Abstracts of volume 84, 2012
Koutecký P., Štěpánek J. & Baďurová T. (2012):
Differentiation between diploid and tetraploid Centaurea phrygia:
mating barriers, morphology and geographic distribution. –
Preslia 84: 1–32.
Karyological variation, reproductive isolation, morphological
differentiation and geographic distribution of the cytotypes of Centaurea
phrygia were investigated in Central Europe. Occurrence of two dominant
cytotypes, diploid (2n = 22) and tetraploid (2n = 44), was confirmed and
additionally triploid, pentaploid and hexaploid ploidy levels identified using
flow cytometry. Allozyme variation as well as morphological and genome size
data suggest an autopolyploid origin of the tetraploids. Crossing experiments
and flow cytometric screening of mixed populations revealed strong
reproductive isolation of the cytotypes. Multivariate morphometric analysis
revealed significant differentiation between the cytotypes in several
morphological characters (pappus length, length and colour of appendages on
involucral bracts, involucre width). The cytotypes have a parapatric
distribution with only a small contact zone: diploids occupy the whole of the
Central and North European geographic range of the species except for the
major part of the Western Carpathians, whereas tetraploids are confined to
the Western Carpathians and adjacent areas, both cytotypes co-occurring only in
a limited area of intra-montane basins of the Western Carpathians. Based on
this array of data, taxonomic treatment of the cytotypes as autonomous species
is proposed. The name Centaurea phrygia is applied to the diploids and
the name C. erdneri belongs to the tetraploids; nomenclature of hybrids
with C. jacea is also resolved.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Letz D. R., Dančák M., Danihelka J. & Šarhanová P.
(2012): Taxonomy and distribution of Cerastium pumilum and C. glutinosum
in Central Europe. – Preslia 84: 33–69.
As a result of inconsistencies in morphological characters, Cerastium
pumilum and C. glutinosum have been misunderstood or confused in
many European floras since the 1960s. In the second volume of the Flora
Nordica, a revised treatment of C. pumilum s.l. is provided and this
concept is tested here for eastern Central European populations. The
cytometric and morphological part of the study is based on living plants from
85 populations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria and Hungary.
Flow cytometric analyses of the samples revealed two groups differing in
ploidy level and corresponding to two cytotypes (a known octoploid, 2n ≈ 72,
for C. glutinosum and yet unknown dodecaploid, 2n ≈ 108, for
C. pumilum). Eleven morphological characters were scored or measured in
plants of known ploidy level and the data set analysed using multivariate
statistics (principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis);
the two morphologically well-separated groups were identical with the two
cytotype groups detected by flow cytometry. Based on these results, we suggest
treating the detected cyto-morphotypes as the species C. pumilum and
C. glutinosum. Our analysis further revealed that the traditionally used
characters (glabrous vs. hairy adaxial surface and presence vs. absence of a
scarious margin to the tip of the lowermost bracts) are not taxonomically
informative. The characters best differentiating the species include indument
on the lowermost vernal internodium, length of mature stylodia, length of
glandular hairs on sepals and maximum diameter of mature seed. A key for
identification of both species is also provided. A revision of almost 1600
specimens deposited in 16 Central European herbaria revealed that the species
show different distribution patterns in Central Europe and partial habitat
segregation. Specimens from the Czech Republic previously assigned to
C. litigiosum were identified as C. pumilum; consequently,
C. litigiosum must be removed from the Czech flora.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Vít P., Lepší M. & Lepší P. (2012):
There is no diploid apomict among Czech Sorbus species: a biosystematic
revision of S. eximia and discovery of S. barrandienica. –
Preslia 84: 71–96.
Sorbus eximia Kovanda, a hybridogenous species that originated from
the parental combination S. torminalis and S. aria s.l., is
thought to be an apomictic species, which includes diploid and tetraploid
individuals. The present study confirmed the existence of only triploid
individuals. A new tentatively apomictic triploid (2n = 3x = 51) species from
the S. latifolia group: S. barrandienica P. Vít, M. Lepší et P.
Lepší is described based on a revision of S. eximia. This species is
assumed to have originated from a cross between S. danubialis or
S. aria s.l. and S. torminalis. A wide palette of biosystematic
techniques, including molecular (nuclear microsatellite markers) and
karyological analyses (chromosome counts, DAPI flow cytometry) as well as
multivariate morphometric and elliptic Fourier analyses, were used to assess
the variation in this species and justify its independent taxonomic status.
Allopatric occurrences of both species were recorded east of the town of
Beroun in the Český kras, central Bohemia (Bohemian Karst). A distribution map
of the two species is provided. Sorbus eximia occurs at four localities
(the total number of adults and juveniles is 100 and 200, respectively) in
basiphilous thermophilous oak forests (Quercion pubescenti-petraeae),
mesic oak forests (Melampyro nemorosi-Carpinetum), woody margins of dry
grasslands (Festucion valesiacae) and pine plantations. Sorbus
barrandienica has so far been recorded at 10 localities (ca 50 adults).
Recent field studies failed to verify two of these localities. It is mainly
found growing on the summits of hills, usually in thermophilous open forests
(Primulo veris-Carpinetum, Melampyro nemorosi-Carpinetum,
Quercion pubescenti-petraeae) and woody margins of dry grassland. Its
populations exhibit minimal genetic variation and are phenotypically
homogeneous and well separated from other Bohemian hybridogenous Sorbus
species. The epitype of S. eximia is designated here, and a photograph
of the specimen is included. Photographs of the type specimens and in situ
individuals, and line drawings of both species are presented.
PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Kitner M., Majeský Ľ., Gillová L., Vymyslický T. & Nagler M.
(2012): Genetic structure of Artemisia pancicii populations inferred from
AFLP and cpDNA data. – Preslia 84: 97–120.
Genetic variability within and among fragmented populations of
Artemisia pancicii was investigated in order to obtain a general
understanding of the genetic structure related to the successful protection of
this highly endangered species. Genetic variation within and among 15
populations of A. pancicii in Central Europe was analysed using
amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and sequencing of two
chloroplast DNA regions. The resulting polymorphism of AFLP loci was
interpreted using basic population genetic indices and statistical
visualisation. The total genetic variability within the populations was high
(Ht = 0.248) and a highly differentiated
population pattern (Fst = 0.241) was
revealed. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high variation
among the populations (82%). There was no significant correlation between the
genetic and geographic distance matrices. This indicates that population
relatedness is not reflected in their geography. This was also confirmed by
cpDNA sequencing. Highly restricted gene flow among the populations and
genetic drift has resulted in reduced genetic variability in the smaller and
highly differentiated A. pancicii populations, and very probably
implies the presence of self-incompatibility and prevalence of clonal
reproduction. The conservation of genetic variability in A. pancicii
requires the persistence of large and also of small populations (because of
population differentiation). The most important factor for the preservation of
this species in the localities studied is the application of appropriate
conservation management (such as mowing, grazing or fire management).
PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Stachurska-Swakoń A., Cieślak E. & Ronikier M. (2012):
Phylogeography of subalpine tall-herb species in Central Europe:
the case of Cicerbita alpina. – Preslia 84: 121–140.
Cicerbita alpina was selected to elucidate the phylogeography of
tall-herb species, an ecological group whose Quaternary history is rarely
addressed. This species is a typical component of subalpine herbaceous
communities in the mountains of Europe. Samples collected for this study
comprised the entire range of species, with a focus on those in the
Carpathians. The analysis based on AFLP fingerprinting revealed a lack of a
strong phylogeographical structure implying that the different parts of the
present-day range have not been isolated for a long period of time probably
due to the biological characteristics of the species, such as its ability to
disperse over great distances. However, the genetic structure indicates some
phylogeographical trends, which may reflect traces of survival in local
refugia and subsequent diversification into separate lineages during the last
glacial period. Within the Carpathians, the division into the Western and
South-Eastern Carpathian population groups is apparent. This division is
maintained at a larger scale. In particular, the South-Eastern Carpathian
group is similar to the Balkan populations, while the Western Carpathian
populations are closely related to those in the Eastern Alps and Sudetes. The
Scandinavian populations also have a genetic affinity with the latter group
and originated from a source in the Eastern Alps or Western Carpathians,
presumably via a stepping stone in a northern refugium.
PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Čtvrtlíková M., Znachor P., Nedoma J. & Vrba J. (2012):
Effects of temperature on the phenology of germination of Isoëtes echinospora.
– Preslia 84: 141–153.
Isoëtes echinospora, a submerged aquatic quillwort, is native in
northern latitudes and a rare glacial relict in mountain lakes in temperate
Central Europe. A relic population of this quillwort in the Plešné jezero lake
has recovered recently from a 30-year period of failure to reproduce caused by
acidification. Early ontogenetic stages of the quillwort are considered to be
the most vulnerable to environmental changes. Therefore, the objective of this
study was to investigate the phenology of germination of I. echinospora.
In a two-year experiment, we examined the time course of germination of micro-
and macrospores and establishment of sporelings under (i) natural in situ
conditions in the Plešné jezero lake and (ii) at various temperatures
(6–17 °C) in the laboratory. We developed a mathematical model that
describes the temperature-specific temporal changes in the early ontogeny of
I. echinospora. Our experiments clearly show that spores do not germinate
at once but gradually over time if exposed to favourable temperatures. Generally,
percentage germination tended to increase during the course of a season under
most temperature regimes but was inhibited at the lowest temperature. With
increasing temperature, microspores germinated earlier and more successfully
than macrospores, as described by the model. Sporelings also developed faster
at the higher temperature. However, the highest temperature used in the
experiments (17 °C) desynchronized the phenology of germination in
I. echinospora as it resulted in the two types of spore not being
available for fertilization at the same time. Thus, climate change might affect
interactions between temperature and the phenology of quillwort reproduction and
threaten the survival of this species in Central Europe.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 1
Pyšek P., Danihelka J., Sádlo J., Chrtek J. Jr.,
Chytrý M., Jarošík V., Kaplan Z., Krahulec F., Moravcová L., Pergl J.,
Štajerová K. & Tichý L. (2012): Catalogue of alien plants of the Czech Republic
(2nd edition): checklist update, taxonomic diversity and invasion patterns.
– Preslia 84: 155–255.
