Carpinus Orientalis Research Articles

Assessment of phytopathological state of woody plants by ultrasound diagnostics

The state of the wood trunk tissue of trees Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta', Morus nigra L., Magnólia grandiflóra L., Carpinus orientalis Mill., growing in the Park of the Educational center "Sirius" (Sochi) was determined with the use of complex acoustic ultrasound tomography ARBOTOM® ABT05-S. It was revealed that these species were characterized by a significant differentiation in the degree of damage to bracket fungi. Low level of phytopathogenic damage was observed in Carpinus orientalis . The trunk wood of Morus nigra was characterized by the highest rates of phytopathogenic damage. The negative impact of bracket fungi is one of the most significant factors that reduce vital functions and reduce the life of many species of woody plants. Phytopathogenic damage to wood and trunk rot formation and voids have an impact on the growth and development of plants, reducing their life time, and can lead to death and fall of a tree, which within the urban environment is a potential danger to people.

Relative pollen productivity estimates in the forest steppe landscape of southeastern Romania

Estimates of relative pollen productivity (RPP) represent key input parameters for model-based quantitative reconstructions of past vegetation cover. In this study, we provide the first RPP estimates for 13 taxa from the forest steppe ecoregion in southeastern Romania (southeastern Europe). We used modern pollen assemblages from 26 points together with vegetation surveys and mapping, covering a 1.5 km radius around each sampling site. We have estimated the relevant source area of pollen (RSAP) and pollen productivity for 13 taxa relative to Poaceae using the ERV (Extended R-value model), sub-model 3, as this model shows the best goodness of fit. The estimated RSAP is about 100 m and falls within the range of RSAP estimates of moss pollsters and forest hollows from other RPP-related studies. Results show that Rubiaceae (7.97), Apiaceae (5.91), Artemisia (5.89) and Fraxinus (2.99) are high pollen producers compared to Poaceae, while Plantago lanceolata (0.58), Fabaceae (0.40), Acer (0.30), Rosaceae (0.29), Carpinus orientalis (0.24), Cerealia (0.22) and Asteraceae (0.16) are low pollen producers with lower RPPs than Poaceae. Quercus (1.10) has a pollen productivity close to that of Poaceae. The RPPs for Carpinus orientalis and Fabaceae are published here the first time for Europe. The high pollen producing plants include both entomophilous and anemophilous species, while the low pollen producers are mostly entomophilous species. Our results form an essential contribution to improving the accuracy of quantitative reconstruction of forest steppe ecoregion in Europe and generally in regions with a similar climate and vegetation setting.

Preliminary assessment of Chvizhepse and Sochi complex for potential recovery of Persian leopards

During the realization of The Program for Reintroduction of the Leopard in the Caucasus in Russian Federation the mountain landscapes of the Western Caucasus within the boundaries of the historical habitat of the Pantera pardus saxicolor were explored. On the border of the Caucasian State Reserve and the Sochi National Park (Russia), we selected the area (50 km2) covered by mountain forests (95%). The most common tree species are: Fagus orientalis (40.9%), Quercus pubescence, Quercus petraea, Quercus iberica and Quercus hartwissiana (24.6%), Buxus colhica (1.4%), Castanea sativa (13.6%), Carpinus betulus and Carpinus orientalis (8.4%), and Alnus glutinosa (3.3%). We have revealed the presence of the following potential prey species: 3 individuals of Sus scrofa, 35 ones of Cervus elaphus maral, 20 – of Capreolus capreolus, and 12 – of Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica. Also we have noted that there are Lepus europaeus, Meles meles, Nyctereutes procyonoides, and Procyon lotor on the studied are. Based on the natural land’ capacity, the population density of potential prey species has growth potential. The results showed that the territory has a high potential not only for periodic visits, but also as one of the permanent habitats of the leopard.

