a new approach for purification of recombinant human interferon ...

FLORISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CHIRPANSKATA GORA PRESERVE S. Georgiev, K. Koev, D. Kalacheva Plovdiv university “Paisii Hilendarski”, department of Botany and Biology for teachers, Plovdiv, Bulgaria Correspondence to: Stoyan Georgiev E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT A research was conducted, prospecting the vegetation in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve. A list of the determined species of supreme plants was prepared based on this. The taxonomic structure of the flora and the ecological and biological characteristics were defined. The relicts, endemics and medicinal plants on the researched territory were mapped as result of the research. The availability of taxa of conservative importance, according to the Bulgarian legislation, was analyzed. The observed anthropogenic influence was analyzed and based on this conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made, which guarantee the resilient presence of Chirpanskata Gora Preserve in perspective. Keywords: vegetation, species of conservative importance, environmental protection, biological diversity

Introduction The territory of Chirpanskata Gora was declared a landmark by Decree № 3384, dated 08.12.1966 at the Ministry of Forests and Forest Industry, having area of 53.5 ha. The reason to declare it as a landmark is the availability of venerable summer oak (Quercus robur) (Fig. 1). In 2002 by Decree № РД850, dated 18.09.2002 of the Ministry of Environmental and Waters, the landmark was re-classified as a preserve.

Chirpanskata Gora Preserve is part of the Gornotrakiyski lowland floristic region of Bulgaria. The mentioned preserve is one of the few remaining parts of the Sylva tracica forest that once covered the Gornotrakiyskata lowland. Chirpanskata Gora Preserve has not been subject to purposeful floristic researches. The latter was researched during the inventory of NATURA 2000 under Directive 79/409/EEC for Preservation of the Wild Birds, which does not include detailed analysis of the plants. The main purpose of this graduation paper is to make an inventory of the supreme plants within the boundaries of Chirpanskata Gora Preserve whit collection of pictures and herbarium based on this objective, we specified the following tasks:  To prepare a list of the diversity of supreme plants;  To specify the availability of species of high conservative importance;  To assess the status quo of Chirpanskata Gora Preserve as such;  To evaluate the anthropogenic influence on the protected territory;  To suggest measures to support and control the populations of determined species of conservative importance.

Fig. 1. Quercus robur 186 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE

SECOND BALKAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGY 21-23 MAY 2010, PLOVDIV 5O YEARS UNIVERSITY OF PLOVDIV

Materials and Methods Geographical Position Chirpanskata Gora Preserve is part of the Chirpanska forest. It is located 5 km North-East of the town of Chirpan and 3 km East of Cherna Gora village, Stara Zagora Region. The terrain, where it is situated, is flat and its most part. Only in its North-West and there is steep depression of 5-6 m. The area of Chirpanskata Gora land mark is 53.5 ha. According to the physical and geographical distribution of Bulgaria (1), the woods are part of KraishtenskoTyndzhanska (interim) Zone, the region of Gornotrakiyska lowland in the West sub-region, which is located in Plovdiv field.

According to its degree of during up, the region is characterized by frequent pronounced dry periods. The average air humidity is about 77%. Thought the year predominant are North-West winds with average speed of 2.1 m/s (55% of the time). The summed temperatures for the period of active vegetation (10 oC) are about 3800 oC and the total of rainfall is 347.0 l/m2. In the city of Chirpan, the approximate starting date of the period with steady air temperatures over 5oC is the 3rd of March, and over 10 oC – 4th of April, which is the biological minimum for most heathloving plants. In the entire region there is snow blanked at most from mid December till the end of February. The source are mainly black earth Smolnitci, which are mixed with clay soils in some places.

