The indigenous vascular flora of the forest domain of Anela (Sardinia, Italy)

The importance of mountains for plant diversity and richness is underestimated, particularly when transition
zones between different bioclimates are present along altitudinal gradients. Here we present the first
floristic data for a mountain area in the island of Sardinia (Italy), which exhibits Mediterranean bioclimates
at the bottom and temperate bioclimate at the top. We discovered a very high floristic richness,
despite the fact that the number of endemic taxa is not high and the number of exclusive taxa is very low.
Many of the detected taxa are at their range periphery and/or ecological margin. We conclude that climate
transition zones in Mediterranean mountains and especially on islands are key areas regarding plant biodiversity
and should be better investigated and protected.