journal 29.indb
Transkrypt
journal 29.indb
POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY (Pol. J. Ecol.) 60 1 19–30 2012 Regular research paper Anna KOWALSKA Department of Geoecology and Climatology, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation PAS, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland e-mail: [email protected] CHANGES IN THE AREA OF PROTECTED PLANT COMMUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE VISTULA RIVER VALLEY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY ABSTRACT: This research sought to indicate changes in the area of plant communities designated for protection in part of the middle Vistula river valley. The study concerned the 50year period 1949–2001, with the changes registered cartographically. The study area (about 905 km2) is located between the Sanna confluence above Annopol and Góra Kalwaria (from km 295 to km 482 of the river course). The analysis of changes determined the general trends of the natural environment transformation in the second half of 20th century that helped to indicate areas that should be protected additionally. Nineteen types of habitats listed in legal statutes (Habitats Directive etc.) were identified in the chosen part of the valley. Over 50 years, grassland communities have undergone the most significant modifications. Vegetation changes reveal a tendency of a lowering of the water level or a change in the horizontal movement of water as well as of aggradation (increased sediment accumulation) in the river-channel. There are indications that two specific areas should be protected additionally because of the definite presence of valuable natural habitats. KEY WORDS: changes in riverine vegetation, historical analysis, Natura 2000 habitats, digital maps of vegetation, the middle Vistula river valley journal 29.indb 19 1. INTRODUCTION Vegetation is one of the factors determining development of abiotic environments as well as the most sensitive indicator of changes occurring in ecosystems. Apart from natural processes, changes in plant communities are a result of different human activities (Ma tus z k i e w i c z 1974). Changes in type and intensity of land-use contribute to a large extent to habitat modification, plant community fragmentation and changes in landscape structure (I hs e 1995, Powe r and C o op e r 1995, C ous i ns 2001, de Bl ois et al. 2001, Hietel et al. 2004, B e nj ami n et al. 2005). In some cases they cause loss of biodiversity because they lead to spatial reduction or total extinction of rare and valuable natural plant communities with special requirements for methods of management and protection (Bro oks et al. 2002, Po s ch l o d et al. 2005, R o s e n and B a k ke r 2005, Fa l c ucci et al. 2007, Ka li gar i č et al. 2008). The majority of large European river valleys have changed significantly over the last few centuries due to human activities. Regulation of rivers have ensured fast runoff of water, ice and sediments as well as enhanced navigation. Dykes were built to protect settle- 2012-04-10 11:06:12 20 Anna Kowalska ments, infrastructure and other goods from flooding. Most of the remaining floodplain areas have been used for agriculture and at some places sediments mining has been carried out (v an Dijk et al. 1995). The rate of the modifications has been various in different European valleys. Generally, in NW Europe it has been much more rapid than in central and eastern parts, in which human impact has been more progressive through the ages (D e c amps et al. 1988, B or nette and Amoros 1991, D ei l l er et al. 2001, Bu ij s e et al. 2002, G ei l en et al. 2004, Hohens i n ner et al. 2004, S cholten et al. 2005, D e á k 2007). The later situation has been observed among others in the middle Vistula river valley (Wisła środkowa... 1986). However, in comparison to other valleys, introduced changes have not been so destructive in case of the environment and vegetation. A great part of the valley has preserved nearly natural character (Kaj a k 1993, Gack a-Grz es i k i e w i c z 1995) and can serve as a potential reference pattern for restoration of west European river systems (Krogu le c 2001). Concerning vegetation, a large range of plant communities modified to a greater or lesser degree by man is observed (Matuszk ie w i cz and R o o- Z iel ińsk a 2000). Next to almost natural communities (forests, scrub) there are many semi-natural (meadows, pastures, rushes, moors, scrub) as well as synanthropic communities (segetal and ruderal). Special attention should be paid to the communities listed in the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC, 1992) and by Polish law, in the decree of the Minister of the Environment (2005). They are frequently noticed in the valley, which is why a significant part of it is under legal protection. A proper understanding and assessment of the state of present plant communities, as