Jan Żarnowiec

The vascular plant colonization on decaying Picea abies logs in Karkonosze mountain forest belts: the effects of forest community type, cryptogam cover, log decomposition and forest management

Among the vascular plants there is a lack of the typical epixylous species but they are a constant component on decaying wood. Their distribution patterns on this kind of substrate seem to be the least known among phototrophs. A total of 454 dead logs of Picea abies were analyzed with regard to cover of vascular plants and the independent morphometric features of logs and altitude. Four types of forest were compared, and the frequency and cover of the most frequent species were analyzed across the forest communities along the decomposition stage. Among the logs that were studied, 292 were colonized by vascular plants. The highest number of colonized logs was recorded in Calamagrostio villosae-Piceetum and the lowest in a deciduous beech forest of the Fagetalia order. Detrended correspondence analysis revealed that the dead logs occurring in the four forest communities differed significantly in species composition. Constrained correspondence analysis showed that six variables significantly explained the species variation, i.e., altitude, shade, moisture, decomposition stage, cover of bryophytes and status of forest (protected vs. managed). The results of the indicator value method indicated that of the 34 found species, ten could be treated as indicator species for the forest communities that were analyzed. The statistical analysis did not confirm significant role of coarse woody debris as a secondary habitat for rare and protected vascular plants.

Biodiversity of Poland: An Exemplary New Series@@@Flowering Plants and Pteridophytes of Poland: A Checklist = Krytyczna lista roślin naczyniowych Polski@@@Census Catalogue of Polish Mosses@@@Ecological Indicator Values of Vascular Plants of Poland = Ekologiczne liczby wskaźnikowe roślin naczyniowych Polski@@@Flowering Plants and Pteridophytes of Poland: A Checklist = Krytyczna lista roslin naczyniowych Polski@@@Ecological Indicator Values of Vascular Plants of Poland = Ekologiczne liczby wskaznikowe roslin naczyniowych Polski

Polyploidy is frequent among the grasses. This study indicates that it has a high frequency in the subfamily Chloridoideae, where more than 90% of the studied specimens are polyploids. These levels range from diploid (2n = 20 for x = 10 and 2n = 18 for x = 9) to 16-ploid (2n = 160) for x = 10 in Ctenium concinnum Nees and 20-ploid (2n = 180) for x = 9 in Hilaria mutica Benth. This polyploid trend is seen in southern Africa, as well as worldwide. Analysis indicates that many polyploids are alloploids, suggesting extensive hybridization within this group. This is supported by the presence of apomixis in many members of the subfamily. Both polyploidy and apomixis are thought to be important evolutionary mechanisms in Chloridoideae as well as closely related Panicoideae, and have a high frequency in southern Africa. Due to the stable ecological, geographical and climatological history of Africa, the continent is ideally suited for the stabilization of hybrid complexes by means of apomixis and polyploidization.

Do Antarctic populations represent local or widespread phylogenetic and ecological lineages? Complicated fate of bipolar moss concepts with Drepanocladus longifolius as a case study

Bipolar moss species, extreme examples of large and disjunctive geographical ranges, belong to the most important components of the vegetation cover in Antarctica. Their appropriate taxonomic interpretations are essential for fine-scale biogeographical considerations but our knowledge on their phylogenetic affinities still remains limited. Here, we address the history of the Antarctic populations of Drepanocladus longifolius, a moss species widely considered a bipolar taxon. First, based on a worldwide sampling, we verify its assumed bipolar status. Then, we ask whether its current Antarctic populations have persisted throughout at least the last major glaciation in situ or, alternatively, are they a recent, postglacial element. Phylogenetic analyses together with investigation of morphological characters were used to infer relationships among accessions representing the whole distribution range of the taxon. Morphological and phylogenetic data strictly segregated specimens from the Southern and the Northern Hemisphere, with an exception of Australian populations that were included in the latter group. The Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and South American populations belong to a single clade and are treated as D. longifolius s. str., which consequently is not a bipolar taxon. All Northern Hemisphere populations and the ones from Australia represent D. capillifolius, a lately neglected taxon, which thus displays a true bipolar distribution pattern but not comprising the Antarctic and South American populations. These results provide a sound example of key importance of a detailed taxonomical and phylogenetic treatment as a basis for biogeographical studies. In D. longifolius s. str., a homogeneity in all non-coding nuclear and plastid regions was observed throughout the whole range. It contrasted with the presence of one missense mutation in the rps4 gene in all examined Antarctic populations, which correlated with their distinct ecological situation. While identity of non-coding sequences in D. longifolius populations indicates a postglacial recruitment of extant Antarctic populations from extra-regional locations rather than a long-term in situ survival, the mutation in the rps4 gene may be hypothesised to reflect an adaptive response of plants to the Antarctic environment.

