The Cirsietosum creticae subassociation NOVA.

Abstract

The sub-Mediterranean influences are very strong in the Lower Basin of the Motru River and, in fact, throughout the south-western part of Romania. In this context, the Mediterranean species, Cirsium creticum, forms well-developed populations, tending to expand, being found in mesohygrophile coenoses from the water meadows. On the basis of their stational characteristics, spreading regions and qualitative and quantitative phytocoenologic indices, cirsietosum creticae has differentiated itself as a new subassociation within the phytocoenoses dominated by Carex hirta. The phytocoenoses are installed in the region of meso-hygrofile meadows (Agrostion stoloniferae), which have gained a deep character of ruderalization owing to irrational grazing. These characteristics confer phytocoenoses a status of an intermediary stage in the coenoses dynamics to their climax stage.