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The arctic-alpine species, Woodsia alpina (Woodsiaceae), was recorded on the Balkan Peninsula for the first time as a result of an intensive floristic and phytocoenological investigation of the rocky habitats located on the Stara Planina Mt. The record represents the first finding of this species and the family Woodsiaceae in general for the flora of Serbia. This new finding shifts the southern limit of its distribution in Southeastern Europe significantly. Five small subpopulations, consisting of a few up to dozens of specimens, were found above the forest belt, at an elevation range between 1671 and 1718 m a.s.l. They inhabit fissures in what are almost vertical rocks composed of Permian red sandstone with western exposition. Woodsia alpina shows affinities to semi-shaded places, which are moisturerich, slightly acidic and poor in nutrients. It grows alongside mosses, other ferns (Asplenium septentrionale, A. trichomanes, Asplenium ? alternifolium, Cystopteris fragilis) and flowering plants. According to the results of the cluster analysis, the communities of W. alpina recorded in Serbia are clearly distinguished from those of this species in other European countries regarding their floristic composition. Hence, it is necessary to clarify the syntaxonomical rank of this association within the class Asplenietea trichomanis (Br.-Bl. in Meier et Br.-Bl. 1934) Oberd. 1977 and the Androsacetalia vandellii order Br.-Bl. in Meier et Br.-Bl. 1934 in future research. Applying Huisman-Olff-Fresco models on a dataset from the Balkans, it is revealed that W. alpina has narrow ecological valences regarding elevation, exposition and 19 bioclimatic parameters. On the other hand, according to the literature, it grows successfully in a wide range of elevations in Europe, as a result of its affinity to colder climates and the arctic-alpine type of distribution.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the activity concentration of natural radionuclides K-40, U-238, Ra-226, Th-232 and the anthropogenic radionuclide Cs-137 in the samples of soil, moss, hey, corn, yarrow, houseleek, milk and cheese. Samples were collected on Stara Planina Mountain, near the summer school for mountain animal breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, during July 2014 and June 2015. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides in soil ranged from 393-543 Bq/kg (K-40), 29-57 Bq/kg (U-238), 25-51 Bq/kg (Ra-226), and 28-69 Bq/kg (Th-232). The highest activity concentration of Cs-137 in the environment of Stara Planina Mountain was measured in soil (22 Bq/kg) from the area of Smilovci and moss (26 Bq/kg) from the area of Kamenica. Radiocesium was also detected in houseleek (5.7 Bq/kg), while in animal feed and dairy products the activity concentration was below the detection limit.

Developmental potential of rural settlements of Kalna and Minicevo should be reviewed in the wider context of the area in which they are located. The natural resources of Stara Planina mountain, as a special purpose area focused on tourism and agriculture, represent the basic components for sustainable development of the mentioned settlements. The heritage of autochthonus, traditional rural architecture and sacral buildings, together with natural resources potentials, represent attractors for the development of a specific form of rural tourism. This research paper presents an analysis of the options for the development of rural tourism in the territory of Knjazevac municipality, aimed at sustainable development of rural settlements of Kalna and Minicevo. The basic idea of the paper is for Kalna and Minicevo to become the centres towards which the population of smaller surrounding villages will gravitate: towards Kalna as a potential tourism centre and towards Minicevo as a transit tourist settlement with accompanying public and other services. The purpose of the paper is not to offer a solution that would completely eliminate economic and demographic changes, but to review different options for the development of rural settlements that could keep up with modern social needs.

