Gradient analysis of vegetation on the south slope of Vitosha mountain, Southwest Bulgaria

Dyakov, N. R.

doi:10.15666/aeer/1204_10031025

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(62 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The area covers 118 km 2 . For details about the studied area refer to Dyakov (2012), Dyakov (2013), Dyakov (2014).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is popular measure of species significance in the sampled vegetation (van der Maarel and Franklin, 2012) because it combines important aspects of species' quantitative occurrence. Detailed information on the field techniques can be found in previous papers (Dyakov, 2012;Dyakov, 2013;Dyakov, 2014;Dyakov and Zhelev, 2013).…”

Section: Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Habitat dryness and slope topography were quantified using the methodology of Whittaker (1956). For complete procedure on gradient quantification methodology refer to Dyakov (2012).…”

Section: Quantifying the Environmental Gradientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Spatial Distribution of Dominant Plants Species According to Local Environmental Gradients

Dyakov¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. At the current stage of vegetation ecology development as a science it has not been reached consensus between the competing theories trying to explain vegetation pattern emerging under the influence of underlying environmental gradients. It is still not clear what is the response of different plant species towards the influence of complex gradients? This study tries to revise some classical and temporary hypotheses concerning species response surface/curve shape along environmental gradientswhether it is symmetric (Gaussian) or with other shape. It also attempts to check if species modes along complex gradients are distributed randomly, uniformly or they are clumped, as well as to inspect the species mode distribution among species importance value octaves -whether it is lognormal or lograndom. Field samples were gathered using gradsect method for laying down sampling plots. Obtained data were analyzed in the context of four complex gradients -elevation, habitat dryness, slope inclination and slope convexity. CCA ordination, GAM and LOEES regression and nonparametric correlation were used as analyzing tools. We have found that species response surface/curves do not have symmetric shape but rather they show asymmetric and complex forms. Mode distribution of dominant tree and shrub species was random but that of herbs followed clumped pattern. When species mode distribution was divided into octaves, trees and shrubs showed lograndom distribution but all species together had lognormal one. Herbs alone do not conform to neither lognormal nor lograndom distributional patter. It seems that each species has its own response shape towards the environment, determined by its physiology, interaction with other species and historical events. It is hoped that the current study will add a little drop to the vast ocean of vegetation ecology knowledge helping with the clarification of the basic understanding of the vegetation pattern.

show abstract

“…The area covers 118 km 2 . For details about the studied area refer to Dyakov (2012), Dyakov (2013), Dyakov (2014).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Spatial Distribution of Dominant Plants Species According to Local Environmental Gradients

Dyakov¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The area covers 118 km 2 . For details about the studied area refer to (Dyakov, 2012(Dyakov, , 2013(Dyakov, , 2014.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Plant Species Diversity Pattern in a Local Environmental Space

Dyakov¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. The loss of biodiversity is a major concern for conservationists and whole human societies these days. Understanding plant species diversity pattern along local environmental gradients can be very useful for undertaking management and conservation measures. Despite the enormous efforts in the last decades, however, unified theory about the plant diversity pattern has not yet emerged. This study tries to model plant species diversity pattern in the context of four local/indirect environmental gradients. Nonparametric correlation and multiple regression methods have been used. Ecological response surfaces of species richness at the two levels of observation showed similar complex distribution in the local environmental space. Vegetation diversity and evenness also had complex pattern with several peaks. Dividing species into growth forms revealed their specific manner of diversity distribution. Plant diversity correlated positively with elevation, habitat dryness, herb stratum cover and mature forest stands. It correlated negatively with slope convexity and inclination, tree stratum cover and early-successional stands. Alien and rare plant species number were also positively correlated with species richness and diversity. β-diversity variation along moisture gradient was due mainly to herbs. Trees and shrubs showed decreasing β-diversity along moisture gradient with increasing elevation. β-diversity along elevational gradient showed no clear trend. Our results support the idea that diversity pattern is much more complicated than previously thought due to the complex interplay between local environmental gradients, vegetation succession and history. Understanding of diversity pattern in the local environmental space will allow resident managers and conservationist to set more specific goals and to take more applicable actions in order to preserve plant diversity in the area for the future generations.

show abstract

“…Studies have revealed that soil attributes are of the main parameters in distribution of plant societies, particularly in arid land (Goodal and Perry, 1979) and correlation of some soil chemical characters as well as soil humidity with vegetation cover have been documented in different studies (Dyakov, 2014;Sheikh et al, 2014;Gemedo et al, 2014 Yaqoob and Nawchoo, 2016). It has large presence in Asia, particularly in Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan compared to other genera in the family (Pimenov and Leonov, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Distribution of Ferula Ovina (Boiss.) Boiss. In Northwest Iran

Aghajanlou¹

2018

Appl. Ecol. Env. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Ferula ovina is a forage species, and of the species that is very important in soil conservation and water protection in the rangelands. It has become an endangered species in Iran due to regular cutting and overgrazing. The focus of this study is to investigate the effect of ecological factors on distribution of F. ovina in the study area. Samples were collected from three habitats (sites) where F. ovina was present along with three sites which did not have it. Three 150 m transects were established based on randomsystematically method on each site. On each transect, 10 square plots (2×2 m) were set up, and soil surface features were measured. Climatologic factors were assessed and physiographic factors were extracted for each site. Soil samples were collected from a 0-30 cm depth for each transect, and the values of soil were determined through laboratory analysis. According to the results, a significant difference was found for the parameters of elevation, slope, aspect, temperature, EC, pH, OC, phosphorus, clay, silt and sand (P≤0.01) between habitats where F. ovina were present and absent. Results of discriminant analysis suggested that the amount of sand and gravel on soil surface, phosphorous, clay, and EC were effective factors in the distribution of target species.

show abstract

Gradient analysis of vegetation on the south slope of Vitosha mountain, Southwest Bulgaria

Cited by 10 publications

References 21 publications

Spatial Distribution of Dominant Plants Species According to Local Environmental Gradients

Spatial Distribution of Dominant Plants Species According to Local Environmental Gradients

Modelling Plant Species Diversity Pattern in a Local Environmental Space

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Distribution of Ferula Ovina (Boiss.) Boiss. In Northwest Iran

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About