Some major plant communities in the coniferous belt of the Western Rhodopes

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1 PHYTOLOGIA BALCANICA 2 (): 99 05, Sofia, Some major plant communities in the coniferous belt of the Western Rhodopes Velislav Nikolov Institute of Botany, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., bl. 23, 3 Sofia, Bulgaria Rceived: September 5, 2005 Accepted: October 2, 2005 Abstract. This study contains the phytocoenological characteristics (composition, structure and distribution) of plant communities in the coniferous vegetation belt of Mt Batashka (West Rhodopes). Three formations were established there: two tree formations (nine associations) and one grass formation (one association). Key words: associations, coniferous phytocoenotic formations, Western Rhodopes Introduction The study area extends to the southern slopes of Mt Batashka and Veliysko-Videnishki divide of Western Rhodopes, from the region of Golyam Beglik dam to the valley of river Dospat. Phytocoenological studies of the grassy and shrub communities and some ecological and biological studies of the dominants in that study area have been conducted by Penev (953), Kozhuharov (96) and Meshinev (973, 975). The minimum area of manifestation of the association Piceetum myrtillosum in the Vassil Kolarov Reserve (Western Rhodopes) has been determined (Meshinev & Apostolova 985). Alexiev (2002) referred the region to the West Rho dopean Subregion of the Macedonian-Rho do pean Region of the Active Mysian Platform Out skirts Province. From the viewpoint of soil regionalisation, this part of the mountain relates to the West Rhodopean Mountain Province of the Balkan-Mediterranean Soil Subregion of the Mediterranean Soil Region (Ninov 2002). Dystric mountain forest soils prevail, with secondary grassing under the secondary meadows. They are developed on silicate and partially on calcareous base rock. Climatically, the Western Rhodopes belong to the Transitional Continental Region. Winter is milder than in the Temperate Continental Zone, the annual temperature amplitude is lower, and the annual precipitations have two peaks (in July and November) and two lows (in August and February). The Western Rhodopes lie in a rain shadow and the annual amount of precipitations is lower than in the other regions at the same altitude (Velev 2002). Under phytogeographical division (Bondev 2002), the region of Batak falls into the Rhodopean District of the Illyrian (Balkan) Province of the European Deciduous Region. The communities of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L. are elements of the primary vegetation, while those of Agrostis capillaris L. are secondary in origin. Methods The geobotanical descriptions of the communities are based on the principle of dominance. The transect method was used, under which representative parts of the phytocoenoses have been described. Participation of the tree species was estimated on a ten-point scale, and that of the shrubs was judged by the age index (in percentage). Hult s five-point scale (in Arabic numerals) was used for the assessment of abundance of herbaceous species, while their frequency was judged by Raunkier s five-point scale (in Roman numerals).

2 00 Nikolov, V. Plant communities in the coniferous belt of the Western Rhodopes Results and discussion A. Primary vegetation I. FORMATION OF PICEA ABIES I.. Association Picea abies (Table ) This association was studied in two habitats: the region of Balinovo ( ), on a southeastern slope with an inclination of 30 and at an altitude of 650 m. The tree canopy was 0.8. The trees were about 25 m high, and with a diameter of cm. The grassy floor had 70 %. The second description was made between the Batlu Boaz locality and Goranovtsi village. The community was studied on a northeastern slope with an inclination of 25º and at about 600 m a.s.l. The tree canopy was 0.8, the height of the trees m, and their diameter cm. The grass floor had 40 %. The association was also registered by Bondev & al. (985, 995), Nikolov & Vulchev (200). Table. Association Picea abies 2 Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. 