Ivana Bufková, Karel Prach & Marek BastlRelationships between vegetation and environment within the montane floodplain of the Upper Vltava River (Šumava National Park, Czech Republic)AbstractVegetation units were described in detail and then vegetation mapping performed at a broader scale of the studied Upper Vltava floodplain (Šumava National Park, Czech Republic), and detailed analyses of vegetation and hydrochemical parameters conducted along three cross-sectional transects. Data analysis using multivariate methods showed that the following characteristics appeared to be significantly correlated with the vegetation pattern: mean position of water table; distance from the river; pH, concentration of NH4, and content of humic acids in groundwater. Two distinct zones were distinguished in the floodplain: Zone I, under the direct influence of the river; and Zone II, under the prevailing influence of water coming from adjacent upland and/or from upwelling deep groundwater. A diverse mosaic of riparian communities was typical for Zone I, while peatlands characterised Zone II. The high diversity of the floodplain vegetation, and the occurrence of many rare, endangered and phytogeographically important species, indicate the uniqueness of the floodplain within central Europe. The floodplain still exhibits an oligotrophic-mesotrophic status, with only very localised human-induced eutrophication, and its protection should be among the priorities of the Šumava National Park.Key words: |
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