The plant communities of theAsplenietea trichomanis in the SW Iberian Peninsula

The rupicolous vegetation of theAsplenietea trichomanis in the south-western Iberian Peninsula is analysed using the methods of the Zürich-Montpellier School. Phytosociological tables, and biogeographical, ecological and floristic data are given for a number of syntaxa. A phytosociological synopsis of the studied vegetation was made for the entire region. Four new syntaxa are described: theCoincyo logirostri-Dianthetum lusitani, Jasiono marianae-Dianthetum lusitani jasionetosum tomentosae, Digitali thapsi-Dianthetum lusitani conopodietosum ramosi andSedo hirsuti-Polypodietum cambrici polypodietosum interjecti.     

Phytosociological research on the montane coniferous forests of Greece: Mount Killini (NE peloponnisos—S Greece)

The montane coniferous forests and their degraded syntaxa included either in theQuercetalia ilicis or in theQuercetalia pubescenti-petraeae of the Meso- up to the Mountain-Mediterranean vegetation belts of Mount Killini, have been studied using the Braun-Blanquet method with 69 phytosociological relevés. The application of classification and ordination methods resulted in the recognition of seven forest and two scrub plant communities. These communities could be arranged along an altitudinal gradient. Their syntaxonomy and structure are described and the present horizontal and vertical arrangement of the coniferous syntaxa is mapped. From these syntaxa, 3 new associations and 1 new subassociation are described. The main factors influencing the differences in floristic composition, are altitude and human impact resulting in degradation of the coniferous forest associations. In addition, differences in soil parameters like pH, the presence of organic matter and nutrients appear to be important. Information on the site characteristics, structure and syndynamical position of the communities is given.     

Plant communities of the Accra Plains,Ghana

A new classification, using the Zürich-Montpellier procedures, is presented for the grassland, thicket and forest vegetation of the Accra Plains, Ghana. Newly described syntaxa comprise 1 class (Vetiverietea), 4 orders, 9 alliances, 16 associations and 16 subassociations. Altogether 350 species of vascular plants were recorded in 140 relevés. Correlations are made between syntaxa and climatic, edaphic and anthropogenic factors. The floristic distinctness of the area is assessed: 4 endemic species and about 40 widely disjunct species occur. Although the majority of species are of Guinean affinity, the plant communities of the Accra Plains are unique in the context of African tropical vegetation.     

Distribution of gastropods in floodplain compartments and feeding preferences for river corridor plant species: Is there an effect of gastropod herbivory on the distribution of river corridor plants?

Herbivory through gastropods has among others been proposed as a potential factor responsible for the river corridor distribution of plant species, which is a well known but poorly understood ecological pattern. Since floodplains are characterised by seasonally changing abiotic conditions, viz. floods during winter and spring and severe summer drought that are unsuitable for gastropods they may present safe habitats for highly palatable plant species.In the present study we compared species composition of gastropods and vegetation of twelve grassland sites situated within three floodplain compartments along the Upper Rhine. Additionally, we studied the palatability of 7 days and 25 days old seedlings of five typical floodplain plant species and five mesic grassland species to the slug Deroceras reticulatum in laboratory experiments.Our results showed that both vegetation and gastropod community composition but not gastropod diversity and abundance differed between floodplain compartments. Owing to omnivory of most gastropods the similarity structure of sites based on plants and gastropods was not significantly correlated. In general, slug herbivory significantly reduced survival and biomass of 7 days old seedlings, but responses were species-specific. In contrast, with the exception of Arabis nemorensis, Viola pumila and Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia biomass of 25 days old seedlings was not significantly affected by slug herbivory. Although the response of floodplain plant species as a group to slug herbivory did not differ from common grassland species, our results suggest that gastropods may potentially influence the distribution pattern of the highly palatable river corridor species Arabis nemorensis and Viola pumila. However, further research is needed to estimate the damage to river corridor plants through gastropod herbivory and its effect on competitive relationships under natural conditions.     

