Flowering of eastern pasqueflower was very successful

Flowering of eastern pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens ssp. patens) was abundant and continued long, tells PhD Heli Jutila, who has long studied the populations of pasqueflower. Also hybrids (P. patens x vernalis) and spring pasqueflowers (Pulsatilla vernalis) flowered well. For example in Janakkala Tunturivuori population 59 individuals and 339 flowers were counted.

Perennial eastern pasqueflower is wholly dependent on seed production in its reproduction.

In Ahvenisto, where only one flowering eastern pasqueflower was detected in 2016, in spring 2017 there were 18 flowering individuals ja in them 44 flowers. In Hauho Ruskeanmullanharju 149 individuals and 207 flowers were counted. In the protection area of Hevospierettämä there were 17 eastern pasqueflower individuals (27 flowers), 61 hybrid individuals (295 flowers) and 30 spring pasqueflower individuals (25 flowers).

In 2017 was started a detailed study on the numbers of individuals, flowering and environmental factors in co-operation with Jutila and Lammin biological station. To improve the follow-up of eastern pasqueflower individuals they have been marked with numbers in study populations, which are e.g. Hevospierttämä, Ruskeanmullanharju and Tunturivuori. The numbers are important for the study and we hope that they are left undisturbed. In the future years we can more accurately tell, how the situation of one individuals develops during years.

Dutch Katinka Vlon from Vrije University Amsterdam is preparing during year 2017 her Batchelor?s Thesis on the fitness of eastern pasqueflower and hybrid and the influencing factors. In her study a set of individuals has been selected in height pasqueflower and hybrid populations.

Part of the research is to study environmental factors in the pasqueflower populations. Amount of light is essential factor for the occurrence and flowering of the species. Thus, it has been measured with sessile sensors put in the field, with mobile sensors and by photographing canopy density with a fish eye lens and further processing this information. Necessary permits have been acquired for the studies.

All the known eastern pasqueflower populations exist in Kanta-Häme, and biggest part of the populations are in nature conservation areas. For pasqueflowers to survive it is essential that the forest does not close up too much. That is why pasqueflower areas have been managed. At the moment Paahde-Life project by the Forest Service has opened the soil surface and planted eastern pasqueflowers. For example in Ahvenisto the seedlings have survived well and grown quite a bit.

Perennial eastern pasqueflower is wholly dependent on seed production in its reproduction. It needs bare mineral soil seed to germinate and light, which the forest fires used to create and competition-free growth environment for the seedlings. To help eastern pasqueflower trees have been spaced out and soil has been opened. Prescribed burning can also be used near the populations. In Ruskeanmullanharju ash has been spread on the base of some eastern pasqueflowers.

Eastern pasqueflower has been protected as species according to the nature conservation act since year 1952. It is classified are endangered and specially protected species. It is forbidden to weaken and destroy the establishment sites of this species. The eastern pasqueflower is protected also by the European Union nature directive?s (92/43/ETY) appendix II and IV and the Bern commitment.