Questions: How developed ground vegetation and tree stands of two permanent plots on a clear-cut area and one plot in an adjacent then 160 years old stand over 70 years? Can drivers behind vegetation changes be deduced? Study area: The plots forested since the 18th century are placed on a mountain slope at 250 m a.s.l. in eastern Hesse (Germany). Parent material is nutrient-poor sandstone. Methods: The three plots have been recorded since 1951 every few years by vegetation relev & eacute;s. Additionally, basic stand parameters have been measured on the same plots three times since 1994. Vegetation data have been evaluated by PCA and CA along with diversity parameters and Ellenberg indicator values for light and nitrogen. Results: A total basal area (TBA) of 66 m2ha-1 of the plot in the old stand is extraordinarily high; with 48 respectively 39 m2ha-1 TBA of the stands on the former clear-cut site are considerable high as well. Tree stand composition and ground vegetation of the two clear-cut plots took individual pathways. The old stand and the clear-cut plots lost all species characteristic for nutrient-poor forests (Quercetalia species) suggesting a nutrient enrichment, which is in consent with results from large-scale studies. The immigration of the neophyte Impatiens parviflora provided additional change. Finally, a species-poor stage with slight fluctuations composed of shade-tolerant species including a constant core set of Fagetalia species is reached on all plots. Discussions/Conclusion: An old forest could still be a remarkable sink for carbon. After clear-cutting there is considerable small-scale variation in stand development and in ground floor vegetation. Along with increased shading eutrophication seems to be a driver of ground floor vegetation change. Even if results from individual plots cannot simply be generalised, it may support results from large-scale studies with many sites.
Aims: Studied winter deciduous forests are relict ecosystems restricted to microclimatic enclaves in high moun tain refugia areas of the western Mediterranean basin in the south of the Iberian Peninsula (Sierra Nevada. Spain). Despite its ecological and conservation importance,their ecomorphological characteristics remain insuf ficiently studied. This work aims to characterise the ecomorphological adaptations of these forests by calcula ting functional indexes for eighteen representative species and identifying their ecomorphological functional groups (FGs). Methods: The functional characterisation was based on directly measurable categorical traits. Field sampling was carried out to obtain individual data, followed by laboratory measurements. Key traits in cluded plant height (H), specific leaf area (SLA) and diaspore weight (DSW), together with supporting traits such as fresh leaf weight (FLW) and dry leaf weight (DLW). Other traits relevant to the deciduous nature of these communities were also recorded, such as seasonality of assimilation organs, periodic organ shedding leaf consistency (LC), average leaf size (LS) and leaf life span (LLS). Results: The plant community was dominated by mesophanerophytes (61%) with heights between 6 and 9 m and a predominance of malacophilous deciduous leaves (83%). The maximum SLA corresponded to Fraxinus and the minimum to Taxus. Maximum DSW values were observed in 16.7% of the taxa. The duration of the leaf of deciduous species ranged from 6 to 8 months within the annual cycle (83%). Cluster analysis revealed the presence of eight distinct functional groups (coe nomorphs). Conclusion: The deciduous species studied showed functional ecomorphological adaptations es pecially in the leaves. Through traitbased analyses, eight functional groups (FGs) have been identified that reflect different ecological strategies and high species specialisation. The conservation of these microclimatic refuges must be a priority as they are out of step with the current Mediterranean bioclimate and climate change may also affect them.
