Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 32 No.1

Floristic composition of the ruderal habitats along the newly built access roads to the Pelješac Bridge: Preliminary results

Authors: Nenad Jasprica, Marija Pandža, Milenko Milović

Authors and affiliation

  • Nenad Jasprica University of Dubrovnik, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Kneza Damjana Jude 12, HR-20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
  • Marija Pandža Stjepan Radić St. 30, HR-22240 Tisno, Croatia
  • Milenko Milović Antun Vrančić Grammar School, Put Gimnazije St. 64, HR-22000 Šibenik, Croatia

Abstract

We investigated the floristic richness of ruderal sites along the newly built access roads to Pelješac Bridge after several years of construction and three months of traffic on the roads (in autumn 2022). A clear dominance of steno-Mediterranean plants was observed, with a considerable proportion of cosmopolitans, accompanied by a high proportion of therophytes. Taxa from the vegetation classes Artemisietea vulgaris and Chenopodietea predominated. This study analyzes preliminary data and can be used as a basis for a further examination of how plant colonization processes are influenced by human activities. This report can also support comprehensive phytosociological studies of ruderal communities in this area, as well as in other regions with a Mediterranean climate.

Keywords

eastern Adriatic, floristic survey, man-made habitats, Mediterranean climate, roadsides