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

liance, keeping various steppic elements in South-Eastern and Central Europe (CHYTRÝ et
al. 2007). They have a large distribution in Transylvania also (CSŰRÖS et al. 1961, SOÓ
1947, RESMERIŢĂ et al. 1968, SANDA et al. 2008, KOVÁCS 2009). Stands of Stipa capillata
with the coenotic participation of Krascheninnikovia ceratoides have been identificated
near the localities Pănet, Poaiana and Groapa, all these situated in the area of Central Transylvania
(Transylvanian Plain).
The coenotic stands occur on south- south-western facing slopes of warm, dry
and eroded sites, sunny flanks and landslide slopes, developed on clay, sand and marly
substrates. The dry grasslands of Stipa capillata (A-D: 25-50%) were used as pastures long
time, but nowdays they remained mostly as abandoned lands. In the species composition
of the stands, whithout the character species (Stipa capillata, Potentilla arenaria) of the
community, there can be recognized the small coenotic group of Krascheninnikovia ceratoides
(K. ceratoides, Agropyron cristatum, Artemisia campestris, Astragalus monspessulanus)
also. In this vegetation unite, the participation and local frequency of the xeric
generalist species of dry grasslands is significant: Linum austriacum, Vinca herbacea, Festuca
rupicola, Campanula sibirica, Jurinea mollis, Astragalus austriacus, Elymus hispidus,
Scabiosa ochroleuca, Stachys recta, Adonis vernalis (Festucetalia valesiacae), Salvia
nemorosa, Poa angustifolia, Medicago falcata, Teucrium chamaedrys, Euphorbia cyparissias,
Anthericum ramosum, Koeleria cristata (Festuco-Brometea) etc. In some sampling
plots important steppic plants have been recognized like Salvia nutans, Stipa lessingiana
(Groapa), Gypsophila collina (Poiana), Asyneuma canescens (Pănet) which indicate the
strong coenotic relations with the steppe-meadows vegetation. Coenotic relationship with
the semi-dry grasslands and fringe communities is demonstrated by the presence of Trifolio-Geranietea
and Brometalia species: Dorycnium herbaceum, Brachypodium pinnatum,
Galium glaucum, Tanacetum corymbosum, Inula ensifolia, Securigera varia etc. The dendrogram
of the cluster analysis of the sampled plots (Fig. 5) and the ordination diagram
(Fig. 6) shows that all relevés separated in the group of Stipetum capillatae having coordinate
position and basic coenological relationships with the sampling plots of Bothriochloetum
ischaemi and, having a distance, being in a marginal position from the relevés
of Agropyro cristati-Krascheninnikovietum ceratoidis. The distance between the relevés
(18–24) and their field fragmentation and separation showed the specific niche and ecological
conditions of the Transylvanian Basin.
Conclusion
Coenological and ecological survey on the steppic and dry grasslands in Transylvania
demonstrated the presence and the distribution of the Eurosiberian (anatolo-iranoturanian-pontic)
floral element, the Krascheninnikovia ceratoides in new sites. The species
with disjunct area and with isolated population-stands in Europe is considered as a relict
of the cold dry climate of the periglaciar landscape. Field investigation on vegetation ecology
and coenological relations of all actually known sites in the Transylvanian Basin (near
Vultureni, Groapa Rădăii, Poiana Frăţii and Pănet) showed that this drought and cold resistant
species is well adapted to abrupt reliefs, open dry sites, steep slopes with southerly-
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