Phytosociological research of Quercus coccifera L. pseudomaquis on Mount Chortiatis, northern Greece

The phytosociology of Greek Quercus coccifera shrublands (pseudomaquis) has not been fully described yet and their syntaxonomy, syndynamics, and ecological interpretation still pose significant problems. Application of the Braun-Blanquet method on 93 releves made on Mt. Chortiatis resulted in the recognition of seven syntaxa. The plant communities described are assigned to the Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis (Quercus coccifera-Juniperus oxycedrus community, Quercus coccifera-Carpinus orientalis community) and. the Quercion confertae (Quercus coccifera-Quercus frainetto community, Quercus petraea ssp. medwediewii-Quercus coccifera community, Quercus frainetto-Carpinus orientalis community). Information on site characteristics, vegetation structure, syntaxonomy, and ecology is given and the present distribution pattern of the Mt. Chortiatis' pseudomaquis vegetation is mapped. Comparative data from other Greek pseudomaquis communities are given, and a general review of all Greek pseudomaquis is presented. Growth-form, life-form, and chorological spectra are presented for each community. The secondary nature of all distinct units is revealed, as well as their transition during restoration or degradation. The growth-form and life-form spectra reveal the forest character, and the chorological spectra demonstrate the submediterranean character of all communities.