Rare Vascular Plant Species in the Lipetsk Region: Vital Status Assessment
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EurAsian Journal of BioSciences Eurasia J Biosci 11, 78-84 (2017) Rare Vascular Plant Species in the Lipetsk Region: Vital Status Assessment Vjacheslav L. Zakharov 1*, Tat’jana J. Petrishheva 1, Natal’ja V. Morgachjova 1 1 Yelets state university, Yelets, RUSSIA *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract This article is devoted to the plant species (first category of rarity) growing in the Lipetsk region. Plants were registered by means of sample plots with the projective cover area indicated. This article presents 9 species of vascular plants and one fern. Based on the field research, we have assessed the vital status and magnitude of plant population within the specified region. We have shown the origin of previously unidentified limiting factors and their affect on the species. This article also reveals the reasons why the species status is unfavorable and provides a reintroduction efficiency assessment. We have also assessed the risks of other preservation measures. We have determined the most effective method for preserving and increasing the number of plant population for each species in a specified region. Keywords: plant, vitality, phytocoenosis, forest-steppe zone, plant introduction Zakharov VL, Petrishheva TJ, Morgachjova NV (2017) Rare Vascular Plant Species in the Lipetsk Region: Vital Status Assessment. Eurasia J Biosci 11: 78-84. © 2017 Zakharov et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. INTRODUCTION sosnowskyi, Bidens frondosa, Echinocystis lobata, Impatiens parviflora, Lepidium densiflorum, Epilobium The reasons for plant species disappearance and adenocaulon, Impatiens glandulifera, Oenothera reduction are of a general nature: habitat destruction, biennis, Conyza canadensis, Aster salignus, fragmentation and transformation of natural landscapes, Arrhenatherum elatius, Juncus tenuis (Starodubtseva et air and water pollution (Douda et al. 2017, Speed and al. 2014), Phalacroloma annuum (Kazmina and Austrheim 2017, Weber 2017). Private ownership of Agafonov 2014), Parthenocissus inserta (Khlyzova et al. land also has a negative impact on the natural 2012). Therefore, there have been developed criteria for ecosystems in the region. the Lipetsk Region that allow assessing the degree of The latest research on the plant species (1st species invasiveness (Gaba et al. 2016). category of rarity) growing in the Lipetsk Region dates We have conducted our research in the Lipetsk back to 2011. Scientists have examined several sites in Region because this region is industrially developed. a number of districts: Lipetsk, Krasinsky, Lebedyansky, Consequently, environment is significantly polluted. Dankovsky, Yeletsky, Zadonsky, Usmansky, Therefore, research on endangered species, as well as Stanovlyansky, Dobrovsky, Dolgorukovsky, Gryazinsky, recommendations for their preservation in this region, Khlevensky, Dobrinsky and Terbunsky Districts. A can be an example for species preservation in number of rare plants were recorded in these areas. As ecologically similar regions. for the Red Book plants (1st category of rarity), scientists The purpose of this research was to update data recorded lichens (Lecanora albescens) in the on the presence, magnitude and vital status of 9 Krasninsky District. The reasons why this species are vascular plant species (1st category of rarity) for the Red rare within the area are unclear. Limestone mining, Book of the Lipetsk Region and to find a plant grass fires, limestone outcrops overgrowing with tall preservation method. grass and woody-shrub vegetation pose a threat to the species (Kuznetsova et al., 2012). Scientists have also METHODS recorded moss (Neckera pennata) that can disappear due to forest and air pollution (Shcherbakova, 2014); Field research was conducted in the Lipetsk Region Allium ursinum – in the Yeletsky District; and Allium in 2014-2015. Each species was monitored in the schoenoprassum – in the Dankovsky District (Khlyzova and Burmisova 2011, Nedosekina and Skolzneva 2011, Received: December 2016 2014a, 2014b, Sarychev et al. 2011). When natural Accepted: June 2017 habitats of rare plant species are disturbed, there appear Printed: August 2017 species that replace the rare ones: Heracleum 78 EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 11: 78-84 (2017) Zakharov et al. Table 1. Selected plants in June; in 2015, according to our data, it was at the level № Plant names habitat in the Lipetsk Region of the max hygroscopic moisture content – 12-15% of limestone oak fern (Gymnocarpium Lebedyansky District, Doctorovo 1 robertianum (Hoffm.) Newm.) village, the Don river bank the absolutely dry soil mass. Indirect negative effect of Dobrovsky District, Makhonovo 