Continuum of floristic composition between two plant communities – Carici elongatae-Alnetum and Fraxino-Alnetum

Abstract One of the crucial debates in vegetation ecology is whether plant communities are discontinuous, distinguishable units or whether they change continuously. Phytosociology assumes discontinuity and its methodology requires subjective sampling during vegetation inventories. For that reason, some researchers argue that phytosociology artificially creates discontinuity among plant communities. Our aim was to assess the continuity between ash-alder riparian forest (Fraxino-Alnetum), and alder swamp forest (Carici elongatae-Alnetum), and to check whether discontinuity observed between these two plant associations is an effect of subjective sample plot choice. We conducted 57 phytosociological relevés within a regular grid covering potential sites of both plant communities. All relevés were arranged in order of decreasing relative cover of the diagnostic species for each plant association resulting in a gentle gradient, indicating a continuous transition from Fraxino-Alnetum to Carici elongatae-Alnetum. Similar results were obtained by detrended correspondence analysis. The proportion of species from the Querco-Fagetea class, typical to Fraxino-Alnetum, was decreasing with increasing proportion of species from the Alnetea glutinosae class, typical to Carici elongatae-Alnetum. This shift followed a gradient of ecological light-moisture indicator values. Our results confirmed continuous transition between two plant communities and led us to the conclusion that discontinuity resulted from the standard sampling protocol used in classical phytosociology. This protocol, however, is useful in searching for typological patterns, required for classification of plant communities, which is the main aim of phytosociology. Nevertheless, it does not provide full insight into the variability of vegetation and introduces uncertainty when trying to understand ecosystem dynamics. This uncertainty should be taken into account when phytosociological data are used for nature conservation recommendations and to draw conclusion about vegetation dynamics.

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Vegetation mapping in an area of Ombrophilous Dense Forest at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil, and floristic composition of the tree component of some physiognomies*

Hoehnea ◽

10.1590/s2236-89062012000200005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 219-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Cláudia Melo Pacheco de Medeiros ◽

Isabel Fernandes de Aguiar Mattos ◽

Marina Mitsue Kanashiro ◽

Jorge Yoshio Tamashiro ◽

Marcos Pereira Marinho Aidar

Keyword(s):

Riparian Forest ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Field Work ◽

Aerial Photographs ◽

Secondary System ◽

Serra Do Mar ◽

Dense Forest ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Tree Component

This study aimed to map phytophysiognomies of an area of Ombrophilous Dense Forest at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar and characterize their floristic composition. Photointerpretation of aerial photographs in scale of 1:35,000 was realized in association with field work. Thirteen physiognomies were mapped and they were classified as Montane Ombrophilous Dense Forest, Alluvial Ombrophilous Dense Forest or Secondary System. Three physiognomies identified at Casa de Pedra streamlet's basin were studied with more details. Riparian forest (RF), valley forest (VF), and hill forest (HF) presented some floristic distinction, as confirmed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) conducted here. Anthropic or natural disturbances and heterogeneity of environmental conditions may be the causes of physiognomic variation in the vegetation of the region. The results presented here may be useful to decisions related to management and conservation of Núcleo Santa Virgínia forests, in general.

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Vegetation diversity of the two Dinaric karstic rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Biologia ◽

10.1515/biolog-2016-0103 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 71 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Anđelka Lasić ◽

Nenad Jasprica

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽

Vegetation Diversity ◽

Plant Associations ◽

Phytosociological Relevés

AbstractPlant communities were studied along two oligotrophic karstic rivers – Trebižat and Lištica – from 2007 to 2009. Based on 93 phytosociological relevés, using Braun–Blanquet methods, a total of 25 plant associations were recognised in the rivers and nearby surveyed area. These associations have been subordinated to 11 alliances, eight orders and six classes:

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An ecological study of the plant communities in the proposed Highveld National Park, in the peri-urban area of Potchefstroom, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v52i1.708 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mahlomola E. Daemane ◽

Sarel S. Cilliers ◽

Hugo Bezuidenhout

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Plant Communities ◽

National Park ◽

Environmental Planning ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

High Conservation ◽

Grassland Biome

The proposed Highveld National Park (HNP) is an area of high conservation value in South Africa, covering approximately 0.03% of the endangered Grassland Biome. The park is situated immediately adjacent to the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. The objective of this study was to identify, classify, describe and map the plant communities in this park. Vegetation sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method and a total of 88 stratified random relevés were sampled. A numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) was used and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The final results of the classification procedure were presented in the form of phytosociological tables and, thereafter, nine plant communities were described and mapped. A detrended correspondence analysis confirmed the presence of three structural vegetation units, namely woodland, shrubland and grassland. Differences in floristic composition in the three vegetation units were found to be influenced by environmental factors, such as surface rockiness and altitude. Incidences of harvesting trees for fuel, uncontrolled fires and overgrazing were found to have a significant effect on floristic and structural composition in the HNP. The ecological interpretation derived from this study can therefore be used as a tool for environmental planning and management of this grassland area.Conservation implications: Grasslands are amongst the most threatened and least conserved vegetation biomes in South Africa, with less than 1.3% currently being conserved. The HNP has significant value for biodiversity conservation and the protection of this area will contribute to the preservation of the highly threatened Highveld vegetation types.

