Modern analogues from the Southern Urals provide insights into biodiversity change in the early Holocene forests of Central Europe

0347962 - BÚ 2011 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Chytrý, M. - Danihelka, Jiří - Horsák, M. - Kočí, M. - Kubešová, S. - Lososová, Z. - Otýpková, Z. - Tichý, L. - Martynenko, V. B. - Baisheva, E. Z.
Modern analogues from the Southern Urals provide insights into biodiversity change in the early Holocene forests of Central Europe.
Journal of Biogeography. Roč. 37, č. 4 (2010), s. 767-780. ISSN 0305-0270. E-ISSN 1365-2699
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : bryophytes * broad-leaved trees * mixed oak forests
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 4.273, year: 2010

Based on the modern analogue of the Southern Ural forests, we propose the hypothesis that the late-glacial open-canopy pine and larch forests of Central European lowlands were rich in light-demanding species of vascular plants, many of which were also typical of tall-grass steppes or mesic grasslands. They also contained several species of ground-dwelling bryophytes. The spread of birch, aspen and oak in the early Holocene reduced the local species richness of ground-dwelling bryophytes but not of vascular plants. The subsequent spread of elm, lime, maple and ash caused canopy closure, a retreat of the lightdemanding herbs and a decline in the local species richness of vascular plants. Besides the increased shading by these tree species, their litter enriched soils in calcium, and enhanced decomposition and nutrient cycling. This supported an increase in the species richness of land snails.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0188603