Analele ştiinţifice ale Universităţii Al. I. Cuza Iaşi Tomul LIV, fasc. 1, s. II a. Biologie vegetală, 2008 ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MOLINIO ARRHENATHERETEA R. TX. 1937 CLASS IN VASLUI RIVER BASIN IRINA BLAJ - IRIMIA Abstract: The paper presents 4 vegetal associations belonging to the Molinio Arrhenatheretea R. Tx. 1937 class, associations found on the territory of Vaslui river basin. Each association is accompanied by a phytosociological table and an analysis of the bioforms, floristic elements and ecological indices. Key words: phytosociology, bioforms, floristic elements, ecological indices. Introduction The coenotaxonomic classification of the vegetal associations identified is the following: MOLINIO ARRHENATHERETEA R. Tx. 1937 Class MOLINIETALIA CAERULEA Koch 1926 Order CALTHION R. Tx. 1937 Alliance Scirpetum sylvatici Ralski 1931 Association POTENTILLO POLYGONETALIA R. Tx. 1947 Order POTENTILLION ANSERINAE R. Tx. 1947 Alliance Ranunculetum repentis Knapp ex Oberd. 1957 Association Junco inflexi Menthetum longifoliae Lohmeyer 1953 Association PLANTAGINETALIA MAJORIS R. Tx. et Preising in R. Tx. 1950 Order LOLIO-PLANTAGINION R. Tx. 1947 Alliance Schlerochloo Polygonetum avicularis Soó ex Korneck 1969 Association Material and methods For the identification of plant associations, we used phytosociological research methods according to the Central European school. The establishment of the bioforms and floristic elements was made on the basis of Flora ilustrată a României Pteridophyta et Spermatophyta, by V. Ciocârlan (2000). The ecological indices were noted having in mind the works of H. Ellenberg [4]. Results and discussions Ass. Scirpetum sylvatici Ralski 1931 (Syn.: Scirpetum sylvatici Schwickerath 1944, Scirpetum sylvatici Maloch 1935) Al. I. Cuza University, Faculty of Biology, Carol I Bd., no. 20A, 700506, Iasi, Romania 113
Chorology: Codăeşti, Dobrovăţ Ecology: The coenoses represented by Scirpus sylvaticus are met on alluvial soils, gleic and pseudogleic, having a large altitude distribution. The association was identified on plane surfaces, on soils with excessive humidity almost all the year. The phytocoenological composition: Together with the characteristic and dominant species, Scirpus sylvaticus, we can find numerous hygrophilic species, Lysimachia nummularia, Lythrum salicaria, Carex vulpina, but also some mesophilic ones, fact denoting the belonging to the classes Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea and Molinio- Arrhenatheretea (Table I). After the analysis of the surveys undertaken, the following was noticed: - from the spectrum of bioforms it is noticed the net predominance of the hemicryptophytes (70.83%), followed by geophytes (16.66%), hydrohelophytes (4.17%), hydrophytes (4.17%) and chamephytes (4.17%); - from the phytogeographical spectrum we notice the dominance of the Euro Asian elements (37.5%) and circumpolar ones (37.5%), followed by the cosmopolite ones (16.66%) and European (8.34%); - from the spectrum of ecological indices we notice that the species bare weakly the shadow (47.82%), are amphitolerant to temperature (52.17%), with area of spreading in central Europe (34.78%), developing on humid wet soils (usually not aerated) (26.08%), amphitolerant to the reaction of the soil (47.83%) and the quantity of mineral nitrogen in the soil. Observations: This association is quoted for the first time in Vaslui river basin. Ass. Ranunculetum repentis Knapp ex Oberd. 1957 (Syn.: Ranunculetum repentis Knapp 1946, Ranunculetum repentis Knapp 1948, Agrostio-Ranunculetum repentis (Knapp ex Oberd. 1957) Oberd. et al. 1967) Chorology: Tăcuta (Mititelu D.,1975), Vaslui, Văleni (Mititelu D. and collab., 1996), Soleşti Ecology: The association vegetates on plane fields, with excess of humidity met in courtyards of houses. It stands well stagnant water for a period, after the withdrawal Ranunculus repens develops fast, covering by means of stolons, important surfaces. During the summer, it stands severe dryness of the soil at the surface. The phytocoenological composition: The floristic composition is not very rich because Ranunculus repens covers almost all the surface. Among the species frequently met in the association we mention: Potentilla reptans, Rumex crispus, Elymus repens etc. (Table II). After the analysis of the surveys undertaken, the following was noticed: - the spectrum of bioforms indicates the predominance of the hemicryptophytes (81.82%), followed by geophytes (18.18%); - the phytogeographical spectrum indicates the predominance of the Euro Asian elements (63.63%), followed by the circumpolar ones (27.28%) and the cosmopolite ones (9.09%); 114
