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Distribution on 1 × 1 km square system in the city of Katowice against the background of the main types of land-use complexes. 5. Orthotrichum obtusifolium. 6. O. patens. 7. O. pumilum. 8. O. rogeri (rest of legend and symbols as in Figs 1-4).
Source publication
In the area of Katowice city (S Poland) a significant increase in the number of sites of some epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota) were recorded. The comparison of their distribution in 2001 and 2015 shows two groups: (1) species of which the number of localities is obviously higher, e.g. Orthotrichum diaphanum, O. obtusifolium...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... diaphanum and O. pumilum) can very rarely grow. On the contrary, the best places for the occurrence of the investigated species are the margins of forest complexes, extensively used areas in the suburbs with avenues of trees and forest parks. In such areas the diversity of epiphytes is relatively high, with over 7 species per 1 × 1 km square (Fig. ...
Similar publications
Stable hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope compositions and ele− ments ratios are presented for peat and plant samples (liverworts, mosses, sedge, willow, grass) from two contrasting ecosystems in Iceland: Arctic mire at the northwest coast (Drangajökull) and a geothermal area (Kerlingarfjöll). In a peat core from the Arctic mire excelle...
Citations
... However, the probability of occurrence of some genera (e.g., Lewinskya and Nyholmiella) increases to a certain degree with the severity of this factor, which is associated with the planting of trees in villages and cities, as well as along roads [25,71]. Little is known about the factors that determine the distribution of epiphytic mosses in urban landscapes; however, in the last few decades, an increase in epiphytic species richness and the number of their localities in city centers were observed [72,73]. Recently a significant heat-island effect on bryophyte species growing on the ground or stones in historical Japanese moss gardens was reported by Oishi et al. [74]. ...
Epiphytes, including vascular and non-vascular, constitute a large part of global plant biodiversity. Distribution of obligatory epiphytic bryophytes results from climate and local habitat conditions. The most important epiphytic bryophytes and at the same time poorly investigated and taxonomically problematic ones belong to the family Orthotrichaceae. Epiphytic mosses are also ideal organisms for species modelling, because of having no roots, they are highly dependent on external environmental conditions. For this purpose, we used the ecological niche modelling approach to define their potential distribution in China and adjacent areas and explore factors that shape this distribution. We used 617 occurrence records of 23 species from six genera within the Orthotrichaceae family. Our results suggest that the distribution of members of the Orthotrichaceae family is predominantly affected by bioclimatic variables, especially bio10 (mean temperature of the warmest quarter), bio15 (precipitation seasonality), bio18 (precipitation of the warmest quarter), bio19 (precipitation of the coldest quarter), bio9 (mean temperature of the driest quarter), and bio2 (mean diurnal range). However, the distribution of particular genera is ruled by a different set of those variables. The distribution of two genera (Leratia and Ulota) is also highly influenced by land cover (especially mixed/other trees), whereas human footprint shows a moderate contribution to models of three genera (Lewinskya, Orthotrichum, Nyholmiella). Based on the occupied climatic niche and distribution patterns, representatives of the studied family are divided into two groups. The 'western-montane group' is characterised by lower temperatures and lower precipitation whereas the 'eastern-lowland' group' by more humid and warmer conditions.
... W ostatnich latach obserwuje się poprawę stanu powietrza na obszarach leśnych i wkraczanie do nich gatunków bardziej pod tym względem wymagających [por. 11,74]. ...
This study is an overview of the published data. It aims to compile the information collected on the legal status and threats to the mosses and liver-worts occurring in forest ecosystems in Poland. The species associated with ancient forests with a high degree of naturalness consist of a group of particular interest and care among these plants. Among thirty-six species recognized in Poland as relics of primeval forests, eighteen are considered endangered, but only four are on the European red list. One of the main threats to this group of epiphytic and epixylic species is forest management, which causes a decrease in the availability of microhabitats and deterioration of the microclimate inside the forest areas. Drainage of forest wetlands, as well as non-forest ones, carried out commonly in the past centuries, also had severe effects. On the other hand, there are no significant threats to epigeic mosses occurring in mineral habitats of coniferous and mixed forests. Therefore, the suitable protection of epiphytic and epixylic mosses and liverworts should rely on protecting their habitats. The best solution is to protect appropriate areas in a conservative form. The spatial units excluded from the use of the tree stands should maintain a microclimate specific to the forest interior. It is possible only with their appropriate size, i.e., a width exceeding twice the height of the stand, and an area of at least 1 ha, if possible. The threshold value should be at least one such area per 100 ha of managed forests in nature-valuable areas.
