On northern slope of Vancovec, which lies above Železniki, 27 phytosociological relevés were conducted using standard Central-European phytosociological method. They belong to four different associations: Homogyno sylvestris-Fagetum Marinček et al. 1993, Galio rotundifolii-Abietetum M. Wraber 1959, Lamio orvalae-Fagetum (Ht. 1938) Borhidi 1963 and Lamio orvalae-Aceretum pseudoplatani P.Košir & Marinček 1999. The relevés were so similar that classifying them proved somewhat difficult. In the existing phytosociological map from the year 1973 different distributions were mapped compared to the new findings regarding the associations of the studied area. The influence of abiotic site factors, which play an important role in the distribution of associations, was studied. A comparison of Ellenberg-type indicator values established that moisture, reaction and nutients changed the most among the associations. Natural species composition remains only in the most remote and hard-to-reach places. It was found that most of the forests in the studied area are still affected by past managament practices, which were influenced by the nearby ironwork industry. The present associations in some of those forests represent a succession on potentialy mixed fir-beech sites. The return of natural vegetation is slow due to the absence of seed sources and the competitive strength of the currently present species.
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