Acta Botanica Croatica, Vol. 65 No. 2, 2006.
Original scientific paper
Schoenus nigricans (Cyperaceae) xerophytic grasslands on the NE Adriatic islands Cres and Krk (Croatia)
K.-G. Bernhardt
M. Kropf
Abstract
Several xerophytic grasslands on the NE Adriatic islands Cres and Krk (Croatia) are dominated by tussock-forming Schoenus nigricans (Cyperaceae). All vegetation types reported are characterised by the degradation of the vegetation cover due to grazing. Phytosociologically, the vegetation is classified as the Danthonio-Scorzoneretum villosae subass. schoenetosum nigricantis H-i} 57 of the Scorzonerion villosae H-i} 49 alliance within the order Scorzonero-Chrysopogonetalia, but partly shows transitions to the
Bromo-Chrysopogonetum grylli H-i} 60.We differentiated three variants: more xerophytic sites (on Cres), sites characterised by alternating soil humidity (mainly on Krk), and advanced succession stages. Physiognomically all variants are dominated by Schoenus
nigricans tussocks, which are fostered by sheep grazing and the summer-dry conditions on the compacted soils. Comparison with Central European more humid habitats suggests the hypothesis of an ecotypic differentiation of Schoenus nigricans within its European
distribution area.
Keywords
Schoenus nigricans; Cyperaceae; xerophyte; vegetation; succession; Adriatic; island; Cres; Krk; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
4786
URI
Publication date:
20.10.2006.
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