Two new pioneer communities of Sorbus aucuparia and Sorbus aria in the southern Julian alps

In the southern Julian Alps we described two communities whose tree layer is dominated by species from the genus Sorbus and noted two successional stages in the overgrowing of abandoned agricultural land (pastures, hay meadows). In the secondary succession on former subalpine pastures above the alp Planina Razor und under the Breginjski Stol ridge, where potential naturalvegetation consists of subalpine beech forest, dwarf pine has been overgrown with mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) whose stands are classified into the new association Rhododendro hirsuti-Sorbetum aucupariae. Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) has established itself on steep former hay meadows in the belt of altimontane beech forests under Mts. Jalovnik and Krikov Vrh, on gullied slopes on mixed geological bedrock dominated by chert, and these stands are classified into the association Calamagrostio arundinaceae-Sorbetum ariae. While occupying only small areas these two pioneer stages, as the sites of some rare or protected species, are nevertheless important biotopes and play a vital role in protection against avalanches

Vegetation analysis of the subalpine beech forest on the upper forest line in the Julian Alps (NW Slovenia and NW Italy) and in the northern Dinaric Alps

Using hierarchical clustering with unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) we arranged 602 phytosociological relevés of beech forests on the present forest line, mainly from the Julian Alps and the Trnovo Forest Plateau (we also included the relevés from the Karawanks and the Kamnik Alps) into 32 clusters. Based on their analysis and comparison with previously described similar (alti)montane-subalpine beech communities we classified most of the relevés into the association Polysticho lonchitis-Fagetum and its new subassociations ericetosum carneae, cardaminetosum trifoliae, luzuletosum niveae, luzuletosum luzuloidis, calamagrostieteosum variae, allietosum victorialis, adoxetosum moschatellinae, stellarietosum nemorum and several new variants. The altitude of the studied stands is predominantly 1400 to 1550 m (the upper line is at 1660 m); they occur at all aspects, frequently on steep and very steep slopes, mainly on limestone and dolomite limestone, the predominant soil type is rendzina. These stands are species rich (on average 61 species per relevé, altogether more than 500 vascular plants) and have many species in common with the stands of associations Rhododendro hirsuti-Fagetum and Rhodothamno-Laricetum. They belong to the habitat type of Community interest 91K0 Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests and are some of the best preserved forest communities in the Southeastern Alps and northwestern Dinaric Alps, comprising small areas of virgin forest remnants and performing an important protective role as a biotope

Plant communities with Carex frigida in the Julian Alps (northwestern Slovenia)

In already known localities in the Julian Alps (Mangart, Malo Polje, Zeleno Jezero, Blehe under Šoštar) and in several new ones (Loška Koritnica, Bavh, Spodnji Lepoč, Mlinarica, Konjska planina, Mali Babanski Skedenj) we inventoried the stands along the subalpine-alpine springs and spring areas where Carex frigida frequently occurs as the predominant vascular plant. We classified them into the following associations: Saxifrago aizoidis-Caricetum ferrugineae, Caricetum davallianae s. lat., Ranunculo traunfellneri-Paederotetum luteae, Carici frigidae-Petasitetum albi (alliance Adenostylion alliariae) and Festuco nitidae-Caricetum frigidae (alliance Cratoneurion). The latter two were described as new. Based on comparisons with similar communities along mountain springs we deliberated on the most appropriate classification of the latter into higher syntaxonomic units

Phytosociological analysis of montane-subalpine dwarf willow shrub communites in the Julian Alps and on the Trnovski gozd plateau (NW and W Slovenia)

By means of a phytosociological analysis of 72 relevés of montane-subalpine shrub communities with dominating Rhododendron hirsutum, Salix waldsteiniana, S. glabra and S. appendiculata from the Julian Alps and the the Trnovski Gozd Plateau and by comparing them with similar communities elsewhere in the Alps and the Dinaric Alps we described a new association Laserpitio peucedanoidis-Salicetum waldsteinianae, a new subassociation Rhododendretum hirsuti vaccinietosum myrtilli, two new subassociations of the association Dryado-Rhodothamnetum chamaecisti that had recently been described in the Dolomites (-caricetosum frmae, -salicetosum waldsteinianae), as well as a new association Heliospermo pusillae-Rhododendretum hirsuti. We classifed the glabrous willow community in the study area into a new association Homogyno sylvestrisSalicetum glabrae and proposed a new name – Rhododendro hirsuti-Salicetum appendiculatae for the large-leaved willow community, which we subdivided into two geographical variants: var. geogr. Paederota lutea (Julian Alps, Trnovski Gozd Plateau) and var. geogr. Hypericum grisebachii (Liburnian Karst)

