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Abstract: We conducted a phytosociological analysis of mixed deciduous forests on flysch and mixed flysch-limestone bedrock in the Central Soča Valley, the Karst, the Brkini Hills and in Slovenian Istria with dominating Quercus cerris in the upper tree layer. Based on the comparison with similar Quercus cerris communities in Slovenia, Italy, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina we described a new association, Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum cerridis, which we classified into the alliance Carpinion orientalis. We subdivided it into three subassociations: -asparagetosum acutifolii (Quercus cerris stands in Slovenian Istria where this tree species rejuvenates successfully and keeps through many generations), -hieracietosum sabaudi (a form on slightly acid flysch soil, also in Istria) and -campanuletosum rapunculoidis (a secondary Quercus cerris community on potential beech sites). Even though the described Quercus cerris stands are considered secondary (pioneer), they overgrow very large areas and we therefore propose they be classified as a new habitat and forest site type, littoral Quercus cerris woods on flysch.
Keywords: phytosociology, synsystematics, Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum cerridis, Carpinion orientalis, Istria, Slovenia
Published in DiRROS: 28.01.2026; Views: 163; Downloads: 117
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Abstract: The soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined in soils of enclosed karst depressions (dolines) (NW Dinaric Mts.) to define their potential for organic carbon sequestration. SOC was measured in the forest, succession (scrubland), and grassland plots at the bottom of dolines at four depths (0–40 cm) and for 40 cm soil layer SOC stock was calculated. We demonstrated that the prevailing fine soil fractions, the C/N ratio and soil thickness play a positive role in the storage capacity of SOC in dolines regardless land use type. Grasslands have the lowest SOC storage capacity (106 t/ha/40 cm), while the highest SOC storage capacity is in succession plots (130 t/ha/40 cm). The last are covered by shrub communities dominated by Prunus spinosa, forming dense communities, and are typical of abandoned croplands or meadows that have been impacted by high levels of nutrients during cultivation phase. At this stage, there is no additional nutrient input in studied plots, which lowers the nutrient content and increases the C/N ratio. C/N ratio is the highest in the forest, where SOC stock capacity is 116 t/ha/40 cm. Given the trend towards the abandonment of agricultural land at Kras Plateau (SW Slovenia), we can expect more overgrowth of dolines, and thus an increase in carbon stocks and stabilization of organic carbon in forest soils. In contrary, we noticed the alarming decrease in grasslands and increase in urban land. The SOC storage in 2020 was for 12,538 t/ha/40 cm lower than in 2002. Although grasslands showed the lowest SOC storage, their contribution to total SOC storage in dolines is very important. Since there is a lack of studies on carbon stocks in doline soils, our research is of great importance and a novelty and gives an important background for further research on SOC stock in karst landscapes worldwide.
Keywords: organic carbon sequestration, karst, grassland, forests, scrubland, dolines
Published in DiRROS: 20.04.2023; Views: 1909; Downloads: 1159
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