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Floristic and vegetation change on the Sphagnum-dominated mire of Egerbakta
129–138Views:92Since 1988, open stands of Menyanthes trifoliata have disappeared, communities of Carex rostrata have declined, and the Sphagnum-dominated willow carr has expanded. The mire’s central associations include Caricetum rostratae, Salici cinereae–Sphagnetum recurvi sphagnetosum squarrosi, and Calamagrosti–Salicetum cinereae. In the mainly nudum lagg zone, the following communities occur: Bidenti–Polygonetum hydropiperis, Bidenti–Polygonetum hydropiperis urticetosum dioicae, Caricetum acutiformis, Juncetum effusi, Glycerietum maximae, and a community dominated by Poa nemoralis. We recorded 77 vascular plant species, 62 of which were new to the site. Rare species have declined in number: Menyanthes trifoliata and Cicuta virosa are now absent, and of the former eight Sphagnum species, only Sphagnum squarrosum remains. The original Salici cinereae–Sphagnetum recurvi sphagnetosum recurvi subassociation transitioned into Salici cinereae–Sphagnetum recurvi sphagnetosum squarrosi after the mire remained completely dry and peat-moss-free for several years around 2000. Central communities reflect a cool, moderately acidic, oligotrophic environment with low pH and conductivity. In contrast, lagg vegetation indicates warmer, nutrient-rich, less acidic conditions. The mire’s most valuable zone is its central, Sphagnum-rich area, whose preservation depends on a natural water supply maintained by continuous forest cover in the catchment and stable or reduced large game populations.