Alpine grasslands with dominant Luzula alpinopilosa in the Julian and Carnic Alps (NW Slovenia, NE Italy)

Abstract We conducted a phytosociological study of alpine grasslands with dominant Luzula alpinopilosa in the Julian and Carnic Alps. Based on a comparison with similar communities elsewhere in the Alps we described a new association Junco jacquinii-Luzuletum alpinopilosae, which we classify into the provisional alliance Doronico glacialis-Juncion jacquinii, order Festucetalia spadiceae and class Juncetea trifidi. The new association characterises moist shady grasslands in gullies and on ledges on limestone admixed with marlstone and chert, in the elevation range between 2000 and 2500 m, where the snow cover persists for extended periods. We distinguish three subassociations: -galietosum anisophyllae (the most calcareous form), -potentilletosum aureae (typical form) and -leucanthemopsietosum alpinae (acidophilic form on Werfen sandstones in the Carnic Alps, which is the most similar to the stands of the association Luzuletum alpinopilosae from the Central Alps)

Two new montane grassland communities from the SE Alps (N Slovenia)

On very steep dolomite slopes in the western foothills of the Kamnik Alps (Ravni hrib, Javorov vrh, Zaplata, Kriška gora) and southwestern Karavanke Mountains (Dobrča) we conducted a phytosociological study into montane grasslands (former hay meadows, partly pastures) where Gladiolus palustris, a species ofEuropean conservation concern, also occasionally occurs. They were compared with similar montane grasslands (former hay meadows) on sunny slopes of the Stol ridge above Breginj in the southwestern foothills of the Julian Alps. Based on this comparison we described three new syntaxa: Centaureo julici-Laserpitietumsileris gladioletosum palustris, Festuco amethystinae-Seslerietum calcariae and Pediculari julici-Bromopsietum transsilvanicae. Both new associations are classified into the alliance Caricion austroalpinae and treated as a long-term successional stage in the belt of altimontane beech forests from the association Ranunculo platanifolii-Fagetum

Phytosociological analysis of noble hardwood forests (Ostryo-Tilienion platyphylli) in the Karst and its neighbouring regions (SW Slovenia)

In SW Slovenia, at Gora under Železna Vrata and Petnik gorge near Branik – both on the northern edge of the Karst, in the collapse doline Orleška Draga at Sežana and under Brkinski Rob at the contact of the Karst and Brkini Hills, we conducted a phytosociological analysis of the stands whose tree layer is dominated by Tilia platyphyllos, T. cordata, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ulmus glabra, in places also Carpinus betulus and Ostrya carpinifolia, and classified them into three associations, Corydalido ochroleucae-Aceretum pseudoplatani, Paeonio officinalis-Tilietum platyphylli and Fraxino orni-Aceretum pseudoplatani. The latter was described as a new. Also new is a secondary large-leaved lime association Lamio orvalae-Tilietum platyphylli on the sites of montane beech forests (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum) in the Čepovan valley, at the contact of the Dinaric and sub-Mediterranean phytogeographical regions of Slovenia. &nbsp

Alpine grasslands with dominant Luzula alpinopilosa in the Julian and Carnic Alps (NW Slovenia, NE Italy)

We conducted a phytosociological study into alpine grasslands with dominant Luzula alpinopilosa in the Julian and Carnic Alps. Based on a comparison with similar communities elsewhere in the Alps we described a new association Junco jacquinii-Luzuletum alpinopilosae, which we classify into the provisional alliance Doronico glacialis-Juncion jacquinii, order Festucetalia spadiceae and class Juncetea trifidi. The new association characterises moist shady grasslands in gullies and on ledges on limestone admixed with marlstone and chert, in the elevation range between 2,000 and 2,500 m, where the snow cover persists for extended periods. We distinguish three subassociations: -galietosum anisophyllae (the most calcareous form),  -potentilletosum aureae (typical form) and                  -leucanthemopsietosum alpinae (acidophilous form on Werfen sandstones in the Carnic Alps, which is the most similar to the stands of the association Luzuletum alpinopilosae from the Central Alps)

Plant communities of moist rock crevices with endemic Primula carniolica in the (sub)montane belt of western Slovenia

Based on our analysis of a large number of relevés of communities of moist rock crevices in western Slovenia (southern Julian Alps, northern part of the Trnovski Gozd Plateau) we described several new syntaxa with the endemic Primula carniolica. The most unique in terms of ecology is a hygrophilous chasmophytic community classified into the association Astrantio carniolicae-Primuletum carniolicae, which served, together with similar hygrophilous associations Astrantio carniolicae-Pinguiculetum alpinae and Campanulo cespitosae-Saxifragetum aizoidis, associations Phyteumato columnae-Primuletum carniolicae and Primulo carniolicae-Potentilletum clusianae, and the subassociation Primuletum carniolicae violetosum biflorae, as the basis for the description of the new suballiance Astrantio carniolicae-Paederotenion luteae within the alliance Physoplexido comosae-Saxifragion petraeae. The elevational range of chasmophytic communities with the Natura 2000 species Primula carniolica is 200 to 1460 m a.s.l. Chasmophytic species that most commonly accompany Primula carniolica include Orthothecium rufescens, Paederota lutea, Phyteuma schuechzeri subsp. columnae, Sesleria caerulea and Aster bellidiastrum

