Article

This study aims at mapping and investigating the grassland habitats, defined by Directive 92/43/EEC, on the territory of Dragoman Municipality, Bulgaria. The municipality is located in the western part of the country and is characterized by semi-mountainous terrains and temperate climate. During the fieldwork in 2019 and 2020, 212 relevés were collected, following the Braun-Blanquet approach. Additionally, grassland habitats were checked up at 1340 field points. Grassland habitats covered 89.57 km² or 27.6% of the whole municipalityʼs territory. Six grassland habitat types were differentiated: *Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi (6110), Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites) (6210), Eastern subMediterranean dry grasslands (62A0), Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae) (6410), Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and the montane to alpine levels (6430) and Lowland hay meadows (6510). The most widespread were the xeric grasslands presented within habitats 6210 and 62A0. Traditionally, they are managed as pastures. Habitat 6210 is found on silicate and calcareous substrates, whereas habitat 62A0 is limited to calcareous substrates only. Mesic grasslands were presented by habitat 6510. It is distributed mainly in the Dragoman lowlands and along rivers. Habitats 6410 and 6430 are locally found and cover 0.07 km² and 0.001 km², respectively. The condition, structure and threats for each habitat type are taken into consideration also