The contribution and importance of rare macrofungi in selected plots of endangered xerothermic grasslands in the Nida Basin

Agnieszka Tomaszewska,Justyna Jaworska,Bożena Łuszczyńska,Janusz Łuszczyński

doi:10.5586/aa.2012.068

Abstract

Xerothermic habitats of protected sites in the Nida Basin are of special natural value. The richness of steppe plant species contributes to the biodiversity of grassland ecosystems and increases the floristic and landscape uniqueness of Ponidzie. A rich thermophilous biota of interesting steppe macromycetes (Basidiomycetes) develops in the xerothermic vegetation in the area. As preliminary investigations into macrofungi in xerothermic communities in the Nida Basin have shown, many very rare and valuable species as well as species new to the Polish mycobiota occur in the study area. Several rare species of gasteroid fungi, such as Geastrum minimum and G. schmidelii, were found in patches of Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae. Many taxa are indicator species of these biocoenoses. Noteworthy are parasitic macrofungi infecting roots of the genus Stipa: Gastrosporium simplex and Polyporus rhizophilus. Localities of species of the genus Tulostoma: T. brumale, T. kotlabae and T. melanocyclum, T. squamosum, new to the Nida Basin, were recorded in patches of Koelerio-Festucetum rupicolae and Festucetum pallentis. The above fungi are very rare in Poland’s mycobiota. They are strongly threatened and are classified as endangered (E). Geastrum minimum and the species of the genus Tulostoma are strictly protected.

Highlights

Xerothermic grasslands occurring in Poland are differentiated from other grass ecosystems by a high diversity of species of steppe plants originating in warmer climatic zones of southern and south-eastern Europe
50 species of macrofungi were recorded in the plots of xerothermic vegetation in the Nida Basin
Xerothermic habitats occurring in Poland are often the most mycologically under-explored and poorly recognized plant communities

Summary

Introduction

Xerothermic grasslands occurring in Poland are differentiated from other grass ecosystems by a high diversity of species of steppe plants originating in warmer climatic zones of southern and south-eastern Europe. Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae occurring in the “Skorocice”, “Przęślin”, “Skotniki Górne”, “Góry Wschodnie” and “Winiary Zagojskie” reserves as well as in Wola Zagojska Górna are the best developed associations. Interesting and floristically well-developed Seslerio-Scorzoneretum purpureae grasslands have developed on northern hill slopes near Zwierzyniec, Stawiany, Szaniec, Łagiewniki and Sułkowice. Steppe flower grasslands with Inula ensifolia, accompanied by rare species Carlina onopordifolia, Cirsium pannonicum, Linum flavum and L. hirsutum, develop on south, south-east and south-west facing slopes. The best-developed patches of Inuletum ensifoliae were observed near Pińczów, Szczaworyż, Sułkowice, Szaniec and Stawiany (Łuszczyński and Łuszczyńska , 2009 b; Łuszczyński et al 1998)

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