Vegetation affinity of species Typha shuttleworthiiin the western part of the Carpathians, with Typhetum shuttleworthii as a new association to Slovakia

Abstract

Typha shuttleworthii (Shuttleworth’s bulrush) is a rare species throughout its distribution range including Carpathians. However, a substantial increase in its finds has been noticed in the last twenty years. This study summarises the present knowledge and brings new data on vegetation with T. shuttleworthii occurrence from the western part of the Carpathians (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine) with the aims of evaluating the phytosociological affinity of this species and providing new information about the ecology of the relevant plant communities. We found that T. shuttleworthii mainly occurred in marsh vegetation (the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class) including the Typhetum shuttleworthii association. Some plots also corresponded to transitional stands between marshes and wet meadows of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class (Molinietalia caeruleae order). Moisture and soil reaction were identified as principal factors responsible for variation in species composition of the vegetation. Typhetum shuttleworthii was recognised as new for the territory of Slovakia and confirmed in all other countries, Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine. Our results could contribute to better preservation of the species and its habitats and thus be very important for practical nature conservation.