Primo inquadramento tipologico dei boschi di farnetto (Quercus frainetto Ten.) dell'Aspromonte

Quercus frainetto woodlands in Aspromonte occur in siliceous substrata and are scattered distributed in Southern and Eastern slopes between (150) 400 and 1,200 (1,300) m. From these investigations two different forest types have been identified: Quercus frainetto thermophilous woodlands, from 400 to 800 m, stands with Quercus frainetto in the upper storey and Q. ilex in the lower storey; this type is referred to Quercetum frainetto-ilicis Scelsi and Spampinato 1996; Quercus frainetto mesophilous woodlands, from 800 to 1.200 m; Q. frainetto is prevalent in the upper storey, with Cytisus villosus in the understorey; this type is referred to Cytiso-Quercetum frainetto Scelsi and Spampinato 1996. Three sub-types have been also distinguished: with Acer neapolitanum, Pteridium aquilinum and Erica arborea. The uncontrolled grazing represents the main disturbance which prevents any rational forest management and causes the degradation and the disappearance of Q. frainetto woods in Aspromonte.