Plant cover of grassland ecosystems of the forest zone is formed by perennial vascular plants. Precondition for their maintenance is human and animal influence.<br /> Natural or seminatural grasslands are most important for conservation of biological diversity. These grasslands are biologically diverse and also have a high cultural and historical value. Natural grasslands are an important part of Latvian rural landscape and a testimony about human and nature interaction.<br /> From cultivated grasslands natural ones differ in species composition and diversity as well as in plant cover structure, management traditions and grassland age. More here: Features of natural and cultivated grasslands <p><b>Historical development of grasslands in Latvia</b></p> Latvian landscape has established in long-term interaction between nature and people. Grasslands have developed under direct human influence. Before people arrived in the territory of Latvia, similarly, like in the whole forest zone, grasslands covered small areas where forest development was disturbed by natural factors, like floods, large herbivores etc.<br /> During long-term management grasslands have developed into complicated ecosystems with a high biological diversity. According to grassland and pasture location in relief, as well as soils, moisture and other factors, different habitats develop where diverse plant communities occur that are connected with many species of insects, birds and other animal species. Especially high diversity of flora and fauna is in the contact zones to the grasslands.<br /> Beginning with the Neolithic time in the territory of Latvia agriculture started to develop and the area covered by grasslands and pastures gradually increased and reached its maximum at the beginning of the 20th century (30% from the total area of Latvia). At this time wet meadows and pastures dominated and covered 2/3 from the total grassland and pasture area.<br /> Starting with the 20th century due to drainage plant communities changed and the total area of grasslands and pastures rapidly decreased.<br /> <p><b>Flora<br /> </b> More than 520 vascular plant and filices <i>(Pteridophyta)</i> species grow in Latvian grasslands and pastures comprising about 1/3 part of Latvian flora. Species of other habitats occur there as well. <a href="http://www.lva.gov.lv/daba/eng/biodiv/lauks_plava_paz.htm#flora" target="_self">More here</a></p> <p><b>Vegetation</b><br /> One of the most essential parts of biological diversity is habitat diversity. Grasslands comprise a large part of Latvian habitats.&nbsp; <a href="http://latvijas.daba.lv/biotopi/"><br /> </a> Here: <b><a href="http://www.lva.gov.lv/daba/eng/biodiv/lauks_plava_klasif.htm#klasif" target="_self">Classification of Latvian natural grasslands</a></b> according to the Braun-Blanquet method.<br /> <br /> </p> <hr size="2" width="100%" /> <b>Threats to ecosystem</b><br /> <p>Grasslands belong to those rare ecosystems that can not be maintained without human assistance. Best way to protect forests, mires and water-basins is not to have any human interference but it is just an opposite in grasslands. Only long-term regular mowing and grazing maintain these peculiar ecosystems.</p> <ul> <li><b>Abandonment of the grasslands</b></li> </ul> <p>At present grassland diversity is greatly threatened. Natural grasslands cover only 1% from the total land area of Latvia and occur mostly as small areas of mosaic distribution (Kabucis 1997). Every year the area covered by natural grasslands reduces and the main reason is the change of land use types. Grassland communities are very dynamic. Ceasing of mowing and grazing rapidly decrease species diversity because the old litter accumulates. Microclimate, light intensity and moisture regimen changes. Regeneration of many plant species is disturbed; therefore the species number growing in grasslands reduces and seeds bank becomes poorer. When overgrow by tree species starts, their landscape value reduces. With every year it becomes more complicated and expensive to restore such an unmanaged grassland.