Back to Contents

Pak. J. Bot., 49(1): 289-303, 2017.

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AFFECT ORCHID DIVERSITY OF ALBANIAN GRAVEYARDS

ATTILA MOLNÁR V.1,2* , ATTILA TAKÁCS1,2, EDVÁRD MIZSEI3 , VIKTOR LÖKI1 , ZOLTÁN BARINA4 , GÁBOR SRAMKÓ1,2 AND JÁCINT TÖKÖLYI5

^{1Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
2MTA-DE “Lendület” Evolutionary Phylogenomics Research Group, University of Debrecen,
Egyetem tér 1., H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
3Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
4Department of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1431 Budapest, Pf. 137, Hungary
5MTA-DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1.,
H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
*Corresponding author’s email: mva@science.unideb.hu, Phone: +36-52-/512-900/62648 ext.}

Abstract

Graveyards are unique habitats and well-known as refugia for many organisms, as traditional habitat management of graveyards lends them serious conservational value. However, the impact of religious affiliation to the natural values of graveyards has not been evaluated yet, although religion can have an impact on them through different habits and management. To test this hypothesis, we collected comprehensive field data of orchids and environmental variables in 166 Albanian graveyards. We found that Muslim graveyards were significantly larger and contained a smaller proportion of area covered by graves than Christian ones. Altogether 29 orchid taxa were found in 88 graveyards with different religious affiliation (Muslim, Christian or mixed). Muslim graveyards contained more orchid taxa compared to Christian ones. Orchid abundance was also significantly positively related to elevation. Based on this study, Albanian graveyards can be considered as significant refugia for orchids in the Mediterranean, and the long-term graveyard management influenced by the religious affiliation may have a significant impact on the natural values of these graveyards.

Key words: Balkan Peninsula, cemetery, flora of Albania, Orchidaceae, refuges, vascular plants