Religious differences affect orchid diversity of Albanian graveyards

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. © 2017,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.