0 8 Pinus sylvestris L % 5 % (L.) Roth IV 2... III Poa nemoralis L....II...I Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin...II...II Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC....II...II Campanula epigea Janka...I Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Crantz...I...I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend....II...II Euphorbia amygdaloides L....II Fragaria vesca L III...I Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort....I Prenanthes purpurea L....I Sanicula europaea L....I Symphytum tuberosum L....I I. 2. Association Picea abies Vaccinium myrtillus (Table 2). : in the Stoichovoto locality, on a slope with inclination of 5 and southern exposition. The canopy was 0.7, tree height m, and tree diameter cm. The grass floor had %. 2: under peak Manastira, at an altitude of 700 m, on a southwestern slope with inclination of 40. The canopy was Tree height was 22 m, and tree diameter cm. The grass floor had 0 5 %. 3: on the way to Chatuma (the Water Chatchment), at an altitude of about 500 m, on a western slope with inclination of The tree stand canopy was and the tree height m. The diameter of tree trunks was cm. There was spruce undergrowth (4 5 specimens per m2). The grass floor had meager species diversity and 0 %. 4: between Goranovtsi and Pudarevtsi villages, at an altitude of 700 m, on a southeastern slope with an inclination of 45º. The canopy was , tree height 8 20 m, and tree diameter cm. The grass floor had 5 20 %. The same was established by Bondev & al. (983, 985) and Gorunova & Kochev (99). Table 2. Picea abies Vaccinium myrtillus Picea abies (L.) H. Karst Pinus sylvestris L. + 5 % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 40 % % 35 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 5 % Vaccinium uliginsum L. 25 % Bruckenthalia spiculifolia (Salisb.) Rchb. 70 % 5-0 % 55 % 5 % 5 % Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauvais... I (L.) Roth... I... II... II... II Poa nemoralis L III... I Lerchenfeldia flexuosa (L.) Schur... II

3 Phytol. Balcan. 2() Sofia Table 2. Continuation. Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin Chamaecytisus absinthioides (Janka) Kuzmanov III... I... I... II Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC.... I... I... I Campanula sparsa Friv.... I Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Crantz... I... I Crocus veluchensis L.... I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.... I... I... I... I Euphorbia amygdaloides Herb.... I... II... I... I Fragaria vesca L.... I... II Geranium rober tianum L.... I Melampyrum sylvaticum L.... I Mercurialis perennis L.... I Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort.... I Oxalis acetisella L.... I... II... I Prenanthes purpurea L.... I Primula veris L.... I I. 3. Association Picea abies + Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Table 3). This association was studied in the region of the Pobit Kamuk locality, at an altitude of 400 m, on a southeastern slope with an inclination of 35 40º. The canopy was , tree height was m, and tree diameter varied between 35 cm and 50 cm. There was thick spruce undergrowth (7 8 specimens per m2). The grass floor had 0 %. I. 4. Association Picea abies Vaccinium myrtillus (Table 4) This association was ing a large area (three descriptions) on the northern slopes (inclination 35º) above river Dospat, from Stoichovoto locality, across Rancha and up to Surnitsa village, at an altitude of about 700 m. The canopy was The tree height was 25 m and tree diameters varied between 40 cm and 50 cm. Good regeneration of the spruce has been observed (5 6 specimens per m2). The grass floor had %. The association was studied by Velcev & Indjeian (987). Table 3. Association Picea abies + Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium myrtillus Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. 7 Pinus sylvestris L. 3 5 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 45 % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 5 % Poa nemoralis L III (L.) Roth... II Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin...I Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC....I Campanula sparsa Friv....I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.... II Euphorbia amygdaloides L....I Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort....I Sanicula europaea L....I Table 4. Association Picea abies Vaccinium myrtilus Picea abies (L) H. Karst Pinus sylvestris L % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 40 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 0 % (L.) Roth Brachypodium sylva ticum (Huds.) Beauvais 5 % 40 % 5 % % 50 % 5 % 3...IV 3...IV IV... I Poa nemoralis L.... I... I... II Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin... II... II... II Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) D.C.... I... II... I Campanula epigea Janka... I Campanula sparsa Friv.... I... I... I Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Crantz... I

