Inland populations of Juncus balticus (Juncaceae) in Scotland

Typically considered a coastal species in Great Britain, Juncus balticus Willd. also occurs inland as a native plant beside the Rivers Avon, Dulnain and Findhorn in NE Scotland (and beside the R. Lossie in the 19th Century). Here it is found at median altitude 290 m AOD (inter-quartile range, 249 - 341 m). It also occurs as a native at one inland loch-side, and was found beside another loch in the 19th Century. In total, J. balticus has been recorded beside inland rivers from 14 10 km grid squares. In its inland riverside habitat, J. balticus is overwhelmingly found within communities dominated by native plant taxa, primarily associated with infertile, moist to damp, weakly to moderately acid soils, with high levels of illumination. Few observers are familiar with seeing J. balticus at its inland sites, therefore it is possible that this species has been overlooked along other rivers and burns in NE Scotland, and perhaps elsewhere. The first record of J. balticus beside a road was in 1907, long before roads were widely treated with salt in the winter, but it was not until 1979 that a second roadside population was discovered. Roadside and trackside populations have now been found in 19 10 km grid squares. At most of these sites it is likely to be an accidental introduction. It is now more widespread on roadsides than along inland riversides. The isolated nature of the roadside populations indicates that there have been multiple independent colonisations. It is highly likely that additional roadside populations await discovery, and that further colonisation events will occur.

Distribution and habitat description of Junín Rail Laterallus tuerosi, Andean Peru

SummaryDistribution and habitat description of the endangered Junín Rail Laterallus tuerosi were assessed during a field study between 6 and 20 February 2014 in the marshes surrounding Lake Junín in the high Andes of Peru, which is the only known locality for the species. By using point counts and playback, we found the species to be present in the marshland all around the lake, with preference for two clearly defined habitat types: one comprising extensively grazed tussocks of Festuca dolichophylla and the other of rather uniform stands of Juncus balticus with undergrowth, or smaller open spaces, with various low herbs. We estimate the suitable habitat of the species to be a minimum of 100 km2 and based upon our point count data we provide indicative population figures of 6,200 individuals, which is higher than previous estimates. No records were obtained without playback, although five minutes of silent listening prior to playback were used at each point. All records were in vegetation of at least 0.5 m tall and in the marshy edge on muddy ground with less than 20 cm of water depth. Grazing especially by sheep or cattle is a serious threat to the marsh vegetation structure essential for Junín Rail and the rail is also under pressure from fluctuations in water levels accentuated by regulation for hydroelectric power.

Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Little Qualicum River estuary, British Columbia

Nine vascular plant communities were determined and mapped from data gathered on the Little Qualicum River estuary, Vancouver Island, B.C., during the period May to September 1978. Those communities comprised 51 species of vascular plants; however, only 10 species occurred with constancies of 20% or greater. Carex lyngbyei, Potentilla pacifica, Juncus balticus, and Agrostis sp. dominated vegetation. Major factors affecting the distribution of the vegetation within the estuary appeared to be site elevation, soil type and texture, and inundating water salinity. Aerial production was dominated by that of the Carex – channel edge community which had a peak aboveground biomass of 1693 g dry weight∙m−2.

Net aerial primary production of a James Bay, Ontario, salt marsh

Aboveground plant biomass and litter measurements were made at four intervals between mid-June and late August 1977 on a subarctic salt marsh located at North Point on the southwestern shore of James Bay, Ontario. We sampled six salt marsh zones ranging from a lower intertidal flat dominated by the grass Puccinellia phryganodes to the edge of willow thickets characterized by Juncus balticus.Peak aboveground biomass was reached in nearly all zones by early August, and ranged from 119.3 to 240.4 g dry weight∙m−2. Litter accumulated in all zones except the lower two zones which were subjected to tidal flows. The highest zone where Juncus balticus occurred had the highest litter mass, 572.8 g dry weight∙m−2, while the lowest, 24.7 g∙m−2, occurred in the lowest zone. Estimates of net aerial primary productivity using Smalley's method ranged from 119.3 g∙m−2 in the upper salt marsh to 384.0 g∙m−2 in the zone dominated by Juncus balticus. The mean marsh net aerial primary productivity was 227.7 g∙m−2 which was low compared with other salt marsh data. The 1977 aboveground biomass was lower in 1976, probably as a result of a cooler summer.

The Late-Weichselian flora of the Isle of Man

The last glacial deposits of the Ballaugh-Kirkmichael area in the north-east of the Isle of Man have been investigated by analysis of pollen and macroscopic fossils and by radiocarbon dating. Assemblages totalling over 160 taxa of vascular plants and mosses have been recorded from strata referred to LateWeichselian zones I, II and III. Among the most noteworthy species are 46 not now living on the island; these include Dianthus deltoides, Juncus balticus, Lychnis viscaria, Ranunculus hyperboreus, Sibbaldia procumbens, Meesia tristicha, Helodium blandowii and Polytrichum norvegicum. The vegetation comprised a great diversity of communities of open, largely calcareous grassland, snow beds, mires both base-rich and base-poor, flushes, freshwater, inundated flats and calcareous dunes. Saline conditions are indicated by Glaux maritima and Triglochin maritima . Trees were represented only by Betula and the taller shrubs by Juniperus and Salix .