hrvatski

Re-discovering the aquatic flora of Neretva River Delta

Neretva River Delta is a marshland area situated in southern Dalmatia, encompassing the last 20 km of the river, together with a network of surface water bodies, which are well interconnected due to the long-term human influence and interventions into the landscape. Previous studies revealed over 800 plant taxa in the Delta, however no systematic study of waterbodies was ever performed. In this study, we have focused on mapping two alien aquatic plants Egeria densa and Myriophyllum heterophyllum along the waterbodies in the Delta, by performing a systematic and comprehensive fieldwork. We have recorded a large number of new localities of these aliens and observed populations displaying invasive behaviour. Apart from the targeted species, we have recoded 62 mostly aquatic plants. Altogether eight threatened taxa were recorded: critically endangered (CR) Dorycnium rectum and Hydrocotyle vulgaris, endangered (EN) Cynanchum acutum, Hippuris vulgaris, Hottonia palustris, Periploca graeca and Ranunculus lingua and vulnerable (VU) Cyperus longus. Near threatened (NT)Butomus umbellatus and data deficient (DD) Utricularia australis were also recorded. The species Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Nymphoides peltata, not previously known from the Mediterranean Croatia apart from one and two historical records from Neretva, were found on many sites during this study. Similarly, we have recorded Sagittaria sagittifolia and not previously known from Mediterranean Croatia and Hottonia palustris and Thelypteris palustris previously recorded in Dalmatia only once. A rare species Cladium mariscus was also recorded, as well as a very rare moss Riccia fluitans, previously known only from very few localities in continental Croatia.

Neretva ; aquatic flora ; rare species

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