The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation gradient and diversity of the Bodrum Peninsula, a hotspot for plant biodiversity in SW Anatolia (T & uuml;rkiye). This study focused on the classification and syntaxonomic assignment of the vegetation of the Bodrum (Mu & gbreve;la) Peninsula. The investigations, carried out between 2011 and 2013, are timely because the vegetation structure of the Bodrum Peninsula is at risk due to fire, construction, grazing, and tourism. Vegetation studies were undertaken applying the Braun-Blanquet method and analyzed using the JUICE classification and NMDS ordination. The authors isolated ten plant communities, seven of which were new descriptions, belonging to six different vegetation types (pine forest, riparian, macchie, garrigue, phrygana, and secondary ruderal vegetation). The forest vegetation consists of Junipero phoeniceae-Pinetum brutiae (Akman et al. 1998). The riparian vegetation was made up by Inulo viscosae-Nerietum oleandri. The macchie vegetation consists of Umbilico horizontalis-Oleetum europeae and the phrygana vegetation of Dactylio hispanicae-Sarcopoterietum spinosi. The garrigue vegetation represented Salvio fruticosae-Genistetum acanthocladae, Arbuto andrachnes-Calicotometum villosae, Cyano segeti-Euphorbietum acanthothamni, and Erico manipuliflorae-Cistetum salviifolii. The secondary ruderal community is represented by the Cakile maritima-Pancratium maritimum community and the Gynandriris sisyrinchium-Ferula communis subsp. communis community.
Forest provides food and other important materials to survive on land. Ethiopia is one of the richest assemblages of plants in Africa but, Nowadays, plant resources are under several threats. This study was conducted between September 2021 to September, 2021. The objective of this research was to study the diversity of woody plant species of Sese forest, in Alge Sachi district. Vegetation data were collected from a total of 45 plots using 20 x 20 m (400 m(2)) plot size for trees and 5 m x 5 m (25 m(2)) sub plots within the main plots for shrubs which were laid down along altitudinal gradient drops. Woody plant species having a diameter at breast height (DBH) > 2.5 cm were recorded. Vegetation data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.1, and Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Evenness, Sorensen's similarity coefficient, Cluster analysis were also computed. The density, frequency, basal area, DBH, and Importance Value Index were computed. The vegetation study resulted in the documentation of 80 (71 from plots and 9 from outside of sampling plots) woody plant species belonging to 68 genera and 38 families. Four plant community types were identified. The study area is rich in woody plant diversity, but it's under great pressure due to agricultural expansion, and coffee plantations. Therefore, it is recommended that government should be designed an immediate conservation intervention.
Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach dwarf-shrub vegetation occurring in the Italian territory is analysed in this contribution, with the aim of providing an updated syntaxonomic and ecological framework of these communities at national level. A dataset of 105 releves, from both literature and original data, was subjected to hierarchical clustering by Flexible-beta clustering algorithm with the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index. Silhouette index was used to determine the best partition, and the phi coefficient for the identification of diagnostic species. To validate the results of clustering, crosstabs were implemented with the multivariate frequency distribution of the releves by groups and by ecological qualitative variables. Moreover, a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) with the bioclimatic variables was implemented. Seven groups were identified by cluster analysis, four of which are associations already known in literature, and three described here as new associations, namely: Ferulago geniculatae-Sarcopoterietum spinosi, Loto cretici-Sarcopoterietum spinosi, Pyro spinosi-Sarcopoterietum spinosi. For each association, diagnostic species and ecological validation are provided. As regards the syntaxonomic framework, the analysed communities fall within the Cisto-Micromerietea julianae Oberdorfer 1954 class and Cisto eriocephali-Ericion multiflorae Biondi 2000 alliance, except for the Pyro spinosi-Sarcopoterietum spinosi, included in the Quercetea ilicis Br.-Bl. ex A. Bolos et O. de Bolos in A. Bolos y Vayreda 1950, Oleo-Ceratonion siliquae Br.-Bl. ex Guinochet et Drouineau 1944.
