Syntaxonomy of <i>Arundo</i> stands along the eastern Adriatic coast

<p>Based on the diagnostic morphological characters of the <i>Arundo</i> taxa, and after both field and herbarium observation, three species (<i>A</i>. <i>micrantha</i>, <i>A</i>. <i>plinii</i> and <i>A</i>. <i>donax</i>) were found along the eastern Adriatic coast. Altogether, 50 phytocoenological relevés from <i>Arundo</i> stands were collected in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania between 2010 and 2013. Three associations with a predominance of <i>Arundo</i> species were determined: <i>Arundinetum plinianae</i>, <i>Arundinetum micranthae</i> and <i>Arundini donacis–Convolvuletum sepium</i>. Among them, <i>Arundinetum micranthae</i> is described and proposed as a new association, belonging to the <i>Artemisietea vulgaris</i> class. It occurs frequently along the coastal belt between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik in South Croatia. The syntaxonomy of the associations is discussed and comparison with similar communities from Italy is made. The vegetation and floristic structure of the associations is discussed as a potential basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and for evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.</p