Habitat factors influencing the competitive ability of Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth in mountain plant communities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess how the expansion of Calamagrostis epigejos influences the species composition and diversity of forest, clearing, and meadow communities as well as how habitat factors influence biometric variability and features determining the potential of Calamagrostis epigejos for expansion in the studied communities. The study was conducted in the central part of the Sudetes Mountains (SW Poland). Four types of communities with C. epigejos occurrence were chosen: a beech forest (Luzulo luzuloidis-Fagetum), a Norway spruce monoculture, a clearing community belonging to the Epilobietea angustifolii class, and a mesic mountain meadow of the Arrhenatheretalia order. In each of the studied communities, randomized selection of 10 plots (1 × 1 m) was performed. On these plots relevés were sampled, a biometric study was conducted, and soil samples were collected. The research revealed a significant influence of C. epigejos expansion on the species composition, diversity, and productivity in the herb layers of the studied communities. It also indicated a strong positive influence of sunlight availability and studied physicochemical properties of soil on the expansion ability of C. epigejos.