The Search for Suitable Habitats for Endangered Species at Their Historical Sites-Conditions for the Success of Salix lapponum and Salix myrtilloides Reintroduction

Michał Arciszewski; Magdalena Pogorzelec; Urszula Bronowicka-Mielniczuk; Michał Niedźwiecki; Marzena Parzymies; Artur Serafin

doi:10.3390/ijerph20021133

The Search for Suitable Habitats for Endangered Species at Their Historical Sites-Conditions for the Success of Salix lapponum and Salix myrtilloides Reintroduction

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 9;20(2):1133. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021133.

Authors

Michał Arciszewski¹, Magdalena Pogorzelec¹, Urszula Bronowicka-Mielniczuk², Michał Niedźwiecki¹, Marzena Parzymies³, Artur Serafin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Dobrzańskiego, 20-262 Lublin, Poland.
² Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, Poland.
³ Institute of Horticultural Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, Poland.
⁴ Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland.

Abstract

Restoring endangered plant species to their historical sites is not always possible due to constantly changing habitat conditions. The aim of this study was to test the effects of reintroduction of two relict willow species in eastern Poland. The experiment consisted of planting 48 individuals of Salix lapponum and S. myrtilloides, obtained by micropropagation, at each of the two selected sites and observing their survival after one year. At the same time, selected physicochemical and biocenotic factors of the environment were monitored. About 70% of S. lapponum individuals and 50% of S. myrtilloides plants survived the one-year period. This result can be considered satisfactory and confirms the effectiveness of this means of active protection. The results of measurements of selected abiotic factors of the environment and the observations and ecological analysis of the flora indicated that the habitat conditions of both historical sites have changed, resulting in accelerated succession of vegetation. However, complete habitat degradation did not occur, although the development of a multi-story structure of one of the phytocenoses intensified competition for light and other environmental resources, which narrowed the potential ecological niche of the reintroduced species.

Keywords: conservation; habitat conditions; relict species; translocation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biota
Ecosystem
Endangered Species*
Humans
Plants
Salix*

Grants and funding

This research was funded in part by the European Union through the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Program, project title: Ochrona czynna szczególnie zagrożonych gatunków roślin reliktowych z rodziny Salicaceae w siedliskach torfowiskowych (Active conservation of endangered relict plant species of the Salicaceae family in peat bog habitats), no. POIS.02.04.00-00-0008/17.