Ecogeographical differentiation of the Submediterranean deciduous forest flora

The deciduous wood flora of southern Europe is characterized as a special “nemoral-Submediterranean element”. The distribution patterns of some representatives (total ranges and local areas in Roumania) are described and explained by recent climatic conditions. The northern limits of Submediterranean and Submediterranean-middle European deciduous forest taxa exhibit a continuous gradation, but only a few species with a wide ecological amplitude extend into the temperate zone.In the present paper the question is discussed, to what degree the distribution limits and the species richness of European broad-leaved forest plants are affected by recent ecological conditions or by Pleistocene glaciations. For this we rely on new distribution maps and on experience gained in compiling the “Comparative Chorology of the Central European Flora” (see MEUSEL & al. 1965, 1978, 1989).