Classification of dry grassland vegetation in Denmark

Abstract. A hierarchic classification of Danish semi‐natural grassland vegetation on well‐drained soils is presented. TWINSPAN was used for clustering of 614 samples of grassland vegetation showing floristic gradients and turnover in species composition in more dimensions. The optimal hierarchic level of clustering was determined by indicator species analysis. The classification was interpreted in terms of variables relating to abiotic environment and vegetation structure and to major ecoclines previously identified by gradient analysis. The 12 final clusters were compared to syntaxa of formal phytosociology and to communities in the British Vegetation Classification. Criteria for achieving floristically homogeneous clusters without sacrificing the ecological interpretability and validity of the clusters in time and along geographical gradients are discussed.     

Meadow vegetation of the Desna flood plain, (Ucraine,USSR)

The meadow vegetation of the Desna river flood plain described by the authors is of great scientific significance as far as the protection of diversified syntaxa of inundation meadows is concerned. These syntaxa are different in their floristic composition. The largest inundation meadows of the Ukraine are best preserved in the flood plain of the Desna river where the authors have identified and described 18 associations of meadow vegetation attributed to 6 alliances, 2 orders and 2 classes of vegetation. They represent an ecological series ranging from steppe meadow to boggy meadows. The units thus specified are characterized by phytocenologic tables; the specificity and biological productivity of each association concerned being registered. The peculiar character of inundation meadows requires further more profound ecological and phytocenological studies of meadow communities which the authors propose for the future.     

Syntaxonomy of theTrifolio-Geranietea (saum vegetation) in Slovenia

This paper summarises present knowledge of the natural saum vegetation (Trifolio-Geranietea: Trifolion medii, Geranienion andDictamno-Ferulagenion) in Slovenia. The alliance ofGeranion sanguinei was subdivided into theGeranienio (primarily of Central European distribution) and SubmediterreanDictamno-Ferulagenion. Several new syntaxa (Scorzonero villosae-Trifolietum alpestris, Cirsio-Clematidetum rectae andOrigano-Cnidietum silaifolii) were described within theDictamno-Ferulagenion.     

Response of floodplain grassland plant communities to altered water regimes

Floodplain grasslands are often composed of a mosaic of plant communities controlled by hydrological regime. This article examines the sensitivity of floodplain grassland plant communities to water regime using reciprocal transplantation of an inundation grassland and a flood-meadow within an English floodplain. Experimental treatments comprised control, transplanted and lifted plots; the last treatment, in order to elucidate any disturbance effects of transplantation. Plant community response was analysed using species abundance and their ecological traits. Results from both communities showed substantial annual variations related to hydrology, including significant species changes, but generally, vegetation seemed to be responding to drier conditions following a major flood event. This ‘drying’ trend was characterised by increased species diversity, a greater abundance of competitive species and fewer typical wetland plants. Transplanted community composition increasingly resembled receptor sites and transplant effects were most pronounced the first year after treatment for both vegetation types. Differential responses to water regime were detected for the two plant communities. The inundation grassland community was particularly dynamic with a composition that rapidly reflected drying conditions following the major flood, but transplantation into a drier flood-meadow site prompted little additional change. The flood-meadow community appeared more resistant to post-inundation drying, but was sensitive to increased wetness caused by transplantation into inundation grassland, which significantly reduced six species while none were significantly favoured. The effects of disturbance caused by lifting the transplants were limited in both communities, although five species showed significant annual fluctuations. The study shows that small alterations in water regime can prompt rapid vegetation changes and significant plant species responses in floodplain grasslands, with effects probably magnified through competitive interactions. The dynamic properties of floodplain vegetation demonstrated by this study suggest that its classification, management and monitoring are challenging and ideally should be based on long-term studies.     

The differentiation of alliances in South Sweden

The main objective of the present study was to attempt to assign different vegetation types in South Sweden to the Braun-Blanquet system of syntaxa. The alliance was chosen as the most appropriate phytosociological unit for this purpose. Coniferous forests represent the zonal vegetation in large parts of South Sweden: spruce forests on mesic to moist sites and pine forests on dry, often strongly oligotrophic sites can be assigned to thePiceion excelsae andDicrano-Pinion respectively. In addition, various types of azonal vegetation (e.g., mires, springs, swamps and salt-marshes) subjected to some form of extreme environmental factor can be placed in alliances described from Central Europe. In contrast, some southern vegetation types in Sweden are difficult to assign, partly due to a lack of character species, as in the case of deciduous hardwood forests. In other cases, species of southern syntaxa are still frequent, for example in dry basiphilous grasslands and sun-exposed forest edges, but the syntaxonomical difficulties arise from an intermixture of diagnostic species of complementary alliances. This might be explained by the floristic and climatic conditions in South Sweden which deviate considerably from those in e.g. Germany a feature supported by the communities' indicator figures for temperature and continentality. This refers particularly to the combination of rather low average temperatures and, except in the west, a strong thermal or hygric continentality.     

