Ecological Evaluation of Grassland Vegetation in Hodrušská Hornatina Highland

AbstractIn the submitted paper, we have analysed the results of a systematic survey of grassland communities, performed in Hodrušská hornatina highland, in Štiavnické vrchy mountains. The main aims of the research were: i) syntaxonomical classification of grassland vegetation; ii) analysis of the main ecological gradients in species composition; iii) evaluation of the influence of environmental factors on species composition of grasslands. The dataset included 153 phytosociological relevés recorded on grasslands. Grassland communities were classified within five associations: Holcetum lanati, Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Alchemillo-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Anthoxantho odorati-Agrostietum tenuis, Onobrychido viciifoliae-Brometum erecti; and the successional and transitional stages belonging to alliances Arrhenatherion elatioris and Bromion erecti. The results of the Detrended Correspondence Analysis support our assumption that the main environmental gradient in species composition on grassland is related to moisture. The results of the Redundancy Analysis show that all used environmental variables explained 3.4% of the variability of the species data. The most important factors affecting the species composition were altitude, slope, distance from settlements, and management.

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Grassland communities of Stol mountain (eastern Serbia ): Vegetation and environment al relationships

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs1301211a ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 211-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Svetlana Acic ◽

U. Silc ◽

S. Vrbnicanin ◽

Svjetlana Cupac ◽

G. Topisirovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Environmental Gradient ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Ecological Indicator ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Indicator Values ◽

Grassland Vegetation ◽

Data Set ◽

Grassland Communities

The systematic survey of grassland communities was performed on Mt. Stol (eastern Serbia). The main aims of the research were to: (1) determine grassland vegetation types of the researched area; (2) correlate the impacts of the soil and environmental conditions on the occurrence of certain plant communities, and (3) comment on the conservational value of the grasslands in the researched area. The data set included 60 phytosociological relev?s of grasslands recorded between 2001 and 2004. The main environmental gradients of species composition were analyzed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). For the ecological interpretation of ordination axes, ecological indicator values were used. Three associations were distinguished: Danthonietum calycinae, Asperulo-Agrostietum vulgaris and Ranunculo bulbosi- Arrhenatheretum elatioris belonging to two alliances and two classes: Chrysopogono-Danthonion - Festuco-Brometea and Arrhenatherion - Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. The results of the DCA support our assumption that the main environmental gradient in the species composition of the grasslands is related to nutrients and moisture. The conservational value of grasslands in the researched area is discussed.

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Dry Grasslands in the Slovenský Kras MTS (Slovakia) and the Aggteleki-karszt MTS (Hungary) — A Comparison of Two Classification Approaches

Hacquetia ◽

10.2478/v10028-008-0007-2 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 123-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniela Dübravková-Michálková ◽

Monika JanišOvá ◽

Jiří Kolbek ◽

Róbert Šuvada ◽

Viktor Virók ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Expert System ◽

Central Europe ◽

Numerical Classification ◽

Grassland Vegetation ◽

Dry Grassland ◽

Dry Grasslands ◽

Unsupervised Method ◽

Formal Definitions ◽

Phytosociological Relevés

Dry Grasslands in the Slovenský Kras MTS (Slovakia) and the Aggteleki-karszt MTS (Hungary) — A Comparison of Two Classification ApproachesThe paper brings numerical classification of 48 new phytosociological relevés of dry grassland vegetation from the Slovenský kras Mts and the Aggteleki-karszt Mts located on the border between Slovakia and Hungary (Central Europe). We performed a comparison of two classification approaches (an unsupervised method - modified TWINSPAN, and a supervised approach - electronic expert system based on formal definitions of associations), which were applied on the same dataset. Four associations were distinguished:Campanulo divergentiformis-Festucetum pallentisZólyomi (1936) 1966,Poo badensis-Caricetum humilis(Dostál 1933) Soó ex Michálková in Janišová et al. 2007,Alysso heterophylli-Festucetum valesiacae(Dostál 1933) Kliment in Kliment et al. 2000 andFestuco rupicolae-Caricetum humilisKlika 1939. A newly recorded stand of the rareStipetum tirsaeMeusel 1938 association is characterised. What is more, we established a neotype of theAlysso heterophylli-Festucetum valesiacaeassociation.

