BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022) See aad Ei ears
doi: 10.3897 /biorisk.17.77388 RESEARCH ARTICLE & BI O R IS k

https://biorisk.pensoft.net

Forests of Breznik municipality

Borislav Grigorov', Nikolay Velev’, Assen Assenov',
Momchil Nazarov’, Beloslava Genova?, Kiril Vassilev?

| Faculty of Geology and Geography, Department of Landscape Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia
University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria 2. Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Depart-
ment of Plant and Fungal Diversity and Resources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria 3 Biological
Faculty, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski’, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Corresponding author: Borislav Grigorov (borislav.g.grigorov@gmail.com)

Academic editor: Vlada Peneva | Received 31 October 2021 | Accepted 16 December 2021 | Published 21 April 2022

Citation: Grigorov B, Velev N, Assenov A, Nazarov M, Genova B, Vassilev K (2022) Forests of Breznik municipality.
In: Chankova S, Peneva V, Metcheva R, Beltcheva M, Vassilev K, Radeva G, Danova K (Eds) Current trends of ecology.
BioRisk 17: 367-377. https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.17.77388

Abstract

The current study aims to uncover the forest habitat diversity of Breznik municipality, following the
EUNIS Classification. Initial data was collected from the Ministry of Environment and Water and the
Forestry Management Plans. Forest habitat polygons were spatially processed with the use of the ArcGIS
10.8.1 software package. Field studies were performed to add more detailed information to the analysis.
The phytocoenoses of the forest habitats are dominated by Quercus dalechampii, Q. frainetto, Fagus syl-
vatica, Carpinus betulus. Some artificial plantations with Pinus nigra and P sylvestris were also present, as
well as with non-native species, such as Robinia pseudacacia and Quercus rubra. The results of this study

could be used for more in-depth research of the Breznik municipality vegetation.

Keywords
EUNIS, GIS, habitats, vegetation

Introduction

Forests are among the most important ecosystems for humanity, since they are key
providers of many ecosystem goods and services. To a large extent, human well-being
relies on forest ecosystems for the provision of food, clean water and air, pollination,
genetic resources, erosion prevention, and to sustain biodiversity, etc. (MEA 2005;

Copyright Borislav Grigorov et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC
BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

368 Borislav Grigorov et al. / BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022)

TEEB 2010; Powell et al. 2013). Interacting with forests provides Forest Cultural Eco-
system Services which also helps in the improvement of human health and well-being
(Dodev et al. 2020).

The study of forest ecosystem structure and function is important for understand-
ing biodiversity—productivity relationships (Bohn and Huth 2017) and thus helps to
cultivate the sustainable use of natural resources.

Forests in Bulgaria cover approx. 1/3 of its territory and provide about 85% of the
water flow in the country (Raev et al. 2005; MOEW 2010). All Bulgarian forests are
managed. According to their functions, forests are divided into three main types — for-
ests for timber production, protective and recreation forests, and forests in protected
areas (Stoeva et al. 2018). In 2010, the total area of protected native forests in Bulgaria
was ca. 572 000 ha (FRA 2015).

Our current forest ecosystem knowledge at municipality level cannot adequately
address any policymaker’s needs for habitat monitoring and management. Only two
papers were found dealing with the forest vegetation and reconstruction afforestation
activities of Breznik municipality (Panova and Bondev 1985; Krastev 1990). The Eu-
ropean Nature Information System (EUNIS) is an essential tool for implementing
nature conservation activities like conducting habitat inventories, monitoring, and the
management of protected areas, etc. (Chytry et al. 2020). A habitat map will summa-
rize the current distribution of forest habitat types in the municipality and will help in
any ecological surveys and analysis.

The aim of this study is a complete investigation and mapping of forest habitats
according to EUNIS classification on the territory of Breznik municipality.

Methods

Breznik municipality is located in the western part of the country. ‘The territory falls
mainly within 600-1000 m a.s.l. It covers an area of 404 km? and has diverse natural
features, including the mountains of Zavalska, Lyubash, Viskyar, Erulska and Cherna
Gora, as well as Breznik Valley. According to Zagorchev et al. (1990), the lithology
includes conglomerates, sandstones, clays, marls, limestones, dolomitic limestones,
dolomites, marls, shales and volcanics — hornblende andesites, trachyandesites, and
andesitobasalts. Soils are predominantly Luvisols, Leptosols and Fluvisols, following
Koinov et al. (1956). A part of the territory falls within the NATURA 2000 sites
(Council Directive 92/43/EEC 1992) Lyubash BG0000624 (with 0.29 km’) and Re-
bro BG0000314 (with 0.009 km/7).

