Alina Stachurska-Swakoń

Forest communities of the northern whitefish range, rocky mountains, Montana, U.S.A.

The montane and subalpine forests of a mountain range in northwestern Montana were investigated using phytosociological and numerical methods. Twelve associations and two subassociations were identified, of which eight are described here for the first time. The forest vegetation of valleys and lower slopes is strongly affected by repeated fire and is placed in the new orderCalamagrostio-Pseudotsugetalia glaucae, which includes temperate, low elevation forests in inland regions of northwestern North America. These forests bear only weak resemblance to forests traditionally assigned to the classVaccinio-Piceetea, and occupy the habitats filled by broad-leaved forests elsewhere at temperate latitudes. Montane and subalpine forest vegetation is moister and has longer snow duration and a shorter growing season. Upper montane vegetation more closely resembles that of other temperate montane forests of the classVaccinio-Piceetea.

The Analysis of the Forest Flora of the Strzyżowskie Foothills from the Perspective of Presence of Anthropogenic Species

The Analysis of the Forest Flora of the Strzyżowskie Foothills from the Perspective of Presence of Anthropogenic Species The anthropogenic pressure of the forest communities of the Strzyżowskie Foothills (the Western Carpathians) was estimated on the basis of phytosociological materials. Carr communities are among the most threatened by invasive and alien species of the forest flora. The phenomenon of invasiveness of native species such as Calamagrostis epigejos or Carex brizoides was described. The highest number of ancient woodland indicator species was noted in the beech forest.

Variability of Morphological Traits of the Rare Plant Species Angelica palustris (Apiaceae) in Managed and Abandoned Meadows: Effect of Mowing

ABSTRACT The effect of meadow management type on selected population traits of the rare plant Angelica palustris was examined. The study was carried out in a regularly mown meadow (Plot I), an abandoned meadow with medium high plants (Plot II) and an abandoned meadow with high plants (Plot III) situated in southern Poland (Proszowice Plateau). Observations conducted in the years 2010 and 2011 showed greater abundance of A. palustris in Plot I than in Plots II and III. This pointed to the significance of disturbance caused by mowing, which creates gaps in the plant cover and litter layer that become safe sites for A. palustris seedling recruitment and their subsequent growth. In the abandoned meadows a diminishing share of vegetative individuals and a reduction in the number of flowering stems in generative individuals were found. The height of generative stems in the abandoned meadows was higher than in the mown one as a response to the height of neighbouring plants. The number of umbels per stem and number of umbellets per umbel were positively correlated with the height of the stem. In light of our investigations, it can be stated that regular mowing has a beneficial effect on the state of populations of A. palustris. On the other hand, the formation of highly productive generative stems with substantial numbers of inflorescences and infructescences in abandoned meadows may promote successful seed dispersal and an escape from an unfavourable site.

The influence of habitat conditions on the abundance and selected traits of the rare medicinal plant species Filipendula vulgaris Moench

The research on the influence of habitat conditions on the traits of Filipendula vulgaris were carried out in 2015 and 2016 in abandoned wet meadows (Patches I and II) and frequently disturbed, calcareous grasslands (Patches III and IV). The cover of vas- cular plants and cryptogams was much greater and soil pH was remarkably lower in the meadow patches than in the grassland ones, whereas the height of neighbouring plants and soil humidity gradually decreased from Patches I to IV. The meadow populations of F.vulgaris showed much lower abundance as well as lower total relative abundance of seedlings and vegetative rosettes compared to the grassland populations due to the scarcity of safe sites for offspring recruitment. Rosettes presenting solely spatial variability were characterised by a significantly greater number of short leaves in the meadow populations or not numerous, large leaves in the grassland populations. The similar (in consecutive years) height of generative shoots, the number of cauline leaves, inflorescences and flowers gradually decreased at subsequent study sites. The results may provide the basis for further studies on the impact of habitat conditions and the size of aboveground parts of F. vulgaris on the content of bioactive compounds in plant material.