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Variability of Morphological Traits of the Rare Plant Species Angelica palustris (Apiaceae) in Managed and Abandoned Meadows : Effect of Mowing

Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt K., Stachurska-Swakoń A., Towpasz K.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2018

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Vol. 66, nr 1

36--47

EN

The effect of meadow management type on selected population traits of the rare plant Angelica palustris was examined. The study was carried out in a regularly mown meadow (Plot I), an abandoned meadow with medium high plants (Plot II) and an abandoned meadow with high plants (Plot III) situated in southern Poland (Proszowice Plateau). Observations conducted in the years 2010 and 2011 showed greater abundance of A. palustris in Plot I than in Plots II and III. This pointed to the significance of disturbance caused by mowing, which creates gaps in the plant cover and litter layer that become safe sites for A. palustris seedling recruitment and their subsequent growth. In the abandoned meadows a diminishing share of vegetative individuals and a reduction in the number of flowering stems in generative individuals were found. The height of generative stems in the abandoned meadows was higher than in the mown one as a response to the height of neighbouring plants. The number of umbels per stem and number of umbellets per umbel were positively correlated with the height of the stem. In light of our investigations, it can be stated that regular mowing has a beneficial effect on the state of populations of A. palustris. On the other hand, the formation of highly productive generative stems with substantial numbers of inflorescences and infructescences in abandoned meadows may promote successful seed dispersal and an escape from an unfavourable site.

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Phenotypic response of Doronicum austriacum Jacq. (Asteraceae) to diverse mountain and lowland conditions

Stachurska-Swakoń A., Kuź K.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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Vol. 59, nr 2

249-262

EN

The knowledge of phenotypic response of rare and protected species provide useful information for the conservation and management strategies. Doronicum austriacum, a subalpine Central-European species has several lowland localities, which in Poland are regarded as glacial relicts. Diverse edaphic, climatic and coenotic conditions in particular localities give evidence to the broad ecological amplitude of the species. Based on data pertaining to three various populations occurring in different geographical regions (from South and Central Poland), different elevations a.s.l. (275-1350 m a.s.l.) and growing within different plant communities (subalpine tall-herb communities, mountain meadow, carr) an attempt has been made to characterise selected morphological, developmental and ecological features (like number of capitula and their diameter, effectiveness of reproduction, spatial distribution) and to test a hypothesis as to whether a lowland form of this species exists. The results indicate certain statistically significant differences (as number and diameter of capitula) between the study populations pertinent to plants at the generative stage. The distribution of the examined traits, however, falls within the range of species variability. The differences between averages are conditioned by the quality of the environment in terms of the soil moisture level, availability of mineral compounds and lighting, as well as by the degree of competition from other plants. The result of the experiment, involving transplantation of specimens into gardens, allow for the presumption that morphological features undergo environment-related modifications. At this stage of the studies, the idea of a morphologically different lowland form of the species cannot be supported.

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Genetic variability of small isolated populations of Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr. (Asteraceae) in the Beskid Mały Mts (southern Poland)

Stachurska-Swakoń A., Cieślak E., Ronikier M.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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Vol. 59, nr 2

279-288

EN

The populations of Cicerbita alpina in the Beskid Mały Mts. (Western Carpathians, Poland) are the northernmost, spatially isolated localities of this subalpine tall-herb species in the Carpathians. The genetic structure of these populations was studied using the AFLP method. The analysis also included the populations of the larger, more population-abundant parts of the distribution range to the north (Scandinavia) and to the south (the Tatra Mts., Western Carpathians). The genetic similarity of the Beskid Mały populations with those from the Tatra Mts. and Scandinavia was relatively low and the populations formed geographically distinct genetic groups. The populations from the Beskid Mały Mts. were characterised by lower genetic variation, as well as the lowest degree of genetic differentiation (Nei and Shannon's coefficients), compared with those from the Tatra Mts. and Scandinavia. Our results indicate a relatively long period of isolation of the Beskid Mały Mts. populations; there is no evidence for recent dispersal or extant gene flow with populations from other regions. The differences among the populations also testify to fixation of genes in isolated areas, probably traced back to the founder individuals.