Questions: How dissimilar is the vegetation cover on opposite hillsides in a coastal seasonally dry forest, particularly concerning above-ground carbon and the suitability of woody species for restoration? Study Area: The study was conducted on opposite slope aspects of coastal hills in Arma & ccedil;& atilde;o dos B & uacute;zios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: We tested the hypotheses that vegetation cover exhibits different species compositions and different indicator species, using nMDS and ANOSIM, and multilevel pattern analysis, respectively; similar species richness and species diversity (Shannon entropy and inverse Simpson index), using permutation tests on interpolations and extrapolations; and similar structural attributes and above-ground carbon, using multiple t-tests. Results: The vegetation cover on opposite aspects exhibits different species composition, species diversity and indicator species, even on a local scale. The expressive dominance of Pachystroma longifolium and Gymnanthes nervosa's populations on opposite hillsides is likely behind those results. Species richness, structural attributes, and AGC were statistically similar in the opposite aspects. The populations of four species totaled 50.3% of AGC on south-facing aspects. The populations of seven species accounted for 46.9% of the total AGC on northwest-facing aspects. Nine species were considered suitable for forest restoration in degraded seasonally dry forests of Arma & ccedil;& atilde;o dos B & uacute;zios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil due to particular distribution on hillsides, and ecological, functional, and conservation features. Conclusions: We highlight that the knowledge of vegetation cover's responses to slope aspects could support forest restoration, carbon sequestration, and species conservation actions by enhancing the selection of woody species to restore the degraded hilly relief of the Brazilian Atlantic forest.
Aims: This paper presents the results of a phytosociological research on abandoned semi-natural grasslands and refugial scrub vegetation in the northern Apennines. The objectives were: 1) to identify the vegetation units, classify and describe them, and 2) to detect the ecological gradients underlying different vegetation units. Based on the current floristic composition of the target communities, we formulated hypotheses to trace the origin of the target communities and then suggested possible trajectories of change under the combined effects of land abandonment and global warming. Study area: The study area lies in the northern Apennines and, specifically, the vegetation was sampled in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Apuan Alps. Methods: The study was based on a dataset including 255 relev & eacute;s taken according to the Braun-Blanquet method and classified following an unsupervised numerical procedure. Species fidelity was used to define the diagnostic species of the associations. PCA and RDA ordinations were employed to perform ecological analyses using both Ellenberg Indicator Values as indirect variables and directly measured or calculated variables. Results: The cluster analysis defined seven vegetation types, classified as plant associations and described according to their floristic composition, structure, syntaxonomy, habitat and distribution. Associations were assigned to five different classes. The syntaxonomic scheme followed that proposed in the EuroVegChecklist, with few minor exceptions. Conclusions: All associations were endemic to the study area and five of them were described here for the first time. The most important factors driving the differences between associations were temperature, soil moisture and reaction, and potential solar radiation. It could be hypothesised that some grasslands derived from shrub vegetation and others from different types of mesophytic primary grasslands. Prolonged drought events associated with high temperatures during the summer are expected to exert a negative impact on the tussocky grasses dominant in the abandoned semi-natural grasslands in the long term.
Aims: Herein, the ecological, biogeographical, distributional, and syntaxonomic framework of Quercus roburdominated forest communities at the southern limit of the species distribution is outlined for the first time. Study area: The study was conducted in Central Italy. Methods: A total of 87 phytosociological relev & eacute;s, both published and unpublished, using the Braun-Blanquet approach were used. For literature data, phytosociological relev & eacute;s with a clearly dominant Quercus robur coverage >= 3 (Braun-Blanquet scale) and referring to syntaxa described at the association or aggregation level containing the Quercus robur epithet were selected. For each relev & eacute;, chronological spectra and mean indication values were calculated using Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs). The main vegetation groups were identified using cluster analysis and principal component analysis ordination. Each vegetation group was associated with a chorogical spectrum, average EIVs, and diagnostic species obtained from the indicator species analysis (ISA). Results: Six vegetation types, linked to four ecological and floristic contexts well defined by the chorological spectrum, EIVs, and ISAs, belonging to four alliances were identified: Carici remotae-Fraxinion oxycarpae and Lauro nobilis-Ulmion minoris of the class Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, Carpinion orientalis and Physospermo verticillati-Quercion cerris of the class Querco roboris-Fagetea sylvaticae. Conclusions: The new association Carpino orientalis-Quercetum roboris of the alliance Carpinion orientalis on the pre-Apennine side of the Marche region was described. Additionally, the variability of the Fraxino oxycarpae-Quercetum roboris association was redefined with the proposal to elevate the subassociation sambucetosum nigrae to the rank of association Sambuco nigrae-Quercetum roboris which can be referred to the Lauro nobilis-Ulmion minoris alliance.
