Vegetation classification and biogeography of European floodplain forests and alder carrs

0472805 - BÚ 2017 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Douda, Jan - Boublík, K. - Slezák, M. - Biurrun, I. - Nociar, J. - Havrdová, Alena - Doudová, J. - Aćić, S. - Brisse, H. - Brunet, J. - Chytrý, M. - Claessens, H. - Csiky, J. - Didukh, Y. P. - Dimopoulos, P. - Dullinger, S. - FitzPatrick, U. - Guisan, A. - Horchler, P. J. - Hrivnák, R. - Jandt, U. - Kacki, Z. - Kevey, B. - Landucci, F. - Lecomte, H. - Lenoir, J. - Paal, J. - Paternoster, D. - Pauli, H. - Pielech, R. - Rodwell, J. S. - Roelandt, B. - Svenning, J.-C. - Šibík, J. - Šilc, U. - Škvorc, Ž. - Tsiripidis, I. - Tzonev, R. - Wohlgemuth, T. - Zimmermann, N. E.
Vegetation classification and biogeography of European floodplain forests and alder carrs.
Applied vegetation science. Roč. 19, č. 1 (2016), s. 147-163. ISSN 1402-2001. E-ISSN 1654-109X
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GAP504/11/0402
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : formalized classification * Iberian peninsula * diversity
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 2.474, year: 2016

Thirty associations of floodplain forests and alder carrs were distinguished, which belong to five alliances. The Alnion incanae includes riparian, seepage and hardwood floodplain forests in the nemoral and hemiboreal zones (dominated by Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior) and in the boreal zone (dominated by A. incana). The Osmundo-Alnion represents oceanic vegetation dominated by Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia and F. excelsior distributed mostly on the Iberian Peninsula and composed of species with Atlantic distribution and Iberian endemics. The Populion albae comprises floodplain forests frequently dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia, Populus alba and P. nigra that are widespread in floodplains of large rivers under summer-dry climates in the Mediterranean region. The Platanion orientalis represents eastern Mediterranean floodplain forests dominated by Platanus orientalis. The Alnion glutinosae includes forest swamps dominated by Alnus glutinosa distributed mostly in the nemoral and hemiboreal zones. The main biogeographic patterns within European floodplain forests and alder carrs reflect the climatic contrasts between the Mediterranean, nemoral, boreal and mountain regions. Oceanic floodplain forests differ from those in the rest of Europe. The hydrological regime appears to be the most important factor influencing species composition within regions. This study is the first applying a formalized classification at the association level for a broad vegetation type at the continental scale. The proposed classification provides the scientific basis for the necessary improvement of the habitat classification systems used in European nature conservation.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0270030