A complete list of all alien taxa ever recorded in the flora of the Czech
Republic is presented as an update of the original checklist published in
2002. New data accumulated in the last decade are incorporated and the listing
and status of some taxa are reassessed based on improved knowledge. Alien
flora of the Czech Republic consists of 1454 taxa listed with information on
their taxonomic position, life history, geographic origin (or mode of origin,
distinguishing anecophyte and hybrid), invasive status (casual; naturalized
but not invasive; invasive), residence time status (archaeophyte vs neophyte),
mode of introduction into the country (accidental, deliberate), and date of
the first record. Additional information on species performance that was not
part of the previous catalogue, i.e. on the width of species’ habitat
niches, their dominance in invaded communities, and impact, is provided. The
Czech alien flora consists of 350 (24.1%) archaeophytes and 1104 (75.9%)
neophytes. The increase in the total number of taxa compared to the previous
catalogue (1378) is due to addition of 151 taxa and removal of 75 (39
archaeophytes and 36 neophytes), important part of the latter being the
reclassification of 41 taxa as native, mostly based on archaeobotanical
evidence. The additions represent taxa newly recorded since 2002 and reported
in the national literature; taxa resulting from investigation of sources
omitted while preparing the previous catalogue; redetermination of previously
reported taxa; reassessment of some taxa traditionally considered native for
which the evidence suggests the opposite; and inclusion of intraspecific taxa
previously not recognized in the flora. There are 44 taxa on the list that are
reported in the present study for the first time as aliens introduced to the
Czech Republic or escaped from cultivation: Abies concolor, A.
grandis, A. nordmanniana, Avena sterilis subsp.
ludoviciana, A. ×vilis, Berberis julianae, B.
thunbergii, Bidens ferulifolius, Buddleja alternifolia,
Buglossoides incrassata subsp. splitgerberi, Buxus
sempervirens, Corispermum declinatum, Cotoneaster dielsianus,
C. divaricatus, Euphorbia myrsinites, Gleditsia
triacanthos, Helleborus orientalis, Hieracium heldreichii,
Koelreuteria paniculata, Lonicera periclymenum, Lotus
ornithopodioides, Malus baccata, M. pumila, Miscanthus
sacchariflorus, Morus alba, Muscari armeniacum, Paeonia
lactiflora, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Pinguicula crystallina
subsp. hirtiflora, P. grandiflora subsp. rosea,
Podophyllum hexandrum, Pyracantha coccinea, Rhodotypos
scandens, Rumex patientia × R. tianschanicus
‘Uteuša’, Salix cordata, Sarracenia purpurea, Sasa
palmata ‘Nebulosa’, Scolymus maculatus, Spiraea
japonica, Tagetes tenuifolia, Thuja occidentalis,
Trifolium badium, Vaccinium corymbosum and Viburnum
rhytidophyllum. All added and deleted taxa are commented on. Of the total
number of taxa, 985 are classified as casuals, 408 as naturalized but not
invasive, and 61 as invasive. The reduction in the number of invasive taxa
compared to the previous catalogue is due to a more conservative approach
adopted here; only taxa that currently spread are considered invasive. Casual
taxa are strongly overrepresented among neophytes compared to archaeophytes
(76.7% vs 39.4%), while naturalized but non-invasive taxa follow the reversed
pattern (18.8% vs 57.4). However, these two groups do not significantly differ
in the proportion of invasive taxa. Of introduced neophytes, 250 taxa (22.6%)
are considered vanished, i.e. no longer present in the flora, while 23.3%
became naturalized, and 4.5% invasive. In addition to the traditional
classification based on introduction–naturalization–invasion
continuum, taxa were classified into 18 population groups based on their
long-term trends in metapopulation dynamics in the country, current state of
their populations, and link to the propagule pressure from cultivation.
Mapping these population groups onto the unified framework for biological
invasions introduced by Blackburn et al. in 2011 made it possible to quantify
invasion failures, and boom-and-busts, in the Czech alien flora. Depending on
inclusion criteria (whether or not extinct/vanished taxa and hybrids are
considered), alien taxa ever recorded in the Czech Republic contribute
29.7–33.1% to the total country’s plant diversity; taking into
account only naturalized taxa, a permanent element of the country’s flora,
the figure is 14.4–17.5%. Analysis of the dates of the first record,
known for 771 neophytes, indicates that alien taxa in the flora have been
increasing at a steady pace without any distinct deceleration trend; by
extrapolating this data to all 1104 neophytes recorded it is predicted that
the projected number would reach 1264 in 2050. Deliberate introduction was
involved in 747 cases (51.4%), the remaining 48.6% of taxa are assumed to have
arrived by unintentional pathways. Archaeophytes are more abundant in
landscapes, occupy on average a wider range of habitat types than neophytes,
but reach a lower cover in plant communities. The alien flora is further
analysed with respect to representation of genera and families, origin and
life history.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Medvecká J., Kliment J., Májeková J., Halada Ľ.,
Zaliberová M., Gojdičová E., Feráková V. & Jarolímek I. (2012):
Inventory of the alien flora of Slovakia. – Preslia 84: 257–309.
This is the first complete inventory of alien vascular plant taxa for the
Slovak Republic. The presented database contains information on family
affiliation, residence status, invasion status, time of introduction, mode of
introduction, planting purpose, abundance and distribution within
phytogeographic regions, types of invaded habitats and syntaxa, and life forms
and geographical origin of the alien taxa. In total, 21.5% of the total flora
is made of up of alien taxa, comprised of 282 archaeophytes that make up 6.6%
and 634 neophytes 14.9% of the total number of taxa, respectively. The
majority of the alien taxa are casuals (57.6%), 39.1% are naturalized and 3.3%
invasive. Most of them come from Europe (32.8%) and Asia (32.8%), followed by
Africa (12.2%) and North America (10.8%). The database contains members of 98
families of which the Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae,
Poaceae, Amaranthaceae and Rosaceae are the most
represented. Almost 50% of the alien taxa are therophytes. Hemicryptophytes
(26.3%) and phanerophytes (15.6%) are also abundant. More of the alien taxa
were introduced deliberately (49.0%) than unintentionally (43.9%), and the
majority were introduced as ornamental plants (55.9%). Of the total number of
alien taxa, 45.2% are recorded from less than five localities. Most of them
prefer human-made habitats; they are found in 137 phytosociological alliances,
with those richest in alien taxa categorized as synanthropic vegetation.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Merunková K., Preislerová Z. & Chytrý M. (2012):
White Carpathian grasslands: can local ecological factors explain their
extraordinary species richness? – Preslia 84: 311–325.
