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Plant communities from the highlands of the Mühlviertel region of Upper Austria are described. These communities originated from grassland use and are currently subject to vegetation dynamics due to extensification. As a result of delayed mowing dates, a reduction in mowing frequency, and the partial retention of vegetation on the areas, the dynamics of species composition can be traced, with a tendency toward the promotion and dominance of individual species. In the medium term, largely homogenized species sets will emerge at the growth sites, resulting in significantly reduced floristic and sociological diversity. Based on the findings, a discussion on management practices is encouraged, also with regard to the effectiveness of the funding criteria of the current agri-environmental programs.

New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 8 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 49 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Campania, Calabria, Marche, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria. Relevés and figures are provided as Supplementary material respectively 1 and 2.

Aims Vegetation classification consistent with the Braun‐Blanquet approach is widely used in Europe for applied vegetation science, conservation planning and land management. During the long history of syntaxonomy, many concepts and names of vegetation units have been proposed, but there has been no single classification system integrating these units. Here we (1) present a comprehensive, hierarchical, syntaxonomic system of alliances, orders and classes of Braun‐Blanquet syntaxonomy for vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen, and algal communities of Europe; (2) briefly characterize in ecological and geographic terms accepted syntaxonomic concepts; (3) link available synonyms to these accepted concepts; and (4) provide a list of diagnostic species for all classes. Location European mainland, Greenland, Arctic archipelagos (including Iceland, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya), Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Caucasus, Cyprus. Methods We evaluated approximately 10 000 bibliographic sources to create a comprehensive list of previously proposed syntaxonomic units. These units were evaluated by experts for their floristic and ecological distinctness, clarity of geographic distribution and compliance with the nomenclature code. Accepted units were compiled into three systems of classes, orders and alliances (EuroVegChecklist, EVC) for communities dominated by vascular plants (EVC1), bryophytes and lichens (EVC2) and algae (EVC3). Results EVC1 includes 109 classes, 300 orders and 1108 alliances; EVC2 includes 27 classes, 53 orders and 137 alliances, and EVC3 includes 13 classes, 24 orders and 53 alliances. In total 13 448 taxa were assigned as indicator species to classes of EVC1, 2087 to classes of EVC2 and 368 to classes of EVC3. Accepted syntaxonomic concepts are summarized in a series of appendices, and detailed information on each is accessible through the software tool EuroVegBrowser. Conclusions This paper features the first comprehensive and critical account of European syntaxa and synthesizes more than 100 yr of classification effort by European phytosociologists. It aims to document and stabilize the concepts and nomenclature of syntaxa for practical uses, such as calibration of habitat classification used by the European Union, standardization of terminology for environmental assessment, management and conservation of nature areas, landscape planning and education. The presented classification systems provide a baseline for future development and revision of European syntaxonomy. This is the first comprehensive and critical account of the hierarchical syntaxonomic system of communities of vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, and algae in Europe, synthesizing more than 100 years of research in classification of vegetation. It aims at documenting standardization of concepts and terminology of syntaxa and informing calibration of habitat classifications for environmental assessment, nature management, conservation, landscape planning, and education.

This study investigates perennial halophyte vegetation communities within the Salicornioideae subfamily in the marshlands of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, with a particular emphasis on the Tinto River salt marshes. We focus on communities dominated by three Sarcocornia species (S. perennis, S. pruinosa, and S. alpini) and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. Utilizing geobotanical analysis, we reaffirm existing classifications, delineating one association for A. macrostachyum (Inulo crithmoidis-Arthrocnemetum macrostachyi) and three for Sarcocornia (Puccinellio ibericae-Sarcocornietum perennis, Cistancho phelypaeae-Sarcocornietum pruinosae, and Halimiono portulacoidis-Sarcocornietum alpini). Our research comprises 70 relevés, which reveal distinct zonation patterns among these species in relation to their proximity to water and tidal influences. This investigation contributes to a deeper understanding of halophyte biodiversity and provides comprehensive floristic inventories, thereby facilitating future ecological assessments and restoration initiatives in fragile saline ecosystems.

The study of temporal changes in riparian vegetation is essential for understanding the paths taken by the ecosystem during ecological succession. In order to evaluate the changes in floristic composition, structure, and dynamics of the arboreal vegetation in an area of Semideciduous Seasonal Alluvial Forest, we aim to understand the secondary succession that occurs in the Paraná River floodplain. Based on a study conducted 20 years ago, in the municipality of Batayporã, Mato Grosso do Sul, a re-sampling was carried out in the same area, using the same methodology. Phytosociological and ecological parameters between the two temporal samplings were collected and compared using Student's ‘t’ test, where it was possible to find statistically significant variations (p<0.05) in the vegetation structure. A total of 603 individuals were sampled, distributed among 51 species and grouped in 46 genera and 31 families. The analysis of the distribution of abundance and importance values (IV) of species visualized in the histogram indicated an expected pattern in forest communities, which is the substitution of early successional species for late successional species. For the successional categories, the comparison of IVs revealed higher values for secondary species in both surveys and changes in the positions of climax and pioneer species, directly influencing the IVs values of these categories for the zones. When compared to the result obtained in the previous study, a replacement of the IV values of pioneer species with climax and dead species is noted. The comparisons showed that this phytocoenosis is evolving to a mature successional stage, a result of the decrease in the main anthropic impacts in the area. The results obtained highlight the importance of temporal monitoring of forest areas to expand the understanding of the pathways of ecological succession in this type of environment and provide information to assist in biodiversity conservation.

