Gordana Tomović

Distribution and diversity of Arctic-Alpine species in the Balkans

The distributions of 77 Arctic-Alpine species in the Balkans are mapped and the centers of their richness and diversity presented. Within the Dinaric Alps these are Mts Vranica, Durmitor, and Prokletije; in the Scardo-Pindhic mountains, Šarplanina–Rudoka–Korab form a continuous chain; in the Rhodope-Rila mountain system there are Mts Vitoša, Rila, and Pirin; while in the Balkan mountain system there are the West and Central part of Stara planina. A comparison of floristic richness and distribution of Arctic-Alpine flora in relation to altitude, geographical location, and geological substrate is made. Correlations between floristic richness and geographical distance of the Balkan mountains from the two main centers of Arctic-Alpine flora in Central Europe are also provided.

Richness and diversity of Pontic flora on serpentine of Serbia

Serpentine substrate in Serbia covers wide areas mainly in Kosovo and in central, western and south-western part of the country. On the serpentines of Serbia, particularly on the skeleton soils of hills and on lower elevation mountain slopes, there are some xerophilous and steppe-like vegetations. These xerophilous grasslands include mostly Pontic, Pontic-Submediterranean and/or Mediterranean-Submediterranean-Pontic plants. The distribution of 161 taxa of Pontic, Pontic-Submediterranean and Mediterranean-Submediterranean-Pontic areal — types on serpentinites of Serbia was analyzed in order to distinguish centers of richness and diversity. The distribution of taxa was analyzed with respect to geographic, ecological and climatic factors. The qualitative composition of Pontic flora on the serpentine areas was also compared. The greatest floristic richness and the center of diversity of Pontic flora on serpentine of Serbia was recorded in central part of the area investigated.

Trace Metals in Soils and Several Brassicaceae Plant Species from Serpentine Sites of Serbia

Abstract Serpentine soils from 16 sample points in Serbia as well as the roots and shoots of eight Brassicaceae family species: Aethionema saxatile, Alyssum montanum, Alyssum repens, Cardamine plumieri, Erysimum linariifolium, Erysimum carniolicum, Isatis tinctoria, Rorippa lippizensis, were analyzed with regard to their concentrations of P, K, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb. Most of the soil samples were typical of ultramafic sites with low concentrations of P, K and Ca and high concentrations of Mg, Fe, Ni and Zn. Ca/Mg ratio was <1 in most soil samples and Brassicaceae plants. Only in A. montanum, A. repens, E. linariifolium and R. lippizensis was the Ca/Mg ratio >1. The levels of P, K, Fe and Zn were high, Mn and Cu occurred in low amounts, whereas Cr, Cd, Co and Pb were only traceable. In the roots and shoots of A. montanum and A. repens the measured concentrations of Ni were 657 mg kg-1 and 676 mg kg-1 respectively, which is the first instance that such high concentrations of Ni were detected in these two species.

Accumulation of arsenic and heavy metals in some Viola species from an abandoned mine, Alchar, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

Abstract The uptake and distribution of arsenic (As) and some heavy metals was determined in three Viola endemic species from As‐overloaded soil in an abandoned mine at Alchar, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM – The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Some essential elements were also analyzed in order to characterize the common geochemical properties of this site. Total As content in soil ranged from 3347 to 14,467 mg kg−1, and plant available As from 23 to 1589 mg kg−1. The concentration of As in roots ranged from 783 mg kg−1 in Viola macedonica to 2124 mg kg−1 in Viola arsenica. Only a small amount of As accumulated in the aboveground parts of these species (<100 mg kg−1), while in shoots of Viola allchariensis, As accumulated in the range 187–439 mg kg−1. Arsenic accumulation in the roots of these Viola species may make these plants valuable tools for the bioindication and phytoremediation (phytostabilization) of As in naturally loaded and anthropogenically contaminated soils.

Strategies of heavy metal uptake by three Armeria species growing on different geological substrates in Serbia

This study surveyed three species of the genus Armeria Willd. from five ultramafic outcrops, two non-ultramafic (schist) soils, and one tailing heap of an abandoned iron-copper mine from Serbia. Similarities and differences among the three Armeria species growing on different geological substrates in the ability to control uptake and translocate nine metals were examined. Chemical characteristics of the soil and plant samples (concentrations of P2O5, K2O, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, and Pb) are presented. In order to assess accumulative potential of these three Armeria species, biological concentration, accumulation, as well as translocation factors were used. Three investigated Armeria species growing on eight different localities showed large differences in heavy metal uptake, translocation, and accumulation. The differences were present among the plant samples of the same species and even more among three different Armeria species and were primarily the result of the different contents of available heavy metals in the investigated soils. Additionally, differences might be the consequence of diverse responses and possible presence of supplementary resistance mechanisms in the plants from the ultramafic soils. None of the three Armeria species showed shoot hyperaccumulative potential for any of the investigated heavy metals and they could be considered as root accumulators, considering their potential to accumulate medium to large amounts of Zn (BCF up to 134), Cr (BCF up to 148), and Cd (BCF up to 9) in their roots.

