The dynamics of growth and flowering of invasive Solidago species

Solidago species are one of the most widespread invasive species in Europe. In Central Europe, vegetation dominated by alien goldenrods can occupy vast areas. Their presence causes a decrease in the biodiversity level of numerous groups of organisms (plants, birds and insects). Alien Solidago also disturb biogeochemical cycles, as well as the primary productivity in infested ecosystems. In Central Europe, four alien Solidago species are considered as naturalized plants: late goldenrod (Solidago altissima L.), Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis L.), tall goldenrod (S. gigantea Aiton), and grass-leaved goldenrod (S. graminifolia (L.) Elliot. = Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt.). To analyse the dynamics of the growth and flowering of Solidago species, an experiment was conducted in which the goldenrods were planted in pots. We examined the life history traits, which are treated as being strongly connected with the invasive abilities of these species. The height, number of ramets and percentage of flowered plants were noted at ten-day intervals from May to November over a period of four years. Two native species, often co-occurring with alien goldenrods, were analysed for comparison: European goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.). The analysed species reached their maximal height during the second and third years of the experiment. The highest ramets were noted in the case of Solidago altissima, S. canadensis and S. gigantea. A group of lower plants consisted of Solidago graminifolia, together with the native species S. virgaurea and T. vulgare. The number of ramets formed by S. graminifolia was more than two times larger than in the case of other species. All of the analysed species flowered during the time of observation but, grass-leaved goldenrod, was the only one among the alien species which flowered in all pots and 100% of individuals produced mature seeds. Its phenology (early flowering and seed ripening) was more similar to native species’ than to other alien Solidago. Our results suggest Solidago graminifolia has strong competitive abilities; however, its range is very limited. The reasons for the slow spread of this species in Europe – other than competitive limitations – should be considered

Soil preferences and morphological diversity of goldenrods (Solidago L.) from south-western Poland

Invasive plants in their new range can differ from their ancestors, including traits ultimately influencing habitat preferences, competitiveness and dispersal ability. In Europe Solidago species are considered as one of the worst invaders of American origin. In this study the frequency of occurrence of Solidago species, their soil preferences and morphological diversity, in Silesia (south-western Poland, Central Europe) were surveyed. On the basis of phytosociological relevés, made using the Braun-Blanquet method, in 75 plots, we determined the composition of species co-occurring with particular Solidago species. The height of ramets, as well as length and width of inflorescences of Solidago species were measured. We also determined the basic soil properties and noted the presence of trees overshading the ground vegetation. The compositional variation of vegetation and its relation to environmental traits: soil properties (texture, pH, percentage of organic matter, total nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium and calcium content) and presence of canopy were analyzed by multivariate ordination methods (CA and CCA). Goldenrod species, in most cases (74.3%) occurred singly, two on one plot – rather rarely (mostly S. canadensis with S. altissima), whereas three Solidago species co-occurred only in three plots. Particular species differed in the height of the plant and inflorescence size, the exception was lack of difference between S. altissima and S. canadensis. S. virgaurea often occurred under trees canopy and the populations were separated from other goldenrod species. The species co-occurring with S. altissima and S. canadensis were the ruderal species, whereas plants from wet meadows occurred in plots with S. gigantea. The distribution of S. graminifolia was very limited, but inside its range it was able to occupy different habitats. The plots, where particular Solidago species occurred, did not differ significantly with respect to soil conditions

