CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STUDY OF VEGETATION IN THE XEROPHILE MEADOWS FROM THE RIVER VASLUI BASIN IRINA BLAJ

Analele ştiinţifice ale Universităţii Al. I. Cuza Iaşi Tomul LII, s. II a. Biologie vegetală, 2006 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STUDY OF VEGETATION IN THE XEROPHILE MEADOWS FROM THE RIVER VASLUI BASIN IRINA BLAJ Abstract: This paper presents two associations of xerophile meadows belonging to the Festuco-Brometea class ( Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 and Stipetum capillatae (Hueck 1931) Krausch 1961), described in a phytocoenological table and analysed from the point of view of bioforms, floristic elements, and ecological indices. At the same time, the quantity of aerial phytomass has been calculated for the Festucetum rupicolae association by weighting fresh vegetal samples and then drying them in a stove at 105 C until obtaining a steady weight. The results are then analysed in systematic and economical groups. Key words: phytocoenology, xerophile meadows vegetation, aerial phytomass. Taking into consideration some recent papers [4, 8 13] on phytosociological nomenclature and classification, the two associations have been included in the following phytocoeno-system: FESTUCO-BROMETEA Br.-Bl. et R. Tx. in Br.-Bl. 1949 Class FESTUCETALIA VALESIACAE Br.-Bl. et R. Tx. ex Br.-Bl. 1949 Order FESTUCION VALESIACAE Klika 1931 Alliance JURINEO ARACHNOIDEAE EUPHORBINENION NICAEENSIS Dobrescu et Kovács 1971 corr. Sârbu, Coldea et Chifu 1999 Suballiance Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 Association Stipetum capillatae (Hueck 1931) Krausch 1961 Association 1. Ass. Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 This association has been recorded for the first time in the area, and it has been found on grounds of a low proclivity of 1-2, with a Northern exposure. It is spread on limited surfaces in the studied area, and it is to be found in only one place (Dobrovăţ), where it alternates with Agrostio capillaris - Festucetum rupicolae and Taraxaco serotinae - Festucetum valesiacae meadows. The Festucetum rupicolae association develops within Al. I. Cuza University, Faculty of Biology, B-dul Carol I no.11, 700506 - Iassy, Romania 83

associations of mesophile meadows, due to soil erosion and nitrogen compounds deficiency. The floristic structure of the association is dominated by Festuca rupicola, alongside with various species from the Festuco-Brometea class, and also, in a smaller quantity, species from the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class; this illustrates the strong xerophile nature of the association (tab. I). The Festuca rupicola meadows achieve a high degree of aging due to both extensive grazing, and soil settling. They are in use for a short period of time, because in June Festuca rupicola ends its season of vegetation. Within the bioform spectrum, one notices a predominance of hemicryptophytes (75.61%), which illustrates a moderate climate. Next to these, there are also camephytes (9.76%), terophytes (9.76%), and hemiterophytes (4.87%) (fig. 1a). The phytogeographic spectrum reveals the predominance of Eurasian (53.66%) and Eurasian continental (17.06%) elements, as the area is included within the Eurasian field. In addition to these, there are also Pontic (12.2%), central European (7.32%) and circumpolar (2.44%) elements (fig. 1b). The spectrum of ecological indices indicates towards species which need a lot of light (57.57%), amphitolerant towards th e temperature index (42.42%), with a spreading area in Central Europe (42.42%), growing on dry soils (36.36%), with a neutral ph (36.36%), and deficient in mineral nitrogen (27.27%) (fig. 1c). The potential productivity of this type of meadow has been degraded (20 points estimation = 9 th form), which means that it sustains a load of 0.4 UVM/ha, explained through the fact that the Festuca rupicola species has a low fodder value (tab. II). The herbaceous species belonging to this association have a total phytomass of 1100 kg of dry substance per hectare. The Festuca rupicola is a mediocre type of fodder species (Att. Kovács, 1979), and the meadows it grows on have a low productivity (tab. III). The water content is 32.52%, and that of dry substance is 67.48%, as the Festuca rupicola (which ensures the most important quantity of phytomass) comes to the end of its season of vegetation by June; however, it is also affected by the high temperatures which intensify the process of evapotranspiration, and, thus, explain the low water content. The analysis of systematic groups reveals a high percentage of Poaceae, followed by various other species and Fabaceae. There are no Cyperaceae, no Juncaceae to be found here, due to the xerophile profile of the association. From the analysis of economical groups, one may notice that fodder species represent 82.72% (of which 79.54% are Poaceae, and 3.18% are Fabaceae), and inconsumable species 17.28%. By comparing the results obtained from calculating the potential productivity with those obtained after mowing, the conclusion is that we are dealing with meadows of a low category. 84

