A phytosociological and ecological analzsis of chasmophztic vegetation of Stara planina

[J. S. Stojanović]

202 str.

Biografija sa bibliografijom: str. 198-200. Bibliografija: str. 150-166.

Botany

The chasmophytic vegetation of the Asplenietea trichomanis class on Stara Planina Mt. in Serbia has been poorly studied. Consequently, this study aims to identify and classify the chasmophytic communities of this area and determine the key ecological factors influencing their floristic composition. Using UPGMA hierarchical cluster analysis on a dataset comprising 210 relevés and 146 vascular plant taxa, 18 communities were identified - 15 chasmophytic and three transitional between chasmophytic and grassland vegetation. Chasmophytic associations are classified into four orders (Potentilletalia caulescentis, Violo biflorae-Cystopteridetalia alpinae, Asplenietalia septentrionalo-cuneifolii, and Androsacetalia vandelli) and five alliances (Edraiantho graminifolii-Erysimion comati, Violo biflorae-Cystopteridion alpinae, Asplenion septentrionalis, Silenion lerchenfeldianae, and Saxifragion cymosae), with all but Silenion lerchenfeldianae recorded for the first time in this region. Ordination analyses identified altitude, air temperature, and substrate moisture as the primary ecological factors shaping the floristic composition of these communities. Additionally, field observations highlighted the roles of topographic heterogeneity, light, and exposure in influencing temperature and moisture. Despite the limited spatial extent of rocky habitats, 146 vascular plant taxa were recorded, revealing a remarkable diversity. The prevalent families are Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Asteraceae, while Sedum, Asplenium, and Saxifraga are the dominant genera. Hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes are the most common life forms, reflecting their adaptations to extreme rocky environments. The prevalence of Eurasian-montane and Mediterranean-sub-Mediterranean taxa aligns with the mountain-continental climate of high-altitude belts and the impact of the changed Mediterranean climate in gorges and canyons. The significant presence of endemics and relics confirms the refugial nature of these habitats and their importance for the conservation of rare species. This study provides new insights into the chasmophytic flora and vegetation of Stara Planina Mt., revealing greater diversity and syntaxonomic complexity than previously assumed and emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts, particularly considering ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures.

hazmofitska vegetacija, sintaksonomija, ekološki afiniteti, diverzitet, flora stenovitih staništa, biološki spektar, horološki spektar, Stara planina

chasmophytic vegetation, syntaxonomy, ecological affinities, diversity, flora of rocky habitats, biological spectrum, chorological spectrum, Stara Planina Mt.

581.526:[581.526.54+551.4.035(497.11)](043.3)

B 004; B 270

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