Vegetation history and paleoclimate at Lake Dojran (FYROM/Greece) during the Late Glacial and Holocene

Abstract. A new high-resolution pollen and NPP (non-pollen palynomorph) analysis has been performed on the sediments of Lake Dojran, a transboundary lake located at the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The sequence covers the last 12 500 years and provides information on the vegetational dynamics of the Late Glacial and Holocene for the southern Balkans. Robust age model, sedimentological diatom, and biomarker analyses published previously have been the base for a multi-perspective interpretation of the new palynological data. Pollen analysis revealed that the Late Glacial is characterized by steppic taxa with prevailing Amaranthaceae, Artemisia and Poaceae. The arboreal vegetation starts to rise after 11 500 yr BP, taking a couple of millennia to be definitively attested. Holocene vegetation is characterized by the dominance of mesophilous plants. The Quercus robur type and Pinus are the most abundant taxa, followed by the Quercus cerris type, the Quercus ilex type and Ostrya–Carpinus orientalis. The first attestation of human presence can be presumed at 5000 yr BP from the contemporary presence of cereals, Juglans and Rumex. A drop in both pollen concentration and influx together with a δ18Ocarb shift indicates increasing aridity and precedes clear and continuous human signs since 4000 yr BP. Also, a correlation between Pediastrum boryanum and fecal stanol suggests that the increase in nutrients in the water is related to human presence and pasture. An undoubted expansion of human-related plants occurs since 2600 yr BP when cereals, arboreal cultivated and other synanthropic non-cultivated taxa are found. A strong reduction in arboreal vegetation occurred at 2000 yr BP, when the Roman Empire impacted a landscape undergoing climate dryness in the whole Mediterranean area. In recent centuries the human impact still remains high but spots of natural vegetation are preserved. The Lake Dojran multi-proxy analysis including pollen data provides clear evidence of the importance of this approach in paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Cross-interpretation of several proxies allows us to comprehend past vegetation dynamics and human impact in the southern Balkans.

ŠUMSKA VEGETACIJA TREŠNJIKA KOD BANJE LUKE

Rad obrađuje šumsku vegetaciju potencijalnog Natura 2000 područja „Trešnjik” na Starčevici kodBanje Luke. Iako područje leži nadomak glavnog grada Republike Srpske, šumska vegetacija do sadanije bila istraživana. Istraživanje je ukazalo na veliki diverzitet šumskih staništa na relativno malomprostoru. Utvrđeno je ukupno sedam stanišnih tipova, klasifikovanih u dvije ekološki i florističkijasno definisane grupe: (i) Grupa stanišnih tipova bukovih šuma: (1) stanišni tip Athyrium filix-femina-Fagus sylvatica (čiste šume bukve); (2) stanišni tip Fagus sylvatica-Tilia tomentosa (šume bukvei srebrnolisne lipe); (3) stanišni tip Quercus petraea-Tilia tomentosa (degradacija prethodnog tipa,sa dominacijom lipe); (ii) Grupa stanišnih tipova kitnjakovih šuma: (4) stanišni tip Carpinus betulus-Quercus petraea (klimatogena šuma kitnjaka i graba); (5) stanišni tip Vaccinium myrtillus-Quercuspetraea (acidofilna kitnjakova šuma); (6) stanišni tip Carpinus orientalis-Quercus petraea (termofilnekitnjakove šume); (7) stanišni tip Fraxinus ornus-Carpinus orientalis (šikare bjelograbića i crnogjasena).

Body size and mean individual biomass variation of ground-beetles community (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as a response to increasing altitude and associated vegetation types in mountainous ecosystem

AbstractCarabid fauna is not sufficiently explored in Central and Western Balkan areas, especially in mountain ecosystems with unique biodiversity which is a result of specific environmental factors and geologic history. Furthermore, distribution of species and adaptation to varying environmental parameters change along the altitudinal gradients. All this highlights the need for biodiversity and ecological studies in order to assess the state of the mountain ecosystems and conservation significance. Carabids as good bioindicator group can be used as a tool for monitoring those changes. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences of body size distribution and mean individual biomass (MIB) of ground beetle assemblages as a response of changing conditions and vegetation types along an altitudinal gradient on Belasitsa Mountain in south Macedonia. Both parameters significantly decreased with increasing altitude and were consequently associated with the vegetation type. Larger bodied individuals and higher values of MIB were recorded in the white oak and oriental hornbeam forest stands with the values decreasing in sessile oak forests towards submontane and montane beech forest stands. This research yielded first list of carabid species inhabiting Belasitsa Mountain with insight of carabid body length and biomass distribution along altitudinal gradient.