ABSTRACT The combination of management practices affects weed populations and biodiversity. The objective was to evaluate the infesting weed community in the implementation of a corn silage (Zea mays L.) /pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L)/corn silage succession system subjected to early potassium fertilization in the winter crop. The experiment began in October 2019 under fallow area. In the 2019/20 summer season, corn silage was grown in a complete area. In the 2020 fall/winter season, the plots consisted of pearl millet, six doses of potassium fertilization (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) and one fallow. In the 2020/21 summer season, the treatments consisted of corn silage and six doses of K2O, complementing the treatment applied in the previous harvest (120, 90, 60, 30, 0 kg ha-1) and one with recommended fertilization. Phytosociological evaluations of weeds were performed using a 0.25 m2 square. The density and number of species increased in the first year. Early fertilization at doses of 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1 of K2O increased the dry weight of weeds before planting and at V4 stage of the corn silage cultivated in sequence; however, were lower than those for plots fallowed in the winter.

Alluvial forest environments are vulnerable, representing one of the most degraded ecosystems globally. This study evaluated the dynamics of an urban Alluvial Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and the invasion of Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton (Oleaceae) in Guarapuava-PR, Brazil. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH ≥ 5 cm) and height measurements of tree individuals were carried out in 72 study plots of 100 m² each, between 2011 and 2022, and phytosociological descriptors and Relative Growth Rates and Mortality Rates were calculated. Analysis of Variance compared the abundance of the invader over the years, and Pearson correlation investigated its relationship with native species’ richness. Other comparisons used Generalized Linear Models, with Bonferroni correction at 5% significance level. L. lucidum showed similar mean diameter to the native tree community, but its mean height was significantly higher. Gymnanthes klotzschiana, Matayba elaeagnoides, and L. lucidum had higher phytosociological descriptors and sociological position values. The growth rate of L. lucidum was higher along with Casearia decandra, and the alien species had a low mortality rate compared to Zanthoxylum rhoifolium and Ocotea puberula. However, there was no significant increase in the abundance of L. lucidum, although a weak negative correlation between native species richness and invader abundance was observed. The invasion degree indicated a 5% increase in the alien population during the study period. This study provides a basis for investigations into the dynamics of alluvial forests and the biological invasion process. Keywords: araucaria mixed forest, invasive alien species, phytosociology.

AbstractAccording to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, a younger name of a syntaxon may be conserved against its older name to improve the stability of the nomenclature and avoid misunderstandings in scientific communication. Here, we propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992 for arctic-alpine, bryophyte-dominated, non-calcareous spring vegetation against the names Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925, Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926, and MontionMaas 1959. In current vegetation classification systems, the two name-giving taxa of Cardamino-Montion no longer indicate the character of the vegetation corresponding to the nomenclatural type of this alliance and are instead characteristic of other currently distinguished alliances. Maintaining the oldest name Cardamino-Montion in strict adherence to the Code would be a source of errors. In the current vegetation classification systems, two similar but counter-intuitive names would then have to be used: Cardamino-Montion for arctic-alpine springs (although the name-giving taxa are more indicative of montane springs) and Epilobio nutantis-Montion for montane springs (although the name-giving taxon Epilobium nutans is indicative of arctic-alpine vegetation). Hence, there is a risk that the name Cardamino-Montion may gradually become ambiguous. We also propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriatae against Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 to prevent confusion in case of a merger of these alliances. (36) Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992 Typus: Cratoneuro-PhilonotidetumGeissler 1976 (holotypus) (=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925 Typus: Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 [≡ Montio fontanae-Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 nom. corr. et invers. (alternative name)] (holotypus) (=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925] (=) Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 Typus: Mniobryo-Epilobietum hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 (lectotypus selected by Zechmeister & Mucina 1994) (=) MontionMaas 1959 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925] Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med PlantBase (http://europlusmed.org; accessed 4 January 2024)