One hundred and fifty relevés were collected in the field following the Braun-
Blanquet approach (Braun-Blanquet 1965) and the vegetation type was verified with
135 field points additionally (Fig. 1) during the 2021 field season. Verification points
present GPS coordinates of verified polygons. They are placed in the homogenous part
of polygons. The GPS data was collected by Juno BS Trimble device. All the field data

collected was laid over the most recent orthophoto images available. Mapping was

Forests of Breznik municipality 369

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Figure |. Field study in Breznik municipality. Each star marks 21 sample plots and verification points.

done using ArcGIS 10.8.1 software. The habitat map was created by polygon modi-
fications, based on the available Forestry (from Forestry Management Plans), Habitat
(from NATURA 2000 network in Bulgaria) and field survey data. The map scale was
set at 1:5000. These modifications included merging, deletion, creation of new poly-
gons and making changes in their boundaries.

The EUNIS habitat types were determined using the classification expert system EU-
NIS-ESy (Chytry et al. 2020) integrated into JUICE 7.1 software (Tichy 2002). For all
defined habitat groups were determined diagnostic, dominant and constant species fol-
lowing Chytry et al. (2020). Every semi-natural habitat type was classified to alliance level
according to Mucina et al. (2016). Associations were determined based on the expert
knowledge and available literature sources for the country (Tzonev et al. 2006, 2019).

Results

All the studied forest types in Breznik municipality were related to 8 EUNIS habitat
types. Ihe EUNIS habitats map of the Breznik municipality is shown in Figure 2.
TIE Carpinus and Quercus mesic deciduous forest

Abiotic characteristic

This habitat type was widely distributed in the semi-mountainous areas of the mu-
nicipality. It was found between 600 and 1000 m a.s.l. These forests were typically

developed on northern and western slopes where the continental climatic conditions
prevailed. Soils were averagely deep, Chromic Cambisols, Luvisols and Cambisols. ‘The

370 Borislav Grigorov et al. / BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022)

_Chekanets = ar ap
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Barlozhnitsa

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Figure 2. EUNIS forest habitat types in Breznik municipality.

bedrock types were from the magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks groups.
This habitat type was presented by 60 polygons (map units) and covered a total area of
35.2 km’. The polygon’s area was in the range of 0.01—3.73 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

Species-poor monodominant or mixed forests with a closed horizontal structure
and total cover of 90-100%. The tree and shrub layers were well-developed. The
herb layer was absent sometimes or present with a very low cover (5—8%). The tree
layer was formed by Carpinus betulus orland Quercus petraea agg. In the species
composition, F sylvatica was found in some stands with a cover of 20-30%. Other
tree species were Sorbus torminalis, S. aucuparia, Acer platanoides, Tilia platyphyl-
los. The shrub layer was formed by the same species from the tree layer as well as
Chamaecytisus hirsutus, Ligustrum vulgare, and Corylus avellana. The shrub layer had
a cover of 10-50%. The herb layer was characterized by low species richness in the
monodominant C. betulus forests and by a higher species richness in the mixed
Carpinus betulus-Quercus petreae agg. and the monodominant Q. petraea agg. forests.
The most frequent species in the herb layer were Poa nemoralis, Festuca heterophylla,
Luzula luzuloides, Melica uniflora, Mercurialis perennis. These vegetation types were
subjected to alliances Carpinion betuli and Fagion sylvaticae s.l., order Fagetalia
sylvaticae and class Carpino-Fagetea.

Forests of Breznik municipality eral

TIH Broadleaved deciduous plantation of non-site native trees

Abiotic characteristic

This category had a scattered distribution. ‘The terrains were slightly inclined (10-15°).
These forests were planted in the last 50—70 years to stop erosion. Soils were shallow to
moderately deep and the bedrock type was composed of volcanics, limestones, sand-
stones, and shales. This habitat type was presented by 11 polygons and covered a total
area of 1.6 km’. The polygon’s area was in the range of 0.02—0.33 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