Climate According to the division of the country into climatic regions (2), Chirpanskata Gora Preserve belongs to the East Thrakian part of the climatic region of East Middle Bulgaria, the Transitional continental climatic sub-region of the European Continental climatic region. It is characterized by relatively mild winter and hot summer, and pronounced dry period, especially in August-September, which are the driest months of the year. The total annual of rainfall is presented in (see Table 1) and (Fig. 2). TABLE 1 The average monthly precipitation in the Municipal Chirpan 40-year period (1959 -2002 years) Mouth liters per 1 square meter January 42,2 February 37,7 March 40,1 April 50,8 May 64,2 June 64,4 July 50,3 August 48,1 September 34,7 October 34,5 November 52,9 December 54,8 ANNUAL AMOUNT 547,7

Fig. 2. Histogram of the precipitation in the Municipal Chirpan

Research Methods The diversity of supreme plants was researched thought systematic collections of materials during the vegetative seasons in 2006-2007. The frequency of visits corresponded to the climate conditions in the region and the phytorhythms resulting thereof. The earliest collections are from the beginning of February, and the most recent – from the end of September, which gave us the opportunity to cover the taxonomic diversity and its seasonal dynamics. The specification of the species took place according to the: “Classifier of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria” ch. I-X, (4); “Flora of Bulgaria” ch.I-II (5) and the “Classifier of Trees and Bushes in Bulgaria” (6). The processing of the factual material and the floristic characteristics took place according to standard methods (7, 8, 9). Quantitative parameters (exact number of taxa, division in taxonomic categories – absolute and in percentage of the

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total number in Bulgaria and in the preserve), taxonomic structure (analysis of biological types, spectrum of living forms according to the water factor) and the conservative importance of the flora were assessed. The status quo protected nature on a National level is also related to the “List of Protected Plants in Bulgaria” (10), “The Red Book of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, ch. I Plants” (11), “Atlas of Typical Plants in Bulgaria” (12), Appendix № 3 to article 37 of the Biological Diversity Act (13); and on International level – to Lucas (1983), ECE (1991), the list of IUCN: “Red List of Threatened Plants” (1998), Appendix № 1 to the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) and the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The species of some of the collected floristic material could not be specified, because only single instances in growing phase were found, which did not include all taxonomic features. Their identification requires collection of appropriate material, which we are ambition to accomplish even after the completion of this graduation paper.

Results and Discussion Floristic Characteristics List of species of supreme plants determined in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve. №

Taxa Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Aceraceae 1 1 Acer campestre L. 2 2 Acer tataricum L. Apiaceae 3 1 Myrrhoides nodosa (L.) Cannon (Physocaulis nodosom) Asclepiadaceae 4 1 Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medicus Asteraceae 5 1 Achillea pannonica Scheele 6 2 Anthemis arvensis L. 7 3 Bellis sylvestris Cyr. 8 4 Carlina vulgaris L. 9 5 Crepis biennus L.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

19

1

20 21

2 3

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

37

1

38

1

39 40 41 42

1 2 3 4

43

1

44

1

45

1

Inula aschersoniana Janka Inula conyza DC. Inula salicina L. Lactuca serriola L. Scorzonera laciniata L. Senecio sylvaticus L. Taraxsacum officinale Weber Tragopogon dubius Scop. Xeranthemum annuum L. Boraginaceae Buglossoides purpurocaerulea (L.) I. M. Johnston Lithospermum officinale L. Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill Brassicaceae Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande Alyssum desertorum Stapf Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Arabis hirsuta (L.) Scop. Arabis recta Vill. Arabis turrita L. Berteroa incana (L.) DC. Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus Cardamine impatiens L. Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. Draba muralis L. Erophila verna (L.) Chevall. Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. Rorippa lippizensis (Wulfen) Reichenb. Thlaspi arvense L. Campanulaceae Campanula persicifolia L. Cannabaceae Cannabis sativa L. Caryophyllaceae Bufonia tenuifolia L. Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr. Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Celastraceae Euonymus europaeus L. Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. Cornaceae Cornus mas L.



46

1

47 48

1 2

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

63 64 65 66 67 68

1 2 3 4 5 6

69

1

70 71 72 73

1 2 3 4

74

1

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Corylaceae Carpinus betulus L. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia amygdaloides L. Euphorbia cyparissias L. Fabaceae Coronilla varia L. Lathyrus aphaca L. Lathyrus hirsutus L. Medicago lupulina L. Pisum arvense L. Trifolium globosum L. Trifplium repens L. Trifolium spadiceum L. Vicia angustifolia Grufb. Vicia articulata Hornem. Vicia grandiflora Scop. Vicia lathyroides L. Vicia norbonensis L. Vicia sepium L. Fagaceae Quercus cerris L. Quercus longipes Steven Quercus polycarpa Schur Quercus pubescens Willd. Quercus robur L. Quercus rubra L. Fumariaceae Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv. Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Her. Geranium dissectum L. Geranium molle L. Geranium pusillum L. Hypericaceae Hypericum perforatum L. Lamiaceae Acinos arvensis (Lam.) Dandy Ajuga genevensis L. Ballota nigra L. Betonica officinalis L.(Stachys b.) Clinopodium vulgare L. Glechoma heberacea L. Prunella grandiflora (L.) Scholler Lamium purpureum L.

