Occurrence of Potamogeton berchtoldii in the Bieszczady Mts., Eastern Carpathians. (original) (raw)

Is the Potamogeton polygonifolius really critically endangered in Poland? The case of stable population of the rare species on its geographical range limits

The present study was focused on Potamogeton polygonifolius -the species considered to be endangered in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland. Field studies were carried out in the Lower Silesia and Lusatia in southwestern Poland in order to verify the current distribution of the species along the eastern edge of its general range and to assess the threat status of P. polygonifolius in that area and in general at Poland. The historical range of the species in the Lower Silesia was investigated, mainly within the Lower Silesia Forest (Bory Dolnośląskie). In total, 18, currently existing populations of P. polygonifolius were found. The Lower Silesian populations were assessed using the IUCN criteria. The species was assigned to NT category in the Lower Silesia as well as in Poland. Potamogeton polygonifolius as valuable element of Polish flora should be legally protected, monitored, and, if necessary, actively managed.

Habitat and growth conditions of the rare Potamogeton hybrids: P. x sparganifolius Least. ex Fr. and P. x nericius Hagstr. in the Drawieński National Park

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, 2011

The two pondweed taxa, new for the Polish flora, were found in the Drawa River in the Drawieński National Park (north-western Poland). Patches of <em>P. </em>x <em>sparganiifolius </em>started about 400 m below the mouth of the left-bank tributary, the Korytnica River, and ended about 5.5 km further downstream. The population colonized mainly a sandy substrate with varied particle size, moderately deep water, and moderate water flow rate. The patches were very dense and composed nearly exclusively of <em>P. </em>x <em>sparganiifolius</em>. They occurred mainly in the main current of the Drawa, and were up to several dozen metres long. By contrast, <em>P. </em>x <em>nericius…

Periodic events of Potamogeton alpinus in NW Poland (Pomerania region)

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 2018

We have determined the timing of periodic events, such as leaf formation, flowering, fruiting and wintering of the aquatic plant Potamogeton alpinus. This study was performed in 15 watercourses situated in NW Poland in 2014–2015. Characteristics of the age stages were determined on the basis of 728 modules and phenological data were collected from permanent plots. In the study area, the plant appeared in week 12 of the calendar year, when water temperature in the streams was 5.4 ± 0.16°C. At that time, the first leafy juvenile shoots developed from winter buds. In week 22 (water temperature 13.9 ± 0.85°C), juvenile shoots became mature, whereas the first flowers were formed in week 24 (15.6 ± 1.04°C). The generative phase lasted twelve weeks with water temperature from 15.6 ± 1.04°C to 18.9 ± 3.23°C. Between weeks 37 and 44 (water temperature from 13.7 ± 0.77°C to 6.3 ± 1.05°C), senile shoots dominated in the population. From week 45 until week 11 of the next year (water temperature...

Ecological variation between marginal and central populations of Potamogeton polygonifolius, a rare and endangered species in Central Europe

Journal for Nature Conservation

The present study is focused on Potamogeton polygonifolius -the species considered to be endangered in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland. Field studies were carried out in Lower Silesia and Lusatia in southwestern Poland in order to verify the present state of the marginal populations of P. polygonifolius, to determine the habitat preferences of the species in the study area, to compare the ecological data between marginal and central populations and finally to recognise the factors constraining the easternmost limit of the P. polygonifolius. In total, 18 populations were examined, and 11 relevés were collected. The relevés gathered were compared with 95 relevés made in northwestern Germany, and with 10 relevés collected in the German part of Lusatia. There were no significant differences between the ecology of populations of P. polygonifolius on the eastern edge of its range and those in the central part. P. polygonifolius was found growing both in natural habitats like unspoiled peat bogs, and in anthropogenic habitats such as exploited peat bogs and drainage ditches. In both types of habitats its populations were abundant and competent in terms of generative propagation. The lack of geographical barriers as well as biology and fitness of P. polygonifolius individuals from the study area suggest that marginal populations are possibly a part of a large metapopulation, covering the whole (Polish and German) area of Lusatia, however, this hypothesis was not tested in detail. The main factor shaping the easternmost limit of the general range of P. polygonifolius is most likely climate, which prevents P. polygonifolius from spreading farther eastwards.

Is new spread of the European beaver in Pannonian basin an evidence of the species recovery?

