Habitat-preference of Daphne laureola L. (Thymelaeaceae) at its north-eastern range margin
Abstract
Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola L.) reaches the north-eastern limit of its range in the Vértes Mountains (Central Hungary). In Europe, it inhabits various plant communities, including beech woodlands. In Hungary, its primary habitat is beech woodlands, and it is the characteristic species of the Transdanubian Mountains beech forest (Daphno laureolae–Fagetum) association. In this study, the species’ habitat preference in the Vértes Mountains was examined based on 2635 occurrences and 725 vegetation stands. We searched for associations between D. laureola occurrences and actual and potential vegetation, the degree of naturalness of habitats, and elevation. It was found that the occurrence of D. laureola is restricted to certain vegetation types in the Vértes Mountains. Considering the actual vegetation, the plant can be found in beech woodlands, sessile oak–hornbeam woodlands, sessile oak–Turkey oak woodlands, downy oak woodlands, and occasionally in tree plantations, shrublands and grasslands. D. laureola was found to be positively associated with beech woodlands, sessile oak–hornbeam woodlands, sessile oak–Turkey oak woodlands, and downy oak woodlands, while negatively associated with non-natural vegetation types and grasslands. As to the potential vegetation, the positive association of D. laureola occurrences is valid for beech woodlands and downy oak woodlands, but not for sessile oak–Turkey oak woodlands and sessile oak–hornbeam woodlands. Based on the degree of naturalness of habitats, 87% of the species’ occurrences fall into the natural or the near-natural categories. D. laureola occurs in the Vértes Mountains between 350 and 450 m altitude most frequently, while in a considerable part of its range in Europe, it is a montane species appearing in 500–1500 m elevation. Such altitudinal distribution in the Vértes Mountains is similar to that of several coexisting herbaceous relict montane species living on dolomite rocks or in rock grasslands there. However, unlike those, D. laureola prefers forest habitats. Based on these, D. laureola can be considered a good, natural indicator species of undisturbed original forest stands in the Vértes Mountains. Furthermore, the presence of D. laureola supports the phytogeographical connection of the dolomite areas in the Vértes Mountains to the montane flora of higher altitudes in Europe.
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