Formalized Classification Of Ephemeral Wetland Vegetation (Isoeto-Nanojuncetea Class) In Poland (Central Europe)

Formalized classification of the class Isoeto-Nanojuncetea has not been performed in Poland. We used 69,562 releves stored in Polish Vegetation Database. Based on the literature and expert knowledge we selected 63 diagnostic species for the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea class. Unequivocal classification was applied in this work according to Cocktail method. A set of formal definitions was established using a combination of logical operators of total cover of species in case of high-rank syntaxa while sociological species groups and cover of particular species were used for logical formulas describing class, alliances and associations. An Expert System was prepared and applied to classify the whole data set of PVD and 1,340 releves were organized at the class level. We stratifies the data and finally we used data set of 903 releves to prepare synoptic tables, distribution maps and descriptions of the syntaxa. Twelve associations and two plant communities were identified. Vegetation of the IsoetoNanojuncetea class occur in Poland's central and southern part, with scattered stands in northern region. We described two new plant communities within Eleocharition and Radiolion alliance. The first formal classification of the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea class revealed a high diversity of ephemeral vegetation wetland found in Poland in the eastern boundary of their geographical distribution in Europe.