VEGETATION OF DECIDUOUS FORESTS IN THE BALKAN PENINSULA*

The article provides an overview of deciduous forests of the Balkan Peninsula. It presents riverine, floodplain and moor forests, dominated by Alnus incana, A. glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, F. angustifolia, Quercus robur, Salix alba, Ulmus laevis, U. minor; acidophilous forests dominated by Betula pendula, Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea; thermophilous forests dominated by Carpinus orientalis, Ostrya carpinifolia, Quercus cerris, Q. farainetto, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens and mesophilous forests dominated by Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, F. orientalis, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia argentea, T. cordata, T. platyphyllos, Ulmus glabra. At the same time, forests were classified into the synsystematic framework of the standard Central European system to the level of an alliance.

Tylophoron hibernicum (Arthoniaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) – первое указание рода и вида для России

The genus Tylophoron Nyl. ex Stizenb. and species Tylophoron hibernicum (D. Hawksw.) Ertz et al. are reported for the first time from Russia, based on the materials collected in the North-Western Caucasus from the Krasnodar region, where its grows on Quercus pubescens in oak and oriental hornbeam forest, in Utrish Reserve, Abrau Peninsula. The genus Tylophoron is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics, and only one pantropic species T. hibernicum is extending into the temperate latitudes in oceanic parts of the Western Europe (Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain). Earlier, the genus was referred to the order Caliciales, and only recently molecular data have shown that the genus belongs to the Arthoniaceae. Species T. hibernicum is easily recognized by its pale yellowish sporodochia, 0.2–0.6(–1) mm diam., growing on felty, pale greyish to creamy or bluish thallus (containing lecanoric acid, C+red), and hyaline, 0–1-septate conidia – simple conidia ellipsoid to oblong, rarely spherical, (4.5–)6–6.5(–8) × 3–4 μm and 1-septate conidia often distinctly constricted at the septum, (6–)7–11.5(–15) × (3–)3.5–4.5(–5) μm.

Bernasso, a paleoforest from the early Pleistocene: New input from plant–insect interactions (Hérault, France)

Plants and insects have interacted for millions of years in terrestrial ecosystems and are essential to the function of the food web. These interactions can be classified based on different functional feeding groups and damage types, and provide information about the relationship between plants and insects. We focused this study on the Pleistocene deposit of Bernasso (Hérault, southern France). The Bernasso fossil leaf assemblage has been dated from 2.16–1.96Ma and corresponds to a deciduous forest comprising both continental and Mediterranean species such as Carpinus orientalis Mill., Parrotia persica C. A. Mey. and Acer monspessulanum L., Sorbus domestica L., respectively. Twenty different plant species are represented by 590 fossil leaves among which more than 36% present insect damage. Thirty-nine different damage types were found with galling being the most prominent. These types of interactions enable discussion about the ecological settings that prevailed at this epoch (forest age, precipitation, temperature). For instance, the mean annual precipitation was certainly higher than today in the region. Moreover, the results of this study offer the possibility to get new insights into the ecological paleoforest community.

Taxonomical and chorological notes 3 (28–37)

Th e third part of the recently launched series includes miscellaneous new records from fungi to vascular plants. New chorological records of one fungi, two pterids, and seven fl owering plants are provided here: one new for Hungary (Dittrichia graveolens) and two for Albania (Drypoteris expansa, Salvia aethiopis), two new for South Hungary (Carpinus orientalis and Moneses unifl ora), one new for the Mecsek Mts (Deschampsia fl exuosa), one confi rmed in the Kőszeg Mts (Dryopteris affi nis), one new for the Zemplen Mts (Eleocharis uniglumis), one for the Cserhat Mts (Himantoglossum adriaticum), and one for the Buda, Borzsony, and Bukk Mts (Xylobolus subpileatus). At the same time, Xylobolus subpileatus and Carpinus orientalis had only one previously known native locality in Hungary while the others are regionally rare in Hungary. Carpinus orientalis was likely planted in the reported locality, Dittrichia graveolens is introduced, Deschampsia fl exuosa likely introduced, while the other reports refer to native occurrences of the discussed taxa.

