The Influence of Shallow Peatland Water Quality on Characteristics of the Occurrence of Selected Herb Species in the Peatlands of Eastern Poland.

The aim of the analysis was to compare the physicochemical variables of the quality of shallow groundwater in the peatlands of Eastern Poland in the context of the occurrence of selected herb species with similar habitat requirements: bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), small cranberry (Oxycoccus palustris), and purple marshlocks (Comarum palustre). The analysis of the quality variables of the shallow groundwater included the following physicochemical variables: reaction (pH), electrolytic conductivity (EC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (Ntot.), ammonium nitrogen (N-NH4), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO2), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3), total phosphorus (Ptot.), phosphates (P-PO4), sulphates (SO2), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Internal metabolism was shown to influence the hydro-chemical status of peatland water, free of substantial human impact. The variables tested were within the range of the habitat preferences of the herb species and indicated that they have a wide ecological tolerance. However, their identical habitat preferences were not reflected in identical values for the physicochemical variables of the water essential for building populations of these species. The occurrence of these plant species was also shown to be determined by the hydro-chemical characteristics of the habitat, but the characteristics of their occurrence did not indicate the hydro-chemical aspect of the habitat.

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

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.