Bryogeographical elements of moss flora in glacial cirques "Śnieżne Kotły" (Karkonosze Mts.) and their threat

Abstract

Based on geographical and ecological analysis of the present moss flora occurring in two contiguous glacial cirques Śnieżne Kotły (Western Karkonosze Mts.), the occurrence of 20 species representing arctic-alpine and subarctic-subalpine elements is discussed.

The majority of (sub)arctic- (sub)alpine elements (70%) occurred sporadically or very rarely (no more than 5 records), which indicates their general threat. Nine historically recorded species of these geographic elements could not be retrieved during the recent survey, however four of the recently found species have not been found during the systematic survey of historical sites on the Czech, southern, side of Karkonosze Mts. This proves that the northern localization of Śnieżne Kotły cirques favours the survival of relict species.

The question of relictness with respect to the Düll's phytogeographical characterization is discussed; only in ten of the (sub)arctic- (sub)alpine species the relict character could be considered as granted due to their present distribution range.

The full list of the Śnieżne Kotły present moss flora with the brief characteristics of their ecological distribution has been included, first such attempt since 1930.