Marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus L.) in Lithuania: formation, structure and dynamics of populations

• Main Author: Meškauskaitė, Edita
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: Institutional Repository of Vilnius University 2010
• Subjects: Saxifraga hirculus; populations; multi-annual dynamics; Marsh Saxifrage
• Online Access: http://vu.oai.elaba.lt/documents/1893797.pdf; http://vu.lvb.lt/VU:ELABAETD1893797&prefLang=en_US

Summarized data of investigations of nine Saxifraga hirculus L. populations in Lithuania are presented. The regularities of S. hirculus distribution and ecological affiliation were determined. Demographic structure of populations was studied. S. hirculus populations of Lithuania are characterized by moderate plasticity level of morphological features in generative individuals. The importance of generative and vegetative reproduction of S. hirculus for regeneration of populations was estimated. In natural populations, majority of S. hirculus individuals are of vegetative origin. The main reasons for the rarity of generative individuals are small number of generative shoots, mass damages of the shoots prior to seed formation, and lack of suitable sites for seedling appearance. For the first time in Lithuania research on multi-annual dynamics of S. hirculus, considering changes in population parameters and potential for regeneration under conditions of ecological stress (increased water level), was performed. In addition to traditional ecological research methods, the data of molecular genetic analysis were used for assessment of S. hirculus populations. Results of exhaustive complex research were summarized; the current status of the populations of this endangered species in Lithuania was estimated, and the strategy for its conservation was prepared.