Giant Mts Research Articles

Norway spruce phenotype variability determined by needle anatomy in Bohemian Forest compared to other regions of the Czech Republic

Young trees (saplings) of the Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) regenerating populations were analysed on 7 plots in the Šumava Mts. (Bohemian Forest), on 5 plots in the Jeseníky Mts. (Eastern Sudetes), and 1 plot in the Krkonoše (Giant Mts.). All 13 plots were located at the forest altitudinal (vegetation) zones of natural Picea abies stands. Each selected tree was characterized by microscopic features of the first-year needles. The free-hand needle cross-sections were prepared from three needles of each tree and measured by digital microphotos. The following needle characteristics were measured: width, thickness, and vascular bundle diameter. Each population was described by variability of these parameters. Populations were classified based on the data set. Two artificially planted populations were most different. Populations resulting in natural stands have different phenotype variability, possibly as a result of the parent stand history: two extreme examples are Eustaška locality (Jeseníky Mts.) with no known disturbance, and Trojmezí locality (Šumava Mts.), where wind and bark beetle disturbances were repeatedly recorded.

Estimates of the contribution of fog to wet atmospheric deposition in Czech mountain forests based on its stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition: preliminary results

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used in many scientific fields, including environmental sciences. In this study we measured the variation in the stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition of fog water, rain water (in the form of bulk falling precipitation) and throughfall water in the Šumava (the Bohemian Forest), Krkonoše (the Giant Mts.) and Jizerske hory (the Jizera Mts.) Mts. in October-November 2017. In total, 46 cumulative two-week samples were collected and analysed. Our results indicate that the overall stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition of fog and rain samples differed significantly, fog being isotopically enriched in the heavier isotopes 2H and 18O relative to rain. In contrast to our assumption, throughfall water was generally depleted in the heavier isotopes 2H and 18O relative to rainwater. Hence, the simple mixing model for most samples yielded an unrealistic percentage outside the reasonable range of 0–100%. For few samples, however, the estimated contribution of fog to throughfall ranged between 3 and 8% based on δ2H and 4 and 7% based on δ 18O, which is lower than that estimated for the same mountain regions by other authors using different methods and significantly lower than that reported for mountain ranges in neighbouring countries. Although using stable isotopes is a promising tool for determining the contribution of fog to the hydrological budget when assessing atmospheric deposition, the critical limitations are in the collection, manipulation and storing of the samples.

Foliar diseases of willows (Salix spp.) in selected locations of the Karkonosze Mts. (the Giant Mts)

The species of Salix herbacea L. and Salix lapponum L. are the rare relicts within the genus of Salix. With respect to their phylogeography, they are classified into the taxa of the Arctic-Alpine distribution. They can be found in the Arctic zone (Greenland, Scandinavia, Spitsbergen) as well as in such geographically separated areas as the mountains of lower latitudes like the Alps, the Sudetes or the Carpathians. Another species of willow occurring in the mountains of Europe, and more specifically on montane positions of the Balkan-Carpathian distribution is S. silesiaca. The aim of the study was to determine the severity of the diseases of the willows growing in selected locations in the Karkonosze Mountains. The research was conducted in the years 2014 and 2015 in the Kocioł Łomniczki [the Łomniczka Cirque] and the Wielki and Mały Śnieżny Kocioł, [the Great and Small Snowy Cirques] at intervals of 4 weeks, from April to October. Field observations included the species of the genera Salix: S. herbacea, S. silesiaca and S. lapponum. Disease symptoms were identified with the percentage of infected plants at selected locations, as well as the percentage of infected leaves, recorded. In the course of the research, symptoms of rust caused by Melampsora epitea and M. alpina (S. herbacea and S. silesiaca), black spot blight caused by Rhytisma salicinum (S. silesiaca) and leaf spot, probably caused by a complex of fungal taxa (S. herbacea), were detected on the leaves of Salix spp. growing in post glacial cirques. During the study period, there were no disease symptoms on S. lapponum. A total of 13 species of fungi were isolated from the infected leaves of S. herbacea. In the first year, the highest share in the fungal assembly was taken by Penicillium notatum, followed by Alternaria alternata and an unidentified species of the genus Ceuthospora. In the second year of the research, Ceuthospora spp. and A. alternata predominated in the species assembly of fungi in the infected leaves of the herb willow.