The mountain range of Djebel Tessala (northwestern Algeria) is home to a fauna and flora of particular interest but which remain constantly subject to increasing and uncontrolled human pressures.They pose a direct threat to the conservation and renewal of biological resources and to the ecological balance of the area.The main objective of this study is the identification and characterization of plant community types of Djebel Tessala.It contributes to broadening the phytosociological knowledge that is still fragmented in the region.The analysed phytosociological and environmental data were collected in 100 plots distributed over 10 sites sampled on the northern and southern slopes of Djebel Tessala.131 vascular plant species representing 45 botanical families were identified.Four community types were individualized, characterized and attached to the phytosociological classification.They differ according to a gradient of soil moisture and anthropisation that contrastingly affects the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of plant communities.The results of this study will subsequently provide information on vegetation dynamics and enable decisions to be taken on ecosystem conservation.
Aims. The Eastern Plains of Uruguay are part of the Rio de la Plata Grasslands (RPG), one of the largest grassland areas globally. Due to the spread of rice agriculture, this region has experienced significant fragmentation and grassland loss. Relictual grasslands represent an underexplored source of native species diversity. Our study aims to describe the floristic heterogeneity in these remnants and recognize the determinants of plant variation in the area based on their association with different environmental variables. Study area. The Eastern Plains in Uruguay, with an extension of 743,600 ha, is located in the Southeast region of the RPG in South America. Methods. We conducted phytosociological relev & eacute;s of natural grasslands in areas that were carefully verified to have no agricultural history. We performed agglomerative hierarchical analyses to identify relev & eacute; clusters, and indicator species analyses. We characterized and compared relev & eacute; groups based on species richness and Shannon diversity index, indicator species, composition and cover of Plant Functional Types, and structural attributes of the vegetation cover. We carried out a two-dimensional NMDS and its correlation with different environmental variables to identify the drivers of the main floristic gradients. Results. Our analysis revealed two communities that constitute an intricate vegetation mosaic. Changes in floristic composition are observed over short distances, with one community characterized by hydrophytic species and the other by mesophytic species. The differences in the two communities respond to subtle micro-topographical differences in the landscape mosaic. Both communities are dominated mainly by native C4 perennial grasses with very low presence of exotic species, and some degree of internal heterogeneity that could be explained by grazing management. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the resilience of Eastern Plains grasslands, despite their advanced state of loss and fragmentation. However, overgrazing and the presence of a strong invasive exotic species pose significant threats to them.
Anthropogenic modifications of the natural landscape, such as alterations of natural land patterns, are important drivers of global change. However, certain traditional ways of living and related economic activities are strategies that allow for sustainable landscape management and rural development. For an adequate territorial planning, adjusted to the locally available resources, it is necessary to use existing ecological knowledge and to apply landscape metrics, in order to assure the ecological sustainability of the future landscapes. The landscape metrics are elaborated with assisted mapping tools (geographic information systems). In this study, land use and vegetation changes of the territory of the Baztan Valley (Navarre, Spain) which occurred in a time period of almost a century (1927-2019) were analysed through the interpretation of orthophotos, in order to infer the landscape change. 132 grid cells of 1 x 1 km2, distributed across three different pre-defined zones (mountain, valley, urban), were randomly selected. Multiple landscape metrics on vegetation and landscape scales were used. The underlying assumption was that observed land use and vegetation changes would depend on the type of zone. Our results show that landscape fragmentation increased and that the habitats of greatest interest from an environmental point of view and for traditional livestock use (such as grasslands) decreased in size as a result of the abandonment of the traditional pastoral use. We observed a process of scrub expansion and an increase of the areas covered by native forests, plantations with non-native, coniferous trees, and buildings and infrastructure.