European Journal of Ecology, 2016

Abstract: During fieldwork from 6 June to 20 July 2016, the first records of the European beaver (Castor fiber) in south-eastern Slovakia were made. Beavers are mainly nocturnal animals, and as such, they are rarely observed; therefore, our observations were based on searching for beaver presence signs: damaged trees, dams, signs of food consumption (chewed/felled trees) and footprints in the mud. The southern part of the Košická kotlina basin, from the city of Košice down to the state border and the surrounding villages in Hungary, was checked. We found two beaver locations via feeding signs in the vicinity of the Slovakia–Hungary state border, at the villages of Milhosť (Miglécnémeti) and Buzica (Buzita), in Slovakia. According to our calculations, the present total beaver population in Hungary is between 4,000 and 5,000 and 14,600–18,300 beavers with potential support. For Slovakia, we estimated the potential population size to be 7,700–9,600. Our findings in northern Pannonian l...

The European Beaver (Castor fiber L.) in conditions of relict swamps of the National Natural Park Slobozhanskyi

In the years 2012-2014 the relict forest swamps on the upland terrace of the National Natural Park Slobozhanskyi (Krasnokutsk district, Kharkov region, Ukraine) were examined. The canals, lodges, dens, trails of beavers and food caches were mapped using hand-handled GPS. The number of beaver sites was determined by food caches. 44 beaver lodges were founded in the relict forest swamps. 13 lodges were used by beavers in the winter of 2013-2014. As the results of the counting indicate it, about 50 individuals of beavers have been living in the relict swamps. Regarding beaver feeding in winter, birch (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens) dominated up to 71.72%, then Aspen (Populus tremula) -9.74% and willow (Salix aurita, Salix cinerea, Salix alba) -14.75%. Beavers actively affect the relict swamps in the National Natural Park Slobozhanskyi. Canals help to keep water, eating of trees and shrubs prevents swamps from overgrowing; beaver constructions give refuge to many species of animals.

Human impact on the ecological performance of Potamogeton species in northwestern Germany

Vegetatio, 1991

The changes in habitat quality of lowland rivers in Lower Saxony (Germany) during the past 40 years are outlined. Almost all chemical, physical, and morphological parameters have changed, resulting in most cases in an enhanced potential productivity, accompanied by a complex disturbance regime. Historical reconstruction of the change in river vegetation is presented to compare the frequency of macrophyte species 40 years ago with the situation of today. For a total of 289 sampling sites, the floristic change was exactly reconstructed. Nearly all species show a decline in frequency. This trend is also recognizable in Potamogeton, with the exception of two narrow-leaved species. An attempt is made to explain both decline and maintenance in terms of life history characters (vital attributes) allowing the species to react to the changing habitat conditions. The successful species are characterized by certain life history characteristics which enable them to survive under the current disturbance regime. Most important aspects of life history are the ability to reproduce by means ofturions and other fragments, a long-lived, deep-rooting rhizome system, phenotypic plasticity of above-ground parts, synchronous shoot polymorphism, and the potential to regenerate quickly from remaining buds after disturbance. The decline of formerly frequent species can be attributed mainly to the lack of certain key characters; however, physiological characters also may be important. The extirpation of some rare species could also be caused by random fluctuations in small populations. The general importance of population ecological research, particularly demography, life history theory, and the modelling of clonal populations in conservation ecology is stressed.

Potamogeton schweinfurthii A. Benn., a new species for Europe

The occurrence in the Mediterranean part of Europe of the African species Potamogeton schweinfurthii is recorded for the first time. So far, this native but overlooked species has been found on five major Mediterranean islands: Corsica, Sardinia, Malta, Kefallinía (Ionian Islands, Greece) and Crete. The species is most similar and presumably closely related to the mainly Eurasian P. lucens, with which it has been partly confused. The nomenclature and a description of P. schweinfurthii are provided, and its taxonomy and how it differs from similar taxa discussed. All known localities are listed, together with voucher specimens preserved in the major European herbaria. A distribution map of P. schweinfurthii in the Mediterranean region is presented.

An orphaned clone of Potamogeton ×schreberi in the Czech Republic

Preslia -Praha-

A Potamogeton hybrid found growing in the absence of parental species in a South Bohemian stream, Czech Republic, was subjected to molecular analyses to identify its exact identity. RFLP of the ITS region confirmed its previous morphological identification as P. natans × P. nodosus (= P. ×schreberi). A comparison of its RFLP pattern with those of P. gramineus, P. lucens and P. polygonifolius unambiguously excluded the possibility that the investigated plants are specimens of other similar hybrids (P. ×fluitans, P. ×sparganiifolius, P. ×gessnacensis). The discovery of P. ×schreberi in South Bohemia is the first record of this hybrid for the Czech Republic. So far, it is known only from five countries and the Czech clone is one of a few extant clones of this hybrid in Central Europe. Chloroplast DNA sequencing identified P. nodosus as the maternal parent although at present this species neither occurs at the locality, nor upstream, nor in the entire drainage basin. The other species, ...