4 02 Nikolov, V. Plant communities in the coniferous belt of the Western Rhodopes Table 4. Continuation. 2 Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.... II... II... II Euphorbia amygdanoides L.... I... I Fragaria vesca L.... I... I... II Oxalis acetosella L.... II... I... I Rimula veris L.... I... I Sanicula europaea L.... I I. 5. Association Picea abies + Pinus sylvestris (Table 5). This association was dised in the Sborishteto locality, on a southeastern slope with an inclination of 45 50º and an altitude of about 750 m. The canopy was 0.8. The tree height was m and the diameter of the trunks cm. The grass floor had 35 %. It was dised by Bondev & al. (985). Table 5. Association Picea abies + Pinus sylvestris Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. 7 Pinus sylvestris L % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 0-5 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 5 % (L.) Roth 4...IV Poa nemoralis L....I Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin...I Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC....I Campanula persicifolia L....I Campanula sparsa Friv....I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend....I Euphorbia amygdaloides L....I Fragaria vesca L....I Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort....I Prenanthes purpurea L....I Sanicula europaea L....I II. FORMATION OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS II.. Association Pinus sylvestris Poa nemoralismixtoherbosa (Table 6). This association was studied on a considerable area (three descriptions) between Surnitsa, Chernite Baraki and Selishte, on a southwestern slope with an inclination of 35 40º, at an altitude of about 400 m. The canopy was The tree height was m and tree diameter cm (s and 2), and 5 8 m height and cm diameter ( 3). The grass floor had a comparatively rich species composition and %. Table 6. Association Pinus sylvestris Poa nemoralis mixtoherbosa 2 3 Pinus sylvestris L Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. + 5 % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 5 % -2 % 0 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 5 % Poa nemoralis L. 3...IV 3...IV 4...V Agrostis capillaris L.... I Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauvais... II (L.) Roth -2...III -2...III... I Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin -2...III -2...III... II Leguminous Trifolium alpestre L.... I... II Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC.... II... II... I Campanula sparsa Friv.... I Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Crantz... I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.... II... II... I Digitalis viridiflora Lindl.... I... I Euphorbia amygdaloides L.... II... II... II Fragaria vesca L.... I... II IV Galium verum L.... II Hypericum perforatum L.... I... I Myosotis sylvatica Hoffm.... I Plantago lanceolata L.... I Primula veris L.... I... I Prunella vulgaris L.... I Sanicula europaea L.... I... II Senecio nemorensis L.... I Symphytum tuberosum L.... I

5 Phytol. Balcan. 2() Sofia II. 2. Association Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium vitis-idaea mixtoherbosa (Table 7) Table 7. Association Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium vitis-idaea mixtoherbosa 2 3 Pinus sylvestris L Picea abies (L.) Н. Karst Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 70 % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 5 % 60 % 0 % 60 % Juniperus comminis L. 5 % Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauvais III 2... III III (L.) Roth...II...II Dactylis glomerata L....I...I Poa nemoralis L....II...II...II Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin...II 2... III...II Leguminous Trifolium alpestre L....I...II...II Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC....I...I Campanula epigea Janka...I...I Campanula sparsa Friv....I...I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend....II...II...II Digitalis viridiflora Lindl....I uphorbia amygdaloides L....I...II...I Fragaria vesca L....II...II...II Galium verum L....I Hypericum perforatum L....I...I Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult....I Myocotis sylvatica Hoffm....I Primula veris L....I Prunella vulgaris L....I...I...I Ranunculus montanus Willd....I Sanicula europaea L....I...I...I Senecio nemorensis L....I Veronica chamaedrys L....I : in the Meandrite locality, at an altitude of 600 m, on an eastern slope with an inclination of 25º. The canopy was 0.8. The tree height was 8 20 m and tree diameter varied from 0 20 cm up to 35 cm. The grass floor had 20 %. 2: around Chernovruh locality, at an altitude of 550 m, on a northeastern slope with an inclination of 35 40º. The tree stand was m high and its canopy was The prevailing diameter of the trunks was cm. The grass floor had %. 3: above Selishte, at 400 m a.s.l. A coenosis of this association grows on an eastern slope with an inclination of 45º. The tree stand was m high and its canopy was The trunks had diameter of cm (maximum 45 cm). The grass floor had 30 %. II. 3. Association Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium myrtillus mixtoherbosa (Table 8) The association was studied in the region of Batlu Boaz locality, at an altitude of 600 m, with an eastern exposition of the slope and an inclination of 25º. The canopy was The trees were m high and with diameter of cm. The grass floor had %. The association was also established by Nikolov & Vulchev (200). Table 8. Association Pinus sylvestris Vaccinium myrtillus mixtoherbosa Pinus sylvestris L. 8 Picea abies (L.)H. Karst. 2-2 % Vaccinium myrtillus L. 40 % Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 5 % Agrostis capillaris L....I Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauvais...I (L.) Roth. 2...III Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC III Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Crantz...I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend III Euphorbia amygdaloides L.... II Fragaria vesca L.... II Hypericum perforatum L....I Oxalis acetosella L.... II Prenanthes purpurea L....I Prunella vulgaris L....I

6 04 Nikolov, V. Plant communities in the coniferous belt of the Western Rhodopes II. 4. Association Pinus sylvestris + Picea abies (Table 9) : between the Batlu Boaz and Komita localities, at 600 a.s.l., on a southeastern slope with an inclination of 35º. The trees were m high and with a diameter of cm. The canopy was The grass floor had 70 %. 2: about 2 km above Surnitsa, at about 400 a.s.l., on a southeastern slope with and inclination of 50º. The canopy was 0.6. The height of the tree stand was m and tree diameter about cm up to 40 cm. The grass floor had 85 %. Table 9. Association Pinus sylvestris + Picea abies Pinus sylvestris L. 7 7 Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. 3 7 Fagus sylvatica L. + Vaccinium myrtillus L. 5 % 20 % 20 % 5 %. Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. 5 % (L.) Roth 4.. V 3.IV Poa nemoralis L.... I.. II Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin -2.III Leguminous Trifolium alpestre L.... I Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC.... I... I Campanula glomerata L.... I Campanula sparsa L.... I Cardamine bulbifera (L.) Krantz.... I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend... II... I Euphorbia amygdaloides Friv... II... I Fragaria vesca L.... I.. II Galium verum L... II Geranium macrorrhizum L... II Hypericum perforatum L.... I Oxalis acetosella L.... I Prenanthes purpurea L.... I Primula veris L.... I... I Prunella vulgaris L.... I Sanicula europaea L.... I B. Secondary vegetation I. FORMATION OF AGROSTIS CAPILLARIS The coenoses of this formation occupy an extensive territory in the valley of river Dospat, from Kroushata hamlet to Pobit Kamuk hamlet. I.. Association Agrostis capillaris + Poa pratensis mixtoherbosa (Table 0) Two coenoses of this association are described. The first one at an altitude of 400 m, on a flat terrain with southeastern exposition, in the vicinities of Pobit Kamuk hamlet, and the second between the Kroushata hamlet and Surnitsa village. It occupied an eastern slope with an inclination of 35º 40º, at 350 m a.s.l. The grass stand in both coenoses had comparatively rich species composition (about 50 taxa) and 00 %. Table 0. Association Agrostis capillaris + Poa pratensis mixtoherbosa 2 3 Agrostis capillaris L V 5... V Anthoxanthum odoratum L.... I... II Bromus erectus Huds.... II Festuca nigrescens L. 2...III 2...III (L.) Roth... I... I Cynosurus cristatus L.... II Dactylis glomerata L.... II 2...III Holcus lanatus L.... II Poa pratensis L. 2...III V Carex spicata Huds.... II Luzula campestris (L.) D.C.... II Leguminous Lotus corniculatus L.... I Medicago falcata L.... II 2...III Trifolium alpestre L.... II Trifolium medium L III 2...III Trifolium pratense L.... II Achillea millefolium L. 2...III 2...III Campanula epigea Janka... I Campanula sparsa Friv.... I Centaurea rhenana Boreau... I... I Colchicum automnale L.... I Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.... II... II Dianthus deltoides L.... I Euphorbia amigdaloides L.... I... I Euphorbia cyparisias L.... I... I