2 sand iris (Iris arenaria Waldst. et Kit) the third natural limiting factor was that a decrease in village, the Voronezh river village marsh helleborine (Epipactis Dankovsky Ddistrict, Bigildino snow cover thickness has led to a reduction in soil water 3 palustris (Mill.) Crantz) village, oak grove reserves by the spring period. Decrease in soil water fine-leaved peony (Paeonia Volovsky District, Turchanovo 4 tenuifolia L.) village, the Kshen river bank reserves is one of the reasons why the ground water Dankovsky Ddistrict, Polibino runoff over the limestone cracks feeding the lower part 5 Astragalus albiculis DC. village, rocky ravine of rocky outcrops along the river banks of the Central Lebedyansky District, 6 Astragalus dasyanthus Pall Gryaznovka village, ravine Russian Upland is weakening. Decrease in a degree of Izmalkovsky District, Lobanovka thyme (Thymus cretaceus Klok. et soil moistening is also evidenced by a change in 7 village, the Bystraya Sosna river Shost.) bank vegetation: the share of xerophytic grasses (red spire lady’s-slipper orchid (Cypripedium Dankovsky Ddistrict, Bigildino 8 and crested wheatgrass) in the plant cover has calceolus L.) village, oak grove increased. Reducing thickness of the snow cover also Khlevensky District, Vertyachye 9 military orchid (Orchis militaris L.) village, the Voronezh river bank. had another indirect effect on the species status: in winter, the danger of soil/roots freezing has increased. following phenological stages: vegetation before As the status of the limestone oak fern population is flowering, flowering, fruiting. Plants were registered by weak, there are appearing many yellow wilting fronds means of sample plots with the projective cover area due to a decrease in soil moisture content. The latter indicated (Table 1). Each phytocoenosis involved 20 decreases due to a decrease in the amount of soil water sample square plots with an area of 100 m2 reserves. As there is no shadow from trees or bushes, (Syreyshchikov and Alyokhin 1926). During the study, a sun rays can dry the soil around the plants and cause detailed survey of the habitat of plants, their growth, sunburn. This and the increased transpiration reduce the color, and age was carried out. turgor. Sand iris RESULTS 1 species found. Soil over-moistening by spring waters of the Voronezh River is an abiotic limiting factor Limestone oak fern affecting the sand iris population. In the Lipetsk Region, 1 slightly depressed population with an area of 9 m2. water erosion (abiotic factor) and gathering The species prefers significantly humidified outcrops of (anthropogenic factor) were the major limiting factor in carbonate rocks (limestone, malmstone) bordered by places where iris sand was previously encountered. forests. It can be found on the forested slopes of river Water erosion is affecting indirectly: bedding rocks, on banks. Previously established limiting factors for the which the iris grew, were washed away from the slopes. specified cenopopulations are the following: abiotic Currently, sand iris growing in the Lipetsk Region has factors – low temperatures (freezing), biotic factors – almost disappeared giving way to the leafless iris (Iris eating by wild animals (roe deer, wild boar), aphylla L.) and dwarf iris (Iris humilis G.). Since the sand anthropogenic factors – unregulated tourism. Based on iris requires light granulometric soil composition, the observations, 3 new abiotic limiting factors were reason why the magnitude of its population reduces established: high air temperature in summer (up to 40 becomes apparent. Sand iris has longer underground °C v. the max 35 °C in 2014); low atmospheric moisture stem and is more demanding for loose and aerated soil capacity in summer (up to 45% v. 55% in 2014); compared to other two species presented above. Sand reducing thickness of the snow cover (5 cm v. 20 cm in iris prefers to settle on sandy soil phases along the 2014). Direct negative effect of natural limiting factors on edges of forests. Such environment is typical for the the vital activity of the limestone oak fern populations Dobrovsky District. However, this area is located on a was that the atmospheric moisture capacity, recorded in macrorelief called the Tambov Plain, which annually the first half of June and the second half of July, has descends a few millimeters down entailing gradual caused more intensive transpiration in leaves. This flooding by groundwater. At the indicated location of the entails a significant loss of water in plants. Direct effect sand iris, we found no anthropogenic influence. of the second limiting factor (high air temperature) in the Reduction in the number of specimens in this population specified calendar periods was that sunburns appeared can be explained by a rise in the level of groundwater.