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A syntaxonomical study of subalpine heathland communities in West European low mountain ranges
Author(s) -
Schaminée J. H. J.,
Hennekens S. M.,
Thébaud G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3235740
Subject(s) - climax , montane ecology , woodland , floristics , geography , ecology , subalpine forest , vegetation (pathology) , shrub , plant community , peat , ecological succession , biology , species richness , medicine , pathology
Abstract A survey is presented of the syntaxonomic status and the internal differentiation of the Genisto‐Vaccinion Br.‐Bl. 1926. This alliance comprises subalpine heathland communities of low mountain ranges in western Europe, which are dominated by Vaccinium and other dwarf‐shrub species. The alliance is assigned to the class Nardo‐Callunetea Preising 1949. All available releves were analysed together according to the Braun‐Blanquet approach. The floristic and ecological characteristics of the alliance are given, and the relationship to allied syntaxa is discussed. The Genisto‐Vaccinion is divided into two suballiances, the Phyteumo‐Vaccinenion and the Caricipiluliferae‐Vaccinenion. The Phyteumo‐Vaccinenion is restricted to the upper belt of the subalpine zone, where it includes the major part of the natural climax vegetation. Two associations are distinguished, the Pulsatillo vernalis‐Genistetum Quézel et Rioux 1954 and the Vaccinietum uliginosi‐myrtilli Br.‐Bl. 1926. The Caricipiluliferae‐Vaccinenion is bound to the lower belt of the subalpine zone; mostly, the communities have developed secondarily after cutting of the pre‐existing woodlands, followed by cattle grazing. Within this suballiance, four associations are described, the Alchemillo saxatilis‐Vaccinietum uliginosi Thébaud ex Schaminée et Hennekens 1992, the Allio victorialis‐Vaccinietum Schaminée et Hennekens 1992, the Pulsatillo alpinae‐Vaccinietum Carbiener 1966, and the Leontodonto‐Vaccinietum myrtilli Bartsch et Bartsch 1940. The description of the associations includes an appropriate diagnosis and enumeration of the nomenclatural types.