Anatomical and morphological variability of needles of Pinus mugo Turra on different substrata in the Tatra Mountains

Abstract: Pinus mugo is an extremely tolerant species in relation to habitat and has a great ability to adapt to various environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the level of morphological and anatomical variation of needles of P. mugo growing on different substrata (limestone, granite and peat bog). The material was collected in the Tatra Mts. from three natural populations: G‡adkie Up‡aziaæskie slope, G„sienicowa Valley (E slope near Czarny Staw G„sienicowy) and Polana Waksmundzka peat bog. Thirteen quantitative traits were examined. The results indicate that the populations significantly differed from each other, while variation within populations was low and on a similar level, irrespective of the kind of habitat. Key words: Pinus mugo, dwarf mountain pine, variation, biometry, quantitative trait