Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2023.32.31
Phytosociological study of the vascular plant communities of the lower Neretva delta (southeastern Adriatic)
Nenad Jasprica
orcid.org/0000-0001-9457-0300
; University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Kneza Damjana Jude 12, POBox 83, HR-20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Abstract
The Neretva delta (estuary) is an internationally important wetland included in the Ramsar list and is one of the Important Plant Areas (IPA) in Croatia. The paper presents data from phytosociological research collected in the lower Neretva delta in the period 2006-2021. Based on 28 phytosociological relevés, 15 associations and one subassociation were identified and classified into 13 alliances, 12 orders and 11 vegetation classes. The most valuable communities belong to halo-nitrophilous short-lived pioneer vegetation on sand and gravel beaches (Cakiletea maritimae) and salt-marsh herblands and scrub (Therosalicornietea, Salicornietea fruticosae). Anthropogenic impacts on the delta are strong, and the diversity of flora and vegetation is threatened by habitat degradation and loss, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and pollution.
Keywords
Adriatic basin; coastal vegetation; ecological conditions; halophytes; NE Mediterranean; syntaxonomy; wetland
Hrčak ID:
310059
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2023.
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