Nomenclatural-Phytocoenological Analysis of the Association Potentillo Micranthae-Quercetum Petraeae Ass. Nova in Croatia

Abstract

Phytocoenological traits of forests of sessile oak in the area of Zrinska Gora were investigated in 2009. Phytocoenological research was conducted using a method of the Zürich-Montpellier School. A comparison was made with acido-thermophilic forests of sessile oak from central and north-western Croatia, then from Slovenia and the Mescek Mountains in Hungary.A statistical comparison was made by entering all the phytocoenological relevés into the Turboveg database. This was followed by a classical synthetic analysis of the phytocoenological relevés and a multivariate analysis using Syntax 2000 software. Average Ellenberg's values were calculated for each relevé with JUICE 6.3 software.Taking into consideration all the facts, it can be concluded that the newly established association Potentillo micranthae-Quercetum petraeae shows a high degree of independence and differentiation from other similar associations described to date. In relation to others, it is poorer in species, both in terms of the systematic categories to which it belongs and the number of elements from the orders of Fagetalia and Quercetalia pubescentis. Of the species occurring in acidophilic forests of sessile oak, Genista tinctoria, Chamaecytisus hirsutus and Dicranella heteromalla can be considered characteristic species, whereas Galium sylvaticum, Cephalanthera longifolia, Dianthus armeria and Viola alba can be termed differentiating species. The species Potentilla micrantha, Festuca drymeia and Luzula forsteri are very important for the structure, physiognomy and syndynamics of the association.It is subordinated to the alliance Quercion robori-petraeae, the order Quercetalia robori-petraeae and the class Querco-Fagetea.

Biological Flora of the British Isles:Sorbus torminalis

“…Around the Mediterranean, S. torminalis is a fairly constant though infrequent species in acidic Quercus petraea woodlands in the order Quercetalia robori‐petraeae in northern Croatia along with Fraxinus ornus (Vukelić, Baričević & Šapić ). From here down into north‐west Greece, S. torminalis is also a rare component of the shrub layer of Quercus frainetto and Q. pubescens woodlands in the order Quercetalia pubescentis, particularly those that are coppiced (Rackham ; Medak ).…”

Where does Sedum cepaea L. (Crassulaceae) - one of the rarest species of Croatian flora - really grow?

“…On both finding spots (Moslava~ka gora and Zrinska gora, respectively), S. cepaea grows in vegetation belt dominated by sessile oak. On Zrinska gora the species lives in the recently described association Potentillo micranthae-Quercetum petraeae Vukeli}, Bari~evi} et [api} 2010[api} (VUKELI] et al 2010). This is a floristically relatively poorer type of acido-thermophilic forest of sessile oak, predominantly developed on southern exposures, at heights between 300 and 500 m. a. s., on luvisol and dystric cambisol.…”