Semi-dry grasslands in the White Carpathian (Bílé Karpaty) Mountains on
the Czech-Slovak border are famous for their extremely high species richness.
In places they contain more than 130 species of vascular plants per
100m2 and for some plot sizes they hold world
records in the number of vascular plant species, but the reasons for this are poorly
understood. Here we ask whether the high number of species in these grasslands
can be explained by local ecological factors. We compared the White Carpathian
grasslands with similar grasslands in adjacent areas in the west (southern
Moravia) and the east (Inner Western Carpathians), which are on average notably
poorer in species than those in the White Carpathians. In both of these areas,
we sampled grasslands that were among the species richest in the regional
context and had a similar physiognomy, species composition and ecology as
those in the White Carpathians. We found 75 sites with >70 and >25
species of vascular plants per 100 m2 and 1
m2, respectively, in which we recorded species
composition and local environmental conditions, including precipitation, soil
depth, soil pH and nutrient concentrations, above-ground biomass production
and nutrients in plant biomass. Although the White Carpathian grasslands were
considerably richer in species than the richest grasslands in the adjacent
regions, there were no differences in the values of the factors studied that
could provide an unequivocal explanation of their high species richness.
However, the values of the factors studied were within the ranges reported in
the literature as conducive to high species richness in temperate grasslands.
We conclude that the high species richness recorded in the White Carpathian
grasslands cannot be explained by a single factor. It results from a unique
combination of regional factors (long history of these grasslands, large size
of individual grassland areas and their existence in a landscape mosaic with
forests, scrub and small wetlands), local abiotic factors (soil pH, soil
nutrient status, moisture regime and resulting grassland productivity that are
suitable for many species from the regional species pool) and management (low
fertilizer input and mowing once a year in late spring or summer).
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Gioria M., Pyšek P. & Moravcová L. (2012):
Soil seed banks in plant invasions: promoting species invasiveness and long-term
impact on plant community dynamics. – Preslia 84: 327–350.
Invasions by alien plant species significantly affect biodiversity and
ecosystem functioning. Investigations of the soil seed banks of invasive plant
species and changes in the composition and structure of resident seed banks
following plant invasions can provide valuable insight into the long-term
implications of plant invasions. Soil seed banks play a major role as
reservoirs of species and genetic diversity and allow for the persistence of a
species at a locality, buffering environmental changes that may occur over
time. Despite the emerging body of literature on ecological impacts of
invasive plants on the diversity of resident communities, the long-term
implications of impoverished soil seed banks for vegetation dynamics and
ecosystem functioning have only recently begun receiving attention. Evidence
has so far indicated that there is a correlation between the invasiveness of a
species and the characteristics of its seed bank, and that changes in the seed
banks of resident communities associated with plant invasions affect their
biotic resistance to primary and secondary invasions. To promote the study of
soil seed banks in the context of invasive species, we (i) summarize the
functional roles of soil seed banks; (ii) describe how the capacity to form a
seed bank may contribute to a species’ invasiveness using data from the
flora of the Czech Republic, showing an increasing representation of species
capable of forming long-term persistent seed bank from casual to naturalized
to invasion stage; (iii) assess the impact of invasive plants on seed banks of
resident communities, including the potential creation of conditions that
favour secondary invasions by other alien species or native weeds, and
long-term implications of such impact; and (iv) describe the potential effects
of climate change on the soil seed bank in the context of plant invasions. We
conclude with highlighting promising avenues for future research on invaded
soil seed banks, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge in the
development of control programs and restoration strategies.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Dančák M., Duchoslav M. & Trávníček B. (2012):
Taxonomy and cytogeography of the Molinia caerulea complex in central
Europe. – Preslia 84: 351–374.
Perennial grasses belonging to the genus Molinia are widespread in
most of Europe and consist of a polyploid complex of closely related taxa with
a confusing taxonomy. Based on extensive sampling at 241 localities in Europe,
four cytotypes were identified based on chromosome counts and results of flow
cytometry: tetraploids (2n = 36), hexaploids (2n = 54), octoploids (2n = 72)
and dodecaploids (2n = 108). While tetra- and dodecaploids were commonly
recorded, octoploids were less common and only two hexaploid individuals were
identified. Previously reported decaploid counts (2n = 90) from central Europe
are probably erroneous and refer to 2n = 108. The tetraploid cytotype is
distributed throughout Europe and broadly sympatric with other cytotypes.
Octo- and dodecaploids were spatially separated with dodecaploids occurring in
the western, central and south-central part of Europe and octoploids in the
east-central and southeastern part of Europe. All quantitative characters
measured (lengths of lemmas, anthers, caryopses and stomata, lengths of the
longest hair on the callus and diameter of the culm below the panicle) showed
a linear trend across ploidy levels. Tetra-, octo- and dodecaploid cytotypes
formed almost non-overlapping groupings in principal component and
discriminant analyses of morphological characters. The following taxonomic
concept of this complex is proposed: Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench is a
predominantly tetraploid taxon incorporating very rarely reported hexaploid
and perhaps also diploid plants; higher cytotypes (2n = 8x, 12x) are
considered to be M. arundinacea Schrank, consisting of two subspecies:
a dodecaploid subspecies occurring in the southern and western part of central
Europe and the octoploid Molinia arundinacea subsp. freyi Dančák
in east-central and southeastern Europe.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Velebil J. (2012): Sorbus omissa, a new endemic
hybridogenous species from the lower Vltava river valley. – Preslia 84:
375–390.
