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.
2006
Volume 9
Issue 2
Topic:
Biology
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Bzdon G. , Krechowski J. 2006. GRASSES (POACEAE) OF THE GRAVEL-PITS OF THE SIEDLECKA UPLAND (E POLAND), EJPAU 9(2), #32.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume9/issue2/art-32.html

GRASSES (POACEAE) OF THE GRAVEL-PITS OF THE SIEDLECKA UPLAND (E POLAND)

Grzegorz Bzdon1, Janusz Krechowski2
1 Department of Botany, Institute of Biology, University of Podlasie in Siedlce, Poland
2 Department of Botany, Institute of Biology, University of Podlasie, Siedlce, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

Data on share of grasses in the flora of selected 65 gravel-pits of the Siedlecka Upland as well as their ecological characterisation are presented in the paper. The Poaceae is one of the most species-rich families found in these localities. Among 60 grass species the most frequent include Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata subsp. glomerata and Elymus repens. The domination of meadow species from classes Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Trifolio fragiferae-Agrostietalia stoloniferae as well as synanthropic grasses from classes Stellarietea mediae and Agropyretea intermedio-repentis was observed. The dominant life form of grasses are hemicryptophytes. Native species prevail over anthropophytes in the studied objects. This paper also presents the results of analysis of the flora based on ecological indicator values [21].

Key words: Poaceae, gravel-pits, ecological indicator values, Siedlecka Upland.

INTRODUCTION

Excavations, formed as a result of mineral extraction, belong to the most poorly investigated ecological margins. More accurate floristic and phytosociological studies regarding the flora of excavations formed as a result of sand exploitation were carried out in the Silesian [7; 5; 9] and Western Pomeranian regions [17]. The data on the occurrence of Lycopodiela inundata in oligotrophic gravel-pits of the Małe Mazowsze region and Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lake District were reported by Cieszko & Kucharczyk [4]. The studies carried out by Czarnecka [3] in the gravel-pits of the Middle Vistula Valley mesoregion also focused on Lycopodiela inundata populations. The results of studies on the participation of grasses in selected 12 gravel-pits of the Siedlecka Upland were published by Bzdon [2]. The investigation on participation of the Poaceae flora in plant communities of gravel-pits of the Silesian Upland were carried out by Baba et al. [1].

Siedlecka Upland mesoregion is situated in the central-eastern Poland. It occupies the area of 2502 km2 and expands from Podlaski Przełom Bugu mesoregion in the north to Łuków Plain mesoregion in the south. Present morphology of the earth’s surface of the Poludniowopodlaska Lowland, including Siedlecka Upland is a result of evolution of land-forms since Middle Polish Glaciation and denudation processes characteristic for Baltic Glaciation [10].

In the geobotanical division of Poland [19] the area of studies is situated in the Łukowsko-Siedlecka Upland, which is a part of Podlasie Province. Pine forests, multispecies mixed forests and well preserved hygrophilous meadow, shrub and peat bog communities are characteristic for the investigation area.

Poaceae belongs to the most numerous families (the second family after Asteraceae as regards its richness) and constitutes 7.3% of the Polish flora [12]. In the Polish lowlands there are 298 species of grasses which belong to 86 genera [6]. A large number of plant species (including the Poaceae family) are good indicators of habitat conditions. The list of ecological indicator values for native and naturalized species was published by Zarzycki [20] and Zarzycki et al. [21].

The paper was prepared within the limits of grant number 2 PO4G 105 28.

The aim of this paper is to present the distribution of grass species in the gravel-pits of the Siedlecka Upland and their ecological characterisation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Field investigations were carried out between 2001 and 2002 in the area of the Siedlecka Upland. The composition of flora of selected 65 gravel-pits was investigated on the basis of floristic-ecological lists prepared in optimal vegetation period. The list of species was completed in other phenological seasons, which was followed by analysis of floristic-ecological data.

For the nomenclature of the taxa Mirek et al. [16] was followed, whereas for the syntaxonomic units Matuszkiewicz [14].

Historical-geographic groups of species were distinguished according to Kornas & Medwecka-Kornas [11] division, modified by Mirek [15] and Jackowiak [8]. The status of species was accepted after Korniak [13]. For life forms as well as ecological indicator values Zarzycki et al. [21] was followed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Among 598 plant species present in 65 gravel-pits of the Siedlecka Upland, 60 species of Poaceae were recorded (Table 1), which constitutes 22.6% of the total number of grasses found in the Polish lowlands [18]. The share of grasses in the flora of the Siedlecka Upland gravel-pits reaches 10.0% and is slightly lower, compared with data obtained by Baba et al. [1] from gravel-pits of the Silesian Upland (12.7%). Młynkowiak & Kutyna [17] reported the similar share of Poaceae in the flora of the studied gravel-pits.

