Population resources of an endangered species Salix lapponum L. in Polesie Lubelskie Region (eastern Poland)

Magdalena Pogorzelec,Barbara Banach-Albińska,Agnieszka Szczurowska,Artur Serafin

doi:10.5586/aa.2014.043

Abstract

This research, carried out in the years 2011–2013, aimed to evaluate Salix lapponum stands in the peat bogs of Polesie Lubelskie Region as well as to determine the condition of the population and the changes that have taken place since the 1950’s. An inventory carried out in 25 stands of S. lapponum known from the literature shows that the number of its stands has decreased by 80% in Polesie Lubelskie Region. In all the confirmed locations, a decrease in population numbers was also found in relation to the data known from the literature since the 1950’s. In the majority of the population locations that were considered to be extinct, there were no significant changes in habitat conditions, and ecological succession and changes in hydrological conditions could have been the cause of habitat changes only at a few sites. In the light of the study, the preservation of the S. lapponum population in Polesie Lubelskie seems to be impossible if appropriate active conservation measures are not taken immediately. Because area-based conservation, which covers most of the habitats of the studied species, does not bring the expected results, the possibility of ex situ conservation and enlargement of the populations existing in the natural environment in peat bog ecosystems in Polesie should be explored.

Highlights

Salix lapponum is one of the most frequently mentioned valuable and rare glacial relict plant species in PolesieLubelskie Region
The inventory carried out in 25 S. lapponum stands known from the literature shows a 80% decrease in the number of stands of the studied species in Polesie Lubelskie Region
Out of the 35 S. lapponum locations known from the literature, 18 populations were considered to be extinct and 11 populations were not confirmed in the earlier described locations

Summary

Introduction

S.lapponum is an example of a species that inhabited in great numbers the wetland ecosystems of Polesie still in the 1950’s At that time, it was described by Fijałkowski as a species that was found very often in the peat bogs of this area. Human activity, manifested mainly in the interference with water relations and in the intensification of industry, agriculture and tourism, has led to the drying of wetlands and an accelerated process of ecological succession. All these changes result in the withdrawal of relict species from their natural stands. This process applies to S. lapponum [4]

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