Sorbus omissa is described as a new hybridogenous triploid
(2n = 3x = 51) species belonging to the Sorbus latifolia group. This
species is considered to be of hybrid origin, with S. danubialis and
S. torminalis being its putative parental species. It is a stenoendemic
whitebeam occurring in central Bohemia (Czech Republic) in the vicinity of the
towns of Roztoky and Libčice nad Vltavou (Praha-západ district) in the valley
of the lower Vltava river, where it grows primarily in oak forests
(Viscario-Quercetum). The only two known populations contain approximately
150 individuals. This species differs from other similar Czech species of the
S. latifolia group in having broadly elliptical to rhomboidal leaves
with very shallowly lobed laminas, predominantly with 9–11 lateral leaf
veins on each side, and is orange to orange-red fruit at maturity. Observation,
morphological comparison and karyological (chromosome counts, DAPI flow
cytometry) methods were used to identify this new species. A
character-comparison table and a determination key including all taxa of the
S. latifolia agg. endemic in the Czech Republic are provided. An
illustration, a photograph and a distribution map of this new species are also
presented.
PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 2
Krahulec F. (2012): History of the studies on the flora
and vegetation in the Czech Republic. – Preslia 84: 397–426.
A brief history of the botanical research on the flora and vegetation in
the Czech Republic is presented. This is done in the context of the progress
in botany in neighbouring countries as well as the development of the society,
especially the establishment of scientific institutions in the different
countries. Important botanists who worked in other countries, but spent part
of their life in what is now the Czech Republic, are also listed.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Chytrý M. (2012): Vegetation of the Czech Republic:
diversity, ecology, history and dynamics. – Preslia 84: 427–504.
This review summarizes basic information on the diversity of vegetation in
the Czech Republic. It describes basic environmenal factors affecting
vegetation, vegetation history since the last glacial, biomes occurring in the
Czech Republic (zonal biomes of broad-leaved deciduous forest and forest-steppe,
and azonal biomes of taiga and tundra), altitudinal zonation of vegetation
and landscapes with an exceptionally high diversity of vegetation types (deep
river valleys in the Bohemian Massif, karst areas, sandstone pseudokarst areas,
solitary volcanic hills, glacial cirques, lowland riverine landscapes and
serpentine areas). Vegetation types, delimited according to the monograph
Vegetation of the Czech Republic, are described with emphasis on their
diversity, ecology, history and dynamics.
Open Access PDF (high resolution) Open Access PDF (medium resolution) Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Kaplan Z. (2012): Flora and phytogeography of the Czech
Republic. – Preslia 84: 505–573.
A review of the flora and phytogeography of the Czech Republic is given.
The diversity of plants in this country reflects its geographic position in
the centre of Europe, local natural conditions and the effect of intense human
activity on the landscape. The Czech flora includes 148 families, 916 genera,
3557 species (plus 194 additional subspecies) and 609 hybrid vascular plants.
Families richest in species are Asteraceae (662 species),
Rosaceae (316), Poaceae (275), Fabaceae (170),
Brassicaceae (148), Cyperaceae (127), Lamiaceae (112),
Caryophyllaceae (108) and Apiaceae (100). Most of these species
are native and 36.0% are alien. The spectrum of life-forms is dominated by
hemicryptophytes (45.7%), followed by therophytes (22.3%), phanerophytes
(14.4%), geophytes (9.3%), chamaephytes (5.1%) and hydrophytes (3.2%), while
the percentage of epiphytes is negligible (only two species). Several species
that occur in the Czech Republic are relicts from glacial and early
postglacial periods. Examples of arctic, boreal, alpine, steppe and other
sorts of relicts are listed. Because of the relatively small size of this
country and the considerable climatic and vegetational changes caused by
glaciations, which repeatedly eliminated the local flora, endemism is
relatively low in the Czech Republic. All endemics are of Quaternary age
(neoendemics). A revised list of endemic species and subspecies includes 74
taxa endemic to the Czech Republic and adjacent border regions, which is 2% of
the total vascular plant diversity. Of these, 48 taxa are strictly Czech
endemics (defined by the borders of the country), the distributions of the
other 26 taxa extend slightly beyond the borders of this country (mostly by
less than 1 km) in the summit areas of the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Mts and/or in
the Králický Sněžník/Śnieżnik Kłódzki Mts. Hieracium and Sorbus
are the genera with the greatest number of endemics (25 and 11 species and
subspecies, respectively). Patterns in the distribution and occurrence of
endemics in different types of habitat are discussed. The greatest
concentration of endemics is in the Krkonoše Mts, where they occur mostly in
subalpine habitats, such as natural grasslands above the timberline, summit
rocks and rocky slopes, and various sites in glacial cirques including
avalanche tracks. Other endemics of subalpine habitats occur in the Králický
Sněžník Mts and Hrubý Jeseník Mts. Endemics at low altitudes mostly occur on
rocky outcrops and in associated open thermophilous forests and grasslands,
less frequently on open sandy areas, in fens and various types of forest. Maps
of the distribution of endemics in the Czech Republic are presented. The
majority of Czech endemics are rare and/or strongly endangered and included on
the Red List of the Czech flora, and seven are extinct or missing. Changes in
understanding of Czech endemics are reviewed and evolution of endemics
discussed. The Czech Republic is situated at the intersection of several
important European migration routes. The Czech flora is composed of almost all
the floristic elements that occur in central Europe of which the
Central-European geoelement is dominant. Other well represented geoelements
include the Central-European-(sub-)alpine, Arctic-alpine, Boreal, Sub-boreal,
Sub-Atlantic, Sub-Mediterranean, Pontic, Sub-pontic and South-Siberian.
