Original paper
Vegetation affinity of the moss species Meesia triquetra, Paludella squarrosa, Pseudocalliergon trifarium and Scorpidium scorpioides across European regions
Peterka, Tomás; Hájek, Michal
Nova Hedwigia, Beihefte Beih. 150 (2020), p. 133 - 158
116 references
published: Jul 28, 2020
DOI: 10.1127/nova-suppl/2020/133
ArtNo. ESP051015000010, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Mosses Meesia triquetra, Paludella squarrosa, Pseudocalliergon trifarium, and Scorpidium scorpioides represent umbrella species of pristine rich fens. They are considered to be endangered taxa and glacial relicts in temperate Europe. We analysed species composition of vegetation with the target species in the Alps, Central Europe, the Baltic region and Fennoscandia. In all selected regions, mosses are associated with plant communities of the Stygio-Caricion limosae or Sphagno warnstorfii-Tomentypnion nitentis alliances. Species however display affinity to more vegetation types in Fennoscandia and partly in the Alps. We compared inter-regional differences in species’ occurrence along main environmental gradients using measured environmental variables and ecological indicator values. Sites of the target species are generally more nutrient-rich in Central Europe plus the Baltics and are of higher pH in the latter. In Central Europe, no difference between recently measured and reconstructed (historical) pH at sites of the target species were found. The possible reasons for inter-regional shifts in vegetation and habitat affinity were discussed. They include different level of habitat deterioration such as increased competition pressure in temperate Europe caused by increased nutrient availability, habitat connectivity, incompleteness of environmental gradient or existence of ecotypes.
Keywords
bryophytes • fens • plant communities • relicts