well as predictions of their future changes, demands an intimate knowledge of past conditions and factors which have influenced their transformation (Ki enast 1993, Marc ucci 2000, A l ard et al. 2005). Historical analysis based on cartographical materials and other archive documents enables us to reconstruct past states, which is necessary to make plans for restoration and protection activities (Bürg i 1999, Wolfer t 2001, B apt ist et al. 2004, B e nd er et al. 2005, R omanow sk i et al. 2005, Ant rop 2005, Hohe nsinner et al. 2004, 2008). This research was addressed to the changes in the area of plant communities designated for protection in part of the middle Vistula river valley and to confirm the unique character of the studied river valley, compared to other European rivers. The study concerned the 50-year period 1949–2001, with changes registered cartographically. The study area extends along the valley between Sanna confluence above Annopol and Góra Kalwaria (from 295 km to 482 km of the river course). Warsaw Góra Kalwaria Annopol Fig. 1. The study area as a fragment of Vistula river valley between Góra Kalwaria and Annopol. journal 29.indb 20 2012-04-10 11:06:12 Changes in the area of protected plant communities The analysis of changes determined what the general directions of the natural environmental transformation in the second half of 20th century were, and enables us to indicate areas that should be additionally protected. 2. STUDY AREA The study encompasses an area of about 905 km² in the Vistula river valley, between Sanna confluence above Annopol and Góra Kalwaria (50.85–52.08N; 21.12–22.05E) (Fig. 1). It is located within 2 mesoregions: the Gap Vistula River Valley and the Middle Vistula River Valley (Kond r a ck i 1994). The analysed area consists of floodplains and a part of upper terraces. The river-bed is mostly regulated, but hydro-engineering constructions are unevenly located (Kowa lsk i 1997). There are embankments close to the whole stretch studied. They were mostly built after the Second World War, but local dikes were already heaped in 19th century (Ł aj cza k et al. 2006). The lowest parts of floodplains, mainly between dikes are the habitats of willow and poplar alluvial forests (Salicetum albo-fragilis R. Tx. 1955 and Populetum albae Br.-Bl. 1931). Forests and scrub (partly wicker plantations) dominate there, but a significant part is also used as grasslands – meadows and pastures. A small area is cultivated (quite often orchards and gardens). Floodplains behind embankments (habitats of riparian ash-elm forests Ficario-Ulmetum Knapp 1942 em. J. Mat. 1976) have rather agricultural character. Fields, orchards and meadows predominate. Numerous ox-bows and coppices create valuable, natural landscape elements. Lower parts of upper terraces (habitats of mixed oak-pine forest Querco roborisPinetum (W. Mat. 1981) J. Mat. 1988 and lime-oak-hornbeam forest Tilio-Carpinetum Tracz. 1962), are dominated by agriculture: a part with alluvial soils is occupied by arable lands, while peated depressions (habitats of alder-ash carrs Fraxino-Alnetum W. Mat. 1952 or wet alder forests Ribeso nigri-Alnetum Sol.-Górn. (1975) 1987) by meadows. Higher parts of upper terraces covered mostly with aeolian sands are dominated by forests with a majority of coniferous stands. journal 29.indb 21 21 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS The analysis of vegetation changes during the 50-year period was based on: • historical and present-day maps of vegetation: • a digital map of actual vegetation in the middle Vistula river valley at scale 1:25000, based on materials collected during fieldwork in the 1990s by a team of geobotanists from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences; • an archive, manuscript map of vegetation in the middle Vistula river valley at scale 1:25000, made during fieldwork in 1948–1949;1 • topographical maps at scale 1:25000 and 1:100000 from the 1950s and the 1980s. Cartographical analysis was carried out with ArcView 3.3 software, which proved useful in comparing all periods and indicating changes in nature and distribution of plant communities as well as in presenting these changes in a cartographical form. The maps’ comparison demanded a digital form of the archive maps. Its reconstruction was based on manuscript and topographical maps from the 1950s. Both maps’ legends were standardised. Former names of syntaxonomic units identified in 1949 (Kob e nd z a et al. 1949) were replaced with proper terms (according to current terminology – Matus z k i e w i c z 2001) from the legend of the present vegetation map. Units’ identification and comparison were based on the descriptions of their state and structure, attached to the archive map as well as fieldwork observations. Collected data of vegetation changes made it possible to determine the general directions of the natural environment transformation. 