Patterns of bryophyte diversity in arable fields of Lithuania

The paper presents research data on bryophyte diversity in arable land throughout the territory of Lithuania. The bryoflora was analyzed regarding systematic structure and morphological forms, life-history strategies, mode of reproduction and frequency of species. Bryophyte diversity in arable fields of Lithuania was compared with that of Slovakia and the British Isles, which are positioned in different geographical regions of Europe. A total of 97 species of bryophytes of 25 families and 48 genera were ascertained. Dominance of acrocarpous mosses and thalloid liverworts, high representation of Pottiaceae, Bryaceae, Mielichhoferiaceae and Ricciaceae families as well as Bryum, Dicranella, Pohlia and Riccia genera, wide distribution of annual shuttles and ephemeral colonists, high reproduction effort of the species (frequent sporophytes and asexual propagules) were specific features of the bryophytes of the studied habitats as a result of adaptations to regular disturbances. The distribution of species into six frequency groups seemed to be uneven. The most abundant group of species with the lowest frequency (1–3 records) covered 53.6% of all species. The group contained about 90% of all many-year potential life span species recorded in the habitat. Species with short life span were distributed quite evenly throughout frequency groups. No regionally-specific species were ascertained in the studied habitat. Most of arable-land-specific species recorded in Lithuania is distributed throughout different regions of Europe

Characteristics of atypical Huperzia selago subsp. arctica habitats to the south of distribution area

Two localities for Huperzia selago subsp. arctica are recorded from Lithuania, to the south of its known distribution area. The habitats of this subspecies are cutover peatlands whose natural vegetation was disturbed 6-8 years ago during peat exploitation. One of the dominant species of latest vegetation cover is the invasive bryophyte Campylopus introflexus. Characteristics of the habitats of H. selago subsp. arctica and the frequency of this taxon in populations were analysed

S. B. Gorski’s Bryological Collection in the Herbarium of Vilnius University

Stanisław Batys Gorski (1802–1864) was a pharmacist, botanist, and entomologist. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, he headed the Vilnius University Botanical Garden and lectured on botany at the Imperial University of Vilnius and the Vilnius Medical and Surgical Academy. It is a known fact that the Herbarium of Vilnius University (WI) contains Gorski’s largest collection of vascular plants. In 2016, the nineteenth-century collection of bryophytes in WI was analyzed. The analysis of handwriting on specimen labels, as well as their style, showed that more than half of the collection had been compiled by Gorski. The purpose of this study is to present Gorski’s reassembled bryological collection, which contains 729 specimens of bryophytes and is stored in the Herbarium of Vilnius University

Habitat preferences of Hamatocaulis vernicosus at the junction of continental and boreal phytogeographical regions (Lithuania)

Based on the Nature Conservation Act, the rare fen moss Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Bern Convention, EU habitat directive) is protected in more than 500 Natura 2000 territories of Europe. Knowledge on its ecology is required to ensure favourable conservation status, meanwhile data from specific regions is still insufficient. The aim of this study was to high-light habitat characteristics specific at the junction of boreal and continental biogeographical regions. The data of 63 study plots included cover and abundance of the plant species, water parameters (conductivity, pH, and concentrations of Ca2+, Fe3+, K+, Mg2+, NH4+, NO3-, and PO43-), topography type and microrelief form. The specific features both in terms of water parameters and vegetation were ascertained. The habitats showed wide variation and high amounts of electrical conductivity, calcium, iron and magnesium. Most associated species were Carex diandra, C. rostrata, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Calliergonella cuspidata. The highest restriction with the most frequent plant communities showed Marchantia polymorpha, Plagiomnium ellipticum, and Rumex acetosa. Thus, the study confirms the general trends known for the habitat preferences of H. vernicosus and highlights the regionally based characteristics related to both water physical-chemical parameters and vegetation. To ensure favourable status of H. vernicosus throughout Europe, conservation measures that consider the particular features of the regional habitats should be applied

Bryophyte diversity as an indication of habitat quality in two special areas of conservation on the outskirts of Vilnius (Verkiai Regional Park)