Seasonal variation of freezing resistance mechanisms in north-temperate alpine plants

Alpine herbaceous plants employ two mechanisms to prevent freezing injury to leaves during the growing season, i.e., they avoid freezing by transient supercooling or tolerate the occurrence of extracellular ice. I examined seasonal changes in the two freezing resistance mechanisms in leaves of alpine plants from two temperate mountain regions, Niwot Ridge (3500 m) in the Front Range of the Rocky Mts. (USA) and Modre sedlo (1510 m) in the Giant Mts. (Czech Republic). Although plants from Niwot Ridge were on average ca. 2.6 K more resistant to freezing than plants from the Giant Mts., patterns of freezing resistance changes during the growing season were consistent between the two regions. Both freezing resistance mechanisms, i.e., avoidance by supercooling and tolerance of extracellular ice were encountered. Plants predominantly avoided freezing injury during early summer and tolerated extracellular freezing at the end of the growing season, and the seasonal change from avoidance to tolerance mechanisms was significant for both regions. The avoidance and tolerance mechanisms provided comparable freezing resistance to the plants during early summer but, unlike in avoidant plants, in tolerant plants resistance increased over the course of the season. The species formed three groups with regard to resistance mechanisms employed during the season: (1) species that avoided injury by supercooling during early summer and employed freezing tolerance towards autumn; (2) species that were freezing tolerant during the entire growing season; and (3) species with ephemeral shoots that solely avoided freezing by supercooling. Although freezing tolerance is a common feature in north-temperate alpine plants, avoidance by supercooling as a freezing resistance strategy might be selected for in species with particular life histories such as ephemeral hemiparasites.

Geographic distribution of quantitative traits variation and genetic variability in natural populations of Pinus mugo in Central Europe

Divergence in genetic as well as phenotypic structures can be expected in species with disjunctive geographic ranges and restricted gene flow among isolated populations. Dwarf mountain pine has such a disjunctive geographic range in the mountains of Central Europe. We hypothesised that populations of Pinus mugo from the Giant Mts. differ from Alpine and Carpathian populations to a greater extent than differentiation within these regions; furthermore, these differences would be detectable at both the genetic and phenotypic levels. To verify this hypothesis, the diversity and differentiation within and among eleven populations from the Giant Mts., Carpathians and Alps were analysed using 19 isozyme isozyme loci, 17 needle and 15 cone morphological characters. Moreover, the data on 10 chloroplast microsatellites used in the previous study, were reanalysed. The differences between the three regions were greater than among populations within them. The microsatellites and isozymes clearly differentiated between regions, while in the multivariate analyses of cone and needle characters the Alpine and Carpathian populations were intermingled but distinct from those sampled in the Giant Mts. The significant genetic structuring among regions may result from an ancient fragmentation and long lasting geographic isolation between the Giant Mts., Alps and Tatras. The populations from the Giant Mts., the northernmost within the geographic range of P. mugo, presented lower level of genetic variation then those from the Alps and Carpathians. The pattern of genetic structure observed in dwarf mountain pine may be characteristic of wind-pollinated trees with a disjunctive geographic distribution

Growth, healthy status and seed production of differently aged allochtonous and autochtonous Pinus mugo stands in the Giant Mts. over 30 years

