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Phytosociological studies on high mountain plant communities of the Taurus Mountains (Turkey) 3. Snow‐patch and meltwater communities
Author(s) -
Kürschner H.,
Parolly G.,
RaabStraube E. V.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
feddes repertorium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1522-239X
pISSN - 0014-8962
DOI - 10.1002/fedr.19981090714
Subject(s) - meltwater , phytosociology , plant community , snow , ecology , geography , edaphic , range (aeronautics) , floristics , physical geography , glacier , species richness , biology , materials science , meteorology , soil water , composite material
The present paper deals with the phytosociology, syntaxonomy and phytogeography of the snow‐patch and meltwater communities of the Western and Central Taurus. The study reveals that the high‐alpine and subnival meltwater communities of the eastern portion of the Central Taurus (Bolkar Daǧglari and Aladaǧglari) are attached phytosociologically to scree communities (Jurinellion moschus, Heldreichietea); all snow‐patches and the meltwater communities of the lower elevations to the Trifolio‐Polygonetalia order (Trifolio‐Polygonion base communities). The snow‐patch and meltwater communities of the Western Taurus and the adjacent Pisidian and Isaurian Taurus form a particular Thlaspion papillosi alliance within the Trifolio‐Polygonetalia. The alliance comprises two associations (Muscari bourgaei‐Ornithogaletum brevipedicellati QUÉZEL 1973 with four variants, Fritillarietum pinardii ass. nova) and one rankless community. In describing the Thlaspion papillosi new to science, the Bolanthion frankenioidis is emended by removing the snow‐patches to leave the units of the mesophytic “pelouses rases” (carpet turfs), which are quite different from the chionophytic communities in floristic, physiognomical and ecological respects. All syntaxa are more closely characterized by life form and chorotype spectra. The paper indicates the phytosociological and syndynamical links of the snow‐patch and meltwater communities which strongly depend upon the duration of the period of the snow‐cover and edaphic peculiarities. Thus, spatio‐temporal differentiations of these communities and their different stages are pointed out for the first time in the Taurus range.