83

9

84 85

10 11

86 87

1 2

88

1

89

1

90 91

1 2

92 93

1 2

94 95

1 2

96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Lamium purpureum var albiflorum Schur, Sertum Leonurus cardiaca L. Thymus zygioides Griseb. Malvaceae Alcea rosea L. Althaea officinalis L. Oleaceae Ligustrum vulgare L. Papaweraceae Papaver zhoeas L. Plantaginaceae Plantago lanceolata L. Plantago major L. Polygonaceae Rumex conglomerates Murray Rumex crispus L. Primulaceae Anagalis arvensis L. Lysimachia nummularia L. Ranunculaceae Clematis viticella L. Consolida regalis S. F. Gray Ficaria verna Hudson Ranunculus arcis L. Ranunculus gracilis E. D. Clarke Ranunculus millefoliatus Vahl Ranunculus neapolitanus Ten. Ranunculus serbicus Vis. Rosaceae Agrimonia eupatoria L. Aremonia agrimonoides (L.) DC. Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Filipendula vulgaris Moench Fragaria vesca L. Geum urbanum L. Potentilla argentea L. Potentilla erecta (L.) Räuschel Potentilla inclinata Vill. Potentilla reptans L. Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. Prunus spinosa L. Pyrus pyraster Burgsd. Rosa canina L. Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees



119

16

120

1

121 122 123

2 3 4

124

1

125

1

126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

135 136

1 2

137

1

138

1

139 140 141 142

1 2 3 4

143

1

144 145

1 2

146

1

147 148

1 2

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz Rubiaceae Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.(Galium vernum) Galium aparine L. Galium pashale Forskål Galium verum L. Salicaceae Salix caprea L. Scrophulariaceae Pseudolysimachium barrelieri (Schott ex Roemer & Schultes) Holub Verbascum phoeniceum L. Veronica arvensis L. Veronica chamaedrys L. Veronica cymbalaria Bodard Veronica hederifolia L. Veronica persica Poiret Veronica polita Fries Veronica sublobata M. Fischer Veronica triloba (Opiz) A. Kerner Solanaceae Hyoscyamus niger L. Solanum dulcamara L. Ulmaceae Ulmus minor Miller Valerianaceae Varianella locusta (L.) Laterrade Violaceae Viola alba Besser Viola arvensis Murray Viola jordanii Hanry Viola odorata L. Liliopsida Alliaceae Allium rotundum L. Araceae Arum elongatum Steven Arum orientale Bieb. Asparagaceae Asparagus officinalis L. Cyperaceae Carex praecox Schreber Carex tomentosa L.

149 150 151

1 2 3

152

1

153 154

1 2

155 156 157 158 159

3 4 5 6 7

160 161 162 163 164 165

1 2 3 4 5 6

166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Iridaceae Crocus chrysanthus (Herbert) Herbert Crocus flavus Weston Iris graminea L. Juncaceae Juncus effusus L. Liliaceae Gagea lutea (L.) Ker-Gawler Gagea villosa (Bieb.) Duby (Gagea arvensis) Muscari teniaflorum Tausch Polygonatum latifolium (Jacq.) Desf. Ornitugalum sphaerocarpum A. Kerner Ornitugalum umbellatum L. Scilla bifolia L. Poaceae Agrostis alba L. Agrostis capilaris L. Alopecurus myosuroides Hudson Alopecurus pratensis L. Anthoxanthum odoratum L. Arrhenatherum elatius(L.) Beauv. ex J. & C. Presl Brachipodium silvaticum (Hudson) Beauv. Bromus sterilis L. Chrysopogon gryllus (L.) Trin. Dactylis glomerata L. Festuca rupicola Heuffel Hordeum bulbosum L. Koeleria splendens C. Presl Poa bulbosa L. Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Triticum aestivum L.

