15F2
Rhodope thickets of Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
Relationships with habitat classifications. EUNIS: F2.336 Rhodope [Potentilla fruticosa] thickets; PAL. CLASS.: 31.636 Rhodope [Potentilla fruticosa] thickets; HD 92/43: 40B0 Rhodope Potentilla fruticosa thickets.
Conservation status. BDA, HD.
Category. Critically endangered [CR – A1, 2 B1, 2 C3 D3 E3 F3 G3 H3].
General characteristics. Potentilla fruticosa is a glacial relic in the flora of Bulgaria and the Balkans. It makes closed shrub communities in open places in coniferous forests of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris in West Rhodopi Mts. The total area covered by these thickets is about 12 dka. This area refers to two single communities. The distance between them is about 500 m. The area is slightly slanting with western exposure. The soils are Humic Cambiosols. Compared to the soils in the neighbouring territories, they are colder and with high humidity (45–65%). The average annual air humidity is approx. 80% and predetermines the development of mezophilic plant communities and species. Single shrubs of P. fruticosa occur also in drier places in the neighbouring meadows. The floristic composition is relatively rich and amounts to 130 taxa of vascular plants, the main part of which belong to the boreal floristic element. Only one association has been described based on the dominant method: Potentilla fruticosa – Mixstoherbosa. The horizontal structure of the community is irregular. The shrubs of P. fruticosa are 35–40 cm high and are single or in groups with herbaceous species among the shrubs. The vertical structure has three layers: the first is of P. fruticosa, the second is the herbaceous layer and the third - a moss layer. The total projective cover is 80–100%. Main accompanying species are Agrostis capillaris, Antennaria dioica, Bromus riparius, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca nigrescens subsp. nigrescens, Galium boreale, G. palustre, G. verum, Juniperus sibirica, Luzula sudetica, Nardus stricta, Poa alpina, P. palustris, Sanguisorba officinalis. Campanula patula subsp. epigaea, Filipendula vulgaris (= Filipendula hexapetala), Genista depressa, Hypericum maculatum, Linum capitatum, Ligusticum mutellina, Myosotis scorpioides, Potentilla crantzii, P. erecta, Ranunculus montanus, Stellaria graminea, Thalictrum simplex, Thlaspi praecox, Valeriana officinalis etc. Very typical are the endemic species Gentianella bulgarica, Geum rhodopaeum, Veronica rhodopaea, Viola rhodopeia etc.The moss layer includes Abietinella abietina, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, and Ptilidium ciliare.
Characteristic taxa.
- Vascular plants: Antennaria dioica, Deschampsia caespitosa, Galium boreale, Genista depressa, Geum rhodopaeum, Linum capitatum, Nardus stricta, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla fruticosa, Veronica rhodopaea, Viola rhodopeia;mosses: Abietinella abietina.
Distribution in Bulgaria. West Rhodopi Mts., Beglika locality – Rakovo Dere locality; above 1600 m alt.
Conservation importance. The habitat is favourable for a number of rare species that occur in Rhodopi Mts., Bulgaria and the Balkans: glacial relics (Galium boreale, Abietinella abietina) and endemics (Crocus veluchensis, Gentianella bulgarica, Geum rhodopaeum, Veronica rhodopaea, Viola rhodopeia, Thymus stojanovii).
Threats. Grazing, forestry management activities, low potential for seed reproduction due to the competition with the herbaceous species.
Conservation measures taken. Attempts for permanent fencing of the locality have been done. Potentilla fruticosa is protected by law and its habitat is included in Annex № 1 of the Biodiversity Act. The locality is in a site from the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the locality and elaboration of an action plan for the protection of the habitat.
References. Jordanoff 1941; Meshinev 1975.
Authors: Chavdar Gussev, Vladimir Valchev
