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ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
83
Ina Aneva
Ljuba Evstatieva
Antonina Vitkova
Ecological and floristic characteristics of
Sideritis syriaca L. populations in Bulgaria
Authors’ address:
Institute of Biodiversity and Еcosystem
Research-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Correspondence:
Ina Aneva
Institute of Biodiversity and Еcosystem
Research-BAS, 2 Gagarin Str.,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: +359 2 8717195
e-mail: ina.aneva@abv.bg
ABSTRACT
Sideritis syriaca L. is included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (2011) in the
category of Critically Endangered plants (CR). The species has a very restricted
distribution in Bulgaria limited to a few localities in Strandzha Mountain. As a
result of our investigation a new locality was studied in the “Golemia Valog”
place in addition to the already known two localities. In this field, the population
is stable with a high percentage of generative individuals and in relatively great
numbers. Following the conducted research study, the populations of Sideritis
syriaca L. is estimated in all three localities. New data about the population
structure, vegetation dynamics and the place of the species in the phytocenoses
and habitats are presented. The changes in the population status that have
occurred during the last 10 years are compared with the existing data in the
literature.
Key words: Sideritis syriaca L., populations, structure, flora
Introduction
This paper gives a broad framework regarding the state of
populations of Sideritis syriaca L., especially in relation to
the species use and gathering. Now Sideritis syriaca L. has a
very restricted distribution in Bulgaria – in only three
localities in Strandzha Mountain.
Sideritis syriaca L. is a protected species included in the
Red Data Book of the People`s Republic of Bulgaria (1984)
and is under the Biodiversity Law (2002). A part of its
population was existed in the reserves “Sredoka” and
protected area “Dokuzak”. Studies on the population state of
the species have been performed by Evstatieva & Vassilev
(1994). They provide information on the distribution and
ecological characteristic of the species only in two
populations.
In the new edition of Red Data Book of the Republic of
Bulgaria (2011), the species is given under IUCN criteria in
the category ”Critically Endangerd” [CR B1ab (ii,iii,v) + 2ab
(ii,iii,iv); C2a(i)].
The purpose of this study is to investigate the population
structure, vegetation dynamics and the place of the species in
the phytocenoses and habitats 10 years later.
Materials and Methods
During spring and summer of 2012, we listed and collected
plants growing in the immediate vicinity of populations of
Sideritis syriaca L. The collected data on species composition
in the two investigated populations (“Dokuzak” and
“Peikovoto”) and the new one recently discovered by
employees of the Strandzha Nature Park (“Golemia Valog”)
are presented on Table 1. Field observations were carried out
in sample plots, 100 m2 in size. For a description made in the
areas of “Dokuzak” and “Peikovoto” and three descriptions
are made in the area “Golemia Valog”. The aim is to cover
the entire population and to determine the status of its size as
accurately as possible. During the observations in the field
GPS coordinates, altitude, some biotic and abiotic factors
have been described. The data from the control populations
were included in special “Terrain form” accepted by
“National System for bio monitoring” (Gussev et al., 2008).
The following keys were used for identification of plant
material: Guide to the vascular plants in Bulgaria
(Kozhuharov, 1992), Flora of RP Bulgaria (Jordanov, 1963-
1979; Velchev & Kozhuharov, 1982; Velchev & Kuzmanov,
1989), Flora of R Bulgaria (Kozhuharov & Kuzmanov,
1995), Flora Europaea (Tutin et al., 1964–1980, 1993).
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
84
The plant life-forms are determined according to the
classification of Raunkiaer (1937). The geographical floristic
elements are described according to Walter (1974), Assyov et
al. (2006). Relation of species to humidity and light follows
Bondev (1991), or is determined at the authors’ discretion.
