Assessing the future of Pulsatilla grandis in the Czech Republic: long-term population trends, site conditions and management

Pulsatilla grandis is a symbolic species of dry grassland ecosystems and indicates the importance of diverse management strategies for its conservation and protection of the associated biodiversity. Despite being classified as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, there has been a significant decline in its native dry grassland habitats due to habitat degradation, abandonment and eutrophication. This study investigates the population dynamics and conservation status of this threatened vascular plant, focusing on data for flowering individuals, threats and site characteristics collected over 19 years from 420 Czech populations. Employing two imputation models to address missing data, this study reveals a considerable decrease in flowering plants, with 17–20% of populations experiencing complete loss of flowering individuals within the period monitored. The total loss of flowering individuals in the Czech Republic is estimated to be between 23 and 46%. Although management efforts have doubled, factors limiting species survival, like litter accumulation and dispersal and spread of invasive species, continues to have a serious effect on habitat quality. This study underscores the need for ongoing and increasing efforts in conservation and habitat management in order to prevent further decline of this and other related dry grassland species in the Czech flora.