A contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of Dalmatocytisus dalmaticus (Vis.) Trinajstić (Fabaceae).

Abstract

The stenoendemic species Dalmatocytisus dalmaticus (Vis.) Trinajstić was previously known only from two sites (hills of Medinjak and Šušnjevača) on the outskirts of Sinj. But large populations have been found at over 30 new sites in the surroundings of Sinj, Otok and Trilj. The plant grows on substrate of limestone marls, on rocky grasslands, as well as in the ground layer of planted black pine forests and along the edges of pine forests. The size of the occupied habitat area of D. dalmaticus known so far is estimated at approximately 1.5 km2. The area has been significantly reduced by the expansion of the settlements of Jasenovo and Poljak, as well as by the building of a macadam road through Greda Hill. The planned construction of a quarry with an access road in the Šušnjevača area will result in an additional reduction of the plant's area. Habitats are exposed to strong anthropogenic pressure and to the changes resulting from the previous and current planting of black pine. According to the methods for threat assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we propose that D. dalmaticus should be included in the national red list in the category of ”endangered“ taxa (EN; criteria B2ab(ii,iii,iv)).