FOREST COMMUNITIES WITH EUROPEAN LARCH (LARIX DECIDUA MILL.) AT VIDOLM, ALBA COUNTY

Abstract: The present paper presents a description of one of Romania’s five natural distribution centers of larch. The study area is situated in the northern part of the Trascau Mountains, in Colţu Roşu-Bedeleu reserve. 23 phytosociological mappings have been analyzed, concluding with the identification of two vegetal associations: Asperulo capitatae-Seslerietum rigidae (Zolyomi 1939) Coldea 1991, Seslerio rigidae-Fagetum Soo et Vida 1963 and an alliance: Symphyto-Fagion Vida 1959. Although Larix decidua Mill. appears in the phytosociological tables with a high abundance/dominance (AD) scores in the canopy level, the species from the herbaceous layer do not correspond to these of high altitude forest formations, being in fact characteristic to the nemoral Beech forests (Cl. Querco-Fagetea). Under the mixed Beech-Larch canopy, the larch regeneration is missing completely. Considering the great importance of the herbaceous layer in forest fitosociological classifications, the relic character of larch populations is emphasized