Natural acidophilous Quercus and Pinus forests in the northern Vosges, France, from a geographical perspective

Abstract. A phytosociological study of forests on Vosges sandstone in the basins of Pays de Bitche (Bitcherland) resulted in the identification of three plant communities: Luzulo‐Quercetum, Leucobryo‐Pinetum, and Vaccinio uliginosi‐Pinetum. The Luzulo‐Quercetum is an association with a typically sub‐continental distribution; the two communities with Pinus sylvestris are clearly more continental. The Luzulo‐Quercetum oak forest represents a climatic climax and the pine forests are considered edaphic climaxes linked to very dry soils ( Leucobryo‐Pinetum ) or peaty soils ( Vaccinio uliginosi‐Pinetum ). These three associations determine a forest sequence that is typical of sub‐continental areas in which Quercus petraea dominates in the climatic climax. In more continental areas, it is gradually replaced by Pinus sylvestris. Thus, the forest sequence in Pays de Bitche represents a remarkable subcontinental link in the transition from Atlantic oak forests to continental pine forests.