The dynamics of growth and flowering of invasive Solidago species

Solidago species are one of the most widespread invasive species in Europe. In Central Europe, vegetation dominated by alien goldenrods can occupy vast areas. Their presence causes a decrease in the biodiversity level of numerous groups of organisms (plants, birds and insects). Alien Solidago also disturb biogeochemical cycles, as well as the primary productivity in infested ecosystems. In Central Europe, four alien Solidago species are considered as naturalized plants: late goldenrod (Solidago altissima L.), Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis L.), tall goldenrod (S. gigantea Aiton), and grass-leaved goldenrod (S. graminifolia (L.) Elliot. = Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt.). To analyse the dynamics of the growth and flowering of Solidago species, an experiment was conducted in which the goldenrods were planted in pots. We examined the life history traits, which are treated as being strongly connected with the invasive abilities of these species. The height, number of ramets and percentage of flowered plants were noted at ten-day intervals from May to November over a period of four years. Two native species, often co-occurring with alien goldenrods, were analysed for comparison: European goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.). The analysed species reached their maximal height during the second and third years of the experiment. The highest ramets were noted in the case of Solidago altissima, S. canadensis and S. gigantea. A group of lower plants consisted of Solidago graminifolia, together with the native species S. virgaurea and T. vulgare. The number of ramets formed by S. graminifolia was more than two times larger than in the case of other species. All of the analysed species flowered during the time of observation but, grass-leaved goldenrod, was the only one among the alien species which flowered in all pots and 100% of individuals produced mature seeds. Its phenology (early flowering and seed ripening) was more similar to native species’ than to other alien Solidago. Our results suggest Solidago graminifolia has strong competitive abilities; however, its range is very limited. The reasons for the slow spread of this species in Europe – other than competitive limitations – should be considered

The traditional coppice management system in Central Europe and its impact on biological diversity

Coppice management system uses the ability of trees to produce shoots from felled stumps. A modification of this type of management is the system of so called coppice with standards where low−forest individuals grow along with single, high−forest trees originated from seeds. Both types of silvicultural systems have been used in Central Europe since Middle Ages supplying small assortments of wood and tanbark. The economic changes that took place in the 1700s initiated conversion of coppice forests into high−forest ones. A brief renaissance of coppice system occurred in 1850−1900 as a result of rapid growth in the demand for oak tanbark, which overtime was gradually replaced by synthetic materials. Today there is a return to coppice management, this however being the result of increased nature protection efforts. Withdrawal from coppice cuts causes increased shading of the forest floor and, in consequence, a decline in biological diversity following disappearance of thermophilous and heliophilous animal and herb species. Restoration of coppicing or similar forms of management restrains their extinction. In Poland, coppice management is practically unknown, however in the Pogórze Kaczawskie (Sudety Mountains) there have preserved oak coppice stands – the remains of the former German management. Such stands abandon with rare and protected species of forest floor vegetation and a relatively numerous population of wild service. The experiences of other countries indicate that preservation of such species−rich and very specific plant communities will probably require very active treatments

Structure and dynamics of a mature tree stand in submontane alluvial forest of Carici ramotae-Fraxinetum in the Sudety Mts foothills (Lower Silesia, Poland)

The structure andd ynamics of a submontane alluvial forest, with structural attributes of old-growth, in the Sudety Mts, Central Europe were examined. Stand structure was measured in circular sampling plots, and the distribution of gaps in belt transects. Past dynamic was reconstructed on the basis of analysis of events of release from suppression by inspection of growth pattern. The age distribution of canopy trees was also surveyed. The stand was dominated by ashes (Fraxinus excelsior) aged77–151 years, which created the upper layer, whereas the lower layer was dominated by dense hazel (Corylus avellana) shrubs. The analysedstandwas developedin site which was usedas a grasslandin first quarter of XIX century, but its history include several fine-scale disturbances when canopy trees were established. Recent dynamic was related to low intensity gap formation. The light conditions at the forest floor were good, and the average percentage of PPFD was 13%. Seedlings of ash and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) were abundant throughout the stand. However, continuous browsing by game prevented growth of seedlings; in the sapling layer sycamore had disappeared and the number of ash saplings was strongly reduced. Regeneration was dominated by hazel of vegetative origin both in gaps and under the canopy

Influence of land relief and soil properties on stand structure of overgrown oak forests of coppice origin with Sorbus torminalis

