Medium‐term vegetation dynamics and their association with edaphic conditions in two Hungarian saline grassland communities

Abstract

AbstractMedium‐term (5.5 years) changes in the cover of major species in “Artemisia saline puszta” (Ass) and “Pannonic Puccinellia limosa hollow” (PPlh) grassland communities in the Kiskunság region, Hungary, were monitored and analyzed in relation to abiotic factors (e.g. air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, salinity and alkalinity). Soil salinity varied considerably, indicating leaching and desalinization of surface layers as the most typical process occurring in the region. Yearly average covers of Artemisia santonicum and Plantago maritima were negatively and positively related to surface soil salinity, respectively, in accordance with their salt tolerance. Multiple regression analysis showed soil pH and salinity to be the most important factors determining yearly average cover of plants at Ass. Increasing pH increased the cover of A. santonicum and P. maritima, but decreased the cover of Podospermum canum. Increasing salinity decreased the cover of A. santonicum and P. canum. At PPlh, pH of groundwater had a positive effect and the lakewater level had a negative effect on the cover of Puccinellia limosa. The results provide information on the ongoing changes in the soil properties and the resulting changes in plant composition in these Hungarian salt‐affected grasslands.