The high-rank syntaxa of the rock-cliff and scree vegetation of the mainland Greece and Crete

A revision was undertaken of the high-rank syntaxa of the vegetation occurring in rock fissures, ledges and screes of mainland Greece and Crete. All published phytosociological relevés available were collected and subjected to numerical classification and ordination. Four orders (Androsacetalia vandelii, Onosmetalia frutescentis, Potentilletalia speciosae andPetromaruletalia pinnatae) comprising 8 alliances (one of them new) were distinguished within theAsplenietea trichomanis (rock fissures, clefts, and ledges). The scree vegetation was classified partly within theThlaspietea rotundifolii (Drypidetalia spinosae with 2 alliances) and partly within theDaphno-Festucetea (Saturejo-Scutellarietalia—a new order, with 2 alliances). Ordination revealed clear differences in floristic composition of the alliances distinguished. The studied chasmophytic vegetation of Greece contains a very high proportion of endemics which serve as diagnostic species of the syntaxa. Further, an analysis of chorological species spectra suggested that the chorological homogeneity of a syntaxon should be considered an important diagnostic feature at high-syntaxon levels.     

Vegetation development after a large scale restoration of species-rich grasslands in a Central European floodplain

Large scale restoration using local high-diversity seed mixture combined with turf transfer was applied on ex-arable land in the Morava River floodplain in the western Slovakia in the years 1999–2012. The post-restoration vegetation development was recorded during 12 years after the restoration using floristic records per restored polygons with cover estimation in simple 3-degree scale. Temporal changes in species composition were evaluated by gradient analysis and number of characteristic grassland and ruderal species on restored sites was analysed by general linear models. Species composition changed gradually towards the species composition typical for species-rich floodplain grasslands, but the trajectory was not straightforward and several irregularities were observed. They were probably induced by extreme weather events (drought, floods). The decrease in ruderal species and increase in the number of typical floodplain grassland species were observed, when floodplain grassland species permanently outcompeted ruderal species since 8th year after the restoration. However the development in large scale was slower, than expected from previous small-scale experiments, it is evident, that combination of local seed mixture sowing with a turf transfer is a feasible method for the restoration of species-rich floodplain grasslands from arable land.     

The vegetation on screes—A synopsis of higher syntaxa in Europe

A synopsis of high-rank syntaxa of scree vegetation with an accompanying list of plant communities is presented. The classification of scree vegetation in only one broadly conceived class, theThlaspietea rotundifolii, throughout Europe is a new concept. The vegetation on screes was classified into 8 major groups (17 orders and 42 alliances) according to their altitudinal range and the chemistry of the parent material. Brief information on ecological conditions, phytogeographical patterns, and altitudinal distribution are given. The characteristics and important diagnostic taxa for each alliance and order classified within theThlaspietea rotundifolii are given.     

The grassland communities of the Southeastern Basin of the Labe River 1. Syntaxonomy

The first part of the study gives a survey and brief phytocenological evaluation of the grassland stands in the environs of the village Chvaletice and of the town P?elou? in the southeastern part of the Labe lowlands (central and eastern Bohemia, Czechoslovakia). On the basis of the relevé materials acquired in 1974, 18 associations with their subordinate units were characterized by means of the method of the Zürich-Montpellier school. For the first time a record is published of the associationHolcetum lanati Gams 1927 from Czechoslovakia. The following new syntaxa are described:Holcetum lanati cirsietosum cani, Holcetum lanati arrhenatheretosum elatioris, Cerastio arvensi-Festucetum trachyphyllae, Cerastio arvensi-Festucetum trachyphyllae trifolietosum pratensis, andCerastio arvensi-Festucetum trachyphyllae armerietosum elongatae.     

