Is Determined Flora and Vegetation of Mirusha (Kosovo) and Kolshi () area from the Serpentine Substrate?

Lulëzim Shuka 1 and Besnik Hallaçi 2 1 Department of Biology, FNS, Tirana University, Tirana, Albania 2 NGO, Albania

Abstract

It is knower that climatic conditions and substrate composition of an ecosystem determine and its flora and vegetation. The serpentine substrate is closely linked with the high presence of the specific minerals like Mg+, Ni+ or Cr+ and low values of Ca+ and nutrients. Both habitats represented in this study, Mirusha and Kolshi area, are composed from Serpentine substrate. The substrate and macroclimatic conditions of Mirusha and Kolshi area have influenced in species diversity and cover vegetation of their natural ecosystems. Similarities are observed in the presence of relict species represented from Aristolochia merxmuelleri, Euphorbia glabriflora, Forsythia europaea, Genista hassertiana and Halacsya sendtnerii and the main plant communities like ass. Orno-Quercetum pubescentis and ass. Polygalo-Forsythietum europaeae. The differences are observed in the presence of several rare and endemic species. Composition of species group, plant communities and changes in the endemic and rare species for both ecosystems are description in details in this paper.

Keywords: Serpentine substrate, Mirusha and Kolshi area, plant communities, relict and endemic species.

Introduction Serpentine substrates are produced through hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic igneous rocks, a form of peridotite consisting mainly of the two minerals olivine and low-calcium pyroxene and originating from the Jurassic period (Brady et al., 2005). They cover large areas in Balkan Peninsula, particularly in Albania, Greece and Kosovo. Studies of them, has attracted attention of many scientists in two directions: in the presence of macro and micronutrients and the flora and vegetations that cover it. It is knower that this substrate where distinct for lacking of nutrients, potassium, phosphorous and low concentration of calcium and high concentration of magnesium. The ratio Ca/Mg is also key factor in determining plant survivorship. Most of plant species that are growing in serpentine substrate have adapted mechanisms which tolerate the high Ca/Mg ratios and other trace elements such as Cr, Ni, Co or Mn (Dudić et al., 2007). The tolerates are the dominant vegetation. The physical conditions of serpentine soils also prove inhospitable for many other , whereas some others are growing well and in calcareous or clay substrates. Serpentine substrates are important places for growing of plants. Brady et al., (2005) emphasis that plant adaptation to different soil types is evidence of the strong natural selection imposed by ecological discontinuities. In despite of shallow active layer of serpentine soil, their biodiversity is high with a great number of interesting local and regional endemics. The high numbers of endemics indicate the importance of serpentine habitats as centers for floristic differentiation and speciation (Rajakaruna & Baker, 2004; Stevanović et al., 2003). Species distribution in such condition is considerable depend from its type, some of which are limited by climatic tolerances, while others are limited by the distribution of edaphic conditions. The abovementioned group, although has a clear climatic tolerance limits, might not be well predicted by bioclimatic models that assume climatic constraint on current distribution (Schwartz et al., 2006). In the area of concern we are considering with this study (North east Albania) the edaphic factor seems to be a determinant one. Plant cover and number of species on serpentine substrate are generally smaller than their in calcareous substrate but adapted to these habitats during a long evolutionary period. The examples of edaphic specialization, plant adaptation to serpentine soils is a system ideal for studies in evolutionary ecology and satisfies key requirements for addressing mechanistic questions of adaptive evolution in nature (Rogier de Kok, 2002). The efforts of many workers to link patterns in species richness, endemic species richness, and abundance are with great interest for biogeographical studies. The efforts aim to develop a unified framework that quantifies the interrelationship between scaling patterns of species richness, endemism and abundance and turnover. Scaling relationships that characterize fractal species

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 distributions have been proposed as a potential unifying framework. Such a unified theory may ultimately offer clues to the underlying mechanisms that create and constrain patterns of biodiversity (Green et al., 2003).

