Monika Staniaszek-Kik

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.

How do ditches contribute to bryophyte diversity in managed forests in East-Central Europe?

The study focuses on identifying and assessing the effect of the presence of drainage and roadside ditches on the diversity of bryophytes in managed forests. We compared the composition of moss and liverwort species, their richness and abundance in plots that are located in ditches as well as corresponding control plots in the surrounding forests with regard to the forest type (coniferous, mixed and deciduous). ANOVA demonstrated the pronounced impact that the presence of ditches in managed forests has on an increase in bryophyte species richness. A comparison of forest and ditch types using DCA pointed to a correlation between the number of deciduous trees in the stands and an increased dissimilarity of ditch bryophytes when compared to the bryophytes of the corresponding control plots. Using the ecological indicator values, CCA confirmed the special significance of ditch settlements for hygrophilous species, which at present cannot otherwise find favorable conditions in managed forests. The study proves that ditches, and especially those with intermittent pools of stagnant water, may become a significant source of microhabitat diversity. Their presence may provide a welcome preserve for rare and protected species that cannot find suitable substrates in managed forests.

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.