Rare and Endemic Species in Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, Dobrogea, Romania

Since antiquity, man has been concerned with biological diversity. Initially, concerns were related to knowledge of living things in order to use them as sources of food, clothing, to treat various diseases or simply knowledge of the environment. With the accumulation of knowledge, man was concerned about the classification of life forms – first, in the form of empirical systems and later, as scientific systems (Bavaru et al. 2007; Bleahu, 2004).

Biodiversity issues in all its aspects must be addressed in terms of protection, rather than conservation, which implies a transition from static to a dynamic management, in which man does not simply collect and store museum artifacts, but is actively and consciously involved in stewardship of all life forms (Bavaru et al. 2007).
During the evolution of life, from its appearance on Earth more than 3.5 billion years ago, specific diversity has changed continuously, and microbial, plant and animal species in now number (5-50 million).Over geological time there have been numerous changes in earth`s crust, cosmic events, alternating periods of warm with many glacial periods.At least five mass extinction events have differentially selected for or against taxa (Skolka et al., 2005).Humans have played and continue to play a major role in extinction, and have initiaded a sixth major extinction event.This is particulary alarming as the many species disappear before they are even scientifically recognized, and natural ecosystems are deteriorating rapidly.
Ecosystems and habitats sustain multiple damages, including desertification, overexploitation of natural resources, the introduction of alien species, expansion of agro-ecosystems and intensive agricultural practices that are detrimental to the environment, the appearance and expansion of urban anthropogenic ecosystems, pollution and other impact.All these are examples of cases with serious consequences locally, regionally and globally (Bavaru et al. 2007;Bleahu, 2004;Botnariuc, 1989;Skolka et al., 2005).
Here I describe the geography, geology, and biogeography of the Dobrogea Region and specifically the Conacu-Negreşti Valley in eastern Romania.I describe the biota that occupy the valley, and describe in detail the ecology and biogeography of a dozen of its little-known rare or endemic plant species.This is a poorly known valley that harbors numerous rare and unique species, and deserves more recognition for its wealth of life and unique natural heritage.

Dobrogea region
Dobrogea is located on the northern Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Central Europe -(44 0 17 `03,77 ``N, 28 0 21 `53,27 ``E, Figures 1, 2).It occupies an area of approximately 23.142 km 2 , of which 15.570 km 2 are located in Romania (making up 6.52% of the total area of Romania; Skolka et al., 2005;Dobrogea, 2011) and 7.572 km 2 in Bulgaria (Dobrici Region, 2011;Silistra Region, 2011).The Dobrogea Region is bordered by the lower Danube River to the southwest, west, northwest and north, the Danube Delta to the northeast, the Black Sea to the east and the Ludogorie Plateau to the southeast and south (Peahă, 1982).The most easterly point of Dobrogea lies at 29 0 41 `24 `` east longitude, corresponding area of the Sulina, Romania.
North Dobrogea is located in the south -eastern of Romania and is composed of two subunits, each with distinctive physical-geographical, soil and climate features: continental Dobrogea (Dobrogea Plateau) and maritime Dobrogea (Peahă, 1982;Skolka et al., 2005).The Dobrogea Plateau is divided into three geographical units: Northern Dobrogea with an average altitudes of 200 m, Central Dobrogea, and Southern Dobrogea, the latter two units with average altitudes of 100 m.
North Dobrogea encompassed several distict geographic subunits: the Măcin Mountains, the Niculiṭel Plateau, the Tulcea Hills and the Babadag Plateau.The Măcin Mountains are the oldest mountain range in Europe, formed during the late Paleozoic Hercynian orogeny, with a maximum altitude is 476 m on uṭuiatu Peak or Greci Peak (Axini M., 2009).
Central Dobrogea contains the Casimcea Plateau, the oldest topographic relief in Dobrogea, formed during the early Paleozoic Caledonian orogeny.
The maritime portion of Dobrogea contains the Danube Delta (a fluvial-marine plain undergoing continuous genesis), the Razelm-Sinoie Lagoon complex, and the supra-littoral zone of the Black Sea (Peahă, 1982;Skolka et al., 2005).
The landscape has formed predominantly on Cretaceous and Sarmatian limestone, on Precambrian basement lithology and covered by a thick blanket of 40 m of Quaternary loess.The Preterozoic foundation is composed of crystalline schists and sedimentary superstructure, which are distinguished by two types of Paleozoic-Mesozoic and Neozoic formations.
Paleozoic Silurian formations are composed of clay schists with Devonian diaclases, consistion of thick marl clay, marl-limestone, etc. Mesozoic formations are composed of alternating calcareous and detritic deposits.Jurassic Period strata are composed of alternating limestone and diatomites.The Cretaceous period is represented by reef limestone and, marl-limestone, with sand, glaucenic sandstones, and microconglomerates in the middle strata, and marl clay at the base.Uppermost strata are dominate by debris facies with calcareous sandstones, microconglomerates, chalk, etc.These formations have been subjected to folding with foundation blocks revealing wavy structure.
In South Dobrogea, the Conacu-Negreşti Valley is located on a north-west to south-east axis.It is a "canara" (Iana, 1973), a term specific to Dobrogea, and meaning a valley generally short, narrow, with limestone slopes, high and steep walls with small caves, partly covered with SubMediterranean xerophyte meadows and scrub forest vegetation.
The Conacu-Negreṣti Lake is of recent geological origin, formed by natural damming.Sixty years ago catastrophic flooding occurred after heavy rains, and water from Plopeni Lake located in the south and at an altitude higher than Conacu-Negresti Valley, overflowed into it.Alluvium was deposited by the flood, and the lake formed and is maintained by groundwater sources in the valley and precipitations (Basarabeanu, 1969;Gâṣtescu & Breier, 1969;Godeanu, 2002;Axini, 2011b).