У раду „Етнодемографске карактеристике Старе планине у функцији туризма“ истражиће се етнографске и демографске карактеристике 99 насеља на Старој планини која се могу подредити функцији туризма. Узимајући у обзир чињеницу да се на овом простору још од давнина задржавало и вековима опстајало староседелачко становништво, са свим својим обичајима и традицијом, а да се током шездесетих и седамдесетих година 20. века то исто становништво масовно стало премештати ка локалним већим центрима, неминовно се наметнула потреба сагледавања његових кретања, евидентирање и научно проучавање тих појава и процеса, како би се трајно сачувала белешка о његовом интегритету. У раду ће бити обрађена демографска структура становништва, етно-културолошки елементи насеља, трагови старих цивилизација и старосна структура преосталих житеља у насељима. За свако насеље биће обрађени: географски положај, основне одлике насељености, легенде о настанку насеља и први помен насеља, културно-историјски споменици, култна места и број преосталих житеља.... Главни акценат целокупног истраживања биће представљање свих етно-демографских карактеристика наведених старопланинских насеља које могу бити у функцији туризма. U radu „Etnodemografske karakteristike Stare planine u funkciji turizma“ istražiće se etnografske i demografske karakteristike 99 naselja na Staroj planini koja se mogu podrediti funkciji turizma. Uzimajući u obzir činjenicu da se na ovom prostoru još od davnina zadržavalo i vekovima opstajalo starosedelačko stanovništvo, sa svim svojim običajima i tradicijom, a da se tokom šezdesetih i sedamdesetih godina 20. veka to isto stanovništvo masovno stalo premeštati ka lokalnim većim centrima, neminovno se nametnula potreba sagledavanja njegovih kretanja, evidentiranje i naučno proučavanje tih pojava i procesa, kako bi se trajno sačuvala beleška o njegovom integritetu. U radu će biti obrađena demografska struktura stanovništva, etno-kulturološki elementi naselja, tragovi starih civilizacija i starosna struktura preostalih žitelja u naseljima. Za svako naselje biće obrađeni: geografski položaj, osnovne odlike naseljenosti, legende o nastanku naselja i prvi pomen naselja, kulturno-istorijski spomenici, kultna mesta i broj preostalih žitelja.... Glavni akcenat celokupnog istraživanja biće predstavljanje svih etno-demografskih karakteristika navedenih staroplaninskih naselja koje mogu biti u funkciji turizma. In the scientific work “Ethno-demographical characteristics of Stara planina mountain in the function of tourism’’ the ethnographical and demographical characteristics of 99 settlements of Stara planina mountain will be explored, which can be used in the function of tourism. Considering the fact that the native population with its unique tradition and customs has been living in this area for centuries and that the same population massively started emigrating towards local industrial centers during the 60’s and the 70’s , there is a need for observing their migrations, along with noting and scientific exploration, in purpose of preserving the note of their integrity. In the work, the demographical structure of the population will be explored, along with ethno-cultural elements of the settlements, traces of old civilizations and the age structure of the remaining inhabitants. The geographical position, population density, legends about the origin, the first written information, cultural and historical monuments, cult places and the remaining population of each settlement in the region will be explored. The main purpose of the whole exploration is going to be the presentation of the ethno-demographical characteristics of the Stara planina mountain that can be used in the function of tourism.

Production of organic, biologically valuable food is a trend in the World today, and in our country it can be successfully realized in production of meat and milk from small ruminants, sheep and goats in hilly-mountainous region. Namely, grasslands in these regions are well preserved from the utilization of mineral fertilizers and chemical preparations for plant protection, therefore production of healthy food is still possible with minimum investments. The quality of plant mass is very important, i.e. presence of high quality plant species in the grassland, as well as possibility for increase of their percentage in the grassland. For this purpose, research was carried out and plant associations most present on Stara Planina Mountain on altitude of 650 to 1200 m were analyzed from the aspect of phytocenology. On these locations recordings were made and samples were taken for analysis in the period 2002-2005 and in year 2008. Total of 8 associations were analyzed, and two of them Agrostietum vulgarae Z. Pavl. 1955. sensu lato. and Festucetum vallesiacae Borisavljević 1956. occurred repeatedly on several location and different time interval of analysis. Beside mentioned two associations the following were also analyzed: Arrhenatheretum elatioris Br.-Bl. 1925.senso lato, Festuco-Chrysopogonetum grylli Ranđ. 1977., Danthonietum calycinae Cinc. et Kojić 1958., Medicago falcata-Festucetum rubrae, Trifolio campestre- Agrostietum vulgaris i Festuco vallesiacae-Agrostieutum vulgaris Danon et Blaž.1978 on 17 locations. Number of species in analyzed associations was from 34 to 77. Beside number of plant species also their share categorized in categories of high qualiity grasses, high quality leguminous plants and useful species from other families, as well as harmful i.e. weed species. Main quality parameters were established in samples from all associations. Objective of analyses of natural grasslands was to establish share of high quality plant species, which is reflected directly through production and quality of plant mass grazed by small ruminants, sheep and goats. Proizvodnja organske, biološki vredne hrane je danas svetski trend, a koja se u našoj zemlji uspešno može ostvariti u proizvodnji mesa i mleka sitnih preživara, ovaca i koza u brdsko-planinskom području. Naime, travnjaci u ovim područjima su još uvek sačuvani od upotrebe mineralnih đubriva i hemijskih sredstava za zaštitu bilja pa je proizvodnja zdrave hrane još uvek moguća uz minimalna ulaganja. Zbog toga, izuzetno je značajan kvalitet biljne mase, odnosno zastupljenost kvalitetnih biljnih vrsta u travnjaku, kao i mogućnosti za povećanje njihovog procentualnog učešća u travnjaku. U tom cilju obavljena su istraživanja i analizirane, s aspekta fitocenologije, najrasprostranjenije biljne zajednice na Staroj planini na nadmorskoj visini od 650-1200 m. Na ovim lokalitetima snimci su pravljeni i uzimani uzorci za analizu 2002-2005 i 2008. godine. Analizirano je 8 asocijacija, s tim što su se dve asocijacije, Agrostietum vulgarae Z. Pavl. 1955. sensu lato. i Festucetum vallesiacae Borisavljević 1956. ponavljale kako na različitim lokalitetima tako i u vremenskom intervalu analiziranja. Pored ovih analizirane su i asocijacije: Arrhenatheretum elatioris Br.-Bl. 1925.senso lato, Festuco-Chrysopogonetum grylli Ranđ. 1977., Danthonietum calycinae Cinc. et Kojić 1958., Medicago falcata-Festucetum rubrae, Trifolio campestre-Agrostietum vulgaris i Festuco vallesiacae-Agrostieutum vulgaris Danon et Blaž. 1978. na 17 lokaliteta. Broj vrsta u analiziranim zajednicama je 34-77. Analizirano je pored brojnosti i pokrovnosti biljnih vrsta i njihovo učešće svrstanih u kategorije kvalitetnih trava, kvalitetnih leguminoza i korisnih vrsta drugih familija, kao i štetnih, odnosno korovskih vrsta. U uzorcima iz svih zajednica utvrđeni su osnovni parametri kvaliteta. Cilj ovih analiza prirodnih travnjaka je utvrđivanje učešća kvalitetnih vrsta biljaka, koje se direktno odražavaju kroz produkciju i kvalitet biljne mase koju ispasaju sitni preživari, koze i ovce.

