F167
Crimean-north Caucasian mixed sessile oak forests (Quercus petraea, Carpinus betulus, Carpinus orientalis), in Caucasus with Acer cappadocicum, Sorbus torminalis
Description
Three-layered mixed sessile oak forests with dominant Quercus petraea and different admixture tree species depending on area and habitat conditions. Tree layer up to 25 m high with a canopy closure of 80-100 %. Companion tree species include Pinus kochiana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus pubescens, Carpinus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, only in the Caucasus Quercus hartwissiana, Acer cappadocicum, Sorbus torminalis. Shrub layer (20-60 % degree of coverage) with Cornus mas, Corylus avellana, Cotinus coggygria amongst other woody plants. The herb layer is differently developed depending on altitude, exposure and rock, with mesophilous and thermophilous species.
Tree Layer
Quercus petraea (Sessile Oak), with different admixture of Pinus kochiana (Black Pine), Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Quercus pubescens (Downy Oak), Carpinus orientalis (Hornbeam (tiny-medium)), Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam), Acer campestre (Field Maple), Quercus hartwissiana (Downy Oak), Acer cappadocicum (Field Maple), Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service Tree)
Shrub Layer
Corylus avellana (Hazel), Cornus mas (Lebrethron), Cornus sanguinea subsp. Australis (Fruiting Dogwood), Cotinus coggygria (Elder), Ligustrum vulgare (Elder Bush), locally Rhododendron luteum (wild_shrub), Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Fruiting Blackthorn Bush)
Oak, Apple and Alder saplings
Lianas
Tamus communis
Herb Layer
Mercurialis perennis (dogs_mercury), Poa sterilis (small_fescue), Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. Rupestre (green_meadow_fescue), Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum (greater_wood_rush), Luzula forsteri (deergrass), Convallaria majalis (lily_of_the_valley), Cardamine quinquefolia (ABSENT), Carex flacca subsp. Serrulata (bottle_sedge), Carex tomentosa (lush_grass), Festuca drymeja (bottle_sedge), Dactylis glomerata (green_meadow_fescue), Brachypodium sylvaticum (lush_grass), Rubus caesius (blackberry_bush), Calamagrostis epigejos (dry_reeds), Pteridium aquilinum (braken), Physospermum cornubiense (horse_chestnut_tree_sapling), Lathyrus aureus (sweet_woodruff), Lathyrus rotundifolius, Ranunculus constantinopolitanus (wild_parsley), Veronica umbrosa (sweet_woodruff)
Small, wooded island in the Sea of Rhûn
