Publication at Faculty of Science |
2012
Abstract
Ligularia sibirica is a relict wetland perennial plant species of the Czech and Slovak Republic. Explaining variation in population growth rate and identifying the causes of that variation is important for effective protection of such an endangered species.
Matrix models based on four years of data of 11 populations were used to identify the pattern of variation in the demographic vital rates of this species, and to examine the causes of the variation such as population size and habitat type. Our results imply that detailed demographic data are needed to understand the long-term prospects of these populations.
These data may serve as an early warning system for this species long before an obvious decline occurs in the populations.