Vegetation, Kultur- und Nutzungsgeschichte der xerothermen Hügellandschaft bei Mücheln/Wettin (Sachsen-Anhalt)

Abstract

RICHTER, B.; PARTZSCH, M.; HENSEN, I.: Vegetation, history of culture and land use in the xerothermic landscape of Mücheln/Wettin (Saxony-Anhalt). - Hercynia N.F. 36 (2003): 91–121.The xerothermic landscape of the lower Saale-valley near Mücheln/Wettin is characterized by a high relief energy and a varying geological subsoil. Acid porphyry outcrops are covered with basic loess and marly till. Different exposition and inclination additionally cause a very rich mosaic of vegetation units, which include rare and endangered dry and semi-dry grassland communities as well as dwarf shrub heaths. The Euphorbio-Callunetum, the Thymo-Festucetum cinereae and the Filipendulo vulgaris- Helictotrichetum pratensis grow on more or less acid sites, and the Festuco valesiacae-Stipetum capillatae, the Festuca valesiaca-community and the Festuco rupicolae-Brachypodietum pinnati settle on basic soils. The number of endangered or protected plant species is relativly high (between 6 and 10) in these communities. On a fallow site the Poa angustifolia-community was found, and the Arrhenantherum elatius-community develops on small hollow with better water- and nutrient conditions. The high biodiversity of this area is also a result of sheep grazing, as a common way of land use since Middle Ages and earlier. Among the total amount of 230 species of higher plants, 42 lichens and 20 mosses we found many vulnerable and protected species (25 higher plants and 11 cryptogams) with stable and individual rich populations. For the conservation of the multifaceted floristical und phytocoenlogical potential it is necessary to keep the land use in traditional way. To regenerate stands dominated by grass species (cf. Brachypodium pinnatum, Poa angustifolia, Festuca rupicola) or bushes an adapted conservation management should be applied.