Main conclusionThe metabolomic of the Italian endemic species Stachys italica was investigated and potential positive metabolites for human’s health were detected, quantified and discussed in relation to its synecology.Stachys italica is a species endemic to central-southern Italy, traditionally used for human consumption. The present research reports the results of a phytosociological study of this species in two southern regions of Italy (Apulia and Calabria). The collected plant material was used to make two types of extracts: hot water infusion to evaluate the use of this plant as tea and hydroalcoholic extraction to evaluate the use of it in herbal liqueur preparation. The extracts obtained by the hot water infusion had a values of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity similar to values found in black tea. The analysis of non-volatiles compounds revealed the presence of biologically active substances like lavandulifolioside, verbascoside, and methoxyflavones. The analysis of volatiles fraction of metabolites demonstrated fifty-three volatiles compounds in the plant aerial part, 19 of which belonging to monoterpenoids, and 17 to the class of sesquiterpenoids. Among them, α-pinene, β-pinene, cis-ocimene, limonene and t-caryophyllene, were the most abundant compounds. The results were compared with already published results and referred to other similar species (such as Sideritis syriaca) which represent herbal mixtures usually collected and used as “mountain tea” in the Balkans and Eastern European countries.

This study investigates the riparian forest and scrub vegetation along the Zalomka and Upper Neretva rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Despite the ecological significance of these rivers’ riparian zones, they remain underexplored, particularly regarding their floristic composition and ecological dynamics. We conducted a short-term phytosociological study in June 2023, using the Central European phytosociological method to collect and analyze 17 relevés from these riverine environments. Statistical classification identified five ecologically and floristically distinct clusters, ranging from pioneer scrub communities dominated by Salix eleagnos and Salix purpurea on gravel bars, over riparian forests on finer sediment dominated by Salix alba and/or S. euxina and Alnus rohlenae, to Salix eleagnos scrub communities with diverse mesophilous and thermophilous species. The study provides a preliminary syntaxonomical framework, assigning these clusters into relevant alliances. The findings highlight the need for further research to refine the classification and support the conservation of these unique riparian habitats, several of which are listed in the EU Habitats Directive. The study contributes to a better understanding of riparian ecosystems in the Dinaric Alps, offering insights into their conservation and management. V prispevku obravnavamo obrežno gozdno in grmičasto vegetacijo vzdolž rek Zalomke in gornje Neretve v Bosni in Hercegovini (BiH). Kljub izjemnemu ekološkemu pomenu, floristična sestava in ekološka dinamika obrežnih območij obravnavanih rek ni zadostno raziskana. Junija 2023 smo izvedli kratkotrajno fitocenološko študijo po srednjeevropski metodi, in zbrali ter analizirali 17 fitocenoloških popisov iz rečnih okolij gornje Neretve in Zalomke. Statistično smo opredelili pet ekološko in floristično različnih skupin, od prvih grmičev, v katerih prevladujeta Salix eleagnos in Salix purpurea na prodiščih, preko obrežnih gozdov na drobnejših usedlinah, v katerih prevladujeta Salix alba in/ali S. euxina in Alnus rohlenae, do grmičevih združb Salix eleagnos z raznolikimi mezofilnimi in termofilnimi vrstami. Študija zagotavlja predhodni sintaksonomski okvir, ki te skupine razvršča v ustrezne skupine. Rezultati kažejo, da so nujne nadaljnje raziskave za izboljšanje klasifikacije in podporo ohranjanju teh edinstvenih obrežnih habitatov, od katerih jih je več navedenih v Direktivi o habitatih EU. Študija prispeva k boljšemu razumevanju obrečnih ekosistemov v Dinarskem gorstvu ter ponuja vpogled v njihovo ohranjanje in upravljanje. Apstrakt. Studija vegetacije riječnih šuma i šibljaka rijeke Zalomke i gornjeg toka rijeke Neretve (Bosna i Hercegovina) – U radu se razmatra vegetacija priobalnih šuma i šibljaka duž rijeke Zalomke i gornjeg toka rijeke Neretve u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH). Uprkos ekološkom značaju ovih priobalnih zona, ipak su ostale neistražene, naročito ako govorimo o florističkom sastavu i ekološkoj dinamici. Proveli smo kratkoročnu fitocenološku studiju u junu 2023. godine, koristeći srednjeevropski fitocenološki metod da bismo sakupili i analizirali 17 fitocenoloških snimaka ovih riječnih staništa. Statistička klasifikacija identifikovala je pet posebnih ekoloških i florističkih klastera, rangiranih od pionirskih zajednica u kojima dominiraju Salix eleagnos i Salix purpurea na šljunčanim sprudovima, preko priobalnih šuma na sitnijem sedimentu u kojima dominiraju vrste Salix alba i/ili S. euxina i Alnus rohlenae, pa sve do Salix eleagnos zajednica sa različitim mezofilnim i termofilnim vrstama. Studija pruža preliminarni sintaksonomski okvir koji ove klastere svrstava u relevantne sveze. Rezultati ističu potrebu za daljim istraživanjima kako bi se jasnije definisala klasifikacija i podržalo očuvanje ovih jedinstvenih priobalnih staništa, od kojih je nekoliko navedeno u Direktivi o staništima EU. Studija doprinosi boljem razumijevanju priobalnih ekosistema u Dinaridima i nudi uvid u njihovo očuvanje i upravljanje.