Jałowiec pospolity (Juniperus communis) - uwagi dotyczące stanu obecnego i przyszłości gatunku w Polsce

Juniperus communis is represented in Poland by two subspecies, the typical J. communis subsp. communis and J. communis subsp. alpina. The former taxon is an upright shrub or small tree and occurs in the lowlands, up to the montane vegetation zone in the mountains. The letter is a prostrate shrub that grows in the high mountains, specifically in the subalpine vegetation zone. Juniperus communis subsp. communis was once one of very frequent components of the woody flora in Central Europe. In Poland, it thrived on sandy, nutrient-poor soils, serving as a primary component in plant communities classified under the Koelerio glaucae-Corynephoretea canescentis class. It was also found in pine forests of the Vaccinio-Piceetea and in oak woods, mainly in Potentillo albae-Quercetum. Last decades however, it has become increasingly rare and, in some areas, has disappeared completely. The regression of J. communis subsp. communis is evident not only in its decline on sandy, nutrient-poor soils but also in a significant reduction in occurrence frequency within forest communities across most of the country. Its high frequency is now retained only in northeastern Poland.