Reintroduction of Dracocephalum ruychiana L. at Lielie Kangari esker | Ruiša pūķgalves Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. reintrodukcija Lielajos Kangaros

anglais. At the beginning of the 21st century, only two localities of Dracocephalum ruychiana L., a rare, protected species in Latvia, had survived at the western edge of its range in this country: in Ogres Zilie kalni and Silciems. The species had disappeared in the third locality close to its range border, in Lielie Kangari esker. Therefore, in 2007 we decided to set up experimental plantings of Dracocephalum ruychiana on the Lielie Kangari esker. In case of successful reintroduction, this would help to preserve the species at the western range border in Latvia. Prior to reintroduction, the plant species composition was recorded in two experimental plots on the south-facing slopes in Lielie Kangari (130 m2 (Vāverkrogs) and 50 m2 (Ķoderi)). In the first year, in Vāverkrogs 43 plant species and in Ķoderi 22 species were recorded. The vegetation represents a typical composition of xerophytic pine forests. Soil samples were taken and analysed. Seeds and shoots of Dracocephalum ruychiana were collected in 2006 in Ogres Zilie Kalni locality and reproduced at National Botanic Garden in vitro. Next year, in 2007, the plants were reintroduced in both experimental plots, later the plantings were supplemented with extra individuals. The success was monitored. The results show varying survival success (83% (Vāverkrogs) and 36% (Ķoderi) out of those planted in 2007). The average number of shoots per plant in Vāverkrogs was significantly larger than that in Ķoderi. Plants with the highest number of shoots and the number of flowering shoots grew in better lighted places. The survival and growth of plants in Vāverkrogs, the most suitable site, was stable over the 10-year period. Plant extinction was caused by competition by other plants and other unfavourable conditions.

letton. Aizsargājamā augu suga Ruiša pūķgalve Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. Lielajos Kangaros jau ilgāku laiku netika atrasta, tādējādi Latvijas rietumu daļā bija palikušas tikai divas šīs sugas atradnes – Ogres Zilajos kalnos un Silciemā. Tāpēc nolēmām Lielajos Kangaros izveidot eksperimentālus reintrodukcijas stādījumus. Izvēlētas divas Ruiša pūķgalvei iespējami piemērotas augtenes Lielo Kangaru osa dienvidu nogāzē, kas šajā rakstā dēvētas par Vāverkroga un Ķoderu augtenēm. Tās ir ar bagātīgu augu sastāvu – attiecīgi 43 un 22 sugas, tajā skaitā kserofītiem priežu mežiem raksturīgās sugas. In vitro pavairoto Ruiša pūķgalves stādu izcelsmes vieta ir Ogres Zilie kalni. Kopš pirmo stādījumu veikšanas pagājuši desmit gadi. Vāverkroga augtenē izdzīvojuši 83%, bet Ķoderu augtenē – 36% iestādīto augu. Vidējais dzinumu skaits vienam augam Vāverkroga augtenē bija ievērojami lielāks nekā Ķoderu augtenē. Labāk apgaismotās vietās augiem bija vairāk dzinumu un attiecīgi lielāks ziedošo dzinumu skaits. Iestādīto augu iznīkšana saistīta ar citu sugu augu konkurenci, kā arī augšanai citādi nepiemērotiem apstākļiem.