The effects of hikers' paths on the distribution of liverworts in the Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians).
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: The article concerns the reaction of liverworts to the origin of new synanthropic habitats in the Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians). Tourist trails, their shoulders and scarps were investigated. Thirty-one liverwort species were recorded in the investigated synanthropic habitats, which make up ca 15% of the hepaticoflora of the Tatra Mts. Cephalozia bicuspidata, Nardia scalaris, Solenostoma gracillimum, Scapania curta, S. umbrosa and Lophozia sudetica display distinct hemerophilous features. Leading plant species are Cephalozia bicuspidata in typical synanthropic habitats (on tourist trails) and Nardia scalaris in semi-natural habitats (on trail scarps). Apophytes in the Tatra Mts. are mostly lowland-mountain species and they are widespread in the entire massif. Apophytization of liverworts in some aspects is similar to the phenomena described in the case of vascular plants. It concerns walking down of high mountains species to lower sites (Marsupella brevissima, Lophozia sudetica), passing of alpine scree-bed species to synanthropic habitats (Anthelia juratzkana, Marsupella brevissima, Pleurocladula albescens), and formation of plant communities with new floristic combinations (community with Cephalozia bicuspidata) or expansion of secondary forms of autogenic communities (e.g. Calypogeietum trichomanis, Nardietum scalaris). Some of them play an important role in stabilization of trail scarps, especially in the alpine belt (Nardietum scalaris kiaerietosum starkei subass. nova).
Source: Cryptogamie Bryologie
Author: Piotr Górski
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1041349935