Biological invasion is one of the main ecological consequences of global changes. Among the large number of neophytes introduced into Romania, a few plant species are spreading aggressively, replacing native flora, reducing local diversity, driving rare native species to extinction, changing ecosystem properties and causing economic damages. Invasion ecology, one of the most rapidly developing branches of ecology, deals with three main topics: invasiveness,

The accumulation of biomass and of dead plant remains is a direct consequence of grassland abandonment. Litter can occupy potential microsites for seed germination and seedling establishment, and thus decrease species diversity in the long-term. This effect can be more accentuated in dry grassland of open structure where species are adapted to excessive light and bare surfaces during the recruitment phase. We conducted a field experiment with litter

In this paper we aim to present data on current state of steppe-like grasslands dominated by feather grasses (Stipa spp.) in the Transylvanian Lowland (Romania), and to investigate whether management type affects species composition, biodiversity, or the occurrence of rare and endangered vascular plant species in these grasslands. Twelve grassland stands, originating from nine areas and belonging to two associations, Stipetum lessingianae and Stipetum

Our main question discussed in this paper is whether changes of environmental factors can be supported by changes reflected in vegetation texture using the species indicator values. A case study is presented on the statistical analysis and interpretation of changes in vegetation texture in some rich fen associations: Carici flavae-Eriophoretum latifolii, Junco obtusiflori-Schoenetum nigricantis and a Cladietum marisci association using the species

The main trends in spontaneous regeneration were studied in old-fields in the Transylvanian Lowland (Campia Transilvaniei) over a period of 40 years using the chronosequence method. Succession proceeds to grassland, because the establishment of woody vegetation is hindered by grazing and mowing of the old-fields and by the scarcity of woodlands in the vicinity. Community properties and population-level changes were recorded at different stages of

In this study, I analyzed the natural recovery of grasslands on abandoned agricultural fields in the Transylvanian Lowland (Campia Transilvaniei), Romania. I examined fields that were abandoned 1–40 years ago and considered how successful they have been in recovering spontaneously as compared to reference grassland, especially in relation to species composition and dominance structure. Diverse, nondegraded seminatural grasslands from the surroundings

Studies addressing the question of how communities develop reported contrasting temporal patterns of species associations during succession. Several hypotheses were formulated about succession, but a general explanation of community assembly is missing. We analysed trends of species associations during old-field succession in two contrasting habitats: the first with chernozemic brown forest soil and temperate climate, and the second with sand soil

Question: What are the consequences of grazing abandonment on the Stipa lessingiana dominated steppe-like grasslands? What is the relative importance of management and environmental factors in causing variation in species composition and abundance in the continuously grazed and abandoned grassland stands? Location: Transylvanian Lowland, Romania. Methods: Repeated vegetation mapping of a grassland stand, where grazing was abandoned 35 years ago;

Community composition and ecosystem processes during succession may be driven partly by traits of plant species that attain dominance. Here, we addressed the hypothesis that Stipa pulcherrima, the dominant grass of abandoned continental grasslands, controls seedling recruitment of co-occurring species through chemical effects of its litter. Eight species with successful and unsuccessful recruitment under field conditions were selected (four familial

Decreasing diversity and plant cover, as well as increasing variability of these characteristics with increasing aridity are expected in grasslands due to climate change. These predictions were tested in perennial sand grasslands in Hungary. Two sites were chosen in different positions on an aridity gradient and two stands in each site were monitored for 9 years. Presence of plant species were recorded along 52 m long circular belt transects of 1040