The most frequent grass species in the investigated objects include Arrhenatherum elatius (95.4%), Dactylis glomerata subsp. glomerata (92.3%), Elymus repens (80.0%), Festuca rubra (69.2%) and Phleum pratese (60.0%) (Table 1). All these species belong to apophytes. However Baba et al. [1] reported other grass species which play the most significant role in the composition of plant communities of the Silesian Upland. They include Calamagrostis epigejos, Corynephorus canescens, Digitaria ischaemum, Agrostis capillaris, Phragmites australis, Molinia caerulea, Danthonia decumbens, Koeleria glauca, Poa compressa and Holcus lanatus.

Table 1. Grass species of the sandpits of the Siedlecka Upland

Grass species

I

II

III

IV

L

T

K

W

Tr

R

H

Agrostis capillaris

34

Ap

2

h

4

4-3

3

2-3

3-4

3-4

2

Agrostis stolonifera

11

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

4

3-4

3-5

1-2

Alopecurus geniculatus

16

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

5

4

3-4

2

Alopecurus pratensis

18

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

4

4

4

2

Anthoxanthum odoratum

19

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

3

3

3

2

*Apera spica-venti

20

Ar

7

t

4

4-3

3

3

3

2-3

2

Arrhenatherum elatius

62

Ap

6

h

4

4

3

3

4

4-5

2

*Avena fatua

1

Ar

7

t

5

5-4

3

2-3

3

4-5

2

Avena sativa

19

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

*Avenella flexuosa

11

Sn

2

h

3-4

4-1

2

3

2

1-3

1-2

Avenula pubescens

2

Ap

6

h

4

4

3

3-4

3

4-5

2

Briza media

1

Ap

6

h

4

4-2

3

3

3

2-4

2

Bromus hordeaceus

20

Ap

6

t

4

4

3

3

4

4

2

Bromus inermis

13

Ap

7

h

5

4-5

3

2-3

3

4-5

1-2

*Bromus tectorum

10

Ar

7

t

5

4-5

3

2

2

3

1

Calamagrostis arundinacea

2

Ap

2

h

3

4-2

3

3

3

2-3

2

Calamagrostis epigejos

32

Ap

2

g

4

4-3

3

3

3

3

1

Corynephorus canescens

35

Ap

4

h

4

4

3

2

2

3-5

1

Cynosurus cristatus

3

Ap

6

h

4

4-2

3

3

4

4

2

Dactylis glomerata

60

Ap

6

h

4

4-2

3

3

4-5

4-5

2

Danthonia decumbens

7

Sn

2

h

4-3

4-3

3

3-4

2

2-3

2

Deschampsia caespitosa

19

Ap

6

h

3-5

4-1

3

4

3-4

3-4

2-3

*Digitaria ischaemum

2

Ar

7

t

5

4

3

2

1-2

3

1-2

*Digitaria sanguinalis

3

Ar

7

t

4

4

3

3

2

2

2

*Echinochloa crus-galli

32

Ar

7

t

5

4

3

3-4

4-5

3-4

2

Elymus caninus

23

Ap

1

h

3

4-3

3

4

4-5

4

2

Elymus hispidus

4

Ap

3

g

5

5

3

2

3

5

2

Elymus repens

52

Ap

7

g

4

3-4

3

3

3-4

3-5

1-2

*Eragrostis minor

3

Kn

7

t

5

4

3

2

2-3

4

2

Festuca gigantea

4

Ap

1

h

2-3

4-3

3

4

4

4

2

Festuca ovina

24

Ap

4

h

4

4-3

3

2

2

3-5

2

Festuca pratensis

13

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

3

4

4

2

Festuca rubra

45

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

2-4

3

4

3

Glyceria fluitans

6

Ap

5

hy

4

4-3

3

5-6

4

4

3

Glyceria maxima

2

Ap

5

hy

4

4-3

3

6

4-5

4

3

Holcus lanatus

6

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

4

3-4

4

2

Holcus mollis

5

Ap

2

g(h)

3-4

4-3

3

3-4

3

3

2

*Hordeum vulgare

9

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Koeleria glauca

3

Ap

4

h

5

4

3

2

1-2

4-5

1

*Lolium multiflorum

5

Kn

7

h(t)