1 Digital map of actual vegetation in the middle Vistula river valley, scale 1:25000, 2005, authors: A. Kozłowska, J.M. Matuszkiewicz (ed.), J. Plit, E. Roo-Zielińska, J. Solon, unpublished. Historical map of vegetation in the middle Vistula river valley, scale 1:25000 – manuscript in the archive of the Geoecology and Climatology Department (IG&SO PAS), sheets: Zawichost-Solec, 1949 W. Sławiński (ed.), Piotrawin-Kazimierz Dolny, 1948 W. Sławiński (ed.), Kazimierz Dolny-Puławy, 1948 W. Sławiński (ed.), Dęblin-Kozienice, 1949 S. Tołpa (ed.), Ryczywół-Góra Kalwaria, 1949 R. Kobendza (ed.). 2012-04-10 11:06:12 22 Anna Kowalska Table 1. Habitats designated for protection, identified in the study area (habitat codes after Herbich (ed.) 2004). No Habitat code Habitat name 1 2330-1 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands (Corynepherion canescentis, Spergulo-vernalis-Corynephoretum) 2 3150-2 Natural eutrophic lakes with Nympheion, Potamion – type vegetation 3 3270-1 Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. and Bidention p.p. vegetation 4 4030-1 European dry heaths (Calluno-Genistion, Calluno-Genistetum) 5 4030-3 European dry heaths (Calluno-Arctostaphylion, Arctostaphylo-Callunetum) 6 6120-1 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands (Koelerion glaucae) 7 6230-4 Species-rich Nardus grasslands (Violion caninae) Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae, Selino-Molinietum) Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae, Junco-Molinietum) Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains (Senecion fluviatilis, Convolvulion sepium) 8 6410-1 9 6410-2 10 6430-3 11 6440-1 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii (Violo-Cnidietum dubii) 12 6510-1 Lowland hay meadows (Arrhenatherion elatioris, Arrhenatheretum elatioris) 13 6510-2 Lowland hay meadows (Arrhenatherion elatioris, Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra community) 14 9170-2 Oak-hornbeam forests (Carpinion, Tilio-Carpinetum) 15 91E0-1 Salix alluvial forests and riverine scrub (Salicion albae, Salicetum albae, Salicetumtriandro-viminalis) 16 91E0-2 Populus alluvial forests (Salicion albae, Populetum albae) 17 91E0-3 18 91F0-1 19 91F0-2 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Ulmion, FraxinoAlnetum) Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior along the great rivers (Alno-Ulmion, Ficario-Ulmetum typicum) Mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior with Chrysosplenium alternifolium (Alno-Ulmion, Ficario-Ulmetum chrysosplenietosum) Nineteen types of habitats listed in abovementioned legal statutes were identified in the chosen part of the middle Vistula river valley (Table 1). However, it should be emphasised that some of them were quite difficult to recognise on the basis of the cartographical materials that were used. This is because, first of all, this concerned lowland hay meadows (Arrhenatherion elatioris – 6510-1, 6510-2) and alluvial meadows (Cinidion dubii – 6440-1). Only extensively-used meadows should be protected. It is not possible to find out whether they are extensively or intensively used on the basis of vegetation maps. Similarly, some doubts may occur concerning habitat types (code 2330-1, 4030-1, 4030-3 6120-1, 6230-4, 6430-3) that comprise only a small journal 29.indb 22 part of complex vegetation units marked on the maps. In some cases, the habitat identification carried out showed only the possibility of its occurrence, not its real presence. 4. RESULTS 4.1. Changes in forest communities A general increase in the forest communities area is noticeable. The increase in the area of forest communities designated for protection (Table 2) has been caused above all by the succession of vegetation. A process of succession is mainly observed in the lower part of floodplain between dikes. Salix alluvial forests and scrub (91E0-1), and Populus alluvial 2012-04-10 11:06:12 23 Changes in the area of protected plant communities forests (91E0-2) accompanied by herb fringe communities (6430-3) has replaced alluvial meadows and pastures, or rushes around overgrown water-bodies and have appeared on new sand bars in the river-bed (Fig. 2). The area of alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa (L.) Geartn. and Fraxinus excelsior L. (91E0-3) has also increased. They have replaced drained wet alder forests (drainage works activated horizontal water movement) or wet meadows. Similarly a slight increase is observed in the area of other forest communities designated for protection (oak-hornbeam forests – 9170-2 and riparian mixed forests – 91F0-1, 91F0-2). However, this change is rather marginal in relation to the potential area of both community types. In all the forest communities mentioned the processes of degeneration are noticeable connected with the invasion of ruderal and alien plant species (e.g. Acer negundo L., Solidago gigantea Aiton, Solidago canadensis L.). Table 2. The area of plant communities designated for protection 1949–2001 (km2). 1949 2001 Scale of changes (Δ km2) Scale of changes (Δ %) 0.84 26.54 25.70 3067 60.52 65.80 5.28 9 Sand grasslands – 2330-1, 6120-1 8.75 3.05 –5.70 –65 Nardus grasslands and heaths – 4030-1, 4030-3, 6230-4 4.71 0.24 –4.47 –95 Molinia meadows – 6410-1, 6410-2 25.10 4.35 –20.75 –83 Lowland hay meadows – 6510-1, 6510-2 38.22 81.79 43.57 114 Alluvial meadows and pastures – 6440-1 3.44 29.95 26.51 770 Chenopodion rubri and Bidention communities – 3270-1 7.60 8.17 0.57 7 134.80 91.20 –43.61 –32 Vegetation type and code (see Table 1) Deciduous forests (alder-ash carrs, riparian ash-elm forests, oak-hornbeam forests) – 9170-2, 91E0-3, 91F0-1, 91F0-2 Willow-poplar alluvial forests and willow scrub – 91E0-1, 91E0-2, 6430-3 Water bodies and macrophyte communities – 3150-2 Fig. 2. Changes in forest and scrub communities (the middle part of the study area – 905 km2) 1 – no change (39.69 km2); 2 – increase in area/or regeneration (50.18 km2); 3 – decrease in area/or degeneration (29.52 km2); 4 – waters; 5 – borders of the study area. journal 29.indb 23 2012-04-10 11:06:12 24 Anna Kowalska 4.2. Changes in grassland communities The area of grassland communities has increased in the study period. New grasslands have appeared between embankments as a result of the alluvial forests and scrub elimination, or replaced fields and various forests communities in other parts of the study area (Fig. 3). Most of them have anthropogenic origins (sowing, fertilisation); only a part has a natural character and has developed spontaneously as a result of secondary succession. There is a significant increase in the area of lowland hay meadows and alluvial meadows and pastures. Unfortunately, the majority of them are not extensively used communities designated for protection. A reduction in the area of grassland communities is rather rare, and concerns Corynephorus canescens (L.) P. Beauv. and Agrostis capillaries L. grasslands (2330-1) as well as xeric sand calcareous grasslands (6120-1). The decrease in the area of these habitats has been caused by reductions in grazing and by forest or ruderal vegetation succession. There are very significant changes in the nature of grassland communities. The biggest transformation has taken place in case of Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench meadows (6410-1, 6410-2). About 4/5 of their area has diminished over the 50-year period. Most of them, as a result of intensive cultivation (fertilisation, sowing of fodder grass, more frequent mowing) have changed into other grassland communities (e.g. Arrhenatheretum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex J. Presl et C. Presl meadows, Caltha palustris L. meadows, Cynosurus cristatus L. pastures). The rest has been abandoned and overgrown with rushes, scrub and trees, or after drainage, changed into fields. Molinia caerulea meadows are often found together with Nardus stricta L. grasslands (6230-4). Reduction of grazing and groundwater level lowering has caused a large decrease in the area of these communities. Abandoned pastures have changed into scrub and forest communities. 4.3. Changes in freshwater habitats Another habitat area which has been greatly reduced is that of natural eutrophic lakes with Nympheion, Potamion (3150-2). Disappearance of these habitats has been caused by the cutting off of ox-bows from flooding (through the construction of dikes), as a consequence of which they have dried up and overgrown with vegetation (Fig. 4). This has been additionally accelerated by eutrophication processes caused by fertilisers flows. By contrast, the area of Chenopodion rubri and Bidention habitats (3270-1) has slightly increased, encouraged by aggradation (increased sediment accumulation) in the river-bed caused by intensified sedimentation in littoral zones of unregulated river reaches, or rarely, of the regulated stretches (between hydro-engineering constructions or within a regulation route during lower stages). Fig. 3. Changes in grassland communities (the middle part of the study area – 905 km2) 1 – no change (43.94 km2); 2 – increase in area (70.25 km2); 3 – decrease in area (35.78 km2); 4 – waters; 5 – borders of the study area. journal 29.indb 24 2012-04-10 11:06:12 Changes in the area of protected plant communities 25 Fig. 4. Changes in freshwater habitats (the middle part of the study area – 905 km2) 1 – no change (91.35 km2); 2 – increase in area (11.77 km2); 3 – decrease in area (39.67 km2); 4 – borders of the study area. 