A list of vascular plants in the planned reserve “Gorajskie Parzyska” is presented in this paper. 226 taxa out of 152 genera and 57 families of vascular plants were inventoried. The most representative families are: Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, as well as Salicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Ranunculaceae and Scrophulariaceae. There were 19 species catalogued as species of special care as they are under total or partial legal protection and are listed on the Polish National Red List and on Regional Red List for Wielkopolska. The study area (9.26 ha) seems to be particularly valuable in comparison to the rest of Czarnkowska Moraine to other stands where endangered or protected species were found.
Taxus baccata L. has a scattered distribution and the decline of yew woodlands is observed across the entire species range. Passively protected populations in the central and northern part of their distribution are declining without human intervention. However, the establishment of new yew populations is observed in habitats that have been significantly transformed by humans. The following question need to be answered: why do yews find better in environmental conditions that have been strongly modified by humans compared to natural systems? The Quaternary history might be the key to understand the current yew situation. As suggested by palaeobotanical studies, pollen of T. baccata was observed at optima of the interglacials, but in subsequent periods, it has been displaced by that of other shade-tolerant species. Pollen diagrams indicate that after the last glaciation, the yew did not appear earlier than other shade-tolerant species and did not have the opportunity to become common in occurrence, as in previous interglacial periods. As a result, yews occur only as relict populations within environmental islands where the competition with other shade-tolerant species is low. The negative human impact on yew is well-documented, but limitations resulting from the biology of this species are also very important. T. baccata is a species whose current scattered distribution may explain the Quaternary history. Yew situation is better in artificial conditions because people reduce competition from other trees species and deer pressure. Possible positive impact of human on yew distribution in the past is also discussed. The current biological condition of this species suggests the need for active protection.
Sand couch-grass Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. boreoatlanticus (Simonet & Guin.) Melderis is a species of psammophytic perennial grass which grows on low embryo dunes, less frequently on white dunes, on a sandy substrate which is rich in chlorides, with a neutral or alkaline pH. The occurrence of E. farctus subsp. boreoatlanticus was confirmed on the Polish Baltic coast only in six stands out of 20 quoted in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century, and the species is classified as critically endangered (CR). One of the largest populations of that species is situated on the Wolin Island (the Baltic Sea, west coast of Poland). The population of this species was monitored between 2015-2017 in the habitat of initial white coastal dunes (Nature 2000 site, code 2110), where the sand couch-grass is a characteristic species of Honckenyo-Agropyretum juncei R.Tx. 1955 plant association. The results of the conducted research show that the main reason for the rapid decline of the population of Elymus farctus subsp. boreoatlanticus on the western coast of Poland is recreational use of beaches, which is growing in an uncontrollable manner and puts pressure on this habitat, followed by complete destruction of psammophilous and halophilous vegetation. In addition, impact from marine abrasion inhibits the development of white coastal dunes where E. farctus subsp. boreoatlanticus occurs, and intensive aeolian sand accumulation hinder the regenerative ability of shoots and significantly limit vegetative reproduction.
In 2006, ca. 60 individuals of Gentiana cruciata were found in the Strzyżowskie Foothills. Until recently, only one locality of the species in the area has been reported from Kołaczyce in the Wisłoka River valley by Knapp in the 19th century. The new locality is situated in the Wielopolka River valley on an S-SW-W slope with varied inclination. In total, 16 phytosociological relevés were taken with the use of the Braun-Blanquet method in patches comprising Gentiana cruciata. The patches were characterised by high proportions of species from the classes Molinio-Arrhenathereta, Festuco-Brometea, and Trifolio-Geranietea. Given the dominance of meadow species, the community was classified as a thermophilic fresh meadow from the alliance Arrhenatherion. An upward trend was noted in the analysed population, as the number of the individuals increased to ca. 160 in 2014
Primula farinosa L. of Primulaceae family is a protected, rare and critically endangered species of Polish flora. All lowland sites of this species do not longer exist at present. The population number of the only one mountainous site discovered in 1959 in Beskid Sądecki (South Poland) is violently decreasing. The reasons for decrease in the population can be complex and associated with changes in both habitat changes and low effectiveness of propagation. In the course of the study, the population number was estimated and selected aspects of the biology of flowering of P. farinosa were assessed, phytosociological and habitat characteristics of the environment were prepared. The population amounted to 158 flowering specimens in 2011. Improper age structure of the population, characterized by a small share of juvenile plants indicates a possible regression of the population. The share of expansive species increased in the floristic composition of phytocoenosis as compared to historical sources. The assessed elements of generative propagation do not provide any grounds to suppose that the decrease of the population number is caused by disturbances in this field. High- and short-styled flowers are present in the population, a pollen is viable and new seeds are potentially able to germinate.
Astragalus penduliflorus Lam. is an alpine-subalpine species. Several isolated populations occur in Europe: in the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians and in central Sweden. Astragalus penduliflorus is considered as critically endangered species in Poland, growing only at the locality in the Smytnia Valley, in the Western Tatra Mountains. The population is at risk, due to the limited reproduction caused by law rate of seed germination, periodically shortened vegetation period that prevent seed development and gnawing the aerial plant parts by deer. The aim of the study was to explain the reason for the poor germination of A. penduliflorus seeds. As a result of mechanical scarification, 100% of A. penduliflorus seeds germinated, which proved that these seeds are characterized by a water-impermeable seed coat, which classified them as hard seeds that go through physical dormancy. Results obtained in this work can be used for effective reproduction and active conservation of threatened A. penduliflorus.