5

4-3

3

3

4

4

2

Lolium perenne

28

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

3

4

4

2

Melica nutans

1

Sn

1

g

2-3

4-3

3

3

3

4

2

Molinia caerulea

3

Sn

6

h

4

4

3

4-5

2-3

1-5

2-3

*Panicum miliaceum

2

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Phalaris arundinacea
var. arundinacea

8

Ap

5

g(h)

4

4-3

3

5

4

4-5

2

*Phalaris arundinacea
var. picta

1

Df

8

h

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Phleum phleoides

2

Ap

3

h

5

5

3

2

2-3

5

2-3

Phleum pratense

39

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

2-3

3-4

4-5

2

Phragmites australis

13

Ap

5

g(hy)

4-5

4-3

3

5-6

3-4

4

2-3

Poa angustifolia

2

Ap

7

h

4

5-4

3

2-3

3

4-5

2-3

Poa annua

10

Ap

6

t(h)

5-3

4-1

3

3

4

4

2

Poa compressa

5

Ap

7

h

5

5-4

2

2

3

5

2

Poa palustris

10

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

4-5

4

4-5

2

Poa pratensis

32

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

3

4

4

2

Poa trivialis

12

Ap

6

h

4

4-3

3

4

4

4

2

*Secale cereale

23

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

*Setaria pumila

18

Ar

7

t

5

4

3

2-3

3

3-4

2

*Setaria viridis

29

Ar

7

t

5

4

3

3

3

3-4

2

*Triticum aestivum

6

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

*Zea mays

3

Df

8

t

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The distinct domination of the synanthropic species (93.3%) in the flora of grasses in the investigated objects was observed (Fig. 2). Among them there were only 4 species (6.7%) considered to be spontaneophytes in Poland [13]. In the group of synanthropic grasses apophytes (39 species – 69.6%) prevail over anthropophytes (17 species – 30.4%), which differentiates the studied flora from the geographic-historical composition of synanthropic grasses in Poland (27.6% of apophytes and 72.4% of anthropophytes, according to Korniak [13]. The difference mainly results from the low percentage of diaphytes observed in the gravel-pits in the area of Siedlce. The whole group of diaphytes consists of ergasiophygophytes. Among antropophytes 8 species of archaeophytes (14.3% of synanthropic flora of grasses), 7 species of diaphytes (12.5%) and 2 species of kenophytes (3.6%) were noted. The participation of particular groups of anthropophytes in the synanthropic flora of Polish grasses is different (archaeophytes – 11.1%, diaphytes – 50.8%, kenophytes – 10.5%, according to Korniak [13].

Meadow species from classes Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Trifolio fragiferae-Agrostietalia stoloniferae (21 taxa – 35.0 % of Poaceae flora) and synanthropic grass species from classes Stellarietea mediae and Agropyretea intermedio-repentis (14 taxa – 23.3 %) prevail in the studied objects (Fig. 3), which is similar to the data obtained from the Silesian Upland [1].

The dominant life form of grasses (56.7%) are hemicryptophytes (Fig. 4). The significant percentage of terophytes (28.3%) and geophytes (11.7%) was also observed. Much higher participation of terophytes in the grass flora of gravel-pits in the Siedlce region compared with the data obtained from the Silesian Upland (16.0%) [1] may be a result of close proximity of the studies objects to agrophytocoenoses (a source of annual plants).

Fig. 1. Localization of the gravel-pits in the Siedlecka Upland

Fig. 2. Geographic-historical spectrum of grass species in the flora of selected sandpits of the Siedlecka Upland

Fig. 3. Phytosociological spectrum of grass species in the flora of selected sandpits of the Siedlecka Upland

Fig. 4. Life forms of grass species in the sandpits of the Siedlecka Upland

The data on the percentage of grass species of various ecological indicator values [21] are presented in Table 2. The major results are as follows:

Table 2. Share of grasses characterised by various ecological indicator values in the sandpits of the Siedlecka Upland

Value of index

Percentage of species

L

T

K

W

Tr

R

H

1

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

6.7

1–2

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

3.3

0.0

8.3

2

0.0

0.0

3.3

15.0

10.0

1.7

60.0

2–3

3.3

0.0

0.0

10.0

5.0

5.0

8.3

3

3.3

0.0

85.0

31.7

26.7

8.3

5.0

3–4

5.0

45.0

0.0

6.6

11.7

10.0

–

4

50.0

20.0

0.0

11.7

25.0

30.0

–

4–5

1.7

8.3

0.0

3.3

6.6

16.6

–

5

21.7

3.3

0.0

3.3

0.0

5.0

–

5-6

–

–

–

3.3

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

1.7

–

–

–

Eurybionts

3.3

11.7

0.0

1.7

0.0

11.7

0.0

Undefined

11.7

11.7

11.7

11.7

11.7

11.7

11.7

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

CONCLUSIONS


REFERENCES

  1. Baba W., Błońska A., Kompała A., 2003. Grasses in plant communities of the sand-pits. [In:] L. Frey (ed.), Problems of grass biology. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 547-562.

