Inland salt areas of Southeast Serbia: ecological preferences of certain representatives of flora

Abstract

Simultaneous monitoring of vegetation and soil of inland salt areas of Southeastern Serbia was performed in order to assess the univariate response of species along the environmental gradients. Five habitat types were recognized by classification analysis based on physicochemical characteristics of soil. Ecological preferences of 9 species recognized as diagnostic of established habitats were estimated by Huisman-Olff-Fresco models. Carex distans, Cynod on dactylon and Plantago coronopus are diagnostic species of habitat type I which is characterized by electrical conductivity lower than 500 μScm−1, slightly alkaline reaction and low concentration of nutrients. Habitats of type II with alkaline soil, where concentration of available potassium (53 mg K2O/100 g soil) and phosphorus (19 mg P2O5/100 g soil) is high and electrical conductivity is in range of 608 to 860 μScm−1, are suitable for Carex divisa, Juncus compressus and Limonium gmelinii. Puccinellia festuciformis shows affinities to habitats of type III, characterized by electrical conductivity of 1200–2800 μScm−1 and low water and nutrient content. Presence of Camphorosma monspeliaca on habitats (type IV) indicates high concentration of OH− ions, salts (>3000 μScm−1) and chlorides in soil. Puccinellia distans shows affinities to strongly saline, alkaline and nutrient rich habitats (type V) with fluctuating water regime during the vegetation season. Information on objectively assessed ecological preferences of plant species represents a suitable foundation for defining local or regional indicator systems, calibration of existing ecological indices and realization of procedures with the goal of conservation and enhancement of threatened ecosystems such as inland salt areas.