Ecology and distribution of Pontechium maculatum in Romania

Pontechium maculatum is a western Palearctic forest-steppe element. In this study, the ecological conditions of this species were analysed, along with updating its distribution data in Romania. Distributional data for P. maculatum were taken from herbaria, literature records and field surveys. Following the analysis of the species, a map showing its distribution in Romania was provided. In addition, certain considerations regarding the ecology of the species were presented. Our results indicated the presence of 80 populations of P. maculatum (38%) out of the 210 previously mentioned in the literature, with some new observations. These populations were distributed in the Banat, Bucovina, Cri?ana, Dobrogea, Moldova, Muntenia, Oltenia, and Transylvania regions. The highest density was recorded in Transylvania and the lowest in Cri?ana and Dobrogea. In Romania, the total number of individuals from all the studied sites is approximately 6461. Pontechium maculatum was recorded in moderately acidic to weakly alkaline soils, rich in potassium and phosphorus. Precipitation and annual mean temperature in the studied areas are moderate. Comparing these results with data from the literature, we observed a decline in the number of P. maculatum populations in Romania. The limiting factors affecting the species include sheep and cattle overgrazing, intensive agricultural practices, fires and the succession of forest vegetation over grasslands caused by the abandonment of traditional silvopastoral systems. The long-term viability of the species can be secured through sustainable management of the grasslands where the species is present, primarily by regulated grazing. The study underlines the urgent need for targeted conservation measures to protect the species.