Fringes and fringe vegetation
Fringes form the small seam between woodland on the one side and open field at the other side. The vegetation that develops here, which is designated as fringe vegetation, is often very narrow, and not used or managed: it is stabilised by the use and management of both adjacent structures. Optimal developed fringe vegetation, with typical fringe species like hawkweeds (Hieracium), are found under the overhanging branches of the trees at the woodland edge. Tall-forb communities before the tree crown are less typical, although they can be encroached by clone forming fringe species
In phytosociology, three fringe classes are described for our region: the Melampyro-Holcetea, on nutrient poor and relatively acidic sandy soils, the Galio-Urticetea, on nutrient rich, humus containing and often mesic sand, loam, and clay soils, and the Trifolio-Geranietea on base-rich and often calcareous, nutrient poor to moderately nutrient rich, dry soils, like clays
An overview over our publications on fringes and fringe communities:
Papers and overviews
PKN-excursion reports