Plant communities with Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo var. pumilio) form characteristic vegetation in the subalpine belt of the Giant Mountains (Krkonose, Karkonosze and Riesengebirge, Czech Republic). This “island” of arcto-alpine tundra represents the northernmost edge of Dwarf pine natural range. We asked how concentration of sulphur in needles, growth, healthy status and fructification changed over three decades (1981–2011) with different air pollution in differently aged (45–120 years) autochtonous and allochtonous (introduced from the Alps) Dwarf pine stands. Different Dwarf pine stands above the alpine timberline were able to withstand 1980s, the period of heavy air pollution, without any decrease in growth rate or remarkable decrease in healthy status. Dwarf pine is thus highly tolerant to deposition of sulphur compounds. High concentration of SO2 in the air positively affected sulphur concentration in needles and eliminated thus sulphur deficiency. Higher germination rate of seeds in 2000s in comparison with 1980s indicate that the air pollution could decrease germination ability of seeds. High insect outbreaks (by Thecodiplosis brachyntera and Neodiprion sertifer) in 1990s and 2000s caused decrease in needle year classes. As there was a gradual increase in mean annual temperature over years 1981–2011, Dwarf pine stands can be more and more endangered by insect outbreaks in the future. There was no remarkable difference between autochtonous and allochtonous stands in all measured growth, healthy status and fructification characteristics. To determine real effects of air pollution and insect outbreaks on Dwarf pine stands from year to year fluctuations, decade-long monitoring is necessary.

Rare macromycetes from raised bogs in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic).

During a mycobiota study of raised bogs in the Hrubý Jesenik Mts., the rare fungi Omphaliaster borealis, Galerina sphagnicola, Clavaria argillacea var. sphagnicola, Ramariopsis subarctica and Ascocoryne turficola were found. Descriptions and figures of microscopic characters, photos and a summary of the knowledge on the ecology and distribution of these species in Europe, and a brief comparison with similar species are given. The boreo-alpine species Omphaliaster borealis is reported from the Czech Republic for the first time. It can be confused with Arrhenia onisca in the field. Another species new to the Czech Republic, the strictly sphagnicolous Galerina sphagnicola, can be overlooked and confused with several other sphagnicolous Galerina species. The newly reported variety of Clavaria argillacea, var. sphagnicola, is distinguished from the nominate variety by shape and size of its spores, as well as its habit and ecology. Ramariopsis subarctica was known in the Czech Republic so far only from the Giant Mts. (Krkonose). Within Europe, the two Czech localities, along with a find in the High Tatra Mts. (Slovakia), are the only ones known outside Fennoscandia. Ascocoryne turficola is reported from Moravia for the first time.

Chronology of the Late Weichselian glaciation in the Bohemian Forest in Central Europe

A glacial chronology based on in situ-produced 10Be surface exposure dating of moraines in the Bohemian Forest (Central Europe) was established. Eleven exposure ages obtained for moraine boulders in the Prášilské Lake and Laka Lake valleys (Czech Republic) were complemented by 10Be ages from Kleiner Arbersee (Germany) recalculated according to recently calibrated production rates in the Northern Hemisphere. The glacial phases in the Bohemian Forest occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum around 24.1 ± 2.5, 23.6 ± 2.4, 21.8 ± 2.0 and 19.5 ± 2.1 ka. Following phases of local glaciation occurred during the Northern Hemisphere deglaciation period around 16 ka and 14 ka. The last indicated phase may correlate with Older Dryas. The glacial chronology of the Bohemian Forest is in agreement with local glaciation chronologies in the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše Mts.) and the Eastern Alps.

Historical Influence of Man on the Vegetation Record in the Prášilské Lake Sediments (Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic)