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Identification of Fine-Scale Marine Benthic Ecoclines by Multiple Parallel Ordination

Journal of Marine Biology ◽

10.1155/2014/462529 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Thijs Christiaan van Son ◽

Rune Halvorsen ◽

Karl Norling ◽

Torgeir Bakke ◽

Maria Kaurin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Gradient Analysis ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Form Complex ◽

Indirect Gradient Analysis ◽

Physical Forcing ◽

Periodic Hypoxia ◽

Geomorphological Features

The species-environment relationship is a fundamental structural property of natural ecosystems. Marine sedimentary macrofauna is known to be structured by a range of environmental variables; however, the mechanisms by which environmental variables covary to form complex-gradients (i.e., groups of intercorrelated environmental variables), and how these are related to coenoclines (i.e., gradients in species composition), remain poorly understood. We classified our study area into geomorphological features that were used for stratified sampling of macrofaunal polychaetes, molluscs, and echinoderms. The resulting species-by-site matrix was subjected to indirect gradient analysis by a multiple parallel ordination strategy, using detrended correspondence analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling. One major and one minor coenocline were identified. Based on the correlation between complex-gradients and the main coenocline we hypothesise the existence of two ecoclines that we have termedPeriodic hypoxiaandPeriodic physical forcing. We conclude that a combination of recurrent (periodical) and extreme events is likely to determine the variation found in the species composition of marine sedimentary ecosystems. Based on the results of our study, we conclude that indirect gradient analysis is a useful tool for enhancement of our basic mechanistic understanding of the processes governing the compositional structure of marine sediment communities.

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Ordination as a tool for substantiating and interpreting floristic classifications: a case study

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v20i2.927 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 223-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. B. Deall ◽

G. K. Theron

Keyword(s):

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ordination is used as a tool for substantiating the authenticity of hierarchical syntaxa derived from a phytosociological classification of the vegetation of the Eastern Transvaal Escarpment in the Sabie area. Ecological interpretation of syntaxa is facilitated by superimposing environmental variables on axes of ordination.

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Understory vegetation in northern Ontario jack pine and black spruce plantations: 20-year successional changes

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x03-088 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (9) ◽

pp. 1791-1803 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Shelley L Hunt ◽

Andrew M Gordon ◽

Dave M Morris ◽

George T Marek

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Jack Pine ◽

Understory Vegetation ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Northern Ontario ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Over Time

The 20-year successional development of understory vegetation was investigated in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) plantations in northern Ontario, in relation to stand species composition, species diversity, and the rate of change in stands of different post-disturbance ages. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination of plantation stands using species composition data from 1978 and 1998 indicated variation among stands in directions and rates of change in species composition over time. Rank correlations of environmental variables with the DCA axes suggested a lightmoisture gradient along the first axis, driven by soil texture and overstory species, and a gradient representing time since disturbance and stand development along the second axis. Although overall beta diversity among stands remained constant over time, some convergence was found among a smaller group of stands, and divergence was noted between spruce and pine stands. Species composition also became more highly correlated with environmental variables through time. From 1978 to 1998, species richness increased in young, dry pine stands; decreased in older, dry pine stands; and decreased in young spruce stands. The understory vegetation in stands on mesic sites was more diverse than that on dry, sandy sites at both times. The rate of change in understory species composition slowed with time after disturbance, indicating an increasing stability in micro en vi ron men tal conditions as the influence of harvesting disturbance became weaker with time.

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Composition and diversity of psocid (Insecta: Psocoptera) taxocoenoses in forest ecosystems of the Abieti-fageta s. lat. zone in the Western Carpathian Mts.

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/88/2008-jfs ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 184-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

O. Holuša

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Species Composition ◽

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Forest Type ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Vegetation Zones ◽

