Plant Life Of The Dolomites

The landscape and vegetation of the Dolomites have characteristics that are very particular. Some 2300 species live here, about a fifth of the flora in Europe as a whole. This book depicts what the plant cover of the Dolomites is composed of, how it was formed, and what future evolution may bring. The data presented is based on the authors’ combined botanical research, which consists of thousands of surveys throughout the entire region of the Dolomites. To explain the vegetation, 106 plant communities are described in detailed datasheets. Biological, geological, climatic and physical-chemical parameters are given for each plant community, including a description of the habitat, the indicator species, the floristic composition, distribution, conservation, and alteration risks, as well as a distribution map and a photo of the association. The associations are grouped into habitats, such as the human habitat, natural forests and meadows on the valley floor, the coniferous forest belt, screes, alpine vegetation on granite, porphyry, and volcanic rock, as well as on dolomite and limestones. In closing, the authors make a case for using the scientific information provided in the book for the conservation of the Dolomites, the heritage of all humanity. Additional in-depth analysis will be presented in the supplementary volumes “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Tables” and “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Atlas of Flora.”

This volume offers distribution maps of over 2200 individual species living in the Dolomite area, presenting detailed records on the local range of every species growing in the area studied, from the Puster Valley to the Piave River. The data was collected on the basis of a multiple field observations carried out over several decades. After dividing the area into approx. 200 quadrants, a nearly complete census of the species present was obtained for each quadrant. The evaluation and synopsis of this extensive set of data, which is presented in the form of a chorological atlas in keeping with international standard methods, allows the area to be accurately compared with other parts of the Alps. In addition to the chorological atlas and floristic inventory, a list of synonyms and toponyms of the three languages used in the analyzed territory, an expanded list of updated scientific names, and some helpful remarks on various Dolomites species are included. Lastly, the book explores how species can be considered as landscape bioindicators. This third volume of the work Plant Life of the Dolomites complements the main volume Vegetation Structure and Ecology and the volume Vegetation Tables, which presents essential data at the plant association level.

This volume provides an in-depth analysis of over 100 plant communities of the Dolomite vegetation. The data is based on the phytosociological relevés, which have been collected by the authors in nearly 2000 surveys. The key part consists of approx. 130 association tables presenting plant sociological data for the respective plant communities. Thus, this volume perfectly complements the successful main volume “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Structure and Ecology,” which features summarized, synoptic association tables of the twelve habitats. In addition, geo-referenced locations of relevés and detailed ecological measures are provided. A further part describes the individual components of the fascinating dolomitic landscape (Heritage of all Humanity) and presents tables of vegetation complexes, which summarize the more than 400 surveys carried out in the Dolomites. The structure of this supplementary volume corresponds to that of the main volume with a key part consisting of twelve chapters, each describing a specific habitat, and a total of 106 associations. Several topics covered in the main volume, such as the exploration of the flora, ecological factors and syntaxonomy are discussed further here.

Before any other influences began to fashion life and its lavish diversity, geological events created the initial environments--both physical and chemical--for the evolutionary drama that followed. Drawing on case histories from around the world, Arthur Kruckeberg demonstrates the role of landforms and rock types in producing the unique geographical distributions of plants and in stimulating evolutionary diversification. His examples range throughout the rich and heterogeneous tapestry of the earth's surface: the dramatic variations of mountainous topography, the undulating ground and crevices of level limestone karst, and the subtle realm of sand dunes. He describes the ongoing evolutionary consequences of the geology-plant interface and the often underestimated role of geology in shaping climate. Kruckeberg explores the fundamental connection between plants and geology, including the historical roots of geobotany, the reciprocal relations between geology and other environmental influences, geomorphology and its connection with plant life, lithology as a potent selective agent for plants, and the physical and biological influences of soils. Special emphasis is given to the responses of plants to exceptional rock types and their soils--serpentines, limestones, and other azonal (exceptional) substrates. Edaphic ecology, especially of serpentines, has been his specialty for years. Kruckeberg's research fills a significant gap in the field of environmental science by connecting the conventionally separated disciplines of the physical and biological sciences. Geology and Plant Life is the result of more than forty years of research into the question of why certain plants grow on certain soils and certain terrain structures, and what happens when this relationship is disrupted by human agents. It will be useful to a wide spectrum of professionals in the natural sciences: plant ecologists, paleobiologists, climatologists, soil scientists, geologists, geographers, and conservation scientists, as well as serious amateurs in natural history.

Generations of plant scientists have been fascinated by alpine plant lifean ecosystem that experiences dramatic climatic gradients over a very short distance. This comprehensive book examines a wide range of topics including alpine climate and soils, plant distribution and the treeline phenomenon, plant stress and development, global change at high elevation, and the human impact on alpine vegetation. Geographically, the book covers all parts of the world including the tropics.