Floristic diversity in relation to geomorphological and climatic factors in the subalpinealpine belt of the Rodna Mountains (the Romanian Carpathians)

• Published in: Pirineos
• Main Authors: Coldea, G., Pop, A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2004
• Subjects: Species diversity; plant gradients; climatic gradients; Rodna Mountains; Romania; Arctic
• Online Access: https://pirineos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/pirineos/article/view/49; https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.2004.v158-159.49

As a part of the GLORIA-EUROPE project, the floristic diversity, frequency and species coverage in relation to the main ecological gradients (altitude,aspect) were studied in the alpine pasture (Primulo-Caricetum curvulae, Oreochloo-Juncetum trifidi) and subalpine dwarf shrub communities (Rhododendro myrtifolii - Vaccinetum ) of the four summits from the Pietrosul Rodnei massif (Romanian Carpathians). Floristic diversity is higher in the plant communities from lower altitude summits (Golgota, Gropile), while it decreases in communities, to higher summits (Buhaiescu, Rebra). For each 100 m increase in the altitude of subalpine-alpine summits, a decrease of approximately 10% was found in the number of vascular plant species. Arctic-Alpine species (Carex curvula, ¡uncus trifidus, Hieracium alpinum, Oreochloa disticha, etc.) and a Carpatho-Balkanic regional species (Rhododendron myrtifolium) have the highest frequency and coverage in these plant communities. In northern and eastern slope areas, where the vegetation cover is 15-30% lower than on western and southern slopes and the soil temperature is generally 1-3°C lower during the vegetative season (June-August), the mean number of species per square meter is 25% higher than in southern and western slope areas. [fr] Dans le cadre du projet GLORIA EUROPE on a étudié la diversité floristique, la fréquence et le recouvrement des espèces, par rapport aux principaux gradients écologiques (altitude, exposition), au sein des associations de prés alpins (Primulo-Caricetum curvulae, Oreochloo-Juncetum trifidi) et des buissons subalpins de petite taille (Rhododendro myrtifolii - Vaccinietum), sur quatre sommets dans le massif Pietrosul Mare (Les Carpates Roumaines). La diversité floristique est plus grande chez les associations de plantes des sommets avec des altitudes plus basses (Golgota, Gropile) et elle s'abaisse chez les associations des sommets plus hauts (Buhaiescu, Rebra). Dans le cas où l'altitude des sommets subalpins-alpins est 100 m plus élevée, on a constaté ...