Characterization of soils on consolidated limestone and its relations to grassland vegetation

Understanding the relations between soil features and plant responses is important for agricultural production and nature conservation. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the influence of soils' physical and chemical features on the composition of plant species and richness in grasslands studied on the limestone massif in eastern Serbia (Mt. Rtanj). The data set included 22 phytosociological releves, the same number of corresponding mixed soil samples (0-10 cm depth) and 8 soil profiles. Two vegetation types were distinguished by numerical classification as Saturejion montanae and Festucion valesiacae. The results of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicated that the most important soil parameters affecting species composition in dry grasslands were humus, the content of calcium, soil exchange capacity and base saturation, in addition to total acidity, pH and soil depth. The communities of both vegetation types are developed on Leptosols and Phaeozems. Under similar physical and chemical conditions of the soil, the grassland vegetation exhibits differences in floristic composition.