The Bryophytes as bioindicators in the basal area of the eastern slope of the Mt Etna (Sicily)

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Quad. Bot. Amb. Appl., 2011 (2009): 251-260.

The Bryophytes as bioindicators in the basal area of the eastern slope of the Mt Etna (Sicily)

M. PUGLISI ¹, M. PRIVITERA ¹, S. PULVIRENTI ¹, G. M. BEONE ²& R. CASSARO ¹

1 Dipartimento di Botanica, Universita di Catania, via A. Longo 19 - 95125 Catania, Italia

2 Istituto di Chimica Agraria ed Ambientale, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italia

ABSTRACT. - The Bryophytes as bioindicators in the basal area of the eastern slope of the Mt Etna (Sicily). - The results of a bryofloristic study on the air quality of the territory between Giarre and Linguaglossa (eastern slope of the Mt Etna) are reported. The chemical survey on the bioaccumulation and the floristic survey on the degree ofbryophyte diversity, sen- sitivity of species to

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and life forms have provided results in agreement indicating higher degree of air purity the monitoring stations located in the territory of Piedimonte Etneo and Linguaglossa. The stations of the district of Giarre are more suffering, especially that near the motorway exit. In respect ofbioaccumulation, a similar behaviour was found in the mosses Pterogonium gracile and Homalothecium sericeum.

Key words: Bioaccumulation, bioindication, Etna, mosses.

INTRODUCTION

In this study the bryophytes were used to check the state of environmental health in the eastern slope of the Mt Etna at low altitude. In particular, a floristic-ecological investi- gation was carried out to emphasize in each monitoring site the bryophyte diversity and some ecological and biological parameters related to the degree of air pollution. The quan- titative study was conducted using the direct method for the estimation of the bioaccumulation.

The results of this study increase and update some data for Sicily reported in previous papers aimed to estimate the air quality and to research and identify new bioaccumulators, a necessary condition for the monitoring of Mediterranean territories (PRIVTTERA & al., 2003; PUGLISI & al., 2006;

PRIVlTERA & al., 2006; Lo GrumCE & BONANNO, 2009).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was divided into three stages: field survey, floristic analysis, chemical analysis of concentration of heavy metals in mosses.

The following sites were investigated on the eastern slope of the volcano: three sites of the district of Giarre (Altarello, Macchia and Trepunti, the last near the motorway exit), three sites of the district of Piedimonte Etneo (Santa Venera, San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte ), one area of the district of Mascali (Nunziata) and one corre- sponding to Linguaglossa (Fig. 1 ).

The floristic collections were made from September

2004 to May 2005. For a comparison, in each site all bryophytes occurring collected on different habitats (cliffs, rock crevices, walls, walls of lava rock, soil) within a sur- face of 500 m²were surveyed.

For each species the state ofreproductive, the life forms according MAGDEFRAU ( 1982) and the degree of tolerance to

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drawn from the literature (RAo, 1982; Lo GIUDICE, 1992; PRIVITERA & PUGLISI, 1994, 1995; Lo GruDICE & al., 1997, GUELi & al., 2004) were considered.

For the nomenclature, the paper of ALEFFI & al. (2008) was followed.

As regards the bioaccumulation, we have proceeded according to the ANPA protocol (CENCI, 1999). The mineral- ization of 0.25 gr of moss samples was carried out by acid digestion with 7 ml HN03 (65% m Iv) and 1 ml ofHp₂and Suprapur reagent (E. Merck, Darmstadt, FRG) in closed con- tainers of a microwave system (CEM, MDS -2000 model, Mattews, NC, USA). The solutions were diluted to 50 ml with highly pure water (electrical resistivity> 18 M.Q cm) produced from distilled water using a system Deionisation Milli Q. The standard solutions were prepared by diluting l OOO mg/l of a multielement solution (ICP Multielement Standard IV, Merck, Darmstandt, FRG) with the same acid mixture used for the dissolution of the sample. The analytical determinations of the elements are made according to the EPA 6010B method with ICP-OES spectrometer Jobin Yvon JY24 model (Jobin Yvon Emission Horiba Group, Longjumeau Cedex, France). The accuracy of analytical data was verified through the analysis of reference samples provided by the Community Bureau of Reference Sample.