The distribution of Montia fontana L. in Poland is described, based on accessible data. Maps showing the distribution of M. fontana agg., subsp. amporitana, subsp. chondrosperma are presented, as well as lists of localities with brief descriptions of taxonomic characteristics of the subspecies and their habitats.
Understanding the factors affecting the species richness of alien and native plant is a key issue for predicting the spread of alien species and protecting rare and endangered native species in nature reserves. To investigate the factors affecting alien and native species richness in temperate nature reserves of China, we used a database of 25 nature reserves in Shandong Province of northern China, and studied the relationship of alien and native plant species richness with climatic and anthropogenic factors, as well as area and elevation range. We found that most of the nature reserves in Shandong Province have been invaded by alien plant species. The distribution of alien and native species responds to the same climatic factors, and temperature and precipitation exert strong effects on both groups. Alien and native plant species richness are positively correlated. Human activity is more effective for explaining richness of alien than for native species. Simultaneously, human activity has stronger effects on alien herbaceous than on alien woody plants. Our results suggest that native species richness is mainly explained by climatic factors, whereas alien species richness is mainly explained by climatic factors and human activity together.
English yew is rare and endangered dioecious species. Research on regeneration processes of endangered taxa is important to understand the mechanisms allowing a species to survive under several ecological scenarios, to predict future distribution shifts, to achieve best management practices and conservation policies. Our investigation was focusing on one of the oldest yew population in Europe, in Foresta Umbra in Italy. The main aim of this study was to understand spatial regeneration processes and dynamics related with parent trees’ sex distribution. Geostatistical analysis showed that seedlings occur in patches avoiding direct competition with adult yews. Negative relationship between regeneration and yew density and basal area was found. A general model for the reproductive ecology is proposed: females are less competitive and more environmentally demanding than males, because of their reproductive effort. Indeed, male and female fitness responds differently across environmental gradients, thus favouring spatial segregation of seedlings. Understanding the yew’s adaptive effectiveness is essential to ensure the conservation of existing populations, and encourage the species’ resilience into areas where yew is endangered.
This paper presents the distribution of Pedicularis sylvatica, an endangered species across the whole Poland. In order to illustrate its dynamics four time periods were taken into consideration: before 1900, 1901-1950, 1951-1990 and after 1990. Until the present, 599 localities of P. sylvatica, have been known, half of which, i.e. 276 were recorded during intensive studies on wetland habitats in the years 1951-1990. Numerous localities – 195, were also recorded after 1990. In the 19th century 93 sites were documented and 91 in the first half of the 20th century. The analysis of the dynamics of P. sylvatica, shows that despite discovering new localities, primarily in the south of the country, the species exhibits recessive trends, on some areas, especially in the north.
The aim of this work was to determine the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of Hericium erinaceus, Hericium americanum and Hericium coralloides, including free radical scavenging method (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical cation scavenging method (ABTS). Hericium spp exhibited moderate to high antioxidant activity. The highest TPC (3.27 ±0.01 mg GAE g–1) and antioxidant activity values (17.0 ±0.68 mmol TE g–1 in FRAP; EC 50 = 4.12 ±0.12 mg mL –1 in DPPH •; EC 50= 2.83 ± 0.10 mg mL–1in ABTS•+ ) were found for methanol extracts of H. coralloides. The TPC and antioxidant activity of H. erinaceus isolates varied from strain to strain. H. americanum possessed considerably lower total phenolic content (2.31 ±0.01 mg GAE g–1) and antioxidant activity (10.5 ±0.59 mmol TE g–1 in FRAP; EC 50 = 7.82 ±0.09 mg mL –1 in DPPH•; EC 50 = 6.36 ± 0.12 mg mL–1 in ABTS •+) than H. coralloides and H. erinaceus. A high correlation was determined between TPC and ABTS •+( r2= 0.855), DPPH•(r2= 0.969) and FRAP (r2 = 0.942). According to results obtained in the present study, Hericium spp., especially H. coralloides and some of H. erinaceus isolates, might be promising natural source of antioxidants for food and pharmaceutical industry.
Anisoptera scaphula (Roxb.) Kurz, the tallest tree species in Bangladesh, is critically endangered worldwide due to its poor natural regeneration. This study describes the appropriate regeneration technique for A. scaphula through seed germination and clonal propagation by stem cutting. The fastest and highest germination percentage (65) was observed in dewinged seeds sown inverted orientation with half buried position (T10) followed by dewinged seeds (62.5%) sown horizontally in full buried (T7) and delayed germination with lowest percentage (15) was in control (T0). Optimum initial growth was also shown when seedlings were developed from the seeds under T7. Both winged and dewinged seeds sown vertically in full buried or half buried position produced curved seedlings. However, dewinged seeds sown in horizontal or inverted (winged side down) position produced otherwise i.e., straight seedlings. The highest rooting percentages (63%) and maximum number of root (4.8) per cutting were obtained when one node cuttings treated with 0.8% IBA solution followed by 0.4% IBA in turn affecting for better survival and growth of rooted cuttings in the nursery conditions.
A population of the endangered butterfly Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia, using exclusively Gentiana cruciata as a larval food plant, was recorded for the first time in the valley of the Dukšta river (Vilnius administrative district) in Lithuania. Caterpillars were observed both in summer when they lived gregariously in numerous webs spun on gentians, and in spring when they were feeding on new shoots or basking in the sun. The butterfly is considered as dependent on Succissa pratensis in Central and Northern Europe, therefore our finding is unexpected. Other plants including other Gentiana species are reported as locally used only in Southern Germany, Switzerland and Spain. Phengaris‘rebeli‘ a well known butterfly related to G. cruciata occured sympatrically with E. aurinia at the Lithuanian site.
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