Kanitzia 18. - NYME Természettudományi Kar - Nyugat ...

K A N I T Z I A Kanitzia 18: 59–88., Szombathely, 2011
Journal of Botany
VEGETATION ECOLOGY AND COENOLOGICAL RELATIONS
OF KRASCHENINNIKOVIA CERATOIDES IN THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN
KOVÁCS J. ATTILA
Institute of Biology, University of West Hungary,
9701-Szombathely, POBox 170, Hungary, kja@ttk.nyme.hu
Abstract
KOVÁCS J. A. (2011): Vegetation ecology and coenological relations of Krascheninnikovia ceratoides
stands in the Transylvanian Basin. – Kanitzia 18: 59–88.
Coenological and ecological studies on the steppic and dry grasslands in Transylvania demonstrated
the presence and distribution in new sites of the irano-turanian-pontic steppe element Krascheninnikovia
ceratoides, which abased on the disjunct area and isolated population-stands in Europe is
considered as a relict of the cold dry climate of the periglacial landscape. Field investigation on vegetation
ecology and coenological relations of all actually known sites in the Transylvanian Basin (near
Vultureni, Groapa Rădăii, Poiana Frăţii, Pănet) showed that this drought resistant species is well
adapted to the arid niches, open dry sites, abrupt reliefs, ancient landslides, to the warming up-drying
up processes inducing subdesert-like microclimate and local steppe conditions on sand, clay and marl
substrates. The favourable biological and ecological features of this species explain his historical
succes to colonize altered habitats and contribute to preserve particular coenotic stands.
As a results of the coenological analysis a new plant community, the Agropyro cristati-
Krascheninnikovietum ceratoidis ass. nova (Table 1, Typus relevé 7), was described, with continental
and pontic characteristics, given by the dominant stands (K. ceratoides) and the xerothermic diagnostic
species groups (Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Agropyrum cristatum, Artemisia campestris
agg., Artemisia austriaca, Artemisia pontica, Brassica elongata, Astragalus monspessulanus) which
indicate transitional characteristics between the Artemisio-Kochion and Festucion rupicolae alliances.
The new community has close coenotic and ecologic relationships with the Artemisietum ponticocampestris
(Transylvanian Basin) and with the Agropyro cristati-Kochietum prostratae (Pannonian
Basin). Stabilized coenotic stands of K. ceratoides were reported from other disturbed dry glasslands
(Bothriochloetum ischaemi, Potentillo arenariae-Stipetum capillatae) also. Small and rare populations
of K. ceratoides can be found in other steppic meadows and eroded dry grasslands (Stipetum
pulcherrimae, Stipetum lessingianae, Cariceto humilis-Festucetum rupicolae, Artemisietum ponticocampestris,
Artemisietum campestris-Agropyretum intermedii).
It can be concluded that the species K. ceratoides with a large biological adaptability presents
a great resistency to the continuous natural landslide processes, site erosion and fragmentation,
but supports less the annually vegetation burning, the intensive grazing pressure, clearings, strong
afforestations, different agricultural and economic interventions. Nevertheless, this species surviving
in the presented habitats and plant communities investigated must be considered as vulnerable, so
for these particular steppic vegetation, as relic enclave of the Holocene vegetation history, it would
be necessary to apply a saving and protection regime using the ’European priority habitats’ and also
the Transylvanian IPA-system.
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