Materials and Methods The study of flora and vegetation of Kolshi area and climatic condition of the area is done according the classical methods. For this purpose, in order to get insight to vegetation and flora, several field surveys were carried out during the years 2006-2009. Study of the flora and analyses of the plant communities were based on transect method using randomly sampling plots (Braun-Blanquet, 1964; Reiss et al., 2000). Sampling plots were taken randomly within each vegetation type, walking from 370 m a.s.l up to 900 m altitude. During each sampling plot, several relieves based on floristic changes, were taken, including additional data, such as number of releve, altitude, slope, aspect of bedrock and the size of each releve (m2). In the field were taken also digital photos in order to judge for the ground cover and species composition. Furthermore, the species determination and floristic composition was made according to the Albanian Flora books, Floras of the neighbor countries and Flora Europaea (Anonymous, 1991-2000; Csiki et al., 1926; Schut, 1942; Vangjeli et al., 1995; Stevanović et al., 2004; Tutin et al., 1964-1980). All the data of Mirusha area were based on the privious studies done by Rexhepi (1974; 1994); Rexhepi & Randelović (1984); V. Stevanović (1999); Rexhepi & Krasniqi (2004); Krasniqi & Millaku (2007 and Millaku et al., (2008). The status of rare and endangered plant species was evaluetid in accordance to the methodology of W. Sutherland (2006) and the Red List of Globally Threatened Species of IUCN (Walter, 1998).

Study area The area of Kolshi is settled in the north east part of the country, in the left side of the edge of joint point of Black Drini River with Drini River, within its administrative center Kukesi. The center of the study area is located between coordinates N 420 03’ and E 0200 20’, with a mean altitude about 500- 600 m a.s.l. All area is constructed by serpentine substrates with steep hill slopes that take places on north or north-east slopes of the Drini river catchment. In the area there are five small villages where its inhabitants have stock farming as the main economical activity. However, human activities such as grazing have been the area relatively undisturbed, compared with the negative impact of the fires. Mirusha region is located in western part of Kosovo territory with its administrative center Malisheva, 49 km far from the Prishtina capital city. The study area in Mirusha include the southern side of the Mirusha River (Avdullahi et al., 2007), at the foot of Koznik Mountain. For its higher values of Biodiversity, surfaces of 555 ha were declared as regional Park. The altitude and the face of slopes of the area are the same with that of Kolshi (350-1000 m a.s.l), where their hilly relieve is dominated from bushy vegetation. Since for the Mirusha region exist a wide literature from previous studies, the authors of this paper have used it for comparison with our results of Kolshi area. Both sites, Mirusha and Kolshi, are about 100 km far from each others (Fig 1).

Results and Discussion Climate of studied area Due to the interaction of all the climate driving factors, Albania is characterized by a typical Mediterranean climate. In general, the climate features of Albania are characterized by soft and wet winters, and dry and hot summers. Studied area in Kolshi (Kukesi district) is under strong influence of the Mediterranean climate that penetrates in the area from Valley of Drini River. The geographical position and climate have caused alternation of the warm and dry periods in the summer and cold and wet ones at the winter time. A great role in this alternation plays the water level of Fierza Lake. The results derived from the climatological-statistical analyses of the average temperature show that the average temperature of January throughout the entire site reaches low values. Average temperatures oscillate from a minimum -2º to -3ºC (January), maximum 19º-21ºC (from June to August), and annual average between 9º and 12ºC. The average annual precipitation attains from 1300 up to 1600 mm, mainly during the end of the October to the end of the May, and mostly in mountains. Similarly to the previous area, in territory of Mirusha dominate the Mediterranean clime, characterized by cold winter and warm summers. Maximal temperatures during the summer are averagely 24.6°C, whereas minimal are in January with about 10°C. Atmospheric rainfalls are averagely 511-1108 mm per year.

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Both sites are characterized by a Mediterranean regime of the climatic particularities with dry and warm summers, and cold and humid winters and few differences in low rate precipitation and higher summer temperatures observed in the Mirusha region.

