Preservation of rare weed species in Poland

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1 Preservation of rare weed species in Poland Denise F. Dostatny National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute Błonie Warszawa Poland

2 Agriculture Polish agriculture is characterized by considerable fragmentation of farms and relative low consumption of industrial means of production. More than a half of the area of Poland is arable land of which almost 80% is cultivated (Central Statistical Office). Therefore, we may assume how important maintenance of diversity is in the case of arable land. Some steps have already been taken in Poland to preserve the still existing segetal flora.

3 Owczary Lubuski Klub Przyrodników Opole Pińczów Nidziańska Basin Conservation of arable plants - projects

4 Research area The implementation of the Niecka Nidziańska a model refuge of agro-biodiversity in the South of Poland. The research was carried out in the South of Poland. This area of Poland has traditionally been used for farming (extensive farmming). The research was conducted on limestone soil, as this soil type is characteristic of the unique weed species of the community Caucalido-Scandicertum, threatened by extinction both in Poland and Europe. Phytosociological records were conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method during the vegetation seasons of and ( ), across an area of 100 m 2.

5 Correlation between number of weed species and coverage of cultivated plants

6 Correlation between number of weed species and coverage of weed species

7 Some species like Apera spicaventi increased its area of occurrence and made use of free niches abandoned by tiny, more sensitive weed species. Such species have also become expansive by forming biotypes that are resistant to herbicides. For this reason some patches are marked by a low number of weeds species with the low coverage of cultivated plant.

8 Factors that influence extinction of weeds: Changes in farming methods Heavy agriculture equipment Methods of purifying the seeding material Excessive use of chemicals Abandoning of cultivation in too steep and too dry fields Abandoning of correct crop rotation New crop plant varieties

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10 Several weed species, whose seeds were acquired on site, have been re-introduced to maintain the weed gene pool. The assumption is to obtain the most diversified mosaic of arable land.

11 Picnic - Exhibition of organic products

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13 I Międzynarodowej Konferencji "CONSERVING ARABLE WEED DIVERSITY- the role of weeds as an ecological resource and indicators of agroecosystem function"

14 It is known that diaspores of different species may exist in resting state in the soil seed bank, but they do not germinate due to adverse external conditions. Most probably, ecological agriculture, which is currently being implemented in the area, contributes to restoration of weed species that are very rare or even considered extinct. When analyzing the results of current research a conclusion may be drawn that after a few years of not using herbicides, balance in the field is regained, different weed species compete with one another, not only with the crop plant.

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16 This research will further aim at creating agro-reserves in Poland Maintenance of possibly full segetal flora and the whole spectrum of the communities The reserves serve as didactic paths: tourist, pupils, students The protection actions to be taken in situ and ex-situ: reserves, collections, botanical gardens, gene banks and in the fields. Is necessary a co-operation of many institutions representing different sectors of economy

17 The next step The National Strategy of Conservation and Moderate Use of Biological Diversity (2003) emphasizes that also pests and weeds should be preserved. The strategy has been prepared upon request of the Polish Ministry of Environment and draw up in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Therefore, the National agrienvironmental Programme in Poland has included the Sixth Package (second stage: ) in its plan.

18 List of available agri-environmental packages ( ) Package 1. Sustainable farming Package 2. Organic farming Package 3: Extensive permanent grassland; Package 4. Protection of endangered bird species and natural habitats outside of Natura 2000 areas Package 5. Protection of endangered bird species and natural habitats in Natura 2000 areas Package 6. Preservation of endangered genetic plant resources in agriculture Package 7. Preservation of endangered animal genetic resources in agriculture Package 8. Protection of soil and water Package 9. Buffer zones

19 Variant 6.3. Seed production at the request of gene bank Implementation of the variant will concern propagation and maintenance of: local crop varieties, landraces endangered crop species; endangered species of plants that accompany them in their natural habitats, in order to preserve their original properties. The sub-option 6.3c provides for preservation of rare flora accompanying cultivations.

20 Requirements of Variant 6.3.: Contract with gene bank for seed propagation (farmer provides seed to the gene bank free of charge) Minimum total area for crops contracted by a gene bank is 0.1 ha and a maximum area is 0.3 ha; The farmer needs to keep crop documentation and make it available to employee of gene bank supervising the crop; Amount of agri-environmental payment 4,700 PLN/ha (1,204 EUR/ha)

21 Complications It is necessary to monitor the status of population of the endangered weed species in collections, agricultural reserves, and on site which consists in establishing a network of trial areas in all these locations and repeating a series of standardised measurements based on the description of the habitat condition as well as performing a standard phytosociological record.

22 Polish agro-environmental programme for the years probably will be different. Buffer zones - which contributes considerably to preservation of the biodiversity of agrocenoses and genetic resources of plants occurring in agricultural ecosystems: field boundaries and edges, with trees, shrubs, melliferous plants area of 25m x min. 50m: crop plant with segetal plants Despite the dynamic development of ecological farming across the country, in some regions these possibilities are not fully used by farmers and agricultural and environmental consultants seem not be interested in the subject.

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32 Consolida regalis S.F. Gray

33 Lathyrus tuberosus L.

34 Melampyrum arvense L.

35 Agrostemma githago L.

36 Ranunculus arvensis L.

37 Stachys annua L.

38 Fumaria officinalis L.

39 Lithospermum arvense L.

40 Melandrium noctiflorum (L.) Fr.

41 Neslia paniculata (L.) Desv.

42 Centaurea cyanus L.

43 Conclusions In order to preserve rare weed species we must maintain the traditional way of using fields, where extensive farming is carried out including crop rotation, planting old varieties and species of crop plants, without any use of chemical pesticides or cleaning seed material. The protection of rare weed species in situ constitutes a huge challenge for us, although it is well worth of effort, because the preservation of these species in the form of living, functioning populations constitutes preservation of a part of nature and culture of Poland.

44 Thank you