Phytocoenological-pedological features of subalpine beech forests (as. Ranunculo platanifoliae-Fagetum Marinček et al. 1993) on northern Velebit

Background and Purpose: Beech forests in the subalpine belt of Velebit (1-4) have not been extensively investigated so far, nor have their nomenclatural and systematic affiliation been analyzed according to the latest phytocoenological concepts (5-7). Phytocoenological research and adjustment were combined with the study and analysis of basic soil types and their pedophysiographic properties. Materials and Methods: Phytocoenological research, encompassing the analysis of 11 relevés and comparisons with other relevant studies (3, 8, 9), follows classical principles of the Braun-Blanquet School (10). Taxonomic nomenclature was coordinated according to Nikoli} (11-13). Pedophysiographic soil features were described by types and pedogenetic horizons on the basis of the profiles opened within the community. Results: As many as 96 species, or 41 species per relevé on average, were registered in 11 phytocoenological relevés. The dominant layer of the community under study was characterized by Fagus sylvatica, with Acer pseudoplatanus also taking an important position and Abies alba featuring on the bottom boundary. There were no distinctly dominant species in the shrub layer, while the ground layer contained important species of the alliance Aremonio-Fagion and the order Fagetalia. The substrate of limestones with dolomite interbeds, dolomitized limestones, and calcareous breccias (14-17) supports a long series of subtypes and varieties of mollic leptosol and cambisols, luvisols in sinkholes and sporadic occurrences of rendzic leptosols. Conclusion: Beech forests in the subalpine belt of northern Velebit at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,500 m manifest their affiliation to the association Ranunculo platanifoliae-Fagetum Marin~ek et al. 1993. The comparison with adjacent areas shows very high similarity in physiognomy, ecological conditions and floristic composition. Pedological research revealed exceptional variability of soil types over a relatively small space. The studie