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Fig.1 - Location of the monitoring stations in the eastern slope of Etna.

As for the moss samples the following species were tested: Scorpiurium circinatum and Homalothecium sericeum at Altarello station, Scleropodium touretii at Macchia, and Scorpiurium circinatum at Trepunti, Timmiella anomala at Nunziata, Scorpiurium circinatum at Santa Venera, Isothecium alopecuroides and Homalothecium sericeum at Contrada Terremorte, Homalothecium sericeum and Pterogonium gracile at Linguaglossa.

The choice of more species than one was forced, con- sidering that it is necessary a biomass suitable for carrying out the chemical analysis, hardly available in the investigated stations, taking into account the type of environment and the climatic factors that not permit the development of an large moss coverage. The multiplicity of the examined species gave the opportunity to study the behaviour of different species previously not tested.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of the flora in the monitoring stations Altarello

The moss component includes nine species, seven aero- 252

carpous mosses and two pleurocarpous mosses (Scorpiurium circinatum and Homalothecium sericeum).

Among the acrocarpous, all found on soil, the toxitolerant species prevail ( 67% ), represented by Pseudocrossidium revolutum, Trichostomum brachydontium, Entosthodon convexus and Timmiella anomala (Fig. 2). Moreover, there is only one sensitive species, Bartramia stricta, and two toxiphilous, Didymodon vinealis and Bryum dichotomum, the last found with numerous axillary bulbils. The predominant life form is the short turf (77. 7%, Fig. 2). The percentage of the species found fruited is high (71 %).

Macchia

In this station six species were found on soil and in cracks of walls; among these, Timmiella anomala, Entoshodon convexus, Scorpiurium circinatum and Rynchostegium megapolitanum are toxitolerant (Fig. 3), Bryum capillare is toxiphilous and Scleropodium touretii is sensitive. The ratio acrocarpous/pleurocarpous is equal to one. As regards the life forms, only the short turf and weft are present (Fig. 3).

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Trepunti

Here seven species were collected on rocks and in the cracks of walls; among these, the 57.2 % is represented by toxiphilous species (Bryum capillare, Funaria hygrometrica, Tortu/a muralis, Bryum caespiticium) and the remaining 42.8% by toxitolerant (Fig. 4); the sensitive species are absent.

As for life forms, the biotype short turf prevails (71.4 % ), while the weft and mat are less represented (Fig. 4).

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Life forms

Nunziata

In this station ten taxa, collected from volcanic rocks, occur. They are only acrocarpous mosses, of which 50% are nitrophilous and toxiphilous species (Bryum capillare, B.

argenteum, B. dichotomum, Tortu/a muralis, Funaria hygro- metrica, all fruited except Bryum argenteum ). The only sensitive species is Grimmia trichophylla. The remaining species are toxitolerant (Trichostomum brachydontium,

Txt 70

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Sensibility to 502

Fig. 2 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of Altarello. St: Short turf, We: Weft, Ma: Mat; Txf: Toxiphilous, Txt: Toxitolerant, S: Sensitive.

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Sensibility to S02

Fig. 3 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of Macchia St: Short turf, We: Weft; Txf: Toxiphilous, Txt: Toxitolerant, S:

Sensitive.

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Fig. 4 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station ofTrepunti. St: Short turf, We: Weft, Ma: Mat; Txf: toxiphilous, Txt: Toxitolerant, S: Sensitive.

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Weissia controversa, fruited, Grimmia pulvinata, Targionia hypophylla). The life forms are short turf (70%), cushion (20%) and mat (10% ), (Fig. 5).

