This issue contains the following five articles:
The life history of Carex cespitosa: consequences for population dynamics and vegetation succession I. Tussock development in C. cespitosa:
The development of the Carex cespitosa L. tussock is itself a demographic process, because the number of shoots increases and decreases with time as ageing and dying take place. This is an important factor affecting population and community development, as well as some ecological processes, for example succession. Thus, investigation of the ontogenesis of the species and its relation to succession in abandoned meadows is very important.
The life history of Carex cespitosa: consequences for population dynamics and vegetation succession II. Population structure of C. cespitosa during the course of succession:
Subpopulations of Carex cespitosa L. growing in various conditions differed in their spatial organization, size and age structure. Values of the features analysed, considered as indicators of the vitality of a population, suggest that the meadow subpopulation was best equipped for survival. It had the highest plant density, near optimum age structure and the highest reproductive potential, which was capable of being realized, compared with the other subpopulation. The willow subpopulation differed critically while the other two occupied intermediate position. Some features favoured the survival of the sedge subpopulation and others the Filipendula subpopulation.
The life history of Carex cespitosa: consequences for population dynamics and vegetation succession III. Reproduction of the C. cespitosa population:
Differences in the reproductive potential of Carex cespitosa L. should be attributed primarily to the presence of other plant species, as other factors influencing the number of propagules (for example shading) are closely connected with it. The highest values of the reproductive parameters were recorded in the meadow subpopulation of C. cespitosa. The greatest number of flowering and fruiting individuals, flowering and fruiting shoots and seedlings occurred in the meadow subpopulation, and least in the willow subpopulation.
The life history of Carex cespitosa: consequences for population dynamics and vegetation succession IV. Population dynamics of C. cespitosa in the process of succession:
Populations of Carex cespitosa L. were present in every stage of succession which occurred in the abandoned meadows, but their incidence in the changing communities did not remain constant. During succession, changes occurred in the frequency, density and size of the population and the manner in which it occupied the area. Other features changed too such as the size structure, biomass produced and number of fertile shoots.
The life history of Carex cespitosa: consequences for population dynamics and vegetation succession V. The life history and role of a C. cespitosa population in the process of succession on abandoned meadows – general discussion:
Carex cespitosa population growing under different conditions display differences in structure, which involve almost all their characteristic features. Because of different properties of populations growing in different situations, their role in succession varies. The colonisation success and role of C. cespitosa population in succession is attributable to its life strategy: type of growth, manner of growth, the strong vitality of rhizomes and roots, high individual reproductivity.