Components of floristic diversity in kermes oak shrublands

Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) shrublands are valuable land resources in Greece. Despite their low commercial value in terms of wood production they are important feeding resources for domestic and wild animals, provide fuel to local people of remote areas and play a significant role in preventing soil erosion. The complexity and stability of kermes oak ecosystems are approached in this research by analysing the components of floristic diversity. Four shrubland sub-types were identified in northern Greece according to their scaling to shrub density. Nine plots (0.1 ha each) of each shrub cover class were randomly selected and two 50-m transects; were randomly assigned in each plot. Four quadrats per transect were systematically taken and floral composition and taxa richness were recorded. A total of 288 quadrats were taken and differences among the four shrubland sub-types in terms of Shannon-Weiner index of diversity, evenness, Berger-Parker index of dominance, and the first order jackknife plant richness estimator were explored. Finally, the diversity ordering diagram of the four communities based on the Renyi index was made. A total of 287 taxa were recorded and it was found that as the density of the shrublands increases alpha-diversity decreases.