... W ostatnich latach obserwuje się poprawę stanu powietrza na obszarach leśnych i wkraczanie do nich gatunków bardziej pod tym względem wymagających [por. 11,74]. ...
Entomopathogenic fungi are a small group of fungi that attack insects, causing contagious diseases – mycoses. They are used in biological pest management, therefore reducing the use of insecticides. The group includes a wide range of species, so that they show high biological and ecological diversity, providing many ways of using them. The following article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on entomopathogenic fungi and various possibilities of their use in forest management, presenting the most effective species of fungi in the control of selected pests of forest crops.
... Gut dokumentiert ist die Wiederausbreitung von epiphytischen Moosen und Flechten, jedoch überwiegend aus urbanen Gebieten (z.B. Ducket & Pressel 2009, Stebel & Fojcik 2016. ...
... Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis and Rhytidiadelphus loreus in a lower risk category than they were ten years ago (Müller, 1998). Our results also correspond to a recovery of epiphytic bryophytes in Central Europe, which is attributed to the decrease in air pollution (e.g., Stebel & Fojcik, 2016 ...
... There are numerous studies on this from urban areas (e.g. Richter et al. 2009;Stebel and Fojcik 2016), but only a few studies in forest ecosystems. For example, Friedel and Müller (2004) examined the changes in the species composition of epiphytic bryophytes in near-natural Fagus sylvatica forests in northern Germany. ...
Deposition of pollutants, in particular sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) compounds, has caused major disturbance to forest ecosystems since the beginning of industrialisation. Large-scale tree death in some regions, especially of spruce stands, as well as the acidification of forest soils across Central Europe led to increased research into the ecosystem effects of pollutant deposition in forests. The resulting recommendations, in particular liming measures and the conversion of homogeneous spruce and pine to mixed stands, were implemented with vary-ing degrees of intensity depending on the region. At the same time, S deposits were hugely reduced through technical innovations in industry.
As well as analytical indicators (such as chemical analyses), environmental monitoring uses complex systemic indicators to determine the state of a system. This also applies to the eval-uation of forest measures, for which various groups of species of forest vegetation comprise a useful systemic indicator. However, there are still research deficits regarding the effects of the reduction in S deposits as well as the long-term effects of the current practice of periodic liming on the forest vegetation.
The investigations described in this thesis were carried out in the Erzgebirge (Ore Moun-tains), a low mountain range in eastern Germany, which was exposed to extremely high S deposition in the second half of the 20th century. A resurvey of permanent plots in spruce stands (first survey 1991, second survey 2013, no liming measures in the period between first and second survey) and a survey of epiphytic bryophytes on plots of different tree species was used to investigate the effects on the forest vegetation of the decline in S deposition since around the middle of the 1990s whilst N deposition remained continuously high. The influence of the liming measures was investigated using two methodological approaches. Firstly, the current forest floor vegetation in spruce plots of different liming intensities (no liming, one to five lime applications) was analysed. Secondly, changes in forest floor vegeta-tion in permanent plots that were limed to varying degrees after an initial survey in 1991 (no liming, one to four lime applications) were examined. The evaluation was based on norma-tive indicators, which were defined by categorising the occurring species according to their ecological indicator values and how typical they are for forest communities.
The results confirm the high sensitivity of bryophytes to pollutant deposition. The decrease in S deposition in the Erzgebirge led to an intensive regeneration of the moss layer of the forest floor on the unlimed plots in the period 1991 to 2013. This concerned both the species composition and the degree of cover. A repopulation of the forest ecosystems with epiphytic bryophytes was also found. This was not limited to common species, but numerous rare or endangered epiphytes were also detected. Ulota drummondii was found again, a species that had been thought extinct in Germany since 1886. With regard to continuously high N deposi-tion, a significant increase in the mean nitrogen indicator values could be seen in the moss layer of the forest floor. In contrast to the findings for the moss layer, there was no change in the species composition on the unlimed plots in the herb layer during the study period.
