Vegetation patterns of dry grasslands and rocky grounds on Vidlič Mountain (southeastern Serbia).

This paper studies vegetation patterns of dry grasslands and rocky grounds on the limestone terrain of Mt. Vidlic, which borders the southern edge of the Balkans Mountain in Serbia, known as Stara planina. Having conducted field research, we presented the obtained results in the form of a phytosociological table. Dry grassland and rocky ground vegetation belongs to the familiar alliances of Festucion valesiacae (Festuco-Brometea) and Seslerion rigidae (Festuco-Seslerietea). Phytosociological data were analyzed using cluster analysis and evaluation of biodiversity indices. The stands of dry grasslands and rocky grounds were classified according to their floristic composition. Altitude proved to be the major factor in their grouping by floristic similarity. In other words, there is an increase in biodiversity with an increasing altitude. The importance of dry grasslands and rocky grounds of Mt.Vidlic lies primarily in their role in erosion control, but their diversity makes them an important source of medicinal herbs and grazing land. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. OI 171025, br. OI 173029 i br. TR 31070]