Investigation was carried out on the territory of Stara Planina mountain, Pirot mnucipality, in villages: Dojkinci, Brlog, Jelovica, Visočka Ržana and Rsovci, from 700-1200 m above sea level, on farms with greater number of sheep (over 100 heads) which in regard to the breeds structure were mainly Pirot pramenka breed, and insignificant number of heads were crosses of Pirot Pramenka and Württemberg. Research included analysis of pasture from the aspect of floristic and chemical composition. In regard to botanical composition it was concluded that grasses were present with approx. 50%, leguminous plants with 15% , and herbaceous plants with 35%. Share of crude protein in investigated samples varied from 4,81 to 13,57%, and of crude fibre from 20,67 to 37,17%. Yield of forage on pastures was from 0,6 to 2,0 t/ha. Low yield as well as unsatisfactory floristic composition of pastures resulted from poor care, especially lack of fertilization and their unplanned and inefficient use which was reflected on milk yield of sheep, in lactation of 180 days it was from 69,16-70,40 kg. Improvement of botanical composition can be achieved by application of fertilizers since in this way the share of useful grasses (Poaceae) and leguminous plants (Fabaceae) is increased, and share of herbaceous plants in total mass of pasture is reduced, which represents one of our goals in research on the Pirot territory of Stara Planina mountain. In order to preserve the quality and phytodiversity of plant species we suggested as optimal way of pasture utilization, combination of pasture and cutting system. In winter nutrition period, on investigated locations, introduction of haylage in nutrition of sheep used for production of milk is recommended, because of its higher nutritive value compared to hay. U radu je analizirano sadašnje stanje u proizvodnji ovčijeg mleka (sa aspekta proizvodnje stočne hrane i ishrane) na području pirotskog dela Stare planine. Rezultati ispitivanja su pokazali da je postojeći sistem proizvodnje ekstenzivan i nezadovoljavajući obzirom na agrarno-geografski potencijal. U cilju prevazilaženja takvog stanja, naše aktivnosti su bile usmerene na uvođenje novih tehnoloških postupaka u ishrani ovaca kao što su: promena florističkog sastava pašnjaka pod uticajem đubrenja, planska eksploatacija pašnjaka i korišćenje senaže u ishrani ovaca za proizvodnju mleka.