Characteristic Species

Psocid (Psocoptera) taxocoenoses were studied in forest ecosystems of the Western Carpathian Mts. in 1997–2001. As a study frame, vegetation tiers (VT = altitudinal vegetation zones) of geobiocoenological or forest-typological system were used. Lower units of forest typological system (forest type complexes) were used for the classification of ecological conditions and the material found in forest ecosystems of Abieti-fageta s. lat. communities (5th fir-beech VT) was evaluated in detail. This VT is the most widespread in the regions under study (the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts., the Vsetínské vrchy Hills and Javorníky). 2,023 adults comprising 28 species were found in the 5th VT. Caecilius burmeisteri was found as eudominant species; Philotarsus picicornis, Caecilius flavidus and Peripsocus subfasciatus were found as dominant species. In natural geobiocoenoses with the level of naturalness 1 or 2, the following species were found: Mesopsocus unipunctatus, Caecilius flavidus, and Caecilius burmeisteri as eudominant and Caecilius despaxi as dominant. Taxocoenoses of psocids were evaluated by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Divisive Cluster Analysis (DvClA). The axes were interpreted in DCA-analysis as follows: the x-axis denotes the influence of VTs and the q-axis refers to the influence of hydricity. This material was compared with other material obtained from various vegetation tiers in the Western Carpathians Mts. The characteristic species composition of psocids in the 5th VT was as follows: Caecilius flavidus – C. burmeisteri – C. despaxi – Metylophorus nebulosus – Philotarsus picicornis.

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Grassland communities of traditional orchards in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.3552 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 86 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hubert Zarnovican ◽

Jozef Kollár ◽

Iveta Škodová

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Large Scale ◽

Gradient Analysis ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Rural Landscape ◽

Soil Reaction ◽

Grassland Vegetation ◽

Phytosociological Relevés ◽

Intensively Managed ◽

Traditional Manner

Traditional orchards are a valuable feature of the rural landscape and they are specific for regions with scattered settlement such as the Myjava hilly land and White Carpathians. Here, the permanent species-rich grasslands beneath trees were regularly managed in the traditional manner until some were replaced in the 1970’s and 80’s by intensively managed orchards, some of which were abandoned in the early 1990’s. Our 2011–2015 phytosociological research followed the standard Braun-Blanquet approach. We classified 178 phytosociological relevés recorded in orchard meadows (156 relevés), former intensively managed orchards (16 relevés), and two relevés from a semi-intensively grazed orchard. Traditionally managed orchard meadows were classified in the following five units: (i) Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris – thermophilous variant, (ii) Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris – transitional variant to Alchemillo-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, (iii) Ranunculo bulbosi-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, (iv) Onobrychido viciifoliae-Brometum erecti, and (v) Brachypodio pinnati-Molinietum arundinaceae. Formerly intensively managed large-scale orchards were classified as Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris association and the semi-intensively grazed orchard as Lolio perennis-Cynosuretum cristati association. The species composition varies considerably due to tree-shading and different management treatments applied in the orchards, so the relevés of the delimited syntaxonomic units are not typical and have transitional character. Moisture, soil nutrients, and soil reaction were identified as the main environmental gradients influencing species composition. We tested four management treatments in direct gradient analysis and found that abandonment has the strongest effect on species composition. Comparison of grassland vegetation in the studied traditional orchards with that described in Germany reveals differences in species composition. Moreover, species richness of the compared Arrhenatherion elatioris and Bromion erecti alliances in Slovakian orchard meadows was higher than in the German orchards.

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Psocid taxocenoses structure and diversity (Insecta: Psocoptera) in the forest ecosystems of the Piceeti–fageta s. lat. zone in the Western Carpathian Mts.

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201159050095 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 95-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Otakar Holuša

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Species Composition ◽

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Forest Type ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Vegetation Zones ◽

Characteristic Species

Psocid taxocenoses (Psocoptera) were studied in forest ecosystems of the Western Carpathian Mts. during 1997–2001. As a study frame, vegetation tiers (= altitudinal vegetation zones) were used. Lower units of forest typological system (forest type complexes) were used for a classification of ecological conditions as well. Only a part of material, i.e. individuals that was found in the forest ecosystems of Piceeti-fageta s. lat. communities (= the 6th spruce-beech vegetation tier) was evaluated for purpose of this work. This vegetation tier is widespread in higher parts of mountains (the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. and partly in the Oravské Beskydy Mts.). 554 adults comprising 17 species were found in total in the 6th vegetation tier. As eudominant species, the following ones were found: Caecilius despaxi, Caecilius burmeisteri, Mesopsocus unipunctatus, and Stenopsocus lachlani; as dominant species, the following ones were found: Caecilius flavidus and Reuterella helvimacula. In natural geobiocenoses with the level of naturalness of 1 or 2, the following species were found: as eudominant species: Mesopsocus unipunctatus, Stenopsocus lachlani, Caecilius despaxi, Amphigerontia bifasciata and Reuterella helvimacula. Dominant species was Caecilius burmeisteri and Caecilius flavidus. Taxocenoses of psocids were evaluated by Detrended Correspondence analysis (DCA) and Divisive Cluster analysis (DvClA). This material was compared to another material gained from various vegetation tiers in the Western Carpathians Mts. The characteristic species composition of psocids in the 6th vegetation tier was as follows – Cecilius despaxi – Stenopsocus lachlani – Mesopsocus unipunctatus – Reuterella helvimacula.

