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Abstract Detail

Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Mezaka, Anna [1], Priede, Agnese [1], Dobkevica, Linda [1].

Vegetation response to physical and chemical environmental variables in raised bog ecosystems: case study from Latvia.

Peatlands in Latvia started to develop around 10000 years ago and cover around 4.9 % of the territory of the country. However, a relatively small proportion of them are still in natural or near-natural status, while most of them are less or more affected by drainage, peat extraction and other human-caused impacts. Numerous raised bogs in Latvia are included in nature conservation areas, however, many of them do not have any protection regime. The present study is focused on vegetation (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens) characteristics in relation to physical (e.g. moisture, microtopography) and chemical (e.g. pH, conductivity, metals) environmental variables in raised bogs. In total 16 raised bogs with 480 1× 1 m sample plots were studied. Vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens were analyzed separately by applying Generalized Linear Model, showing also differences in the responses of the studied environmental variables. Species occurrence was related mainly to chemical variables (pH, metals), while species cover showed relation to physical variables (moisture, microtopography). The results of the present study showed the importance of different relations among different groups of organisms and natural environmental variations.

1 - Agency of University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera street 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia

Keywords:
raised bogs
bryophytes
lichens
vascular plants
physical variables
chemical variables.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 70
Location: Salon 10/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: 70001
Abstract ID:1018
Candidate for Awards:None