Examples of all geoelements are listed. The limits of the distributions of a
number of widespread species are in the Czech Republic. These species are
distinguished as boundary or outlying elements. Examples of species that in
the Czech Republic are at the limits of their distributions, which range in
different directions, are listed. Groups of species with similar ecogeographic
features within the Czech Republic are distinguished as regional types of
distribution (phytochorotypes). 15 basic phytochorotypes are listed, defined
and illustrated using maps. Phytogeographical division of the Czech Republic
is described. Three principal phytogeographical regions are recognized within
the country, which are based on the dominant flora and vegetation that
reflects specific regional topography and climatic conditions. These regions
are further subdivided into phytogeographical provinces, districts and
subdistricts. All of these phytogeographical units (phytochoria) are listed
and their position illustrated on a map.
Open Access PDF (high resolution) Open Access PDF (medium resolution) Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Pyšek P., Chytrý M., Pergl J., Sádlo J. & Wild J.
(2012): Plant invasions in the Czech Republic: current state, introduction
dynamics, invasive species and invaded habitats. – Preslia 84: 575–629.
The Czech Republic has a strong tradition of research on synanthropic and
alien plants, both historically and recently, which results in a good knowledge
of alien flora and invasion patterns. In this paper the current situation of
plant invasions in the country is reviewed from the viewpoint of the
composition of the country’s alien flora (based on a recently published
checklist of alien taxa) and that of the level of habitat invasions, expressed
as the proportion of alien species among all species recorded, and large-scale
patterns of invasions in landscapes. At present there are 1454 alien taxa
recorded in the national flora, consisting of 350 archaeophytes, introduced
since the beginning of Neolithic agriculture until the end of the Medieval
Period, and 1104 neophytes, introduced in the Modern Period. In the last two
centuries there was a steady increase in the number of alien taxa without a
decelerating trend. Arrivals of neophytes from the Mediterranean region and
extra-Mediterranean Europe proceeded at the same speed until ca the 1870s;
thereafter the Mediterranean region started to be the main donor of the
country’s alien flora. Most species native to more distant areas such as
extra-Mediterranean Asia and North America were arriving later. Of the total
number of alien taxa, 985 (67.7%) are classified as casual, 408 (28.1%) as
naturalized but non-invasive, and 61 (4.2%) as invasive. Alien taxa contribute
33.3% to the total plant diversity ever recorded in the country, or 14.6% to
the permanently present flora (excluding extinct natives and including only
naturalized alien taxa). These figures are within the range reported from other
European countries. Currently there are 11 archaeophytes and 50 neophytes with
invasive populations in the Czech Republic. Factsheets of the invasive
neophytes are provided with information on their invasion history, ecology,
habitat affinities and impact, and the map of current distribution. The
highest invasive species densities (illustrated by a map) as well as the
highest levels of invasion in plant communities are found in cities and
villages and their surroundings, floodplains of large rivers, disturbed
regions in the north, and agricultural landscapes and forestry plantations in
warm lowlands, especially in southern Moravia, and central and eastern
Bohemia. The level of invasion in the country decreases with altitude, with
neophytes responding to this factor more strongly than archaeophytes. A new
quantification of the level of invasion for all phytosociological alliances of
the Czech Republic is presented. The habitats and vegetation types harbouring
the highest proportions of alien species in the Czech Republic are generally
either those with a high level of disturbance or with fluctuating input of
resources, especially nutrients, in some cases also water or light. Habitats
with limited fluctuation of resource availability such as dry, wet and saline
grasslands, base-rich fens, and broad-leaved deciduous woodlands appear to be
rather resistant to invasion. Future spread of alien species will mainly
depend on changing land use and climate.
Open Access PDF (high resolution) Open Access PDF (medium resolution) Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Grulich V. (2012): Red List of vascular plants of the
Czech Republic: 3rd edition. – Preslia 84: 631–645.
The knowledge of the flora of the Czech Republic has substantially
improved since the second version of the national Red List was published,
mainly due to large-scale field recording during the last decade and the
resulting large national databases. In this paper, an updated Red List is
presented and compared with the previous editions of 1979 and 2000. The
complete updated Red List consists of 1720 taxa (listed in Electronic Appendix
1), accounting for more then a half (59.2%) of the native flora of the Czech
Republic. Of the Red-Listed taxa, 156 (9.1% of the total number on the list)
are in the A categories, which include taxa that have vanished from the flora
or are not known to occur at present, 471 (27.4%) are classified as critically
threatened, 357 (20.8%) as threatened and 356 (20.7%) as endangered. From 1979
to 2000 to 2012, there has been an increase in the total number of taxa
included in the Red List (from 1190 to 1627 to 1720) and in most categories,
mainly for the following reasons: (i) The continuing human pressure on many
natural and semi-natural habitats is reflected in the increased vulnerability
or level of threat to many vascular plants; some vulnerable species therefore
became endangered, those endangered critically threatened, while species until
recently not classified may be included in the Red List as vulnerable or even
endangered. (ii) Some increase in the number of species in particular
categories can be attributed to the improved knowledge of taxonomically
difficult groups for which previously only incomplete species lists were
available. In addition, some native species were recently discovered as new to
the country’s flora or described as new to science, and the status of their
populations made Red-Listing necessary. (iii) Also improvements in our
knowledge of the flora made the expert judgment more precise and some species
were included in the list because their long-lasting vulnerability was
recognized. In contrast, 23 taxa considered extinct or missing were
rediscovered. This is almost one third of the number of extinct or missing
taxa in the first version of the Red List published in 1979.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Danihelka J., Chrtek J. Jr. & Kaplan Z. (2012):
Checklist of vascular plants of the Czech Republic. – Preslia 84: 647–811.
