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Life strategies in the xerothermous vegetation complex of the lower unstrut Valley (Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany)
Author(s) -
Freyi W.,
Hensen I.,
Heinken Th.
Publication year - 2001
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.4921120114
Subject(s) - vegetation (pathology) , geography , forestry , west germany , history , economic history , medicine , pathology
The subjects of this study are the life strategies and life strategy species groups of plant communities in relation to changing hahitat conditions along ecological gradients in the xerothermic vegetation complex of the Lower Unstrut Valley (Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany). The nine plant communities studied (Galio‐Carpineturn, Geranio‐Dictamnetum, Adonido‐Brachypodietum, Festuco‐Stipetum, Trinio‐Cariceturn, Poo‐Allietum, Teucrio‐Seslerietum, Teucrio‐Melicetum, Onopordetum) could be characterized by significant life strategies ranging from Perennial stayers with diaspore years to Fugitives and Annual shuttle species. Life strategy species groups are of great synstrategic relevance for the respective plant Community. They allow a functional and species‐related characterization of plant communities. Most of the plant communities are characterized by small numbered species groups which are thought to be the functional nucleus of the community and relevant to nature conservation and the biotope net discussion. A correlation of life strategies, dispersal and reproduction ecology is given in a special chapter and diagram. It reveals a strong correlation of life Strategies ‐ as a system of co‐evolved adaptive traits ‐ to habit at conditions resp. ecological gradients. For example: Annual shuttle species are adapted to open habitats (gaps) Fugitives are mostly restricted to disturbed habitats; Short‐lived shuttle species dominate on ruderal sites; Colonists on naturally disturbed sites; Cryptophytes in the summer‐shaded herb layer of the xerothermic forests; and the moderate and stable habitats are built up by Perennial stayers. Additionally, in the tree layer of the Galio‐Carpinetum, Perennial stayers are set apart of diaspore years. Exclusive long‐range dispersal only reaches a maximum in the tree layer of the Galio‐Carpinetum, short‐range dispersal dominates on stable, undisturbed, extreme habitats without broader human impact. The dominance of clonal reproduction in the herb layer of the Galio‐Carpinetum is extraordinary. This reproduction type is also relatively high in most of the xerothermic communities.