Abstract

Two new Juniperus communis subsp. communis syntaxa from Romania are presented from floristic, ecological and syntaxonomic points of view, completing the picture of the European distribution area of these shrubby communities. The phytocoenoses of Thymio odoratissimi-Juniperetum communis ass. nova are present on calcareous substrates and are rich in continental Eurasian, meso-xerophilous species, for which reason we assigned it to alliance Brachypodio pinnati-Juniperion communis Mucina et al. 2016, and class Crataego-Prunetea Tx. 1962. The communities belonging to Vaccinio myrtilli-Juniperetum communis Kovács ex Filipaș et al. campanuletosum abietinae subass. nova occur on acidic substrates, crystalline schists and gresous formations, and are rich in acidophilous species, characteristic for the class Calluno-Ulicetea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Klika et Hadač 1944. We assigned this new syntaxon to alliance Vaccinio-Juniperion communis Passage in Passage et G. Hoffman 1968 because of the high presence of Vaccinium species (V. myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea) in the sub-shrub layer of these phytocoenoses. © 2023, Babes-Bolyai University, "Alexandru Borza" Botanic Garden. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Fritillaria orientalis Adams is an endangered central Balkan and Illyrian species with a sporadic presence in Romania, that has been declared a "Natural Monument". A new protected area of 22.18 ha located southwards to the village Berchieșu (Frata commune) is proposed for conserving the most important and abundant population of F. orientalis in Cluj county, the assessment based on available literature and personal observations in the field. For this reason, the area has special botanical value and needs to be legally protected in order to preserve this isolated population. This paper presents floristic data and vegetation characteristics along with relevant illustration of the proposed protected area. In order to easily distinguish F. orientalis from F. meleagris L., reported as well in the Cluj county, morphological, biometric and ecological differentiation characters are presented. Individual plants of F. orientalis from Berchieșu are characterized by a pronounced diversity regarding the height of flower stems and colour of perianth. Collection of flowers or whole plants, extension of cultivated land, improvised fireplaces near the forest edge, logging, fertilization of agricultural fields and motorized access threatens this population. Therefore, we propose a set of measures to assure its sustainable conservation and monitoring of the phytocoenoses to assess the effectiveness of protective actions. © 2023, Babes-Bolyai University, "Alexandru Borza" Botanic Garden. All rights reserved.

Abstract

The present vegetation study was elaborated on the basis of geo-referenced phytocoenological relevés carried out in 2007–2010 on the northern slope of the Vlădeasa Mountain. 150 representative relevés for the woody and herbaceous vegetation were selected from a total of 387. These were grouped in 16 plant associations, based on their coenotic affinity and ecological requirements, and represented in a large-scale vegetation map. Of these, six scrub and forest associations were grouped in the class Vaccinio-Picetea and four forest associations in the class Carpino-Fagetea. Among the six herbaceous associations included in the classes Nardetea strictae and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, only the association Potentillo aureae-Festucetum supinae has a primary character. © 2022, Babes-Bolyai University, "Alexandru Borza" Botanic Garden. All rights reserved.

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