A phytogeographical comparison of the major Mediterranean islands on the basis of Atlas Florae Europaeae

Abstract Junikka, L., Uotila, P. & Lahti, T.: A phytogeographical comparison of the major Mediterranean islands on the basis of Atlas Florae Europaeae. — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 379–388. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.36.36134 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) The phytogeographical affinities of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, the Maltese and the Balearic Islands are analysed on the basis of the chorological information in the Atlas Florae Europaeae 1–13. Data for 1109 indigenous phanerogam species were used for the production of a similarity matrix and taxon richness maps for each island, showing the representation of its flora in Europe. Jaccard's similarity index values of each island and related mainland areas show a strong floristic similarity between the large W Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, and parts of their adjacent mainland, which reflects a common geological history. The maps show that the Balearic Islands have many species in common...