<br /> <br /> Due to the decrease of agricultural intensity there is more grassland than its possible and is necessary to manage. Of course, the first grasslands where management was stopped are those of lowest value from agricultural point of view with small crops but with a high number of species of low nutritive content in the plant communities. Sadly, these are the species richest and botanical most valuable grasslands. Nowadays, a great part of cultivated and productive grasslands are left without attention. Therefore, in the nearest years we can not expect that the farmers will be interested to take up the management of those grasslands and pastures that are important for nature diversity.</p> <ul> <li> <b>Agriculture intensification</b> <ul> <li><b>improvement</b></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>At present grassland improvement is not widespread although it can not be excluded from the list of threatening factors. In this case improvement should not be understood on as a radical interference in the ecosystem processes with land ploughing or artificial grassland sowing but also as a natural improvement of grasslands with sowing additional grasses and clover and fertilisation with mineral fertilisers.<br /> It must be mentioned that improvement is the main factor in the reduction of the area covered by natural grasslands in the 20th century.<br /> Drainage has drastically changed the distribution of grassland communities in Latvia. Still, at the beginning of 20th century 65% from all natural grasslands and pastures were moist (Sabardina 1957). Communities of moist and wet habitats dominated (Orders Molinietalia, Caricetalia nigrae and Magnocaricetalia).<br /> With an intensive start of drainage already in 1967 about 2/3 from all moist grasslands and pastures were drained. As a result there was a rapid decrease of wet meadow and pasture occurrence.<br /> Not always drainage has a negative impact. Regulation of hydrological regimen in grasslands and pastures started already in the 19th century (mainly hand-made shallow ditches. Continuing the traditional management in such areas the change of dominating species was observed in plant communities but on the whole they maintained a diverse species composition. In such areas it is recommended to maintain the drainage system.</p> <ul> <li><b>Change of land-use types</b></li> </ul> <p>Often grassland transformation into an arable land or forest soil takes place.</p> <ul> <li><b>Pollution</b></li> </ul> <p>Both dry and moist grasslands are endangered not only by overgrow but also by nearby agricultural lands. Especially, it is characteristic for river valleys where on the terrace slopes grasslands are located but outside the valley fertilised fields are occur. Together with water, fertilisers reach grasslands and the same effect is gained as if fertilising the grassland. In wet grasslands soil enrichment with the nitrogen favours a rapid reed distribution. It becomes a dominating species but at the same speed from the plant cover orchids, primroses, rare sedge species disappear until the coloured plant cover is replaced by reed growth.<br /> Eutrophication is favoured also by nitrogen deposits from the air.</p> <ul> <li><b>Low level of information of grassland owners and managers about the management necessity and type.</b></li> </ul> <p>There is a lack of information what is biologically right and what is adequate management in various grassland types.<br /> <br /> </p> <hr size="2" width="100%" /> <p><b>Management and protection activities</b><br /> </p> <ul> <li><b>Fertilisation - advisable or not</b></li> </ul> <p>Optimum management regimen differs for various grassland types. Still, in grasslands a diverse species composition can develop only if the grassland is not regularly intensively fertilised and additional grass is not sown. Due to fertilisation, many species disappear as they are competed by species more demanding for nutrients (mainly grasses - <i>Dactylis glomerata,</i> <i>Festuca pratensis, Phleum pratense</i>, in more wet places <i>Alopecurus pratensis</i> that can better receive nutrients from soil.