Table 1. List of established vascular plant species in the three localities of Sideritis syriaca L. in Strandzha Mountain, South-
Eastern Bulgaria
Species
Dokuzak
Golemia
Valog
Peikovoto
Phyto-
geographic
element
Biological
Type
Life
Form
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
Apiaceae
1. Daucus carota L.
+
Eur-As
A
Th
2. Eryngium campestre L.
+
+
+
Pont-Med
P
H
3. Orlaya grandiflora (L.) Hoffm.
+
+
+
Ap-Bal
A
Th
4. Torilis leptophylla (L.) Rchb.
+
Med-CAs
A
Th
5. Scandix pecten-veneris L.
+
+
Eur-As
A
Th
Asteraceae
6. Achillea clypeolata Sibth. & Sm.
+
+
+
Bal
P
H
7. Achillea coarctata Poir.
+
+
Pont-Med
P
H
8. Achillea collina
+
Eur-subMed
P
H
9. Achillea millefolium L.
+
Boreal
P
H
10. Anthemis tenuiloba (DC.) R.Fernandes
+
+
Bal
P
H
11. Anthemis tinctoria L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
12. Artemisia campestris L.
+
subBoreal
P
H
13. Carduus acanthoides L.
+
Eur
A
Th
14. Carlina acanthifolia All.
+
+
Eur
P
H
15. Carlina vulgaris ssp. intermedia
(Schur) Hayek
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
16. Centaurea affinis ssp. affinis Friv
+
Bal-Dac
P
H
17. Centaurea salonitana Vls.
+
Pont-Med
P
H
18. Centaurea scabiosa L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
19. Centaurea solstitialis L.
+
Eur-Med
P
H
20. Cichorium intybus L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
21. Crepis biennis L.
+
subMed
A
Th
22. Crepis sancta (L.) Babcock
+
subMed
A
Th
23. Crupina vulgaris Cass.
+
+
+
subMed
A
Th
24. Echinops microcephalus Sibth. & Sm.
+
subMed
P
H
25. Hieracium praeltum Vill ex Goch.
subsp. bauchinii (Bess.) Petun
+
Eur
P
H
26. Inula aschersoniana Janka
+
Bal
P
H
27. Inula germanica L.
+
subMed
P
H
28. Leontodon crispus Vill. ssp. aspirrimus
(Willd.) Finch et P. Sell.
+
Pont-Med
P
H
29. Logfia arvensis (L.) J. Holub
+
Eur-Med
P
H
30. Tragopogon dubius Scop.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
31. Xeranthemum annuum L.
+
+
subMed
A
Th
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
85
Species
Dokuzak
Golemia
Valog
Peikovoto
Phyto-
geographic
element
Biological
Type
Life
Form
Betulaceae
32. Carpinus orientalis Miller
+
subMed
T
Ph
Boraginaceae
33. Cynoglossum creticum Mill.
+
Med-CAs
A
Th
34. Myosotis ramosissima Rochel
+
subMed
A
Th
Brassicaceae
35. Alyssum desertorum Stapf.
+
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
36. Alyssum minutum Schlecht. ex DC.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
37. Alyssum murale Waldst. & Kit.
+
Eur-subMed
P
H
38. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh
+
subBoreal
A
Th
39. Erysimum diffusum Ehrh
+
subBoreal
A
H/Th
40. Sisymbrium altissimum L.
+
Pont-subMed
A
H/Th
41. Thlaspi alliaceum L.
+
subMed
A
Th
42. Thlaspi perfoliatum L.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
Campanulaceae
43. Campanula sparsa ssp. frivaldskyi
(Steudel) Hayek
+
Bal
A
Th
44. Jasione heldreichii Boiss. et Orph.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
Caryophyllaceae
45. Arenaria serpyllifolia L.
+
Eur-As
A
Th
46. Cerastium brachypetalum Pers.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
47. Cerastium glomeratum Thuill.
+
Kos
A
Th
48. Dianthus armeria ssp. armeria L.
+
Eur
A
Th
49. Gypsophila muralis L.
+
Eur-As
A
Th
50. Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr.
