In the Czech Republic, Phellinus nigrolimitatus mostly occurs in the montane and supramontane, less frequently submontane old-growth forests. However, in the České Švýcarsko (Bohemian Switzerland) National Park (N Bohemia), it grows at altitudes of 180–270 m, namely in the Kamenice river canyon (deep valley in sandstone rocks) and its side gorges. In 2008 the species was observed there at 18 microlocalities distributed over 4 localities, growing on rather thin dead trunks of Picea abies, both naturally fallen and felled, sometimes even machined ones (used for stabilising forest paths). The habitats comprise both near-natural mixed stands and man-influenced to man-made Picea forests, Picea copses and small open places within Picea stands. Consequently, the generally accepted value of P.nigrolimitatus being a bioindicator of natural habitats decreases somewhat. The most important factors enabling the local occurrence of P. nigrolimitatus are the relatively cold and humid microclimate at the bottom of the canyon (climatic inversion) and the continuous Picea occurrence at this site.
Holec J. (2009): Unusual occurrence of Phellinus nigrolimitatus in man-influenced habitats at low altitudes in the České Švýcarsko National Park, Czech Republic. – Czech Mycology 61(1): 13–26.