<br /> Nevertheless, grassland does not impoverish if it is not fertilised. Grassland species store nutrients also in lower parts, like roots, tissues at root basis, underground browses. If grass is not mown too late in autumn, the plants manage to store nutrients for the next year. Also in the same vegetation period the grass after mowing grows again as even the mown plants maintain a lot of nutrients that they can use for the development of aftermath. The roots of vascular plants produce large biomass. With the die-off of some roots, new nutrients are formed in the soil.<br /> Medium fertilisation every several years does not harm species diversity. Previously, the low productive farms the farmers fertilised with manure from time to time. The only type where medium fertilisation is admitted is <b>medium moist</b> and <b>moist grassland</b>. Fertilisation can be given only so much to regain back in the ecosystem the organic substances that have been taken out with hay and grazing. In such a way soil impoverishing can be prevented and the rich floristic composition maintained.</p> <ul> <li><b>Grazing and mowing</b></li> </ul> <p>For the maintenance of plant and animal species diversity more favourable is grazing without binding domestic animals with chains but leaving in stockyards. In more distant coastal fishing villages many diverse meadows have maintained because they were mown by hands and cows grazed freely.<br /> For <b>medium moist</b> and <b>moist</b> habitats in rich soils regular hay cutting is important. In <b>medium moist poor</b> habitat grasslands and pastures where <i>Agrostis tenuis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Plantago lanceolata, Leontodon autumnalis, Trifolium repens</i> etc. grows the best is grazing. Then low plant cover characteristic for grazed land develops with species that are adapted to grazing. These species can not develop in those grasslands where mowing takes place because they are competed by plants of larger shape.<br /> Less intensive management is needed for <b>dry</b> grasslands both on poor sandy soils (Class Koelerio-Corynephoretea; <i>Festuca ovina, Pilosella officinarum, Lychnis viscaria, Hylotelephium triphyllum, Nardus stricta, Galium verum</i> grows) and on calcareous soils (Class Festuco-Brometea; <i>Filipendula vulgaris, Helictotrichon pratense, Phleum phleoides, Cirsium acaule, Trifolium montanum</i> grows). Best management type is grazing, may be it is possible to graze every several years. Traditionally, in such grasslands sheep and goat are grazed. Still, it is necessary to be careful not to have too high grazing intensity.<br /> Previously also <b>wet</b> meadows were mown (Class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae) where mainly sedges grow. Under the influence of mowing high species diversity develops. Grazing and grass cutting limits the too wide distribution of sedges which then do not form large hummocks that are characteristic for abandoned grasslands. Just thanks to mowing many orchid species, like <i>Dactylorhyza sp., Orchis sp., Epipactis palustris, Liparis loeselii, Platanthera sp.</i>etc. can grow. At present, such meadows appear in Latvia but a large part of them have started to overgrow.</p> <ul> <li><b>What causes fires?</b></li> </ul> <p>Many people have understood that natural grasslands should be maintained for nature diversity and also own joy. At the same time mistakes are made in their management. In many places grasslands are not mown or grazed but because of the lack of money or other reasons they are burned in spring. It causes even a larger disaster than grassland not management at all. Of course, grassland does not overgrow; the purpose in some kind is reached. Already on the first year after burning there is not a splendid plant cover. Many species have become extinct. Especially suffer grasses with dense tussocks, like <i>Helictotrichon pratense, Phleum phleoides</i> also many species of dicotyledons disappear. In a burned grassland only few species survive, mainly these are rootstock grasses - <i>Brachypodium pinnatum, Calamagrostis epigeios</i> that spread rapidly reducing species diversity and the botanical and landscape value of the grassland.