izvirno znanstveno delo UD K 582.(497.12) COMMUNITIES WITH PREDOMINATING ARTEMISIA VULGARIS AN D SOME OTHER RUDERAL COMMUNITIES IN SUBMED1TERRANEAN SLOVENIA Andraž ČARN! Ph.D., Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 61000 Ljubljana, Gosposka 13, SLO dr., Biološki institut, ZRC SAZU, 61000 Ljubljana, Gosposka 13, SLO ABSTRACT The work deals with some nitrophilous and ruderal communities in Submediterranean Slovenia. They are classified within the Artemisienea. The following associations are discussed: Echio-Melilotetum R. Tx. 1947, FoenicuIo-Artemisietum vulgaris Poldini 1980, Tanaceto-Artemisietum vulgaris Sissingh 1950, Arctio-Aitemisietum vulgaris Oberd. et ai ex Seybold et T. Müller / 972. Key words: Artemisia vulgaris, ruderal Communities, Submediterranean Slovenia Ključne besede: Artemisia vulgaris, ruderalne združbe, submediteranska Slovenija ÎNTRODUCTiO N In Europe, the investigations of ruderal communities have a long history. As early as 1952, Tüxen wrote Crundriss einer Systematik der nitrophilen Unkraut­gesellschaften in der eurosibirischen Region Europas. Then he made a synthesis of the existing knowledge which represent a basis for the researches on weed communities in Europe. Later on a synthetic survey of this type of vegetation appeared in South Germany, T. Müller (1981} and Austria, Mucina {1993). tn the region the first work referring to this type of vegetation was carried out by Poldini (1980). In the Karst region of Trieste and Gorizia the following asso­ciations were observed: Foeniculo-Artemisietum, Arctio-Ballotetum nigrae, Echio-Melilotetum, and Artemisio-Melilotetum albae. The weed vegetation of vineyards in the neighbouring Goriško was elaborated by Seljak (1989). Recently two authors have investigated the ruderal vegetation in the researched area. Poldini (1989) stated Arctio-Artemisietum, Foeniculo-Artemisietum, Dauco-Picridetum and Echio-Melilotetum. However, all Poldini's relevés were made on the Italian side of the border. In Slovenia, the ruderai vegetation was investi­gated by Kaligarič (1992) who mentioned Dauco-Picridetum. STUD Y AREA The investigations were carried out in the Sub­mediterranean region as defined by M. Wraber (1969). The reieves were taken from the Koprsko gričevje, the Karst plateau and Brkini. The Koprsko gričevje is a hilly flysch land, the bedrock of the Karst plateau consists of limestone, the bedrock of Brkini of sandstone and marl. The climate at the coast is under the influence of the Mediterranean Sea and can be treated as Submediter­ranean. Its influence is exerted on the continent (Ogrin, 1993). Some climate data for Koper: the average year temperature is 13.8°C; the average temperature in the coldest month (January) is 4.5°C; the average tempera­ture in the warmest month (july) is 23.3°C\ and the aver­age rainfall is 960 mm. The potential vegetation ranges from Oslryo-Quercetum pubescent is (Ht.) Trinajstič 1974 in the lowland over Seslerio-Quercetum pefreae Poidini 1982 to Seslerio autumnalis-Fageteum M. Wraber ex Borhidi 1963 at higher altitudes. Andraž ČARNI : COMMUNITIES WIT H PREDOMINATING ARTEMISIA VULGARIS.... 177-180 METHODS The reieves were made and elaborated according to the standard procedures as per the Braun-Bianquet method (Braun-Blanquet, 1964). The nomenclature of the plant species follows Trpin & Vre§ (1994). RESULTS All the presented associations thrive only on ruderal sites; along roads, on rubbish dumps, along outer house walls, etc. The sites are strongly disturbed by man and therefore highly eutrophicated. Syntaxomical position of the associations -Echio-Melilotetum R. Tx. 1947 - Foeniculo-Artemisietum vulgaris Poldini 1980 - Tanaceto-Artemisietum vulgaris Sissingh 1950 - Dauco- Melilotion Görs 1966 - Onopordetalia acanthii Br.-Bi. et R. Tx. 1943 emend. Görs 1966 Arctio-Artemisietum vulgaris Oberd. et al. ex Sybold et T. Müller 1972 - Arction lappae R. Tx. 1937 - Artemisietalia vulgaris lohm. in R. Tx. 1947 - Artemisienea vulgaris T. Müller in Oberd. 