  2. Bzdon G., 2003. Participation of grasses in flora of selected sand-pits and gravel-pits of the Siedlecka Upland. [In:] L. Frey (ed.), Problems of grass biology. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 563-568.

  3. Czarnecka J., 2000. Obszary silnie przekształcone – szansa dla widłaczka torfowego Lycopodiella inundata. Przeglad Przyr. 11 (2-3), 65-72.

  4. Cieszko J., Kucharczyk M., 1997. Nieczynne piaskownie jako wtórne siedliska występowania widłaczka torfowego Lycopodiella inundata (L.) Hołub. [In:] S. Wika (ed.), Vegetation of sand areas. Department of Biology and Naturę Conservation, Silesian University, Katowice-Dabrowa Górnicza, 50-60.

  5. Czylok A., 1997. Pionierskie zbiorowiska ze skrzypem pstrym Eguisetum variegatum Schleich. w wyrobiskach po eksploatacji piasku. [In:] S. Wika (ed.), Vegetation of sand areas. Department of Biology and Naturę Conservation, Silesian University, Katowice-Dabrowa Górnicza, 61-66.

  6. Frey L., 2003. Grass taxonomy in Poland. [In:] L. Frey (ed.), Problems of grass biology. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 27-49.

  7. Furdyna L., 1974. Roslinnosc pionierska na obszarach objętych eksploatacja piasku podsadzkowego. Sylwan 2, 58-63.

  8. Jackowiak B., 1990. Antropogeniczne przemiany flory roslin naczyniowych Poznania. Wyd. Nauk. UAM, Poznań, ser. Biol. 42, 1-232.

  9. Kompała A., 1997. Spontaniczne procesy sukcesji na terenach po eksploatacji piasku na obszarze województwa katowickiego. Przeglad Przyr. 8 (1-2), 163-168.

  10. Kondracki J. 1994. Geografia Polski. Mezoregiony fizycznogeograficzne. PWN, Warszawa.

  11. Kornas J., Medwecka-Kornas A., 1986. Geografia roslin. PWN, Warszawa.

  12. Kornas J., Medwecka-Kornas A., 2002. Geografia roslin. PWN, Warszawa.

  13. Korniak T., 2003. Synanthropic grass species in Poland. [In:] L. Frey (ed.), Problems of grass biology. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 189-200.

  14. Matuszkiewicz W., 2001. Przewodnik do oznaczania zbiorowisk roślinnych Polski. Vademecum Geobotanicum 3, Wyd. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa.

  15. Mirek Z., 1981. Problemy klasyfikacji roslin synantropijnych. Wiad. Bot. 25 (1), 45-54.

  16. Młynkowiak E., Kutyna I., 1999. Wyrobiska po eksploatacji piasku i żwiru jako cenne biotopy sródpolne w zachodniej częsci Pojezierza Drawskiego. Przeglad Przyr. 10 (3-4), 85-110.

  17. Rutkowski L., 2003. Lowland grasses in Poland. [In:] L. Frey (ed.), Problems of grass biology. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 83-94.

  18. Szafer W., Pawłowski B. 1977. Geobotaniczny podział Polski w: W. Szafer, K. Zarzycki (red.) Szata roslinna Polski. T. 2. PWN, Warszawa: 78-80.

  19. Zarzycki K., 1984. Ekologiczne liczby wskaznikowe roslin naczyniowych Polski. Instytut Botaniki PAN, Kraków.

  20. Zarzycki K., Trzcińska-Tacik H., Różański W., Szalag Z., Wołek J., Korzeniak U., 2002. Ecological indicator values of vascular plants of Poland. [In:] Z. Mirek (ed.), Biodiversity of Poland. 2. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków.

Accepted for print: 09.06.2006

Grzegorz Bzdon
Department of Botany,
Institute of Biology, University of Podlasie in Siedlce, Poland
B. Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
email: botanika@ap.siedlce.pl

Janusz Krechowski
Department of Botany, Institute of Biology,
University of Podlasie, Siedlce, Poland
B. Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland

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' and hyperlinked to the article.

Main  -  Issues  -  How to Submit  -  From the Publisher  -  Search  -  Subscription