Distribution, Ecology, Chorology and Phytocenology of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) in the Oltenia Region, Romania

Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) populations in the Oltenia region of Romania are primarily found in sheltered, mesobasic environments with balanced hydraulic conditions, often associated with southern plant species like Cornus mas and Quercus dalechampii. These populations contribute to the Daco-Balkan forests (R4141), a high-conservation-value habitat under Natura 2000, where chestnut forests are classified as 9260 habitats. The study synthesizes data from literature, herbariums, and field observations, revealing that while C. sativa is predominantly sub-spontaneous in Gorj and Mehedinți counties, it also occurs in cultivated forms near monasteries, including Horezu Monastery. This research highlights the ecological significance of chestnut forests in Romania's biodiversity landscape.

Răduțoiu, D., & Cosmulescu, S. (2024). Distribution, Ecology, Chorology and Phytocenology of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) in the Oltenia Region, Romania. Diversity, 16(8), 433. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080433