05E1

E. Herbaceous communities and communities of lichens and mosses

Meadow steppes

Relationships with habitat classifications. EUNIS: E1.234 Moesio-Carpathian meadow steppes; PAL. CLASS.: 34.3163 Moesio-Carpathian meadow-steppes; HD 92/43: 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites); Bondev (1991): 129 Xerothermic grass communities with a prevalence of Dichantieta ischemi, Poaeta bulbosae, Poaeta cocinnae, Chrysopogoneta grylli and Ephemereta.

Conservation status. BDA, BC, HD.

Category. Vulnerable [VU - A1, 2 C1 D2 E2 F2 G1 H1 I L3].

General characteristics. Meadow steppes (called also stepped meadows in the Bulgarian botanical literature) are mainly xero-mesophytic coenoses of Chrysopogon gryllus or Festuca valesiaca (more rarely F. rupicola) and with high participation of Filipendula vulgaris,as well as coenoses transitional to the mountain meadows with Agrostis capillaris. They occur mainly in the Forebalkan and the low heights of W Bulgaria in places with more humid climate compared to the one where the coenoses of Chrysopogun gryllus on the loess heights along the Danube  and in the sub-Mediterranean parts of S Bulgaria occur. They cover hills and low foothills. Soils are mostly rich, mainly Luvisols with slightly alkaline reaction. The slopes are from 10–15° to 30–40°, mostly with northern and eastern exposure. The soils are relatively humid, although in summers they can become very dry. The soil humidity is maintained mainly by their use as hay meadows. The decrease of the above-ground phytomass of mat-forming grasses, mostly Chrysopogon gryllus, in the period of active transpiration combined with the more humid climate of the Forebalkans and lower parts of Stara Planina Mts, makes possible the retention of enough soil humidity for the development of more mesophytic meadow species. Therefore the optimal altitudinal range for these coenoses is from about 300–400 up to 1000–1200 m alt.

The vegetation of the meadow steppes is seminatural and their distribution has increased most often after the destruction of oak forests. Their present floristic composition is a mixture of xerothermic and mesophytic meadow species. The use of these meadows mainly as pastures in the last 10–15 years causes their ruderalization and xerophytisation. The major dominant is Chrysopogon gryllus (in W Bulgaria also Festuca valesiaca),which forms the first vegetation layer sometimes reaching 1,5 m (most often between 0,8 and 1,20 m). Very often the co-dominant is Filipendula vulgaris. Agrostis capillaris, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Briza media, Bromus racemosus, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca pratensis, Melica ciliata, Phleum pratense, Poa angustifolia prevail also among grasses. The species composition often includes Allium scorodoprasum, Anthericum ramosum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Betonica officinalis (= Stachys officinalis), Bromus erectus, Calamintha grandiflora, Campanula rapunculus, Carex caryophyllea, Carlina vulgaris, Centaurea jacea, C. orientalis, Coronilla varia, Daucus carota, Dianthus giganteus, D. moesiacus, Echium russicum, Eryngium campestre, Galium verum, Helianthemum nummularium, Knautia arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, L. tuberosus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Moenchia mantica, Nepeta nuda, Origanum vulgare, Polygala major, P. vulgaris, Ranunculus polyanthemos, Rhinanthus rumelicus, Rumex acetosella, R. tuberosus, Stellaria graminea, Trifolium ochroleucon, Veronica prostrata, V. teucrium.Typical for the meadow steppes is the abundance of different orchid species: Anacamptis pyramidalis, Gymnadenia conopsea, Ophrys cornuta, O. sphegodes subsp. mammosa, Orchis mascula, O. militaris, O. morio, O. purpurea, O. tridentata, O. ustulata, and Spiranthes spiralis. Some of themare very rare or even extinct – e.g. Herminium monorchis.

Most of the species that also participate in the composition of the lowland hay meadows have good forage characteristics. The number of species with poisonous substancess such as Adonis vernalis, Colchicum autumnale, Helleborus odorus, Stellaria graminea, etc. is very low. Syntaxonomically the Bulgarian meadow steppes belong to the class Festuco-Brometea,alliance Chrysopogoni-Danthonion. The latter is characterized by xerophytic and mesophytic species and is typical for the mountain foothills and areas with a more humid climate. The meadow steppes form many transitional coenoses to the typical mesophytic meadows and the steppe xerophytic coenoses. That makes their distinction difficult in some places. Usually the degradation of the meadow steppes (caused mainly by grazing) lead to their xerophytisation and many of the typical mesophytic species disappear. One of the most frequent processes is the replacement of Chrysopogon gryllus by Bothriochloa ischaemum(= Dichanthium ischaemum).

Characteristic taxa.

Distribution in Bulgaria. Forebalkan: Lovech, Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Vratza and Montana regions, as well as in the low mountains of W Bulgaria (Znepole and Sofia regions).

Conservation importance. This habitat is rich in various herbaceous species, some of which are rare, endangered or protected. It is important for the preservation of orchid populations among which there are some species of conservation significance. Some rare species that occur in the meadow steppes are Echium russicum, Orchis papilionacea, Pimpinella major, Spiranthes spiralis, etc. Fungi species of conservation concern are Amanita vittadinii, Entoloma incanum. etc. The meadow steppes are an important source for medicinal plants: bedstraw, oregano, thyme, dropwort, etc. The rich mesophytic vegetation is a prerequisite for a high abundance of insects that often attract bats inhabiting the karst and wooded regions: Myotis capaccinii, Nyctalus noctula, Hypsugo savii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus serotinus.

Threats. Ploughing of meadow steppes, urbanization and expansion of areas with summer houses in the Forebalkan, overgrazing that causes xerophytisation, ruderalization and strong changes in the structure and ecologic characteristics of the habitat. Climate aridisation, abandonment of hay meadows, etc. also have a negative impact

Conservation measures taken. The habitat is included in Annex № 1 of the national Biodiversity Act. Some of the most representative localities are included in protected zones of the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000.

Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the state of the meadow steppes, proclamation of the most representative ones as protected areas, correct management of the meadow steppes through mowing and restriction of grazing, restricting of the land use change aiming at building vacation complexes in the Forebalkans.

References. Ganchev et al. 1964.

Authors: Rossen Tzonev, Chavdar Gussev


Meadow steppes (distribution map)