Diversity of plant species in beech and fir forests on various geological substrates in Serbia and national park "Biogradska gora" in Montenegro

Abstract

Beech-fir forests comprise distinctly formed climate-regional vegetation belt on West Balkans. They are registered on various geological substrates: acidic, alkaline, ultra-alkaline; and on various types of soil: from humus-accumulative (mul-ranker), to brown (eutric), lessive soils and diluvium. These forests are highly productive on most localities and represent the most stable type of forest on Dinarides. Aim of this research was to gather floristic data which would aid in clearer eco-vegetational differentiation of these forests by comparing their floristic composition. Phytocoenological releves from Jastrebac, Maljen and Suvobor (Serbia), as well as releves from beech-fir virgin forest community on Biogradska Gora (Montenegro) were analyzed. CA analysis showed clear differentiation of phytocoenological releves and species depending on locality and geological substrate. Forests of beech and fir on granodiorite of Jastrebac are characterized by presence of typical fagetal species: Ulmus glabra, Tilia platyphyllos, Asperula odorata, Asa rum europaeum. Beech and fir forests on serpentinite of Suvobor and Maljen are characterized by poorer floristic composition and presence of xerophilic species, as well as species typically found in oak and pine forests (Quercus dalechampii, Fraxinus ornus, Daphne blagayana). Floristic composition of beech and fir communities on eruptives of Biogradska Gora differ significantly compared to localities in Serbia. They are found on higher altitudes, and contain typical beech-fir forest species as well as high-mountain species: Paris quadrifolia, Senecio nemorensis, Sanicula europaea, Rubus idaeus, Actaea spieata, etc. Forests of beech and fir on Jastrebac and Biogradska Gora contain more floral elements characteristic for humid areas, as opposed to beech and fir forests of Maljen and Suvobor, which feature more xerophilic elements. Highest values of Shannon Wiener index are on Biogradska Gora, where highest species count had been registered. Evenness index is highest on Maljen, which indicates that plant species there have most favorable spatial distribution.