Distribution, Diversity and Conservation of Boreo-Montane Plant Species in the Central Part of the Balkan Peninsula and the Southern Part of the Pannonian Plain

Boreo-montane species have been neglected for a long time by south European botanists. However, the interest in this group is re-emerging, especially as regards relic species, refugia and southern distribution limits. This paper reviews the distribution and diversity centres of 63 boreo-montane species in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern part of the Pannonian Plain. An ordination analysis was used to differentiate geographic regions according to their floristic similarities with respect to the target species group. A comparison of floristic richness and distribution of the boreo-montane flora in relation to the geographic position, altitude and geological substrate was made. The alpine-high-nordic mountain groups of the Dinaric Alps (Durmitor and Prokletije) stand out as centres of diversity of this flora in the study area, which indicates that mountain groups with a relatively high mean annual precipitation sum and without summer droughts provide optimal conditions for survival of boreo-montane species in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. Most boreo-montane species were recorded on limestone and silicate in the altitudinal range of 1,250-1,500 m. The results of our vegetational analysis show that the vegetation classes Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae, Querco-Fagetea and Vaccinio-Piceetea are the richest in boreo-montane species. Given the fact that the habitats of boreo-montane species are recognized as very endangered, an overview of the status of the species' rarity, vulnerability, and protection in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern part of the Pannonian Plain is also presented.