Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Bryophyte diversity and phenological aspects in different habitats of arable land

Author(s):

Ilona Jukonienė *, Danguolė Andriuëaitytė, Valerijus Rašomavičius

Recieved Date: 2011-11-18, Accepted Date: 2012-01-03

Abstract:

The present study focuses on the investigations carried out in 1999-2002, i.e. in the period of the most extensive agriculture during the last 50 years in Lithuania and covers main habitats of arable fields (spring crops, winter crops, stubbles and fallows). The habitats were analyzed regarding species richness and proportion of life span groups. Changes in phenological aspects during the season were analyzed in the fields of cereals. A total of 84 bryophyte species were recorded during the study.  Of these, 31 species were recorded in the fields of spring crops, 51 in winter crops, 58 in stubbles and 74 in fallow lands. The diversity of bryophytes increased with the longer time passed after the last ploughing of the land. In the fields of cereals, high number of species was reached already in August. The key habitats for the diversity of arable land specific bryophyte species were stubble fields. They were also optimal for the development of sporophytes. The largest number of species recorded with sporophytes (both immature and mature) was in autumn. In September, October and November it was significantly higher as compared to August. Early ploughing of stubbles suspends further possibility of bryophyte species to spread into other areas with suitable habitats; whereas, abandonment of arable fields leads to changes in the structure of bryoflora towards decrease in specific arable species adapted to regular soil disturbances and increase of perennials. Species of one-year life span were the most abundant in the fields of stubbles, of a few years  in stubbles and fallow lands, while perennials were most recorded in fallow lands. 

Keywords:

Bryophyte, richness, life span, arable land, stubbles, disturbances, phenology, Lithuania

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Category: Environment
Pages: 718-725

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