Application of bryophytes and lichens in the bioindicative assessment of the vertical differentiation of forest ecosystem habitat conditions on the example of windthrowns in the Kampinos National Park

Ecological indicator values (EIV) are a commonly used tool for assessing habitat conditions in various ecosystems. They are relatively rarely used for the analysis of epiphytic communities, which results from objective difficulties in the study of this group of organisms in full height gradient on settled trees. Windthrows provide a rare opportunity to fully analyse the biota diversity of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the EIV variability for bryophytes and lichens in the vertical gradient, from terrestrial to different epiphytic exposures. The fieldworks were carried out on two windthrow areas in the Kampinos National Park (central Poland). A set of floristic lists was prepared within five distinguished parts of trees (trunk base, lower trunk, upper trunk, lower crown and upper crown) and three parts of their uproots (pit, bottom root plate and top root plate) for three species (oak, birch, pine). Ten individuals of each tree species were selected. The average values of five ecological indicator values (light, temperature, continentality, humidity and acidity) were calculated within the examined parts of trees and their uproots. The significance of differences between bryophyte and lichen EIV within same parts of trees and their uproots was checked using Wilcoxon paired test. The significance of differences of EIV calculated for bryophytes and lichens pulled together between distinguished tree and uproot parts were checked with Kruskal−Wallis or Mann−Whitney tests. Ordination of researched parts in terms of their EIV was carried out using NMDS method. The values of individual EIV obtained with the use of bryophytes and lichens for the examined parts of trees and their uproots differed significantly in most cases. The values of temperature and continentality in most cases were significantly higher for lichen, which may indicate the need for additional calibration of these indicators for these groups of organisms. The use of both groups of organisms in bioindication has increased the quantity and quality of available ecological information. The research confirmed the usefulness of ecological indicator values as a tool for analysing general habitat conditions in forest ecosystems

Lowland station of the Gentiana asclepiadea L. in Mikołow (Silesian Upland, S Poland)

Gentiana asclepiadea L. is a montane flowering plant species that has a very limited lowland distribution in Poland. The only existing lowland station that is known occurs in the Katowice-Muchowiec (Silesian Upland). In this paper a second station from the Silesian Upland in the Mikołów-Jamna area is described. A single cluster of rare albiflora form was observed within the newly discovered population. Information about the status and distribution of the Willow Gentian in Poland is also given

Vertical differentiation of the richness and species composition of the myco-, licheno- and briobiota of windthrown trees in Kampinos National Park

Vertical distribution of species richness of various groups of organisms within trees is still insufficiently understood. The reason for this are, among others, the difficulties in accessing standing trees. The aim of the study was to determine the differentiation of species richness of fungi, lichens and lichenicolous fungi and bryophyte of three tree species (oak, birch and pine) within windthrow areas in the Kampinos National Park (central Poland). Ten individuals of each tree species were chosen. They were only thrown, not broken, without serious damage, still alive and easily accessible. The investigations of species composition were performed in five parts of each tree: trunk bottom, lower trunk, upper trunk, lower crown and upper crown. Individual parts of the trees were measured, than their surface and volume were determined. The species richness of the studied groups of organisms was calculated using rarefaction curves based on the number of samples, volume and area of the distinguished tree parts. Species composition changes of the tree parts were described using non−metric multidimensional scaling. The most important parts of trees for fungi were the crowns of trees, in particular oak’s. The highest richness of lichens was found within the crown of oaks, however they were recorded within all of the distinguished tree parts. The highest richness of bryophytes was recorded in the lower crown of oak and the trunk base of birch, but this group of organisms generally did not inhabit the birch and pine crowns. In the case of rarefaction curves based on the number of samples, the large positive meaning of the oak was observed, however the observed pattern was different when the volume and surface were taken into account. The general species richness of the studied taxa was similar for three tree species, the pine was distinguished positively in case of fungi, birch – in the case of lichens and oak – in the case of bryophytes. The species of trees differ from each other in terms of the species composition of the studied groups of organisms. We also observed the gradual change in the species composition from the base of the trunk to the upper crown

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 12

This work presents a list of localities for the following species: Bucklandiella heterosticha, Conocephalum salebrosum, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Harpanthus scutatus, Hedwigia ciliata, Leskea polycarpa, Lophoziopsis excisa, Odontoschisma denudatum, Schljakovia kunzeana, Sciuro-hypnum reflexum, Sphagnum riparium and Tomentypnum nitens

A contribution to the moss and liverwort flora of the Reberce Nature Reserve at the Przemysl Foothills (Western Carpathians, Poland)

The paper presents the results of studies on bryophyte flora of the Reberce forest reserve located in the Przemyśl foothills. Thirty-three species of liverworts, 70 species and two varieties of mosses were found. Terrestrial (66 species) and epixylic (58) bryophytes formed the largest ecological groups in the reserve. Twenty-four protected species were also recorded, eight endangered bryophytes and six taxa considered as primeval forest species. The most interesting finds are: Bazzania trilobata, Buxbaumia viridis, Calypogeia suecica, Cephalozia catenulata, Frullania dilatata, Metzgeria conjugata, Nowellia curvifolia, Orthotrichum lyellii, O. stramineum, Trichocolea tomentella and Ulota crispa

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 9

This work presents a list of localities for the following species: Barbilophozia barbata, Campylopus flexuosus, Conocephalum salebrosum, Didymodon spadiceus, Eucladium verticillatum, Frullania dilatata, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Harpanthus flotovianus, Pohlia ludwigii, Riccardia latifrons, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum fuscum, and Tomentypnum nitens

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 17

Every garden is therapeutic in a way. When we are surrounded by plants, we often do not realise the fact that all our senses perceive the space, composition and its elements. Plants can be used for rela- xation, recreation, rehabilitation, therapy, education and sports. Therapeutic gardens stimulate all the five senses, i.e. the sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. When creating a therapeutic garden, one of the main rules is to design the whole composition, select the programme and its elements so as to minimise the in- tensity of visual stimuli. All the other senses should play the main role. Horticultural therapy requires the application of appropriate architectural and landscaping rules and solutions, such as a specialised adjusted garden programme, spatial composition, appropriate surface and equipment for disabled people, elevated flowerbeds and adequate selection of plants. Vegetation plays an important role in therapeutic gardens, especially in those providing horticultural therapy. Plants should not be treated exclusively as aesthetic (visual) material, but also as elements, components and materials which are widely used in therapies. The- refore, the primary role of vegetation in these gardens is to offer therapeutic properties, which affect the sanitary conditions in a particular environment