- the spectrum of ecological indices indicates the presence of the species standing weakly the shadow (45.45%), developing on humid to wet soils (5-27.27%, 6-27.27%) and with a moderate content of mineral nitrogen (45.46%). They are amphitolerant to temperature (54.54%) and the reaction of the soil (63.64%). Observations: The association was mentioned without floristic surveys by D. Mititelu (1975, 1996). Ass. Junco inflexi Menthetum longifoliae Lohmeyer 1953 (Syn: ass. Mentha longifolia-juncus inflexus Passarge 1964) Chorology: Popeşti, Satu Nou (Mititelu D., 1975), Vaslui (Mititelu D. and collab., 1996), Ciorteşti, Codăeşti, Dobrovăţ, Fereşti Ecology: This association was frequently met in the river watersides, on soils with excess of humidity, where it develops isolated, in thick groupings. The phytocoenological characterization: The species characteristic and representative are Mentha longifolia and Juncus inflexus, together with which it also participate Agrostis stolonifera, Inula britannica, Potentilla reptans, Ranunculus repens etc. species characteristic to the class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea (Table III). The presence of the species in the classes Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea and Bidentetea is explained by the conditions of higher humidity characterizing this association. After the analysis of the surveys undertaken, the following was noticed: - the spectrum of bioforms illustrates the dominance of the hemicryptophytes (62.49%), followed by geophytes (17.86%), terrophytes (12.50%), hemiterrophytes (5.36%) and fanerophytes (1.79%); - the phytogeographical spectrum indicates a predominance of the Euro-Asian elements (55.36%). Apart from them, there are also circumpolar elements (16.08%), cosmopolite ones (14.28%), continental Euro Asian (5.35%), Mediterranean (3.56%), European (1.79%), Atlantic European (1.79%) and pontic Balkan elements (1.79%); - the spectrum of ecological indices indicates us the fact that the species stand weakly the shadow (45.28%), they are mesothermal (30.20%), with the area of spreading in central Europe (28.30%), mesohygrophilic (15.09%), amphitolerant to the reaction of the soil (54.72%) and develop on soils with a moderate content of mineral nitrogen (24.52%). Observations: The association was mentioned in the Vaslui river basin by D. Mititelu (1975, 1996), but without presenting a table with floristic surveys. As. Schlerochloo Polygonetum avicularis Soó ex Korneck 1969 (Syn.: Polygonetum avicularis Gams 1927, Schlerochloo-Polygonetum avicularis Soó 1945) Chorology: Bârnova (Mititelu D. and collab., 1995), Dăneşti, Tăcuta, Vaslui, Văleni (Mititelu D. and collab., 1996), Deleni, Moara Grecilor, Popeşti Ecology: Both species characteristic Schlerochloa dura and Polygonum aviculare are adapted to hardened fields, growing by the roads, paths, in courtyards, where the field is compact, but also with a content of nitrogen substances of organic nature. 115
The phytocoenological composition: The association resists to human, animals or even light vehicles stepping over. The species Schlerochloa dura being an annual and vernal species, it develops in the first part of the season of vegetation, forming the aspect of spring (Sanda V. et al., 2001) (Tabel IV). After the analysis of the surveys undertaken, the following was noticed: - the spectrum of bioforms indicates the predominance of the terrophytes (58.62%) and hemicryptophytes (37.92%), followed by geophytes (3.46%); - the phytogeographical spectrum indicates a dominance of the Euro Asian elements (48.27%) and cosmopolite (31.05%), followed by the Mediterranean Euro Asian ones (6.88%), Mediterranean (3.45%), adventive (3.45%), continental Euro Asian (3.45%) and pontic Mediterranean central European (3.45%); - the spectrum of ecological indices indicates the fact that the species stand weakly the shadow (33.33%), they are to temperature (41.66%), develop on dry to moderately humid soils (41.66%), amphitolerant