Modelling of the distribution of European mistletoe (Viscum album) with dependence on local factors in the Castle Park in Lednice

Abstract

The European mistletoe (Viscum album) infection intensity and frequency of their host taxa individuals was monitored within the sections of the Castle Park in Lednice during the last four years. The data analysis was carried out only with these infected host taxa which occur in the park the most frequently: Acer campestre, A. platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Crataegus monogyna, C. pedicellata, Juglans nigra, Robinia pseudoacacia, Tilia cordata and T. platyphyllos. For the statistical modelling it was used total 3039 individuals, among them 1424 are already infected by mistletoe (47%). Nine local factors (tree age, development stage, location of individuals, physiological and biomechanical aspect of vitality, tree height, diameter at breast height, crown projection area and crown volume) were examined with dependence on mistletoe infection. Due to our results, all of examined factors have strong impact to the infection in the majority of host taxa; except of vitality, this relationship is directly proportional. No statistical significant impact was observed in case of Crataegus pedicellata. There is a big difference among the hosts, the largest mistletoe amount was observed in case of Juglans nigra. It was also proved that neither host nor mistletoe distribution are spread uniformly.