| Abstract [eng] |
The object of the study is mesic and steppe grasslands and their syntaxonomical, ecological and phytogeographical interactions. The territory of Lithuania is in an ecotone between two biomes. The vegetation formed in such geographical coverage should be characterized by a higher diversity of plant species in the communities and a mosaic of different combinations of species. Research on the diversity and structure of such communities is important at the continental scale. Our results showed that mesic and steppe grasslands could belong to two vegetation classes (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Festuco-Brometea), four alliances (Cynosurion, Deschampsion, Arrhenatherion, and Bromion), and 10 associations. Elenberg indicator values were used to identify the most important environmental gradients. We discovered out that the occurrence of steppe grasslands in the area is determined by local thermal conditions. Average annual air temperatures are 2–2.5 ° C higher than values typical of the Lithuanian climate. Short-term abandonment resulted in the loss of plant species and functional diversity. According to one of the phytogeographical features, the composition of phytocoenons is supported by a degree of oceanicity. The developed expert system of mesic and steppe grasslands classifies about 99% of vegetation plots. |
