Vegetation classification and biogeography of European floodplain forests and alder carrs
2016
Aim: Formalized classifications synthesizing vegetation data at
the continental scale are being attempted only now, although
they are of key importance for nature conservation planning.
Therefore, we aim to provide a vegetation classification and to
describe the main biogeographical patterns of floodplain
forests and alder carrs in Europe. Location: Europe. Methods: A
database of more than 40 000 vegetation plots of floodplain
forests and alder carrs across Europe was compiled. After
geographic stratification, 16 392 plots were available for
classification, which was performed using the supervised method
Cocktail. We also searched for new associations using
semi-supervised K-means classification. The main biogeographic
patterns and climate-related gradients in species composition
were determined using detrended correspondence analysis and
cluster analysis. Results: Thirty associations of floodplain
forests and alder carrs were distinguished, which belong to
five alliances. The Alnion incanae includes riparian, seepage
and hardwood floodplain forests in the nemoral and hemiboreal
zones (dominated by Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior) and
in the boreal zone (dominated by A. incana). The Osmundo-Alnion
represents oceanic vegetation dominated by Alnus glutinosa,
Fraxinus angustifolia and F. excelsior distributed mostly on
the Iberian Peninsula and composed of species with Atlantic
distribution and Iberian endemics. The Populion albae comprises
floodplain forests frequently dominated by Fraxinus
angustifolia, Populus alba and P. nigra that are widespread in
floodplains of large rivers under summer-dry climates in the
Mediterranean region. The Platanion orientalis represents
eastern Mediterranean floodplain forests dominated by Platanus
orientalis. The Alnion glutinosae includes forest swamps
dominated by Alnus glutinosa distributed mostly in the nemoral
and hemiboreal zones. The main biogeographic patterns within
European floodplain forests and alder carrs reflect the
climatic contrasts between the Mediterranean, nemoral, boreal
and mountain regions. Oceanic floodplain forests differ from
those in the rest of Europe. The hydrological regime appears to
be the most important factor influencing species composition
within regions. Conclusions: This study is the first applying a
formalized classification at the association level for a broad
vegetation type at the continental scale. The proposed
classification provides the scientific basis for the necessary
improvement of the habitat classification systems used in
European nature conservation.
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