02D2

D. Mires, bogs and fens

Bogs with mosses near soft water springs

Relationships with habitat classifications. EUNIS: D2.2C11 Mountain soft water moss springs; D2.2C12 Philonotis-Saxifraga stellaris springs. Pal. Class.: 54.1111 Montane soft water moss springs; 54.1112 Philonotis-Saxifraga stellaris springs; Bondev (1991): 5 Hygropsychrophilous (peat bog) communities (Cariceta acutae, Cariceta echinatae, Cariceta rostae, Sphagneta spp., Cariceta lapponi, Primuleta deori, Hygronardeta etc.).

Conservation status. None.

Category. Endangered [EN – C2 D3 E2 F2 H2].

General characteristics. There are favourable conditions for the development of mires in average-sized over-wet places near springs with soft water, especially in flooded areas in which phytocoenoses adapted to these specific conditions develop. In addition to the high humidity, the temperature is low as a result of the cold underground waters that come to the surface. The springs may be acidic or neutral, and according to their nutrient composition they can be oligotrophic or eutrophic. Mostly these springs and streams occur in the mountains. In most cases they are found at high altitudes, in the subalpine and lower parts of the alpine belts. They can occur at lower altitudes as well if favourable conditions are available. This type of habitat is widely distributed in the whole Palaearctic region. The plant communities in these mountain habitats in Europe belong to the order Montio-Cardaminetalia,alliance Cardamino-Montion.Bryophyte phytocoenoses are most typical for these waters poor in metal ions (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, etc.). The main moss species are Brachythecium rivulare, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, B. schleicheri, Philonotis fontana, P. seriata, Scapania undulata, Sphagnum auriculatum, Warnstorfia exannulata.Among flowering plants the most widely distributed are Cerastium cerastoides, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Deschampsia caespitosa, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Montia fontana, Saxifraga stellaris. One of the most typical and widely distributed associations from this group is that of Saxifraga stellaris. Its composition is strongly dominated by arctic-alpine species (Cardamine rivularis, Cerastium cerastoides, Deschampsia caespitosa, Epilobium alsinifolium, Geum coccineum, Ligusticum mutellina, Luzula alpinopilosa, Myosotis scorpioides agg., Soldanella chrysostricta, etc.). The Balkan endemics are very few, e.g. Pinguicula balcanica,compared to the phytocoenoses of the acidic mires.Almost no bog elements are present (Baeothryon caespitosum (= Trichophorum caespitosum), Carex nigra, etc.). The following mosses also play an important role: Dichodontium palustre, Palustriella falcata, Philonotis seriata, Warnstorfia exannulata.