Diversity of Mosses on Stumps and Logs in the Karkonosze Mts (Sudetes Mts, Central Europe)

Abstract: Staniaszek-Kik, M. & Żarnowiec, J. 2018. Diversity of mosses on stumps and logs in the Karkonosze Mts (Sudetes Mts, Central Europe). - Herzogia 31: 70–87. The species richness and abundance of mosses on 650 logs and 938 stumps were investigated in the lower and upper montane forest belts in the Karkonosze National Park and its surrounding area (Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland). A total of 76 species and one moss variety were found (68 taxa on logs and 62 on stumps), including two threatened in Poland, Amblystegium radicale (R category) and Tayloria serrata (I). Factors determining the abundance and richness of mosses on dead wood were: tree species, the stage of wood decomposition, size and moisture of logs and stumps, and their degree of insolation. Different succession patterns of mosses on stumps and logs were shown. These differences are caused, among other things, by different manner and time of their decomposition and water retention capacity.

The Moss Genus Zygodon (Orthotrichaceae) in Poland — Distribution, Ecological Preferences and Threats

Abstract The moss genus Zygodon Hook. & Taylor (Orthotrichaceae) is represented by five species in Poland, namely: Z. dentatus (Limpr.) Kartt., Z. gracilis Wilson, Z. rupestris Schimp. ex A.W.H.Walth. & Molendo, Z. stirtonii Schimp. and Z. viridissimus (Dicks.) Brid. Their current distribution in Poland is reviewed and mapped, and lists of their localities are presented. The ecological preferences, altitudinal limits, reproduction and threats for each species are shortly discussed. A key for determination of these species is given.

Nitrate reductase activity in chosen mosses: a case of study in skalny colliery waste tip / Aktywność reduktazy azotanowej u wybranych mchów na przykładzie hałdy powęglowej skalny

Abstract Two species of mosses in relation to nitrogen metabolism were examined. This subject is little known in this group of plant. Investigations of nitrate reductase activity in green tissues of Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. and Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P.Beauv. were performed. The study was conducted in two localities: heavy contaminated waste tip Skalny located in Upper Silesia, and Blonia City Park in Bielsko-Biala which place was chosen as a control area. For both species high activity of the enzyme was detected. The nitrate reductase activity varied between 99 to 9093 nmol per g dry mass per hour for B. rutabulum and 265 to 5135 nmol per g d.m. per hour of nitrite synthesized for A. undulatum respectively on Skalny waste tip. In the control area the results varied between 747 to 1077 for B. rutabulum and 171 to 518 nmol per g d.m. per hour of nitrite synthesized for A. undulatum, respectively. The differences were statistically significant only between the two species but not between habitats probably due to high dispersion and small amount of replications. The levels of nitrate and nitrite in stream water in both areas were also measured. In the Skalny waste tip there were high and reached 1.66 mg · dm-3 of nitrite and 65 mg · dm-3 of nitrate, respectively. In the control area these amounts were lower and reach zero level for nitrite and 4.5 mg · dm-3 of nitrate, respectively. Abstrakt Dwa gatunki mchów badano pod kątem asymilacji azotu. To zagadnienie jest mało poznane u tej grupy roślin. Przeprowadzono badania aktywności reduktazy azotanowej w zielonych tkankach Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. i Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P.Beauv. Badania zostały wykonane w dwóch miejscach: na hałdzie powęglowej Skalny na Górnym Śląsku i w parku w dzielnicy Błonia w Bielsku-Białej, które zostało wybrane jako miejsce kontrolne. Dla obu gatunków stwierdzono wysoką aktywność enzymu. Aktywność reduktazy azotanowej wahała się od 99 do 9093 nmol na g suchej masy na godzinę dla B. rutabulum i 265 do 5135 nmol na g suchej masy na godzinę azotynu syntetyzowanego u A. undulatum na hałdzie Skalny. W miejscu kontrolnym wyniki wahały się od 747 do 1077 dla B. rutabulum i 171 do 518 nmol na g sm/h u A. undulatum. Różnice były statystycznie znaczące tylko pomiędzy gatunkami, ale nie pomiędzy typem siedliska prawdopodobnie ze względu na wysoką dyspersję i małą liczbę powtórzeń. Zmierzono także poziom azotanów i azotynów w strumieniu wody w obu miejscach. Na hałdzie Skalny zawartość była wysoka i osiągnęła odpowiednio: 1,66 mg dm-3 azotynu oraz 65 mg dm-3 azotanu. W miejscu kontrolnym wartości te były niższe i osiągnęły odpowiednio poziom zerowy dla azotynów i 4,5 mg dm-3 dla azotanu.