Biodiversity of Conacu-Negreṣti Valley
Conacu-Negreşti Valley, part of South Dobrogea, is distinguished by spectacular landscape beauty and is characterized by rich and diverse assemblage, with many rare or endemic species specific to the Dobrogea Province.Its significance also is derived from its geological, geomorphological and paleontological characteristics.
The dominant shrub species in the valley include: Prunus spinosa L. and P. (Padus) mahaleb (L.) Borkh.(Fam.Rosaceae Juss.), -both shrub species found only the large canyon (one of the two canyons in the south-west of the valley); Crataegus monogyna Jacq.(Fam.Rosaceae Juss.), found on the plateau, on walls with southeast and northeast aspect (all three in the central valley), and in the large canyon of the south-west of the valley; and Cornus mas L. (Fam.Cornaceae Link.), found only in the small canyon (other canyon in the south-west of the valley, which is lower compared to that mentioned above) (Axini, 2011b).
Coleoptera are well represented in Dobrogea fauna, with both terrestrial and aquatic forms.In terms of species from Conacu-Negreşti Valley, they are little known to date with -11 species belonging to 6 families.Among those species identified, 4 species are important: Platambus maculatus Linnaeus is of Euro-Central Asian afinity, Hydroporus dobrogeanus Ieniştea is endemic to Dobrogea, and Cybister lateralimarginalis De Geer is of Euro-Siberian afinity, (all three species are in the Dytiscidae), and Cerambyx cerdo L. (Cerambycidae) is an endangered and rare species, characteristic of wooded areas (Figure 8).This species is affiliaded with the oak forest in the valley (Cojocaru & Popescu, 2004;Niṭu & Decu, 2002;Panin, 1957;Panin & N. Săvulescu, 1957).(Căpuṣe, 1968;Ruṣti, 2002) and its presence in the lake indicated that the valley is a former arm of the Danube River.This, also is evident from field observations on the shape and orientation of the valley and canyons and geological data.
Podarcis muralis subsp.maculiventris was found only in wooded areas and with rocky walls in southern and northern Dobrogea, while in the Conacu-Negreşti Valley it inhabits only northeast facing limestone wall in the middle of the valley.Lacerta (Podarcis) muralis is a rare and localized species, in Dobrogea by subspecies maculiventris.
Testudo graeca ibera is a Dobrogean turtle, monument of nature, is abundant on plateaus and also in the canyons.The same cannot be said about Emys orbicularis, the water turtle, which is declining due to anthropogenic factors.The number of birds identified thus far in the valley include 32 families.Larks are most abundant but are more or less sedentary, migrating only in very cold winters.However, lark populations from Conacu-Negresti Valley are in numerical decline due to the anthropogenic activities.
Among the bird species of conservation concern identified in the valley thus far are: Ardeola ralloides Scopoli, Ixobrychus minutus Linnaeus (Ardeidae), Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus (Ciconidae), Burhinus oedicnemus Linnaeus (Burhinidae), Sterna hirundo Linnaeus (Sternidae), Melanocorypha calandra Linnaeus (Alaudida), Lanius minor Gmelin (Laniidae), Dendrocopos syriacus balcanicus Hemprich et Bibr.(Picidae) (Bănică, 2006;Birds Directive;Flocea, 2004;Munteanu, 2005).Among the mammal species identified in the valley is the ground squirrel, Citellus citellus Pallas (Sciuridae), which is an endemic species to Europe and which inhabits steppe grasslands.Unfortunately, the species is in decline due to expansion of agricultural activities.In the valley, it occurred until recently as a large population, but currently it is in decline due to its popularity (recreation area) that led to the increasing number of tourists and fishermen.It is a species of conservation interest and require more rigurous protection (Habitats Directive, Annex 2, 4 and Natura 2000).The same applies to the mole Talpa europaea (Botnariu & Tatole, 2005;Habitats Directive;Iordache et al., 2004;Murariu, 2005).The ground squirrel occupies fragmented habitat by the Carpathian Mountains in: Pannonian Basin and the southeastern part (southern Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine).It is a critically endangered species due to the pronounced population declines and requires more rigorous protection (Habitats Directive, Natura 2000).
Among carnivorous mammals, foxes -Vulpes sp.-are more common and manages to survive despite human impacts on their habitats.They burrow in sandy canyon walls.In contrast, wolves, Canis lupus Linnaeus, are in decline throughout southern Dobrogea due to exntense deforestation.In the past, Cobadin had extensive forests of oak, and a large population of wolves.Records of Canis aureus exist, which entered the study area from Bulgaria.