Figure 1. Study area (with interrupted line) in Kolshi (Albania) and Mirusha (Kosovo)

Flora and Vegetation of the Mirusha and Kolshi area

Kolshi and Mirusha area lied down eastern edge of huge Dinaric mountain range. Changes of climate in Europe and Balkan during post glaciations period has resulted in many floristic differences, huge number of relict species, endemism and edaphic plant ecotypes. Distinguished among them the flora and vegetation of serpentine substrates, particularly the flora of Albanian serpentines, which result not well knower up to now (Stevanović et al. 2003). Referring to the studies of Millaku et al. (2008) influence of Polar and Mediterranean climate in Kosova’s territory and its controversial interactions, made Kosovo to be an important refugial area, where many glacial and post glacial species are well preserved up to now. This plants, in now days are considered as good indicators of climate change and habitat conditions according to the EEA (2007). Based on above, in our study we have recorded here, only the main plant communities and the important plants in the evolutionary origin point of view (Tab. 1). Floristic composition of Kolshi and Mirusha areas reflect taxonomic isolation of some species within the corresponding genera like in case of Potentilla visianii or Tulipa scardica (Mirusha area) and P. australis subsp. malyana and Tulipa sp. in Kolshi area. Twenty seven plant species recorded in both areas originates from different ages, since the post glacial territory and plant evaluation. Ten plants species Aster albanicus, Forsythia europaea, Centaurea candelabrum Centaurea kosaninii, Moltkia doerfleri, Sanguisorba albanica, Veronica andrasovszkyi (endemics) and Halacsya sendtneri, Euphorbia glabriflora, balkanica (balkanic species), have their origin from the tertiary period and so are considered as paleoendemics or relicts of glacial age. Nine first species are relict serpentinophytes that are characterized with filogenetic isolation. This is because of the lack of close family species, are because they are situated geographically far away from species of the same genre (Stevanović et al., 2003). The last one (D. balcanica) is another relict non obligate serpentine species that prefer both substrates, it occurred often in limestone substrates. Furthermore several species like Crocus dalmaticus, C. welldenii, Iris reichenbachii, Pinguicula hirtiflora, Minuartia verna or Aster linosyris, recorded in Kolshi and Mirusha are founded and in limestone substrates, that means they have a large scale of adaptations to the soil condition.

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From twenty two important species (Tab. 1) recorded in Kolshi area, only two of them (E. serbicum and H. sendtneri) were mentioned before us (Košanin, 1939) whereas all the others are presented for the first time in this paper. The evolution of speciation and isolation process of the flora of serpentine in these areas has appeared in two neoendemics; Aristolochia merxmuelleri and Tulipa scardica, which is founded only in the Mirusha area. Table 1. Important plants growing in Mirusha and Kolshi area

Plant name Kolshi Mirusha C/status Relicts N/endemics Endemics Balkanic 1 Alyssum markgrafi O.E.Schulz x x R x Aristolochia merxmuelleri Greuter & 2 Mayer x x CR x x 3 Aster albanicus subsp. albanicus Degen x x R x x 4 Centaurea kosaninii Hayek x EN A1b x x Centaurea candelabrum Hayek et 5 Kośanin x R x 6 Crocus dalmaticus Vis. x LR x x 7 Crocus weldenii Hoppe & Fűrnr. x DD x 8 Dioscorea balcanica Kośanin x R x x 9 Eryngium serbicum Pančić x DD x 10 Euphorbia glabriflora Vis. x x LR x x 11 Forsythia europaea Deg. et Bald. x x NE x x 12 Fumana bonapartei Maire & Petitmengin x x DD x 13 Genista hassertiana (Bald.) Bald x x R x 14 Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss.) Doerf. x x R x x Haplophyllum boisserianum Vis. & 15 Pančić x R x Malus florentina (Zuccagni) C.K. 16 Schneid. x LR x 17 Minuartia baldaccii (Halaćsy) Mattfeld x LR x 18 Moltkia doerfleri Wetstt. x x R x x 19 Polygala doerfleri Hayek x x R x Potentilla australis Kraśan subsp. 20 malyana x LR x 21 Potentilla visianii Pančić x R x x 22 Sanguisorba albanica Andras et Jav. x x R x 23 Sedum serpentinii Janch. x R x 24 Stipa mayeri Martinovský x R x 25 Tulipa scardica Bornm. x R x x 26 Tulipa sp. x DD 27 Veronica andrasovszkyi Jav. x x DD x x Abbravation: C/status (Conservation status); N/endemics (Neoendemics); With R status, IUCN (by Valter & Gillet, 1998)

The analyses of relict and serpentinophytes plant in both areas result that twelve of them grows in two sites, showing that the climate and substrate has an important role in plant distribution, speciation and floristic affinities between two areas. The diversity of Mirusha and Kolshi sites is enriched by the presence of thirteen species which are included in the rare (R) plants of IUCN Red Book of Valter & Gillet (1998), and make those sites with great importance for both countries.