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Relationships between herb layer and canopy composition in a tropical rain forest successional mosaic in Singapore

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467400010105 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 843-851 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

I. M. Turner ◽

H. T. W. Tan ◽

K. S. Chua

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Tree Canopy ◽

Swamp Forest ◽

Lowland Tropical Forest ◽

Freshwater Swamp ◽

Canopy Composition

ABSTRACTClusters of four circular forest plots, 0.2 ha in total area, were inventoried for canopy tree (≥30 cm gbh) and terrestrial herb floristic composition at 46 sites in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Singapore. The Nature Reserve covers a complex mosaic of lowland tropical forest of different successional stages, with much of the area covered in secondary forest 50–100 years old developed on exhausted agricultural soils. A total of 449 species of tree and 59 species of terrestrial herb were recorded from the clusters. Facultatively-terrestrial epiphytes were excluded from the analysis. Possible reasons for the low herb diversity are discussed. There was a marked similarity between ordinations (detrended correspondence analysis) of the clusters based on tree canopy composition weighted by species relative contribution to cluster total basal area and the herb flora composition, with a highly significant correlation between first axis scores of the two ordinations. Both ordinations showed the three clusters from freshwater swamp forest to be highly distinctive from the rest. The two forest strata exhibited a parallel response to the successional gradient, though the low diversity and patchy distribution of the herb flora blurred the distinction between primary and secondary communities more clearly seen in canopy composition.

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Changes in vegetation of the Mszar Bogdaniec nature reserve

Forest Research Papers ◽

10.1515/frp-2016-0012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 104-116

Author(s):

Marcin K. Dyderski ◽

Andrzej M. Jagodziński

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Woody Species ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Ecological Traits ◽

Current State ◽

As Species ◽

Phytosociological Relevés

Abstract Changes of vegetation in forests and wetlands require continuous monitoring and evaluation. Due to the lack of in-depth knowledge, it is still very challenging to predict and record vegetation changes. This study attempts to evaluate changes in forest and transitional bog vegetation over 14 years in the Mszar Bogdaniec nature reserve (West Poland; 21.98 ha). We described the current vegetation using 50 phytosociological relevés conducted in 2012 and 2013. Moreover, we calculated and compared ecological indices describing ecological traits of the vegetation in two different times. We also used Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) to assess changes in floral composition. Most of the studied vegetation traits did not change significantly during the last 14 years. Statistically significant changes occured in the proportion of mosses and cover of the herb layer, both of which increased, as well as species richness in forest plant communities, and the cover of species from Scheuchzerio-Caricetea class in peat bog plant communities, both of which decreased. The current state of the vegetation is a result of former human activity such as drainage and planting monoculture tree stands. The observed changes during the last 14 years were fluctuations rather than direct changes. Encroachment of the woody species into transitional bog is a fluctuation, which may be secondary succession in the long-term.

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Meadow vegetation of the floodplains of the rivers Vychegda and Pechora. The order Molinietalia Koch 1926

Vegetation of Russia ◽

10.31111/vegrus/2013.22.86 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 86-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

G. S. Shushpannikova ◽

S. M. Yamalov

Keyword(s):

Eastern Europe ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Komi Republic ◽

New Associations ◽

River Floodplains ◽

Plant Associations ◽

Pechora River ◽

Distribution And Ecology

Syntaxonomic variety of the meadow vegetation of the order Molinietalia of the Vychegda and Pechora rivers’ floodplains (Komi Republic) presented by 2 unions, 6 associations, 7 subassociations and 9 variants, including 5 new associations. They are Bromopsido inermis–Alopecurietum pratensis, Bistorto majoris–Alopecuretum pratensis, Alopecuro pratensis–Calamagrostidetum purpureae, Alopecurо pratensis–Deschampsietum cespitosae, Filipendulo ulmariae–Deschampsietum cespitosae. Most plant associations are heterogeneous in floristic composition and they can be divided into 4 subassociations and 9 variants. The peculiarities of the floristic composition of the above mentioned associations, as well as their distribution and ecology are discussed. A comparison of plant communities of the Vychegda and Pechora river floodplains with communities described in other regions of the Eastern Europe and the Asian part of Russia was carried out.

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A new marsh plant community of Eleocharito palustris-Alismatetum lanceolati (Eleocharito palustris-Sagittarion sagittifoliae alliance) in Slovakia

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.2015.026 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 311-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard Hrivnák ◽

Michal Slezák ◽

Kateřina Šumberová ◽

Zdenka Hroudová

Keyword(s):

Catchment Area ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Habitat Requirements ◽

Water Conductivity ◽

Arable Fields ◽

Phytosociological Relevés ◽

First Time

Open and species-poor stands with a dominance of Alisma lanceolatum were recorded in periodically flooded habitats of the southern part of central Slovakia (Ipeľ River catchment area) during the summer of 2013. Phytosociological relevés correspond to the association Eleocharito palustris-Alismatetum lanceolati (alliance Eleocharito palustris-Sagittarion sagittifoliae), which is reported and documented here for the first time from the territory of Slovakia. It inhabits predominantly temporarily flooded depressions on agricultural land – wet arable fields and extensively used pastures. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that the variability in species composition was most significantly influenced by water depth, the presence of arable fields in the contact area and water conductivity. Special attention was paid to a detailed description of the floristic composition, habitat requirements, distribution patterns and nomenclature of the community.