Santa Venera

The taxa collected in this station are twelve. The liverwort flora is here numerically significant; it is represented by the toxitolerant Targionia hypophylla, Fossombronia caespiti- formis, Corsinia coriandrina, Reboulia hemisphaerica and Plagiochasma rupestre. The moss component, apart from Scorpiurium circinatum, consists of acrocarpous species, that are the toxitolerant Timmiella anomala, Entosthodon con- vexus (fruited) and Weissia controversa (fruited) and the toxiphilous Bryum capillare, Funaria hygrometrica and Bryum dichotomum, each found fruited (Fig. 6).

San Gerardo

The bryophytes collected are nine. Of these 33.3% percentage consists of toxiphilous species, i.e. Didymodon vinealis, Bryum capillare and Bryum dichotomum, the last found fruited and with axillary bulbils. There is also a large representation of sensitive species (44.5%), all collected on volcanic rocks, i.e. Grimmia laevigata, G. trichophylla, Tortu/a atrovirens (fruited) and Hypnum cupressiforme var.

lacunosum, followed by a lower percentage of toxitolerant species (22.2%) represented by Grimmia pulvinata (fruited)

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7 5 4 3 2 1

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Life forms

and Barbu/a convoluta. The predominant life form is short turf (56%), followed by the less resistant cushion (33%) and weft ( 11 % ), (Fig. 7).

Contrada Terremorte

This station shows a bryophyte diversity represented by fourteen species, collected from stone walls and crevices of volcanic rocks. Of these, 21.4% consists of toxiphilous species, i.e. Tortu/a muralis (fruited), Bryum capillare (fruited) and Didymodon vinealis; little more large is the representation of the toxitolerant species (28.6%), with Grimmia pulv- inata (fruited), Weissia controversa, Isothecium alopecuroides and Homalothecium sericeum. Instead, an higher percentage ( 50%) is represented by the sensitive species Grimmia laevi- gata, G. trichophylla, Bartramia stricta (fruited), Encalypta vulgaris (fruited), Hypnum cupressiforme, H cupressiforme var. resupinatum, Scleropodium touretii. The life forms observed in this station are by short turf (43%), weft (29%) cushion (21%), and mat (7%), (Fig. 8).

Linguaglossa

The moss component, found on walls and rocks, is represented by eleven species of which 18.1 % were toxiphilous (Bryum dichotomum and Didymodon vinealis), 36.4% toxitolerant ( Grimmia pulvinata, Weissia controversa, Pseudocrossidium revolutum and Homalothecium sericeum)

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Fig. 5 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of Nunziata. St: Short turf, Cu: Cushion, Ma: Mat; Txf: Toxiphilous, Txt:

Toxitolerant, S: Sensitive.

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Life forms Sensibility to S~

Fig. 6 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of Santa Venera. St: Short turf, Ma: Mat, An: Annual, We: Weft; Txf: Toxiphilous, Txt: Toxitolerant.

254

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Fig. 7 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of San Gerardo. St: Short turf, Cu: Cushion, We: Weft; Txf:

Toxiphilous, Txt: Toxitolerant, S: Sensitive.

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Fig. 8 - Life form and sensibility to S02 at the station of Contrada Terremorte. St: Short turf, We: Weft, Cu: Cushion, Ma: Mat; Txf:

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Fig. 9 - Life form and sensibility to S0₂at the station of Linguaglossa. St: Short turf, Cu: Cushion, Ma: Mat, De: Dendroid; Txf:

and 45.5% sensitive (Encalypta vulgaris, Tortu/a cuneifolia, fruited, Grimmia trichophylla, Bartramia stricta, fruited, Pterogonium gracile). The life forms are represented by short turf (64%), cushion (18%), mat (9%) and dendroid (9% ), (Fig. 9).

Bioaccumulation

Data on bioaccumulation obtained in seven station (Altarello, Macchia, Trepunti, Nunziata, Santa Venera,

Contrada Terremorte and Linguaglossa) did not show high values, reflecting a not elevated sedimentation of pollutants (Tab. 1).

As emphasized in previous researches the average concentration of trace elements found on Mt Etna is mostly higher than that of Sicily and Italy (PRNITERA & al., 2003;

PUGLISI & al., 2006). Although sometimes high, these values do not exceed those observed in areas with high human presence, such as the province of La Spezia (CENCI & al., 1995) and the region Piedmont (CENCI & al., 2003). The

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Tab. 1 -Average concentration in mg I kg of dry mass in samples of mosses.