Orders
Families  14) is a perennial plant, up to 45 cm high.Its leaves have toothed lobes; and reproduces sexually, with direct or/and indirect pollination by insects.Its fruits and seeds are dispersed by ants.This species blooms in April-May (Szabó, 1973).It is a heliophyte and xerophyitici species, widespread in the plains and hills, on dry, sunny soils that are neutral in pH and low in mineral nitrogen soils, in steppe grasslands (Szabó, 1973).
In Romania, it was occurs in: Transylvania, Moldavia and Dobrogea.In Dobrogea it was previously known only from the northern region, between Jurilofca and Gagebischi Liman, where it was identified by G. Grinṭescu, Romanian botanist, under the name Adonis villosavernalis (copy found in Herbarium of Romanian Institut of Biology of Romanian Academy in Bucharest, BUCA), and it was found Tulcea (identified by the same botanist as the A. walziana).In the southern region, it occurs near resorts close to the Conacu-Negreṣti Valley(Basarabi, Fântâniṭa-Murfatlar Reserve and Cobadin) (Dihoru et al., 1965;Grecescu, 1898;Zahariadi, 1964).
The scientific and practical importance of Adonis volgensis are high, because it is the medicinal and toxic plant, and it listed as vulnerable (VU), in Romania at the southwestern limit of its distribution.
Unfortunately, Adonis volgensis is threatened by reduction and degradation of its habitats by grubbing and overgrazing, expansion of agricultural area and exccessive collections.These impacts haves, lead to population reduction.To these impacts can be added natural factors related to the biology of the species, with low seeds production, failure of vegetative propagation, and occasional attack by microscopic fungi.Parietaria serbica lives on rocks and stones, and is shade-loving, often occurring in cracks in rocks.It is a calciphile, that grows in hilly and sub-mountainous areas.It does not typically co-occur with other species in the low quality, rocky soils.
In the Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, Parietaria serbica was identified in a small canyon (43 0 59 `34,68 ` N, 28 0 10 `54,25 `` E), at the entrance to Conacu Village -in the central eastern part of the valley, with north-western aspect (Figure 17) and a limestone wall with north-eastly Parietaria serbica is a Daco-Moesian-Dobrogean element, with a range in the northern part of Balkan Peninsula and Romania.This subspecies is endemic to Europe (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).It is a threatened species (EN) (IUCN, 2010), of considerable scientific importance of the species due to its extreme rarety and small range in Europe.The species has practical importance as an herb with the same therapeutic properties as Parietaria officinalis.Parietaria serbica is a short, annual species, that grows in small populations in rocks caverns, with low power propagation It is a plant that needs to rebuild their herd seasonally.The specimens of Romania is at the northern limit of the area.All this shows the degree of endangerment of the species.
Conservation measures include: prevent quarrying in its habitats, its conservation within protected areas, conservation of seeds in gene banks and growning the species in botanical gardens.In Romania is present in protected areas the Porṭile de Fier Natural Park and Sohodol Gorges in southwestern Romania, and in Hagieni Forest, Canaraua Fetii, Gura Dobrogei, Cheia Natural Reserves in the territory of Dobrogea.
It is a plant of hills, a heliophytic, thermophyte, who living on dry soils that are low in nitrogen, and in xerophytic meadows and on rocks (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009;Zahariadi, 1965).
In In Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, M. bilykiana was identified on a southeast -facing limestone wall in the central valley (43 0 59 `39,02 ` N, 28 0 10 `38,98 ``) (Figure 22).It also has been identified in the small canyon (43 0 59 `34,68 ` N, 28 0 10 `54,25 `` E), located in the entrance of Conacu Village (Figure 17).It is a Scythian element and is European endemite, with a range limited by the northern Black Sea (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).Although it is a low-risk (LR) species (IUCN, 2011), its scientific importance is quite high, because it is a rare and ephemeral species, requiring future taxonomic research.
It requires protection because of reduced habitat availability and because it is parasitized by species of microbial fungi.As a conservation measure, "ex situ" cultivation in botanical gardens would help protect this species.
It is an East Balkan element, endemic to Europe, with a range in south-east Europe.In Wrigley`s opinion, this species replaces S. chersonensis from north of the Danube River, in Romania (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).
It is an threatened species (EN) (IUCN, 2011) due to its reduced habitat area and attack by parasitic microbial fungi.
J. is a Mediterranean element, with a range represented by the South Europe (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009) and is a vulnerable species (VU) ( IUCN, 2011).
The plant has a great scientific importance due to its highty isolated range, which indicate its great age (Boṣcaiu, 1976, cited in Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).
It also is threatened by its small populations, lack of suitable habitat, the impacts of parasitic microbial fungi.These factors indicate that specific conservation measures should be undertaken, including both "in situ" and "ex situ" propagation options.

