engleski

Thermophilous beech forests on Slavonian hills (Croatia).

Slavonian hills are situated in the eastern part of Croatia, on the border of the Pannonian and Illyrian floristic area. Thanks to its location on the border of different climate influences (alpine from the west, dinaric to the south, pannonian from the east and north), great abundance and diversity of flora and vegetation is present in this area. Thermophilous beech forests in this area have not yet been studied, so we have analysed their syntaxonomic status, floristic, ecological and syndynamic features. 37 vegetational relevés have been made following the standard Braun-Blanquet method. The relevés have been compared with the relevés of similar vegetation in the wider geographical region. Surface soil layer was analyzed in all sampled plots. Other ecological characteristics, such as microclimate, geomorphology, Ellenberg indicator values, were also considered. Vegetation-site relationships were examined by using methods of direct gradient analysis. This type of vegetation develops through the succession of the pubescent oak forests on the shallow carbonate soils of mostly southern expositions. It is characterized by a high proportion of thermophilic species of the Quercetalia pubescentis order. As far as synecological conditions are concerned, these forests can be compared to the stands as. Ostryo-Fagetum and Laserpitio-Fagetum in the western part of Croatia, from which they differ by the absence of the species such as Ostrya carpinifolia, Laserpitium latifolium, Carex alba, Sorbus aria, Erica carnea, etc.

forest; vegetation; environmental gradients; croatia

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