Spontaneous flora of the Rila Monastery (Bulgaria)

A study of the spontaneous flora at Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bulgaria, identified 110 vascular plant species across 43 families and 94 genera. The research, conducted between 2008 and 2012, revealed that most species were native perennials (hemicryptophytes), with notable species like Sclerochloa dura and Plantago major. The distribution of these plants was influenced by ecological factors such as soil moisture, light exposure, and human activity. Additionally, anemochoric woody species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior, etc.) were found colonizing the monastery's structures, posing risks to its conservation.

Pavlova, D., & Georgieva, E. (2015). Spontaneous flora of the Rila Monastery (Bulgaria). Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 29(sup1), S8–S19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2015.1047167