Phytocoenological Research in Forest Ecosystems at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Fitocenologija proučava uzajamne odnose među biljkama koje se pojavljuju u zajednicama. U Sloveniji i Hrvatskoj se uvriježila tzv. srednjeeuropska (Braun-Blanquetova) metoda. U 20. stoljeću ta metoda doživjela je veliki razvoj i zamah, a njena otkrića mnogo su koristila šumarima kao pomoć pri planiranju šumskog gospodarstva i u suvremenom uzgajanju šuma, posebice za grupno postupno uzgajanje i slobodnu tehniku. Razvoj brzih i visoko učinkovitih osobnih računala u 80-im godinama prošloga stoljeća, omogućio je masovnu i razmjerno jednostavnu uporabu matematičkih metoda, ponajprije multivarijatne statistike u vrednovanju, klasifikaciji i poređenju fitocenoloških snimaka. Računala omogućuju stvaranje opsežnih baza fitoce no loških podataka koje fitocenolozi uspješno koriste te pomoću njih izrađuju suvremene preglede šumske i grmolike vegetacije širih područja. Korištenje i obrada velikog broja snimaka u mnogočemu je promijenila poglede na temeljnu jedinicu sintaksonomskoga sustava, na asocijaciju i na pojam svojstvenih i razlikovnih (diferencijalnih) vrsta. Usprkos velikom razvoju i sadaš njoj širokoj razgra na tosti različitih pristupa u proučavanju vegetacije, temelji fitocenološkog proučavanja šumskih ekosustava i u 21. stoljeću ostaje poznavanje biljaka, dakle botaničko znanje. Šumske zajednice, asocijacije kao apstraktne jedinice, trebale bi biti ne samo floristički (što matematička obrada može prikladno osigurati), već i ekološki utemeljene, njihove sastojine na terenu prepoznatljive šumarima (praktičarima), a fitocenološki opisi trebali bi im pomoći u konkretnim zahvatima (sječi), planiranju i proučavanju.Phytocoenology (phytosociology) studies interactions bet ween plant communities. It researches the dependence of plants on the living and non-living environment (climate, parent material, mineral soil composition). It provides explanation for the selective manner in which nature operates, which enables plant communities adapted to specific sites to form from the surviving tree, scrub and other plant species; it gives an overview of these communities and their changes over time. The article gives an account of a comprehensive historical development of phytocoenology in Central Europe and a description of certain issues in the contemporary phytocoenological study of forest ecosystems with special regard to Slovenia and Croatia. Phytocoenology developed in the 19th century when botanists did not only study individual plants, but also how entire vegetation changes within a landscape. The focus of their attention became plant formations or plant communities in relation to their environment. In the southeastern European region, phytogeographical (geobotanical) or vegetation studies in the second part of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century were published by F. Krašan, G. Beck and L. Adamović, for example. An important milestone was the Botanical Congress in Brussels (1910), where the concept of association was defined. This resulted in a fast development of the discipline, but different methods were developed in different parts of the world, and attention was paid to different issues. The most widespread, also in Slovenia and Croatia, was the Central-European (Braun-Blanquet, Zürich-Montpellier) method. Among other things, the pioneers of phytocoenological research in Slovenia (G. Tomažič, M. Wraber, and V. Tregubov) and Croatia (I. Horvat, S. Horvatić) conducted also thorough research of forest communities. In this respect, Horvat´s Biljnosociološka iztraživanja šuma u Hrvatskoj (Horvat 1938) is a pioneer work. In Slovenia and Croatia, phytocoenology established itself in forestry practice only after the Second World War. Soon after the end of the war two Horvat´s books, Nauka o biljnim zajednicama (1949) and Šumske zajednice Jugoslavije (1950), were published. Professors Dušan Mlinšek and Milan Anić deserve a lot of credit for the promotion of phytocoenology in the forestry of Slovenia and Croatia because they emphasised the significance of the knowledge and consideration of sites in contemporary silviculture. The result of a very fruitful cooperation of phytocoenologists in the then Yugoslavia and more widely, within the Eastern Alpine and Dinaric Society for Vegetation Ecology in the 1970s and 1980s, was also a map of natural potential vegetation of Yugoslavia in the scale of 1:1.000.000 (B. Jovanović et al. 1986) and Prodromus phytocoenosum Jugoslaviae (Zupančič et al. 1986). The work of the time was incorporated also into the Map of Natural Vegetation of Europe in the scale of 1:2500000 (Bohn et al. 2000). Development of fast and more advanced personal computers in the 1980 s, which paved a way for relatively simple massive utilisation of mathematical methods (above all multivariate statistics) in comparisons of phytocoenological relevés and their grouping by environmental factors, brought about a significant turnaround in vegetation research conducted according to the Central-European and other methods. One of the first widely used software of this kind