Satureja coerulea Janka in Velen (Labiatae Family Juss.)
Satureja coerulea Janka in Velen (Figure 24) is a sub-shrub (Ch) up to 25 cm tall, with deep roots; hairy stems and linear, ciliate leaves what are 1,5-2 mm wide.This species has pink fowers 7-10 mm wide, is self-pollinated and its fruits and seeds are disseminated by zoochory.S. coerulea blooms from July to September (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).S. coerulea a heliophytic, thermophytic, calciphile and is ultra-xerophyle species who occurs on dry, neutral soils, on hills, in arid rocks meadows, and on rocks.
The plant has practical importance as a decorative species and of importance in bee-keeping for its melliferous nectar production.
Although, it is conserved within protected areas, as mentioned above, S. coerulea requires aditional conservation measures, both "in situ" and "ex situ", including cultivation in botanical gardens and population restauration.Such actions are warranted because it tipically forms small populations and its rock surface habitats has been reduced.

Achillea clypeolata Sbth. et Sm. (Compositae)
Achillea clypeolata Sibth.et Sm (syn. A. alexandri-borzae Prodan) (Figure 25) is a perennial plant (H) with leaves in one plane, larges incisions that reach the median rib; inflorescences with peduncles 2 mm long, yellow flowers; sexual vegetative reproduction, with many stems growing from a single root; entomophilous and anemophilous pollination, and dispersal of fruits and seeds in its habitats.It blooms from June to July.It preserved well by vegetative reproduction by rhizomes.By yellow flowers and compact inflorescences, the species can be confused with A. coarctata Poiret and with A. thracica Velen.This latter species is a European endemite, a Dobrogean-Thracian element with potential for existence in the valley.A. clypeolata hybridizes with A. neilreichii, A. setacea, and A. pannonica (the first species identified in the valley), demostrating the vigurous nature of this species (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009;Prodan, 1931Prodan, , 1939)).
The plant is economically important, as a decorative plant, and has been identified as important to the plant genetic fund.In addition, it has scientific importance as it reaches the north-eastern limit of its limited world range.Because of the reduction of Dobrogea steppes habitats by plowing and because it is parasitized by the microbial fungi, this species requires additional conservation protection.
C. napulifera is a heliophytic, thermophytic, calciphile, a xerophytic species that lives on dry, neutral -pH soils.Species grows in green lands with rare trees, on dry meadows, and by bushes (Dihoru & Doniṭă, 1970).In the Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, it was found only on the limestone plateau located in the central valley (43 0 59 `19,11 ` N, 28 0 19 `42,60 ``) (Figure 15).There, it co-occurs with: Achillea setacea W. et K. and Echinops ritro L. ssp.ruthenicus (M.C. napulifera is a vulnerable species (VU) (IUCN, 2001) due to agricultural alteration of its habitat in the west, southwest, southeast and east sides of the study area.
This species has considerable scientific importance because its unusual life history characteristics particularly is vegetative reproduction and short life cycle.It also has practical importance as a decorative plant and for its nectar and pollen production during spring.