The research results on bryophyte diversity in two special areas of conservation (Environs of Lakes Žalieji and Ežerėliai Complex ) included into the Natura 2000 network and occurring on the outskirts of Vilnius are presented. The study aimed to ascertain bryophyte diversity at the studied sites. In addition, the conservation status of habitats protected under the European Union Habitats Directive in terms of bryophyte species they contain was evaluated. The research was carried out in 2019–2020 and 2022 and covered all habitat types and substrata in the territories. A total of 110 bryophyte species (11 liverworts and 99 mosses) were recorded in both studied areas. About 70% of bryophytes were recorded in one of the areas. Among 13 habitats protected under the Habitats Directive, bryophyte diversity in three of them confirmed their favourable status. Habitats with dominant deciduous trees (9020 Fennoscandian hemiboreal natural old broad-leaved deciduous forests rich in epiphytes and 9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines) distributed in the area Environs of Lakes Žalieji were characterised by a large number of epiphytes, among which there were also indicators of favourable habitat conservation status. In both habitats, Dicranum viride was recorded. Our research did not reveal bryophyte species indicating the favourable status of 9010 Western taiga habitats. In contrast, small areas of wetland habitats are of favourable conservation status. Three typical bryophyte species (Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Sphagnum warnstorfii and Tomentypnum nitens) were recorded in 7140 Transition mires and qua-king bogs (the area Ežerėliai Complex). The results of our study confirm that some habitats of Vilnius outskirts, despite increased pressure of urbanisation, are still able to maintain favourable status

Samanų rinkiniai iš Rytų Lietuvos (1934-1940) mokslo istorijos ir kraštovaizdžio pokyčių aspektai

The paper deals with bryophytes collected by Polish researchers from the mires in the eastern part of Lithuania in 1934-1940 and deposited at the Herbarium of W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences (KRAM). The collection provides data on bryophyte diversity and distribution patterns in the mires of Lithuania. The collection (868 specimens) was revised in 2016-2017. Almost 90% of all herbarium specimens were collected by Irena Dąbkowska. The specimens were identified by the collectors themselves or by Polish bryologist Zygmunt Czubiński; 254 specimens of the collection were not identified. After revision, a total of 112 bryophyte species were ascertained in the collection, two of these (Palustriella decipiens and Polytrichum swartzii) have not been reported to Lithuania before. The specimens were collected in 47 localities, the mires in nearly half of them at the moment are disturbed due to drainage or use for peat extraction. Information about the localities of rare species Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Meesia triquetra and Mesoptychia rutheana is valuable for the estimation of their population status

New european discovery of splachnum pensylvanicum (Bryophyta, splachnaceae) in lithuania, with taxonomic notes and a review of its world distribution

Splachnum pensylvanicum (Brid.) Grout ex H.A.Crum is recorded for the first time in Lithuania and it is its fourth discovery at a third locality in Europe. It was found for the first time in 2000 in Kamanos mire, the largest peatland complex in the northern part of this East Baltic country. Targeted investigations at this site in 2017 resulted in the discovery of 14 populations and it is apparently the largest and most abundant locality of the species in Europe. Splachnum pensylvanicum is briefly described and illustrated along with some taxonomic notes and a detailed description of its habitat requirements. The global geographical distribution of S. pensylvanicum is reviewed and mapped. It is a Euro‐Eastern North American temperate species and deeply penetrates into the Neotropics at montane stations in Venezuela and SE Brazil in South America

Zapiski bryologiczne by Kazimierz Szafnagel and his herbarium in the historical context of bryological studies in Lithuania and adjacent regions

Zapiski bryologiczne , a book written by Kazimierz Szafnagel, is a report on the author’s bryological studies conducted between 1882 and 1885 in the territories of present-day Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. The book was published in 1908 by the Society of Friends of Science in Vilnius after a long period of publishing stagnation caused by the closure of Vilnius University in 1832. Amateur botanist Szafnagel was among the first members to establish the society and was responsible for its botanical collections. In Zapiski bryologiczne , Szafnagel provided 245 moss species from the study areas. In 2018, Szafnagel’s bryophyte collection, comprising 667 moss specimens, was found at the Vilnius University Herbarium. These voucher specimens cover all the collection sites described in Szafnagel’s work. The majority of herbarium specimens (88%) were collected in the territory of Belarus. Szafnagel recognized 225 species in his original collection, but as a result of the current revision, their number decreased to 211 species. This set opened up new possibilities for evaluating the results of Szafnagel’s study, such as confirming the exact specimen referred to in his publication, clarifying the species according to modern nomenclatural concepts, and assessing the impact of landscape changes on the distribution and conservation status of rare species. Szafnagel’s published work and his herbarium can be considered as common heritage of the history of the natural sciences in Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine