Harmful and undesirable species in the meadow communities of the Stara planina mountain

Abstract

The analysis of participation of harmful and undesirable species in the floristic composition of hilly meadow communities, such as ass. Agrostietum vulgaris Pavl. 1955, ass. Koelerietum montartele Pavl. 1951. and ass. Poo alpinae-Plantaginetum holostei Pavl. 1951 spread on the Stara planina mountain was carried out in order to estimate the quality and, thus the perspectives for utilization and management of these grasslands. The presence of weed species in investigated phytocoenoses ranged from 36.73% to even 67.24 % in ass. Poo alpinae-Plantaginetum holostei and ass. Koelerietum montanae, respectively, indicating the long-term exposure of these meadows to a man-made and grazing pressure. Among the poisonous species, the most frequent were Veratrum album, Colchicum autumnale and Euphorbia cyparissias. In the biological spectrum of analyzed grasslands prevailed the hemicryptophytes, and in the less extend the chamephytes, which might be related to their unsustainable utilization. Therefore, it could be recommended the application of the adequate management practices, including fertilization, to improve the quality of these communities and preserve biodiversity and the natural resources for further exploitation.