The influence of habitat conditions on abundance and selected individual traits of Arum alpinum Schott & Kotschy in the communities Populetum albae and Tilio cordatae-Carpinetum betuli (Western Carpathians)

Abstract Studies of selected habitat conditions, as well as spatio-temporal variability of the number and selected traits of individuals of the species Arum alpinum Schott & Kotschy were carried out in 2020-2021 in the foothills of the Western Carpathians. The investigations were conducted in permanent patches located in the Golesz nature reserve (Patch I), near the village of Markowce (Patch II), in the Kozigarb nature reserve (Patch III), and near the village of Żółków (Patch IV). Patch I and Patch III were established in a Tilio cordatae-Carpinetum betuli oak-hornbeam forest with undergrowth dominated by low-growth vegetation with narrow leaves, whereas Patch II and Patch IV were established in a Populetum albae riparian forest with undergrowth dominated by broad-leaved species. The most abundant population of Arum alpinum was noted in Patch I, but substantial numbers of both vegetative and reproductive individuals were also present in Patches II and IV. The occurrence of temporal variability of individual traits increased from its lowest level in Patch IV, through Patches I and II, to its highest level in Patch III. The significant positive correlation noted in all populations between length of petioles and blade dimensions, as well as between length of generative stems and infructescence traits confirmed previous findings. The conducted research showed that Arum alpinum is not closely affiliated with a specific forest community. Significant shading and moist nutrient-rich soils are suitable for this species, while dry soils and excessive insolation might limit the flowering and fruiting of individuals.