Diversity patterns in sandy forest-steppes: a comparative study from the western and central Palaearctic

摘要: The Palearctic forest-steppe biome is a narrow vegetation zone between the temperate forest and steppe biomes, which provides important habitats for many endangered species represents an hotspot of biodiversity. Although number studies on forest–grassland mosaics increasing, information currently available about general compositional structural patterns Eurasian forest-steppes scarce. Our study aimed to compare habitat structure, composition diversity two distant sandy Eurasia. We compared 72 releves made in main components (forest, edge grassland) three Hungarian Kazakh sites. size plots was 25 m2. Species number, Shannon evenness values were calculated each plot. Fidelity calculations linear mixed effects models used analyses. found that are similar their play roles maintaining landscape-scale diversity. Despite higher richness Hungary, Kazakhstan. deciduous edges both areas had significantly than neighbouring (forests grasslands); therefore they can be considered local biodiversity hotspots. Due special characteristics this complex, we emphasize high conservation value all landscape as coherent system throughout entire range biome.