It has been proven that the liming intensity has a major influence on the species composition and diversity of the forest floor vegetation. In the herb layer, additional species established causing a continuous increase in alpha diversity up to the third liming. From the third liming onwards, a saturation effect could be seen. In the moss layer, in contrast, there was a high level of species turnover. An increase in species with higher nutrient requirements was offset by a decrease in acidophytes with only a small change in alpha diversity.
Based on the defined normative indicators, we show that liming acts as a disturbance to the vegetation. This is clear from the appearance of numerous indicators of disturbance, espe-cially in the herb layer. Their proportion increases with increasing lime intensity up to a sat-uration point. Subsequently, if periodic liming is continued, the system remains in a state of permanent disturbance. Evidence from the forest floor vegetation thus suggests that liming measures do not restore the soil to its original, pre-industrial era state. However, it was also found that liming can create a niche for endangered or rare species, both in the herb and in the moss layer.
Based on the results, we derive recommendations for a more differentiated application of liming, in particular with regard to the definition of exclusion areas and the liming fre-quency, to reduce negative side effects. Liming should always be combined with a conversi-on of homogeneous spruce stands to mixed stands including deciduous trees to close ecosys-tem nutrient cycles.
... Presumably, therefore, epiphytic bryophytes were not taken into account in the context of research on the influence of plants on the air condition in cities, although the ability of mosses to accumulate heavy metals from the dust deposition was already well-known and studied [7]. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, the return of epiphytic mosses to city centers was recorded in some European cities, such as London [8], Lisbon [9], and Katowice [10]. The cited research reported an increase in epiphytic species richness and the number of their localities. ...
... Such relationships are not constant throughout the entire geographical ranges of individual bryophyte species, and it was observed that a change in the preferred host tree species is dependent on climatic conditions and the availability of phorophytes [2,13]. Although host tree species richness and supply in cities have rarely been considered and quantitatively analyzed as factors determining epiphytic bryophyte distribution [12], some data and general conclusions suggest that the richness of epiphytes in a city depends on the variety of phorophytes [10,11]. These opinions coincide with the results of research and analyses conducted on epiphytes in Central European forests, which showed the positive effect of tree species diversity on the number of epiphytic bryophyte species [14][15][16][17]. ...
There is still a lack of knowledge on the effect of urban environmental factors on bryophyte species distribution and richness. The goal of this study was to fill that gap. We assumed the hypothesis that the urban heat island is the most important factor affecting epiphytic bryophyte species in urban space. The survey was based on a network of 500 one hectare study plots, scattered throughout the city of Wrocław (SW Poland). A set of 27 environmental factors was assessed in the field, as well as by the collection, processing, and interpretation of satellite imagery, LiDAR scans, and climatological data. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to evaluate the significance of the effect of the studied variables on the distribution of bryophyte epiphytes. The effect of the normalized difference vegetation index on epiphytic bryophyte distribution and richness was the strongest. The effects of the urban heat island as well as the tree species diversity appeared weaker, though significant. Among the tree stands features, the supply of European ash Fraxinus excelsior and tree height appeared to be the strongest. Maintaining afforested areas rich in old tree individuals with cooler and more humid microclimates seems to be crucial to the keeping of epiphytic bryophyte species diversity in the urban landscape.
... There are numerous studies on this from urban areas (e.g. Richter et al. 2009;Stebel and Fojcik 2016), but only a few studies in forest ecosystems. For example, Friedel and Müller (2004) examined the changes in the species composition of epiphytic bryophytes in near-natural Fagus sylvatica forests in northern Germany. ...
... Meinunger and Schröder (2007) described an increase in population size and range of O. pulchellum in Germany already 15 years ago. Furthermore, occurrences of O. rogeri and C. heteromalla have now even been documented in urban areas (Richter et al. 2009;Stebel and Fojcik 2016). However, in our study, the overwhelming number of occurrences of species of conservation concern is the discovery of a single cushion or patch. ...