to the reaction of the soil (75%), with a high content of mineral nitrogen (29.16%). Observations: The association was mentioned in Vaslui river basin by D. Mititelu (1996), but without presenting a table with floristic surveys. REFERENCES 1. CIOCÂRLAN V., 2000 - Flora ilustrată a României Pteridophyta et Spermatophyta. Ed. Ceres, Bucureşti 2. CHIFU T., 1995 - Contribuţii la sintaxonomia vegetaţiei pajiştilor din clasele Molinio Arrhenatheretea Tx.37 şi Agrostietea stoloniferae Oberd. in Oberd. et al.67 de pe teritoriul Moldovei. Bul. Grăd. Bot. Iaşi, 5: 125-132 3. CHIFU T., MÂNZU C., ZAMFIRESCU O., 2006 - Flora & vegetaţia Moldovei (România), vol. II, Ed. Univ. Al. I. Cuza Iaşi: 211-303 4. ELLENBERG H., 1974 - Indicator values of vascular plants in Central Europe. Scripta Geobotanica, vol. IX, Verlag Erich Goltze K.G., Göttingen: 1-97 5. ELLMAUER T., MUCINA L., 1993 - Molinio Arrhenatheretea In: MUCINA L., GRABHERR G., ELLMAUER T., 1993 Die pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs, Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena Stuttgart New York, vol. I: 297-401 6. MITITELU D., 1975 - Flora şi vegetaţia judeţului Vaslui. St. şi Com. Muz. Şt. Nat. Bacău, Biol. veget.: 67-162 7. MITITELU D., CHIFU T., SCARLAT A., ANIŢEI L., 1995 - Flora şi vegetaţia judeţului Iaşi. Bul. Grăd. Bot. Iaşi, 5: 99-124 8. MITITELU D., HUŢANU M., 1996 - Noi contribuţii la flora şi vegetaţia judeţului Vaslui. St. şi Cerc. Muz. Şt. Nat., Piatra-Neamţ, 8: 193-211 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., 1991 - Studiul fitocenozelor clasei Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 37 din România. Acta Bot. Horti Bucurestiensis: 49-59 12. 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 13. SANDA V., POPESCU A., STANCU D. I., 2001 - Structura cenotică şi caracterizarea ecologică a fitocenozelor din România. Ed. Conphis, Bucureşti 116
Table I. Ass. Scirpetum sylvatici Ralski 1931 Number of survey 1 2 3 4 5 Altitude (m.s.m.) 210 121 121 210 210 Cover of the vegetation (%) 100 95 90 100 100 Surface of survey (m²) 10 25 25 10 10 Number of species 13 14 11 10 8 K Association s characteristics Scirpus sylvaticus 5 5 5 5 5 V Calthion Poa palustris + - + + + IV Epilobium hirsutum + - - + + III Myosotis scorpioides + - - - + II Molinietalia Galium palustre + - + + + IV Lysimachia nummularia - + + + + IV Lythrum salicaria + - + + - III Juncus effusus - + - - - I Symphytum officinale - - + - - I Potentillo-Polygonetalia Ranunculus repens 1 + + 1 + V Juncus inflexus + + - - 1 III Mentha aquatica - + + - - II Mentha longifolia - + + - - II Agrostis stolonifera - + - + - II Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Ajuga reptans - + - - - I Poa pratensis - - + - - I Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea Veronica beccabunga + + - + - III Veronica anagallis-aquatica + + - - - II Phragmites australis + - - + - II Alisma plantago-aquatica + - - - - I Carex vulpina - + - - - I Variae syntaxa Juncus gerardii + - - + - II Equisetum arvense + - - - - I Lemna minor - + - - - I Place and date of the surveys: 1,4,5. Dobrovăţ, 1.07.2004, 18.07.2004; 2,3. Codăeşti, 1.07.2004, 18.07.2004 Table II. Ass. Ranunculetum repentis Knapp ex. Oberd. 1957 Number of survey 1 2 3 4 5 Altitude (m.s.m.) 120 120 120 120 120 Cover of the vegetation (%) 90 95 100 85 100 Surface of survey (m²) 20 20 20 20 20 Number of species 5 4 6 6 5 K Association s characteristics Ranunculus repens 5 5 5 4 5 V Potentillion anserinae Potentilla reptans + 1 + 2 + V 117
Elymus repens + - - + + III Rumex crispus - + + - + III Agrostis stolonifera + - - + - II Potentillo-Polygonetalia Rorippa sylvestris ssp. sylvestris + - - + - II Plantago major - - + + - II Carex vulpina - - + - - I Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Taraxacum officinale - - + - - I Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea Phragmites australis - + - - - I Poa palustris - - - - + I Place and date of the surveys: 1-5. Soleşti, 6.06.2004 Table III. Ass. Junco inflexi Menthetum longifoliae Lohmeyer 1953 Number of survey 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Altitude (m.s.m.) 170 210 94 110 110 110 120 110 110 210 Exposition SV V SE N N SV NV V NV Slope (º) - - - - - - - - - - Cover of the vegetation (%) 60 100 70 70 85 60 70 100 85 85 Surface of survey (m²) 25 20 20 25 