Diversity of plant communities with Carex flava agg. in Poland and their relationship with soil properties

The Carex flava aggregate belongs to one of the most taxonomically difficult groups of sedges which colonize diverse habitats, from organic to sandy, from acidic to alkaline, usually humid and moist. The study included 129 vegetation plots and ten soil variables (organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, carbonates, carbon, nitrogen, pH, and the ratio between organic carbon and nitrogen). The main aim was to determine the relationships between the various plant communities C. flava agg. occur in and their soil properties. With the aid of the two-way indicator species analysis and cluster analysis, we delimited nine vegetation types from the Scheuchzerio palustris-Caricetea fuscae, Littorelletea uniflorae, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Alnetea glutinosae classes differing in their response to soil properties. The CCA revealed pH, N, K, C, CaCO3, P and Ca to be statistically significant, and to account for 11.55% of the total variance in species composition. The largest differences, both in terms of species composition and in soil conditions, were revealed between communities with C. lepidocarpa and C. demissa. Carex lepidocarpa occurred in calcareous and extremely rich fens (Caricion davallianae) whereas C. demissa was found to occur in poor and moderately rich fens (Sphagno-Caricion canescentis, Caricion canescenti-nigrae). Carex flava grew mostly in calcareous, rich fens and wet grasslands (Caricion davallianae, Calthion palustris). Carex viridula was found in both calcareous, extremely and moderately rich fens and wet grasslands, and in nutrient-poor habitats such as dunes and sandy lake shores. The ecological niche of C. viridula is very wide and this species showed no affinity to any specific syntaxon.

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

This paper presents the distribution dynamics, soil and phytocoenotical conditions of the occurrence of <em>Carex pulicaris</em> and <em>Pedicularis sylvatica</em> at the margin of their range in NW Poland. Dynamic cartograms of these species were made on the basis of our field studies and available contemporary and historical records. The studies showed that the plants grow on organic hemic-muck soils, mucky soils and typical muckous soils. The occurrence of these two species on different types of soils proves that they are able to adapt easily to varying habitat conditions of post-bog areas. Populations of <em>C. pulicaris</em> and <em>P. sylvatica</em> were most frequently not numerous and occurred in small community patches. Analyzed phytocoenoses with <em>C. pulicaris</em> have been classified as the community of the alliance <em>Caricion davallianae</em> or the alliance <em>Molinion</em>. Phytocoenoses with <em>P. sylvatica</em> are represented by the association <em>Nardo-Juncetum squarrosi</em> and the community of the class <em>Molinio-Arrhenatheretea</em>. The distribution dynamics of these species shows that they are disappearing from some parts of this region, which proves the recessive trends. This process is more intensive for <em>P. sylvatica</em>, which should be included in the red list of Polish plants like <em>C. pulicaris</em>. The disappearance of the populations of both species has been caused by worsening habitat conditions (insufficient moisture, eutrophication), expansion of competitive plant species and land abandonment.

Ctenidio molluscae-Seslerietum uliginosae Klika 1943 em. Głazek 1983 - a new association for Poland

Paper presents ecological and phytosociological relationships of <em>Ctenidio molluscae-Seslerietum uliginosae (Caricion davallianae alliance)</em> - association new-distinguished for Poland. Its phytocoenoses occur in the eutrophic habitats within Kielce county and such mezoregiones as Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Szydłowskie Highlands, Pińczowski Hump and Nida Valley. The association was compared with the analogous one from Czechoslovakia. It was also proved to be well floristicly and ecologicaly stabilized.

Utricularia bremii (Lentibulariaceae) rediscovered in Slovakia

Utricularia bremii Heer, considered extinct in Slovakia for about 60 years, has been rediscovered in shallow fen pools at Hanšpilje (Plavecký Peter village, SW Slovakia) in 2006. The water of the fen pools is of moderate conductivity (272 μS cm-1) and pH 7.0. As a result of peat extraction in the past, the site is covered by depauperated vegetation with fen species characteristic of the alliance Caricion davallianae and wetland species characteristic of the class Phragmito-Magno-Caricetea. Stands with U. bremii were classified as the association Campylio stellati-Caricetum lasiocarpae (class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae). Brief information on the vegetation history of the Hanšpilje site, its ecology, and the vegetation preferences of U. bremii are presented in the European context. Based on our results, we propose to change the status of U. bremii on the Slovak red list from ‘extinct’ to ‘critically endangered’.

РЕДКИЕ БОЛОТНЫЕ СООБЩЕСТВА С SCHOENUS FERRUGINEUS НА ЮЖНОМ УРАЛЕ (ЧЕЛЯБИНСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ), "БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ"

Описаны редкие болотные сообщества с Schoenus ferrugineus на территории Челябинской обл., отвечающие признакам союза Caricion davallianae Klika 1934 класса Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae (Nordh. 1936) Tx. 1937. Это наиболее восточная точка распространения данных фитоценозов, в состав которых входит целый комплекс редких для Южного Урала видов растений, многие из которых являются реликтами европейского происхождения.