A contribution to the vascular and bryophyte flora of the upper Neretva and Zalomka River valleys (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Between 1st and 6th of June 2023 we conducted floristic research on several sites in the upper Neretva River valley and the Zalomka River at Nevesinjsko Polje. We recorded 935 taxa in total; 898 plant species, including 126 bryophytes, were found at 52 localities in the upper Neretva River valley, and 200 plant species, including 32 bryophytes, at 11 sites in the Zalomka River valley. Among the registered species, 39 taxa are endemic to the Balkan Peninsula, 56 are listed in the List of endangered and rare taxa of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 27 in the Red list of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 95 taxa are protected in the Republic of Srpska. We registered also several new species for the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among Angiosperms these were Barbarea intermedia, Lamium hybridum, Myosotis sicula, Poa ursina and Salix phylicifolia, and among bryophytes Fissidens gracilifolius, Grimmia dissimulata, Plagiomnium ellipticum, Schistidium robustum, Sphenolobus minutus, Tortella fasciculata and Tortella pseudofragilis. Our study reveals the high nature conservation value of the upper Neretva and Zalomka river valleys that should be protected for future generations. In addition, further systematic research of the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina is needed.