Quantitative parameters and taxonomic structure of the flora Forty three families, 125 genera, 175 species of spore and seed plants were found as a result of the inventory made in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve. This phytofund comprises 35.8% of the families, 15.0% of the genera and 4.9% of the species diversity in Bulgaria. Taxonomic distribution of the supreme flora of the preserve (see Table 2).



TABLE 2 Taxonomic distribution of higher flora

Equisetophyta

% of the total.number for the Bulgaria

Number for "Chirpan Forest”

Number for the Bulgaria

% of the total.number for the Bulgaria

Species



Genera % of the total.number for the Bulgaria


Taxa


Families

1

0

0

1

0

0

7

0

0

13

0

0

21

0

0

44

0

0

4

0

0

6

0

0

16

0

0

Magnoliophyta

120

43

35,8

832

125

15,0

3535

175

4,9

Magnoliopsida

99

35

35,3

634

99

15,6

2878

142

4,9

Liliopsida

21

8

38,0

198

26

13,1

657

33

5,0

Polypodiophyta Pinophyta

For the most part the phytofund consists of angiospermous plants (Magnoliophyta) – 100%. The dicotyledonous plants (Magnoliopsida) are 142 species (81.1% of the angiospermous plants in the preserve and 81.1% of the species diversity in the preserve). The monocotyledonous plants (Liliopsida) are 33 (18.9% of the angiospermous plants in the preserve and 18.9% of the species diversity in the preserve). The quantitative ratio between the number of dicotyledonous and

monocotyledonous plants is 4.3:1, which is close to the ratio between the number of species in the two classes (4.4:1) announced for the country (9). Instances of the following taxonomic groups were not found during the research of the flora in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve: fern-like (Polypodiphyta), horse-tail-like (Equisetophyta) and gymnospermous plants (Pinophyta).

Participation of each family in the flora of the forest (see Table 3). TABLE 3 Quantitative parameters of families in the Chirpanskata Gora Preserve Genera Species % of the total № Families Number of % of the total number Number of number about "Chirpan Forest” about Bulgaria "Chirpan Forest” Bulgaria 1 Aceraceae 1 100,0 2 22,2 2 Alliaceae 1 33,0 1 2,2 3 Apiaceae 1 1,5 1 0,6 4 Araceae 1 33,3 2 28,5 5 Asclepiadaceae 1 20,0 1 14,2 6 Asparagaceae 1 50,0 1 11,1 7 Asteraceae 12 12,3 14 3,0 191 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE


8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Boraginaceae Brassicaceae Campanulaceae Cannabaceae Caryophyllaceae Celastraceae Convolvulaceae Cornaceae Corylaceae Cyperaceae Euphorbiaceae Fabaceae Fagaceae Fumariaceae Geraniaceae Hypericaceae Iridaceae Juncaceae Lamiaceae Liliaceae Malvaceae Oleaceae Papaweraceae Plantaginaceae Poaceae Polygonaceae Primulaceae Ranunculaceae Rosaceae Rubiaceae Salicaceae Scraphulariaceae Solanaceae Ulmaceae Valerianaceae Violaceae

3 13 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 2 1 2 1 10 5 2 1 1 1 14 1 2 4 12 2 1 3 2 1 1 1

14,2 20,9 11,1 50,0 6,8 50,0 25,0 100,0 33,3 6,2 20,0 12,0 33,3 50,0 100,0 100,0 50,0 50,0 27,7 20,8 22,2 16,6 25,0 100,0 14,4 10,0 18,1 19,0 29,2 33,3 50,0 11,1 18,1 50,0 33,3 100,0

3 15 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 14 6 1 4 1 3 1 11 7 2 1 1 2 16 2 2 8 16 4 1 10 2 1 1 4

3,2 7,5 2,1 50,0 0,9 20,0 7,6 33,3 16,6 1,8 5,2 4,5 28,5 7,6 14,8 4,5 10,7 3,0 7,0 7,7 10,0 5,2 7,1 13,3 5,2 4,0 6,2 7,6 6,2 6,7 4,0 5,9 8,3 16,6 4,3 11,4

