BRC 18-2010-Druk(Wnetrze)
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Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 18: 1-82, 2010 BRC www.brc.amu.edu.pl 10.2478/v10119-010-0020-4 Distribution patterns, history, and dynamics of peatland vascular plants in Pomerania (NW Poland) Zofia Sotek Department of Botany and Nature Conservation, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Pomerania is rich in various peatlands (fens, transitional bogs, raised bogs, spring-water mires, etc.), which support many rare and threatened plant species. This study was aimed: (1) to determine the phytogeographic diversity of Pomeranian peatland vascular plants associated with the classes Oxycocco-Sphagnetea and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae; (2) to attempt a reconstruction of the history of their postglacial migrations; and (3) to assess the dynamic trends of selected species. A database of records of 83 Pomeranian peatland plants was created, and cartograms of their distribution in Pomerania were made. Each taxon was briefly described, considering its distribution, phytocoenotic spectrum, and biological properties (e.g. pollination mode, diaspores dispersal). The phytogeographic analysis took into account geographic and directional elements, as well as mountain species found in Pomeranian peatlands. The plantsí potential for colonization of new sites was assessed on the basis of Raunkiaerís life forms, modes of pollination and seed dispersal, and types of life strategies. As a result of numerical analysis and visual comparison of cartograms, 5 regional distributional types were distinguished: western, northern, eastern, all-Pome- ranian, and disjunct. Within the eastern and all-Pomeranian types, which showed internal variation, several subtypes were distinguished. Most of the considered climatic variables (growing season length, temperature, and precipitation variables) were found to affect significantly the floristic variation of Pomeranian peatlands. The available palaeobotanical, palaeoclimatic, palaeoecological, and phytogeographic data, as well as original field research on the distribution of the taxa, allowed the formulation of hypotheses on the time and directions of their migration into Pomerania. Moreover, dynamic trends of selected species are analysed, and the decline of many peatland plant species in Pomerania is discussed. Key words: flora, Oxycocco-Sphagnetea, Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae, peatland, phytogeographic elements, chorotypes, pollination mode, diaspores dispersal, migration Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 2. General characteristics of the classes Oxycocco-Sphagnetea and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae .............. 4 3. Study area ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1. Location and limits ................................................................................................................................ 5 3.2. Climate .................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.3. Geology, land relief, and soils ............................................................................................................... 6 3.4. Hydrological conditions ........................................................................................................................ 8 3.5. Peatlands ................................................................................................................................................ 8 3.6. Transformations of Pomeranian vegetation in the late glacial period and the Holocene ..................... 9 4. Methods ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 4.1. Selection criteria and list of peatland plant species ................................................................................ 10 4.2. Sources of floristic data and mapping method ...................................................................................... 11 4.3. Methods of phytogeographic-ecological analysis .................................................................................. 12 CHOROLOGY © Adam Mickiewicz University in PoznaÒ (Poland), Department of Plant Taxonomy. All rights reserved. 2 Zofia Sotek Distribution patterns, history, and dynamics of peatland vascular plants in Pomerania... 4.4. Classification of regional distributional types ........................................................................................ 13 4.5. Numerical analyses ................................................................................................................................. 14 4.5.1. General remarks ............................................................................................................................ 14 4.5.2. Significance of climatic variables ................................................................................................. 14 4.5.3. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) ................................................................................. 14 5. Results ............................................................................................................................................................... 14 5.1. Geographic and ecological structure of the flora of Pomeranian peatlands ........................................... 14 5.1.1. Geographic elements .................................................................................................................... 14 5.1.2. Mountain species recorded in lowlands ....................................................................................... 15 5.1.3. Directional elements ....................................................................................................................... 16 5.1.4. Spectrum of life-forms .................................................................................................................. 17 5.1.6. Biological properties ..................................................................................................................... 18 5.1.7. Life strategy .................................................................................................................................. 18 5.2. Regional patterns of distribution of peatland plant species ..................................................................... 19 5.2.1. Frequency of individual species .................................................................................................... 19 5.2.2. Types of regional ranges ............................................................................................................... 20 5.3. Modern dynamics of regional ranges of plant species of Pomeranian peatlands ................................... 31 5.4. Effect of selected climatic factors on floristic composition of peatlands in Pomerania ......................... 33 6. Discussion ...................................................................................................................................................... 35 6.1. History of migrations of peatland plant species in Pomerania in the late glacial period and the Holocene .................................................................................................................................................. 35 6.2. Decline of peatland plant species in Pomerania ...................................................................................... 41 7. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 References ............................................................................................................................................................. 45 Annex ................................................................................................................................................................... 54 1. Introduction sting in respect of phytogeography. This area is affected by both the oceanic and continental climate. Conseq- The vegetation of Pomerania is exceptionally rich. uently, this region is penetrated by species and com- This results from the great variety of habitats, reflected munities whose centre of distribution is located in in the diversity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. western or Boreal continental Europe (e.g. CzubiÒski The most valuable ecosystems include peatlands, which 1950; Jasnowski et al. 1968; Jasnowski 1975; Jasnowski create suitable living conditions for many endangered, & Pa≥czyÒski 1976; Herbichowa 1979, 1998a; Herbich vulnerable, rare, and protected plant species. Refugia & Herbichowa 2002). Moreover, many species of peat- of plant species of the cold climatic zone are found in land plants reach in this area (or its vicinity) some limits this region. Their development there is possible thanks of their ranges. to the wet and cold substrate and the limited competi- Peatland ecosystems are subject to natural transfor- tion from trees and shrubs (or their complete absence), mation. This is usually a very slow process, caused by which allows them full access to light. The location of plant succession or climatic changes. However, under