<br /> During the litter fires disappear not only plant species but also many insect and other invertebrate species. In the ecosystem the balance between different organism groups is destroyed where every living being has its own role.</p> <p><b>Grassland protection activities and programmes</b></p> <p>Protection of natural grasslands can be evaluated as insufficient. Most of grassland habitats that are important for biological diversity are not adequately represented in protected nature territories. Even in protected nature areas, like calcareous grasslands in the Abava River Valley Nature Park, Randu Meadows Nature Reserve in the coastal area, wet meadows in the Diļļu Meadows Nature Reserve and other natural grasslands overgrow as almost no management is carried out and protection regimen is not ensured.<br /> <br /> At present most important activities for protection of natural grasslands are connected with EU special before entry programme for agriculture and countryside development <a href="http://www.zm.gov.lv/administration/index.php?id=3803&amp;searchtxt=SAPARD"> SAPARD subprogram "Conservation of Biological Diversity and Rural Landscapes"</a>.<br /> <br /> </p> <hr size="2" width="100%" /> <p><b>Research and monitoring</b><br /> </p> <ul> <li><b>Mapping</b></li> </ul> <p>Natural grasslands were mapped in the frame of project <a href="http://www.lubi.edu.lv/">"Mapping and geobotanical regionality of Latvian vegetation"</a> carried out by the Institute of Biology, Academy of Sciences (1953-1970, leader of theme was Laima Tabaka) The elaborated map is not published.<br /> At present mapping of natural grasslands takes place in the frame of the project carried out by the <a href="http://www.ldf.lv/pub/">Latvian Fund for Nature</a> "Mapping of Natural Grasslands". Project is leaded by Ivars Kabucis.</p> <ul> <li><b>Vegetation studies</b></li> </ul> <p>Extensive studies of natural grassland vegetation started with the work of G. Sabardina in the Institute of Biology, Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Botany in the frame of the project "Phytosociology of natural grasslands" (1951-1957, leader of the theme was Gali Sabardina). Research results are published in one monograph and several publications. Research was carried out according to the floristic-dominant method that was widely applied in the territory of the previous Soviet Union.<br /> From 1960-ties to 1980-ties studies of natural grasslands were fragmentary. Separate publications had K. Birkmane and J. Jukna. In the second half of 1980-ties more intense research started and was carried out according to the floristical-ecological Braun-Blanquet method.</p> <ul> <li><b>Ecology</b></li> </ul> <p>Ecological studies in the ecosystems of natural grasslands up to now are not well- developed. During 1950-1970 they were carried out at the Laboratory of Botany, Institute of Biology and were mainly connected with grassland species occurrence in relation to different trace elements of soil. At present most important research is carried out in Randu Meadows where continouos monitoring is carried out.</p> <ul> <li><b>Monitoring</b></li> </ul> <p><b>Randu Meadows</b>. Research was started in 1996 and is carried out by the Laboratory of Bioindication, University of Latvia under the leadership of V. Melecis. Main research objects are grass layer anthropoids and vegetation structure.&nbsp;<br /> <font size="2">(Lit.: Melecis V., Karpa A., Kabucis I., Savičs F., Liepiņa L. 1997. Distribution of grassland arthropods along a coenocline of seashore meadow vegetation. Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. 51 (5/6): 222-233.)