Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E001
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, E001 (2025)
Glacial relics in the age of global warming – threats and prospects for conservation
Michał Arciszewski1*, Magdalena Pogorzelec1
1 Department of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Dobrzańskiego 37, 20-262 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: michal.arciszewski@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Plants are exposed to various abiotic stresses, especially under changing climate conditions, which can lead to significant disturbances in their natural physiological processes. The impacts of sudden atmospheric phenomena may also increase the risk of failure in the conservation of relict, rare, and endangered plant species through translocation. Glacial relicts, often occupy narrow ecological niches, making them particularly susceptible to environmental extremes. The aim of this study was to evaluate how extreme ambient temperatures influence the physiological condition and biochemical response of Salix lapponum plantlets used in reintroduction and population reinforcement programs in eastern Poland. The plant material consisted of Salix lapponum plantlets obtained through in vitro propagation and subsequently grown in a phytotron under controlled conditions. The plants, at different stages of development, were subjected to a biological experiment simulating short-term exposure to temperature extremes (0°C and 30°C) for 12 hours. Following the exposure, selected biochemical response markers were analyzed, including photosynthetic pigment and anthocyanin content, guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) presence, and relative water content (RWC). The results indicated that young plants were particularly sensitive to low-temperature stress, while older plants exhibited a stronger physiological response to high temperatures, characterized by increased anthocyanin accumulation and enhanced guaiacol peroxidase activity. Furthermore, short-term exposure to extreme temperatures did not significantly affect photosynthetic pigment content or catalase activity. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing plant acclimatization protocols in the context of active species conservation through translocation.
Keywords: climate changes, Salix lapponum, oxidative stress, translocation
How to cite
M. Arciszewski, M. Pogorzelec, 2025. Glacial relics in the age of global warming – threats and prospects for conservation. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E001