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Stubble-field plant communities in the Lublin region. P. IV. A comparison of the characteristic of stubble-field plant communities

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.1990.015 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (1-2) ◽

pp. 183-199

Author(s):

Maria Jędruszczk

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Soil Type ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Crop Fields ◽

Plant Associations ◽

Field Plant ◽

Setaria Glauca ◽

Ph Conditions

This part of a series of paper presents a comparative characterization of selected stubble-field plant communities described in parts I-III. It encompasses the most important characteristic of the communities as well as the habitas in which they occur. In the differentiated climatically, geomorphologically, hydrologically and, most of all, in respect to soil type conditions of mideastern Poland, more precisely in the old limits of the Lublin voivodship, 6 types of stubble-field plant communities have been described and further classified into subunits; all of which have been isolated on the basis of the floristic composition of 330 analysed phytosociologocal records. The selected stubble-field plant communities were assigned to the suborder Polygono-Chenopodietalia. Among them, 3 plant associations known from root crop fields were identified: 2 belonging to the alliance Panico-Setarion (Digitarietum ischaemi and Echinochloo-Setarietum) and 1 belonging to Eu-Polygono-Chenopodion (Oxalido-Chenopodietum polyspermi). On most of the grain stubble-field of the Lublin region (almost 77% of the records) communities were found which could be assigned only to the alliances: community Setaria glauca-Scleranthus annuus to Panico-Setarion, community Veronica persica-Sonchus asper to Eu-Polygono-Chenopodion and community Rorippa sylvestris-Oxalis stricta which is an intermediate from between these alliances. The floristic types identified here, as well as their lower rancs (subassocietions variants, subvariants) were a reflection of the mechanical composition, nutritional, hydrological and pH conditions of the soils in their habitas and confirmed the high differentiation of soil conditions over the studied area.

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New, Rare and Constant Habitats for Endangered Aquatic Plant Communities: The Importance of Microhabitats for Global biodiversity

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d11060096 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 96 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krzysztof Spałek ◽

Jarosław Proćków

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Aquatic Plant ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Ecological Requirements ◽

Plant Associations ◽

Rare And Endangered ◽

Chemical Factors ◽

Global Biodiversity ◽

Water Plants ◽

Physical And Chemical

Natural water reservoirs are very valuable floristic sites, with springs particularly important for the preservation of floral biodiversity. This paper presents, as a case study, a community of water plants that is new to limnocrene karst springs in Europe: Potametum alpini (Potametea), found in Poland. The paper provides the floristic composition and ecological requirements of this plant association, which is rare and endangered in Europe. According to our knowledge, the habitat data presented here are unique as they are published for the first time for this plant community, and thus it is currently not possible to compare them with data from other authors. Our study confirms the importance of rare microhabitats for global biodiversity. Research on as yet unknown physical and chemical factors limiting the range and development of patches of different plant associations should be conducted intensively, because plant communities, including rare, endangered and protected examples, are an important element of biodiversity at both continental and local scales. All the issues discussed in the paper (rare microhabitats, endangered aquatic plant communities, global biodiversity) are important because they are related to the conservation and management of inland waters.

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The phytosociology, ecology, and plant diversity of new plant communities in Central Anatolia (Turkey)

Hacquetia ◽

10.2478/hacq-2019-0014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Nihal Kenar ◽

Fatoş Şekerciler ◽

Süleyman Çoban

Keyword(s):

Nature Conservation ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Central Anatolia ◽

Small Scale ◽

Forest Steppe ◽

Site Conditions ◽

Plant Associations

AbstractThe Central Anatolian vegetation has diverse site conditions and small-scale plant diversity. For this reason, identification of plant communities is important for understanding their ecology and nature conservation. This study aims to contribute the syntaxonomical classification of the Central Anatolian vegetation. The study area is situated among Güzelyurt, Narköy, and Bozköy (Niğde) in the east of Aksaray province of Central Anatolia in Turkey. The vegetation data were collected using the phytosociological method of Braun-Blanquet and classified using TWINSPAN. The ecological characteristics of the units were investigated with Detrended Correspondence Analysis. Three new plant associations were described in the study. The steppe association was included in Onobrychido armenae-Thymetalia leucostomi and Astragalo microcephali-Brometea tomentelli. The forest-steppe association was classified under Quercion anatolicae in Quercetea pubescentis. The riparian association is the first poplar-dominated one described in Turkey and, classified under Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae and its alliance Populion albae.

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