</font></p> <p><b>Engure Lake Nature Park</b>. Research was started in 1995. Under the leadership of V. Melecis. Vegetation studies are carried out by Laboratory of Botany, Institute of Biology leaded by V. sulcs. Monitoring is carried out in different habitats among which are also several moist and wet natural grassland habitats.<br /> <font size="2">(Lit.:Gavrilova G., Jermacāne S. 2002. Nemeža biotopu lakstaugu stāva dinamika Engures ezera dabas parkā. LU 60. zinātniskā konference. Ģeogrāfija, ģeoloģija, zemes zinātne. Referātu tēzes. Rīga. 45-47.lpp.;<br /> Melecis V., Karpa A. 2002. Zāles stāva kukaiņu sugu daudzveidības izmaiņas Engures ezera dabas parkā. LU 60. zinātniskā konference. Ģeogrāfija, ģeoloģija, zemes zinātne. Referātu tēzes. Rīga. 94. lpp.)</font></p> <p><b>Abava River Valley</b>. Research was started in 2000 in the frame of Eurograssland project. Project is realised by <a href="http://www.ldf.lv/pub/">Latvian Fund for Nature</a> (S. Jermacāne, I. Kabucis). Aim of monitoring is to determine the change of different calcareous grassland types and pasture plant cover under permanent but not regular management influence and grassland vegetation recovery in previous arable lands under the influence of grazing and mowing.<br /> <br /> </p> <hr size="2" width="100%" /> <p><b>International collaboration</b><br /> </p> <p><b>Project "Eurograssland"</b>. In co-operation with Overaisel province in the Netherlands, in the frame of Eurograssland project in 1998 the <a href="http://www.ldf.lv/pub/">Latvian Fund for Nature</a> realised a project Abava River Valley Grasslands. The aim of the project was to elaborate of an action plan for the protection of natural grasslands with active involvement of farmers and state institutions. In the frame of this project also monitoring of calcareous meadows and pastures was started.</p> <p><b>Project "Mapping of Natural Grasslands"</b>. <a href="http://www.ldf.lv/pub/">Latvian Fund for Nature</a> in co-operation with the Netherlands. The project was started in 2000. Aim of the project is to map the plant cover of natural grasslands.<br /> </p> <p><a href="http://www.wwf.lv/">WWF project in Pape</a> in co-operation with Denmark.<br /> <br /> </p> <hr size="2" width="100%" /> <p><b>Publications</b><br /> </p> <p><font size="2">Informative booklets on nature diversity conservation in grasslands<b><br /> <br /> </b></font> <i><font size="2"><b>Strazdiņa E., Auniņs A., Kabucis I., Priednieks J. 2000</b>. Dabas daudzveidības saglabāsana lauku ainavā. Latvijas Dabas fonds, 20 lpp.<br /> <b>Kabucis I., Strazdiņa E., sternbergs M.</b> Bagātības lauku ainavā. Latvijas Dabas fonds, 22 lpp.</font></i></p> <font size="2">Vegetation</font><b><font size="2"><br /> <br /> </font></b> <i><font size="2"><b>Birkmane K. 1960</b>. Ainažu-Salacgrīvas jūrmalas pļavu veģetācija. Latvijas PSR veģetācija 3: 59-69.lpp<br /> <b>Jermacāne S. 1998</b>. Gaujas augsteces rajona purvaino pļavu augu sabiedrības. Latvijas purvu veģetācijas klasifikācija un dinamika. Latvijas Universitātes Zinātniskie Raksti. Rīga, 613: 67-75<br /> <b>Jermacāne S. 1999</b>. Smaržzāles-parastās smilgas sabiedrību Anthoxantho-Agrostietum tenuis Sill. 1933 em. Jurko 1969 klasifikācija un ekoloģija Latvijā (Piejūras zemiene, Austrumzemgale, Vidzemes augstiene). Latvijas Veģetācija 2: 29-80<br /> <b>Jermacāne S., Laiviņs M. 2001</b>. Dry calcareous dolomite outcrop and grassland communities on the Daugava River bank near "Dzelmes". Latvijas Veģetācija 4: 51-70<br /> <b>Sabardina G. 1949</b>. Rīgas-Jelgavas līdzenuma dabīgās pļavas. Latvijas PSR ZA Vēstis 3: 69-84<br /> <br /> </font></i> <font size="2">Information on traditional management<b><br /> <br /> </b></font> <i><font size="2"><b>Dumpe L. 1964.</b> Ražas novāksanas veidu attīstība Latvijā. LPSR Vēstures Muzeja Raksti. Etnogrāfija. Rīga.<br /> <b>Dumpe L. 1985</b>. Lopkopība Latvijā 19. gs. un 20. gs. sākumā. Etnogrāfisks apcerējums. Rīga. Zinātne.<br /> <b>Dumpe L. 1999</b>. Mežu izmantosanas attīstība Latvijā. Gr. Latvijas mežu vēsture līdz 1940. gadam. H.Strods (red.). WWF - Pasaules Dabas Fonds. Rīga. 305-358 lpp.<br /> <br /> <br /> </font></i> <div align="right"> Author: <i>M. geogr. Solvita Rusina</i><br /> </div> 2012-02-07T14:22:32Z tag:biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv,2012-02-07:/cooperation/lauksaimn/fol165703 http://biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv/misc_/CHM2/Site.gif Latvian Biodiversity Clearing-House Mehanism tag:biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv,2012-02-07:/cooperation/lauksaimn/fol165703/fol665603 2012-02-07T14:22:32Z Nora Kabuce Nora Kabuce

