Contribution to the knowledge of plant diversity and habitat types of non-forest vegetation in the subalpine belt of Mt Troglav and its surroundings (Mt Dinara sensu lato)

Abstract

Mt Troglav, the largest mountain of the Dinara massif, is located on the border area between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the highest peak Veliki Troglav on the Bosnian side. A short floristic observation of the non-forest habitats of the subalpine belt, with some vegetation remarks, was conducted during July, 2011. In total, 151 taxa from 48 families were recorded. The most abundant families are Poaceae (9, 9%), Asteraceae (9, 3%), Rosaceae (8, 6%) and Fabaceae (7, 9%). The most frequent life form is hemicryptophyta and the predominant chorological type is Euro-Asian. Eleven taxa are endemic. Five EU habitat types from Annex I of the Habitats Directive were analysed: 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 62A0 Eastern sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands (Scorzoneratalia villosae), 6230 *Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe), 4070 *Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum, 4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths. Also, some habitats that are not listed on the Habitats Directive, like the orders Atropetalia, Lamio albi-Chenopodietalia boni henrici and Adenostyletalia are shortly discussed. Those habitats on Mt Troglav are the result of human impact, which is today barely noticeable. Therefore, although the natural succession has been slow, seasonal grazing and mowing should be encouraged in those areas.