Occurrence of Trichocolea tomentella (Ehrh.) Dumort. (Marchantiophyta, Trichocoleaceae) in the Polish Carpathians: distribution, habitat preferences, current threats, and recommendations

Henryk Klama,Anna Salachna,Adam Stebel,Robert Zubel

doi:10.5586/asbp.3631

Abstract

This paper describes the vertical and horizontal distribution, habitat preferences, threats, and conservation status of <em>Trichocolea tomentella</em> in the Polish Carpathians based on the analyses of 138 localities. The species prefers wetland habitats, mostly within forests, such as areas in the vicinity of springs (34% stands), stream banks (32%), wet parts of the forest floor (20%), and mountain bogs (16%). As a consequence of the decrease in the areas of these habitat types, localities of <em>T. tomentella</em> are threatened with extinction. Therefore, according to the IUCN standards, this species should be placed in the near threatened (NT) category in the Polish Carpathians.

Highlights

Trichocolea tomentella is large, up to 10 cm long leafy liverwort which is relatively easy to identify even by a nonbryologist
Trichocolea tomentella is not considered as an endangered species in Poland [it is in the least concern (LC) category] [4], but it is a partially protected species [5] because of its potential to be used for commercial purposes
In the western part of the Beskid Żywiecki Mts where T. tomentella was recorded on 11 sites, most records were from the northeastern slopes of Rachowiec Mt in the vicinity of Butorza Nature Reserve

Summary

Introduction

Trichocolea tomentella is large, up to 10 cm long leafy liverwort which is relatively easy to identify even by a nonbryologist. It has a pinnate branched stem and leaves divided into narrow, filiform, digitate lobes. In Poland, habitats of Trichocolea tomentella range from lowlands to the lower forest zone in the mountains, with a majority of suitable habitats situated in the northern part of Poland. Its distribution and habitat preferences as well as forms of anthropopressure present in this part of Poland indicate that this species should be considered to be near threatened in these areas. The aims of this work were (i) to analyze the current distribution of T. tomentella in the Polish part of the Carpathians, (ii) to provide information concerning its habitat preferences, and (iii) to indicate current threats and recommendations for the conservation of this species

Objectives

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Conclusion