+
Med-OT
P
H
51. Minuartia caespitosa (Ehrh.) Degen
+
Eur-Med
P
H/Th
52. Minuartia hybrida (Vill.) Scischkin
+
Med-CAs
A
Th
53. Paronychia cephalotes (Bieb.) Bess.
+
+
Pont
P
H
54. Petrorhagia prolifera (L.) P.W. Ball &
Heywood
+
Pont-Med
A
Th
55. Scleranthus polycarpos L.
+
subMed
A
H/Th
56. Silene otites (L.) Wibel
+
Eur-Med
P
H/Th
57. Silene subconica Friv.
+
subMed
A
Th
58. Velezia rigida L.
+
subMed
A
Th
Cistaceae
59. Fumana procumbens (Dunal) Gren. et
Godr.
+
Pont-Med
B
Ch
60. Helianthemum numularium (L.) Mill.
+
+
Alp-Med
B
Ch
Convolvulaceae
61. Convolvulus cantabricus L.
+
Pont
P
H
Crassulaceae
62. Sedum acre L.
+
+
+
Eur-Med
P
Ch
63. Sedum album L.
+
subMed
P
Ch
64. Sedum hispanicum L.
+
Eur-Med
P
Ch
Cuscutaceae
65. Cuscuta campestris Yunker
+
Adv
A
E
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
86
Species
Dokuzak
Golemia
Valog
Peikovoto
Phyto-
geographic
element
Biological
Type
Life
Form
Euphorbiaceae
66. Euphorbia cyparissias L.
+
+
Eur
P
H
67. Euphorbia myrsinithes L.
+
subMed
P
H
68. Euphorbia niciciana Borbas ex Novak
+
Med
P
H
69. Euphorbia taurinensis All.
+
subMed
A
Th
Fabaceae
70. Coronilla scorpioides (L.) Koch.
+
subMed
A
Th
71. Hymenocarpus circinatus (L.) Savi.
+
Med
A
Th
72. Medicago minima (L.) Bart.
+
+
Eur-As
A
Th
73. Medicago rigidula (L.) All. var agrestis
(Ten.) Burn.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
74. Onobrychis arenaria (Kit.) DC.
+
+
SPont
A
Th
75. Ononis pusilla L.
+
subMed
P
H
76. Trifolium angustifolium L.
+
Med
A
Th
77. Trifolium scabrum L.
+
Med-As
A
Th
Geraniaceae
78. Geranium bohemicum L.
+
subMed
A
Th
79. Geranium purpureum Vill.
+
Med
A
Th
Globulariaceae
80. Globularia aphyllanthes Crantz
+
Eur
P
H
Hypericaceae
81. Hypericum cerastoides
+
subMed
P
H
82. Hypericum perforatum L.
+
+
Kos
P
H
83. Hypericum hirsutum L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
Lamiaceae
84. Acinos arvensis (Lam.) Dandy
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
85. Acinos suaveolens Sibth. & Sm.
+
subMed
P
H
86. Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreber
+
Pont-Med
A
H/Th
87. Clinopodium vulgare L.
+
+
subBoreal
P
H
88. Marrubium peregrinum L.
+
subMed
P
H
89. Melissa officinalis ssp. Altissima (Sibth.
& Sm.) Arcangeli
+
subMed
P
H
90. Sideritis montana L.
+
+
+
subMed
P
H
91. Sideritis syriaca L.
+
+
+
Med
P
H
92. Stachys recta L.
+
Eur-Med
P
H
93. Teucrium chamaedrys L.
+
+
subMed
P
H
94. Teucrium montanum
+
+
subMed
P
H
95. Teucrium polium L.
+
+
+
Pont-Med
P
H
96. Thymus callieri Borbas ex Velen.
+
Pont
P
Ch
Oleaceae
97. Fraxinus ornus L.
+
subMed
T
Ph
98. Jasminum fruticans L.
+
Pont-CAs
B
C
99. Phillyrea latifolia L.
+
Med
T
Ph
Paeoniaceae
100. Paeonia tenuifolia L.
+
subMed
P
H
