The Hornworts Notothylas Orbicularis and Anthoceros Neesii in Hessen (Germany)

The hornworts Notothylas orbicularis and Anthoceros neesii in Hessen (Germany)

Uwe Drehwald Göttingen Notothylas orbicularis Notothylas orbicularis Notothylas orbicularis Anthoceros neesii & A. agrestis Anthoceros neesii Both species grow exclusively on arable fields in summer and autumn Anthoceros agrestis is very abundant on all fields with Notothylas Notothylas orbicularis and Anthoceros neesii in Hessen

• Discovered in 1980 by Josef Futschig near Gedern in the Vogelsberg Mountains.

• Interest grew significantly when Notothylas orbicularis was included among the species listed in Appendix II of the EU Habitats Directive.

• Notothylas orbicularis is currently known from 64 fields, 51 in the Vogelsberg and 13 in the Westerwald.

• Anthoceros neesii is known from 45 fields, 33 in the Vogelsberg and 12 in the Westerwald.

• In Hessen restricted to basaltic areas with precipitation between 850 mm and 1050 mm.

• Both species grow exclusively on arable fields in summer and autumn. Distribution of Notothylas orbicularis in Hessen All our information about Notothylas is stored in a geographical information system (GIS) There are likely more fields containing Notothylas than are currently known. Therefore search areas are defined with suitable climate and soil.

In 2011, 18 additional fields with Notothylas have been found.

Monitoring of Notothylas orbicularis

• Monitoring was conducted in 2007, 2010 and 2011.

• Growth period about 3 month.

• The number of specimens changes from year to year, depending on the amount of precipitation.

• Notothylas has a low tolerance to desiccation. In October 2011 most thalli died during a warm, dry period.

Notothylas orbicularis, Anthoceros agrestis and A. neesii Notothylas orbicularis

Mean number of thalli per field Notothylas orbicularis

Number of fields containing Notothylas Monitoring of Notothylas orbicularis

Kugel-Hornmoos (Notothylas orbicularis) Kriterien A B C Evaluation sheet /Wertstufe Zustand der hervorragend gut mittel-schlecht Population Populationsgröß > 100 Individuen auf einer 10 bis 100 Individuen auf < 10 Individuen auf einer e Ackerfläche von 1 ha einer Ackerfläche von 1 ha Ackerfläche von 1 ha Habitatqualität hervorragend gut mittel-schlecht Nutzung Sommergetreide (in Wintergetreide-, Mais-, oder anderweitig genutzte Fläche Fruchtfolge) Rapsacker Vergesellschaftu > 3 weitere typische Leber- 1-3 weitere typische Leber- keine weiteren typischen ng oder Hornmoosarten oder Hornmoosarten Leber- oder Hornmoosarten

Beeinträchtigung hervorragend gut mittel-schlecht en Strohschicht <10% der besiedelten 10-30% der besiedelten >30 % der besiedelten Ackerfläche mit dichter Ackerfläche mit dichter Ackerfläche mit dichter Strohschicht bedeckt Strohschicht bedeckt Strohschicht bedeckt Umpflügen nach dem 1. November zwischen 1. Oktober und vor dem 1. Oktober 1. November Düngung mit Düngung nur im Frühjahr Düngung nach der Ernte auf Düngung nach der Ernte auf Mist oder Gülle <30% der Ackerfläche >=30% der Ackerfläche Anbau von auf ganzer Fläche kein Anbau Anbau von Zwischenfrucht Anbau von Zwischenfrucht Zwischenfrucht von Zwischenfrucht auf <30% der Ackerfläche auf >=30% der Ackerfläche

Ernte vor dem 1. Oktober vor dem 1. Oktober nach dem 1. Oktober (Bsp.: Mais) Herbizideinsatz auf der gesamten Einsatz von Einsatz von besiedelten Ackerfläche kein moosschädigendem Mittel moosschädigendem Mittel moosschädigendes Mittel auf <30% der Ackerfläche auf >=30% der Ackerfläche Notothylas orbicularis

Result of evaluation of fields 2011 Notothylas orbicularis

Result of evaluation, comparison between 2007, 2010 and 2011 Riccia warnstorfii & Phaeoceros carolinianus Riccia bifurca Riccia ciliata Accompanying liver- and hornworts Major threats for Notothylas: intensive land use

• Cultivation of winter crops

• Early ploughing

• Intertillage

• 2nd crop for biogas plants

• Fertilization with liquid manure or dung in autumn

• Herbicides

• Conversion to grassland Number of fields with/without impairments Impairments Organic farming: incompatible with the conservation of Notothylas and Anthoceros neesii

• All the fields are ploughed very soon after the harvest

• Intertillage

• Grass-clover ley

• Fertilization with liquid manure

Grass-clover ley without bryophytes Arable field treated with Roundup Riccia glauca damaged by Roundup Conservation measures

• One designated protected area for Notothylas

• Contracts with farmers

• Acquisition of land Contracts with farmers

More than 50% of landowners are participating in the conservation of Notothylas orbicularis.

The participants are required to grow summer crops only, and must not: • plough before December, • apply herbicides in autumn, • fertilize with dung or liquid manure in autumn, or • leave straw on the field after the harvest.

The participants receive financial compensation for the reduction in yields. To avoid weed infestation, a different crop, such as a winter crop, may be grown on the fields every five years.

Acquisition of land

The nature conservation authorities are currently planning to buy fields which are important for the conservation of Notothylas orbicularis and Anthoceros neesii.

As these fields have to be managed, they will be leased to farmers. The farmers don’t have to pay any rent, and can keep the harvest, but they have to manage the fields in an manner that is optimal for Notothylas and Anthoceros.

Acknowledgements

• Hessen-Forst FENA

• Hessisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz