Volume 64 (2015): Edizione 3 (December 2015)

The paper reports on a find of the invasive Mediterranean species Dittrichia graveolens on the S1 expressway in S Poland, which is the first record in Poland.

Study of Orthoptera and earwigs was conducted in Tovačov gravel pit in 2014. We have recorded 18 species of Orthoptera and 3 species of earwigs. The most significant recorded species are Cepero’s ground-hopper (Tetrix ceperoi), pygmy mole cricket (Xya variegata), Italian tree cricket (Oecanthus pellucens) and riparian earwig (Labidura riparia). Tovačov gravel pit poses the northernmost locality of T. ceperoi and X. variegata in the Czech Republic and the northernmost known locality in Moravia for O. pellucens. For the L. riparia, we present a founding from Tovačov together with another finding from Olomouc vicinity, which is currently the northernmost locality within Moravia. Our findings display recent spatial expansion of some thermophilous species. Moreover, we emphasize importance of (post)-industrial areas as secondary habitats for specialised endangered species.

The study presents the distribution of the genera Orthotrichum s.l. and Nyholmiella in the phytogeographical district 98. Nízký Jeseník, and follows the project carried out between years 2005 and 2009 in nearby phytogeographical district 97. Hrubý Jeseník. The total number of 57 locations was visited during the year 2015, and 142 samples of mosses were collected. Altogether, 9 species of genus Orthotrichum s.l. and 1 species of the genus Nyholmiella were recently recorded in the studied area. Lists of species and localities are given.

In June 2013, a new locality of nationally vulnerable plant species Pilosella cymosa was discovered in the town of Suwałki, NE Poland (the ATPOL cartogram unit FB08). The plant grows on roadside verge and its population consists of several hundred flowering individuals.

During the years 2004-2008 the distribution of the Common Adder and the Slow Worm were studied in Silesia through questionnaire directed to forest inspectorates (n=871); 83.8% of them responded. These data were tested through field work in several randomly selected inspectorates. Both species were found to be widespread in the region, with a few strongholds identified in Sudety Mts. and larger forest complexes. The Common Adder was recorded in 68.5% of forest districts which responded, while the Slow Worm – in 73.6% of those districts. Changes in distribution and population trends could not be derived, since no reliable data were available from previous years.

The assessment of changes in the population spread of individual ichthyofauna species (lampreys and fishes) as well as the identification of unfavourable impacts is the necessary prerequisite for the correct selection of corrective measures. The river network in the Czech Republic belongs to the three sea-drainage areas (North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea). The species composition of the original ichthyofauna and the extent of the threat to some species differs in the individual sea-drainage areas. The original ichthyofauna in the Czech Republic consists of 4 lamprey species and 55 fish species. Out of this, only one lamprey species and 31 fish species originate in all three sea-drainage areas. There are 37 fish species considered as the original ones in the North Sea drainage area, there of 4 species are EX, 1 species EW, and 11 species (29.7%) are threatened. In the Baltic Sea drainage area, there are 4 species EX, 1 species EW, and 8 species (22.8%) threatened out of the total 35 assessed species. Out of 49 species in the Black Sea drainage area, there are 4 species EX and 23 species (46.9 %) threatened.

The most important reasons considered as the causes of the disappearance or reduction in the presence of some fishes are the water pollution, adjustments to water flow beds, the limitation of floods in alluvial areas, the permanent river basin fragmentation, and the spread of invasive species. Out of these factors, the only positive change has been noticed in the pronounced decrease in water flow pollution after 1990. Angling is also considered as the set of targeted bio manipulation which purposefully and often one-sidedly influences fish populations for the benefit of species being interesting for the angling sport.

The paper reports on a find of the short-lived perennial halophyte Spergularia media on the D1 motorway in NE Moravia, which is the second known record from motorways in the Czech Republic. Possible ways of introduction are shortly discussed.

The paper presents an analysis of mountain species occurrence in the Sopotnia Wielka creek, in the Beskid Żywiecki Mts (Western Carpathians, Poland). The list contains 55 plant species, which represent the whole altitudinal spectrum from piedmont to alpine zones (Viola biflora, Mutellina purpurea). The species inhabit mostly moist and wet communities along creek. They represent mainly the Alpic-Central-European distributional type. Three species are endemics for the Carpathians: Aconitum firmum subsp. firmum, Crocus scepusiensis, Dentaria glandulosa.

Katowice is the largest city within the Upper Silesian Industrial District (S Poland). The investtigation conducted in this town earlier (1998-2000) showed limited number of epiphytic species. Recent study showed significant increase in number of localities of obligate epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota). They colonize mainly the edges of strongly urbanized areas bordering forest complexes and larger parks. This paper is an attempt to answer the question as currently in Katowice shape the main factors determining the occurrence of epiphytes. Crucial factors which govern epiphytes colonization processes in urban areas have been confirmed: bark chemistry (taking into account natural attributes and the influence of pollution) and air humidity. The preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes was confirmed as well. The most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees (which have a higher pH of bark).