Distribution patterns, history, and dynamics of peatland vascular plants in Pomerania (NW Poland)

Abstract

Pomerania is rich in various peatlands (fens, transitional bogs, raised bogs, spring-water mires, etc.), which support many rare and threatened plant species. This study was aimed: (1) to determine the phytogeographic diversity of Pomeranian peatland vascular plants associated with the classes Oxycocco-Sphagnetea and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae; (2) to attempt a reconstruction of the history of their postglacial migrations; and (3) to assess the dynamic trends of selected species. A database of records of 83 Pomeranian peatland plants was created, and cartograms of their distribution in Pomerania were made. Each taxon was briefly described, considering its distribution, phytocoenotic spectrum, and biological properties (e.g. pollination mode, diaspores dispersal). The phytogeographic analysis took into account geographic and directional elements, as well as mountain species found in Pomeranian peatlands. The plantsí potential for colonization of new sites was assessed on the basis of Raunkiaerís life forms, modes of pollination and seed dispersal, and types of life strategies. As a result of numerical analysis and visual comparison of cartograms, 5 regional distributional types were distinguished: western, northern, eastern, all-Pomeranian, and disjunct. Within the eastern and all-Pomeranian types, which showed internal variation, several subtypes were distinguished. Most of the considered climatic variables (growing season length, temperature, and precipitation variables) were found to affect significantly the floristic variation of Pomeranian peatlands. The available palaeobotanical, palaeoclimatic, palaeoecological, and phytogeographic data, as well as original field research on the distribution of the taxa, allowed the formulation of hypotheses on the time and directions of their migration into Pomerania. Moreover, dynamic trends of selected species are analysed, and the decline of many peatland plant species in Pomerania is discussed.

Distribution and habitat properties of Carex pulicaris and Pedicularis sylvatica at their range margin in NW Poland

“…Some plant species at the limit of their range are prone to local extinctions [29,69]. Peripheral populations are frequently smaller than the populations at the center of the species range [70,71], and therefore they are more vulnerable to extinction, especially if they are isolated [20,29,72].…”

“…Peripheral populations are frequently smaller than the populations at the center of the species range [70,71], and therefore they are more vulnerable to extinction, especially if they are isolated [20,29,72]. Pomeranian populations of C. pulicaris and P. sylvatica are generally small, as in other regions of Poland [39,73,74].…”

“…The species is associated with eutrophic communities of the Caricetalia davallianae order. It also occurs on wet heaths, Molinion caeruleae meadows, in plant associations of the alliance Nardion and in the sallow thickets (Myrico-Salicetum auritae) [27][28][29].…”

“…Most frequently it grows on wet swards with Nardus stricta, of the class Nardo-Callunetea, very closely related to Nardo-Juncetum squarrosi. Quite frequently the species may be encountered on fens and transitional bogs of the class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae, on wet heaths of the order Sphagno-Ericetalia, rarely in communities of tall sedges, the alliance Magnocaricion and Molinion caeruleae, as well as on ruderal sites, i.e., disturbed and trampled areas [27][28][29][30].…”

Natural and Anthropogenic Transformations of A Baltic Raised Bog (Bagno Kusowo, North West Poland) in the Light of Dendrochronological Analysis of Pinus sylvestris L.

“…Research conducted by other authors, including dendrochronological studies, indicate that human impact, involving primarily peat extraction and drainage of peatlands (with a system of ditches), was the major factor causing environmental changes in peatlands in the last 200-300 years e.g., [5][6][7][53][54][55][56][57][58]. Similar observations on the significance of human impact in relation to colonization of peatlands by bog pine (Pinus uncinata var.…”