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

Abstract

This research, carried out in the years 2011–2013, aimed to evaluate <em>Salix lapponum</em> 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 <em>S. lapponum </em>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 <em>S. lapponum </em>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 <em>ex situ</em> conservation and enlargement of the populations existing in the natural environment in peat bog ecosystems in Polesie should be explored.