Traditional forest management as coppicing and coppicing-with-standard are recently considered as beneficial for biodiversity in woodlands. Cessation of coppicing leads to changes in stand structure and often loss of biodiversity. In contemporary Polish forestry coppicing is not applied, however some stands of coppice origin persist in Silesia until present. The overgrown coppice oak forests that cover the southern slopes at the foothills of the Sudetes Mountains (Silesia, Central Europe) are considered to be Euro-Siberian steppic woods with a Quercus sp. habitat (91I0): a priority habitat in the European Union, according to the Natura 2000 system. They support one of the largest populations of wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis Crantz) in Poland. In this study we investigated the relation of stand structure and trees parameters with environmental variables. The results showed considerable variability of stand volume, tree density and stems’ size correlated mostly with soil texture, but not nutrient content. We attributed it to soil dryness which seems to be the crucial factor controlling growth of trees. The natural regeneration of trees concentrated mostly on non-exposed sites on less acidic soils, but seedlings of wild service tree were present almost exclusively on most insolated sites, with shallow acidic soils. However, the regeneration of trees in sapling stage was restrained by browsing. Results suggest that maintaining of Sorbus torminalis requires protection against browsing, and some kind of active management is necessary to retain the observed stand structure with high proportion of wild service trees in stands on more fertile soils

Różnorodność biologiczna łąk Parku Narodowego Gór Stołowych

Biodiversity of grasslands depend on several factors, like abiotic conditions, management history of vegetation and landscape structure. Region of Stołowe Mountains National Park is mainly forested, the grasslands cover only 8% of the area, that is about 500 ha. Meadows are distributed in four distinctive complexes: Darnków, Pasterka east, Pasterka west, and Łężyce. The grasslands form discrete patches in forest landscape. In spite of relatively high species richness, only a few grass species (mainly Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra) dominated in the vegetation of grasslands. The species richness was influenced mainly by beta diversity (both among relevés and complexes), whereas Snannon-Wiener index by alpha diversity. Basic factors influencing beta diversity seems to be soil pH and affinity of particular relevé to grassland complex. Differences between old and young grasslands in species richness and Shannon-Wiener index were statistically not significant. On the area of grasslands of Stołowe Mountains National Park numerous protected and rare plant species occurred, e.g.: Traunsteinera globosa, Colchicum autumnale, Platanthera bifolia, Listera ovata, Gladiolus imbricatus, Carlina acaulis, Trollius europaeus, Lilium bulbiferum.Bioróżnorodność łąk zależy od szeregu czynników, jak: warunki abiotyczne, historia użytkowania roślinności i struktura krajobrazu. Obszar Parku Narodowego Gór Stołowych porastają głównie lasy; zbiorowiska trawiaste zajmują zaledwie 8% powierzchni, czyli około 500 ha. Obszary łąkowe są rozmieszczone w czterech odrębnych kompleksach: Darnków, Pasterka wschodnia, Pasterka zachodnia i Łężyce. Łąki tworzą odrębne płaty na tle krajobrazu zdominowanego przez lasy. Pomimo stosunkowo wysokiej różnorodności biologicznej roślinność łąk jest zdominowana przez zaledwie kilka gatunków traw (głównie Agrostis capillaris i Festuca rubra). Różnorodność gatunkowa jest kształtowana głównie przez różnorodność beta (zarówno pomiędzy zdjęciami fitosocjologicznymi, jak i pomiędzy kompleksami), podczas gdy wskaźnik Shannona-Wiennera przez różnorodność alfa. Głównymi czynnikami wpływającymi na różnorodność beta były odczyn podłoża i przynależność poletka badawczego do konkretnego kompleksu łąk. Różnice pomiędzy starymi a nowymi łąkami w odniesieniu do różnorodności biologicznej i wskaźnika Shannona-Wiennera nie były istotne statystycznie. Na obszarze łąk Parku Narodowego Gór Stołowych zostały odnotowane liczne gatunki objęte ochroną prawną i uznane za cenne, np.: Traunsteinera globosa, Colchicum autumnale, Platanthera bifolia, Listera ovata, Gladiolus imbricatus, Carlina acaulis, Trollius europaeus, Lilium bulbiferum