Petra Košir

Thermophilous deciduous forests in Southeastern Europe

Abstract This paper deals with the numerical elaboration of the database of 1764 relevés of thermophilous deciduous forests assigned by the authors to the order Quercetalia pubescentis in the northwestern part of Southeastern Europe. After elimination of relevés which were dominated by mesophilous deciduous and coniferous tree species, the stratification of relevés was carried out. The TWINSPAN classification revealed eight ecologically and phytogeographically interpretable groups. Additionally the analysis of Pignatti indicator values passively projected on the PCA diagram of the eight groups, and a chorological analysis of individual groups were made. The analyses revealed that all groups in general match with the traditionally accepted alliances, such as Quercion pubescenti-sessiliflorae, Aceri tatarici–Quercion, Quercion confertae, Quercion petraeae-cerris, Syringo-Carpinion, Pruno tenelle–Syrinion, Carpinion orientalis and Fraxino orni–Ostryion. Finally, a synsystematic classification of the elaborated group is proposed, and the nomenclature is harmonised with the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The results are also presented in a synoptic table together with calculation of the diagnostic species.

Plant communities in gradients

Abstract The work deals with the confrontation of two approaches in vegetation science, which already had their origins at the beginning of the past century: gradient analysis and classification of communities. We tested whether samples are arranged along gradients according to the individualistic or the integrative concept. We studied gradients in several case studies – successional, altitudinal, gradient of human impact, phenological, macroecological, (phyto)geographical – and tried to detect the main gradient (by direct or indirect ordination methods) and arrange the plant assemblages along the gradient. We then applied different classification methods to test whether it is possible to detect discrete plant communities. We analyzed the secondary succession of birch forests in Slovenia, the process of autosuccession of Pinus brutia in Turkey, the altitudinal distribution of communities in rock crevices on silicate bedrock in Slovenia, the gradient of spruce planting in beech forest, the influence of the introduction of non-native tree species into forests, the macroecological and phenological development of weed vegetation in Europe, and the circum-Adriatic pattern of broadleaved ravine forests. The results show that, in most cases, the turnover of species composition along the gradient, according to the integrative concept, is due to species interactions. This enables us to detect and describe discrete plant communities in terms of the central European Braun-Blanquet method.

Classification and phytogeographical differentiation of broad-leaved ravine forests in southeastern Europe

Abstract Question: How do broad-leaved ravine forests in SE Europe differentiate phytogeographically? Do they differ from analogous European forests? What is their distribution pattern? Location: southeastern Europe, Apennine-Balkan province. Methods: The initial data set of 2189 relevés was stratified geographically and phytosociologically; 614 relevés remaining after stratification were classified with a TWINSPAN and cluster analysis, wich resulted in four clusters and eight subclusters. Average Pignatti indicator values for relevés of each subcluster were subjected to PCA to show ecological relationships among the clusters. The spectra of geoelements and sociological species groups of individual subclusters were calculated to show phytogeographical and sociological relationships between them. The diagnostic species combination was calculated by a fidelity measure (φ-coefficient) and presented in a synoptic table. Results: Broad-leaved ravine forests in southeastern Europe form a separate group within the European broad-leaved ravine forests. They are well differentiated by the species with a southeast European distribution, as well as by many other species that reflect their different ecological affinities. Conclusions: The phytosociological and phytogeographical relationships between the Apennines and the Balkan peninsula that have already been recognized for other vegetation types have been confirmed for broad-leaved ravine forests. According to the numerical analysis, two suballiances of broad-leaved ravine forests in southeastern Europe are proposed, both belonging to the alliance Tilio-Acerion: an amphi-Adriatic xerothermophilous suballiance Ostryo-Tilienion platyphylli suball. nova and a mesophilous suballiance Lamio orvalae-Acerenion suball. nova, the latter appearing only on the Balkan Peninsula. Nomenclature: Tutin et al. (1964–1980); except Stellaria montana Pierrat and Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenkins. Fagus moesiaca is included in Fagus sylvatica; syntaxonomy follows Mucina et al. (1993), except for the syntaxa under consideration. New names are based on the nomenclature rules in Weber et al. (2000).

Long-term post-fire succession of Pinus brutia forest in the east Mediterranean

We studied post-fire long-term regeneration of a south-western Turkey (Antalya region) forest using the synchronical approach. We analysed species richness patterns and vegetation diversity. Species were grouped according to plant functional types and special emphasis was given to seeders and resprouters. We recorded two plant species richness peaks, with the highest richness immediately following the fire and with the second peak 7 years after disturbance. Beta diversity decreased over time but also showed two peaks. The results of our floristic survey show that the majority of species are present from the beginning of the succession and suggest that Pinus brutia forests of the east Mediterranean basin recover through autosuccession. However, changes in species richness and β diversity indicate successional changes and thus we cannot completely support the model of direct recovery.

Ecological and phytogeographical differentiation of oak-hornbeam forests in southeastern Europe

Abstract The aim of the study was to establish the main types of oak-hornbeam (Carpinus betulus and Quercus sp. div) forests on the Apennines, Balkan peninsula and southern Alps and their correlations with the main ecological and phytogeographical gradients in the region. Furthermore, the comparison with the major types recognized in the traditional expert-based classification was done. 1676 relevés of oak-hornbeam forests (alliances Erythronio-Carpinion, Carpinion moesiacum, Physospermo verticillati-Quercion cerris) from the area of the Apennines, Balkan peninsula and southern Alps were collected and entered in a Turboveg database. 508 relevés remained after stratification and were classified with a Modified Two Way Indicator Species Analysis, which resulted in four main clusters that are phytogeographically interpretable, such as (1) southern Apennines, (2) northern-central and central Apennines, (3) central-southern Balkan and (4) north-western Balkan and southern Alps, further divided into subclusters. Pignatti indicator values calculated for relevés of each subcluster were subjected to PCA in order to show the ecological relationships among subclusters, and the spectra of geo-elements were calculated to show the phytogeographical relationship between them. The diagnostic species combination was calculated by a fidelity measure (phi-coefficient) and presented in a synoptic table. Synsystematic classification of the elaborated groups is proposed.