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
87
Species
Dokuzak
Golemia
Valog
Peikovoto
Phyto-
geographic
element
Biological
Type
Life
Form
Papaveraceae
101. Hypecoum imberbe Sibth. & Sm.
+
subMed
A
Th
Plantaginaceae
102. Plantago lanceolata L.
+
+
Kos
P
H
103. Plantago major L.
+
Boreal
P
H
104. Plantago scabra
+
Eur-Sib
A
Th
105. Plantago subulata L.
+
Med
P
H
Plumbaginaceae
106. Armeria rumelica Boiss.
+
Bal
P
H
107. Plumbago europaea L.
+
+
subMed
P
H
Primulaceae
108. Anagalis arvensis L.
+
Kos
A
Th
109. Primula veris L.
+
+
Eur-Med
P
H
Ranunculaceae
110. Clematis vitalba
+
Eur
B
Ph
111. Thalictrum minus L.
+
Eur-As
P
H
Rosaceae
112. Crataegus monogyna Jacq.
+
subBoreal
B
Ph
113. Potentilla pedata Willd.
+
Med
P
H
114. Prunus spinosa L.
+
Pont
B
Ph
115. Pyrus piraster
+
subMed
T
Ph
116. Rubus canescens DC.
+
Eur-Med
B
C
117. Sanguisorba minor Scop. ssp. muricata
Briq.
+
+
subBoreal
P
H
Rubiaceae
118. Asperula arvensis L.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
119. Asperula cynanchica L.
+
Eur-Med
P
H
120. Crucianella angustiffolia L.
+
Med
A
Th
121. Galium paschale Forssk.
+
Bal-Anat
P
H
122. Galium tenuissimum M. B.
+
Pont-CAs
A
Th
Rutaceae
123. Dictamnus albus L.
+
Eur-As
P
H
Scrophulariaceae
124. Linaria pelisseriana (L.) Miller
+
+
Med
A
Th
125. Linaria vulgaris Miller
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
126. Odontites verna (Bellardi) Dumort.
ssp. serotina (Dumort.) Corb.
+
Eur
A
Th
127. Parentucellia latifolia (L.) Caruel
+
Med
A
Th
128. Rhinanthus rumelicus ssp. rumelicus
Velen.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
129. Scrophularia canina L.
+
Eur-Med
P
H
130. Verbascum phoeniceum L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
131. Verbascum phlomoides L.
+
Eur
P
H
132. Veronica arvensis L.
+
Eur-Sib
A
Th
133. Veronica chamaedrys L.
+
Eur-As
P
H
134. Veronica turrilliana Stoj. et Stef.
+
Bal
P
H
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
88
Species
Dokuzak
Golemia
Valog
Peikovoto
Phyto-
geographic
element
Biological
Type
Life
Form
Valerianaceae
135. Valerianella carinata Loisel.
+
Eur-Med
A
Th
136. Valerianella pumila (L.) DC.
+
Pont-Med
A
Th
LILIOPSIDA
Cyperaceae
137. Carex digitata L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
Iridaceae
138. Iris reichenbachii Heuff.
+
Bal
P
H
Liliaceae
139. Allium rotundum L.
+
+
Eur-OT
P
Cr
140. Muscari neglectum Guss.
+
+
Med-OT
P
G
Poaceae
141. Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol.
+
+
subMed
A
Th
142. Agropyron brandzae Pantu & Solac.
+
Pont
P
H
143. Agrostis canina L.
+
Eur-Sib
P
H
144. Anthoxanthum odoratum L.
+
+
Eur-As
P
H
145. Avena fatua L.
+
Boreal
A
Th
146. Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv.