The Maluti-Drakensberg Mountain range is the most conspicuous montane region in southern Africa, rising to over 3000 meter above sea level Inselbergs along the edges of the Drakensberg Mountain range are regarded as important conservation areas with limited phytosociological studies conducted in these areas. Many of these areas are subjected to livestock grazing that has caused large-scale degradation. The Hlogoma Mountain is an inselberg surrounded by farms and commercial forestry in the Underberg district (KwaZulu-Natal) within the Gs10 Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland with sections thereof subjected to livestock grazing. As little is known about the vegetation on Hlogoma Mountain, a survey was undertaken to classify, map and describe the plant communities occurring on the Hlogoma Mountain while we also investigated whether the mountain supported a representative sample of the Drakensberg Alpine Centre vegetation. A total of 100 (16 m 2 ) randomly stratified sample plots were placed in homogeneous vegetation units within the study area. A modified TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, resulted in the identification of two major communities, five communities, 12 sub-communities and four variants. All communities are described, and a vegetation map created. The vegetation of the Hlogoma Mountain is predominantly in a natural condition with rotational grazing having a negligible effect on the species composition. Four red data and one newly identified plant species were recorded. Ordinations identified key environmental variables that have an impact on the vegetation at the study site. This study showed that Hlogoma Mountain is an inselberg with high plant species richness and endemism, which acts as a refuge of conservation importance for biodiversity and is representative of the Drakensberg Alpine vegetation.
Changes in species diversity have been widely used in environmental monitoring and global change studies as an indicator of vegetation change over time. High mountain ecosystems such as the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) host a relatively high number of plant species due to less human disturbances compared to the surrounding lowland areas. This study investigated the species richness and diversity in the Afrotemperate forest and woodland communities of the GGHNP. For vegetation classification, the TWINSPAN algorithm was firstly used to do a floristic analysis of thirty-two sampling plots and refined further using the Braun-Blanquet procedures and JUICE programmes. The Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and the phytosociological analysis of the vegetation data resulted in five plant communities and one sub -community across various topographic gradient. The Olinia emarginata- Podocarpus latifolius forest was found to be the most diverse forest whereas the Kiggelaria africana forest showed relatively lower species diversity. Species richness was also relatively high in the Olinia emarginata-Podocarpus latifolius forest plots, compared to the Leucosidea sericea-Buddleja salviifolia woodland, and the Euclea crispa-Protea caffra-roupelliae savannas. Data on plant assemblages and classification provide invaluable information for studies focussing on climate change, species distribution models and the associated bioclimatic variables. Understanding the importance and complexities of high mountains and forest ecosystems is therefore essential for developing effective conservation strategies.
The Atlantic Forest is one of the most biodiverse Brazilian biomes and has also been the most impacted by anthropogenic activities, leading to fragmentation of its remnants in different stages of succession. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the floristic and structural composition of the tree and regenerating strata in three different Atlantic Forest remnants located in the state of Espirito Santo. All living tree individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH at 1.30 m) >= 5 cm were sampled, and phytosociological, entropy and evenness parameters were obtained. In the regenerating stratum, 45 sample units with dimensions of 5 x 5 m were established. Inclusion criteria were a minimum height of 50 cm and DBH< 5 cm. Phytosociological parameters, Shannon diversity index, Pielou's evenness, as well as structure and floristic composition similarities among fragments, were obtained for both strata. Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) was performed to identify indicator species, and cluster analysis was conducted among sample units, along with NMDS to assess the homogeneity of groups. In both the tree and regenerating strata, disturbed fragments (F1 and F2) exhibited lower species richness and diversity, with a predominance of early secondary species. The older stand (F3) showed a predominance of late successional species, indicating more advanced vegetation conditions compared to the other two evaluated fragments. The families Fabaceae and Myrtaceae were more abundant and species-rich in both strata. Regarding the ISA for each fragment in the studied strata, there were observed changes in species composition in the regenerating stratum, suggesting a possible future shift in stand composition. Additionally, it was concluded that regeneration played a significant role in indicating possible successional advances and forest recovery.
