Floristic diversity of the rocky habitats of the Stara Planina Mountains in Serbia

The flora of rock outcrops in the Stara Planina Mountains (Serbia) was analyzed to assess its diversity, as well as its biological and chorological spectra. A total of 125 vascular plant species, representing 75 genera and 35 families, were identified. The dominant families were Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Asteraceae, while Asplenium and Sedum were the most species-rich genera. Hemicryptophytes (48.8%) and chamaephytes (31.2%) were the predominant life forms, well-adapted to harsh rocky environments. The dominance of taxa from the Eurasian Mountain (32%) and Eurasian (16%) area types reflects the montane-continental and temperate-continental climate characteristic of the study area. Furthermore, the presence of glacial relict species highlights the role of high-altitude rocky habitats as microclimatic refugia, offering long-term protection against adverse climatic changes. This study underscores the substantial floristic diversity and biogeographical significance of rocky habitats in this part of the Stara Planina Mts.