The Vegetation of Karsts in Hungary

Abstract

AbstractKarst systems in Hungary are topographically complex environments supporting habitats for a number of zonal and edaphic plant communities that harbour many endangered, endemic and relict species, indicating past evolutionary dynamics and the alternation of colder and warmer climate periods during the Quaternary. Vegetation structure, species richness, floristic composition and functional traits vary along steep environmental gradients, resulting in a high alpha, beta and gamma diversity over relatively short distances. Different human activities, such as agriculture, mining, construction, grazing, forestry and tourism have been shaping the vegetation of these karst systems for centuries, although there are regional differences concerning the level and type of anthropogenic impacts. Increasing temperatures and longer drought periods have been detected for the area of the Carpathian Basin, and this trend will probably continue in coming decades. The capacity of karstic refugia to buffer against the negative effects of climate oscillations on vegetation is likely to be exceeded if the current management practices will remain unchanged. In this chapter, the phytogeography, community structure and threatening factors of the different karst areas in Hungary were discussed by reviewing the most relevant literature, primarily focusing on the vascular vegetation of these karst areas.KeywordsBiodiversity hotspotClimate changeEndemic speciesRefugiumThreatening factor