32F9
Rhodope thickets of Willow-leaf meadow sweet (Spiraea salicifolia)
Relationships with habitat classifications. EUNIS: F9.2 Willow carrs and fen scrub; PAL. CLASS.: 44.92 Willow carrs and fen scrub.
Conservation status. None.
Category. Critically endangered [CR – B1 C3 D3 G2 H2 I].
General characteristics. This habitat type encompasses the shrub communities of the boreal relic Spiraea salicifolia. They cover very limited area (4,8 ha) in West Rhodopi Mts. along Dospatska river, three kilometres to the north of Sarnitsa town (Pazardzhik district). The area is covered by wet meadows with remnants of spruce forest. The phytocoenoses of Spiraea salicifolia constitute small patches (up to 1–2 dca) in over-wet places. The dominant species densely cover the substrate. The shrubs are up to 1,5–2,0 m high and during flowering in July-August, give beautiful pink aspect to the area. Mainly hygrophytic herbs participate in the composition of the coenoses: Agrostis capillaris, Calamagrostis canescens, C. epigejos, Deschampsia flexuosa, Equisetum hiemale, E. sylvaticum, Eriophorum vaginatum, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Juncus articulatus, J. effusus, J. thomasii, Potentilla palustris, Succisa pratensis, Viola dacica, etc. together with some shrubs such as Salix caprea, S. purpurea subsp. amplexicaule, S. triandra, Sphagnum spp., etc. and several groups of trees, mainly spruce, fir, Scots pine, etc.
Characteristic taxa.
- Vascular plants: Calamagrostis canescens, Picea abies, Potentilla palustris, Spiraea salicifolia; mosses: Sphagnum spp.
Distribution in Bulgaria. West Rhodopi Mts., on the left bank of Dospatska river, Northwest from Sarnitsa town; up to 1100 m alt.
Conservation importance. The dominant species is evaluated as “critically endangered” in the Red List of the Bulgarian plants and fungi. Its communities are relic and some additional rare species participate, e.g. Potentilla palustris, etc.
Threats. Changes in the water regime of Dospatska river, grazing, degradation of the herbaceous communities, fires.
Conservation measures taken. The locality is proclaimed as Chibutsite Protected Site and is included in West Rhodopi Site of the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring; study of the ecological characteristics of the phytocoenoses; elaboration of an action plan for the species in Bulgaria.
References. Kitanov 1936; Stanev 2006.
Authors: Rossen Tzonev, Chavdar Gussev