The average number of species per family is 4.0. the 66.8% of the species diversity and 64.0% of the genera in the families with greatest diversity of species are: Poaceae – 16 preserve. The remaining 33.2% of the number of floristic species and subspecies (9.1% of the total number in the species are included in 33 families and 45 genera, whereby preserve and 5.2% of the total number of species and predominant are families and genera, presented with one subspecies in this family for the country), Rosaceae – 16 species each. species and subspecies (9.1% respectively 6.2%), The comparison of the 15 families leading in numbers in Brassicaceae – 15 species and subspecies (8.5% respectively the flora of Chirpanskata Gora Preserve shows almost 7.5%), Fabaceae – 14 species and subspecies (8.0% absolute coincidence with regard to the participation of the 15 respectively 4.5%), Asteraceae – 14 species and subspecies richest in species families in the Bulgarian flora, whereby the (8.5% respectively 3.0%), lamiaceae – 11 species and division is in the order of some of them and in the inclusion subspecies (6.2% respectively 7.0%), Scraphulariaceae – 10 of Boraginaceae, Fagaceae and Violaceae. (see Table 4). species and subspecies (5.7% respectively 5.9%), etc. The number of species and genera in the first 10 families reaches 192 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SECOND BALKAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGY SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE

21-23 MAY 2010, PLOVDIV 5O YEARS UNIVERSITY OF PLOVDIV

TABLE 4 The most species-rich families Bulgaria №

1

Families

Asteraceae

Chirpanskata Gora Preserve % of the total number of species

№

Number of species

% of the total number of species in preserve

Poaceae

16

9,1

Rosaceae

16

9,1

Brassicaceae

15

8,5

Asteraceae

14

8,0

Fabaceae

14

8,0

Families

13,8 1-2

2

Fabaceae

7,9

3

Poaceae

7,6

4

Rosaceae

5,9

3

4-5 5

Caryophyllaceae

5,4

6

Brassicaceae

5,1

6

Lamiaceae

11

6,2

7

Scraphulariaceae

4,6

7

Scraphulariaceae

10

5,7

8

Lamiaceae

4,0

8

Ranunculaceae

8

4,5

9

Apiaceae

3,9

9

Liliaceae

7

4,0

10

Liliaceae

3,2

10

Fagaceae

6

3,4

11

Cyperaceae

2,9

Geraniaceae

4

2,2

12

Ranunculaceae

2,8

Rubiaceae

4

2,2

13

Boraginaceae

2,2

Violaceae

4

2,2

14

Rubiaceae

1,5

Boraginaceae

3

1,7

Iridaceae

3

1,7

11 -12 -13

14 -15 15

Orchidaceae

1,4

The average number of genera per family is 2.9. The families with greatest number of genera in the preserve are: Poaceae – 14 genera, Brassicaceae – 13 genera, Asteraceae – 12 genera, Rosaceae – 12 genera, Lamiaceae – 10 genera, Fabaceae – 6 genera and Liliaceae – 5 genera. The average number of species per genus is 1.4. The genera that are richest in species (with 5 or more than 5

species) are identified when the specifics of a flora are clarified. (see Table 5). The rich genera in the flora of Chirpanska forest are 4, which is 3.2% of the total number of genera in the preserve, namely: Veronica – 8, Quercus – 6, Vicia – 6, Ranunculus – 5. The genera including 2-4 species and those with 1 species are respectively 16.8% and 80.0% of the genera in the landmark.



TABLE 5 Distribution of genera in number of species

Ecological and biological structure

genera Number

% of the number of genera

Genera with ≥ 5 species

4

3,2

Genera with 2 - 4 species

21

16,8

genera with 1 species

100

80,0

With genera

22 species of trees and bushes as well as 153 species and subspecies of herbaceous plants where registered in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve (see Table 6). The trees and bushes belong to 14 genera of 9 families, and herbaceous plants – to 111 genera of 34 families. The part of the trees and bushes is 12.5% of the total number of species and subspecies in the preserve; the part of the herbaceous plants is 87.5%. TABLE 6