25 15 25 20 50 20 Number of species 8 7 8 7 9 7 10 17 11 18 K Association s characteristics Juncus inflexus 3 5 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 V Potentillion anserinae et Potentillo-Polygonetalia Mentha longifolia 2 1 + - 2 1-2 1 2 IV Mentha pulegium - 1 - - - + + - + - II Agrostis stolonifera - - - 2 - + + - - - II Ranunculus repens - - - - 2 1 - - - + II Trifolium repens - - - - + + - - - 2 II Inula britannica - - + - - - - - + - I Verbena officinalis - - - - + - - - + - I Myosoton aquaticum - - - - - - + - - - I Potentilla reptans - - - - - - - + - + I Molinietalia Galium palustre - - - - - - - - - + I Trifolium hybridum - - - - - - - - - + I Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Daucus carota + - - - - - - + + - II Lotus corniculatus - - + - - - - + - + II Trifolium pratense - - + - - - - + - - I Cichorium intybus - - - + - - - - - - I Plantago major - - - - - - - 1 - + I Medicago lupulina - - - - - - - + - - I Centaurea jacea - - - - - - - + - - I Ranunculus acris ssp. acris - - - - - - - - - + I Festuca pratensis - - - - - - - - - + I loc plan 118
Festuco-Brometea Prunella vulgaris - + - - - - - + - - I Galium humifusum - + - - - - - - - - I Achillea setacea - - - + - - - - + - I Salvia nemorosa - - - - - - - + + - I Plantago media - - - - - - - + - + I Artemisietea vulgaris Artemisia absinthium + - - - - - - - - - I Tanacetum vulgare + - - - - - + - - - I Setaria viridis - - - - + - - + - - I Arctium lappa - - - - - - - + - - I Equisetum arvense - - - - - - - - - + I Stellarietea mediae Cannabis sativa ssp. ruderalis - - + - - - - - - - I Lathyrus tuberosus - - - + - - - - - - I Chenopodium vulvaria - - - - + - - - - - I Linaria vulgaris - - - - - - + - - - I Sonchus arvensis - - - - - - - + - - I Anagallis arvensis - - - - - - - + - - I Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea Lythrum salicaria + - - - - - 1 + 1 - II Typha angustifolia + - - - - - - - - - I Lycopus europaeus - - 1 - - - - + - - I Equisetum palustre - + - - - - - - - + I Carex riparia - - - + - - - - - - I Typha latifolia - - - - - - + - - - I Phragmites australis - - - - - - + - - - I Carex vulpina - - - - - - - - - + I Bidentetea Bidens tripartita - + + 1 1 + - - - - III Polygonum hydropiper - - - - - - - - 1 - I Rumex conglomeratus - - - - - - - - - + I Rumex crispus - - - - - - - - - + I Variae syntaxa Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani + - - - - - - - - - I Polygonum aviculare - - - - + - - - - - I Salix alba - - - - - - + - - - I Chaemerion - I angustifolium - - - - - - - - + Trifolium fragiferum - - - - - - - - - + I Juncus gerardi - - - - - - - - - + I Place and date of the surveys: 1. Ciorteşti, 27.07.2003; 2, 10. Dobrovăţ, 23.08.2003, 1.07.2004; 3. Vaslui, 12.08.2003; 4-6,8,9. Codăeşti, 24.08.2003, 6.08.2003; 7. between Codăeşti and Dobrovăţ, 24.08.2003 119
Table IV. Ass. Schlerochloo-Polygonetum avicularis Soó ex Korneck 1969 Number of survey 1 2 3 4 5 Altitude (m.s.m.) 220 220 270 95 190 Exposition E E - - NE Slope (º) 1-2 1-2 - - 2-3 Cover of the vegetation (%) 95 100 70 80 75 Surface of survey (m²) 50 25 25 50 25 Number of species 14 14 11 16 14 K Association s characteristics Schlerochloa dura + - - + - II Lolio-Plantaginion et Plantaginetalia Polygonum aviculare 5 5 3 4 4 V Poa annua + 1 2 + + V Lolium perenne + - + + - III Lepidium ruderale + + - + - III Matricaria perforata + - - - + II Hordeum murinum + - + - - II Cynodon dactylon + - - - - I Malva pusilla - + - - - I Cichorium intybus - - - - + I Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Plantago major + + - 1 + IV Trifolium repens + + - - + III Plantago lanceolata + - + - + III Verbena officinalis + - - - + II Stellarietea mediae Capsella bursa-pastoris + - 1 + 1 IV Cardaria draba - - + + 1 III Malva neglecta - - + + + III Convolvulus arvensis - + - + + III Thlaspi arvensis - + - + - II Bromus arvensis - + - + - II Salvia nemorosa - - - + + II Chenopodium album - + - - - I Atriplex tatarica - + - - - I Amaranthus retroflexus - - + - - I Portulaca oleracea - - + - - I Artemisietea vulgaris Xanthium strumarium + + - + - III Taraxacum officinale - + - + + III Artemisia absinthium - - + + - II Artemisia annua - + - - - I Place and date of the surveys: 1,2. Micleşti, 11.08.2004; 3. Deleni, 10.08.2004; 4. Moara Grecilor, 11.08.2004; 5. Popeşti, 11.08.2004 120