Xeric grasslands of the inner-alpine dry valleys of Austria – new insights into syntaxonomy, diversity and ecology

Aims : We studied the syntaxonomic position, biodiversity, ecological features, nature conservation value and current status of dry grasslands investigated by Josias Braun-Blanquet more than 60 years ago. Study area Inner-alpine valleys Austria. Methods sampled 67 plots 10 m 2 , following standardized EDGG methodology. subjected our to an unsupervised classification with modified TWINSPAN algorithm interpreted branches dendrogram syntaxonomically. Biodiversity, structural characteristics resulting vegetation units at association order level were compared ANOVAs. Results All examined belong class Festuco-Brometea . From ten distinguished clusters, we could assign four clusters validly published associations, while remaining six named tentatively. classified them into three orders: Stipo-Festucetalia pallentis ( Armerio elongatae-Potentilletum arenariae Phleo phleoidis-Pulsatilletum nigricantis Medicago minima-Melica ciliata community, Koelerio pyramidatae-Teucrietum montani ), Festucetalia valesiacae Sempervivum tectorum-Festuca valesiaca community); Brachypodietalia pinnati Astragalo onobrychidis-Brometum erecti Agrostis capillaris-Avenula adsurgens Anthericum ramosum-Brachypodium pinnatum Ranunculus bulbosus-Festuca rubra Carduus defloratus-Brachypodium community). Conclusions The grassland communities Austrian inner-alpine differ in their affinities as well vascular plant, bryophyte lichen diversity. point out high importance, each presents a unique habitat value. Taxonomic reference Names plants, bryophytes lichens follow Fischer et al. (2008), Frahm Frey (2004) Nimis (2018), respectively. Syntaxonomic orders classes Mucina (2016), references for associations alliances are given text. Abbreviations ANOVA = analysis variance; DCA: detrended correspondence analyses; EDGG: Eurasian Dry Grassland Group; EIV: indicator value; FL: Fließ; GR: Griffen; GU: Gulsen; KA: Kaunerberg; LA: Laudegg castle Ladis; MA: Marin; NM: Neumarkt der Steiermark; OM: Obermauern; PÖ: Pöls; PU: Puxer Loch; Two-way species analysis; ZS: Zinizachspitze.