23
Floristična sestava gozdnatih travnikov vzdolž osrednjega dela 
reke Drave (SV Slovenija) v odvisnosti od svetlobe in rabe
The species composition in relation to light and management 
in riparian wooded meadows along the middle Drava River 
(NE Slovenia). 
So n j a Šk o r n i k , M i T j a k a l i g a r i č , Ni N a Ša j N a
Oddelek za biologijo, Fakulteta za naravoslovje in matematiko, Univerza v Mariboru, 
Koroška c. 160, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenija; sonja.skornik@uni-mb.si
In the present study, we investigated the species richness and species composition in 
relation to light and management regime in remnants of wooded meadows within the riparian 
forests along the middle Drava River in Slovenia. 41 plots of still managed and, at different 
time periods (< 5 yrs, 5-15 yrs, > 15 yrs), abandoned riparian wooded meadows (RWM) were 
sampled. Next to vegetation relevés, light intensity (Photosynthetically Active Radiation 
(PAR)) was also measured in plots. Within RWM that were still managed two floristically 
distinct types were recognized by TWINSPAN and DCA analysis: meadow-like and forest-
like. Light intensity and mean number of species differed significantly between types. The 
CCA of active RWM showed significant relation between species composition and light 
conditions. The number of species per relevé on active RWM was negatively correlated 
with light intensity – in contrast to North European wooded grasslands. This could be 
explained by the influence of species-rich riparian hornbeam forests, which contribute a 
great number of understorey species, in contrast to naturally mesotrophic meadows. CCA 
of both active and abandoned RWM demonstrated that light was good predictor of RWM 
species composition and that abandonment caused profound changes in floristic composition. 
The species turnover during succession was more pronounced in less shaded meadow-like 
RWM where more light-requiring (grassland) species occurred. Species richness was the 
highest in active forest-like RWM. There were no significant differences in species richness 
between active meadow-like RWM and groups of abandoned RWM. The clear positive 
correlation between cover-abundance values of invasive neophyte Solidago gigantea and 
light intensity showed that abandoned RWM are very susceptible for colonization until 
there is enough light.
So n j a Šk o r n i k eT al.: Floristična sestava gozdnatih travnikov vzdolž osrednjega …