2. Ass. Stipetum capillatae (Hueck 1931) Krausch 1961 This association has been recorded in the area by C. Dobrescu (1971) and it can usually be found on plateaus, cornices, steep, dry slopes, submitted to high sunstroke, strong winds, and instable and eroded soils. The dominant and consolidating species for this association is the Stipa capillata, which is accompanied by numerous xeroterm species within the Festuco-Brometea class: Festuca valesica, Dichanthium ischaemum, Euphorbia glareosa etc. (tab. IV). According to C. Dobrescu (1971), these meadows are descendants of the primary steppe vegetation from the boreal period, represented here by relict islands with a rather small number of species which are microclimatically and edaphically conditioned. These meadows have a low rate of productivity, due to the fact that the fodder value of the dominant species is low, as it can be consumed only in its young stage. The bioform spectrum indicates the dominance of hemicryptophytes (61.68%), followed by hemiterophytes (21.66%), terophytes (10%), camephytes (6.66%) (fig. 2a). The phytogeographic spectrum reveals the predominance of Eurasian elements (48.34%), followed closely by Pontic (28.33%), European (20%) and Mediterranean (3.33%) elements (fig. 2b). The spectrum of ecological indices highlights the presence of species which need a lot of light (7-31.8%, 8-31.8%); they are also termophilic (34.15%), with a spreading area in the Eastern part of Central Europe (24.39%), xerophile (41.46%), growing on neutrophilic soils (41.46%) which are deficient in mineral nitrogen (19.52%) (fig. 2c). BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. ANGHEL GH., TEACI D., CARDAŞOL V., RĂUŢĂ C., PREDEL FL., VASU ALEXANDRA, MARCU GH., MUNTEANU P., MĂNIŞOR P., DUMITRESCU N., POP M., ŢUCRA I., CIUBOTARU C., NEACŞU MARICELA 1983. Instrucţiuni pentru executarea lucrărilor de caracterizare, cartare, bonitare şi stabilire a necesarului de ameliorare în pajişti. ICPA Bucureşti 2. BĂRBULESCU C., BURCEA P. 1971. Determinator pentru flora pajiştilor. Bucureşti, Ed. Ceres 3. CHIFU T., MITITELU D., HOREANU CL., ŞTEFAN N., DĂSCĂLESCU D., MIHAI GH. 1987. Cercetări asupra structurii şi biomasei unor pajişti din munţii Căliman. Mem. Secţ. şt. Acad. Rom., IX, ser. IV: 255-268 4. DOBRESCU C. 1971. Contribuţii la studiul pajiştilor xerofile din bazinul superior al Bârladului. An. Şt. Univ. Al. I. Cuza Iaşi, s. II a. (Biol.), 17 (2): 413-425 5. ELLENBERG H. 1974. Indicator values of vascular plants in Central Europe. Scripta Geobotanica, IX, Verlag Erich Goltze K.G., Göttingen: 1-97 6. IVAN DOINA, DONIŢĂ N. 1975. Metode practice pentru studiul ecologic şi geografic al vegetaţiei. Centrul de multiplicare a Univ. Bucureşti 7. KOVÁCS J. ATT. 1979. Indicatori biologici, ecologici şi economici ai florei pajiştilor. M.A.I.A., Acad. Şt. Agr. Şi Silv., Staţ. de Cerc. pentru cult. paj., Măgurele Braşov, Centrul de mat. did. şi prop. agr., Red. de prop. tehnică agricolă 85

8. MUCINA L., KOLBEK J. 1993. Festuco Brometea In: Mucina L., Grabherr G., Ellmauer T., Die pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs, I: 420-481. Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena Stuttgart New York 9. MUCINA L. 1997. Conspectus of classes of European vegetation. Folia Geobot. Phytotax., Praha, 32(2): 117-172 10. SANDA V. 2002. Vademecum ceno-structural privind covorul vegetal din România. Bucureşti, Ed. Vergiliu 11. SANDA V., POPESCU A., BARABAŞ N. 1997. Cenotaxonomia şi caracterizarea grupărilor vegetale din România. St. şi Comun. Muz. Şt. Nat. Bacău, Biol. veget., 14: 2-365 12. SANDA V., POPESCU A., ARCUŞ MARIANA 1999. Revizia critică a comunităţilor de plante din România. Constanţa, Ed. Tilia Press International 13. SANDA V., POPESCU A., STANCU DANIELA ILEANA 2001. Structura cenotică şi caracterizarea ecologică a fitocenozelor din România. Bucureşti, Ed. Conphis Tab. I - Ass. Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 Number of relevé 1 2 3 4 5 Altitude m s.m. 290 290 290 290 290 Exposition N N N N N Slope (º) 1-2 1-2 2 1 1 Cover of the vegetation (%) 90 80 85 80 90 Surface (m²) 25 25 25 25 25 Number of species 31 21 18 26 24 K Association s characteristics Festuca rupicola 5 4 5 4 5 V Festucion valesiacae Salvia nemorosa + + + + + V Potentilla argentea + 1 + + + V Thymus pannonicus + - - 1 + III Linum austriacum + - - - + II Festucetalia valesiacae Achillea setacea + + + + + V Centaurea biebersteinii + - - + + III Fragaria viridis + - + + - III Teucrium chamaedrys + - - - + II Galium humifusum - + + - - II Veronica spicata - + - - - I Bromus inermis - - - + - I Festuco-Brometea Hieracium pilosella 1 1 + 1 + V Medicago falcata + + + + + V Plantago media + + + + + V Galium verum + + + + - IV Eryngium campestre + + + + - IV Filipendula vulgaris 1 - + - + III Trifolium campestre + + + - - III Koeleria macrantha + - - + + III Poa compressa + - - + + III Senecio erucifolius + + - + - III Berteroa incana - + + + - III 86