<table border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td><b>Dabisks zālājs</b></td> <td><b>Kultivēts zālājs</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Augu sugu skaits 10 m2</b></td> <td>40-50 un vairāk, liela sugu daudzveidība</td> <td>1-20 (30), sugu daudzveidība neliela</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Augāja struktūra</b></td> <td>Augāju veido vairāki stāvi (3-4), tai skaitā sūnu stāvs, parasti nav izteikti dominējošu sugu. Labi izveidota velēna, ko veido galvenokārt blīvs graudzāļu sakņu pinums</td> <td>Augāja struktūra vienkārša ar 1-2 stāviem, izteikti dominē 1-3 sugas (sētās graudzāles), citu sugu projektīvais segums niecīgs. Velēna skraja, nesaslēgta.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Apsaimniekošana</b></td> <td>Tradicionālā apsaimniekošana, t.i. mēslo reti un galvenokārt ar kūtsmēsliem, zelmenis nav regulāri atjaunots</td> <td>Intensīvā apsaimniekošana, t.i. regulāra mēslošana galvenokārt ar minerālmēsliem, graudzāļu piesēja vai pilnīga atjaunošana pārarot</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Vecums</b></td> <td>Izmantota kā pļava vai ganība, regulāri ganīta un/vai pļauta, nav arta (10) 15-20 un vairāk gadus</td> <td>Zālāja vecums &lt;10 gadi</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <b>Dabisko zālāju flora<br /> </b> <br /> Pļavas un ganības ir ļoti nozīmīgas kā aizsargājamo un reto augu biotopi. 40% no Latvijas Sarkanās grāmatas sugām ir sastopamas pļavās un ganībās, t.i. apmēram 128 sugas. Vairums Latvijas reto sugu (suga ir reta, ja tai Latvijā ir tikai 1-100 atradnes), kā arī daudzas samērā bieži sastopamas sugas (101-750 atradnes) republikas teritorijā izplatītas ļoti nevienmērīgi, kas bieži saistīts ar to, ka tām Latvijā ir izplatības areāla robeža vai tās ir tuvu šai robežai (Fatare, 1992). Zālājos sastopamas vismaz 100 šādas sugas (Latvijā kopumā vairāk nekā 300). Tātad tie ir nozīmīgi ne tikai Latvijā retu sugu aizsardzībai, bet arī šo sugu areāla saglabāšanai.Dažām augu sugām zālāji ir nozīmīgākā dzīvesvide. Lielākā daļa raspodiņu sugu (<i>Alchemilla sp.</i>) ir raksturīgas pļavām (77%), tas pats attiecināms uz žibulīšu ģinti (<i>Euphrasia</i>). Ļoti daudzveidīga ir graudzāļu (<i>Poaceae</i>) flora, tās ir arī vienas no biežāk dominējošajām sugām zālāju augu sabiedrībās. 66% no visām orhideju dzimtas sugām sastopami dabiskos zālājos.<br /> <div align="center"> <img src="http://biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv/cooperation/research/fol165703/fol665603/Dactylorhiza_m.gif" /> <br /> <br /> <div align="right"> Sagatavoja: Maģ. ģeogr. Solvita Rūsiņa<br /> </div> </div>

tag:biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv,2012-02-07:/cooperation/lauksaimn/fol165703/fol579345 2012-02-07T14:22:32Z Nora Kabuce Nora Kabuce

(klases, rindas, savienības) pēc Brauna-Blankē metodes<br /> <p><b>Klase MOLINIO-ARRHENATHERETEA - mēreni mitras un mitras pļavas un ganības</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.2. (izņemot E.2.1.) un E.3. (Latvijas biotopu klasifikators)</i><br /> Pēcmeža daudzgadīgu lakstaugu sabiedrības, kas aug barības vielām vidēji bagātās un bagātās, ar ūdeni nodrošinātās augsnēs, un kas veidojušās un pastāv cilvēka lauksaimnieciskās darbības rezultātā.<br /> Areāls: Eirosibīrija<br /> Latvijā sastopamas augu sabiedrības no rindas Arrhenatheretalia (savienības Arrhenatherion, Cynosurion un Alopecurion) un rindas Molinietalia (savienības Molinion, Calthion, Filipendulion un Cnidion).