Ábrahám Levente (szerk.): Válogatott tanulmányok III. - Natura Somogyiensis 12. (Kaposvár, 2008)

Salamon-Albert Éva-Horváth Ferenc: Vegetation of Külső-Somogy in Hungary II.

Arrhenatherum hay meadows, E2 - Festuca rubra hay meadows and related communities, H4 - Bromus erectus-Brachypodium pinnatum xero-mesophilous grasslands, dry tall herb communities and forest steppe meadows, H5a - Closed steppes on loess, clay, tufa, H5b - Closed sand steppes, 12 - Semi-desert vegetation on loess cliffs, OA Uncharacteristic wetlands, OB - Uncharacteristic meadows and tall herb communities, OC - Uncharacteristic dry/semi-dry grasslands and tall herb communities in accordance with META guide (Bölöni et al 2007). Habitat groups and their abbreviations are: Agroup (Euhydrophyte habitats): Al + A23 + A3a, B-group (Marshes): Bla + Bib + B2 + B3 + B4 + B5 + B6 + BA, C-group (Flushes, transition mires and raised bogs): Cl, Dgroup (Rich fens, eu- and mesotrophic meadows and tall herb communities): D2 + D34 + D5 + D6, E-group (Colline and montane hay meadows, acid grasslands and heaths): El + E2, H-group (Dry and semi-dry closed grasslands): H4 + H5a + H5b, I-group (Non-ruderal pioneer habitats): 12, O-group (Other non-woody habitats): OA + OB + OC. Finally we introduced a new habitat variable as 'associated habitat group' forming 'wet grasslands' with A+B+C+D+OA+OB, 'dry and semi-dry grasslands' with E+H+I+OC habitats, 'semi-natural grasslands' with A+B+C+D+E+H+I habitats, 'disturbed grasslands' with 0 habitats and the wastelands. Taxonomical nomenclature is by SIMON (2C00), syntaxonomical nomenclature is by BORHIDI (2003), habitat nomenclature is by BÖLÖNI et al (2007). Results Habitat types and diversity Altogether 48 habitat types are identified in Külső-Somogy region, they represent more than half of the total number of habitats listed for Hungary (56%). Among them 25 types are attached to the stands of grasslands, so the relative importance of non-woody habitat types is quite high (52.1%). Summarized area of non-woody habitat types compared to the geographical area of the region is 3.4%. Participation of grasslands in sum of vegetation cover is 23.2%, including semi-natural and disturbed grass habitats as well. Total territorial ratio of the wastelands is 2.1% (6100 ha) to the whole territory of the region, 14.4% to the total vegetation cover and 62.1% to the extension of grasslands. The total area of non-woody semi-natural habitats is 9800 hectares, including wastelands (6100 ha) that are more than the half part of the sum (62.1%). The greater part of non-woody vegetation stands represents disturbed grass habitat types attached to O habitat group (54%>) and wet habitat types (55%). Other non-woody (O) habitat group is divided into three habitat types: OA and OB represent wet grasses and tall herb communities connected to them, OC habitat types contains dry and semi-dry grasslands. Between them dry and semi-dry grassland habitat type (OC) dominates (33%). Local environmental influences has a great importance for determining occurrence of grass habitats controlled by the surplus or lack of water. This associated habitat group forming with A, B, C, D and I habitat groups is in subordinate position (33.6%). Non-woody semi natural habitats controlled by climatic conditions (E+H habitat groups) have the smallest proportion among associated habitat groups (12.2%). Territorial extension and proportion of wastelands are fairly high (62.1%), containing secondary non-woody habitats taking grassland regeneration process (Table 1). Analysing non-woody habitat types and groups compared to the total vegetation area (Fig. 2) uncharacteristic grasslands and tall herb communities representing other nonwoody habitats have the greatest areal proportion (O habitat group: 5318 ha=12.6%). In