A checklist of vascular plants of the Czech Republic is provided, based on
the Kubát et al’s Key to the flora of the Czech Republic from 2002 and
volumes 7 and 8 of the Flora of the Czech Republic as taxonomic reference, and
incorporating numerous floristic, taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties.
Native, alien, both naturalized and casual, as well as frequently cultivated
taxa are included. Species, subspecies, nothospecies and nothosubspecies, and
some frequently used variety names are listed. For cultivated plants, the
taxonomic rank of Group is widely applied. For practical purposes, 188 species
aggregates and other informal species groups are defined. References are made
to corresponding taxonyms in the Key or the two Flora volumes when name or
orthography changes occurred. Most important changes in nomenclature, taxonomy,
recently described taxa and additions to the country’s flora are annotated.
The flora of the Czech Republic includes 3557 species (plus 194 additional
subspecies) and 609 (plus 13 additional nothospecies) hybrids. Of these, 2256
species are native, 464 naturalized (228 archaeophytes and 236 neophytes) and
837 casual aliens. Further, 324 cultivated taxa of different ranks are listed.
The list includes categorizations of alien species of Pyšek et al.’s second
edition of the Catalogue of alien plants of the Czech Republic and Red List
categorizations of Grulich’s third edition of the Red List of vascular plants
of the Czech Republic, both published in Preslia in 2012.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Kučera J., Váňa J. & Hradílek Z. (2012): Bryophyte
flora of the Czech Republic: updated checklist and Red List and a brief
analysis. – Preslia 84: 813–850.
The bryoflora of the Czech Republic is analysed using an updated version
of the checklist that includes recent taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. In
addition, the baseline data was completely revised using the IUCN 3.1
criteria. The main list includes 863 species of bryophytes (4 hornworts, 207
liverworts and 652 mosses) with 5 additional subspecies and 23 generally
recognized varieties; 9 additional species are listed as of doubtful taxonomic
status and 17 other species are evaluated as of uncertain occurrence. Of the
892 taxa evaluated, 46% qualified for inclusion in Red List categories (40
taxa in category RE, 70 in CR, 88 in EN, 93 in VU, 66 in LR-nt, 24 in DD-va
and 30 in DD), while 54% are considered Least Concern (LC).We discuss the
taxonomic problems that influenced our decisions when compiling both the
check- and Red Lists, try to identify the alien, invasive and spreading
species of bryophytes, and touch upon several phytogeographic aspects,
including the questions of relictness and bryophyte endemics in the Czech
bryoflora.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Liška J. (2012): Lichen flora of the Czech
Republic. – Preslia 84: 851–862.
This review of the lichen flora of the Czech Republic deals with the
history of the research and highlights the most important summarizing
publications. The diversity of the lichen flora is discussed and compared with
that recorded in neighbouring countries. The main phytogeographic elements are
outlined and illustrated with representative examples. The threat to the
lichen flora in the Czech Republic is discussed in terms of the recently
published Red List (version 1.1) and several endangered ecological groups of
lichens with examples of the most threatened and extinct species are
identified. Changes in the lichen flora along with the main causal factors are
discussed. Air pollution, in particular sulphur dioxide was the most serious
damaging factor in the 20th century. However, there has been a change in the
trend in air pollution over the last two decades, with a decrease in sulphur
and increase in nitrogen emissions, which has resulted in recolonization by
formerly vanishing species of nitrophytic lichens (e.g. Xanthoria
parietina) and decrease in the abundance of the toxitolerant acidophytic
species Lecanora conizaeoides. Ongoing present changes are very dynamic
and not yet fully recognized. Therefore, field surveys are very important and
will result in the recording of further species new to the Czech lichen flora.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 3
Mikulášková E., Fajmonová Z. & Hájek M. (2012):
Invasion of central-European habitats by the moss Campylopus
introflexus. – Preslia 84: 863–886.
Although invasions by vascular plants are frequently studied, little is
known about invasive bryophytes. Campylopus introflexus is an invasive
moss endangering natural vegetation in western Europe and currently extending
its secondary area eastwards. Therefore, we studied its ecology in the Czech
Republic (central Europe). We updated its distribution, described colonized
habitats in term of the composition of the vegetation, investigated substrate
and water demands and which habitats in the Czech Republic are potentially at
risk of invasion by C. introflexus. The first dataset contained 78
vegetation plots with C. introflexus from across the whole of the area
investigated and included all the habitats colonized. The second dataset
contained results of previous studies of the vegetation of pine forests both
with and without C. introflexus and was used to determine the fine
scale features of its habitat preferences within this habitat. Records of the
vegetation plots in both datasets were numerically classified. We further
calculated the similarity of the species composition of vegetation plots with
C. introflexus with that of 26,998 vegetation plots without C.
introflexus that were stored in a large database in order to predict the
habitats that were likely to be colonized. Ecological demands were
characterized by in situ research (soil samples from 52 vegetation plots) and
ecological interpretation of the pine forest dataset. Further, a cultivation
experiment was established with populations from 20 of the sites studied in
order to test the ability of C. introflexus to grow in different soil
and moisture conditions, and the data were evaluated by linear mixed effect
models. We found that C. introflexus invades dry, nutrient poor acidic
soils in a range of vegetation types, and is most common in coniferous forest
plantations and drained bogs, where it colonizes open patches resulting from
anthropogenic disturbance where there is little competition from other plants.