7 Phytol. Balcan. 2() Sofia Table 0. Continuation. 2 Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne... II -2...III Galium verum L.... II... II Hieracium villosum L.... I... I Hypericum perforatum L.... II... II Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult.... I Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.... I... II Myosotis arvensis Lam.... I... II Plantago lanceolata L.... II Polygala major Jacq.... I Primula veris L.... II Prunella vulgaris L.... II Ranunculus montanus Willd.... I Ranunculus acris L.... I Rhinanthus rumelicus Velen.... II -2...III Rumex acetosa L.... I Stellaria graminea L.... II IV Stellaria holostea L.... II Taraxacum officinale L.... II Teucrium chamaedrys L.... I Thymus pannonicus All.... I Veronica chamaedrys L.... II... II Viola tricolor L.... I... II Conclusion The plant in the area of study was characteristically uniform. Forest communities dominate, with an element of primary vegetation, and the most extensive area. Plant formations of Picea abies (with five plant associations) and Pinus sylvestris (with four plant associations) have been established. The herbaceous communities, chiefly dominated by Agrostis capillaries (one primary association) were of secondary origin and have emerged to replace the destroyed forests of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris. Bondev, I., Lazarov, I. & Lyjubenova, M The vegetation of the V. Kolarov Reserve in the Rodopi Mts. In: Nedyalkov, S. (ed.), Int. Symp. Proj. 8-MAB. Conservation Nat. Areas & Genet. Material they Contain, Blagoevgrad, September 23-28, 985. Vol. 2, pp Pulishing House Bulg. Acad. Sci., Sofia (in Bulgarian). Bondev, I., Ljubenova, M. & Ljubenov, M.995. The vegetation of the Chouprene Biosphere Reserve. In: Tsankov, G. (ed.), Proc. Jubil. Symp. on the Centenary of Acad. B. Stephanov, Sofia, June 2-3, 994. Vol. 2, pp Pulishing House Bulg. Acad. Sci., Sofia (in Bulgarian). Gorunova, D. & Kochev, H. 99. Vegetation in the basin of Chepelarska river (West Rhodopes). II Fitologiya: 4: 3-27 (in Bulgarian). Kozhuharov, S. 96. The vegetation of part of the meadows and pastures in the Alpine area of the village of Batak, Western Rhodope. Izv. Bot. Inst. (Sofia), 3: 89-2 (in Bulgarian). Meshinev, T The effect of light on the germination of Potentilla fruticosa L. Dokl. Bulg. Akad. Nauk., 26(5): Meshinev, T Germination of Potentilla fruticosa L. seeds under natural and experimental conditions. In: Velchev, V., Kuzmanov, B. & Palamarev, E (eds), In Honour of Acad. Daki Jordanov. Pp Pulishing House Bulg. Acad. Sci., Sofia. Meshinev, T. & Apostolova, I Minimum area of Piceetum myrtillosum in the V. Kolarov Reserve (West Rhodopes). Ecology (Sofia), 7: -24 (in Bulgarian). Nikolov, V. & Vulchev, V Vegetation of the coniferous belt in the Malyovitsa Divide of the Rila Mountains. Phytol. Balcan., 7(): Ninov, N Soil geographical regioning. In: Kopralev, I. & al. (eds), Geography of Bulgaria. Pp ForCom, Sofia (in Bulgarian). Penev, I Die grasdecke einiger weiden im Rhodopen-gebirge. Izv. Bot. Inst. (Sofia), 3: 9 50 (in Bulgarian). Velcev, V. & Indjeian, A Phytocoenological characteristics of the ground synusium in the association Picea abies Vaccinium myrtillus. In: Kuzmanov, B. (ed.), Proc. Fourth Natl. Conf. Bot., Sofia 987. Vol. 3: Sofia (in Bulgarian). Velev, St Climatic regioning. In: Kopralev, I. & al. (eds), Geography of Bulgaria. Pp ForCom, Sofia (in Bulgarian). References Alexiev, G Geomorphological regionalization. In: Kopralev, I. & al., (eds), Geography of Bulgaria. Pp ForCom, Sofia (in Bulgarian). Bondev, I Geobotanic regioning. In: Kopralev, I. & al. (eds), Geography of Bulgaria. Pp ForCom, Sofia (in Bulgarian). Bondev, I., Meshinev, T. & Andreev, N Botanical characteristics of the Bistrishko Branishte Reserve. In: Velchev, V. 98. (ed.), Third Natl. Conf. Bot., Sofia Pp Publishing House Bulg. Acad. Sci., Sofia (in Bulgarian). 4 Phytol. Balcan. 2() 2006

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