Riverside forest at the river corridor Lech

Riverside forest at the river corridor Lech

Important for the development of societies

Elevation above the river and the water level

Speed of fluid

Suspend matter

Succession of habitats that depend on the type of substratum

Succession of habitats that depend on the type of substratum

Stones and gravel SandSilt, clay, influence

of groundwater

Salici Myricarietum Salici Myricarietum Salici Myricarietum

Erico Pinetum sylvestris

Pinetum sylvestris with Alnus incanus

Salici Alnetum

Salicetum development

Erico-Molino-Pinetum

Salicetum typicum

Salicetum with moss and lichens

development

Succession of habitats that depend on the type of substratum

Habitats that depend on type on aggregation of materials

Deposit Accrete Subside

Riverbed gravel Sand, fluiding water Sludge, standing water

Agrostis alba societyHeleocharis-Limosella

societyNuphar society

Salix bushes Salix bushes Phalaridetum

Salicetum albae Deep Salicetum albae Salix bushes

High Salicetum albae Deep Salicetum

High Alnetum incanae Deep Alnetum

Fraxinus excelsioris Deep Fraxino – Quercetum

Fraxinus – Ulmus – Quercus forest

Habitats that depend on type on aggregation of materials

Connection between the development of soil and vegetation

Regressive naturally development near the river Anthropogenic degradations

Softwood riverside-forest have a fast pass through succession Hardwood forests – succession slower

Habitats that depend on type of soil and elevation

Typical of soil SocietiesDuration of

succession phase

Brown lime – forest soilGalio Quercetum

Galio Carpinetum4000-5000a

Mull-lime

Riverside soilFraxino Ulmetum 4000a

Grey brown lime soilAlnetum incanae

Loniceretosum with Malinia100a

Grey lime soil Alnetum incanae loniceretosum 50a

Light grey lime soil Alnetum incanae typicum 25a

Rough lime soil Salicetum albo-fragilis 25a

Rough soils

Alluvial lithosolSenecio fluviatilis 5a

Habitats that depend on type on aggregation of materials

Water engraved 1,5 m deeper as a consequence of barriers and dams

Periodical sedimentation of the river decreased; degradation started

Restoration of the river started (2001 Natura 2000 status)

Examples of pioneer societies

1.) Epilobietum fleischeri

With dominant herbs: Linaria alpina Saxifraga aizoides Anthlyllis vulneraria Cerastium pedunculatum

Examples of pioneer societies

1.) Epilobietum fleischeri

Frequently moved gravel Sand banks Glacial drifts with an annual influence of the river

dynamic Result of alteration of deposits and accretes

Examples of pioneer societies

2.) Myricario - Chondrilletum

With dominant plants: Chondrilla chondrilloides Dryas octopetala Myricaria germanica Salix purpurea Salix elaeagnos

Examples of pioneer societies

2.) Myricario - Chondrilletum

Annually flooded gravel banks Nutrient – poor soil Provides the stabilization of soil

Examples of pioneer societies

3.) Salici Myricarietum

Dominated by: Myricaria germanica Salix purpurea Salix elaeagnos Pinus sylvestris

Examples of pioneer societies

3.) Salici Myricarietum

Gravel banks Basic and nutrient poor soil Endures overflooding and overthrowing Starts to settle only on silt 0,5 – 1,5 m above the middle water line

Examples of pioneer societies

4.) Salicetum elaeagno purpureae

Dominated plants here: Alnus incana Salix elaeagnos Salix purpurea Rubus caesium Chaerophyllum hirsutum

Examples of pioneer societies

4.) Salicetum elaeagno purpureae

On higher sites of river foodplaines2,5 m above the middle water lineNot periodical floodedSandy soil with a fine humus layer

Examples of following societies

5.) Softwood riverside forest Growing on the middle course – on fine-grained alluvial plaines Occasional flooded

rich on nutrients

a.) at the middle water line:Salicetum triandro – viminalis

b.) above the middle water line:Salicetum albo-fragilis

Examples of following societies

6.) Alnetum incanae

On chalky soil with good ventilation

Above the middle water line

Examples of following societies

7.) Fraxino – Ulmetum

On deep, nutrient-poorloamy soils

Only flooded by extreme high water