Distribution of organic groups Organic groups Trees and shrubs

h h Herbaceous plants

h

Number of taxa 22

% of total group % 100,0

% of total number in reserve 12,5

10

45,4

5,7

6

27,3

3,4

6

27,3

3,4

0

0,0

0,0

0 153

0,0 100,0

0,0 87,5

90

58,8

51,4

1

0,7

0,6

4

2,6

2,3

1

0,7

0,6

18

11,7

10,3

4

2,6

2,3

35

22,9

20,0

protected territory, where by the trees are greatest in number According to the biological type, the trees and bushes are (10 genera, respectively 45.5% of the total in the group). divided in to five groups. Three thereof are present on the The herbaceous plants belong to 7 biological groups. Most 194 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SECOND BALKAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGY SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE


instances of the group (125 species, which is 81.7%) belong to perennial and annual subgroups of species. The perennial species prevail – 58.8% of the total number of herbaceous species and 51.4% of the total number of species in the preserve. In this biological group the species of following families are greatest in number: Poaceae – 13, Rosaceae – 9, Lamiaceae – 7, Liliaceae – 7, Asteraceae – 6, Ranunculaceae – 6. The group of annual plants is also well presented (22.9% of the total number of herbaceous species and 20.0% of the total number of species in the preserve), mainly by genera of the Scrophulariaceae – 7, Fabaceae – 6, Brassicaceae – 3 and Poaceae – 3 families. The interim biological groups are presented as follows: annual-biannual (11.7% of the total number of herbaceous species and 10.3% of the total number of species in the preserve), annual-perennial (0.7%, respectively 0.6%), biannual-perennial (2.6%, respectively 2.3%) and semi-bushes (0.7%, respectively 0.6%). The division in to livening forms of the supreme plants in the preserve`s flora, according to the classification of Raunkier and the biological spectrum, is presented (see Table 7).

character are predominant in the ecological spectrum. The availability of open terrains with remains of construction activities is favorable for the presence of xerophytes. The availability of hygrophytes depends of the quantity of rainfall and can be found in excavated ditches, where the water is retained for a longer period of time. TABLE 8 Distribution by environmental groups in terms of water regime Environmental Group Number of taxa % of total Higrofiti 2 1,1 Higromezofiti 6 3,5 Mezohigrofiti 15 8,6 Mezofiti 113 64,6 Kseromezofiti 23 13,1 Kserofiti 16 9,1

Relicts, endemics and medicinal plants The degree of relictness and endemism are among the most important floristic genetic characteristics of the local and regional flora, indicative of its specificity and uniqueness. According to the modern methods for management of TABLE 7 preserved natural territories, the relicts and endemics refer to Distribution of life forms the category of elements of conservative importance in the Number bio habitat. There availability in the preserves flora is used as Life form % Of total of taxa parameter for conservative value and is considered upon the Fanerofiti (Ph) 21 12,0 zoning, regimes, standards and measures for preservation of Hamefiti (Ch) 2 1,1 the phytofund. Hemikriptofiti (H) 7 4,0 The flora in Chirpanskata Gora Preserve is characterized Kriptofiti (Cr) 86 49,1 by the availability of 5 tertiary (sub-glacial) relicts, namely: Terofiti (T) 35 20,0 Acer campestre, Carpinus betulus, Quercus cerris, Quercus Terofiti to hemikriptofiti (T-H) 18 10,3 polycarpa and Ulmus minor. In coenotic regard the relicts are Hemikriptofiti to terofiti (H-T) 6 3,5 among the main identifiers and dominants in the populations of trees and bushes. The endemic content in the preserve`s flora includes 1 This spectrum is representative for the adaptive processes of a particular flora towards unfavorable seasons and species: Rorrippa lippizensis, which is Balkan endemic. The medicinal plants found within the preserve are of dominating climatic conditions on particular territory (7). Interesting characteristics of the flora where found during the interest, because they are protected by the Medicinal Plants analysis of the determined taxa divided in to ecological Act (14). The medicinal plants on the territory of the preserve are the following: Acer campestre, Acer tataricum, groups, according to the water factor – humidity (Table 8). All types of ecological groups are presented in the Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Carlina vulgaris, Inula researched flora, except for hydrophytes. There are no aschersoniana, Lactuca serriola, Taraxsacum officinale, ecological niches (water basins) in the preserver, which could Xeranthemum annuum, Buglossoides purpurocaerulea, provide habitats for the representatives of this ecological Lithospermum officinale, Alliaria petiolata, Capsella bursagroup. The ecological groups with mesophyte and derivative pastoris, Lepidium campestre, Thlaspi arvense, Campanula 195 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SECOND BALKAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGY SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE


persicifolia, Lychnis coronaria, Stellaria media, Euonymus europaeus, Convolvulus arvensis, Cornus mas, Carpinus betulus, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Euphorbia cyparissias, Trifplium repens, Vicia grandiflora, Quercus robar, Corydalis solida, Erodium cicutarium, Hypericum perforatum, Acinos arvensis, Ballota nigra, Betonica officinalis, Clinopodium vulgare, Glechoma heberacea, Prunella grandiflora, Lamium purpureum, Lamium purpureum var albiflorum, Leonurus cardiaca, Thymus zygioides, Alcea rosea, Althaea officinalis, Ligustrum vulgare, Papaver zhoeas, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Rumex crispus, Lysimachia nummularia, Anagalis arvensis, Consolida regalis, Ficaria verna, Agrimonia eupatoria, Crataegus monogyna, Filipendula vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla argentea, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla inclinata, Potentilla reptans, Prunus spinosa, Rosa canina, Rubus discolor, Sorbus torminalis, Galium aparine, Galium verum, Salix caprea, Verbascum phoeniceum, Veronica arvensis, Veronica chamaedrys, Hyoscyamus niger, Solanum dulcamara, Ulmus minor, Viola odorata, Asparagus officinalis, Crocus chrysanthus, Iris graminea (Fig. 3), Polygonatum latifolium, Scilla bifolia, Anthoxanthum odoratum. They are 81 in number, which is 46.2% of all species found on the territory of the preserve. To that, almost all (except for 9 species) are under the protection of the law.

TABLE 9 Taxa of conservation importance Taxa Araceae Arum orientale Fabaceae Trifolium globosum Rubiaceae Galium pashale Poaceae Festuca rupicola

IUCN

RB

LBD

CITES

protected species +

+

+

+

+

+

They compromise 2.2% of the total number of taxa in the preserve. The search for species of conservative importance, according to the international legislation (IUCN, ECE, Bern Convention and CITES), had negative result. It was established that there are no species of conservative importance listed in Appendix No 3 to article 37 of the Biological Diversity Act. Four species form Table 7are listed in “Classifier of the Plants Bulgaria” (11) in category “Rare”. The first is the annual herbaceous plant Trifolium globosum, found in dry grassy places in the lowlands (up to 150m a.s.l) with erosive leached maroon soils and leached Smolnitsi. Its population has low density. The geographical area of the species includes south-east Europe (the east part of the Balkan Peninsula) and south-west Asia (Asia Minor). In Bulgaria it is encountered in following regions: the coast of Black Sea (Silistar area – south of Sinemorets Village, Burgas Region). The Thracian lowland (Svilengrad and Harmanli areas), Tundzha hilly lowland (Elhovo area). The second taxon is Festuca rupicola – perennial herbaceous plant of family Cereals. It is found only in two fields in Bulgaria. The first is in the east Rhodopes (Malkiya Golsh area, north of Ivaylovgrad), and the second – in Middle Balkan Range (north of Chelopek Village, Sofia Region). The species is include in open herbaceous populations with predominance of steppe elements. Fig. 3. Iris graminea Their availability in the landmark is a new field of each of the taxa mentioned above. The species are presented with Taxa of conservative importance Four taxa are of conservative importance were found in single instances, where they do not form populations with high density. Except for the two taxa mentioned above, there Chirpanskata Gora Preserve (Table 9) are another 11 that have been found in Chirpanska forest for 196 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 24/2010/SE SECOND BALKAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGY SPECIAL EDITION/ON-LINE


the first time in this floristic region (see Table 10). TABLE 10 Species for first time deposits in the Gornotrakiyski lowland floristic region of Bulgaria № Taxon 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Arum orientale Bellis sylvestris Cardamine impatiens Cruciata glabra Koeleria splendens Ranunculus gracilis Trifolium spadiceum Veronica cymbalaria Veronica sublobata (Fig. 4) Vicia articulata Vicia sepium

Fig. 4. Veronica sublobata Anthropogenic influence In historical aspect the anthropogenic influence has to be considered in its traditional forms: stock-breeding, use of the forest and hunting. Currently on the territory of the preserve there is a working hut (Fig. 5) belonging to the hunting communities in the region, asphalt road to a shooting range that is not in use and is not located within the preserve, remains of a pheasant farm that once existed, and 30 bee hives. All these sites are preconditions for people to enter. Around the huts and the pheasant farm there are single instances of Betula pendula, Morus alba and Robinia pseudoacacia.

