Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2003
Volume 6
Issue 2
Topic:
Biology
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Bednorz L. 2003. POPULATION DYNAMICS OF Liparis loeselii (L.) L. C. Rich. IN THE NATURE RESERVE ‘MIELNO’ – SOME RESULTS FROM A 8 YEAR STUDY, EJPAU 6(2), #06.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume6/issue2/biology/art-06.html

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF LIPARIS LOESELII (L.) L. C. RICH. IN THE NATURE RESERVE ‘MIELNO’ – SOME RESULTS FROM A 8 YEAR STUDY

Leszek Bednorz

 

ABSTRACT

This paper presents some results of a 8 year (1995-2002) observation of Liparis loeselii population in the nature reserve ‘Mielno’. The total population numbers as well as generative and vegetative ones differ from year to year. The population grew from 73 in 1995 to 106 in 1997, falling to 29 in 2002. At the same time unfavourable changes in population environment (progressive drainage of the area and expansion of woody plants) have been observed.

Key words: Liparis loeselii, population dynamics, microhabitat, nature reserve ‘Mielno’..

INTRODUCTION

Liparis loeselii is the only European species of genus Liparis L. C. Rich. and it has Eurasian range of distribution. The species is found generally in northern Europe from British Isles through southern Scandinavian Peninsula to Easteuropean Lowland. In the south it occurs in southern France, northern part of Italy and the Balkan Peninsula [3, 5, 6].

In Poland L. loeselii is a very rare orchid recognised as vulnerable in Polish Red Book. The species has been described from approximately 200 localities in our country but only 52 sites were confirmed or newly found after 1980. Most of them are distributed in the Mazurian Lakeland, the Dobrzyń Lakeland, the Wielkopolska Lakeland and western Pomerania. Two L. loeselii populations are included in the all-Polish nature monitoring net [2].

Constant, long term observations on populations numbers dynamics especially these under environmental changes pressure are the basis of prognosis of future populations fate and their possible active protection postulate.

The present study, which began in 1995 and still continues, is aimed at gaining an insight into population dynamics of L. loeselii growing on a protected site in the nature reserve ‘Mielno’.

SITE DETAILS

The study area is situated in nature reserve ‘Mielno’, which was established in 1957 generally as wetland birds sanctuary. The reserve is located in the eastern part of the Wielkopolska Lakeland about 10 km north from city Konin and close to the large brown coal strip mine (Fig. 1). The reserve comprises the Lake Mielno surrounded by fens, meadows and woods. The area with L. loeselii population is situated close to the lake in the fen zone and the population is a component of plant community belonging to phytosociological alliance Caricion davalliane and class Scheuzerio-Caricetea fuscae. The soil is peat-mud with pH 6.8-7.2 (in the top 10 cm), high content of calcium carbonate, humus, total nitrogen and available magnesium, and an average content of available potassium and phosphorus [1].

Fig. 1. Location of L. loeselli population

METHODS

Three permanent plots (5x5 m each) within L. loeselii population area were set up for study in July 1995. The position of individual plants of L. loeselii was mapped each year in blooming time (when flowers were fully open). The stage structure of L. loeselii population was determined each year (since 1998) in respect to frequency of plants in four development stages; I. juvenile plants with 1 leaf, II. immature (not developing) ones with 2 small leaves, III. grown up ones with 2 big, fully developed leaves, IV. generative (flowering) plants. Additionally all flowering plants were described according to four morphological features: 1. height of plant, 2. length of the greatest leaf, 3. width of the greatest leaf, 5. the number of flowers in inflorescence.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The number of L. loeselii plants recorded in the study area each year in June or July from 1995-2002 is shown in Table. 1 and Fig. 2. Plants are separated into generative (which had inflorescence) and vegetative (which did not produce an inflorescence). The population grew from 73 in 1995 to 106 in 1997, falling to 29 in 2002. The percentage of plants which flowered during the 8 year study varied considerably from year to year. The proportion of the population which has flowered has varied from 60.0% in 1995 to 21.4% in 1999 and 21.8% in 2000. Decreasing in numbers of generative plants in years 1997-2000 is responsible for fall in numbers and percentage of juvenile plants which were recruited to the population from 25.7% in1999 to 10.6% in 2001 and 6.9% in 2002 (Table. 2). It is well known that orchids may fluctuate in numbers from year to year according to specific life cycle (dormancy) and meteorological conditions. Considering these factors and relatively short time of observations it’s hard to form strong conclusions about the population dynamics. But it seems to be a tendency to recession of studied population.

Table. 1. Changes in L. loeselli population numbers in the years 1995-2002
 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Vegetative plants

28

52

53

57

55

43

42

18

Generative plants

45

33

53

26

15

12

24

11

Total numbers

73

85

106

83

70

55

66

29

Table. 2. Changes in stage structure of L. loeselli population in the years 1995-2002

Stages of
development

Frequency (%)

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

I. Juvenile

16.9

25.7

16.4

10.6

6.9

II. Immature

21.7

25.7

47.3

25.7

27.6

III. Grown up

30.1

27.2

14.5

27.3

27.6

IV. Generative

31.3

21.4

21.8

36.4

37.9

Fig. 2. Population dynamics of L. loeselli, 1995-2002

At the same time changes in population environment has been observed. Comparing phytosociological relevés made in the study area in 1995 and 2002 one can see differences in composition of phytocoenoses (Table. 3). In all three plots the amount of woody species (Salix cinerea, S. pentandra, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens) has increased. Close proximity of these species increases the shade of plant community, and this might determine the studied population threat as L. loeselii tolerates only light shade [7]. Expansion of woody plant species is relevant to progressive drainage of the fen, whereas L. loeselii grows only on wet, water soaked soils [7] and is sensitive to water stress. The observed overgrowing of fen area which is the habitat of L. loeselii may cause the extinction of this rare orchid species. The decline of microhabitats is one of the reasons of orchids extinction [4, 8].

