engleski

The association of spreading elm and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxino-Ulmetum laevis Slav. 1952) in riparian forests of Croatia

The association Fraxino-Ulmetum laevis was first described by Ž. Slavnić in 1952 in the forests of Vojvodina. In Croatia, this association has been recorded in Podunavlje downstream from the mouth of the river Drava into the Danube (Rauš 1976), in lower Posavina (Rauš 1975), while more recently it was also found along the entire course of the river Drava and in Baranja. It takes up the highest positions of river islands and coastal areas which are currently exposed to irregular flooding of relatively short duration. The parent substrate is made up of older alluvium with advanced pedogenetic processes. These are usually carbonate sandy-loamy soils well supplied with nutrients and good aeration. The floral features and vegetational properties of the association have been analysed on the basis of 24 phytocoenological recordings, which show relative heterogeneity. The differences arise primarily from floral-genetic and ecological conditions along the three largest Croatian rivers. Thus, for example, apart from principal species of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), spreading elm (Ulmus laevis) and some forms of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), the tree layer along the river Drava is also characterised by the presence of grey alder (Alnus incana), along the Danube by ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) and white mulberry (Morus alba), and along the river Sava by common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and similar. The same holds true for the layer of shrubs and ground vegetation. The described community has little economic importance, but its researchers stress its important role as the terminal stage in the development of forest vegetation of riparian forests.

riperian forests of Croatia; Fraxino-Ulmetum laevis; vegetational properties; hydrological-pedological conditions; two variants; the terminal stage

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