Pinus mugo shrubs on peat bogs in the Tatra National Park

Pinus mugo shrubs on peat bogs in the Tatra National Park (TNP) were for the first time described as a separated plant association by Obidowicz (1975) from only two mires. Since then, there have been no studies on peat bogs in the TNP and they have not been mentioned in the list of vegetation types of the Park. The research regarding the dwarf pine shrubs on mires in the Tatra Mountains was carried out in 2019. We mapped all patches of such vegetation (total – ~2 ha) on which we made 26 relevés. P. mugo shrubs on peat bogs occur within the complex of mire habitats, such as Norway spruce bog woodlands, raised bogs and poor fens. The shrub layer is dominated by Pinus mugo with admixture of dwarfish Picea abies. Typical plants of the herb layer are Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, Eriophorum vaginatum and Oxycoccus palustris, whereas the most common mosses are Sphagnum magellanicum, S. capillifolium, S. russowi, Pleurozium schreberi. P. mugo shrubs on peat bogs in the TNP belong to the association Sphagno magellanici-Pinetum mugo.

Influence of the chemical mutagens on the seed germination, the growth and manifestation of decorative characteristics in the seed offspring of the representatives of the genus Pinus L.

The influence of various concentrations of chemical mutagens on the seed germination, the growth and manifestation of decorative traits in the seed offspring of mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra), Scots pine (Pinus sylvesrtis L.), and Scots pine “witch’s broom” (“WB”) is assessed. A 0.1 % aqueous solution of colchicine, as well as 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 % aqueous solutions of dimethyl sulfate (DMS) was used as mutagens. The species-specificity of the influence of chemical mutagens on the seed germination was established. Thus, the treatment of mountain pine seeds with aqueous solutions of colchicine and DMS had some stimulating influence on their germination. On the contrary, the germination of the Scots pine seeds and the seeds collected from the Scots pine “WB” decreased with increasing the DMS concentration in the solution. Among the offspring obtained using chemical mutagens, specimens were identified with changes in the growth strength towards dwarfism, the branching features of which manifested themselves in the form of apical dominance violation and shoot formation growth, with changes in the color of needles, including winter color changes of different-intensity color from green to yellow, bronze or bronze yellow. As a result of the research, 363 specimens with atypical traits were selected for further breeding work.

Fungi associated with disease symptoms on Pinus mugo needles in the Polish Tatra Mountains

Dwarf mountain pine, Pinus mugo, is an important component of the subalpine and alpine zone in Europe. For several years, in one of the natural areas of the occurrence of this species in the Polish Tatras, an intensified decline of the assimilation apparatus has been observed. The studies conducted in 2016–2020 were aimed at determining the types of disease symptoms occurring on P. mugo needles and at identifying the species composition of fungi within symptomless and diseased needles. We isolated 57 taxa from 6 types of disease symptoms and from needles without disease symptoms, identified on the basis of morphological features and molecular analyses. Absolute parasites were represented by only one species of Coleosporium senecionis, which was identified by the aecium stage. The genus Lophodermium was represented by three species: L. conigenum, L. corconticum and L. pini-mugonis. So far, L. corconticum was known only from the Karkonosze Mountains in Poland, and L. pini-mugonis from the German Alps. In addition, the more frequently isolated species included: Sydowia polyspora, Hendersonia sp., Nemania serpens, Leptomelanconium allescheri, Cladosporium spp., Biscogniauxia nummularia and Alternaria spp. Some taxa were associated with only one type of disease symptom, while some species of fungi were found to be associated with different symptoms. Twelve species of fungi were isolated from living symptomless needles, some of which were subsequently found in association with nectrotic areas on needles, e.g., Lophodermium corconticum, L. conigenum and Leptomelanconium allescheri. L. pinastri has not been found in the present studies. In the discussion, an attempt was made to assess the role of some of the identified species of fungi in causing the disease process of P. mugo needles.

New Insight into Taxonomy of European Mountain Pines, Pinus mugo Complex, Based on Complete Chloroplast Genomes Sequencing

The Pinus mugo complex is a large group of closely related mountain pines, which are an important component of the ecosystems of the most important mountain ranges, such as the Alps, Carpathians and Pyrenees. The phylogenetic relationships between taxa in this complex have been under discussion for many years. Despite the use of many different approaches, they still need to be clarified and supplemented with new data, especially those obtained with high-throughput methods. Therefore, in this study, the complete sequences of the chloroplast genomes of the three most recognized members of the Pinus mugo complex, i.e., Pinus mugo, Pinus rotundata and Pinus uncinata, were sequenced and analyzed to gain new insight into their phylogenetic relationships. Comparative analysis of their complete chloroplast genome sequences revealed several mutational hotspots potentially useful for the genetic identification of taxa from the Pinus mugo complex. Phylogenetic inference based on sixteen complete chloroplast genomes of different coniferous representatives showed that pines from the Pinus mugo complex form one distinct monophyletic group. The results obtained in this study provide new and valuable omics data for further research within the European mountain pine complex. They also indicate which regions may be useful in the search for diagnostic DNA markers for the members of Pinus mugo complex and set the baseline in the conservation of genetic resources of its endangered taxa.

