species clusters (endemic or not), a series of districts, collected in sectors and subsectors, are individualized. Besides, the want of necessary steps for theprotecton of the flora, especially for the rarest and endagered species, as well as the problems regarding its conservation, are examined.