Gradients in dry grassland and heath vegetation on rock outcrops in eastern Germany — An analysis of a large phytosociological data set

The following study presents a statistical analysis of 595 relevés gathered during a survey of isolated grasslands and dwarf shrub heaths in the region of Halle, eastern Germany. Relevés were classified with UPGMA clustering based on a Bray-Curtis distance matrix; the resulting classification was compared with a previously published phytosociological classification. Most of the 14 target communities were supported by both approaches, but in the case of communities on heavily disturbed sites cluster analysis corresponded to units on higher phytosociological levels (alliances). DCA ordinations clearly revealed that nutrient and moisture availability controlled the community differentiation. Both factors were, however, highly correlated with the distance to the outcrop edge. Thus the outcrop size also influenced differentiation of communities, making larger outcrops richer in xerophytic and endangered species. This appears to be largely due to edge effects since the relationships diminished sharply when we controlled for progressively increasing distances from the edge in partial ordinations. Thus, microtopography of outcrops was the most important factor for community differentiation. It is therefore suggested that future research and conservation management should concentrate on the consequences of nutrient influx and changing land use on larger outcrops.