Classification of the Mediterranean lowland to submontane pine forest vegetation

Aim: Vegetation types of Mediterranean thermophilous pine forests dominated by Pinus brutia, halepensis, pinaster and pinea were studied in various areas. However, a comprehensive formal vegetation classification these based on detailed data analysis has never been developed. Our aim is to provide the first broad-scale large set plots. Location: Southern Europe, North Africa, Levant, Anatolia, Crimea Caucasus. Methods: We prepared European forest selected 7,277 plots cold-sensitive species pinea. classified using TWINSPAN, interpreted ecologically biogeographically homogeneous TWINSPAN clusters as alliances, developed an expert system for automatic at class, order alliance levels. Results: described Pinetea halepensis new class lowland submontane forests, included existing Pinetalia order, distinguished 12 alliances native including four newly three informal groups merging supposedly stands old-established plantations. The main gradients composition reflect elevational belts west-east, partly north-south, biogeographical differences. Both temperature precipitation seasonality co-vary with gradients. Conclusions: levels all vegetation-plot data. This includes traditional syntaxa, which have critically revised, alliances. also outline methodological workflow that might be useful other syntheses. system, jointly dominance composition, tool applying this research nature conservation survey, monitoring management.