Table. 3. Phytosociological structure of community with L. loeselii

No of plot

Plot. 1

Plot. 1

Plot. 2

Plot. 2

Plot. 3

Plot. 3

Date

3.08.1995

27.07.2002

3.08.1995

27.07.2002

3.08.1995

27.07.2002

Cover of layer B [%]

-

15

10

35

20

30

Cover of layer C [%]

80

80

80

90

80

80

Cover of layer D [%]

70

70

60

60

50

50

Ch.All. Caricion davallianae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liparis loeselii C

+

+

1.1

+

+

+

Epipactis palustris

1.1

+

1.1

+

1.1

+

Parnasia palustris

+

+

+

+

+

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ch. Cl. Scheuchzerio- Caricetea fuscae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triglochin palustris C

4.4

4.4

3.3

2.2

3.3

3.3

Juncus articulatus

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

+

2.2

Comarum palustre

2.1

1.1

.

.

.

.

Eriophorum angustifolium

+

+

.

.

.

.

Drepanocladus sp. D

+

+

.

.

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caliergonella cuspidata D

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.4

3.3

3.3

Carex pseudocyperus C

2.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

C. leporina

1.2

1.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

C. paradoxa

+.2

+.2

+.2

+.2

1.2

1.2

C. flava

+.2

+.2

+.2

+.2

+.2

1.2

C. limosa

+

+

.

.

.

.

C. acutiformis

.

+

+

2.2

.

.

Mentha aquatica

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

Linum catharticum

+

1.1

1.1

+

1.1

+

Euphrasia Rostkoviana

+

+

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

Lysimachia vulgaris

+

+

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

Agrostis stolonifera

+

+

1.2

+

1.1

1.1

Lycopus europaeus

.

+

.

.

1.1

1.1

Eupatorium cannabinum

+

1.1

+

+

1.1

1.1

Calamagrostis canescens

+

1.2

+

1.2

+

1.2

Galium palustre

+

1.1

+

+

+

+

Galium uliginosum

+

1.1

+

1.2

.

.

Typha angustifolia

.

.

+

+

+

.

Scutelaria galericulata

+

+

.

+

+

+

Cirsium palustre

+.2

+.2

+

+

+

+

Phragmites communis

.

.

+

+

.

.

Myosotis palustris

.

+

.

.

.

.

Peucedanum palustre

.

+

.

.

.

.

Lythrum salicaria

.

.

.

+

.

.

Bryum pseudotriquetrum D

.

.

.

.

+

+

Salix cinerea B/C

./1.1

2.1/1.1

1.1/1.1

2.1/2.1

2.2/.

2.2/1.1

Salix pentandra C

.

.

.

+

.

.

Betula pubescens B/C

./+

+/+

+/+

1.1/+

+/.

+/.

Alnus glutinosa B/C

.

1.1/+

.

1.1/+

+

2.1/+

Considering the results of eight years observation of L. loeselii population and its microhabitat in nature reserve ‘Mielno’ the conservation activities should be undertaken in the nearest few years.

REFERENCES

  1. Bednorz L., 1999, Charakterystyka ekologiczna lipiennika Loesela Liparis loeselii (L.) L. C. Rich. z rezerwatu przyrody “Mielno” koło Konina. Rocz. nauk. Pol. Tow. Ochr. Przyr. “Salamandra”, 3, 5-13.

  2. Kucharski L., 2001, Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. Lipiennik Loesela. 574-575. In: KaĽmierczakowa R., Zarzycki K., (ed.) 2001. Polska czerwona księga ro¶lin. Paprotniki i ro¶liny kwiatowe. PAN, Instytut Botaniki im. W. Szafera, Instytut Ochrony Przyrody, Kraków.

  3. Meusel H., Jäger E., Rauschert S., & Weinert E., 1978, Vergleichende chorologie der Zentraleuropäischen Flora. G. Fisher, Jena.

  4. Michalik S., 1975, Storczyki - gin±ca grupa ro¶lin. Wiad. Bot. 19, 4, 231-241.

  5. Prochăzka F., Velísek V., 1983, Orchideje naši přirody. Českoslov. Acad. VED, Praha.

  6. Summerhayes V. S., 1985, Wild orchids of Britain. Collins, London.

  7. Vakhrameeva M. G., Tatarenko I. V., 2001, Ecological characteristics of orchids of European part of Russia. Acta Univ. Wratisl., 2317, Prace Bot., 79, 49-54.

  8. Żukowski W., 1976, Zanikanie storczyków w Polsce niżowej w ¶wietle analizy obecnego rozmieszczenia wybranych gatunków. Phytocenosis 5 (3-4), 215-226.


Leszek Bednorz
Department of Botany
August Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Poznań
Aul. Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
tel. +48 61 848-76-99
e-mail: lbednorz@owl.au.poznan.pl

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed ‘Discussions’ in each series and hyperlinked to the article.


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