In recent decades, great efforts have been made in Central Europe to convert homogeneous conifer stands into mixed stands. One major goal of this measure is to promote the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Research on forest biodiversity is mostly limited to the spatial scale of the stand (alpha diversity), and only few studies focus on the landscape level (gamma diversity). In our study, we investigate the recolonization of epiphytic bryophytes after decades of air pollution on different host tree species. The study area is the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains, eastern Germany), a low mountain range in which very high SO2 inputs from industrial emissions caused severe damage to the vegetation up to the end of the 20th century. We selected twelve plots each of the tree species Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, Acer pseudoplatanus and Sorbus aucuparia and recorded the occurrence of all epiphytic bryophytes on trunk and branches at a height between approx. 0.5 and 2.0 m. We recorded a total of 84 species, finding a significantly higher species richness and number of species of conservation concern as well as a larger regional epiphytic species pool (RESP) on F. sylvatica, A. pseudoplatanus and S. aucuparia compared to P. abies. In contrast, there were only minor differences in epiphytic species diversity and composition between the studied deciduous tree species. The dominance of colonists in the current species composition shows that these epiphyte communities are still in the early stages of succession, supported by the observation that species with small range sizes are still very rare. Compared to other studies, the species pool of the examined tree species is relatively large. This is an indication of the much improved environmental conditions for epiphytes in the Erzgebirge. We also recorded Ulota drummondii in the stands, providing its first record in Germany since 1886. In general, we conclude that changing tree species composition from monospecific coniferous to broadleaved stands will lead to an increase in the epiphytic bryophyte diversity of forest ecosystems.
... In various cities, the bryophyte diversity and abundance increased as the SO 2 impact nowadays is lower than in the last 150 years (Frahm 2009). In Katowice city in Poland, an increase in Orthotrichum and Ulota species was detected (Stebel & Fojcik 2016). In Halle/S., Richter et al. (2009) discovered the same trend of an increase of bryophyte stands and species numbers. ...
... The periodic inundation regime results in nutrient-rich, special conditions with deposited suspended particles on the bark, which support pleurocarpous mosses like Leskea polycarpa, while acrocarpous small mosses and especially slow growing lichens avoid such conditions. In the literature, Salix species are described as epiphyte-rich trees (Wirth 2002, Stebel & Fojcik 2016. In the Mur floodplain in Graz, we find Salix fragilis as the deciduous tree with the lowest epiphyte diversity in our study. ...
In Graz (Austria) and Podgorica (Montenegro), epiphytic lichens and bryophytes were studied in 2017 based on a standardized approach. On 165 trees in Graz, 27 bryophyte and 38 lichen species were determined. In Podgorica, on 161 trees, 29 bryophyte and 52 lichen species were found. The mean epiphytic cover in Graz was significantly higher. Mean bryophyte cover was higher in Podgorica, mean lichen cover was significantly higher in Graz. Many species
occurred in both cities. The mean species number per plot was nearly the same in both cities. Five urban habitat types were distinguished: parks, garden city, residential area, industrial area, and areas along rivers. Mean species numbers of lichens and bryophytes differed significantly between phorophyte species. The tree trunk circumference had no significant impact on the species number. Bryophytes preferred a northern and western exposition on the tree trunk.
For lichens, this pattern could not be confirmed. Agonimia opuntiella, Caloplaca cerinelloides, Candelariella viaelacteae,
Catapyrenium psoromoides, and Mycobilimbia epixanthoides were reported for the first time in Montenegro.
... Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis and Rhytidiadelphus loreus in a lower risk category than they were ten years ago (Müller, 1998). Our results also correspond to a recovery of epiphytic bryophytes in Central Europe, which is attributed to the decrease in air pollution (e.g., Stebel & Fojcik, 2016). Our observations of the sig- ...
Questions
How have species composition and diversity in the herb and bryophyte layer of spruce forest communities developed on unlimed plots and on plots with varying liming intensity under the conditions of decreasing sulphur (S) deposition and unabated high nitrogen (N) deposition?
Location
Spruce stands in the Erzgebirge, East Germany
Methods
We repeated herb and bryophyte layer surveys on 36 quasi-permanent plots after approx. 23 years (1989/1991 vs. 2012/2014). Over this period, the study area experienced a sharp decline in S deposition and repeated liming of the spruce stands. Our plots represent a gradient of liming from zero to four applications. We analyse the change in species composition and species diversity depending on the liming intensity using Ellenberg indicator values (EIV), correspondence analysis, indicator species analysis and diversity parameters (alpha diversity, Lennon similarity).
