SOIL MICROMYCETES AND VEGETATION CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH VEGETATIVE COVER DESTRUCTION ON CHOSEN LOCALITIES OF TATRY MOUNTAINS - FIRST APPROACH

Ďugova O., Barančokova M., Krajči J., Barančok P.: Soil micromycetes and vegetation changes associated with vegetative cover destruction on chosen localities of Tatry Mountains - first approach. Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 32, No. 2, p. 158-172, 2013.

Species composition of soil micromycetes and vegetation and its changes associated with vegetative cover destruction were observed in four localities of Tatry Mts. Three research plots with different extent of vegetation destruction on each locality were subjectively chosen: control plots with almost no destruction of vegetation and soil cover (C), partially disturbed plots (B) and plots with high level of soil cover destruction where cover of herb layer was less than 20% (A). Plant species composition of control plots was characterised by the highest level of taxonomical diversity, highest cover of herb and moss layer and represented by alpine herb and grass communities on siliceous bedrock (Juncion trifidi alliance) and alpine and subalpine plant communities on calcareous bedrock (Seslerion tatrae alliance). Devastation of soil and vegetation on B and A plots was performed particularly by decreasing of herb layer cover and changes in species composition: species as Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Calluna vulgaris were absent, whereas Poa alpina, Potentilla aurea, Agrostis rupestris or Avenella flexuosa occurred on devastated plots often. From investigated soils 43 species of soil micromycetes were identified. Control plot of each locality was represented by the highest taxonomical diversity of soil micromycetes. The number of species significantly decreased on plots with successive destruction of vegetation cover (B and A). Several species were identified in just one case (Penicillium digitatum (pers.:Fr.) Sacc., Chrysosporium keratinophilum D.Frey ex J.W. Carmich. etc.). The outcomes showed that soil microorganisms as well as vascular plants react on destruction of soil cover very sensitively.