Сучасний стан і поширення Pinus mugo Turra в Українських Карпатах

Сучасний ареал Pinus mugo Turra в Українських Карпатах сформувався у післяльодовиковий період. Значне поширення деревного виду поза нижньою межею його сучасного ареалу в древньому голоцені підтверджується наявністю пилку в найдревніших шарах голоценових напластувань. Сосна гірська в той час мала широке розповсюдження, значно нижче, ніж сучасне положення верхньої межі лісу. Куртини Pinus mugo на болотах спостережено і в наш час, на абсолютних висотах близько 700 м н.р.м. В Українських Карпатах криволісся сосни гірської в минулому зазнали значних змін, зокрема, внаслідок антропогенної діяльності – знищення криволісся та розробляння площ для ведення полонинського господарства. Цей захід суттєво вплинув на формування сучасного ареалу сосни гірської. Соснове криволісся відіграє надзвичайно екологічно-важливу роль у високогір’ї Карпат. Зокрема, це – ґрунтозахисна, протиерозійна, водорегулювальна, ґрунтотвірна, снігозатримувальна та інші функції. На сьогодні угруповання формації сосни гірської (Pinetа mugi) знаходяться під охороною та включені до Зеленої книги України. З використанням матеріалів лісовпорядкування 2009 р. здійснено аналіз розподілу площ деревостанів за участю сосни гірської за віковими групами, запасами, повнотою, бонітетом, висотою над рівнем моря, експозицією та стрімкістю схилів. Відзначено найвищі та найнижчі природні місця росту Pinus mugo в Українських Карпатах. Вивчення розповсюдженості сосни гірської показали, що на південно-західному мегасхилі Українських Карпат, порівняно з північно-східним, криволісся сосни гірської є поширенішими та продуктивнішими, формують більші запаси деревини.

Instrumental Study of the Health Status of Picea abies and Pinus mugo (Turra) and Their Relation to Environmental Parameters in the Eastern Alps

Many climatic models predict significant temperature rises in mountainous regions, which may influence the distribution of montane species. Thermophilization observed or predicted in mountainous areas to date may accelerate the shift of forest-forming trees to higher areas. Our aim was to detect how the health status of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) and dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo (Turra)) changes along an altitudinal transect, and to what extent the health status of trees depends on the studied environmental variables. Field measurements were performed in the Alps with an acoustic tomograph, which is able to determine the extent and exact location of rotten parts without damage. In the case of P. abies, the stands are currently considered to be the healthiest between 1000 and 1500 m, while they show the greatest deterioration near the lower limit of their distribution. At the lower limit of the vertical distribution of the species, a retreat of 50–100 m is expected. We observed a different trend in the relationship between deterioration values and altitude depending on the extent of the P. mugo belt. It seems the extent and speed of the upper movement may be different in different mountains, depending on environmental parameters.

BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF EUROPEAN SPECIES OF PINE IN THE INTRODUCTION IN PRIMORSKY REGION

In the Primorsky Territory, the economic use of introduced species of conifers is poorly developed. Local species are traditionally preferred in forestry and gardening. The objects for the cultivation of introduced coniferous species can be recreational forests, forest park zones and areas of landscaping of settlements. This will increase the biodiversity of existing natural and artificial plantations and enhance their aesthetic appeal. The aim of the research is to summarize the material on the results of the introduction of European pine species in the arboretum of the Mountain Taiga Station. The rhythm of seasonal development of Pinus mugo Turra, p. hamata D. Sosn., p. pallasiana Lamb. The local species -p was taken as a control. koraiensis Siebold et Zucc. The main climatic indicators of natural areas of pine trees are analyzed. The similarities and differences of these indicators with the climate of Primorsky Krai were revealed. Natural ranges of Pinus mugo, p. hamata., p. pallasiana. characterized by a warmer climate compared to the Primorsky Territory. Theoretically, there may be a danger of freezing of buds and shoots in these species in years with a high value of negative temperatures. However, during the observation period, we did not notice signs of freezing of buds or shoots. All three pine species, when introduced to the Primorsky Territory, may experience tension in seasonal development due to insufficient heat. This is reflected in the lengthening of the growing season in comparison with local coniferous species. All species in the arboretum have reached reproductive age and are in good health. Biometric parameters of pine species under conditions of introduction generally correspond to similar sizes in their natural range. The exception is narrower needles at the place of introduction near the river. mugo. The length and width of the cones of the three pine species in the arboretum are within the indicated sizes in their natural habitat. Moreover, the average length of the cones p. pallasiana under conditions of introduction is at the lower limit of fluctuations in this parameter at home. The width of the cones r. mugo – at the upper border. The rhythm of seasonal development of introduced pines corresponds to the annual dynamics of the climate in the conditions of Primorsky Krai. Calendar dates of phenological phenomena are close to the local species p. koraiensis Siebold et Zucc. All plants complete the growing season at favorable times relative to the period with stable frosts. The relationship between the duration of shoot growth and the size of their annual growth is not traced. The lowest growth rate is characterized by p. mugo, greatest p. koraiensis. Pinus mugo, p. hamata., p. pallasiana can be recommended for increasing the biodiversity of recreational forests, forest parks and green areas in settlements.