Carici Pilosae-Carpinetum Betuli Neuhausl et Neuhauslova-Novotna 1964 (Carpinion Betuli Issler 1931) in the “Dobrușa” Landscape Reserve, Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The "Dobrușa" Landscape Reserve (2634.0 ha) is located on the hills of the Dniester Plateau in the Soldănești district. This area is mainly represented by mesophilous forests, and less by xeromesophilous and mesohygrophilic. Phytocenological research was carried out according to the methodology of the Central European School (Braun-Blanquet, 1964), where 26 floristic surveys were described. As a result of the recent phytocenological research conducted, it was found that on the territory of the „Dobrușa" Landscape Reserve, mesophilous forests of the Carpinion betuli Issler 1931 alliance predominate. The plant communities built by Carpenus betulus and Carex pilosa correspond to the association Carici pilosae-Carpinetum betuli Neuhäusl et Nehäuslová-Novotná 1964 [Syn.: Querco petraeae-Carpinetum sensu auct.; Euonymo europaeae-Carpinetum Chifu (1995), 1997; Carici pilosae-Quercetum petraeae Sanda et Popescu 1999]. This association is known in Central and SouthEastern Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, in the Republic of Moldova the phytocenoses of this association are recorded in the Central Moldovan Plateau. The described plant communities develop at an altitude of 174-350 m, on a plateau or on the upper part of slopes with various exposures, but with predominent northern ones (N, NE, NW), slightly inclined, 5-10, rarely 20-25°. They develop on gray forest soils, acidic, moderately acidic or weakly acidic, formed on sands. The arboreal layer, with a coverage of (70)85-95%, 18-25 m high, formed by the dominant species Carpinus betulus and Quercus petraea, mixed with Acer campestre, A. platanoides, Cerasus avium, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordata. The shrub layer is absent or with a reduced coverage of 5-20(50)%, with sporadic vegetation of Cornus sanguinea, Cratageus monogyna, Euonymus europaeus, E. verrucosus, Staphylea pinnata and Viburnum lantana. The herbaceous layer is well developed, with a coverage of (50)70-95%, rich in species, but a high abundance is revealed only by Carex pilosa, or Stellaria holostea. In spring, Anemonoides ranunculoides, Cardamine bulbifera, Corydalis cava, C. solida, Gagea lutea, Isopyrum thalictrides, Scilla bifolia grow sporadically, and in summer sporadically or in small groups: Asarum europaeum, Carex brevicollis, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Galium odoratum, Mercurialis perennis, etc.