1983 -Artemisietea Lohm., Prsg. et R. Tx. in R. Tx. 1950 The class Artemisietea includes the associations oc­curring on the forest edges, river banks and in ruderal sites. Further ruderal associations are classified within the Artemisienea. Besides Artemisienea, there is also the subclass Galio-Urticenea (the Glechometaiia and the Convolvuletalia), the communities occurring on river banks and forest edges (Larni, 1994). Within the Artemisieanea there are two orders: the Artemisietalia and Onopordetalia. The Onopordetalia is well distinguished from the Galio-Urticenea by many thermophilous, nitrophilous species, like Daucus carota, Pasinaca sativa, Picris hiracioides, Cichorium intybus, etc. The Artemisietalia represents ecological transition from the Galio-Urticenea to the Onopordetalia. If therefore includes some species which are in common with the Galio-Urticenea (Chaerophyllum aureum, Ca­lystegia sepium) that differ from the Onopodetaiia. In the table, Urtica dioica can be found in the Arction and Artemisietalia group, although it is more characteristic of the Artemisietea, since it tends to be more frequent on fresher sites. Consequently it could also be a differential species of the Artemisietalia. The communities, classified within the Onoporde­talia are ruderal and thermo-xerophilous. This order is most xeropbifous in the entire Artemisietea and there­fore the species characteristic of fresher sites (the Galio- Urticenea) are scarcely found there. The communities, classified within the Artemisietalia thrive on fresher sites than the former ones. They are well differentiated from the Onopordetalia by several species of the Galio-Urticenea, and from the Galio-Ur­ticenea by a number of Onopordetalia species. This or­der therefore holds the central position in the class Artemisietea. Description of associations Echio-Melilotetum R. Tx. 1947 The association often occurs on dry, thermophilous sites. It can be found in open soils with their bedrock on the surface, or even more frequently in places, where bedrock (stones, sand) is used in order to fortify a road or is deposited as waste. Consequently this association is often found along roads, in parking places and on rub­bish dumps, ft is a pioneer community on thermophilous and nitrophilous sites. The characteristic species of these communities are Melilotus alba and M. officinalis; the differential species is Echium vulgare (appears only in the second relevé). Within the association the Daucus carota, Pastinaca sa­tiva, Picris hieracioides, Artemisia vulgaris, Agropyron repens, Corivolulus arvensis can also be found, to men­tion only the most common ones. It is linked with the associations of the class Agropyretea in termed it-repen tis. Foeniculo-Artemisietum vulgaris Pofdini 1980 This association was described by Poldini, who had researched the surroundings of Trieste. In Slovenia, this association is found only on the coast of the Koprsko gričevje and partly in the Karst region. According to Pol­dini (1980), it replaces the Tanaceto-Artemisietum, oc­curring more inland. This assertion corresponds with our results, since the Foeniculo-Artemisietum was found only !n the part which is under the influence of the Mediterra­nean climate, and the Tanaceto-Artemisietum in the part, which is most distant from the sea, within the extreme limits of the Submediterranean area (Jelšane), where the influence of the continent is most pronounced. The dominant species in the stand is Artemisia vul­garis and the differential species Foeniculum vulgare. There you can find other species of the Onopordetalia, such as Daucus carota, Pastiaca sativa, etc. These com­munities also include Agropyron repens, Dactylis glom­erata and Convolvulus arvensis to mention only the most common ones. Tanaceto-Artemisietum vulgaris Sissingh 1950 This association can rarely be found in the region. As already mentioned it occurs only in the regions under Andre* ČARNi : COMMUNITIES WIT H PREDOMINATIN G ARTEMISIA VULGARIS..., 5 77-160 the influence of continental climate. Its sites are slightly fresher than those of the previous associations. In fact, the distance from the sea and at the same time from the hot Mediterranean summer reduces the summer stress (low rainfall and high temperatures in the summer months). The dominant species in the stand are Tanacefum vulgare and the neophyte Erigeron annuus. The latter indicates the initial character of the stand. The initiality of the stand is shown also by the fact, that there are many other species which are characteristic of weed and grassland communities, such as Agropyron repens, Convolvulus arvensis, Daciylis glomerata, to mention only some of them. But the presence of the whole group of species of the Artemisietea s. lat. (such as Daucus ca­rota, Pastinaca sativa, Picris hieracioides etc.) confirms the classification of this community within the above mentioned association. Arctio-Artemisietum vulgaris Oberd. ef ai. ex Seybold et T. Millier 1972 This association is the only one that is classified within the Arction. The main difference between the previous associations and this association grows are fresher and the soil is deeper. Within this association, there are some species which are characteristic of less xerophilous sites and belong, from the syntaxonomic point of view, to the Galio-Urticenea, such as Chaerophyllum