Long term changes of the inner-alpine steppe vegetation: the dry grassland communities of the Vinschgau (South Tyrol, Italy) 40–50 years after the first vegetation mapping

Aims : The Vinschgau is the driest inner-alpine valley in Eastern Alps and harbours a unique steppe vegetation. We studied these dry grassland communities aimed to answer following questions: Which plant can be found currently? Do syntaxa described by Braun-Blanquet 1960s still prevail area? Has there been any change species composition over last 40–50 years? Study area Along an approximately 40 km transect, south-facing slopes of (South Tyrol, Italy) from Mals Plaus were investigated. Methods For classification, 92 relevés sampled 2019 compared with 76 ´70s means vegetation tables ordinations (Detrended Correspondence Analysis). Results Based on our investigation, majority classified as Festuco-Caricetum supinae . Three subassociations defined dominant Stipa capillata , Bothriochloa ischaemum pennata agg. comparison new old shows increase class Sedo-Scleranthetea (e.g. Trifolium arvense Erodium cicutarium ) association Artemisieto-Agropyretum In addition, ruderal elements Erigeron annuus Convolvulus arvensis have also migrated into grasslands. A shift dominance time recognized well. particular, Festuca rupicola some extent increased abundance frequency. Conclusions suggest include investigated closed grasslands alliance Festucion valesiacae rank character at association, order level should re-analysed. obtain better syntaxonomic overview western eastern alpine relation European grasslands, comprehensive study absolutely necessary. Furthermore, long-term dynamics need more detailed future studies. Taxonomic reference Fischer et al. (2008). Syntaxonomic references Mucina (2016) for level; (1961) associations. Abbreviations = aggregate; cf. confer (means ‘compare’); DCA Detrended Analysis; s. lat. sensu lato; str. stricto