Abstract The Prášilské Lake is the glacial lake in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava Mts) located on the Czech side in the elevation of 1,079 m above sea level. The lake area is 4 ha, the maximal depth is 15.5 m. The lake catchment area is situated in the sub-alpine zone. The studied area has never been the object of forest or agricultural farming in the history because of its inaccessibility. The sediment dating was carried out by means of lead isotope 210Pb. The oldest layer established by this isotope in the Prášilské Lake was in the depth of 0.47 m. This dating was used for the deepest layer of sediment and its age was dated to the year of 1843 (depth 0.11 m) and a base of this profile to the medieval age (depth 0.47 m), which corresponds to about the 12th-13th century A.D. The analysed profile (0-0.47 m) can be divided into the local pollen assemblage zones PRI-1 (depth 0.37-0.47 m), PRI-2 (depth 0.25-0.37 m), PRI-3 (depth 0.12- 0.25 m), PRI-4 (depth 0.06-0.12 m), PRI-5 (depth 0.02-0.06 m), PRI-6 (depth 0-0.02 m). On the basis of dating by the 210Pb method the age of sediment (0-0.11 m) is established into the range of 1843 to 1994. It is noticeable in the pollen spectrum that it concerns a locality situated already above the forest border, the pollen curves of stratigraphical important taxons (mainly woody species) do not change markedly. The rich woody component is formed mainly by pollen grains of Picea and Fagus. The herbaceous component (NAP) is very diverse; however, in a general way the pollen grains of woody species (AP) predominate due to the above mentioned deciduous forests. A representation of the herbaceous component (NAP) is very varied as far as species are concerned, human influence is very visible here (e.g. occurrence of cereals Cerealia, Zea mays, Fagopyrum-type, weed: Centaurea cyanus, Agrostemma githago etc.). The dating of this part also corresponds to the results of the pollen analysis. Of the plants producing spores the findings of lesser clubmoss (Selaginella-type cf. Selaginella selaginoides) and water plant quillwort (Isoëtes), whose nearest contemporary place of the finding in our territory is in the Černé and Plešné Lake and Wielki Staw (the Giant Mts), were quite interesting. The most of spores were recorded at the family Polypodiaceae and green alga Botryococcus, which indicate cold and humid conditions of the occurrence.

Growth trends and temperature responses of treeline Norway spruce in the Czech-Polish Sudetes Mountains

The Earth's climate system has recently experienced substantial warming, and asso- ciated effects are often most pronounced at species-specific distribution limits. Treeline ecotones may therefore be particularly useful to assess the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors in relation to environmental change. Here, we present site-dependent growth trends and climate responses of 22 Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. tree-ring chronologies from the treeline ecotone in the Sudetes Mountains (Mts.) along the Czech-Polish border. Annually resolved and absolutely dated ring-width measurements from 2 regions (Giant Mts. and Hrubý Jesenik Mts.), separated by aspect and altitude, resulted in robust chronologies for the 20th century. All sites reveal a close relationship between ring widths and growing season temperatures. The main site- dependent differences in growth trends and temperature responses were attributed to altitude. Trees located at the upper boundary of the treeline ecotone reacted positively to preceding autumn temperatures, and their temperature response was slightly weaker than that of trees from the upper forest limit. Temporal trends in growthclimate responses consisted mainly of a gradual decrease in the influence of preceding October temperatures and an increasing effect of May tem- peratures towards the present. The proportion of younger trees generally increases upwards within the ecotone, and the most recent growth rates appear unprecedented in a century-long context.

Pattern of genetic differentiation in Gentiana pannonica Scop.: did subalpine plants survive glacial events at low altitudes in Central Europe?

The molecular population structure of 20 populations of the subalpine plant Gentiana pannonica was studied by use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and sequencing of non-coding regions of plastid DNA. Of the populations sampled, 18 were native (11 were from the Eastern Alps, which is the distribution centre of the species, and seven were from the Bohemian Forest, which is on the margin of the distribution range), and two were from the Giant Mts and of unclear status. No plastid DNA polymorphisms were found within the entire 6,185 bp investigated. The AFLP data revealed grouping of populations at the regional level. However, differentiation at the regional level (10.3 %) and at the interpopulation level (14.2 %) was low. Even though current populations are isolated and contain small numbers of individuals, the within-population variation (75.511 %) was high. Genetic variation was higher for alpine populations than for Bohemian Forest populations, probably because of fundamental differences in historical changes in population size between these regions. Within-population variation was intermediate for populations in the Giant Mts. The results indicate the possibility of a large distribution of species in the unglaciated areas of Central Europe, irrespective of altitude, during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. Our results do not confirm that G.pannonica was introduced in the Giant Mts, and native status in the Giant Mts is possible.