Floodplain forest communities along the Mura River (NE Slovenia)

Abstract Ecological gradients along river banks of the Mura River influence forest species composition. On the basis of 58 relevés of floodplain forests along theMura River, the classification of vegetation plots was performed with the Pc-Ord program. The diagnostic species combination for three clusters revealed after classification was calculated by fidelity measure (phi-coefficient) and presented in an analytic table. Average Ellenberg inidicator values, stream distances and relative elevations of the relevés were passively projected onto PCA to show ecological relationships among them. Correlations of plant functional type and stream distance gradients were calculated with regression analysis. For themain edifiers response curves to the stream distance gradients weremade. The classification of the Mura floodplain forests has revealed three ecologically interpretable vegetation types: Salicetum albae (most humid and nutrient-rich sites), Fraxino- -Ulmetum allietosum ursini (ecologically intermediate sites), F.-U. quercetosum robori (the driest and the least nutrient-rich sites). Zonation of vegetation is connected to distance from the closest stream which influences species distribution through ecological gradients of moisture and nutrient. The proportion of therophytes is significantly negatively correlated with the distance from the closest stream and the proportion of neophytes is significantly negatively correlated with distance from the main stream.

Vegetation of temporary ponds in cold holes in the Taurus mountain chain (Turkey)

The work deals with vegetation zonation in temporary ponds within cold holes in the Western Taurus mountain chain. There are two main factors that cause differentiation within the studied vegetation: one relates to the microtopography, the other to altitude. In the bottom of temporary ponds, marsh vegetation of Ranunculo argyrei-Tanacetea argentei (Sedo nani-Convolvuletalia galactici) appears (an endemic class vicariant to Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae); in the intermediate zone, the vegetation is dominated by therophytes of Stellarietea mediae (Thero-Brometalia) and in the upper part, there is vegetation of hygrophilous grassland communities of Molinio-Arrhenatheretea (Potentillo-Polygonetalia). This zonation of communities can be found at lower altitudes (up to 1600 m); whereas at higher altitudes, the intermediate zone dominated by therophytes gradually disappears and then also the hygrophilous grasslands. The work also provides a description of new syntaxa, to wit: Ranunculo argyrei-Tanacetea argentei, Sedo nani-Convolvuletalia galactici, Rorippo aureae-Eleocharidion quinqueflorae, Sedo nani-Ranunculetum argyrei, Trifolio caudati-Hordeion geniculati, Taeniathero caput-medusae-Hordeetum geniculati, Alopecuro vaginati-Trifolion resupinati and Ornithogalo lanceolati-Elymetum repentis.

Litter-Raking Forests in Se Slovenia and In Croatia

Litter-Raking Forests in Se Slovenia and In Croatia The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern Slovenia (Suha krajina, Bela krajina, Kočevsko) and in the border region in Croatia. Relevés were classified with the TWINSPAN program and two associations were separated: Pteridio-Betuletum Trinajstić et Šugar ex Rauš et Matić 1994 and Molinio-Quercetum Šugar 1972. Both communities are the result of intensive litter collecting (and other human impacts). The first one thrives on carbonate bedrock, while the second is limited on silicate bedrock, as is reflected in its specific floristic composition. Due to abandonment of litter collecting these stands are in progressive successional development, and typical variants are becoming rare and endangered. S standardno Braun-Blanquetovo metodo smo vzorčili steljniško vegetacijo vjugovzhodni Sloveniji (Suha krajina, Bela krajina, Kočevsko) in na mejnem območju s Hrvaško. Popisno gradivo smo klasificirali s programom TWINSPAN in ločili dve asociaciji: Pteridio-Betuletum Trinajstić et Šugar ex Rauš et Matić 1994 in Molinio-Quercetum Šugar 1972. Obe združbi sta nastali zaradi intenzivnega steljarjenja. Prva uspeva na karbonatni podlagi, druga je vezana na silikatne kamnine, kar se odraža v floristični sestavi. Zaradi opuščanja steljarjenja sta obe združbi podvrženi progresivnemu sukcesijskemu razvoju in sta v tipični obliki vedno bolj redki in ogroženi.

Nomenclatural remarks to the classification of plant communities along post-fire succession

Abstract This paper contains the original diagnoses of new syntaxa and typifications of existing names of syntaxa from paper “Classification of plant communities along post-fire succession in Pinus brutia stands in southern Antalya (Turkey)” that was published in Turkish Journal of Botany. As journal has only on-line version according to ICPN descriptions are not valid. We described syntaxa: Eryngio falcati-Securigerion securidacae all. nova, Ajugo chiae-Lactucetum serriolae ass. nova, Phlomido grandiflorae-Cistetum salvifolii ass. nova, and Arbuto andrachnes- Quercetum cocciferae ass. nova and selected nomenclatural type for Querco- Phillyreetum mediae Barbero & Quézel 1976.