STATION-Moss SAMPLES Al

Altarello 1 (Scorpiurium circinatum) 6341 Altarello 2 (Homalothecium sericeum) 4511 Macchia (Scleropodium touretii) 5098 Tre Punti (Scorpiurium circinatum) 6852

Nunziata (Timmiella anomala) 4150

Santa Venera (Scorpiurium circinatum) 3591 Terremorte 1 ( Isothecium alopecuroides) 11919 Terremorte2 (Homalothecium sericeum) 3841 Linguaglossal (Homalothecium sericeum) 4526 Linguaglossa2 (Pterogonium gracile) 6899 Valori medi in muschi dell' Etna I 1600 Valori medi in muschi della Sicilia 7710

Yalori medi in Italia -

mg/Kg --+--Homalotheclum sericeum - ...--Pterogonlum gracile

450 ~---~

400 + - - - . . , . - - 1

350 + - - - !

300 + - - - + ---I

250 + - - - !

200 .._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __... _ _

150 + - - - + - - -

100 .._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ...._ _ _ _ .___ ...,

50 +---"--~---1~---1 0 J-a-..-O=:;:::==S::..,__---...:-=:;:::- ---1

Cd Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn Cd 0,68 0,72 0,32 0,88 0,30 0,69 0,27 0,35 0,59 0,61 1,8 0,23 0,26

Fig. 10 - Comparison between the mean values of concentrations of trace elements in the mosses Homalothecium sericeum and Pterogonium gracile at the station of Linguaglossa.

- - + - -lsotheclum alopecurolde - -II- -Homalotheclum serlceu mg/Kg

250 ~---~

Cd Co Cr Cu Mn NI Pb Zn

Fig. 12 -Comparison between the mean values o.f concentrations of trace elements in the mosses Isothecium alopecuroides and Homalothecium sericeum at the station of Contrada Terremorte.

present study confirms the rather high average values of the element Zn in all the monitored stations except Contrada Terremorte, and of the element Cu at Altarello and Trepunti.

A special attention deserves the trend of the concentrations of Pb in the stations. Since this element is strongly impli- cated in the pollution due to the vehicular traffic, it is possible to observe a marked difference in the values obtained in 256

Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn

4,42 8,36 103,1 145 6,06 20,43 213

2,20 4,61 48,9 86 3,61 12,95 98

2,44 4,00 49,5 110 3,68 9,17 189

3,27 9,26 154,0 162 8,59 23,29 254

2,08 3,92 43,0 87 3,37 16,84 126

2,01 3,34 33,3 82 3,46 9,56 204

5,86 6,31 46,5 231 6,09 11,74 81

1,79 3,47 23,4 76 2,66 4,82 84

4,05 5,16 41,3 88 4,49 9,04 384

3,05 5,66 46,3 137 4,39 11,93 101

3,8 16 61 164 12,5 12,2 136

2,1 11 14,3 163 12,2 7,9 61

- 2,7 8,9 - 1,7 11,l 42,2

mg/Kg 1- - + - -Scorplurlum clrclnatum

Cd Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn

Fig. 11 - Comparison between the mean values of concentrations of trace elements in the mosses Scorpiurium circinatum and Homalothecium sericeum at the station of Altarello.

the stations with scarce or almost absent vehicular traffic (4.82 mg/kg at Contrada Terremorte) and stations with high vehicular traffic, such as Trepunti, the station near the motorway, where we found the value of 23 .29 mg/kg, the highest among all those identified.

As for the moss specimens analyzed, it was possible to observe that at the Linguaglossa station the pleurocarpous Homalothecium sericR·Um and Pterogonium gracile have similar absorption capacity, except for the element Zn (Fig. 10). It is to emphasize that Homalothecium sericeum shows a behavior comparable to Hypnum cupressiforme, the moss traditionally used in the bioaccumulation investi- gations.