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The hilly mountainous relief of Mirusha and Kolshi, altitude, Drini sub-catchments and other factors are the ground for well developed Thermophilous deciduous woodland (Quercetalia pubescentis Br.Bl. 1931) that often mixture with stable xerothermophilous formations with Buxus sempervirens on rock slopes (Berberidion p.p.) and Juniperus oxycedrus formations. The broadleaved brushy species dominate the forest fund on these areas. They are composed mainly by Quercus species in the lower part and from Buxus shrubs in the middle part of the area of Kolshi site. The habitats diversity is presented by the following phytocoenoses:

Quercetum pubescentis-cerris Rexhepi 1985 with dominant plants of Quercus pubescens, Q. trojana Q. Cerris, Prunus mahaleb, Corylus avellana, Eryngium serbicum, Minuartia baldaccii, Iris reichenbachii, Linum elegans, Aethionema saxatile and Echium rubrum.

Polygalo–Forsythietum europaea Blecic et Kras. 1972; Forsythia europaea, Fraxinus ornus, Buxus sempervirens, C. candelabrum, C. kosanini, S. albanica.

Astero–Juniperetum oxycedrii Rexhepi 1990, dominated from Aster albanicus, Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus, Quercus sp., Tulipa scardica and Tulipa sp., Crocus biflorus subsp. welldeni, Stachys recta subsp. baldaccii var. chrysophaea etc.

Hyperico–Euphorbietum glabriflorae Rexhepi 1978 dominated from H. barbatum, E. glabriflora, Moltkia doerfler, Veronica andrasovszkyi, Linum elegans, Roripa pyrenaica, Linum hirsitum, Orchis tridentata etc.

Potentillo–Fumanetum bonapartei Rexhepi 1979, is represented by the following plant species: P. visianii, P. australis, A. merxmulleri, Halacsya sendtneri, Cheilanthes maranthae, Crocus dalmaticus, Orchis ustulata.

Polygalo–Genistetum hassertianae Blecic et al., 1969, that is presented in both sites. The presence of plant communities of Polygalo–Forsythietum europaea in studied areas is great interest not only for the endemics plants, but and for its role in protection of the terrain from erosion, which is an expressed phenomenon for the serpentine substrates. The huge erosion observed in the serpentine substrates is influenced from the low cover of herbaceous plants on it. In this assotation grow and P. doerfleri, F. europaea, S. albanica Acer tataricum, Buxus sempervirens, Verbascum phoeniceum, Dictamnus albus, and Fritillaria montana plants.

Typical for the vegetation of Kolshi site is presence of Dioscoreo-Carpinetum orientalis phytocenose reported from Rexhepi (1994) for the limestone adjacent parts of Koritniku and Pashtriku areas. This phytocoenose is well adapted to the xerothermofilous habitats. It was not reported before for the serpentine habitats and in the lower altitudes like in Kolshi. Most abundant species on it are: Dioscorea balcanica, C. orientalis, Q. cerris, F. ornus, A. merxmulleri, A. albanicus, Asyneuma limonifolia, Genista hassertiana, Silene paradoxa.

Finally, Kolshi and Mirusha areas are two important sites for the flora and vegetation of serpentine substrates, where the obligate serpentinophytes plants are conditioned by the nearly same climate condition and substrate composition.

Conclusions

Following our analyses we conclude that the sites of Kolshi and Mirusha are reach with endemism and relict species, making it with particular importance for the flora and vegetation of two countries and wider Balkan area.

The ecological characteristics of the sites are similar, where bio-geographical affiliation, relict and endemic species richness of plants is observed.

The most threatened plant communities are the oak forests (Quercus spp.), from unsustainably harvested for firewood and fires that are pursued due to the xerothermophilous character of flora in this two areas.

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