At lower altitudes, usually below 1800 m alt., in the areas of coniferous vegetation, the stream- and spring-bank phytocoenoses are related mostly with Caltha palustris, Cardamine amara, C. flexuosa, C. pratensis, C. raphanifolia, Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Myosotis scorpioides, Ranunculus repens, Scirpus sylvaticus, Stellaria nemorum, Veronica beccabunga, etc. Among the dominant bryophytes are Aulacomnium palustre, Climacium dendroides,Dichodontium palustre, Dicranum bonjeanii, Philonotis fontana. Very often they form dense cover on which the following species occur: Caltha palustris, Cardamine rivularis, Pinguicula balcanica, Primula farinosa, Saxifraga stellaris, Soldanella rhodopaea, etc. Caltha palustris occurs relatively often near springs and streams with soft water that pass close to summer shelters for animals, due to the high nitrogen content in the soil. The floristic composition of these coenoses is not richer than this of the remaining phytocoenoses near water springs. In some of them, the Balkan endemic Angelica pancicii participates. The following species occur very often: Brachythecium rivulare, Cardamine rivularis, Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Geum coccineum, Oenanthe fistulosa, Rhizomnium punctatum, Veratrum album subsp. lobelianum.Several phytocoenoses dominated by Scirpus sylvaticus have been discovered in Vitosha Mts. in places with increased concentration of nitrates in the soil. The spring bogs in Vitosha Mts. are a result of waters running down the surrounding slopes. They occupy mostly the foothills of the slopes, relief depressions or more rarely slightly slanting slopes. The high level of water is due also to rainfalls. In Vitosha Mts. these habitats occur between 1550 and 1800 m alt. Such is the origin of some bogs in Rila and Pirin Mts. The horizontal morphography and floristic structure of these bogs is rather complicated. In some places there are mixtures of spring, bog and mire phytocoenoses or fragments of them. The following species participate in the composition of the bog phytocoenoses: Baeothryon caespitosum (= Trichophorum caespitosum), Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, Carex echinata, C. nigra, Eriophorum latifolium, Gentianella bulgarica, Geum coccineum, Parnassia palustris, Pinguicula balcanica, Potentilla erecta, Pseudorchis albida, P. frivaldii, Salix lapponum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea, etc. and mosses: Sphagnum warnstorfii, S. teres, S. girgensohnii, etc. The hygrophytic vegetation on the plateau in Vitosha Mts. is similar to the “alpine” hygrophytic vegetation in Rila Mts. because it occurs mainly in the subalpine belt. However some specificities can be identified. In the most frequent phytocoenoses the following species occur: Cirsium heterotrichum, Molinia caerulea agg., Sanguisorba officinalis, Succisa pratensis that are not so characteristic for the vegetation type under consideration in Rila Mts. Additionally, some species typical for the subalpine spring habitats in the Balkans also occur: Crocus veluchensis, Dactylorhiza cordigera subsp. bosniaca, Gentianella bulgarica, Pinguicula balcanica, Pseudorchis frivaldii, and species like Baeothryon caespitosum, Sesleria comosa, which have a wider distribution. Dominating moss species are Sphagnum subsecundum and S. warnstorfii. Phytocoenoses of this type occur in Central Balkan Range. The participation of Bulgarian and Balkan endemics like Crocus veluchensis, Dactylorhiza cordigera subsp. bosniaca, Gentianella bulgarica, Pinguicula balcanica, Primula farinosa subsp. exigua, etc. underline the specific features of the bog vegetation in the mountains of Bulgaria as a part of the vegetation on the Balkans. In West  Balkan Range, at 1900 m alt., stream-bank phytocoenoses occur. The vegetation bars the streams and forms transitional phytocoenoses between acidic and stream bogs. These transitional phytocoenoses include Carex echinata and Glyceria aquatica with the participation of Callitriche palustris, Caltha palustris, Cerastium cerastoides, Deschampsia caespitosa, Epilobium palustre, Juncus articulatus, J. conglomeratus, Myosotis scorpioides, Parnassia palustris, Philonotis fontana, P. seriata, Ranunculus aquatilis, Saxifraga stellaris, Warnstorfia exannulata, etc.

Characteristic taxa.

Distribution in Bulgaria. In the mountains from 900 up to 2700 m alt. Their optimal development is at (1600) 1800–2400 m alt.

Conservation importance. The following endemic and relic species occur in this habitat: Angelica pancicii, Juncus triglumis, Pinguicula balcanica, Primula farinosa subsp. exigua, Senecio pancicii.Among mosses the following species are in the Red List: Drepanocladus polygamus, D. sendtneri, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Helodium blandowii,Polytrichastrum longisetum.The protection of the natural state of the habitats is needed in order to preserve the populations of the above-mentioned species. The bogs have an important water-protection function.

Threats. Global warming and aridisation, water and air pollution with heavy metals from distant transfer, draining, invasion of shrubs and trees and the mesophytization cause changes in the plant communities.

Conservation measures taken. Significant parts of this habitat are in Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan National Parks, Vitosha Nature Park and sites of the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria.

Conservation measures needed. To include the habitat in the National Biodiversity Monitoring System, and to assess the state of the habitat and the existing threats beyond the borders of the protected areas will make possible the implementation of concrete measures for its restoration and protection.

References. Petrov 1956; Roussakova 2000.

Authors: Veska Roussakova, Anna Ganeva


Bogs with mosses near soft water springs (distribution map)