<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The present paper describes the floristic composition and synecology of steppe-like dry grasslands occurring in a Natura 2000 site in North-Central Greece around the two karstic lakes of Vegoritida and Petron. In total, 245 releves of vascular plant species composition and abundance were sampled and subjected to cluster analysis and ordination analysis. Passive explanatory variables, including environmental parameters as well as indicator values, were used to support the ecological interpretation. Four plant communities were distinguished in the area, namely Artemisia campestris-Dasypyrum villosum, Chrysopogon gryllus-Bothriochloa ischaemum, Satureja montana-Artemisia alba and Stipa capillata-Koeleria macrantha. All communities were classified within the Festuco-Brometea class and the Astragalo-Potentilletalia order. Soil properties (soil reaction, moisture and nutrient content) and meso-climate factors (temperature variation along topographic gradients) were identified as the main factors determining the floristic differentiation among the four communities. </p><p>The dry grasslands harbor a number of species associated with steppic habitats. We discuss the relict character of the steppe-like vegetation.</p></abstract>

The present paper describes the floristic composition and synecology of steppe-like dry grasslands occurring in a Natura 2000 site in North-Central Greece around the two karstic lakes of Vegoritida and Petron. In total, 245 releves of vascular plant species composition and abundance were sampled and subjected to cluster analysis and ordination analysis. Passive explanatory variables, including environmental parameters as well as indicator values, were used to support the ecological interpretation. Four plant communities were distinguished in the area, namely Artemisia campestris-Dasypyrum villosum, Chrysopogon gryllus-Bothriochloa ischaemum, Satureja montana-Artemisia alba and Stipa capillata-Koeleria macrantha. All communities were classified within the Festuco-Brometea class and the Astragalo-Potentilletalia order. Soil properties (soil reaction, moisture and nutrient content) and meso-climate factors (temperature variation along topographic gradients) were identified as the main factors determining the floristic differentiation among the four communities. The dry grasslands harbor a number of species associated with steppic habitats. We discuss the relict character of the steppe-like vegetation.

Steppe-Like Grass Land Vegetation in the Hills around the Lakes of Vegoritida and Petron, North-Central Greece

Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki

Department of Vegetation and Phytodiversity Analysis, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Gottingen, Untere Karspule 2, 37073 Gottingen, Germany

Hacquetia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The present paper describes the floristic composition and synecology of steppe-like dry grasslands occurring in a Natura 2000 site in North-Central Greece...

Steppe-Like Grass Land Vegetation in the Hills around the Lakes of Vegoritida and Petron, North-Central Greece

Published Online: Jun 17, 2014

Page range: 121 - 169

Received: Mar 28, 2013

Accepted: Oct 19, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/hacq-2014-0002

Keywords
Astragalo-Potentilletalia, dry calcareous grasslands, Festuco-Brometea, steppe plants, syntaxonomy, vegetation classification

© by Chrisoula B. Pirini

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Steppe-Like Grass Land Vegetation in the Hills around the Lakes of Vegoritida and Petron, North-Central Greece

Published Online: Jun 17, 2014

Page range: 121 - 169

Received: Mar 28, 2013

Accepted: Oct 19, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/hacq-2014-0002

KeywordsAstragalo-Potentilletalia, dry calcareous grasslands, Festuco-Brometea, steppe plants, syntaxonomy, vegetation classification

© by Chrisoula B. Pirini

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Astragalo-Potentilletalia, dry calcareous grasslands, Festuco-Brometea, steppe plants, syntaxonomy, vegetation classification