New, rare and noteworthy lichens in the Giant Mountains

A commented list of 19 particularly interesting and noteworthy lichen species collected recently in the Giant Mts (Karkonosze, Krkonose) is given. Most of them were found on the basalt outcrop in the western wall of the Maly Śniezny Kociol cirque (germ. Kleine Schneegrube), which is the most valuable and most conserved area in this mountain range. Two species are new to Poland: Lecanora gangaleoides and Lecidea praenubila. Umbilicaria cinereorufescens is reported for the first time from the Sudety Mts as a whole. Three species are new for the Giant Mts: Buellia ocellata, Diplotomma lutosum and Fuscidea praeruptorum. Eight species: Aspicilia microlepis, Belonia russula, Caloplaca crenularia, C. nivalis, Gyalecta biformis, Koerberiella wimmeriana, Miriquidica complanata and Polyblastia cruenta were re-discovered after over 100 years on the historical locality in the Maly Śniezny Kociol cirque.

Farmer decision making and its effect on subalpine grassland succession in the Giant Mts., Czech Republic

Nitrogen deposition is generally considered as a main reason for many recent plant expansions, but management changes are often not taken into account. Understanding the effects of agriculture management in the past can be decisive in the explanation of plant expansions at present. In order to understand the spread of <em>Molinia caerulea</em> and <em>Calamagrostis villosa</em> into <em>Nardus stricta</em> dominated subalpine grassland in the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše, Karkonosze), we undertook an experiment to explain farmer decision making and we discussed its effect on grassland succession. We measured mowing productivity, yields, biomass quality and nutrient removal in <em>N. stricta</em>, <em>M. caerulea</em>, and <em>C. villosa</em> dominated swards. With regard to defoliation management performed on the subalpine grasslands for at least 500 years and cancelled after the Second World War, we found the following results and conclusions. 1. Mowing productivity, yield and forage quality were lowest in the <em>N. stricta</em> sward, therefore farmers preferred to harvest <em>C. villosa</em> and <em>M. caerulea</em> stands if they had the possibility to select a sward for mowing. 2. Removal of all nutrients was the lowest in the <em>N. stricta</em> sward. With respect to these facts, the competitive advantage of <em>N. stricta</em> is obvious under long-term scything without fertilization. Consequently, the recent increase of defoliation sensitive species <em>M. caerulea</em> and <em>C. villosa</em> above the timber line must be evaluated with respect to both: termination of agricultural activities and recent nitrogen deposition.

Control of Molinia caerulea by cutting management on sub-alpine grassland

There has been a considerable expansion of Molinia caerulea after the cessation of cutting management of Nardus stricta sub-alpine grasslands in the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše/Karkonosze/Riesengebirge, the Czech Republic) in the last 50 years. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reestablishment of traditional management (one cut per year in late July) could reverse Molinia encroachment and help to restore the original Nardus grassland. The cover of Molinia significantly decreased from 79% to 7%, the height of the canopy from 45 to 14 cm, biomass production from 313 to 54 g m −2 and panicle density from 129 to 18/m 2 after 6 years of cutting management. During the course of the experiment, no seedlings of Nardus were recorded in mown plots, although Nardus was common in the neighborhood. After Molinia retreat bare ground was partly colonized by Avenella flexuosa and partly remained free of vegetation. No significant effect of cutting management on species richness per 1 m 2 was recorded. Cutting significantly decreased K availability in the soil, although the amount of K removed was only 8 g/m 2 over 6 years. The N:P, N:K and K:P ratios in the plant biomass were not significantly affected by mowing compared to the unmanaged control, indicating P and K limitation but not N limitation in both treatments. Reestablishment of traditional management (one cut per year in late July) reversed Molinia encroachment but did not increase species richness or restore the original Nardus grassland over 6 years.

