Population Dynamics of the Endangered, Long-Lived Perennial Species, Ligularia sibirica

作者：Heinken Smidova Anna^*; Muenzbergova Zuzana

来源：Folia Geobotanica, 2012, 47(2): 193-214.

DOI：10.1007/s12224-011-9116-7

• Longevity
• LTRE
• Matrix population model
• Nutrient enrichment
• Population growth rate
• Population size
• Population viability analysis

Ligularia sibirica is a relict wetland perennial plant species of the Czech and Slovak Republic. Explaining variation in population growth rate and identifying the causes of that variation is important for effective protection of such an endangered species. Matrix models based on four years of data of 11 populations were used to identify the pattern of variation in the demographic vital rates of this species, and to examine the causes of the variation such as population size and habitat type. Further, the matrix model was used to determine the population growth rate, longevity and risk of extinction of each population and to identify the specific vital rates that most affect population growth rate. The results showed that population growth rates were significantly different between years and populations. Temporal variation was mostly due to variable survival of adult individuals, while spatial variation was mainly driven by fertility of one small currently expanding population. Further, most studied populations of L. sibirica are performing well and only those growing in nitrogen-rich habitats have a high extinction risk. The results also indicate that all populations have low adult mortality, long-lived individuals (61.3 years on average) and some populations also show features of remnant populations (i.e., the persistence of populations in severe conditions in spite of no reproduction). Our results imply that detailed demographic data are needed to understand the long-term prospects of these populations. These data may serve as an early warning system for this species long before an obvious decline occurs in the populations.

• 出版日期2012-6