One Chara does not make Charetea in the Mediterranean aquatic vegetation

ABSTRACT The results of preliminary phytosociological investigations on freshwater communities of Sicily biotopes with a significant presence of Characeae are presented. In spite of the relatively frequent occurrence of Characeae, a typical Charetea intermediae vegetation is rather rare in the investigated biotopes. Indeed, the Characeae are mainly part of communities attributable to the classes Potamogetonetea, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Juncetea maritimi and Isoeto-Nanojuncetea. Some ecological and functional implications are discussed, along with some consequences on conservation measures and policies, caused by the lack of knowledge on the Characeae of Sicily.