Integration of a Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus andBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato into Mountain Ecosystems, Following a Shift in the Altitudinal Limit of Distribution of Their Vector,Ixodes ricinus(Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic)

The altitudinal shift in the limit of Ixodes ricinus occurrence above the previously established altitude of 750 m above sea level has been monitored over the long-term (2002-2008) in the Krkonose Mts. (Giant Mts.), the highest in the Czech Republic, along two vertical transects in their eastern and central parts (600-1020 and 600-1270 m). Ticks were collected by flagging three times annually, and examined individually by PCR or RT-PCR for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato or tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A total of 5999 I. ricinus ticks were tested. TBEV RNA was detected in 26 ticks at up to 1140 m. Demonstration of TBEV in two larvae of I. ricinus indicates transovarial transmission. Similar infection rates in larvae and nymphs show vertical transmission in TBEV circulation to be very important under these mountain conditions. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was found at up to 1040-1065 m, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii up to 1080-1140 m, and Borrelia valaisiana up to 1270 m. The total infection rates of nymphs and larvae were 7.3% and 2%, respectively. B. garinii was the most prevalent (37%), followed by B. afzelii (29%), B. burgdorferi s.s. (11%), and B. valaisiana (9%). Double to quadruple coinfections were detected in 32% of the infected ticks, most frequently B. garinii/B. afzelii. Predominance of B. garinii and B. valaisiana over B. afzelii suggests that small passerine birds moving on the ground are responsible for permanent local populations of I. ricinus in mountain localities with low numbers of small terrestrial mammals. The detection of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and TBEV in host-seeking larvae indicates an autochthonic infection. Upon analysis of the local climate we consider climate warming to be responsible for the spreading of ticks and tick-transmitted pathogens to higher altitudes.

Long-term residual effect of short-term fertilizer application on Ca, N and P concentrations in grasses Nardus stricta L. and Avenella flexuosa L.

The resilience (the ability of an ecosystem to recover after termination of perturbation) of plant species composition after short-term fertilizer application can take decades in sub-alpine grassland, but little attention has been paid to the resilience of nutrient concentrations in the biomass of individual plant species. In 2004, an abandoned experiment in which phosphorus, nitrogen and calcium had been applied from 1965 to 1967 was identified in the Giant Mts. (Krkonose/Karkonosze, Czech Republic). The biomass of two dominant grasses, Nardus stricta and Avenella flexuosa, was analyzed for Ca, N and P concentrations 37 years after the last fertilizer application. In treatments with P application, the P concentration was still significantly increased in both species. The N concentration was higher in treatments with N or Ca application and the lowest in P treatments. The N:P ratio ranged from 7.7 to 16.6 and from 6.2 to 16.3 in N. stricta and A. flexuosa, respectively, and was lowest in P treatments where A. flexuosa predominated. N. stricta dominated in treatments where the biomass N:P ratio was higher than 13, whereas lower ratios were more favourable for A. flexuosa. In the case of N. stricta, the Ca concentration was increased in Ca treatments. Ca and P concentrations in N. stricta biomass were significantly positively correlated with soil plant available P and Ca concentrations, but this was not recorded for A. flexuosa. In environments with different P availability, the competitive ability of investigated species was predetermined by the N:P ratio in their biomass. As in the case of plant species composition and soil chemical properties, the resilience of Ca, N and P concentrations in the biomass of individual species can take decades in sub-alpine grassland.

Sward structure and diet selection after sheep introduction on abandoned grassland in the Giant Mts, Czech Republic