was TWINSPAN (Hill 1979). Later on other program packages, such as MULVA (Wildi & Orloci 1996), SYN-TAX (Podani 2001), JUICE (Tichy 2002), CANOCO (Ter Braak & Šmilaure 2002), PC-ORD (McCune & Mefford 2006), etc. were applied as well. In this respect, a problematic issue in the Central-European method is the subjective selection of relevés and subjective evaluation of cover or abundance of species with ordinal values (e.g. r, +, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). There have been discussions among experts on the correct procedures for numeric processing of ordinal input data. Some, e.g. Podani (2005), believe that only ordinal classification and non-metric ordination methods are suitable for such data. Others disagree. A similar problem exists with the statistical analysis of data acquired using non-random (subjective) sampling, such as are also our relevés. Experts published their pro et contra views on when and to what extent such analysis is appropriate in the journal Folia geobotanica (Herben & Chytrý 2007). Despite the above concerns it is still true that the Central-European method allows a relatively fast, simple and inexpensive way of acquiring useful data on vegetation and its connections with the environment. Databases of vegetation relevés (e.g. TURBOVEG - Hennekens & Schaminée 2001) already keep large amounts of historic, several decades and even half a century old relevés that were made with subjective plot selection. Disregarding these relevés on account of their statistically problematic (subjective and non-random) origin would mean discarding very valuable ecological data. Ecologists therefore use these data to their advantage, but with regard to their limitations. These data are used also in contemporary overviews of vegetation of large regions (e.g. in Willner & Grabherr 2007). Using and processing large quantities of relevés has changed the views of the basic unit of the syntaxonomic system - association - in many ways, and has affected the way we see the concept of character and differential species (comp. Willner 2006). When selecting diagnostic species authors apply different computing procedures. A large number of relevés enable a relatively objective calculation of fidelity of species to certain syntaxa and their diagnostic value (e.g. with phi-coefficient - Tichý & Chytrý 2006). As a rule, in formalized classification the number of syntaxonomic units of a vegetation formation (e.g. forest communities) within a certain region is reduced. The question remains, however, whether such reduction is founded on the actual site conditions and on the actual phytocoenoses. Before the turn of the century there was a shift from the knowledge (study) of plant communities to the knowledge (study) of habitats. It is an acknowledgement of the Braun-Blanquet method that the most widely used habitat type classification in Europe (Devillers & J. Devillers-Teschuren 1996) is in many ways based on this method itself, as well as on its findings and its review of plant communities, arranged in a hierarchical system. If we compare Braun-Blanquet´s Phytocoenology from 1964 and van der Maarel´s Vegetation ecology, which was published in 2005, we can observe a significant development and a broad array of different approaches to the research of plants, including forest vegetation. Nevertheless, the foundations of phytocoenological study of forest ecosystems in the 21st century may stay similar to what they have been so far. This means the knowledge of plants, i.e. botanical knowledge, remains essential. A forester who is professionally active in the forest should be familiar with the flora and vegetation of his district, so botany and dendrology in the new study programmes should be taught in the same extent as before, with a sufficient number of lessons left for practical and field work. Forest phytocoenology is their upgrading and its composite part is the knowledge of different methods of vegetation analysis. There are more methods apart from the Central-European method. Lately functional approach has gained momentum in Europe in discussions and research of vegetation, especially of that in disturbed habitats, and in the study of syndynamic processes (compare e.g. Grime 1974, 2001, Klotz et al. 2002). It would be very useful for the southeastern Alpine-Dinaric region with its variegated vegetation to prepare and unify the databases of our numerous relevés, to process them and critically review the correctness of names and justification of some of the syntaxa. This can only be done with consideration of the actual site conditions and the actual phytocoenoses in nature, which means we should not act merely as statisticians or mathematicians, who hardly know anything about the forest. Forest communities, associations treated as abstract units, should be not only floristically (which can be adequately provided with a mathematical processing), but also ecologically grounded, foresters (who are the users of our research) should be able to recognise their stands in the field, and our descriptions ought to provide help to foresters in concrete interventions into the forest