Confirmed occurrence of the native plant species Eleocharis ovata (Cypera­ceae) in Lithuania

Zigmantas Gudžinskas,Laurynas Taura

doi:10.35513/botlit.2021.1.5

Abstract

Information on the occurrence of Eleocharis ovata (Cyperaceae) in Lithuania for a long time had been based on misidentified specimens only. During the studies on the flora of South Lithuania in 2020, we discovered this species in Varėna district on the shores of Lake Pabezninkai. We performed field investigations on the distribution, size of population and habitats of E. ovata from August to October 2020 on the shores of Lake Pabezninkai and, searching for this species, surveyed potential habitats on the shores of eight other lakes in South Lithuania. A total of 63 individuals of E. ovata were found on the shores of Lake Pabezninkai, and they were widely dispersed on the northern and south-western shores of the lake. Most of the registered individuals of E. ovata were found growing on wet sand and mud in the communities of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class. Solitary individuals were also found in communities of the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class. Assessment of E. ovata according to the IUCN criteria revealed that this species, currently occurring at a single locality in Lithuania, should be classified as critically endangered (CR). Conservation of E. ovata and other rare plant species recorded on the shores of Lake Pabezninkai should be organised by maintaining favourable habitat conditions.

Highlights

The diversity of flora in a particular geographic area is determined by climatic, geological, soil, orographic conditions and depends on the intensity of historical and current human activities (Linder, 2005; Di Marco & Santini, 2015)
Information on the occurrence of E. ovata in Lithuania had been for a long time controversial
All herbarium specimens collected by P.Snarskis in North and South Lithuania in 1942–1951 and identified as E. ovata (labelled as Heleocharis ovata (Roth) Roem. et Schult. or Scir-Gudžinskas Z., Taura L

Summary

Introduction

The diversity of flora in a particular geographic area is determined by climatic, geological, soil, orographic conditions and depends on the intensity of historical and current human activities (Linder, 2005; Di Marco & Santini, 2015). Studies on the flora, as an assemblage of plant taxa in a specific geographic area, have received less attention worldwide in recent decades, they are an essential part of knowledge about biodiversity. In Lithuania, the Cyperaceae family is the third-largest plant family, and its diversity has been relatively well-studied (Lekavičius, 1963; Stancevičius, 1963; Kuusk et al, 2003). Et Schult., a species that had been reported in the country based only on misidentified specimens (Gudžinskas, 1999; Tabaka et al, 2003) Our studies on the flora of South Lithuania in 2020 led to the discovery of Eleocharis ovata (Roth) Roem. et Schult., a species that had been reported in the country based only on misidentified specimens (Gudžinskas, 1999; Tabaka et al, 2003)

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