At the Altarello station the comparison between Homalothecium sericeum and Scorpiurium circinatum showed a significantly higher bioaccumulation capacity of the last one (Fig. 11 ). Similarly, at the Contrada Terremorte station, where Homalothecium sericeum and Isothecium alopecuroides were tested, the last showed a capacity to concentrate a larger amount of heavy metals (Fig. 12).

Therefore, the behavior of Homalothecium sericeum, Pterogonium gracile and Hypnum cupressiforme appears very similar to each other, unlike Scorpiurium circinatum and Isothecium alopecuroides that show greater bioaccumu- lation capacity (Fig. 13).

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Fig.13 - Bioaccumulators tested in this study: a) Isothecium alopecuroides; b) Homalothecium sericeum; c) Scorpiurium circinatum; d) Timmiella anomala; e) Sc/era podium touretii; f) Pterogonium gracile.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results obtained by analyzing the biodiversity, the degree of resistance of the taxa to pollutants, the percentage of the life forms, calculated separately in each site, and the results of the bioaccumulation of trace elements in mosses, it is possible to deduce some conclusions. On the whole, the air quality in the monitoring stations does not

highlight the need to implement a state of alarm designed to limit the rate of pollution, except for the element Pb at the Trepunti station. In several stations the values of Zn and Cu are comparable with those detected in areas with high human disturbance, as pointed out in previous investiga- tions on Mt Etna (PRIVITERA & al., 2003), assuming that they are related to the chemical nature of the phytotoxic emissions of the volcano.

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The Contrada Terremorte station shows the major air purity, emphasized by low values of bioaccumulation, greater biodiversity, data on life forms, higher presence of sensitive species, followed by the stations of San Gerardo and Linguaglossa with still a good degree of air purity.

Intermediate conditions are found at the stations of Santa Venera and Macchia.

A lower level of air purity is found at the Altarello station, followed by Trepunti station that, for the lowest biodiversity, the absence of sensitive species, the values ofbioaccumulation particularly high for Pb, is subject to a level of pollution higher than the other stations considered.

As regards the behaviour of the moss species in relation to the capacity of bioaccumulation, it is possible to emphasize that Homalothecium sericeum, with behaviour very similar to Hypnum cupressiforme (PRIVITERA & al., 2003;

PRIVITERA & al., 2006), shows a comparable behavior to Pterogonium gracile. Moreover, these pleurocarpous reveal a slight decrease in the values of bioaccumulation than Isothecium alopecuroides and Scorpiurium circinatum.

These results may serve as a basis for further studies in order to identify other species to be used as bioaccumulators with an similar and comparable adsorption with the species traditionally used Hypnum cupressiforme. The advantage is to offer a wider choice of species to use, which is almost a necessity to operate in the Mediterranean areas where the moss coverage for a study of environmental monitoring is scarce.

REFERENCES

ALEFFI M., TACCHI R., CORTINI PEDROTTI C., 2008 - Check- list of the Hornworts, Liverworts and Mosses of Italy. - Bocconea 22: 1-255.

CENCI R. M., 1999 - L 'utilizzo di muschi indigeni e tra- piantati per valutare in micro e macro aree le rica- dute al suolo di elementi in tracce: proposte meto- dologiche. -Atti Workshop "Biomonitoraggio della qualita dell'aria sul territorio nazionale" ANPA (Roma, 26-27 novembre 1998): 241-263.

CENCI R.M., PARACCHINI L., PAPUCCI C., BENCO C., PALMIERI F., NERI R., 1995 - Muschi e suoli per ii control/a de/la contaminazione ambientale da metalli. - La Citta e l'ENEL Comune di La Spezia:

93-120.

CENCI R.M., BEONE G.M., DABERGAMI D., NAPPI P., BARBERIS R., BESOZZI A., MUSMECI L., 2003 - Utilizzo di muschi e suoli per valutare le deposizio- ni atmosferiche di elementi in tracce nella regione Piemonte. - Biologi Italiani 33 (1): 61-72.

