The priority habitat type «Sphagnum acid bogs (7130)» in the National Park of Rodopi Mountain range
The mountain range of Rodopi sustains a rich variety of flora and vegetation. In Rodopi, several central European floristic elements and some habitat types meet their southernmost distribution limits, as the habitat type of priority “Sphagnum acid bogs (7130), Blanket bogs)” that occurs in the National Park of Rodopi Mountain range. In the present paper data concerning the geographic position, the ecology, the structure, the floristic composition and the area that the aforementioned habitat type occupies are provided. Additionally, some protection measures and management recommendations are discussed. The habitat type occurs on four moist locations covering a total area of 38,591 m2 lying adjacent to spruce or Scotch pine forests, at altitudes ranging between 1350 and 1530 m a.s.l. The vegetation is dense (95-100% cover), of low height (25-80 cm) and is dominated by species of the family Cyperaceae, Sphagnum spp. Juncus spp., as well as other hygrophilous species. The depth in the appearing sites ranges from 1.20 to 2.20 m. The main recommended protection measure is the information of the administrative authorities and of the people living or working in the broader area about the importance of the habitat type. In addition, for every partial appearance of the habitat type specific conservation and administration measures are proposed.
Laboratory of Forest Botany-Geobotany, School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, e-mail: ktheodor@for.auth.gr, eelefthe@for.auth.gr
Keywords:acid bogs, Sphagnum, Cyperaceae, habitat type
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Book:RANGE SCIENCE AND LIFE QUALITY - Proceedings of the 7th Panhellenic Rangeland Congress in Xanthi, 14-16 October 2010 (Edited by: Anna Sidiropoulou, Konstantinos Mantzanas, Ioannis Ispikoudis)