Биоразнообразие фитоценозов заповедника «Утриш»

We consider data on a variety of different forest forming tree species in a unique facility of Mediterranean flora on Russian territory – State Nature Reserve "Utrish." Conifers are represented by three species of junipers (Juniperus exelsa Bieb., Juniperus foetidissima Willd., Juniperus oxycedrus L.), Rinus kochiana Klotsc, Pinus pityusa Stev., Taxus baccata L. Greek Juniper is a dominating one on the area of 563.2 hectares, followed by prickly juniper (52.8 ha) and stinking juniper (38.9 ha). Their age is ranged from 121 to 141 years. The average height of juniper woodlands, where juniper stands as forest formimg species ranges from 5.4 m, with an average diameter of 16.3 cm for forests with Juniperus oxycedrus dominance to 7.6 m with an average diameter of 27.1 cm, in the case of Juniperus foetidissima and 6.9 m with an average diameter of 26.2 cm for Juniperus exelsa. Hardwoods dominate in the composition of forests in the reserve. Oak forests cover an area of about 7500 hectares. Large areas are under European ash forests dedicated to wetter conditions in the valleys in the crevices and flattened sheltered gullies. Examples of these types are associated with forests and the dominance of the Caucasian hornbeam, field maple. Carpinus orientalis usually playing a role in the undergrowth juniper stands and oak forests with dominance of pubescent oak forms plantations in clearings. Conifers are dominant in the coastal part of the reserve, and oak forests are basic phytocenoses forming the forest reserve "Utrish".

Site characteristics of Tuber magnatum in Greece

Day after day it is being demonstrated that Greece hides a buried treasure in its forests. The wild black truffles <em>Tuber aestivum, T. uncinatum, T. brumale </em>and <em>T. melanosporum </em>and the white truffle <em>T. borchii </em>and recently <em>T. magnatum </em>are picked in a variety of forest ecosystems all over the country. The information which has been collected has initiated a national programme on truffle cultivation which, so far, has immense appeal, especially among young farmers. The discovery of carpophores of <em>T. magnatum</em>, the most valued white truffle in the market, triggered the interest in studying the site characteristics, botanical and pedological, in order to help farmers to cultivate the species in similar sites. All carpophores were found under hornbeam (<em>Carpinus orientalis</em>) along the banks of a creek on alluvial sediment. Soil analyses of four soil samples from truffle nests showed a narrow range of values of pH in water (7.57–7.78) and 1N KCL (6.94–7.07) and a similar granulometric soil texture.

English

The aim of this study was to investigate the methods that increase the germination of the native species Cercis siliquastrum and Carpinus orientalis, whose seeds exhibit dormancy. Seeds of C. siliquastrum were collected from a natural habitat and an urban environment, and seeds from both origins were given 6 different dormancy-breaking treatments. Seeds of C. orientalis were collected from an urban environment and were given 5 different dormancy-breaking treatments. For C. siliquastrum seeds, the treatment that gave the best final germination was the combination of acid scarification for 30 min and immersion in 500 ppm gibberellin (GA3) (52% for the seeds from the urban environment and 62.5% for the seeds from the natural habitat germinated). For C. orientalisseeds, the results showed that, the most effective treatment was moist-cold stratification for 12 weeks which resulted in 84% germination. Key words: Carpinus orientalis, Cercis siliquastrum, dormancy, gibberellin, scarification, stratification.

Deciduous Oak Forests Database of the Italian Peninsula

The existence of large databases is fundamental to improve ecological and phytogeographical information to build a ‘natural’ syntaxonomic scheme. In different parts of Europe, deciduous forests have already been well studied and their phytosociological meaning interpreted at regional level, nevertheless a broader scale approach is often missing. To define the thermophilic and mesophilic oak deciduous forests of Southern Europe there are several syntaxonomical proposals at higher ranks, that show differences in their ecological significance. Several Authors use the Querco-Fagetea class by which the differences between oak, mixed and beech forests are expressed at the level of order and alliance. Despite the clear link between the Italian and Balkan Peninsula, the Apennines maintain strong links with the forest vegetation of Central Europe, interpretable only within the QuercoFagetea class. In Italy phytosociological studies focused on deciduous oak forests have a relative recent tradition compared with other countries. In particular there are a great number of local contributions, while there are only few contributions that tackle syntaxonomical issues at a broader, peninsular level. For these reasons the aim of this database is to collect releves of oak forests belonging to the Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae and Fagetalia sylvaticae orders to perform numerical analyses and classification. Thermophilous and thermo-mesophilous oak forests are dominated by various species such as Quercus cerris, Q. pubescens, Q. frainetto, Carpinus betulus, Carpinus orientalis, Ostrya carpinifolia, Fraxinus ornus and Acer opalus obtusatum. The present project is based on selected published (and unpublished) releves recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet approach and stored in a TURBOVEG database. At present 1,600 releves of oak forests vegetation surveyed in Peninsular Italy are stored in the Deciduous Oak Forests Database of the Italian Peninsula (GIVD ID EU-IT-006). The future goals are to determine whether the variation in species composition follows a geographical pattern, to test the real ecological characteristics of the associations recognised by phytosociological studies and to identify which diagnostic species can be used for different types.