Sedum acre + - - + - II Centaurea scabiosa + - - + - II Trifolium montanum + - - - - I Echium vulgare + - - - - I Dorycnium pentaphyllum ssp. - - - - + I herbaceum Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Trifolium pratense + + - + + IV Veronica chamaedrys + + - + + IV Stachys officinalis + - + - + III Centaurea jacea + + + - - III Lotus corniculatus + - - + + III Dactylis glomerata - + - - + II Odontites vernus ssp. vernus + - - - - I Variae syntaxa Dianthus armeria + + + + + V Agrimonia eupatoria + + - + - III Trifolium arvense + - - - + II Origanum vulgare - + + - - II Galium mollugo - - - + + II Rumex acetosella - - - + - I Date and place relevé: 1-5. Dobrovăţ, 1.07.2004, 18.07.2004 Tab. II - The potential productivity of ass. Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 Number of relevé 1 2 3 4 5 Cover of the vegetation (%) 90 85 85 80 90 Species I.S. A% Total A% Total A% Total A% Total A% Total Poaceae Total 79,4 77,4 96,6 81,4 97 Festuca rupicola 1 79 79 76,4 76,4 96,6 96,6 80,2 80,2 95,6 95,6 Bromus inermis 4 0,2 0,8 Koeleria macrantha - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Poa compressa 2 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 Dactylis glomerata 5 0,2 1 0,2 1 Fabaceae Total 3,8 2 1,2 2,4 2,8 Medicago falcata 4 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 Trifolium campestre 2 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 Trifolium montanum 3 0,2 0,6 Dorycnium pentaphyllum - 0,2 - ssp. herbaceum Trifolium pratense 4 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 Lotus corniculatus 4 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,8 Trifolium arvense 2 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 Other families Total 0,6 0,4 0,6 0,4 0,6 87

Salvia nemorosa - 0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2 - Potentilla argentea - 0,2-10 - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Thymus pannonicus - 0,2-15 - 0,2 - Linum austriacum - 0,2-0,2 - Achillea setacea 2 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 0,2 0,4 Centaurea biebersteinii - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Fragaria viridis 1 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 Teucrium chamaedrys - 0,2-0,2 - Galium humifusum - 0,2-0,2 - Veronica spicata - 0,2 - Hieracium pilosella - 15,2-10 - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Plantago media 1 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,2 Galium verum - 0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2 - Eryngium campestre -1 0,2-0,2 0,2-0,2 0,2-0,2 0,2-0,2 Filipendula vulgaris - 1-0,2-0,2 - Senecio erucifolius - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Berteroa incana - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Sedum acre - 0,2 0,2 - Centaurea scabiosa - 0,2-0,2 - Echium vulgare - 0,2 - Veronica chamaedrys - 0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2 - Stachys officinalis - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Centaurea jacea - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Dianthus armeria - 0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2-0,2 - Agrimonia eupatoria - 0,2-0,2-0,2 - Origanum vulgare - 0,2-0,2 - Galium mollugo - 0,2-0,2 - Odontites vernus ssp. vernus - 0,2 - Rumex acetosella -1 0,2-0,2 Total 83,8 79,8 98,4 84,2 100,4 A% = cover of species Relevé 1 Total 1 = 83,8 VP1 = 83,8 / 100 = 0,838 x 90 / 100 = 0,75 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (IX) Relevé 2 Total 2 = 79,8 VP2 = 79,8 / 100 = 0,798 x 85 / 100 = 0,67 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (IX Relevé 3 Total 3 = 98,4 VP3 = 98,4 / 100 = 0,984 x 85 / 100 = 0,83 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (IX) Relevé 4 Total 4 = 84,2 VP4 = 84,2 / 100 = 0,842 x 80 / 100 = 0,67 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (X) Relevé 5 Total 5 = 100,4 88