+
+
Sib
P
H
147. Briza media
+
Eur
P
H
148. Bromus madritensis L.
+
+
Med
A
Th
149. Bromus mollis L.
+
Boreal
A
Th
150. Chrysopogon gryllus (L.) Trin.
+
+
+
Pont-Med
P
H
151. Cynosurus cristatus L.
+
+
Eur
P
H
152. Cynosurus echinatus L.
+
subMed
A
Th
153. Dactylis glomerata L. ssp. glomerata
+
+
Eur-As
P
H
154. Desmazeria rigida (L.) Tutin
+
+
subMed
A
Th
155. Festuca valesiaca Scheicher ex Gaudin
+
Pont
P
H
156. Koeleria simonkaii Adamovic
+
Eur
P
H
157. Lolium perenne L.
+
+
Eur-As
P
H
158. Lophochloa cristata (L.) Hyl.
+
Med
A
Th
159. Melica ciliata L.
+
+
Eur-subMed
P
H
160. Phleum subulatum (Savi) A. et G.
+
+
Eur-As
A
Th
161. Poa bulbosa L.
+
+
+
Eur-As
P
H
162. Stipa capillata L.
+
Pont-Med
P
H
163. Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmelin
+
subBoreal
A
Th
Legend: Biological types: A (annual herb), P (perennial herb), B (bush), T (tree).
Life forms: Ph (phanerophyt), Ch (chamaephyt), H (hemicryptophyt), Cr (cryptophyt), T (therophyt).
Phytogeographic elements: Adv (adventive), Ap-Bal (Apenino-Balkan), Bal (Balkan endemic), Bal-Anat (Balkan-Anatolian),
Boreal (Boreal), Eur (European), Euro-As (Euro-Asian), Euro-Med (Euro-Mediterranean), Euro-SubMed (Euro-
SubMediterranean), Euro-Sib (Euro-Siberian), Kos (Cosmopolitian), Med (Mediterranean), Med-CAs (Mediterrano-Central
Asian), Pont-Med (Pontic-Mediterranean), Pont-SubMed (Pontic-Submediterranean), SubBoreal (Sub-Boreal), SubMed (Sub
Mediterranean), sPont (Sub-Pontic)
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
89
Results
Locality in the area of "Peikovoto" is in the most volatile
state (4-5 km from the town of Malko Tarnovo, the road to
the village Stoilovo – N 42.01603, E 27.49665). In many
places there is an outlet on basic rock. The altitude is 317 m
a. s. l. The population of Sideritis syriaca L. is nearly
destroyed. There are only leaves at the base of 5 plants -
flowering stalks were harvested before the period of full
bloom. The main threat to the deposit is its proximity to trunk
road and intensive pasture.
84 species from 24 families are identified in the studied
region. The greatest number species are represented the
following families (Figure 1): Asteraceae (17 species),
Lamiaceae (10 species), Poaceae (10 species),
Caryophyllaceae (6 species) and Scrophulariaceae (6
species). The total projective cover of species is around 50%
for in many places there is access to the bedrock. The tree
layer is represented by low trees – Fraxinus ornus L.,
Quercus polycarpa Scur. The vast majority of the field is
occupied by thermophilic shrubs – Phillyrea latifolia L.,
Jasminum fruticans L. The coverage of herbaceous species is
around 30% and that of Sideritis syriaca L. is only 1%.
Perennial herbs (50 species) prevail among the biological
types but the number of annual herbs is also great (27
species) – Figure 2. The main geographical elements are
those with Mediterranean origin or close to it - 38 species are
divided between the following groups: subMed (17 species),
Eur-Med (13 species), Med (4 species), Eur-subMed (2
species) and Med-As (2 species). The number of species
with Pontic origin (15 species) also takes important role in
the floristic composition. The floristic elements with
subBoreal origin are only 4 species. Balkan endemics and
subendemics have comparatively great participation – 7
species (Figure 3).
In relatively good condition locality of Sideritis syriaca L.
is that in the area “Dokuzak” (N 42.00556, E 27.52780, 389
m a. s. l.). The population of Sideritis syriaca L. is presented
of 17 developed tuffs with a diameter between 30 and 50 cm.
Each tuff has a 7-17 flowering stems. The total projective
cover of vegetation is about 70%. The projective cover of
woody species is only 5% as the locality is open meadow
surrounded by forest habitats (a species of the genus Quercus
and Carpinus). The meadow occupies a smaller area. The
projective cover of herbaceous species is around 60%. There
have been established 75 species from 23 families. The most
represented plant families are (Figure 1): Poaceae (17
species), Asteraceae (10 species), Fabaceae (5 species) and
Lamiaceae (5 species). The identified species are divided
according to their biological type as follows (Figure 2): 37
species of perennial herbaceous plants (49% of all), 35
annual plant species (47% of all), 1 brush species and 2 tree
species. The geoelement characteristics of the plants
growing on this field (Figure 3) reveals that the
Mediterranean representatives prevail (27 species), followed
by these with European origin (16 species).
