First Survey of the Vascular and Cryptogam Flora on Bulgaria's Ancient Mounds.

ABSTRACT: This work represents the first study of the floristic diversity on Bulgaria's ancient mounds. The objective of this research was to assess the importance of the mounds for the preservation of the native vascular and cryptogam flora. Our sampling design included 111 ancient mounds distributed throughout the country. We recorded a total of 1059 vascular plants, 58 bryophytes and 61 lichen taxa. Despite their small area, the mounds were shown to preserve nearly a quarter of the Bulgarian flora. The vegetation cover on the mounds included 61% perennials indicating a long-term persistence and stability. The majority (98%) of the established vascular plants were native species. Although the conservation significance of the vascular plant species were not common, we recorded 2 critically endanger

SUBMITTER: Apostolova I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8912620 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature