Vascular flora of the geomorphological nature monument Crveno jezero (Dalmatia, Croatia)

The vascular flora of the geomorphological natural monument Crveno jezero, located in the Dalmatian hinterland, was studied during 2017 for the first time. A total of 149 plant taxa belonging to 52 families were recorded, with Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Poaceae being the most abundant families. The dominance of Mediterranean, South-European, and Eurasian floral elements indicates that the study area is under the influence of both oceanic and continental climates, which is in accordance with the specific location of the study area. We noted a diversity of life form strategies, with the five main strategies having a share of at least 10% of the total number of species. Most species in the study area had competitive or stress-tolerant strategies, as well as the capacity for vegetative propagation, which was to be expected in this fairly unfavorable environment. No fewer than 15 recorded species are protected by law, including 11 endemic species, which represent 7.4% of the total flora. Most of the endemic species are Illyrian-Adriatic and Illyrian-Balkanic endemics. The results of the present study greatly contribute to the knowledge of the flora of Crveno jezero and the Imotski region, and they can be used as a basis for the future conservation of the area.