Aims: The main aim has been to quantify long-time variation in plant cover of Phalaris arundinacea, Carex rostrata and C. vesicaria, and number of Carex flowering shoots in plots situated along a littoral elevation gradient. Study area: The study area lies on the outer edge of a freshwater fluvial delta in the northern part of Myrkdalen Lake (229 m a.s.l.), W Norway (60 degrees 40" N, 6 degrees 28" E). The lake summer water level was in 1987 permanently lowered by 1.4 m exposing a stretch of ca. 40 m of the sediments. Methods: A transect was randomly selected on the exposed sediments perpendicular to the new shoreline, and continuous sample plots were permanently marked. Species percentage cover and number of Carex flowering shoots were counted in twenty-six 1 x 0.5 m plots and repeated 14 times from 1993 until 2020. The species data were related to variation in elevation, water level and temperature. Results: Plant percentage cover in the permanent study plots varied strongly during the investigation period. Relationships between species cover and the environmental variables were, however, not statistically significant. C. vesicaria and C. rostrata showed major variation in flower production both in relation to elevation and with time. C. vesicaria flower production increased significantly in years with elevated temperature and decreased in years with high water level. C. rostrata produced less flowers than C. vesicaria, except during the first study years. The variation in C. rostrata flower production was not significantly related to changes in water level or temperature, but the production increased with its cover and was reduced with increased P. arundinacea cover. Mean temperature and water level of the two last years explained the variation in mean number of flowering shoots best. Flower production of the two species varied in parallel with a significant correlation. Variation in species percentage cover was significantly related to C. rostrata flower production but not to C. vesicaria flower production.
Conserving mountain species under climate change is a major ecological concern. It is still unclear how potential climate change will affect mountain plant species. The present study investigates the potential distribution of Himalayan Boxwood (B. wallichiana) under current and future climate scenarios using an ensemble modelling approach. The results showed that the distribution of B. wallichiana is determined by mean annual precipitation, precipitation of the driest quarter and mean annual temperature. The model predicted that B. wallichiana has a narrow distributional range and is rarely found in the Himalaya under current climate. The future model predictions showed a considerable reduction in suitable habitats for B. wallichiana under all climate scenarios; more pronounced under PCP 8.5 for the year 2070. The model also revealed that currently suitable areas are likely to become unsuitable in the future and vice -versa. There is an urgent need to develop an appropriate policy for the conservation and management of B. wallichiana. The present study will contribute significantly to the formulation of appropriate policies for its conservation and management.
Aims: Given the inherent relationship between topography and land -use history in certain areas, we aimed at separating and estimating their relative contributions to the syntaxonomic and structural differentiation of the calcareous, semi -dry grassland communities. Study area: Western Cluj Hills (Transylvania, Romania). Methods: Exhaustive surveys of all vascular plant species were performed in 14 plots of 25 m2 each randomly distributed among two contrasting habitats i.e., recent grasslands recovered from former crops on hill ridges (HR) and ancient grasslands on sunny hillslopes (SS). Multivariate analyses (direct ordination) and generalised regressions were used to estimate the effects of terrain slope and grassland continuity on species composition, richness and guild proportions. Results: A statistically significant compositional dissimilarity was detected between the two groups of grassland communities, which were assigned to different plant associations: Festuco rupicolae-Brachypodietum pinnati (relatively more mesophilous) and Carici humilis-Brachypodietum pinnati (relatively more xerophilous). Total species richness and the fractions of species tolerant of drought/nutrient scarcity increased whereas the proportion of N -fixing species decreased steadily along the slope gradient. The proportion of short-lived ruderals (therophytes) was significantly larger in the recent grasslands, but was not affected by the terrain declivity. The finer plant specialisation allowed for higher species packing in the open SS grasslands, whereas intense asymmetric competition for light probably prevented the establishment of small, shade -intolerant species in the closed, more fertile HR grasslands. Conclusions: The difference in terrain slope was one of the main factors leading to the observed structural differentiation, whereas grassland continuity had a lower but not negligible contribution to compositional variation. To a large extent, ours results confirm the previous findings and provide further evidence of patterns induced by both land topography and traditional management continuity in structuring the calcareous, semi -dry grasslands.
