Contribution to the knowledge of serpentine flora in western Kosovo, with comparisons of the western, central and northern serpentine massifs

Abstract

This article presents the results of a floristic survey conducted between 2011 and 2021 on Mt. Kaznik, western Kosovo. In all, 361 plant taxa belonging to 75 families and 147 genera of vascular flora were recorded. These areas are dominated by serpentine soils, which are known for the increased occurrence of endemic plant taxa. Detailed analysis of chorological and biological data in conjunction with general vegetation data has highlighted the distinctive nature of Mt. Kaznik, making it a floristically important area. Of the taxa identified, 15 were classified as threatened plant taxa at the national level, while a total of 17 taxa are endemic plants. For each plant taxon, data on floristic element, habitat characteristics, life form, and general vegetation data are provided. A syntaxonomic analysis of the recorded taxa showed that they belong to nine vegetation classes, with the pubescent oak and mixed deciduous forest class Quercetea pubescentis being dominant. In addition, a floristic comparison was made between the serpentines of Kaznik and those in central and northern Kosovo. Considering the floristic importance and the high degree of diversity exhibited by the serpentines, the data presented are of particular importance to a better understanding of the floristic composition of Kosovo.