aureum and Calystegia sepium. The integration of this community in the Artemisienea is besides the species of the Artem­isietea (Artemisia vulgaris, Silene vulgaris) justified also by several Onopordetalla species like Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa, Picris hieracioides and Cichorium inty­bus. Appendix to Table 1. Sporadic species: in the relevé n°1 : Aristolochia clema­titis 1, Diplotaxis muraiis; Koeleria lobata; 2. Cerastium giomeratum 7, Echium vulgare, Trifolium repens, Minuartia rubra, Geranium columbinum, Festuca ovina agg., Vicia tenuifolia, Agropyron caninum; 3. Lathyrus latifolius, Bromus sterilis; 4. Picris echioides, Cynodon dactylon, Verbena officinalis; 5. Dorycnium herbaceum, Chenopodium album, Allium sp., Parietaria officinalis; 6. Erigeron annuus 3, Leucantbemum vulgare agg., Tussilago farfara, Vicia sp., Rubus caesius, Medicago falcata, Euphorbia cyparissias; 7. Arctium tomentosum, Atriplex pa tu I a, Lapsana communis, Sanguisoba officinalis; 8. Polygonum persicaria, Reseda lutea, Ru­mex obtusifolius; 9. Galium aparine, Glechoma heder­acea, Myosoton aquaticum, Sonchus arvensis, Tarax­acum officinale. No of the relevé 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Surface (trt2) 10 20 20 0 10 20 15 30 20 Number of species 17 23 15 't 6 18 32 23 20 23 Ass. char, species Echio-Melilotetum R. Tx.t947 Melilotus alba 4 + + Melilotus officinalis 3 + 1 + Foeniculo-Artemisietum vulgaris Poldini 1980 Foeniculum vutgare | 1 + 2 | | Tanaceto-Artemisietum vulgaris Sissingh 1950 Tanaceium vulgare j j 2 | Arctio-Artemisietum vulgaris Oberd. et al. ex Seybold et T. Mulier 1972 Arctium iappa Char, et d iff. species of higher syntaxa D AU CQ-M El I LOTIO N et ONOPORDETALIA Daucus carota 1 3 4 Pastinaca sativa + 1 + + Picris hieracioides + 1 Cichorium intybus + ARCTION LAPPAE et ARTEMISIETALiA Urtica dioica Caleopsis pubescens Chaerophyllum aureum ARTEMISIETEA Artemisia vulgaris 2 +44 4 Siiene vulgaris + Eupatorium cannabinum Cirsium arvense Cirsium vulgare Calystegia sepkim Dipsacus fullonum OTHER SPECIES Agropyron repens 1 + 2 2 Convolvulus arvensis 1 + + Dactylis glomerata + 1 1 Achillea millefolium + + + + Lactuca serriola + Clematis vitalba 1 Poa trivialis + Pi'antago lartceoiaia + + Arrhentherum elatius + Plantago major + Matricaria charnomilla Scabiosa triandra + Sinapsis arvensis + Diplotaxis tenuifolia + Trifolium pratense 1 Conyza canadensis + Rubus ulmifoîius 1 + Centaures jacea agg. + + Mentha longifolia + Caleopsis speciosa Sonchus oleraceus Table 1. Artemisia vulgaris dominated and some other ruderal communities. Tabela 1: Združbe, v katerih prevladuje Artemisia vul­garis in druge ruderalne združbe. Andraž GARNI: COMMUNITIES WITH PREDOMINATING ARTEMISIA VULGARIS..., Î 77-1 SO Localities of the relevés: 1. Škocjan, parking place, 3/8-95; 2. ilirska Bistica, rubbish dump, 12/8-95; 3. Bel­veder, edge of parking, 2/8-95; 4. Cepki, ruderal place, 2/8-95; 5. Črni kal, roadside, 3/8-95; 6. jelšane, ruderal place, 13/8-95; 7. Mali Potok, stream bank, 4/8-95; 8. Ilirska Bistrica, ruderal place, 12/8-95; 9. Jelšane, slope along a path, 13/8-95. POVZETEK V delu je predstavljena vegetacija, ki jo uvrščamo v podrazred Artemisienea. To je ruderalna, nitrofilna vege­tacija, ki jo najdemo ob cestah, na smetiščih, ob stenah hiš itd. Predstavljene so naslednje rastlinske združbe: Echio-Melilotetum R. Tx. 1947, Foeniculo-Artemisietum vulgaris Poidini 1980, Tanaceto-Artemisietum vulgaris Sissingh 1950, Arctio-Artemisietum vulgaris Oberd. et al. ex Seybold et T. Müller 1972. REFERENCES Braun-Bianquet J. 1964. Pflanzensoziologie. Grundzüge der Vegetationskunde. 3. Aufl., Spinger-Verlag, Wien, 865 p. Carni A. 1994. Associations from the order Giecho­metalia hederaceae R. Tx. in Brun-Hool et R. Tx. 1975 in the coastal-karstic region of Slovenia and neigh­bouring regions. Periodicum biologorum 96{4):424-427; 97(2):178. Ehrendorfer F. (edit.) 1973. Liste der Gefäßpflanzen Mitteleuropas, 2. Aufl. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, 318p. Kaligarič M. 1992. Vegetacija plevelov v vinogradih Koprskega primorja, Annales 2/92: 39-52. Mucina L. 1993. Artemisietea vulgaris: 169-202, in L. Mucina, G. Grabherr & T. Ellmauer (edit.) Die Pflan­zengesellschaften Österreichs Teil I, Antropogene Vegetation, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, Stuttgart, New York, 578 p. MüJier T. 1981. Klasse: Artemisietea vulgaris Lohm., Prsg. et Tx in Tx. 50: 135-277, in F. Oberdorfer (edit.) (1983): Süddeutsche Pflanzengese Ii schaffen, Teil iN, Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart, New York, 455 p. Oberdorfer E. 1983. 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