Article

Flora, vegetation, and inundation regime of rock pools on Gavdos, the southemmost European island, are described in detail. Requirements for nature conservation are also addressed. The seasonally water-filled cavities provide habitat for several rare species, inc1uding Callitriche pulchra, and Matricaria aurea with their single Greek locali ti es in the island. Five plant communities may be distinguished along an ecological gradient of decreasing water level and inundation periodo