In: Phyton, 49 Fasc. 2 (2010), S. 293-312 with 5 figures

Key words: Pholiuro pannonici-Plantaginetum tenuiflorae Wendelberger 1943. – Phytosociology, ecology, saline vegetation. – Pannonian Basin, Hungary, Slovakia.

Summary

Díte D., Eliáš P. jun., Šuvada R. & Szombathová N. 2010. Ecology and coenotic characteristics of the Pholiuro pannonici-Plantaginetum tenuiflorae in the Pannonian Basin. – Phyton (Horn, Aus­tria) 49(2): 293–312, with 5 figures.

The Pholiuro pannonici-Plantaginetum tenuiflorae Wendelberger 1943 community is only known from the Pannonian region. The community has been reliably documented in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. Because this plant community is known only from a relatively small area, details about its synecology are inaccurate. To fill the relevant gaps in knowledge, the ecology and coenology of this community were studied in two countries within the Pannonian Basin (Hungary and Slovakia). A DCA analysis of 77 relevés from the Pannonian Plain confirmed that the community is characterised by the co-occurrence of both dominant plant species with an abundance over 5%, although their individual abundances may reach values of up to 50%. The total area covered by vascular plants was relatively variable, ranging from 25 to 60%. The widespread presence of accessory species was dependent on the environmental conditions, in particular the moisture gradient. Our results also showed that while in Hungary the community occurs on across large areas, in Slovakia it is considered extinct. Extinction was likely caused by significant changes in the landscape structure, especially the land reclamation of alkali steppes (i.e., drainage, tillage). Secondary communities with both Pholiurus pannonicus and Plantago tenuiflora were created in damaged habitats, mainly in the deep tracks of rural roads. The occurrence of the above-mentioned species was dependent on occasional disturbance that eliminated competition from other plant species. Compared to the typical Pholiuro-Plantaginetum community, the secondary communities contain several ruderal and meadow species.