Results
On the unlimed plots, the species composition of the herb layer remained unchanged over the study period, despite the coverage of Calamagrostis villosa and Deschampsia flexuosa and the total coverage of the herb layer, which decreased. In contrast, the bryophyte layer showed a significant increase in coverage and species richness with the decrease in S deposition. Liming led to a sharp increase in species richness in the herb layer, due to the appearance of disturbance indicators. The mean EIV-R and EIV-N also significantly increased. All observed effects increased with increasing liming intensity. We also noticed an increase in species richness over time in the bryophyte layer on the limed plots. However, this was less pronounced than on the unlimed plots, and decreased with increasing liming intensity. This was because the appearance of disturbance indicators or of typical species for the Calamagrostio villosae-Piceetum was partially compensated for by the disappearance of acid indicators as a result of liming. The species turnover was thus much higher in the bryophyte layer than in the herb layer.
Conclusions
In contrast to the herb layer, the bryophyte layer proves to be a sensitive indicator of changes in air pollution. The effects of greatly reduced S deposition on the bryophyte layer outweigh those of continuous N deposition in the study area. Liming acts as a disturbance in both the herb layer and the bryophyte layer. This influence increases with increasing liming intensity.
Our results do not support a general application of liming in large, contiguous forest areas. Rather, this measure should be applied in a differentiated manner.
... (Stebel, 2006), G. pulvinata (Fudali & Szymanowski, 2019;Fudali & Żołnierz, 2019;Wilhelm et al., 2015), Orthotrichum anomalum Hedw. (Fudali & Szymanowski, 2019;Stebel & Fojcik, 2016), and Tortula muralis (Fudali & Szymanowski, 2019;Plášek et al., 2014). ...
In Poland, Hedwigia ciliata (Hedw.) P. Beauv., an obligatory epilithic moss species, has in recent years also been observed on the bark of trees. In this paper, we describe 25 recently identified sites in which epiphytic H. ciliata has been observed, and provide a plausible explanation to account for this phenomenon.
... As for cities, influence of alien trees on epiphytic bryophyte species richness and frequency is hardly known; only a few observations that bryophytes occur on trunks of some alien trees species have been published so far (Stingl 1985;Richter et al. 2009;Fudali 2012Fudali , 2018Müller 2014;Fojcik et al. 2015;Stebel & Fojcik 2016). Regarding the phenomenon of tree trunk recolonisation by epiphytic bryophytes reported recently from some European cities (i. ...
... Regarding the phenomenon of tree trunk recolonisation by epiphytic bryophytes reported recently from some European cities (i. e. Stapper & Kricke 2004;Richter et al. 2009;Fudali 2012;Sérgio et al. 2016;Stebel & Fojcik 2016), the question of what contribution alien trees make in the current state of epiphytic bryophyte distribution in the cities seems worthy of study. ...
... These results coincide partly with data from other cities. In Katowice, epiphytes were recorded on several alien tree species (Stebel & Fojcik 2016), but poplars (including Populus xcanadensis, Popolus xberolinense. and Populus balsaminera) were the most frequently occupied by bryophytes (Fojcik et al. 2015). ...
This paper presents the occurrence of 25 moss species on trunks of alien trees in Wrocław (without city forests), their species diversity, frequency, coverage in the plots, and preferences to the host-tree species. In general, 36% of the trees colonised by bryophytes in the city were of non-indigenous origin (11 taxa), and the most frequently occupied were Populus xcanadensis Moench., Acer negundo L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. Research showed that alien trees hosted a large group of species rarely noted in the city, such as: Syntrichia virescens (De Not.) Ochyra, Orthodicranum tauricum (Sapjegin) Smirnova, Leskea polycarpa Hedw., Hypnum pallescens (Hedw.) P. Beauv. and Orthotrichum affine Schrad. ex Brid. But the most total coverage in the plots was occupied by two facultative epiphytes, Orthotrichum diaphanum Schrad. and Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. Comparing the results of this study with data presenting bryoflora of Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Quercus rubra L. found in secondary woodlands, it appears that these phorophytes in the city are colonised by different bryophytes. Results of UPGMA classification of bryofloristic similarity of all phorophytes in the city are discussed in reference to the theory that alien species can facilitate the occurrence of native species, as formulated by Rodriguez (2006).