VP5 = 100,4 / 100 = 1,004 x 90 / 100 = 0,90 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (I Total = 446,6 Average = 89,32 VP = 89,32 / 100 = 0,8932 x 86 / 100 = 0,76 = 0,2 coefficient 0,2 x 100 = 20 point estimation, degraded meadow (IX) 1 point estimation = 0,02 UVM/ha; 20 x 0,02 = 0,4 UVM/ha Tab. III - Aerial phytomass of ass. Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 Systematic group Water (%) Dry substance (%) Aerial phytomass (kg/ha) Green Anhydrous (Kg/ha) % (Kg/ha) % Poaceae 1230 75,46 875 79,54 Fabaceae 70 4,29 35 3,18 Cyperaceae and Juncaceae - - - - Other species 330 20,25 190 17,28 TOTAL 32,52 67,48 1630 100 1100 100 Tabel IV - Ass. Stipetum capillatae (Hueck 1931) Krausch 1961 Number of relevé 1 2 3 4 5 Altitude m s.m. 248 291 291 291 220 Exposition V SV SV V V Slope (º) 6-7 2-3 2 4 3-4 Cover of the vegetation (%) 75 80 60 100 75 Surface (m²) 100 100 100 100 100 Number of species 23 16 18 25 32 K Association s characteristics Stipa capillata 3 4 3 3 3 V Jurineo arachnoideae-euphorbinenion nicaeensis Euphorbia glareosa ssp. glareosa - + + + + IV Centaurea marschalliana - + - - - I Astragalus dasyanthus - - + - - I Taraxacum serotinum - - - + - I Festucion valesiacae Teucrium polium ssp. capitatum + - - 1 - II Xeranthemum annuum 2 - - - + II Verbascum speciosum + - - - + II Marrubium peregrinum + + - - - II Rapistrum perenne + - + - - II Salvia nemorosa + - - - - I Festucetalia valesiacae Achillea setacea + + - + + IV Festuca valesiaca + + - - 1 III Stachys recta ssp. recta + - + - + III Astragalus onobrychis - + - 2 + III Centaurea biebersteinii + - - - + II Teucrium chamaedrys - 1 - - + II Minuartia setacea - - + + - II Fragaria viridis - - - + + II 89

Poa bulbosa + - - - - I Senecio jacobea - + - - - I Onobrychis viciifolia - - - + - I Festuco-Brometea Dichanthium ischaemum + + 1 1 + V Scabiosa ochroleuca + - + + + IV Thalictrum minus + - 1 - + III Eryngium campestre - - + + + III Berteroa incana - - + + + III Stipa lessingiana + - + - - II Salvia verticillata - + - - + II Euphorbia agraria - - - + + II Anchusa ochroleuca - - + - + II Asperula cynanchica + - - - - I Potentilla argentea + - - - - I Dorycnium pentaphyllum ssp. herbaceum + - - - - I Salvia pratensis - + - - - I Asperula tenella - + - - - I Medicago minima - - - 2 - I Echium vulgare - - - + - I Potentilla arenaria - - - - + I Molinio-Arrhenetheretea Plantago lanceolata - + - + + III Campanula patula - - + + - II Potentilla reptans - - + - + II Cichorium intybus - - + - + II Lotus corniculatus - - - + + II Taraxacum officinale - - + - - I Trifolium pratense - - - + - I Daucus carota - - - + - I Stellarietea mediae Lappula squarrosa - + - - + II Bromus japonicus + - - - - I Nigella arvensis - - - - + I Consolida regalis ssp. regalis - - - - + I Artemisietea vulgaris Carduus nutans + - - + + III Verbascum phlomoides + - - - + II Lavathera thuringiaca - - - + - I Carduus acanthoides - - - - + I Reseda lutea - - - - + I Variae syntaxa Helychrisum arenarium + - - - + II Coronilla varia - + - + - II Hypericum perforatum - - + - - I Agrimonia eupatoria - - - + - I Date and place relevé: 1. dl. Harbuzăriei, 07.2002; 2-4. Movila lui Burcel, 6.08.2003; 5. Micleşti, 07.2002 90

a b Ht 4.87% Ch 9.76% T 9.76% 60 50 40 53.66 H 75.61% % 30 20 10 17.06 7.32 12.2 7.32 2.44 0 Euras. cont. Eur. centr. Pont. Euras. Eur. Circ. Fig. 1 - a) The bioform spectrum; b) The phytogeographical spectrum; c) The ecological indices spectrum as. Festucetum rupicolae Burduja et al. 1956 c 60 50 % 40 30 20 10 L T Ct U R N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x? Fig. 2 - a) The bioform spectrum; b) The phytogeographical spectrum; c) The ecological indices spectrum as. Stipetum capillatae (Hueck 1931) Krausch 1961 91