A large number of passenger vehicles are entering the preserve due to the availability of a municipal hut. The meadows close by the building are turned into sporting sites, whereby the herbaceous plants are continuously being smashed. Ruderal species and weeds, which are more resilient, are growing there. A problem is also the noise made by the visitors, which, according to may own observations, is pretty high. The hut is working and has security all the time. This security is involved in agricultural activities, which has caused changes in the content of species. Near the abandoned huts and in some place deep in the forest there is domestic waste, tyres, etc. thrown away. Despite the fact that pasture, felling in the landmark is performed by the Roma population, which is found to enter most often on carts. Due to there often raids, Chirpan State Forestry was forced to excavate about 80sm deep ditches along the entire territory of the preserve. As this measure was taken, the raids were significantly limited. However, at the places close by the asphalt road there are traces of felling to be seen. The permission to hunt on the territory of the preserve leads to the following problems: availability of beaten tracks and cart ways, marking fires in the meadows and throwing away cartridge-cases and plastic bottles all over the forest, which has influence on the natural view of the preserve. The roads are built illegally because of the available bee hives (which are also illegally placed within the boundaries of the preserve). The availability of a pheasant farm in the past has had its anthropogenic influence, the traces of which are still to be seen today. There is domestic and construction waste. Significant quantity of ruderal vegetation is growing around the remains of the pheasant farm and the huts of the hunting communities. The pasture of domestic animals – sheep and goats, which is free and uncontrolled most of the time, puts the floristic diversity of the preserve in danger and contradicts with the Preservation of the Environment Act. Result and debate 175 species and subspecies of supreme plants belonging to 125 genera and 43 families have been determined within the boundaries of the preserve. The overall diversity of species is defined as exceptionally high for the small territory of the preserve.



Conclusions The obtained result dive us grounds to make the following recommendations with regard to preparation of a Management Scheme of the preserve: It is necessary to improve the security regime of the preserve; The ownership and the control have to be transferred from Chirpan State Forestry to Stara Zagora Regional Inspection of Environment and Waters; The remains of the abandoned buildings have to be removed; A buffer zone (with dimensions of 200-300m) has to be set around the preserve; Descriptive and warning signs have to be placed at all approaches to the preserve; The possibilities to use the preserve as genetic bank and source of seeds of the encountered 81 species of medicinal plants have to be researched.

Fig. 5. Hut Municipal Four of the species have high conservative values. These are: 2 species from “The Red Book of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria” listed in category “Rare”. Not having to list allof them as species of particular interest, we would like to mention the following ones: Trifolium globosum – protected species entered in the Red Book in category “Rare” and Rorippa lippizensis – Balkan endemics. Eleven of the species established during our research have not been mentioned before for the researched floristic region. In this regard, contribution has been made to define their chorology. The remaining 81 species of medicinal plants and herbs are spread all over the researched territory. Some of them are found in great numbers, whereas other are limited to several tens or several hundreds of instances. About 40.0% of the population of summer oak is located beyond the boundaries of the preserve. This gives us grounds to claim extension of the territory of the preserve. In historical aspect the preserve has been subject to intense anthropogenic activities. Nowadays it is still influenced by such activities. The main thereof are: a working hut belonging to Chirpan Municipality, two abandoned and falling into ruins buildings belonging to the hunting communities in the region, an asphalt road, remains of a pheasant farm, 30 bee hives, gathering of fir, episodic pasture, hunting and making fires.

The inventory we made could be used as basis to track the changes in the floristic diversity of the preserve after the announcement of its new status quo with regard to the requirements of NATURA 2000.

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