Kun, A., T. Tóth, B. Szabó, and J. Koncz. 2005. The dolomite phenomenon: relations among 
rocks, soils and vegetation. (Rock, soil and plant analysis on the limestones and 
dolomite grasslands in Hungary). Botanikai Közlemények. 92. (1-2) 1-25. (in Hungarian)

The differences between the vegetation of dolomite and limestone areas in Hungary have 
previously been described by vegetation scientists. There was some soil and plant 
analysis too but these works haven’t given clear answers to why special characteristics 
of dolomite vegetation are formed. The author’s three questions were:

1) What kind of connection there is among the element contents of four stone types 
(dachstein-, sarmathian- and lajta limestones, dolomite), their soils and plants, 2) How 
explicable the element content of stones and soils, the differences of vegetation of four 
stones is and what other factors are responsible for these, and 3) Based on these reasons 
how the classical theory of dolomite phenomenon is justified or modified?

The analysis showed that the big element concentration differences of the four stone 
samples decreased in the soils, and the element content was equalized still more in the 
examined plants. The changes in element concentration aren’t sufficient to explain the 
unique qualities of dolomite vegetation. On the basis of other soil attributes, the 
authors have found that there are fundamentally different soil formationprocesses on the 
four stone types. The main factors are: dynamism and the local extension of erosion and 
accumulation processes. 

There are two different groups: A.) Dahstein limestone: with concave-convex slopes and 
strong karst-formation, with well-developed rendzina soils (rich in humous, has good 
structure, good ability to provide nutritive matter and reduced pH-value). B.) Mouldering 
limestones (sarmathian- and lajta) and dolomite (the habitats of dolomite vegetation): 
with convex-concave slopes and stronger soil- and leaf litter erosion. These soils are 
undeveloped mixed up with rubbles and powered stones. For these reasons, the structure of 
soils is unfavourable, the capacity of nutriment supply is much lower. These features 
result in strong edaphical stress and prevent the vegetation from closure and succession.

The characteristics under point B.) are called the „concrete realization of dolomite 
phenomenon”, so it is defined as a theory explaining the shaping of specific edaphic 
patterns. The main effects of the geomorphological and edaphical characteristics 
described above are: the prevention of the development of zonal vegetation (closed 
forests, scrubs). The consequence of strong edaphical stress on these stone slopes are 
such microclimatic conditions which are different from the existing macroclimate. In 
these microclimate-soil areas there are species which are very rare or absent in other 
places. The coexisting populations and vegetation types which were formed under influence 
of the dolomite phenomenon are called „dolomite flora and dolomite vegetation”.