01810nas a2200217   4500008004100000245009500041210006900136260013000205300001400335490000800349520101800357653000801375653002301383653001401406653001601420653001401436653001301450100001401463700001801477856009701495       1997                        eng d00aDifferences in soil conditions between heathlands and grasslands on Zechstein gypsum soils0 aDifferences in soil conditions between heathlands and grasslands  aAffiliation: Systematisch-Geobotanisches Inst., Universitat Gottingen, Untere Karspule 2, D-37073 Gottingen, Germanyc1997///  a347 - 3590 v1923 aThe distribution of heathland and grassland communities in respect to edaphic factors (exchangeable cations, organic C, total content of N, P) was investigated at two areas of the Zechstein belt in the southern part of the Harz mountains, Germany. Six transects, each with 12 quadrats of 0.5 x 0.5 m, were positioned in the transition zone of the two communities. Calluna vulgaris, Cladonia foliacea, C. rangiformis and Dicranum scoparium mainly occur in the heathlands, Galium verum, Euphorbia cyparissias, Thymus praecox, Brachypodium pinnatum and Koeleria macrantha in the grasslands. The results of CCA indicate a high correlation between the vegetation pattern and a gradient of pH value and soil depth. The humus layers of the Gypsum Rendzinas dominated by Calluna vulgaris show a diminished nutrient availability of N and P and they contain higher levels of Al and Fe in connection with lower pH values. In contrast, the soils under the grassland communities show higher pH values and thicker humus layers.10aCCA10aEdaphic conditions10aGrassland10aGypsum soil10aHeathland10aTransect1 aGroten, K1 aBruelheide, H  uhttp://www.scopus.com/scopus/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0030693802&partnerID=40&rel=R6.5.0