Differences in trace element profiles of three subspecies of Silene parnassica (Caryophyllaceae) growing on ophiolitic substrate

The aim of the present study was to compare trace element profiles and the differences in uptake and translocation of trace elements in plants from five populations (three from Greece and two from Serbia) belonging to three subspecies of Silene parnassica Boiss. & Sprun. growing on ophiolitic substrates. For comparison of the subspecies, bioconcentration and translocation factors were used, as well as Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients for concentrations of elements in root and shoot samples. Chemical characteristics of the soil samples (pH, organic C, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd and Pb) and plant samples (P2O5, K2O, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd and Pb) were determined, as well as bioconcentration and translocation factors and correlation matrices. All the three subspecies acted as strong Ni accumulators, with equal concentrations of Ni in roots and shoots, the values being several times higher than 100 mg kg–1, exceeding concentrations of available Ni in the soil. Concentrations of Cu and Cr in the aboveground plant tissues in samples from three localities were several times higher than expected, even for plants growing on metalliferous soils, exceeding, by multiple times, the available concentrations in the soil samples.

Diversity analysis of serpentine and non-serpentine flora – or, is serpentinite inhabited by a smaller number of species compared to different rock types?

Abstract It is generally accepted belief that serpentine areas are inhabited by a smaller number of species than known from other types of geological substrates. Based on this idea we selected, as a model system, the area of the northwestern Serbia and Šumadija with well represented serpentinite, carbonate and silicate rocks, in order to evaluate the influence of a different geology and habitat types on the differentiation of the analyzed floras and determine whether the serpentinites are really inhabited by a smaller number of species than other types of geological substrate. Based on the results of several statistical analyses of the investigated area, we found that: i) serpentinites are inhabited by a smaller number of species compared to carbonate, but a higher number of species compared to silicate geological substrate, ii) the particular habitat types on serpentinites exhibit greater floristic diversity than the equivalent habitat types on other geological substrates, iii) similarity within the same habitat type of serpentinite, carbonate and silicate floras is greater than the similarity between the different serpentine floras of the different habitat types, iv) environmental factors such as moisture and habitat type have a larger impact on the differentiation of the flora, compared to the type of geological substrate, and v) the largest number of serpentinophytes were registered in the xerophilous forests and xerophilous grasslands compared to other habitat types.

Stipa crassiculmis subsp. picentina (Poaceae) new for the Balkans – a further example of amphi-Adriatic disjunction

Abstract Stipa crassiculmis subsp. picentina Martinovský, Moraldo & Caputo (Poaceae, Pooideae, Stipae) was found for the first time in the Balkan Peninsula. It was recorded in the northern part of the Republic of Macedonia, in the Pčinja River gorge (Badar Gorge), between Veles and Katlanovo on ultramafic substrates. To date, S. crassiculmis subsp. picentina was known only for Italy where it occurs in the Lombardy and Campania administrative regions. This record for the Balkan Peninsula is a new example of Amphi-Adriatic Balkan-Apennine disjunction. In this paper, the morphological and anatomical characters of the specimens collected in the study area were reported together with the phytosociological characteristics of the habitat. The threatened status of the species for Macedonia was also assessed on the basis of the IUCN criteria.

Balkan endemic vascular plants of Montenegro — critical inventory with chorological and life-form analyses

Abstract: Balkan endemic taxa are those whose distribution is restricted exclusively to the Balkan Peninsula. In the vascular flora of Montenegro there are 372 Balkan endemic taxa (at the species and subspecies levels), of which 39 taxa are distributed only in Montenegro. This paper presents an overview of the Balkan endemic taxa in Montenegro with their families, chorological groups, life-form categories and distribution by geographical subregion. The richest families in terms of Balkan endemic taxa are Asteraceae and Caryophyllaceae, while the richest genus is Hieracium (Asteraceae). The chorological structure of the flora shows that the largest numbers of Balkan endemic taxa are from the S European mountain and C European mountain chorological groups, while in the life-form spectrum of the flora hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes are the most numerous. The presence of Balkan endemic taxa in the six geographical subregions of Montenegro is also analysed. Floristic similarities among the geographical subregions are shown with a cluster analysis. Citation: Vuksanović S., Tomović G., Niketić M. & Stevanović V. 2016: Balkan endemic vascular plants of Montenegro — critical inventory with chorological and life-form analyses. — Willdenowia 46: 387–397. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46307 Version of record first published online on 15 November 2016 ahead of inclusion in December 2016 issue.

Diversity of Vascular Flora of Boka Kotorska Bay

Boka Kotorska represents a unique geomorphologic object in the southern part of eastern coastline of Adriatic Sea. Due to the interesting orography of this bay (surrounded by high mountains representing special micro-centers of floristic diversity in this part of Europe), climate characteristics and pedological substrate, etc., the area of Boka Kotorska Bay may be considered one of the floristic hotspots of Balkan Peninsula. In spite of many centuries of anthropogenic impact, diversity of vascular flora was preserved to a significant percentage. The overview of diversity of vascular flora at Boka Kotorska is a compilation of extensive studies presented in more than 200 scientific papers. However, it must be stated that studies of flora were not systematic. Certain parts of Boka Kotorska area are characterized by excellent level of study and knowledge of floristic diversity, while some other parts are completely neglected and forgotten by researchers. Area of Boka Kotorska includes a high number of Locus classicus units. Literature data have shown presence of 49 endemic taxa, mostly from the Mediterranean–Submediterranean range group. The system of national and international conservation recognizes 47 taxa of vascular plants and among them 26 species belong to family Orchidaceae. The traditional landscape improvement and garden design, present for centuries in area of Boka Kotorska, resulted in extraordinary richness in diversity of ligneous flora.