Does vegetation impact on the population dynamics and male function in Anemone sylvestris L. (Ranunculaceae)? A case study in three natural populations of xerothermic grasslands

Abstract

In Poland, like in other parts of Central Europe, dry grasslands significantly contribute to the biodiversity of both fauna and flora. Anthropogenic pressure impair many species of xerothermic habitats, and several populations face an increased risk of extinction. The goal of the study was to define factors that may affect the size of wild populations of Anemone sylvestris L., a protected species in Poland, with both a short-and long-term perspective, and to examine the influence of vegetation changes on the density, the abundance of flowering and male function (pollen production, pollen viability), as well as seed set. In situ observations were performed in 2005-2006 and 2011-2012 in three populations located on the Lublin Upland, SE Poland. The reduction in population density and A. sylvestris blooming was exacerbated by the expansion of the shrubs, but not by Brachypodium pinnatum. Male characteristics of A. sylvestris, i.e. pollen amount per multi-staminate flowers or pollen viability appeared to decrease under pressure of shrub competition. Populations with limitation of male function had impaired degree of seed set. Various consequences for the functioning of populations within a metapopulation system can be expected due to substantial qualitative and quantitative disorders in pollen traits. It is crucial that successful recovery programs for A. sylvestris primary should aim to conserve and manage the habitat.

Ecological aspects of the floral structure and flowering in Pulsatilla species

“…The large number and size of stamens determine the abundance of pollen production by flowers [7,36]. The multistaminate flowers of members of the Ranunculaceae produce substantial quantities of pollen [30,[37][38][39][40]. The amounts of pollen produced by P. vulgaris flowers are in the range of mean values observed for other species from this family.…”

Distribution and abundance of bee forage flora across an agricultural landscape – railway embankments vs. road verges

“…The combined effects of different factors on the occurrence of bee-flora in agricultural landscape were found earlier for road verges in Denmark and the UK [18,21] as well as for field margins in Poland [23]. Generally, anthropogenic pressures (landscape fragmentation, land management practices, and agricultural intensity (i.e., farm practice) are assumed to be the main predictors for the richness and diversity of flowering plants in manmade habitats within agricultural landscape [15,32,33].…”

“…Therefore, we assume that graminoids are responsible for replacement of zoogamous plants. Several studies reported reduction of floral diversity in response to aggressive Poaceae spread, for example, on thermophilous grasslands [23,33].…”

“…First and foremost, the biggest problem is the lack of good data on bee flora distributions and abundance. In spite of the growing interest in the role and function of linear structures [15,22,23], the bee forage flora on railway embankments and road verges remains insufficiently explored.…”

An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for snowdrop anemone (Anemone sylvestris L.)

“…Wild plants propagate only by sexual reproduction. Denisow and Wrzesień (2015) reported the negative effects of shrub expansion on flowering and male function, as well as seed set in three natural populations.…”