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Over a period of 50 years grassland communities have undergone the most significant modifications caused by changes in the management of agricultural land-use. On the one hand, an intensification of meadow and pasture use has led to the decline or even disappearance of extensively-used meadows, and on the other, many abandoned grasslands have been overgrown by shrubs and trees (see Woz n i a k et al. 2009). Similar processes have been observed also in other parts of Poland by Herbich (1994) and Kucharsk i (1999, 2000). It is also worth emphasising that both, the intensification of land-use as well as the abandonment of meadows and pastures have been influenced by economical considerations and have been connected with habitat fertility. Analogous changes have been noticed in many other European countries (Gre v i l liot and Mu l l e r 2002, Ho dgs on et al. 2005a, b, Pe co et al. 2005, D e á k 2007, Prach 2007). The results of riverine vegetation analysis allow to indicate the general directions of the environmental changes. An evolution from communities with a high (or fluctuating) water level, often with stagnant water, to those characteristic of less moist habitats or of those with running water shows that the tendency of water-level lowering or a change journal 29.indb 25 in the horizontal movement of water. This type of change, observed in many other sites, has mostly been brought about by agricultural drainage (Herbi ch 1994, Kucharsk i 1999, 2000, Pl it 2000, Gro otj ans et al. 2005). Other important process observed in the valley is the aggradation (increased sediment accumulation) in the river-channel entailing an increase in Chenopodion rubri and Bidention habitats as well as willow-poplar alluvial forests (despite a partial river-channel regulation – Ł aj cza k 1989, 1999, Warowna 2003). Conversely, in a majority of European rivers, channel incision prevailed, which led to a sharp increase of riparian wood dieback (Hupp 1992, Nai man and D é c amp s 1997, Ste i ge r et al. 1998, 2005). Moreover, the overgrowth of water bodies (mainly oxbow lakes – Fa li ńsk i 2002) is noticed that resulted from river damming (L e yer 2006). The dykes also affected several grassland and forest communities but their impact was smaller in relation to other river systems in Europe (Tre molières et al. 1998, D e i l le r et al. 2001, G e rgel et al. 2002, L e ye r 2004, 2005, Gl aes er and Wu lf 2009). Overall, a part of observed vegetation changes resembles rather natural processes, characteristic of unmodified river systems (Ward et al. 2001, G e erling et al. 2006). However, there is a general increase in synanthropisation of the landscape due 2012-04-10 11:06:12 Anna Kowalska 26 mainly to land-cover changes, but also to a modification of plant communities that have not changed their overall character but indeed changed in regard to both structure and biodiversity. All the above considers the evolution of meadows into other grassland types subject to more intensive use or processes of degeneration of floodplain forests, susceptible to the colonization by alien species (see R oh d e et al. 2005, D e á k 2007). The vegetation analyses reveal significant changes in distribution and character of protected plant communities. Nevertheless, their general acreage has increased. Altogether, the actual biodiversity values of the Vistula river valley are still high compared to most lowland rivers in Western Europe (Wozni a k et al. 2009). Natura2000 habitats have a special place in the biodiversity preservation, that is why they should be properly protected. The results of the historical analysis should encourage the process of putting under protection Molinia meadows and Nardus grasslands, common in the past but very rare at present (Tu m i d aj ow i c z and Zub el 1978, Kucharsk i 1999). These habitats form a sequence together with lowland hay meadows and alluvial alder-ash forests northwest of Dęblin. Special attention should be paid to the lower part of the floodplain (between dikes) along the whole stretch studied. Habitats designated for protection occupy most of this area. Both areas should be included in the Natura 2000 network as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). So far, the lower floodplain between dikes is protected only in the Gap Vistula River Valley, the south part of the study area (PLH 060045 the Gap Vistula River Valley in Małopolska), while a small part of the meadows in the vicinity of Dęblin (in the middle part of the study area) is going to be protected within SAC Podebłocie (PLH 14_13 – http://natura2000.mos.gov.pl/ natura2000/pl/). Creation of these sites would facilitate implementation of the proper methods of management and protection, suitable for a given habitat (Herbich (ed.) 2004). 6. REFERENCES A l ard D. , C h abrer i e O. , D utoit T. , R o che P., L ang lois E. 2005 – Patterns of secondary succession in calcareous grasslands: can journal 29.indb 26 we distinguish the influence of former land uses from present vegetation data? – Basic Appl. Ecol. 6: 161–173. Ant rop M. 2005 – Why landscapes of the past are important for the future – Landscape Urban Plan. 70: 21–34. 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