Phytosociological characteristics of the Picea abies Abies alba forests in Rila mountains (Bulgaria)

The Picea abies and Abies alba communities in Rila mountain are characterized by the occurrence of the Balkan endemic Pinus peuce and the Carpatian-Balkan element Moehringia pendula. The presence of diagnostic taxa for Eu-Vaccinio-Piceenion indicates that in spite of their specific characters, Spruce forests in Rila could be included in the European boreal vegetation. The Silver Fir in Rila is almost always mixed with Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica. The herb layer supports two plant groups, one belonging to the Vaccinio-Piceetea and a second one to the Querco-Fagetea. Thus this phytocoenosis should be included into Abieti-Piceenion. Two associations are newly described: Moehringio pendulae-Piceetum abietis and Veronica, urticifoliae-Abietetum albae.