These plantations were covered by the monodominant stands of Robinia pseudoacacia and
Quercus rubra. The Quercus rubra stands especially have poor species composition. The
total vegetation cover was 85—100%. Other common tree species found were Quercus
cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. petraea agg. The shrub layer was formed from the same species men-
tioned above, accompanied by Crataegus monogyna, Prunus cerasifera, L. vulgare, Cornus
mas, Euonymus verrucosus. The herb layer was characterized by poor species composition
also, with the occurrence of P nemoralis, M. unuflora, FE heterophylla, Viola riviniana agg.
The Robinia pseudoacacia plantations were typical for eroded terrains and had a semi-open
horizontal structure. These stands were formed by a low tree layer with a total cover of
80-90%. Other tree species found were P cerasifera, P avium, Q. cerris, Q. frainetto, Q.
petraea agg. The shrub layer consisted of the same species, accompanied by C. mas, Prunus
spinosa, Rubus caesius, Rosa canina, C. monogyna, Clematis vitalba, and E. verrucosus. It had
coverage between 25 and 40%. ‘The herb layer was well-developed and covered 80—100%
for R. pseudoacacia forests and 50-65% for Q. rubra forests. In the R. pseudoacacia forests,
Bromus sterilis was a dominant species and Galium aparine was subdominant. ‘This veg-
etation was classified to association Bromo sterilis-Robinietum, alliance Balloto nigrae-
Robinion pseudoacaciae, order Chelidonio-Robinietalia pseudoacaciae, class Robinietea.

T3M Coniferous plantation of non-site native trees

Abiotic characteristic

The artificial plantations dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii were presented by just one
polygon in Breznik municipality. The bedrock was composed of marls and shales. Soil type
was Chromic Luvisols. ‘The single locality of this habitat type covered an area of 0.11 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

Species-poor plant community with a closed horizontal structure and canopy of 100%.
The only dominant species in these stands was Pseudotsuga menzeisii. The strong shady

372 Borislav Grigorov et al. / BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022)

effect of the canopy limited the development of shrub and herb layers. In the shrub
layer, some single individuals of C. monogyna, R. caesius and Quercus spp. were found.
The herb layer barely covered 5—10% and was formed by the species Geum urbanum,
P. nemoralis, Aremonia agrimonoides, Veronica chamaedrys, M. uniflora.

T3N *Coniferous plantation of site-native trees

Abiotic characteristic

This category was widely distributed in the northern, western, and southern parts of
the municipality. It occurred on flat terrains and slopes (20—25°) with different exposi-
tions. These forests were planted in the 50—70s of the last century to battle erosion.
The soils were shallow to averagely deep — Chromic Luvisols and Rendzic Leptosols.
The bedrock was composed of magmatic, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. ‘This
habitat type was presented by 189 polygons and covered a total area of 64.9 km’. The
polygon’s area was in the range of 0.003—2.91 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

The artificial forests of Pinus nigra and P sylvestris had a diverse species composition.
The Pinus sylvestris forests had a closed horizontal structure with a well-developed tree
layer. Other species found in this layer were Q. petraea agg., Q. frainetto, Populus trem-
ula, Acer pseudoplatanus, FE sylvatica, C. betulus. Apart from these species, the shrub
layer consisted of R. caesius, R. canina, C. monogyna, and C. vitalba. The herb layer had
poor species composition and was presented by G. urbanum, Aremonia agrimoides, P
nemoralis, Luzula luzulodies, F. heterophylla, etc.

The artificial plantations of P nigra were typical for eroded carbonate terrains
with shallow soils. The latter ecological conditions were a barrier to the develop-
ment of highly productive forests. The average tree height was 3-5 m. This vegeta-
tion type had a semi-open horizontal structure. Some polygons had experienced
fires and intensive timber extraction. These places have turned into transitional
woodland-shrub complexes. Typical species were Q. cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. pube-
scens, Fraxinus ornus, C. mas, C. monogyna, P Spinosa, R. caesius, C. hirsutus and
Carpinus orientalis. The herb layer consisted mainly of P nemoralis, Dactylis glom-
erata, G. urbanum, Festuca dalmatica, M. uniflora, Buglossoides purpuleacea and
Fragaria vesca.

