Succession dynamics of vegetation in the Slovak Karst Biosphere Reserve Landscape (Western Carpathians)

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents results acquired by an ecological analysis of vegetation succession on the field of the Slovak Karst in south-east Slovakia over the past 25 years. The data were collected on permanent research plots etsablished in 1983−1985 on the Plešivská Plateau (part of the Slovak Karst National Park and Biosphere Reserve). Changes in mesic and dry grassland vegetation of permanent field plots were evaluated in the same way both times according to the Central European method. Due to cessation of non-forest vegetationmanagement the majority, permanent plots isgradually overgrownby woody plants. Succession of vegetation runs faster on karst plateaux where the trees and shrubs invasion is accompanied by overgrowing of grassland vegetation with Brachypodium pinnatum and Calamagrostis epigejos, which are completly change their species composition. On the steep limestone slopes and karst rocky fields of the lower altitudes the secondary succession is ongoing slower and is subjected mainly to accumulation of soil. Succession of herb layer is firstly reflected in changes of species abundance and later in exchanges of dominant species and plant communities. It was also evaluated succession in two forest habitats. In the community Fagetum typicum was evaluated succession after the artificial spruce wind calamity.