The Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini plant association in the Western Carpathians (the Tatra Mts and the Babia Góra Massif)

Piotr Górski

doi:10.5586/asbp.2004.012

Abstract

<p>This article is the first published information on the occurrence of the snow-beds of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini in the Western Carpathians. So far, localities of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini phytocoenoses have been known exclusively from the Alps, the Black Forest, and the Eastern Carpathians. During this study, carried out in the Polish Carpathians, phytocoenoses of Nardo-Gnaphalietum were recorded in the two highest massifs - the Tatra Mountains and the Babia Góra Massif. They were closely related to anthropogenically-influenced sites with exposed and lumped ground located near tourist routes. Habitat characterization and spatial complexes of the patches of Nardo-Gnaphalietum in the investigated area are given herein.</p><p>Critical revision of phytosociological data from the Alps and the Eastern Carpathians revealed that the discussed phytocoenoses have been described within the communities of Luzuletum alpino-pilosae, Salicetum herbaceae or Nardetum strictae. In this study, all phytosociological data concerning the association were collected and the floristic distinction of the phytocoenoses of particular mountain massifs is discussed. A new subassociation Nardo-Gnaphalietum oligotrichetosum hercynici was distinguished on the basis of local habitat variability. Although Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini does not have characteristic species, it is a well-distinguished typological unit in the class Salicetea herbaceae Br.-Bl. 1948, and is a central association of the alliance Nardo-Salicion herbaceae Englisch 1999.</p>

Highlights

Phytocoenoses of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini have not been, as yet, known from the Western Carpathians
The aim of this study was to provide a scientific description of the Western Carpathians phytocoenoses of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini and to di
Patches of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini were recorded in non-calcareous parts of the Tatra Mountains and in the Babia Góra Massif (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Phytocoenoses of Nardo-Gnaphalietum supini have not been, as yet, known from the Western Carpathians. All available information on their occurrence refers to the Alps, the Black Forest and the Eastern Carpathians. This syntaxon has been first documented over sixty years ago 1940) with a single phytosociological relevé and described as Nardus-Gnaphalium supinumGesellschaft from the Black Forest Mountains. That patch overgrowed a hollow within the dense Vaccinietum myrtilli community in the subalpine zone of the Feldberg Massif. Another relevé made in the same area, was regarded as representing Nardus stricta-Gnaphalium supinum-Association (Müller 1948). Another relevé made in the same area, was regarded as representing Nardus stricta-Gnaphalium supinum-Association (Müller 1948). Oberdorfer (1950), not questioning the distinctiveness of the NardusGnaphalium community, considered it as merely a variant (with Nardus stricta) of the association Luzuletum alpinopilosae Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926

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