Contribution to the knowledge of distribution and ecology of winter heath (Erica carnea L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper presents results of a survey of distribution pattern of Winter heath (Erica carnea L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The research includes the survey of literature as well as presentation of new records of this species., with 13 new localities discovered and described. A total of 412 species/ occurences data of Winter heath in Bosnia and Herzegovina are compiled into a database and plotted onto the MGRS grid of 10x10 km squares, with different colours representing different bedrock (Figure 2). The data are also analysed in terms of elevation distribution of Winter heath’s records according to different bedrock, which reveal large discrepancies between different bedrocks, i.e., habitat types (Figure 7). A new habitat for Winter heath in Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e., steep limestone slopes of the Vrbas, Bistrica and Drina river canyon systems is described (Figures 3, 6). It was concluded that the distribution pattern of Winter heath in Bosnia and Herzegovina shows that this species has a relict character, being well adapted to various types of extreme habitats such as dolomite and serpentinite areas, deep limestone canyons, Picea omorika habitats, and high altitude habitats with Pinus mugo and/ or subalpine heaths. Albeit it is a basophilous species, it can also be found over acidic silicate substrate, which indicates that it posesses a physiological mechanism to tolerate acidity.