Sphagnum subnitens
Sphagnum subnitens Russow & Warnst.
Sphagnaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D2]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial moss forming reddish green to purple tufts with characteristic metallic sheen. Shoots erect, to 20 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 with enrolled margin in the upper part. Branch leaves narrowly ovate lanceolate, those of outer capitulum branches with curved tips when dry. Bisexual, usually with sporophytes. Spore capsule globular.
Habitats and populations. Grows in slightly minerotrophic mires in subalpine areas. The populations have restricted distribution and good density.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (Banderishki cirque), ca. 2100 m altitude.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula, Europe, Asia, North America, New Zealand. Northern sub-oceanic 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 population in Pirin Mts is within Pirin National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. The species habitats need protection according to the Bulgarian Biological Diversity Act.
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. Šmarda 1970.
Author: Rayna Natcheva
