Survival of Liparis loeselii (L.) as an early successional species in Engure region described based on ecological peculiarities DURING the annual cycle

Abstract

We present some results of a six-year (2008-2013) study in two localities of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. near Lake Engure. The annual cycle of L. loeselii, an early successional species, may indicate its potential survival in its typical wet habitat with fluctuating levels of water. Flowering of L. loeselii usually begins in the first decade of June and lasts for several weeks. If the initiation of development was delayed, leaves and inflorescence started to grow almost simultaneously. Development of the first fruit began during flowering and continued to August. Ripening of fruit and seeds occurred in September-October, and they were dispersed mostly by melt water of snow in spring, which is very important for populations in sites overgrowing with perennial herbs. The previous season capsules of L. loeselii remained till the middle of the next growing season; a part of the seeds remained in capsules and less than 1% of seeds had viable embryos. This may increase the survival potential of the population. The studies of herbarium records of L. loeselii in the area of Lake Engure showed that the annual cycles of L. loeselii have been similar and that the species has not responded drastically to climate change.

Characteristics of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. populations in selected Natura 2000 areas in eastern Poland

“…The other part of the variability can be explained by the water level, weather conditions, availability of light, mode of management, impact of herbivores and the biology of the species, that is, its ephemeral nature. Similar relationships have been observed by other authors (McMaster 2001;Roze et al 2014). The CCA analysis distinguished two groups in the investigated populations.…”

“…Therefore, it seems reasonable to implement this strategy in the other localities. Taking into account the annual life cycle of the species, 'clearing' activities should be performed in February and March (Roze et al 2014).…”

“…The species has been reported from many anthropogenic localities, for example gravel and sand post-excavation pits (Bzdon and Ciosek 2006, Czylok et al 2008, Molenda 2004, Urban 2009. Liparis loeselii is a pioneer species which grows in the first stage of succession in wet habitats characterized by a variable water table (Roze et al 2014, Megre et al 2018.…”

Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: Liparis loeselii

“…Local water levels can play an important role in the population dynamics of Liparis loeselii (Grootjans et al, 2017). First, adult plants in dune slacks do not cope well with very high water tables during the growing season and a few wet years in a row may lead to a rapid decline in number of plants in populations (Oostermeijer & Hartman, 2014; Roze et al, 2014). Low water levels, on the other hand, can also be expected to have marked negative effects on the population dynamics of L. loeselii , because, like most mesophytes, plants require their roots to be kept moist.…”

“…Small roots develop at the base of the plant in spring (Rasmussen, 1995). The roots consist of a non‐velamentous epidermis, one cell layer of exodermis, 2–4 layers of cortical tissue, one layer of endodermis and several layers of xylem and phloem cells (Roze et al, 2014). Fungal hyphae (pelotons) can be found in the cortical cells.…”