Habitat factors influencing the competitive ability ofCalamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth in mountain plant communities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess how the expansion of Calamagrostis epigejos influences the species composition and diversity of forest, clearing, and meadow communities as well as how habitat factors influence biometric variability and features determining the potential of Calamagrostis epigejos for expansion in the studied communities. The study was conducted in the central part of the Sudetes Mountains (SW Poland). Four types of communities with C. epigejos occurrence were chosen: a beech forest (Luzulo luzuloidis-Fagetum), a Norway spruce monoculture, a clearing community belonging to the Epilobietea angustifolii class, and a mesic mountain meadow of the Arrhenatheretalia order. In each of the studied communities, randomized selection of 10 plots (1 × 1 m) was performed. On these plots relevés were sampled, a biometric study was conducted, and soil samples were collected. The research revealed a significant influence of C. epigejos expansion on the species composition, diversity, and productivity in the herb layers of the studied communities. It also indicated a strong positive influence of sunlight availability and studied physicochemical properties of soil on the expansion ability of C. epigejos.

Spatial Aggregation and Biometric Variability of the Grass Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth during Different Expansion Stages in Mesic Mountain Meadows

“…It can be assumed that the increase in soil pH leads to limited macro-element assimilation, mainly magnesium and nitrates [33], which results in the impeded growth and development of C. epigejos. Such a phenomenon was also observed in the case of forest and forest-clearing plant communities [16]. According to Rebele [34] and Lammerts et al [35], concentrations of available phosphorus and potassium stimulated the growth of C. epigejos.…”

“…We understand the term 'degradation' of the plant community as a decline of species richness and evenness, caused by the strong expansion of Calamagrostis epigejos [13,14]. This species is one of the perennial clonal weeds with highly expansive features [7,15,16]. Due to strong competitive characteristics, high biomass productivity [11], and allelopathic properties [17,18], C. epigejos leads to a rapid decrease in the diversity of communities where it emerges.…”

Eco‐physiological responses of Calamagrostis epigejos L (Roth) and Solidago gigantea Aition to complex environmental stresses in coal‐mine spoil heaps

“…Ce grows on open, sunny, moderately moisture, and organic matter sites (Rebele & Lehmann, 2001). It occurs in a wide range of habitats: forests, thickets, clearings, meadows, xerothermic grasslands (Lehmann & Rebele, 2002; Pruchniewicz et al, 2017; Sierka & Chmura, 2005) as well as ruderal and post‐industrial sites mining and processing spoil heaps, sandpits, and quarries (Kompała‐Bąba & Bąba, 2011; Rostański & Woźniak, 2007; Woźniak, 2005).…”

Thesium linophyllon parasitizes and suppresses expansive Calamagrostis epigejos

“…; Pruchniewicz & Żołnierz ; Pruchniewicz et al . ). This expansion is one of the prominent factors threatening biodiversity of these highly diverse communities.…”

“…Furthermore, the amount of underground biomass was recently demonstrated to have a higher impact on species composition of C. epigejos ‐infested communities than that of the aboveground organs (Pruchniewicz et al . ). Targeting the underground organs may thus be potentially more effective.…”