The locality in the "Golemia Valog" (N 41.98790, E
27.48727, 500 m a. s. l.) is in the safe condition. The
exhibition is east, the slope is 26 to 30 degrees and the basic
rock is limestone. Sideritis syriaca L. population consist of
72 well developed plants with a diameter between 20 and 70
cm. 60 individuals of them are generative and have between 5
and 22 flowering stems. The total projective cover of
vegetation is about 90%. There have been established 56
species from 20 families. The families Poaceae (10),
Asteraceae (7), Lamiaceae (7) and Caryophyllaceae (6) are
represented by the greatest number of species (Figure 1).
According to the biological spectrum of the investigated field
(Figure 2), the most prevalent are the perennial herbs (35
species), followed by the annual herbs (17 species). The Sub-
Mediterranean chorological type dominates the flora of the
study field with 11 species followed by the Euro-
Mediterranean (with 6 species) and Pont-Mediterranean (with
6 species) groups (Figure 3).
Figure 1. Taxonomic structure of the three localities of
Sideritis syriaca L. in Strandzha Mountain, South-Eastern
Bulgaria.
ISSN: 1314-6246 Aneva et al. J. BioSci. Biotech. 2012, SE/ONLINE: 83-91.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
SPECIAL EDITION / ONLINE Section “Ecology and biodiversity”
National Youth Conference “Biological sciences for a better future”, Plovdiv, October 19-20, 2012
90
Figure 2. Distribution of biological types of the three
localities of Sideritis syriaca L. in Strandzha Mountain,
South-Eastern Bulgaria.
Figure 3.Geographical structure of the three localities of
Sideritis syriaca L. in Strandzha Mountain, South-Eastern
Bulgaria.
Discussion
All three localities of Sideritis syriaca L. share many
environmental characteristics - the ecological factors that
have the biggest impact on the floristic composition in these
habitats are intensive light, air temperature and low humidity,
limestone rock base, soil type, its quantity, temperature and
humidity. There is also similarity in the biological type and
life forms of the surrounding plant species as a result of
similar environmental conditions. According to the biological
spectrum of the investigated fields, the most prevalent are the
perennial herbs, but the number of annual herbs is significant.
Increased participation of annual plants is common for open,
arid, dry and sunny places which are typical habitats of
Sideritis syriaca L. Of significant importance for the type of
vegetation appears limestone rock base. Many of the species
are basophilic.
Due to very specific geographic factors, the vegetation of
Strandzha Mountain is subject to different floristic
influences. One can distinguish between the Mediterranean
influence, the eastern (or oriental) influence, and in some
cases the influence of the Middle European mountain flora.
The high presence of taxa with Mediterranean and Pontic
origin is mostly typical for the termophilous herbaceous
communities.
The population status of Sideritis syriaca L. in all three
localities is unstable and threatened. The most affected is the
field in the "Peikovoto" due to its proximity to the trunk road
and respectively its easy accessibility. However the
populations of Sideritis syriaca L. are in slightly better
condition than 10 years ago. As was already mentioned, the
species is included in the new edition of the Red Data Book
of the Republic of Bulgaria (2011) under category of
Critically Endangered plants (CR). Because of its
conservation value it is included in the Annex 3 of the Law
for the Biological Diversity of Bulgaria (2002). In addition
the localities are part of the Strandzha Nature Park and are
under its protection in order to long-term conservation of the
unique nature.
Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to Eng. Stefan Zlatarov, Director
of The Department of the Nature Park "Strandzha" for the
assistance and provision of access to the localities.
The financial support provided by the Bulgarian National
Science Fund, Ministry of Education, Youth and Science
(Project DTK 02/38) is also very much appreciated.
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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