Balkan-Anatolian submontane genistoid scrub

This habitat type comprises a complex of open shrub, herbaceous and chasmophytic plant communities dominated by the species complex of Genista rumelica/Genista lydia. It is an endemic type distributed to the southeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula (Southern Bulgaria and Northern Greece) and Asia Minor. The Genista rumelica communities are more widely distributed but restricted to the Balkans (endemic), whereas the communities of Genista lydia also occur in the western part of Anatolia. These communities are found mostly in lowland areas and lower parts of mountains on unstable sites (screes, steep slopes, rocky substrates). The genistoid scrubs grow mainly on sunny, dry, stony slopes with shallow soils of various bedrock (chalk, sandstones, volcanic stones). However, Genista rumelica prefers calcareous substrata. Because of its open structure the habitat is species rich with many elements from the Thero-Brachypodietea grasslands amongst which annual grasses (Brachypodium distachyon, Poa bulbosa, Psilurus incurvus, Bromus squarrosus), perennial grasses (Koeleria splendens, Chrysopogon gryllus) and many Balkan endemics (Achillea coarctata, Dianthus pinifolius, Silene frivaldszkyana). The communities can occupy secondary, degraded areas: screes and eroded places, replacing destroyed or degraded forest, mostly of different oak species, Oriental Hornbeam or Black Pine especially in Eastern Rodopi Mts. The habitat is characterized by open and complex structure consisting of patches with annual grasslands and low (0.5-1) genistoid scrublands where the tree individuals and high shrubs are either absent or in low numbers. The more open mosaics with other habitats exhibit the highest biodiversity (plant and animal species).

Indicators of quality:

· Relatively open scrublands in mosaic with other vegetation types;

· Presence of endemic shrub and herbaceous species;

· Absence or low number of trees and high (2-3 m) shrubs.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats