Sphagnum subfulvum
Sphagnum subfulvum Sjörs.
Sphagnaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D2]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial moss forming light rusty brown to greenish brown tufts with characteristic metallic sheen. Shoots erect, to 15 cm long. Uppermost branches situated in flat capitulum, the branches along stem dimorphic forming fascicles of 2 spreading and 2–3 hanging branches appressed to the stem. Stem leaves triangularly lingulate with acute apex, margin flat or slightly enrolled. Branch leaves broadly ovate lanceolate, those of outer capitulum branches with almost straight tips when dry. Bisexual, usually with sporophytes. Spore capsule globular.
Habitats and populations. Grows in weakly minerotrophic mires in subalpine areas. The populations have restricted distribution and good density.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (lower Kremenski lakes), Rila Mts (along Marinkovitsa River).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria), W and C Europe, North America. Subarctic-alpine species.
Threats. Major threat is habitat degradation due to pollution, drainage and climate aridisation, which leads to lowering of air humidity and overgrowing of habitats by competitive species of higher plants. The small number of populations and low reproductive potential make the species vulnerable to stochastic processes.
Conservation measures taken. The populations of the species are within Pirin and Rila National Parks, respectively. The species habitats need protection according to the Bulgarian Biological Diversity Act. All localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria
Conservation measures needed. To study the dynamics of the numerical strength and area of the populations, as well as the biology and ecology of the species in Bulgaria, to elucidate the threatening factors and monitor the populations.
References. Petrov 1962b; Roussakova & Ganeva 2001.
Author: Rayna Natcheva