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Variability of alder-dominated forest vegetation along a latitudinal gradient in Slovakia

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.2012.042 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 25-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michal Slezák ◽

Richard Hrivnák ◽

Anna Petrášová ◽

Daniel Dítě

Keyword(s):

Environmental Variables ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Alnus Glutinosa ◽

Forest Vegetation ◽

Data Matrix ◽

Forest Composition ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Latitudinal Transect ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Phytosociological Relevés

Syntaxonmical revision of azonal forest vegetation with dominance of Alnus glutinosa and A. incana was done along a latitudinal transect of Slovakia. A data matrix consisting of 240 phytosociological relevés was obtained in accordance with the standard Zürich-Montpellier approach. Detrended correspondence analysis was used to clarify the relationships between the vegetation composition and environmental variables, whereas one-way ANOVA was applied to quantify the differences in site requirements of particular vegetation types. The unsupervised numerical classification resulted in identification of five clusters corresponding to the traditionally described and ecologically interpretable associations within the Euro-Siberian alder carr forests of Alnion glutinosae and the European broad-leaved floodplain forests of Alnion incanae: Carici elongatae-Alnetum glutinosae Schwickerath 1933 (alder carr forests on permanently waterlogged soils), Stellario-Alnetum glutinosae Lohmeyer 1957 (riparian alder vegetation on mesic to humid sites along small brooks), Piceo-Alnetum Mráz 1959 (submontane and montane oligotrophic spruce-alder forests on waterlogged habitats), Cardamino amarae-Alnetum incanae Šomšák 1961 (grey alder vegetation in spring fed areas) and Alnetum incanae Lüdi 1921 (submontane and montane streamside grey alder forests on mesic sites). They significantly (P < 0.05) differed in the Ellenberg's indicator values for nutrients, moisture, temperature and altitude. These environmental variables were also established by DCA analysis as underlying sources of variation in alder-dominated forest composition. Special attention was given to discussion of their syntaxonomy, nomenclature, floristic structure, ecological features and distribution.

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Local ranges of phytosociological associations: are they reflected in numerical classification?

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-006-0010-3 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ilona Knollová ◽

Milan Chytrý ◽

Lubomír Tichý ◽

Ondřej Hájek

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Species Composition ◽

Large Scale ◽

Vegetation Classification ◽

Numerical Classification ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Small Areas ◽

Phytosociological Relevés ◽

Total Species

AbstractIn the tradition of European phytosociology, delimitations of vegetation units such as associations are mostly based on data from small areas where more detailed vegetation sampling has been carried out. Such locally delimited vegetation units are often accepted in large-scale synthetic classifications, e.g. national vegetation monographs, and tentatively assigned to a small geographical range, forming groups of similar (vicarious) vegetation units in different small areas. These vicarious units, however, often overlap in species composition and are difficult to recognize from each other. We demonstrate this issue using an example of the classification of dry grasslands (Festuco-Brometea) in the Czech Republic. The standard vegetation classification of the Czech Republic supposes that the majority of accepted associations (66 out of 68) have a restricted distribution in one of the two major regions, Bohemia or Moravia. We compared the classification into traditional associations with the numerical classification of 1440 phytosociological relevés from the Czech Republic, in order to test whether the traditionally recognized associations with small geographical ranges are reflected in numerical classification. In various comparisons, the groups of relevés identified by numerical analysis occupied larger areas than the traditional associations. This suggests that with consistent use of total species composition as the vegetation classification criterion, the resulting classification will usually include more vegetation units with larger geographical ranges, while many of the traditional local associations will disappear.

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