In recent days, the employees of the Veľká Fatra National Park Administration have been carrying out further practical management. They removed the gradual, spontaneous succession, which annually threatens the subject of protection of the Rakšianske peat bog nature reserve itself.
The reserve consists of a peat bog on the alluvial alluvial alluvial deposits of the Rakša and Hrádka streams. It is permanently flooded by surface and groundwater, which lingers in terrain depressions. The area is a former pasture where rare moisture-loving communities are developed with a very rich occurrence of the small carnivorous plant Drosera anglica, which is the main subject of protection and in Slovakia we can see it only at the last few sites in the Turčianska basin, in the Malá Fatra and in Orava.
Other interesting species include Primula farinosa, Menyanthes trifoliata, the fresh-green leaf rosettes of the carnivorous penguin (Pinguicula vulgaris), the Orchidaceae family is represented here by Epipactis palustris, the white-flowered marsh (Parnassia palustris) shines with beautiful white flowers, and Eriophorum angustifolium (Eriophorum angustifolium) is equally striking.
At present, the site is most threatened by overgrowth with common reeds (Phragmites australis), the peripheral parts are threatened by overgrowth with shrub willows: ash willow (Salix cinerea), purple willow (Salix purpurea), alder (Frangula alnus), sticky alder (Alnus glutinosa) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
In such stands, competitively weak species of peatlands quickly disappear, so management is regularly carried out at the site – removal of tree growth and mowing of reed stands, during which a substantial part of the biomass is removed, which ensures both the illumination of the site and also prevents eutrophication, which would occur if the biomass is left freely on the area and subsequent rotting.
These measures are necessary if we want to preserve this unique site for future generations.
An interesting fact was this year’s numerous finds of the green praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) directly on the peat bog itself.
The green praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) is the only representative of its family living in Slovakia. 10-15 years ago, it would have been difficult to find it in Turiec. Due to global warming, this species has been moving significantly north in recent years. It is no longer a rarity in the Turiec basin at present. It inhabits mainly the basin, warm sunny grasslands and shrubs. But we can also find it in places where we would not expect it. For example, at Martinské hole (1,250 m above sea level) or at Pekárová (1,066.7 m above sea level). These findings were probably caused by flying and carrying by warm updrafts, which carried praying mantises above 1000 m above sea level. Praying mantises produce different color forms from green to completely brown, or yellow depending on where the larva is molting. If it sheds on a dry brown leaf, it simply turns brown to blend in with the environment as best as possible.
An interesting fact was this year’s numerous finds of the green praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) directly on the peat bog itself.
The green praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) is the only representative of its family living in Slovakia. 10-15 years ago, it would have been difficult to find it in Turiec. Due to global warming, this species has been moving significantly north in recent years. It is no longer a rarity in the Turiec basin at present. It inhabits mainly the basin, warm sunny grasslands and shrubs. But we can also find it in places where we would not expect it. For example, at Martinské hole (1,250 m above sea level) or at Pekárová (1,066.7 m above sea level). These findings were probably caused by flying and carrying by warm updrafts, which carried praying mantises above 1000 m above sea level. Praying mantises produce different color forms from green to completely brown, or yellow depending on where the larva is molting. If it sheds on a dry brown leaf, it simply turns brown to blend in with the environment as best as possible.
Three-leaved Wagtail (Menyanthes trifoliata)
English sundew (Drosera anglica) in the spring aspect.
Marsh knotweed (Epipactis palustris) in the spring aspect.
Text and photos: Ing. Juraj Žiak
