Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 35/2. (2015)
Botany
THE LILAC LOREST ERŐM PONOARELE. PHYTOSOCIOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS Sorina §tefania MATACÄ Muzeul Regiunii Porjilor de Fier — Secfia §tiinfele Naturii, str. Independeryei nr. 2, RO-220171 DrobetaTurnu Severin, Mehedinfi, s_mataca@yahoo.com Abstract: This article discusses the similarities between the Syringo-Fraxinetum orni association (Ponoarele) and the Syringo-Carpinetum orientalis association (Danube Defile) in terms of bioforms, ecological indices, karyology, geoelementes. Keywords: phytosociology, plant associations, Ponoarele, Danube Defile Introduction Located in the continental bioregion, where the landform monotony usually prevails, when speaking about Plateau Mehedinp Geopark — one can notice a strong swerve away from the foreseeable, the variety of the micro-landforms meeting no limits. The particular local characteristics determined the setting, development and maintenance of enormous biotope richness, as well as of a complex biotic constituent. The Natural Bridge from Ponoarele imposes itself through its massive structure, built of 1-2 meters of laminated chalk and having 30 meters length, 13 meters width, 22 m height and 9 meters depth as dimensions. This fabulous edifice represents a vestige of Podului Cave, which has been isolated from the current entrance in the cave through a vast “dolina” — Crovul Pejterii - formed through the crumbling of a 50 meters portion of an old tunnel’s ceiling. The cave from Pod is complex, having numerous floors and 2 entrances. The entrance from Natural Bridge is 15 meters wide and 3 meters high, allowing access towards a descending tunnel on the first 50 meters, which then turns subhorizontal. The total length is 734 meters. The tunnel has enormous dimensions: 10-12 meters width and 5-8 meters height. The tunnel actually represents the main gallery built under the rocks. From this gallery - the Fossil Gallery is born. “Lapiezurile de la Ponoare” are the most imposing karst phenomenons of this type in Romania. The “lapiez” fields amaze through their beauty and uniqueness. The chalk boards are furrowed by “canels” of 4—5 meters, 15—20 meters depth. “Zätonul Mare, The Ghost Lake, which is sometimes full of water, offers the human eyes a wide mirror. Some other times, it’s hollow, deserted, crimson and cleft - the ideal scenery for a film about another planet” (Lascu, 1982) - Hiking through Mehedinti Mountains [7]. Material and methods This research is based on field observation. The main method of study was the most frequent and appreciable of Montpellier School, the Braun-Blanquet method. M A RI S I A, XXXV, p. 27-34