The plant is endangered in part due to its short stature, which does not allow for widescale dispersal of fruit (usually only a few cm), and it may be attacked by microbial fungi.To these threats are added the impacts of intensive livestock grazing and other agricultural alternation of its natural grassland habitats.
Consequently, protective measures are needed, including research, resolution of its subspecific taxonomic, and propagation in protected settings, including botanical gardens.
It is a plant with practical importance, as a medicinal herb, it is used as a diuretic and a treatment for eczema and liver failure; it also is used as a ornamental and a food plant.
It is regarded as a vulnerable species (VU) (IUCN, 2011).The species is characterized by small populations and therefore is threatened by loss of habitats.For these reasons, this species needs protection, both "in situ" (currently, there is within Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve) and "ex situ" (through cultivation in botanical gardens).Ornithogalum oreoides (Figure 29) is a rhizomatous plant (G), with bulbs with free scales, canaliculate leaves that are smooth edgeds.It is polinated by insects and its fruit and seeds are disseminated by gravity; however, it also undergoes vegetative reproduction.Ornithogalum oreoides blooms in -May (Zahariadi, 1966;Zahariadi, 1980, as cited in Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).
It is classified as a vulnerable species (VU) (IUCN, 2011).Although an important ornamental and nectar producing species, it is a rare and is highly restricted to specific microsites, and may be attacked by fungi.Consequently, it deerves protected measures, both "in situ" (currently, it is in the territory of Cheia Jurassic Reefs Reserve, "Canaralele" from Hârṣova Port, Gura Dobrogei Cave, and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve) and "ex situ" (through cultivation in botanical gardens and through restocking).Koeleria lobata (syn.K. brevis Steven; K. degenii Domin) is a perennial brush-shaped plant (H), sometimes forming small clusters.It has bulbous root base and many stems emerge from a single root.Along with its vegetative reproduction capacity, it is amemophilous and its seeds are dispersed by gravity and by "seed eating" animals.It blooms from May-July (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).
In the Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, it was detected on a limestone wall (alt.89 m) from the bottom of the lake in the south -central valley, on south-eastern exposure (43 0 58 `53,66 ` N, 28 0 10 `09,29 `` E) (Figure 30).Its presence is confirmed in the large canyon, on the limestone wall in the northwest valley and on the limestone plateau above the canyon, where cooccurs with Parietaria.K. lobata is a Continental element, with a range extending from Turkey to Southeast Russia in Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Crimeia, eastern Russia (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).
This spesies is a vulnerable species (VU) (IUCN, 2011) due to loss of its habitats, and it is of scientific interes because of its vegetation reproduction.It also is a pioneer species, stabilizing rocky lands.
Protective measure are necessary, including -"in situ" through preservation in reserves, such as the Hagieni Forest, Fântâniṭa-Murfatlar, the Babadag Forest, the Uspenia Monastery, and Măcin Mountains National Park.It also may require "ex situ" protection through cultivation in botanic gardens.