GUELi L., Lo GIUDICE R., MAUGERI G., 2004 - Studio eco- logico de/le Briofite de/la citta di Militello in Val di Catania (Sicilia Orientate) e indioizzazione de/la qualita ambientale attraverso l 'utilizzazione de/le Briofite. - Braun-Blanquetia 34:167-182.

Lo GIUDICE R., 1992 - Contributo al/a conoscenza de/la brioflora urbana di Catania. - Quad. Bot. Amb.

Appl. 3: 3-10.

Lo GIUDICE R., BONANNO G., 2009 - Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mosses and soils on the Etna Volcano and the Iblei Mountains (Eastern Sicily). - Cryptogamie Bryologie 30 (1): 143-156.

Lo GIUDICE R., MAZIMPAKA V., LARA F., 1997 - The urban bryophyte flora of the city of Enna (Sicily, Italy). - Nova Hedwigia 64 (1-2): 249-265.

MAGDEFRAU K., 1982-Lifeforms of Bryophytes. In: SMITH A. J. E. (ed.), Bryophyte Ecology. - Chapman &

Hall, London: pp. 45-58.

PRIVITERA M., PUGLISI M., 1994 - Flora briofitica e qualita dell 'aria in alcune leccete dell 'area iblea (Sicilia sud-orientale). - Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 27 (346): 229-239.

PRIVITERA M., PUGLISI M., 1995 -Bryologicalflora and air pollution in some areas of Messina territory (NE Sicily). -Arch. Geobot. 1 (2): 55-62.

PRIVITERA M., PUGLISI M., CENCI R. M., BEONE G. M., 2006 - Bryophytes as bioaccumulators of trace elements in environmental monitoring of Mt. Etna (Sicily). - Arch. Geobot. 9 (1-2): 19-24.

PRIVITERA M., PUGLISI M., CENCI R. M., DABERGAMI D., TRICHERINI P., 2003 - Deposizione di elementi in tracce nell 'area de/ vulcano Etna valutati con muschi e suoli. - Bollettino della Societa Italiana della Scienza del Suolo 52 (1-2): 789-800.

PUGLISI M., PRIVITERA M., CENCI R. M., BEONE G. M., 2006 - Bryophyte biodiversity in the biomonitoring of the chestnut woods on the Mount Etna (Sicily). -Adv.

Hort. Sci. 20 (1): 28-32.

RAo D. N., 1982-Responses of Bryophytes to air pollution, pp. 445-471. In: SMITH A. J.E. Bryophyte Ecology.

- Chapman and Hall, pp. 511.

RIASSUNTO - Le Briofite come bioindicatori: uno studio nel piano pedemontano de/ versante orientate dell 'Etna (Sicilia). - Vengono riportati i risultati di uno studio briofloristico condotto sulla qualita ambientale nel tratto di territorio compreso tra Giarre e Linguaglossa (versante orientale dell'Etna). L'indagine chimica riguardante il bioaccumulo e l'indagine floristica riguardante il grado di diversita briofitica, la sensibilita delle specie all' S02 e le life forms concordano nell' attribuire un maggior grado di purezza atmosferica alle sta- zioni di monitoraggio site nel comune di Piedimonte Etneo e di Linguaglossa. Piu sofferenti risultano le sta.zioni del comprensorio di Giarre, in particolar modo quella in prossimita dello svincolo autostradale. Nei confronti del bioaccumulo, un comportamento analogo

e

risultato nei muschi Pterogonium gracile ed Homalothecium sericeum, quest'ultimo, dalla letteratura, risultante con comportamento analogo al noto bioaccumulatore Hypnum cupressiforme.

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FLORISTIC APPENDIX

LIVERWORTS

TARGIONIACEAE Targionia hypophylla L.

Life form: Mat.

Sensibility to S0₂: toxitolerant.

Locality: Nunziata, Santa Venera.

AYTONIACEAE

Plagiochasma rupestre (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.)Steph.

Life form: Mat.

Locality: Santa Venera.

Reboulia hemisphaerica (L. )Raddi Life form: Mat.