Effect of stratification and scarification treatments on the germination of oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis) seeds

Summary Carpinus orientalis is a common species in the semi-mountainous regions of Greece and elsewhere, with significant value for goat nutrition and as a natural flame retardant. Little is known about the germination behaviour of the species. This study describes the effects of various germination treatments on the germination of fresh C. orientalis seeds which were found to have a non-deep physiological dormancy imposed both by the endosperm and the embryo. Different levels of cold and warm stratification were applied, alone and in combination with chemical and mechanical scarification treatments. In addition, an excised embryo test was conducted. Cold stratification for three months at 5°C was found to be adequate to release dormancy and allow germination of almost all viable seeds. Acid scarification reduced germination without damaging the embryo, while mechanical scarification was lethal. Experimental and discussion

Phylogeny of Korean Hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninovii) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequence

The genus Carpinus belonging to Coryloideae, Betulaceae, has significant economic and ornamental importance. This study was undertaken with the aim to understand the genetic diversity among eighteen isolates of Carpinus turczaninovii collected from different geographical regions of Korea, using ribosomal RNA (rRNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, to compare the infraspecific-phylogenetic relationships among C. turczaninovii in Korea, and some known Carpinus plants. The size variation of sequenced rRNA ITS regions was not seen, with 215, 162, 222 bp of ITS1 region, 5.8S rRNA gene, ITS2 region, respectively. However, some certain nucleotide variations resulted in genetic diversity. In the genus Carpinus, C. turczaninovii closely genetic with Castanopsis kawakamii, Carpinus orientalis,Carpinus monbeigiana, and Calyptranthes polynenra formed one monophyletic clade, while Carpinus betulus and Carpinus laxiflora, respectively formed one monophyletic clade. In the present ITS sequence analysis, Carpinus fangiana,Carpinus coreana, Carpinus japonica, and Carpinus caroliniana were considered as Out Group, compared to C. turczaninovii group. The highest intraspecific variation was found between C. caroliniana and C. japonica. The least intraspecific variation was obtained between C. turczaninovii and C. coreana. The results will help further understanding Carpinus infraspecies population and their phylogenetic analysis. Key words: Carpinus, Hornbeam, Carpinus turczaninovii, molecular identification, nuclear ribosomal RNA, internal transcribed spacer, infraspecific-phylogenetic relationship.

Phylogeny of Korean Hornbeam ( Carpinus turczaninovii ) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequence

The genus Carpinus belonging to Coryloideae, Betulacea e, has significant economic and ornamental importance. This study was undertaken with the aim to understand the genetic diversity among eighteen isolates of Carpinus turczaninovii collected from different geographical regions of Korea, using ribosomal RNA (rRNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, to compare the infraspecificphylogenetic relationships among C. turczaninovii in Korea, and some known Carpinus plants. The size variation of sequenced rRNA ITS regions was not seen, with 215, 162, 222 bp of ITS1 region, 5.8S rRNA gene, ITS2 region, respectively. However, some certain nucleotide variations resulted in genetic diversity. In the genus Carpinus, C. turczaninovii closely genetic with Castanopsis kawakam ii, Carpinus orientalis, Carpinus monbeigiana , and Calyptranthes polynenra formed one monophyletic clade, while Carpinus betulus and Carpinus laxiflora , respectively formed one monophyletic clade. In the present ITS sequence analysis, Carpinus fangiana, Carpinus coreana, Carpinus japonica , and Carpinus caroliniana were considered as Out Group, compared to C. turczaninovii group. The highest intraspecific variation was found between C. caroliniana and C. japonica. The least intraspecific variation was obtained between C. turczaninovii and C. coreana . The results will help further understanding Carpinus infraspecies population and their phylogenetic analysis. Key words: Carpinus, Hornbeam, Carpinus turczaninovii, molecular identification, nuclear ribosomal RNA, internal transcribed spacer, infraspecific-phylogenetic relationship.

Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration in a Marine Area

This paper deals with the planning of rehabilitation of spoils of asbestos mine in NW Greece with the name MABE in Prefecture of Kozani. For this purpose a detailed ecological research has taken place in the wider area in order to estimate the prevailing environmental (site) conditions. The spoils heaps are characterized by very steep slope inclination (80-90%). In order to improve the stability of the area, in cooperation with civil engineers of our scientific team, a minimization of slope inclination to 39-43% had been decided. For the avoidance of erosion hazard, broad terraces (8-12 m width) and small terraces (1.2 m width) must be constructed. After these works the whole surface of spoils will be covered by topsoil of 40 cm depth. On this topsoil the suitable trees and shrubs species will be planted. The list of these species is the result of detailed research in the mine and the surrounding area. The tree species Pinus nigra, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Quercus pubescens have proposed as dominant species and Acer campestre, Carpinus orientalis, Ostrya carpinifolia, Fraxinus ornus, Celtis austalis and Sorbus aucuparia as secondary tree species.

Palaeoecological studies at the Kaliakra area, northeastern Bulgarian Black Sea coast: 6000 years of natural and anthropogenic change

A 7.5 m sediment core from Lake Bolata, a small former coastal liman lake in northeastern Bulgaria, was analyzed for pollen and plant macrofossil content in attempt to trace the changes in the vegetation, human impact and the influence of the Black Sea during the last ca. 6,000 years. Lake Bolata started its existence when the rising Black Sea level reached the elevation of the bottom of the depression. By that time nearly all tree species were already present in this area with the exception of Carpinus orientalis. The comparison of the arrival time of oriental hornbeam at different sites along the Bulgarian Black Sea confirmed the reliability of the local radiocarbon chronology. For the period under study the vegetation of the region around the site can be described as a forest-steppe due to NAP values higher than 40% of the pollen sum. Forests on the slopes of the river canyon consisted of Quercus spp., Acer, Carpinus orientalis, Fraxinus ornus, Fagus and possibly Tilia. Riverine forests formed stands composed of Salix, Alnus, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Carpinus betulus and Vitis as a liana. The vegetation on the Cape Kaliakra plateau, bordering the canyon, was dominated by diverse herbs and most of these could be considered xerophytes. The oldest occupation period belongs to the Eneolithic, documented by the occurrences of Triticum-type pollen at 5570–5170 cal b.p. (3620–3220 b.c.). The next period of higher continuous Cerealia-type values corresponds to 3450–1830 cal b.p. (1500 b.c.–a.d. 120). The macrofossil record chiefly provides evidence about plant communities of aquatics and helophytes.

Aspects of the flora and vegetation of the "Izvorul Bigăr" Nature Reserve (south-western Romania).

The “Izvorul BigAƒr” Nature Reserve is located in south-western Romania. The aim of the present paper is to describe some aspects of the flora and vegetation around BigAƒr spring. The analysis of the vegetal association was carried out using the method of the Central-European phytocoenological school. The vegetation around the BigAƒr spring and waterfall is dominated by compact beech forests with a frequently reduced grassy layer and soil rich in humus. On the banks of the watercourse and on the rocks around the spring there are species specific to flooding plains of the beech sub-stratum and also thermophilous and xerophilous species, many of them Balkan, Pontic or Mediterranean elements. The phytocoenoses we analysed belong to the Phyllitidi - Fagetum Vida (1959) 1963 association. The association is characteristic to shady and moist slopes with soils rich in humus and formed on a lime substratum sometimes with surface rocks. The species with high abundance-dominance values are: Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus ornus, Acer pseudoplatanus, Tilia cordata, Hedera helix, Asplenium scolopendrium, Arum orientale, Asarum europaeum, Cardamine bulbifera, Lunaria annua, Polypodium vulgare. Such species as Carpinus orientalis, Cotinus coggygria, Fraxinus ornus, Ruscus hypoglossum, Syringa vulgaris point out the thermophilous character of the forests in southern Banat.