TI Temperate Salix and Populus riparian forest

Abiotic characteristic

This habitat type was distributed along the riverbed of Konska River and its tributar-
ies. Soils were averagely deep and the alluvial terraces were periodically flooded. ‘This

Forests of Breznik municipality 373

vegetation was degraded, moreover, destroyed in some areas. The habitat type was
presented by 9 polygons and covered a total area of 1.4 km’. The polygon’s area was in

the range of 0.008—0.69 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

Vegetation with a closed horizontal structure and a total cover of 95—-100%. There
were three well-developed layers. Salix fragilis and Alnus glutinosa were dominating the
top one. Other common species were P tremula, R. pseudoacacia, Salix purpurea and
C. betulus. The shrub layer was formed by the same species, accompanied by Cornus
sanguinea, C. monogyna, P. spinosa, P cerasifera, Rubus spp., C. vitalba. The herb layer
had different species richness along with the plots due to the tree layer shading effect.
Common species were Aegopodium podagraria, Ranunculus serbicus, Agrostis stolonifera
and Lysimachia nummularia. Invasive species, such as R. pseudoacacia, Amorpha fruti-
cosa, Erigeron annuus and Conyza canadensis were typical as well.

T17 Fagus forest on non-acid soils

Abiotic characteristic

This habitat type was typical for the southwestern part of the study area. Terrains were
slightly inclined (up to 10°) with variable exposition. Soils were shallow to moderately
deep Cambisols. The bedrock types were limestones and dolomites. This habitat type
was presented by 16 polygons and covered a total area of 32.3 km’. The polygon’s area
was in the range of 0.1-19.55 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

Species-rich communities with semi-open to closed horizontal structure and total
cover of 85—100%. In the tree layer, the dominant species was F sylvatica. Other tree
species were Q. petraea agg., C. betulus, S. aucuparia, S. torminalis, A. pseudoplatanus,
Tilia cordata. The shrub layer was well-developed and consisted of young trees from
the aforementioned, as well as C:monogyna, C. orientalis, Ulmus minor, L. vulgare. The
herb layer was species-rich and included some orchid species such as Neotia nidus-avis,
Dactylorhiza cordigera and Cephalantera longifolia. Vhis vegetation was classified to the
alliance Cephalanthero-Fagion, order Fagetalia sylvaticae and class Carpino-Fagetea.

T18 Fagus forest on acid soils

Abiotic characteristic

This habitat was typical for the northwestern part of the territory, occurring in Viskyar
Mountain from 600 to 1000 m a.s.l. The terrains were slightly inclined (up to 10°)

374 Borislav Grigorov et al. / BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022)

and the exposition was variable. The soils were shallow to moderately deep Cambisols.
The bedrock types were magmatics and volcanics. This habitat type was presented by
9 polygons and covered a total area of 4.6 km’. The polygon’s area was in the range of
0.02—2.92 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

Species-poor to moderately species-rich phytocoenoses with a closed horizontal struc-
ture and total cover 90—-100%. There were three layers — tree, shrub and herb layers.
The dominant species was F sylvatica. The tree layer had a canopy of 75—100%. Other
species found were A. pseudoplatanus, Q. petraea agg., and C. betulus. The shrub layer
was formed by the same species from the tree layer as well as Corylus avellana, Rubus
hirtus, R. idaeus. The herb layer within the stands with a high tree layer canopy (close
to 100%) was patched and had low cover (5—15%). On the other hand, within stands
that have been recently cut, the herb layer reached a cover of 30-70%. Species with
higher cover and abundance found in the herb layer were Galium odoratum, Festuca
drymeja, Cardamine bulbifera, Lamiatsrum galeobdolon. The cover of bryophytes was
very low — about 2—5%. This vegetation was classified to associations Asperulo-Fa-
getum and Festuco drymejae-Fagetum, alliance Fagion sylvaticae s.l., order Fagetalia
sylvaticae and class Carpino-Fagetea.

T 19 Temperate and submediterranean thermophilous deciduous forest

Abiotic characteristic

This habitat type was widely distributed within the municipality's boundaries. It was
found from 600 to 1000 m a.s.l. on flat and slightly inclined terrains up to 10°. The
exposition was mainly eastern and southern. Soils were shallow to moderately deep
with high skeletal composition, dry during the summer period. The main bedrock
types were silicates and limestones. This habitat type was presented by 27 polygons and
covered a total area of 7.5 km’. The polygon’s area was in the range of 0.008—0.76 km’.