Conclusions
Data presented in this work were compiled from field and laboratory studies in 2003-2010.This research is part of a program developed by the "Monachus" Group for Research and Environmental Education in Constanṭa, Romania in partnership with the Faculty of Natural Sciences, "Ovidius" University in Constanṭa, Romania, aimed at identifying the biodiversity of the Conacu-Negresti Valley, the biology and ecology of which was not recognized until 2003.
Our field and laboratory studies lead us to conclude that the Conacu-Negreşti Valley is characterized by a rich and diverse flora and fauna, with numerous rare and endemic species for Romania and Dobrogea.Many of these species require improved management, protection, and preservation status.At present, the valley does not have designated conservation status, and a part of the lake is leased and managed as a fish farm.Human impacts on different aspects may contribute to future declines and even disappearance of some rare species.Therefore, urgent protective measures should be taken that will lead to improved biodiversity conservation and landscape protection in this valley.
Due to its unique nature, which result from its geological and paleontological past, the valley hosts many species important to science and human well-being, and some of which have not yet been described.Such efforts will be the focus of future work in this research program.

Acknowledgment
As director of the reseach and environment education program on Conacu-Negreṣti Valley, I want to thank my colleagues on the research team: Associate Professor Ph.D. Marius Skolka, Ph.D. Gavril Negrean, Professor PhD. Rodica Bercu, and Ph.D. Gabriel Bănică.

Fig. 1 .
Fig. 1.Map of Europe (from Google Earth) -showing the position of Dobrogea and Conacu-Negreṣti Valley in Europe Until 2003, the valley was known only from the geographical and geological field studies and research of Mrs. Dr. Sofia Iana, University of Bucharest, on the Negru -Vodă Plateau.In 2003, the "Monachus" Group of Scientific Research and Environmental Education, Constanta, Romania developed a study and research project on the biodiversity of the Conacu-Negresti Valley.The "Monachus" G.S.R.E.E.effort, became a permanent research program, undertaking new research and public education projects for environmental protection of this valley.

Fig. 4 .
Fig. 4. The proportion of plants families with the highest number of species identified in the valley so far

Fig. 5 .
Fig. 5. Groups of invertebrates identified to date in the valley

Fig. 7 .
Fig. 7.The proportion of insects families with the highest number of species identified in the valley

Fig. 8 .
Fig.8.Cerambix cerdo identified on a grassy hill in the south-west corner of the valley (photo.M.Axini, 2009)

Fig. 19 .
Fig. 19.D. pseudoarmeria location on the limestone wall in the north-westest portion of the valley (image from Google Earth) It is a Pontic-Tauric-Balkan element, with an range centered in south-east Europe (Dihoru & Negrean, 2009).It is a low-risk species (LR) (IUCN, 2011).It is an important ornamental plant and is grown in flower gardens.Currently, D. pseudoarmeria is listed within the territory of protected areas, including: Hanu Conachi, Hagieni, Fântâniṭa-Murfatlar, Măcin Mountain National Park, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.This species deserves protection due to habitat loss, and because it is parasitized by microbial fungi."Ex situ" cultivation could be achieved in botanical gardens.

Fig. 22 .
Fig. 22. Location of Minuartia bilykiana in the study area on the southeast -facing limestone wall of the central valley (Google Earth, 2011) In Romania, S. exaltata been identified thus far only in Dobrogea.It was reported between 1978 and 1983 by the Romanian botanist Gavril Negrean in the northern Dobrogea: on the Sărăturile Coastal Dunes from Sfântu Gheorghe, east of Enisala Ancient City, in the southeastern Heraclea Ancient City, north of "Caramanchioi" and on Dolojman Peninsula.In southern Dobrogea, it was detected in Agigea, Basarabi and in the Hagieni Forest (in "Cascaia").Currently, S. exaltata is protected within Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Fânṭâniṭa-Murfatlar Forest, Maritime Dunes Reserve from Agigea and Hagieni Forest.

Fig. 23 .
Fig. 23.The small canyon and the large canyon in the south-west of the valley, where S. exaltata has been detected (Google Earth, 2011)