The detection of thermophilous forest hotspots in Poland using geostatistical interpolation of plant richness

Abstract

Attempts to study biodiversity hotspots on a regional scale should combine compositional and functionalist criteria. The detection of hotspots in this study uses one ecologically similar group of high conservation value species as hotspot indicators, as well as focal habitat indicators, to detect the distribution of suitable environmental conditions. The method is assessed with reference to thermophilous forests in Poland -key habitats for many rare and relict species. Twenty-six high conservation priority species were used as hotspot indicators, and ten plant taxa characteristic of the Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae phytosociological order were used as focal habitat indicators. Species distribution data was based on a 10 × 10 km grid. The number of species per grid square was interpolated by the ordinary kriging geostatistical method. Our analysis largely determined the distribution of areas with concentration of thermophilous forest flora, but also regional disjunctions and geographical barriers. Indicator species richness can be interpreted as a reflection of the actual state of habitat conditions. It can also be used to determine the location of potential species refugia and possible past and future migration routes.

Compositional changes in thermophilous oak forests in Poland over time: do they correspond to European trends?

“…In the Polish part of the Sudetes (SW Poland), thermophilous oak forests, which occupy approximately 3000 ha (Szymura ), have not been coppiced since the end of War World II. At the same time, they are still considered one of the forest communities richest in species in Poland, and their role in the protection of biodiversity is considered to be crucial (Kiedrzyński & Jakubowska‐Gabara ).…”

Genetic diversity within a newly identified population of Adenophora liliifolia (L.) A.DC. in Romania: implications for conservation

“…As listed in Annex II (b) of the Habitats Directive (Anonymous1992) is considered a plant species of European Community interest whose conservation requires designation of special areas of conservation (Natura 2000 sites). Moreover, it is considered species indicator of thermophilous forest hotspots signaling remnant pools of biodiversity (Kiedrzyński & Jakubowska-Gabara 2014). Species conservation status at European level was assessed as "Unfavourable bad", for both reporting periods (2001-2006 and 2007-2012) under article 17 of Habitats Directive (European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity).…”

Exceptionally Tall Individuals in a Relict Population of Actaea europaea (Schipcz.) J. Compton Against the Species of the Euro-Asiatic Cimicifuga Section

“…However, the population in Góra Krzemyk, which occurs under the beech trees, is located on the hill slope and near the edge of the forest, where the light is also well available (at least for some individuals in population). Moreover, the additional plant height measurements done in the region showed that the maximum growth of A. europaea in the oak forest in the Korzecko locality (more than 40 km away from studied populations) did not exceed 220 cm (Kiedrzyński 2014, unpublished data). Furthermore, observations of A. europaea in the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Lodz, where they were planted in 1985 and have grown in full light conditions, indicated that the tallest shoots did not exceed 235 cm (Kiedrzyński 2013-15, unpublished data).…”

“…The occurrence of Actaea europaea in Poland corresponds with the location of hotspots of thermophilous forest fl ora [6]. In 2011, a large population of C. europaea was discovered in central Poland [5] at the westernmost extent of its range in Europe.…”