Species composition and vegetation structure

‘The vegetation had a semi-open to closed horizontal structure. ‘The vertical structure con-
sisted of 3 or 4 well-formed layers. ‘There were tree, shrub, and herb layers, and in some
stands, a separate layer formed by bryophytes and lichens above the ground. ‘The tree layer
had a canopy of 75-90% and dominant species were Q. cerris, Q. frainetto and Q. pube-
scens. In general, these tree species were codominant and formed mixed forests but some
monodominant stands were found also. Other tree species were F ornus, Acer campestre,
C. orientalis and S. torminalis. The shrub layer had a cover between 10 and 60% and was
formed by the same species found in the tree layer, as well as C’ monogyna, R. canina, P
spinosa, Euonymus europaeus, E. verrucosus, C. vitalba and Acer tataricum. These communi-
ties had a well-developed and species-rich herb layer with highly abundant species such as

Forests of Breznik municipality oye)

P nemoralis, FE. heterophylla, Galium pseudoaristatum, M. uniflora, D. glomerata, Buglossoides
purpurocaerulea. The cover of bryophytes and lichens was mainly in the range of 5—15%.
‘These vegetation types were subjected to alliances Quercion confertae and Quercion pe-
traeo-cerridis, order Quercetalia pubescenti-petreae and class Quercetea pubescenti.

Discussion

The present research is among the few in the country that offer a map of all forest
habitats in a single municipality on such a broad scale (1:5000). According to the
EUNIS classification, a total of eight habitat types were established and mapped in
Breznik municipality. They were presented by 322 polygons and covered a total area of
147.51 km’. Forest ecosystem mapping is an essential part of the modeling and assess-
ment of ecosystem condition and services (Glushkova et al. 2020).

The widest-spread forest habitat type in this municipality is the Coniferous plan-
tation of site-native trees (T3N) covering an area of 64.9 km”. It is followed by the
Carpinus and Quercus mesic deciduous forest (T1E) with an area of 35.2 km’, and the
Fagus forest on non-acid soils (T17) with an area of 32.3 km’. The least common forest
in the municipality is the artificial plantation of P menziesii. The artificial plantations
occupy ca. 45% of the total forest area in the municipality. These forests come as a
result of the intensive afforestation activities implemented during the 60—80s of the
last century. Large areas of the native forests have been cleared in the past for pastures
and have been used as such for decades. These activities have led to the development
of soil erosion, especially in areas with shallow ones. Panova and Bondev (1985) also
pointed out the large extent of forest destruction and that only remnants of natural
forests exist on the eastern part of Viskyar Mountain. Nowadays, semi-natural forests
are well-preserved in the southwestern part of the municipality where slopes are steep.
Dominant species are F sylvatica, Q. cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. petraea agg. and C. betulus.
The Quercus pubescens forests have a restricted distribution on places primarily with
southern and eastern expositions and higher solar insolation received.

Fieldwork observations in 2021 found that most of the forest habitats in the mu-
nicipality are affected by negative processes and phenomena, and thus are not in a
favorable condition. ‘This is a direct result of human activities — cutting, afforestation
with non-native and invasive species (P menziesii, R. pseudoacacia) and pollution. Fires
are common as well. There are natural events that also have a negative impact: erosion,
pests and climate change, leading to droughts. Combined, the aforementioned pro-
cesses change the structure and species composition of the natural forests. For instance,
xerothermic oak forests are turning into shrublands or are mixing with Pinus nigra.
Riverine forests of S. fragilis are damaged almost everywhere.

There is an urgent need to adopt measures to sustain natural forest regeneration.
Plans and practices of the foresters have to be updated in order to reduce the pressure
on forests, and curb forest degradation and species richness loss (Krastev 1990; Vacik
et al. 2009; Zlatanov and Lexer 2009). Afforestation with non-native species has to be
switched to native ones and the introduction of invasive species has to be halted.

376 Borislav Grigorov et al. / BioRisk 17: 367-377 (2022)

Conclusions

The forest habitats of Breznik municipality are presented by 8 habitat types accord-
ing to the EUNIS classification. Some 45.6% of the forests are artificial plantations,
including non-native and invasive species. The latter also provide ecosystem services,
such as pollination potential as being suitable habitats for wild pollinator insects — e.g.
the stands of honey plant R. pseudoacacia.

The intensive and prolonged anthropogenic pressure like deforestation has led to the
formation of coppice forests in some areas. Other forests have been intensively exploited
for the last 30-40 years and turned into shrublands with pastures. On the whole, the
forests in Breznik municipality could be evaluated as being in an unfavorable condition.

Acknowledgements

This investigation was carried out with the financial help of the NSP “Young scientists
and postdoctoral students, 2021”.

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