Meadows and pastures are important resource of livestock feeds in mountain regions and all plant species on them don’t have same value as livestock feeds. From aspect of food value for livestock all species fundamentally can distribute as useful and harmful plants. In paper are represent two plant associations of Stara Planina Mountain Festucetum vallesiacae and Agrostietum vulgarae. In this associations, besides useful plants, are defined, harmful plant species, there present in associations and all of it in aim of ascertainment measures for their removal or reduction from sward. Group of harmful plants is segmented on three subcategory: bed and worthless plants, harmful and poorly poisons and very poisons plants. Association Festucetum vallesiacae count 75 plant species and of that, category bed and worthless plants belong 26 plants or 34.7 g kg-1, category harmful and poorly poisons belong 8 or 10.6 g kg-1, while category very poisons plants default. Association Agrostietum vulgare count 47 plant species and of that category bed and worthless plants belong 17 or 36.17 g kg-1, category harmful and poorly poisons just one plant or 2.13 g kg-1 and category very poisons plants default too. Livade i pašnjaci su bitni izvori stočne hrane u planinskim predelima. Odlikuju se velikom raznolikošću biljnih vrsta i zajednica. Međutim sve biljne vrste na travnjacima nisu podjednake vrednosti za ishranu stoke. Sa aspekta hranljive vrednosti sve vrste u osnovi se mogu podeliti na korisne i štetne. U radu su prikazane dve biljne zajednice Stare planine Festucetum vallesiacae i Agrostietum vulgare. U njim su definisane štetne biljne vrste, njihovo procentualno učešće, sa ciljem iznalaženja mera za njihovo procentualno smanjenje ili uklanjanje sa travnjaka. Grupa štetnih biljaka podeljena je na tri podkategorije: loše i bezvredne biljne vrste, škodljive i slabo otrovne i vrlo otrovne. Asocijacija Festicetum vallesiacae broji ukupno 77 biljnih vrsta od toga kategoriji lošim i bezvrednim pripada 25 biljaka odnosno 32,46%, škodljivim i slabo otrovnim 8 odnosno 10,38%, dok su vrlo otrovne izostale. Asocijacija Agrostietum vulgare broji ukupno 47 biljnih vrsta od toga 17 ili 36,17 % pripada lošim i bezvrednim, od škodljivih i slabo otrovnih utvrđena je samo jedna ili 2,13 % dok vrlo otrovnih nije bilo.

The analysis of participation of harmful and undesirable species in the floristic composition of hilly meadow communities, such as ass. Agrostietum vulgaris Pavl. 1955, ass. Koelerietum montartele Pavl. 1951. and ass. Poo alpinae-Plantaginetum holostei Pavl. 1951 spread on the Stara planina mountain was carried out in order to estimate the quality and, thus the perspectives for utilization and management of these grasslands. The presence of weed species in investigated phytocoenoses ranged from 36.73% to even 67.24 % in ass. Poo alpinae-Plantaginetum holostei and ass. Koelerietum montanae, respectively, indicating the long-term exposure of these meadows to a man-made and grazing pressure. Among the poisonous species, the most frequent were Veratrum album, Colchicum autumnale and Euphorbia cyparissias. In the biological spectrum of analyzed grasslands prevailed the hemicryptophytes, and in the less extend the chamephytes, which might be related to their unsustainable utilization. Therefore, it could be recommended the application of the adequate management practices, including fertilization, to improve the quality of these communities and preserve biodiversity and the natural resources for further exploitation.

The five most important meadow associations on the Stara Planina Mountain in National Park "Stara Planina" were analysed in order to define initial parameters for determination of grassland potential, as well as natural resources for production of biologically valuable and high quality food and revitalization of agricultural production in hilly-mountainous region. Floristic composition of five meadow associations is presented: Medicago falcate - Festucetum rubrae at three locations around the Pirot, Triflolio - Agrostietum stoloniferae Lj. Mark. 1973, Agrostietum vulgaris Z. Pavl. 1955, two ass. Festucetum vallesiaceae - Agrostietum vulgaris Danon et Blaz. 1978 and Festuco-Agrostietum Horv. (1951) 1982.em Trinajest.1972 one. All five associations are around Dimitrovgrad. First association of Festucetum vallesiaceae - Agrostietum vulgaris Danon et Blaz. 1978 had the highest diversity with the total number of 75 species. The number of species in investigated associations was: grasses from 8 to 23, legumes from 8 to 17 and other species from 21 to 34. Participation of major meadow species based on their mass is presented in the paper. On the basis of their productivity the species belong to the associations of useful grasses, useful legumes and other useful species and weeds. The study of grasslands was done in order to establish production potentials and quality of grasslands used for grazing of small ruminants, i.e. sheep and goats.