CALCOPHILOUS GRASSLANDS IN PADUREA CRAIULUI MOUNTAINS

Abstract

This study presents the calcophilous vegetal associations developed on the limy rocky areas, very common in Padurea Craiului Mountains. These associations are affiliated with the coenotaxonomical system based on the dominant species and analyzed from an ecological, phytogeographical and of bioforms point of view, based on phytocaenological tables. Meadows installed on limestone rockeries make up 7 vegetal associations: Festucetum pallentis, Asplenio rutaemurariae-Melicetum, Seslerietum rigidae, Seslerietum heufflerianae, Sedo hispanici-Poaetum nemoralis, Asplenietum trichomano-rutae-murariae, and Pparietarietum officinalis. These associations belong to 4 vegetation classes. The most widespread are Festuca palentis meadows. They are important for protecting the soil against erosion, as they develop mostly on slopes with a high inclination, sometimes on scree, and rocky outposts. Generally these meadows have no economic importance.