Dario Hruševar

First aerobiological study in the Mediterranean part of Croatia (Dalmatia) : pollen spectrum and seasonal dynamics in the air of Split

The aim of this study was to investigate aerobiological dynamics of pollen in the Mediterranean part of Croatia in the air of the city of Split. Pollen monitoring during the period from 2005 to 2013 was performed using a Hirst volumetric trap. Among the identified pollen of 50 taxa, 21 were allergenic. The average annual pollen index was 33,513. Three pollination seasons were established: early winter season dominated by tree pollen, spring–summer season dominated by herbaceous plants and summer–autumn season with lower amounts of Parietaria and Cupressaceae pollen. According to the abundance, the main taxa were: Cupressaceae, Parietaria/Urtica, Pinus, Quercus, Olea, Carpinus/Ostrya, Poaceae, Platanus and Ambrosia. The annual pollen index together with the daily maximum concentrations showed an upward trend for selected taxa during the study period. The highest monthly pollen index and the highest biodiversity were recorded in April and the lowest during the late autumn and winter months. The pollen calendar created for the city of Split confirmed Mediterranean features of the pollen spectrum. The longest pollen seasons were recorded for Cupressaceae, Parietaria/Urtica and Poaceae pollen types. The correlations between pollen concentrations and meteorological parameters were analyzed. The correlations between pollen concentrations and temperature were positive, while the humidity and the precipitation mostly showed negative influence.

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link (Poaceae), a new species in the flora of Croatia

Abstract During floristic research into the eastern parts of Mt Medvednica (NW Croatia), in the period from 2007 to 2010, the neophyte taxon Echinochloa colona (L.) Link was found. Since E. colona is not included in plant identification handbooks, a new determination key for the two closely related taxa of genus Echinochloa, presented in Croatia, has been prepared, and the biology of this new alien plant is briefly discussed.

Metabolic profiling of rhizomes of native populations of the strictly endemic Croatian species Iris adriatica

Abstract Iris adriatica Trinajstić ex Mitić (Iridaceae L.) is a strictly endemic taxon from Croatia. It is a rhizomatous dwarf plant from the I. pumila complex with a distribution area limited to the Croatian part of the Mediterranean area, mainly central Dalmatia. The genus Iris is known for its richness in isoflavonoids which also play a significant role in chemotaxonomy and biological activity. Hence, in the current study, different plant batches of I. adriatica collected in early spring of 2016 were analysed for their phytochemical profiles and qualitatively compared. UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS analyses of methanolic rhizome extracts were performed. Altogether, 36 compounds, representing isoflavonoids (including 6,7-methylendioxy derivatives), benzophenones and xanthones were found as aglycones or in glycosidically bound form to be the main constituent groups of I. adriatica rhizomes. Qualitative results were identical between different batches of plant material from collection sites in central Dalmatia, they differed only in quantity. For some phenolic compounds of I. adriatica, chemotaxonomic relevance was detected.

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)

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.