The vegetation plots from the database that were similar in species
composition to those with C. introflexus are mainly forest habitats
broadly distributed in the Czech Republic. Cultivation experiments showed that
this species does badly when growing in lime-rich or waterlogged soils. We
conclude that the species has the potential to be common in central Europe
because of the wide range of habitats with favourable vegetation compositions
and ecological parameters. However, it presently represents no risk for
endangered plant species and communities.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 4
Koutecký P., Tuleu G., Baďurová T., Košnar J.,
Štech M. & Těšitel J. (2012): Distribution of cytotypes and seasonal variation
in the Odontites vernus group in central Europe. – Preslia 84: 887–904.
Based on differences in chromosome number two cytotypes were reported in
the Odontites vernus group in central Europe by earlier studies. These
cytotypes were also considered to correspond to two seasonal ecotypes that
differ in phenology, morphology and ecology. In this study, we conducted a
broad screening of central European populations of the O. vernus group
using flow cytometry and morphological analysis of characters underpinning the
seasonal variation (number of internodes).We confirmed the existence of a
widespread diploid (2n = 2x = 18) with a high but variable number of
internodes and an early-flowering tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40) with a low number
of internodes occurring on fallows or as an agricultural weed. In contrast to
previous studies, we discovered an additional type, which is a distinctly
late-flowering tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40) that has the highest number of
internodes of all the three types. These plants were mostly recorded in
disturbed places in thermophilous steppic grassland and sporadically also in
meadows in moderately warm regions. Thus, the close association between
seasonal and cytotypic variation was rejected in favour of a concept of a
seasonally undifferentiated diploid type, which is an ecological generalist,
and two seasonally and ecologically distinct tetraploid types. The
reproductive isolation may be based mainly on incompatibility between the
ploidy levels (diploid vs. tetraploid plants) and phenological differentiation
in the time of reproduction (early vs. late tetraploids).
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 4
Kúr P., Štech M., Koutecký P. & Trávníček P. (2012):
Morphological and cytological variation in Spergularia echinosperma
and S. rubra, and notes on potential hybridization of these two
species. – Preslia 84: 905–924.
Morphological and cytological variation in Spergularia echinosperma
and S. rubra and the possibility of these two species hybridizing were
investigated. The plant material was collected mainly in the western- and
southern-Bohemian pond basins where S. echinosperma is most abundant.
Using flow cytometry, we found diploid and tetraploid cytotypes among plants
morphologically identified as S. echinosperma and only tetraploid
S. rubra. The two tetraploid cytotypes differed significantly in genome size.
Both the diploid and tetraploid S. echinosperma and S. rubra
also differed morphologically. The most important identification characters
were stipule length together with stipule length/width ratio, seed colour,
seed size and testa verrucosity. Although the morphological data suggest that
tetraploid S. echinosperma may be a hybrid between diploid
S. echinosperma and S. rubra, its genome size was significantly
greater than that of a simulated allotetraploid. Since an increase in genome
size following allopolyploidization is an improbable event, it is possible
that other pathways were involved in the formation of tetraploid
S. echinosperma. The nomenclature of S. echinosperma was also
studied. Lectotypification of the name with a plant morphologically
corresponding to the diploid cytotype is proposed. The morphological analysis
also indicates that the holotype of S. ×kurkae, which was
described as a putative hybrid between S. echinosperma × S. rubra,
corresponds to tetraploid S. echinosperma.
PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 4
Hemrová L. & Münzbergová Z. (2012): Identification of suitable unoccupied habitats: direct versus
an indirect approach. – Preslia 84: 925–937.
Identification of habitats suitable for a species is a key task when
studying landscape dynamics. Direct (cultivation experiments) or indirect
(species distribution models) methods are employed to identify both suitable
but currently unoccupied habitats and habitats that are unsuitable yet
occupied (remnant populations). Although both direct and indirect approaches
have been used increasingly in recent years the predictive power of
cultivation experiments and of models based on different types of data have
not been compared. In the present study, we compare the predictive power of
distribution models for a short-lived herbaceous plant, Jasione
montana. Our models are based on the environmental characteristics of the
habitats, on the species composition of the habitats, or on both of these
types of data. The predictions of the different models were compared (using AUC
values) with the results of our cultivation experiment. We found that the
models based on the species composition of the habitats performed better than
the model based only on environmental characteristics. The models also
differed significantly in the unoccupied habitats they identified as suitable.
The most accurate was the model based on both environmental characteristics
and species composition. This model also significantly explained both the
presence/absence and abundance of J. montana individuals in the
cultivation experiment. Nevertheless, the variation in occurrence of J.
montana in the cultivation experiment explained by this model was below
50%. We therefore assume that the predictions of this model, in spite of the
high AUC values, were inaccurate for at least some habitats. The results of
this study are species and landscape specific, so they cannot be generalized.
Our study, however, demonstrates that assembling data on both environmental
characteristics and species composition of habitats is likely to be useful for
predicting habitat suitability at a landscape scale. This study also
demonstrates that a high AUC value is not a guarantee that a model’s
prediction is reliable because a cultivation experiment may provide different
results. When identifying habitats that are suitable for a species (e.g. for
the purpose of a metapopulation study), the results should be subjected to a
sensitivity analysis.
Open Access PDF Back to Volume 84, Issue 4
Back to the Title page of Preslia
Contents and abstracts