Aims: To describe the species composition and richness of a northern boreal rich fen case, to study, how Cajan-derian site types and species gradients (composition, richness) elucidate the vegetation variation, and how meas-ured environmental variables verify the proposed site type sequence. Location: Oulanka region, Koillismaa, NE Finland. Methods: We chose 15 mires having rich fens for sampling. In those mires, 87 1 x 4 m releves with four 0.25 m2 small plots for seven Cajanderian site types were sampled for vascular plants, liverworts, mosses, and lichens and environmental variables. The relevancy of the classification was tested by the grouping of rel-eves within the ordination surface, and a hierarchic classification by exclusive species, preferential species, and differential species was performed for the site types and subtypes by the survey of the full vegetation table. Additional compositional gradients were interpreted by the ordination. Results: Coherent grouping of releves by the site types in the ordination refers to, that the Cajanderian classification is a relevant vegetation classifica-tion of boreal rich fens in N Europe. The site types differed in relation to water-table levels, and the composi-tional survey revealed groups such as rich fens proper (flark and lawn fens, upper lawn fens, combination site types) and seasonally dry rich-fen wetlands. Ordination analysis only weakly revealed separate extreme-rich fen variants of rich-fen site types, and this variation was partly associated with the prominent mire expanse to margin compositional gradient. Also, species richness was mainly associated with that gradient. The stability of the water regime was another main gradient by the ordination. Surface-soil pH and conductivity values were highest in Palustriella falcata seepage fens and curiously in Sphagnum warnstorfii rich fens. Conclusion: It may be possible to revise the phytosociological fen-classification of northern alliances, too, based on the site type interpretation.
Background: The impact of environmental drivers of biodiversity change on the native vegetation of Kazakhstan is so far poorly understood. Aims: To compare historical and contemporary data on the floristic composition of plant communities with Aflatunia ulmifolia against the backdrop of sixty years of climate and land-use change. Methods: In 2021-2022, we revisited a river gorge in the Dzhungarskiy Alatau that had been originally surveyed in 1962. We estimated floristic composition and abundance of species on the Drude scale, and evaluated floristic similarity and abundance change between our dataset and that of 1962. Results: In total, 226 species belonging to 166 genera and 52 families were recorded. The vast majority were native, and only 8 species were exotic. Historical surveys recorded 104 species, and recent surveys, 199 species, the surveys from the two observation periods sharing only 77 species. The Sorensen similarity coefficient was the highest for native shrubs (0.8), and the lowest for native herbaceous plants (0.46). The increase in floristic diversity was largely due to the increase in the number of herbaceous species, mostly perennial forbs. Conclusions: The observed changes could be a result of increased frequency of shallow landslides, grazing exclusion, and growing human presence.
The Vegetation Database of Montenegro (GIVD ID EU-ME-001) is national database established in 2019 at of vegetation releves comprises different vegetation types which have been sampled on the territory of the Montenegro. So far, 3293 published (50.9%) and unpublished (49.1%) vegetation plots are stored in Vegetation Database of Montenegro. In total, it contains 2733 taxa (vascular plants, mosses, lichens, algae), while 2612 taxa is referred to vascular plants. The largest amount of vegetation data in the field was collected during two periods: from 1960 to 1969 and after the year 2010. The oldest releve dates from 1933 (Horvat, the vegetation of Durmitor mountain). The majority of vegetation plots (63.4%) have precise date of sampling. All plots are georeferenced; for most of the releves coordinates were determined a posteriori, because only 35% releves have originally published coordinates. Range of the plots size is from 0.12 m(2) to 7000 m(2), while most of the releves have plot size from 26 to 100 m(2). For 8.74% of releves the data on plot size is missing. More than half of vegetation plots were sampled in sub-montane and montane areas. Highest number of releves was originally classified to the forest vegetation types (classes Quercetea pubescentis and Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae) and grasslands (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Festuco-Brometea). The database is part of the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and has a semi-restricted access mode.
