Andrej Rozman

Functional analysis of vegetation on alpine treeline ecotone in the Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps in Slovenia

Our study focused on the functional aspects of plant species and vegetation at the transition from larch (Larix decidua Mill.) forest to mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) stands on the alpine treeline ecotone. With increasing elevation, living conditions grow harsher, which is reflected in the plant species and functional trait composition of plant communities. At four different localities in the Slovenian Alps, relevés along an altitudinal gradient and according to vegetation type were made (European larch forests, larch trees-mountain pine shrubs, mountain pine shrubs), using standard Central European phytocoenological method. In the upper mountain pine belt, few differential species were found, since most species represented in mountain pine stands also occurred in the lower two vegetation belts, while there were many differential species in the lower forest belt. Species with considerable competitive ability and moderate stress tolerance dominated the upper treeline ecotone, whereas ruderality is poorly expressed. The importance of stress tolerance in plant strategies increased slightly in the mountain pine belt. Changes in the representation of some functional traits attributes were detected by vegetation belts, but complete species turnover did not occur. Changes in dominant life form involved greater cover of chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes in the upper mountain pine belt. Species with evergreen leaves dominated mountain pine stands and deciduous forest stands. The share of species with scleromorphic leaves increased in the direction of the mountain pine belt while the share of species with mesomorphic and hygromorphic leaves declined. Mountain pine stands create good conditions for the regeneration of tree species and colonisation by ecologically more demanding forest species while species of alpine grasslands withdraw on open areas. Since today’s treeline is lowered due to past human activity, an upward shift is expected. Also, considering the great importance of competition strategy, current conditions in mountain pine stands are favourable for future forest succession.

Alien Species and the Impact on Sand Dunes Along the NE Adriatic Coast

This chapter presents the results of a multifaceted approach to determine how sand dune plant communities have been affected by invasion of alien species. We sampled Velika plaža beach in Montenegro (E Adriatic), which is an under-researched part of the Mediterranean. Velika plaža is the largest sandy beach with both still well-developed sand dunes and moist plant communities in this part of Adriatic coast. On the other hand, this beach is also a touristic hot spot and subject to intensive land use change. We gathered maps of past and present land use by using GIS and field mapping from 1950, 1979 and 2015. The species composition of plant communities was randomly sampled and information on phylogeny and plant functional traits was gathered from several databases. Five alien plant species occurred in the sand dune vegetation, with a significant effect of the presence of aliens on native species cover. Invaded plots, when the whole beach is considered, were functionally less diverse than uninvaded ones. Plant species functional traits change along the sea-inland gradient, particularly rosette type, woodiness and nitrogen fixation. Phylogenetic diversity due to the presence of alien species was highest in sand dune slacks, but the results of phylogeny are not consistent and should be used with caution. The results of a multifaceted approach enable further management and monitoring of sand dunes and prevent the conflict between nature conservationists and landscape planners that is foreseen with further development of beaches in this part of the Mediterranean.