Locality: Trepunti, Santa Venera.

CORSINIACEAE

Corsinia coriandrina (Spreng.)Lindb.

Life form: Mat.

FOSSOMBRONIACEAE

F ossombronia caespitiformis De Not. ex Rabenh Biotipo: Annual.

MOSSES

ENCALYPTACEAE Encalypta vulgaris Hedw.

Life form: Short turf.

Sensibility to S0₂: sensitive.

Locality: Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

POTTIACEAE

Tortu/a cuneifolia (Dicks.)Tumer Life form: Short turf.

Sensibility to S0₂^:sensitive.

Locality: Linguaglossa.

Tortu/a muralis Hedw.

Sensibility to S0₂: toxiphilous.

Locality: Trepunti, Nunziata, Contrada Terremorte.

Tortu/a atrovirens (Sm.)Lindb.

Life form: Short turf ..

Locality: San Gerardo.

Barbu/a convoluta Hedw.

Life form: Short turf..

Pseudocrossidium revolutum (Brid. )R.H.Zander Life form: Short turf ..

Locality: Aharello, Linguaglossa.

Didymodon vinealis (Brid. )R.H.Zander Life form: Short turf ..

Locality: Altarello, San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

Trichostomum brachydontium Bruch Life form: Short turf.

Locality: Altarello, Trepunti, Nunziata.

Weissia controversa Hedw.

Sensibility to S0₂^:toxitoleraJ:!t.

Locality: Santa Maria la Strada, Nunziata, Santa Venera, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

Timmie/la anomala (Bruch & Schimp.)Limpr.

Locality: Altarello, Macchia, Santa Venera.

GRIMMIACEAE

Grimmia laevigata (Brid. )Brid.

Life form: Cushion.

Locality: San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte.

Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.)Sm.

Life form: Cushion.

Locality: Santa Maria la Strada, Nunziata, San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

Grimmia trichophylla Grev.

Life form: Cushion.

Sensibility to S0₂: sensibile;

Locality: Nunziata, San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

FUNARIACEAE

Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.

Locality: Trepunti, Nunziata, Santa Venera.

Entosthodon convexus (Spruce) Brogues

(10)

Locality: Altarello, Macchia, Santa Venera.

BRYACEAE

Bryum donianum Grev.

Bryum capillare Hedw.

Life form: Short turf ..

Locality: Trepunti , Macchia, Nunziata, Santa Venera, San Gerardo, Contrada Terremorte.

Bryum caespiticium Hedw.

Life form: Short turf..

Locality: Trepunti.

Bryum argenteum Hedw.

Locality: Nunziata.

Bryum dichotomum Hedw.

Locality: Altarello, Santa Maria la Strada, Nunziata, Santa Venera, San Gerardo, Linguaglossa.

BARTRAMIACEAE Bartramia stricta Brid.

Locality: Altarello, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

LEUCODONTACEAE

Pterogonium gracile (Hedw.)Sm.

Life form: Dendroid.

Locality: Linguaglossa.

LEMBOPHYLLACEAE

Isothecium alopecuroides (Lam. ex Dubois) Isov.

Life form: Weft.

Locality: Contrada Terremorte.

BRACHYTHECIACEAE

Scorpiurium circinatum (Bruch) M.Fleisch. & Loeske Life form: Weft.

Locality: Altarello, Trepunti, Macchia, Santa Venera.

Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.)Schimp.

Life form: Mat.

Locality: Altarello, Contrada Terremorte, Linguaglossa.

Scleropodium touretii (Brid.)L.F.Koch Life form: Weft.

Locality: Macchia, Contrada Terremorte.

Rhynchostegium megapolitanum (Blandow ex F. Weber &

D. Mohr) Schimp.

Life form: Weft.

Locality: Macchia.

HYPNACEAE

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw.

Life form: Weft.

Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum Brid.

Life form: Weft.

Hypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum (Taylor) Schimp.

Life form: Weft.

The Bryophytes as bioindicators in the basal area of the eastern slope of the Mt Etna (Sicily)