Could species translocation be an effective conservation method for Salix lapponum populations in wetlands affected by anthropogenic changes?

Wetlands, and consequently the fauna and flora associated with these habitats, represent some of the most threatened natural ecosystems worldwide. In Poland, a long-term decline in the population size of Salix lapponum , a glacial relict species associated with peatland habitats, has been observed. In response to the limited effectiveness of passive habitat protection and the difficulty of predicting environmental change, active conservation measures are increasingly implemented, including the introduction of species into substitute habitats. In 2023, a translocation experiment involving individuals of S. lapponum was conducted at five alternative sites in eastern Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of active conservation measures in peatland habitats undergoing both natural and anthropogenic transformations. Two years after translocation, the lowest plant survival rate was recorded at the drained peatland site (32.5%), whereas the highest survival was observed at the reference site located on a transitional mire (77.5%). Analysis of plant community composition revealed significant differentiation among sites, correlated with physicochemical water parameters. Habitat characteristics, particularly the stability of hydrological conditions, proved to be a key factor determining the success of Salix lapponum translocation.