FLORA, VEGETATION AND IMPORTANT HABITAT TYPES OF ARID KARST FIELD IN PIPERI (MONTENEGRO)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20903/masa/nmbsci.2023.44.55Keywords:
dry grasslands; Festuco-Brometea; Scorzoneretalia villosae; Saturejion subspicatae; Scorzonerion villosae; ArrhenatheretumAbstract
The Kopilje, Radovče, and Gostilje Martinićko are arid karst fields located in the Piperi region of central Montenegro, at altitudes ranging from 600 to 950 meters above sea level. These fields are found within zones of thermophilous hornbeam and oak forests, as well as mesophilous beech forests. Despite covering a relatively small area of approximately 7.4 km², these three fields are home to a rich diversity of plant life, with 480 species and subspecies of vascular plants recorded, belonging to 284 genera and 63 families. The most species-rich families are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae, while the genera Trifolium, Medicago, Veronica, and Geranium are among the most diverse. Hemicryptophytes dominate the life forms, with significant participation from therophytes and geophytes. In terms of chorology, Eurimediterranean species predominate. Eighteen species found in the area are of conservation importance, with three species — Galatella linosyris, Crocus weldenii f. lutescens, and Succisella petteri — being particularly notable as they occur only in one or a few localities in Montenegro. The semi-natural grassland vegetation of these karst fields is unique, represented by nine plant communities. Three of these communities are exclusive to the karst fields in Piperi: Armerio canescenti-Festucetum illyricae chrysopogonetosum grylli, Ornithogalo comosi-Koelerietum pyramidatae artemisietosum albae, and Stipo eriocauli-Caricetum humilis. With the exception of the ruderalized annual grasslands, the other grassland communities are vegetation equivalents of two NATURA 2000 habitat types: 62A0 and 6510, both of which are of significant ecological value.
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