Grasslands of the lower volga valley

The vegetation gradient analysis along two complex gradients (height above low water level and soil-salinity) has been carried out, and a floristic classification of communities drawn up following the principles of the Braun-Blanquet approach. A new classGlycyrrhizetea glabrae has been established. The remaining communities are classified underMolinio-Arrhenatheretea, Phragmitetea, Bolboschoenetea maritimi andCrypsietea aculeatae. General regularities of variations in vegetation along the flood-plain longitudinal profile are discussed, phytocoenological tables describing the syntaxa established are given.     

Syntaxonomy of vegetation of Svjatoj Nos Peninsula,Lake Baikal 1. Non forest communities

Natural and semi-natural plant communities of Svjatoj Nos Peninsula on the East coast of Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia, Russia, are classified and described using the methods of Braun-Blanquet phytosociology. A total of 48 associations and communities were recognized, comprising alpine tundra, subalpine forb vegetation, aquatic macrophyte vegetation, tall-herb and poor fens, mires, bogs, meadows, sand-dune and steppe vegetation. Twenty six syntaxa of ranks ranging from subassociation to class are described or validated for the first time. All communities are documented by phytosociological relevés.     

Grassland area determines beetle assemblage dissimilarity from surrounding floodplain forest

Patch size is known to affect biodiversity in fragmented landscapes, but is usually examined in systems where the surrounding matrix habitat is unfavourable. We examined beetle diversity in a floodplain ecosystem that is characterised by naturally occurring grassland patches within a dominant matrix of contrasting yet habitable forest. We asked whether differences in the beetle assemblage between grassland and forest vegetation depended on the area of the grassland patch, which is a function of its flooding frequency and duration: smaller grasslands tend to be higher on the floodplain and are flooded less often and for shorter periods than larger grasslands. We found a negative relationship between grassland area and beetle abundance and species richness, and a positive relationship between grassland area and compositional dissimilarity from the surrounding forest. As expected, we found an overall difference in composition between forest and grassland assemblages, with five beetle species more common in the grasslands. Our study indicates that floodplain grasslands not only support beetle assemblages that are distinct from the surrounding forest, but that assemblages from the larger grasslands are compositionally more distinct than those from smaller grasslands. A likely cause of this pattern is the reduced edge effects and greater environmental contrast between forest and large grasslands that may be exposed to greater variation in local climate. Ongoing changes to flood regimes and potential encroachment of forest plants may decrease grassland area in the future, which may reduce spatial heterogeneity in the insect community in this unique floodplain ecosystem.     

Syntaxonomic and nomenclatural treatment of Scandinavian-type associations and sociations

Abstract. The launching of international phytosociological projects requires a re-evaluation of vegetation units (syntaxa) of different phytosociological schools and their integration into one global classification system. Despite many difficulties, this possibility is offered by the floristic-phytosociological system - a hierarchical system of syntaxa defined by floristic-socio-logical criteria. Associations (and lower syntaxa) of the Zürich-Montpellier School as well as associations (later called sociations) of the Uppsala School are defined by means of the floristic composition of plant communities and fit this postulate; their syntaxonomic identity can be checked by tabular comparison of vegetation relevés. Not only the presence of diagnostic species but also the specific combination of sociological groups of species, dominance of species or even the absence of certain species or species groups can be used as syntaxonomic criteria. The syntaxonomic identification of an association of the Uppsala School with one of the Zürich-Montpellier School means uniting syntaxa of the same rank in the sense of the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. If a sociation is found to fit the criteria of an association delimited by the Zürich-Montpellier methods, the rank of an association can be attributed to this sociation and its name can thus be validated in the sense of the Code.     

The Eucleo divinori — Acacietum nigricentis,a new association from the calcareous bottomland clays of the Manyeleti Game Reserve,Eastern Transvaal Lowveld,Gazankulu, South Africa

As part of a vegetation survey programme for nature conservation areas in South Africa, a survey of the plant communities of the mesic calcareous bottomland clays in the Manyeleti Game Reserve was undertaken. The Eucleo divinori — Acacietum nigricentis, a new association, is restricted to these soils. From a Braun-Blanquet analysis of the vegetation, two new subassociations, each with two variants, were identified and described. A quantitative assessment of the woody component of each syntaxon is presented. Ordinations based on the floristic and habitat data revealed the position of the syntaxa on an environmental gradient.