Elemental Screening and Nutritional Strategies of Gypsophile Flora in Sicily.

ABSTRACT: Sicily is a Mediterranean island with an exceptional natural heritage, where gypsum outcrops are widespread and associated with an endemic flora. These ecosystems are prioritized by the European Habitats Directive (Mediterranean gypsum steppes, 1520*) in the Mediterranean Basin. Some studies have revealed the physiological mechanisms in gypsophile plants, which are important adaptative characteristics of plants that live on gypsum. To identify stress-tolerant strategies, we studied the leaf chemical composition of 14 plant species (gypsum endemics, Mediterranean gypsophiles and widely distributed) from Sicily. The ability to accumulate mineral elements in leaves, especially sulfur (S), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), is a widespread strategy for gypsophile plants. Bioconcentration factor

SUBMITTER: Mendoza-Fernandez AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11902630 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature