The vegetation of the Monte Maiella altipiano was examined and a number of community types described on a basis of habitat difference. The ability of the soil to retain water was examined by the two electrode gypsum-block technique of Edelsen and Anderson. The effects of wind were examined using a multiple pitot-tube anemometer. Variation of these two factors together with soil stability appears to limit the distribution of the different communities. It was shown that there is a relationship between the protection afforded by the stone fragments comprising the surface and the height of both plants and inflorescences. The nature of the surface was expressed in terms of Zo. The physionomy of the various species was described and the effects of wind erosion on cushion chamaephytes was described in detail.