Disappeared fen-meadows habitat – important local historical biocenter in central part of Bratislava, Slovakia

Abstract

This study focuses on the defunct historical wetland habitat located at the interface of Carpathian and Pannonian phytogeographical regions in what is now central part of Bratislava, Slovakia. S. Lumnitzer in his Flora Posoniensis (1791) reported interest- ing marsh species from the then location „ unter dem Pazenhäusel “, such as Pedicularis palustris , Peucedanum palustre , Eriophorum angustifolium , Dactylorhiza majalis . Using botanical and geological data, historical maps, field survey and radiocarbon dating, we have reconstructed the location, character and initial area of a his- torical wetland, evidenced by abovementioned taxa, but also controlling factors which had determined its existence. Human - dependent fen - meadows habitat, probably with a plant community of Caricetum goodenowii , began to decline upon draining in 1890s and eventually fell victim to urban development. Palaeoecological record from a small forest wetland – remnant of former marsh at the margin of Horský park (= renowned urban forest) – has documented a relatively young age and co - alluvial character of deposits, although the examined 80 cm deep core extends back to the 17 th century. In total 727 plant seeds, belonging to at least 44 plant taxa document succession (macrofossil zones MZ 1 – 3) and environmental changes over