The effect of rotational grazing on the sward structure of long-term abandoned grassland and the sheep diet selection were investigated in the Giant Mts (Krkonose/Karkonosze). The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: (1) Does sheep grazing affect the sward structure of previously abandoned mountain grassland? (2) How does sheep diet selection develop within and among grazing seasons? (3) Which section of a pasture do sheep prefer to graze? Data was collected three times during each grazing season in spring, summer and in autumn in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 Fifty 1 × 1 m plots were used where the plant species occurrence and damage of plants by grazing for all species were repeatedly recorded. 1) Nonsignificant changes in plant species occurrences were recorded in spite of obvious visual changes in sward structure due to grazing e.g. the retreat of tall dominant species characteristic of long-term unmanaged grasslands. 2) Seasonal as well as inter-annual changes in sheep diet selection were detected. In spring 2001, sheep grazed over a wide variety of plant species in low quantities. In subsequent springs, they preferred species favoured during previous autumns (Veratrum album subsp. lobelianum; Ranunculus platanifolius; Senecio ovatus) and changed the diet only as a result of the elimination of favoured plants. 3) Sheep preferred to graze at the highest elevated part of the pasture probably as a consequence of anti-predator behaviour not due to higher occurrence of favoured plant species or the presence of a drinking place or salt licks. Changes in the sward structure were mostly of a quantitative not qualitative character, thus the presence-absence data collection is not a suitable method for monitoring the effects of management restoration. The diet selection changed probably due to the animals’ experience; sheep had no experience with montane species in spring 2001. The sheep were able to recognize favoured plant species after 6 months of wintering in lowland.

The Grass Garden in the Giant Mts. (Czech Republic): Residual effect of long-term fertilization after 62 years

The aim of the study was to investigate how plant species’ composition, soil parameters and nutrient concentrations in plant biomass differ between fertilized and control plots 62 years after the last fertilizer application on a sub-alpine grassland. A piece of land called the Grass Garden (GG), fertilized with wood ash and manure for at least 200 years, was rediscovered in the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše, Karkonosze) in 2006. The last fertilization was applied in 1944. The central part of GG (treatment A), the edge of GG (treatment B) and never-fertilized control plots outside of GG (treatment C) were distinguished. Sixty-two years after the last fertilization Nardus stricta was dominant in treatment C and Deschampsia cespitosa and Avenella flexuosa in treatments A and B. The predominance of these grasses was first described in 1786 and repeatedly during the 19th and 20th centuries and indicated the long-term stability of plant species’ composition in the sub-alpine grassland. In the case of GG, long-term fertilization has had a long-term “stable after-effect” upon differences in plant species’ composition. Ca concentration in the soil was more than two times higher in treatments A and B than in the control, indicating that it was very difficult to deplete applied Ca even on extreme podzol soils and under the climatic conditions of the sub-alpine vegetation belt. In above-ground plant biomass, Mg and P concentrations and N:P ratio were still significantly affected by treatment.

Revisiting a 37 years abandoned fertilizer experiment on Nardus grassland in the Czech Republic

A set-aside experiment on sub-alpine Nardo-Caricion rigidae grassland was identified in the Giant Mts. (Krkonos ye, Karkonosze), in which Ca, N and P fertilizers were each applied at three rates on five occasions from 1965 to 1967; since that time plots remained abandoned. In 2004, the effect of all fertilized treatments on sward structure was still visible 37 years after the last fertilizer application. Avenella flexuosa and Anthoxanthum alpinum were the dominant species in phosphorus fertilized plots whereas Nardus stricta was the dominant species in the control as well as in the limed and nitrogen fertilized treatments. The biomass production of A. alpinum was higher in all fertilized treatments than in the control but significantly only in one P treatment. The lowest amount of dead aboveground biomass was found in all P fertilized plots followed by two Ca treatments. P, Ca and NO3 concentrations in the biomass were highest in P treatments and Ca concentration was higher, but non-significantly differing from control, also in two Ca treatments. Soil pH was highest in two Ca treatments and was affected by soil Ca concentration. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rime in the Giant Mts. (The Sudetes, Poland)

The outline of rime intensity and its environmental role is presented, based on a 40-year series of meteorological measurements at the Observatory of Wrocław University at Mt. Szrenica (1362 m a.s.l. Giant Mts.), during 1961–2000. The area represents ridges of the Hercynian Mountains of Western and Central Europe, where the rime accumulation is one of the highest in Europe. On Mt. Szrenica, there are 149.2 days on average when rime occurs. Mean daily accumulation is equal to 0.56 kg per 200 cm 2, but in numerous situations is three to four times higher. A small difference in the range of accumulation in anticyclonic episodes indicates the role of enhanced convection in fog and rime formation caused by regional orography. Both rime and cloud water samples are typically two or three times more polluted than precipitation.