</p> <p><b>Klase FESTUCO-BROMETEA - stepes, sausi kalcifīli zālāji</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.1.4.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Primāri un sekundāri sausi zālāji un stepes, kā arī tām līdzīga edafiski noteikta veģetācija, kurā dominē graudzāles un stepju sugas.<br /> Areāls: temperātā, submeridionālā, (sub)kontinentālā Eiropa<br /> Latvijā sastopamas tikai rindas Brometalia erecti augu sabiedrības. Šī rinda apvieno klases mezofītākās sabiedrības.<br /> Augu sabiedrību raksturu nosaka substrāta kaļķainums un kaļķaino nogulumu dziļums, mitruma režīms - nepietiekamā mitrumā tiek kavēta barības vielu uzņemšana augiem, tādēļ sastopamas nabadzīgu vietu sugas, kaut arī substrāts ir bagāts, kā arī īpašais mikroklimats, jo šādi biotopi veidojas galvenokārt upju ielejās pakalnu un terašu nogāzēs.<br /> Augāju veido galvenokārt lielziedu vīgrieze <i>Filipendula vulgaris</i>, kalnu āboliņš <i>Trifolium montanum</i>, bezstumbra usne <i>Cirsium acaule</i> un kailā pļavauzīte <i>Helictotrichon pratense</i>, mitrākās vietās zilganais grīslis <i>Carex flacca</i> un zilganais donis <i>Juncus inflexus</i>. Šajos biotopos aug arī Latvijā reti sastopamā krustainā drudzene <i>Genciana cruciata</i>, degumu dzegužpuķe <i>Orchis ustulata</i>, odu gimnadēnija <i>Gymnadenia conopsea</i>, ļoti retā mušu ofrīda <i>Ophrys insectifera</i> u.c. retas un aizsargājamas augu sugas.</p> <p><b>Klase KOELERIO-CORYNEPHORETEA - smiltāji, smiltāju pļavas, klinšu veģetācija</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.1.1., E.1.2., E.1.3.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Zema viengadīgu lakstaugu veģetācija augtenēs ar ekstremāliem edafiskiem un klimatiskiem apstākļiem. Daudzgadīgi lakstaugi dominē smiltāju pļavās un daļēji klinšu veģetācijā (sukulenti).<br /> Areāls: Eiropa<br /> Latvijā sastopamas zālāju augu sabiedrības no rindas Festuco-Sedetalia (savienības Plantagini-Festucion un Koelerion glaucae) un rindas Sedo-Scleranthetalia (savienība Alysso-Sedion albi).</p> <p><b>Klase CALLUNO-ULICETEA - virsāji un nabadzīgas ganības</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.2.1.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Zemu, daudzgadīgu lakstaugu un sīkkrūmu pēcmeža sabiedrības, kuras uztur dedzināšana, ganīšana un pļaušana, skābās, ļoti nabadzīgās, podzolētās augsnēs.<br /> Areāls: Eiropas atlantiskie un subatlantiskie reģioni<br /> Latvijā sastopamas augu sabiedrības no rindas Nardetalia (savienība Violion caninae).</p> <p><b>Klase JUNCETEA MARITIMI - jūrmalas pļavas</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.3.4.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Lakstaugu veģetācija sasāļotās augtenēs, kur dominē fakultatīvi un obligāti halofīti. Veidojas galvenokārt jūru piekrastēs, kā arī mainīga mitruma sāļainās augtenēs iekšzemē<br /> Latvijā sastopamas zālāju augu sabiedrības no rindas Glauco-Puccinellietalia, savienības Armerion maritimae. Tās ir ļoti retas, sastopamas tikai dažās vietās Baltijas jūras un Rīgas jūras līča piekrastē (Randu pļavas, Mērsrags u.c.). Pārtraucot pļaušanu un ganīšanu, aizaug ar niedrēm.<br /> <br /> <b>Klase SCHEUCHZERIO-CARICETEA NIGRAE - zāļu purvi (un slapjas pļavas)</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.4.1., E.4.2.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Areāls: Ziemeļu puslode<br /> Zālāju augu sabiedrības pieskaitāmas rindai Caricetalia nigrae, savienībai Caricion nigrae. Tajās, salīdzinot ar zāļu purvu sabiedrībām, sūnu stāvs ir mazāk attīstīts. Pārtraucot pļaušanu biotopi pārpurvojas, un veidojas zāļu purvi.</p> <p><b>Klase PHRAGMITO-MAGNOCARICETEA - niedrāji un augsto grīšļu sabiedrības</b><br /> <i>ietilpst biotopi E.4.3.&nbsp;<br /> </i> Areāls: Cirkumpolārs<br /> Slapjiem zālājiem nosacīti var pieskaitīt augu sabiedrības, kas pieder rindai Magnocaricetalia, savienībai Magnocaricion, jo tās tradicionāli izmantotas zāles pļaušanai. Visbiežāk kā pļavas izmantoti <i>Phalaris arundinacea</i> biotopi.<br /> </p> <p align="right">Sagatavoja: <i>M. ģeogr. Solvita Rūsiņa</i><br /> </p>