Mindaugas Rasimavičius, Jonas Remigijus Naujalis, Zigmantas Gudžinskas

Structure of Equisetum variegatum (Equisetaceae) populations in natural and anthropogenic habitats

Abstract Many native plant species colonise anthropogenic habitats, but relatively little information is available on the status and development of their populations under unusual conditions. The most reliable information on the status and performance of plants in particular habitats is obtained through population studies. The study aimed to determine the characteristics of Equisetum variegatum populations occurring in natural and anthropogenic habitats. Nine coenopopulations of Equisetum variegatum occurring in natural and anthropogenic habitats were studied in four administrative districts (Kelmė, Lazdijai, Trakai and Varėna) of Lithuania. The ramet density, shoot height, total number of shoots and the number of fertile and sterile shoots and buds in a ramet were assessed. The density of Equisetum variegatum ramets was significantly higher in natural habitats than in anthropogenic habitats. The largest mean height of shoots was found in shrubland and shallow water habitats, whereas the largest mean number of all shoots, fertile shoots and buds in a ramet was recorded in dry sands. Old shoots in natural habitats comprised a significantly smaller portion (18.1%) of all shoots than in anthropogenic habitats (42.8%). Thus, all the studied traits can be used to evaluate the status of the populations. Long-term studies of Equisetum variegatum populations should be performed to determine how they change in response to the succession of natural and anthropogenic habitats. As the natural habitats of Equisetum variegatum decline, anthropogenic habitats may be considered the refugia for their populations.

Doi https://doi.org/10.35513/Botlit.2023.2.7

Keywords alkaline fens, aquatic habitats, clonal plant, fertile shoot, grasslands, ramet, refugia, sands, sterile shoot

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