Search Results (137)

Post-fire rehabilitation structures are widely used in Mediterranean burned landscapes to reduce runoff and sediment transfer, yet their ecological associations with early vegetation recovery remain insufficiently documented. This observational study assessed vascular plant composition, species richness, vegetation cover, plant density, aboveground biomass, and soil properties across log barriers, wattles, and log dams in the burned landscape of Ancient Olympia, western Greece. The study area belongs to the humid climatic class of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aridity framework based on the Thornthwaite aridity index, providing a comparatively wetter Mediterranean post-fire context. Paired depositional and eroded microsites in operationally restored post-fire areas were monitored in 2022 and 2023. The sampling design comprised nine plots and 18 microsites (n = 9 plots, 18 microsites). Generalized estimating equations (GEE), change-score models, principal component analysis (PCA) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were performed to examine associations of monitoring year, microsite condition and rehabilitation structure type with soil and vegetation patterns. A total of 27 vascular plant species belonging to 16 families were recorded. The average vegetation cover increased from 39.17 ± 21.44% in 2022 to 75.11 ± 12.90% in 2023. Model-based marginal estimates with 95% confidence intervals indicated a large positive increase in vegetation cover over this period. Further, rapid early recovery was indicated by large increases in species richness, plant density and biomass. Depositional microsites were associated with stronger recovery signals than eroded ones, characterized by a larger increase in vegetation cover, density, biomass and species richness. Among rehabilitation structures, log dams showed the highest cumulative floristic richness and a broader observed floristic spectrum, although the species-level contingency analysis provided only marginal evidence for structure-associated differences in floristic composition. Changes in selected soil properties including total nitrogen (total N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K), were detected between 2022 and 2023; the multivariate soil pattern was driven primarily by mineral nitrogen, pH, and EC. These findings suggest that, under operational post-fire restoration conditions, rehabilitation structures are associated not only with erosion-control functions but also with microsite differentiation that may shape early plant establishment and biodiversity recovery in Mediterranean burned landscapes. Full article

The accelerating pace of urbanization, both locally and regionally, is undoubtedly one of the main drivers impacting the structure and diversity of vegetation cover. However, the relationship between the diversity and distribution of plant communities and the degree of urbanization remains a topic requiring further research. This contribution aims to reveal the impact of the urbanization gradient on the structure and diversity of wild flora in the urban setting of a Mediterranean city (Témara, Morocco). The study area was subdivided into three sectors according to a decreasing urbanization gradient: the first sector delimits the city center (built-up area exceeding 75%), the second covers an area with a built-up area between 50 and 75%, and the third delimits the city’s peripheral area with a built-up area of less than 50%. Each sector was surveyed using four transects, and each transect was surveyed six times, resulting in 24 surveys covering 260.5 m² per sector. The comparative study of diversity between the three sectors was based on the calculation of alpha diversity (Shannon–Weaver index and Pielou’s evenness index) and beta diversity (Jaccard similarity index). The results showed modest specific similarity among the four transects (mean Jaccard index = 0.385) and greater floristic richness in the peripheral area than in the city center. However, no significant difference (F = 0.675, α = 0.05) was observed in specific diversity among the three sectors. In addition, the therophyte rate calculation revealed significant therophytization in the city center compared with the outskirts. Such findings may lead to a more complete understanding of the processes underlying the relationship between urbanization and plant diversity, which may have implications for the conservation of this diversity in urban settings. Full article

Urban green spaces play a key role in supporting biodiversity, climate regulation, and carbon storage in rapidly expanding cities. Urban and peri-urban parks can differ markedly in tree-community structure, floristic diversity, and carbon-storage capacity. The aim of the study was to compare these attributes between an urban and a peri-urban park. The study compared these attributes between an urban park and a peri-urban park in western Mexico using data collected in 500 m² circular plots. Tree structure was assessed through diameter at breast height, height, crown diameter, basal area, and crown projection area, while floristic composition and diversity were evaluated using richness, Shannon, Simpson, Pielou, and Menhinick indices. Aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and carbon stocks were estimated using generalized allometric equations. A total of 1675 trees belonging to 19 families, 33 genera, and 49 species were recorded. The peri-urban park showed greater structural development, with significantly higher DBH, height, crown diameter, basal area, biomass, and carbon stocks, whereas the urban park supported greater species richness and higher Shannon diversity. Species composition also differed strongly between parks, and carbon storage was concentrated in a reduced number of dominant taxa in each site. DBH was the structural variable most strongly associated with total carbon per tree. These findings show that floristic diversity and carbon-storage capacity do not necessarily increase in parallel and that urban and peri-urban parks can provide contrasting but complementary ecological functions. Full article

Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil, with Andalusia being the autonomous community with the largest cultivated area. In recent decades, agricultural practices have followed a trend toward maximizing production without adequately considering ecosystem contamination. Olive groves are, in fact, complex agroecosystems in which thousands of plant species and numerous plant communities have been documented, supporting a rich diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. Intensive and unsustainable practices have led to a decline in floral diversity and, consequently, in faunal diversity. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the loss of floristic diversity associated with herbicide use. To this end, a comparative analysis of floristic diversity was conducted across 117 plots, contrasting data collected in 2007 with that from the same plots in 2021. From a methodological perspective, an inquiry-based approach was implemented involving students from the Master’s program in Olive Growing, Olive Oil, and Health. Abundance–dominance indices were compared, and the Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated to assess changes in plant community composition. For instance, Hordeum leporinum exhibited an IVI > 70 in 2007, decreasing in 2021 to values ranging between 11 and 31.58. Similarly, Sinapis alba subsp. mairei showed a decline in IVI from 81.06 to 26.35. A notable result is the greater floristic change observed in plots located on basic substrates where herbicides were applied, compared to plots on siliceous substrates designated for grazing. This issue clearly highlights a lack of knowledge regarding appropriate cultivation techniques that promote sustainable development and social awareness. It underscores the need for educational interventions that foster learning at all levels about agricultural practices, sustainability, and ecosystem services. Full article

Tropical forests differ widely in floristic composition, stand structure, standing volume, and carbon storage, yet comparative evidence across contrasting tropical forest types remains limited. This study examined whether variation in standing volume and carbon stocks among contrasting tropical forests was more closely associated with structural attributes or with diversity-related patterns. Two tropical wet forests in Colombia and one tropical semi-deciduous forest in Mexico were evaluated using 40 circular plots of 500 m² established within a 100 ha reference area in each forest, where all trees with DBH > 10 cm were measured. Floristic composition, ecological dominance, diversity, dendrometric attributes, standing volume, biomass, and carbon stocks were estimated using a common analytical framework. The two wet forests showed higher effective diversity, broader taxonomic dominance, greater basal area, mean height, standing volume, biomass, and carbon stocks than the tropical semi-deciduous forest. In contrast, the semi-deciduous forest showed stronger dominance concentrated in fewer taxa, especially Euphorbiaceae, a pattern that may reflect the ecological suitability of this family under more seasonal and water-limited conditions. At the family level, standing volume, biomass, and carbon were distributed more evenly among dominant families in the wet forests, whereas they were more concentrated in fewer lineages in the semi-deciduous forest. Basal area showed the strongest association with standing volume, total biomass, and total carbon, followed by mean height and mean DBH. Overall, the results indicate that, under the conditions evaluated, structural organization was more closely associated with standing volume and carbon storage than diversity alone, while diversity acted as a complementary correlate. Full article

Using hedonic consumption theory (HCT) and a niche marketing strategy as analytical frameworks, our study examines consumer behavior in the luxury flower market, a swiftly growing segment of the global luxury goods industry. Adopting a nonexperimental, cross-sectional survey design, we collected primary data from 392 individuals from affluent households (defined as those with annual incomes exceeding $75,000, per standard demographic criteria) via purposive stratified sampling. Our questionnaire, which was reviewed by experts and tested in a pilot study, examined demographics, buying preferences, sustainability awareness, and hedonic motivations. The main findings show that most clients are well-educated women with substantial wealth. They care most about sensory, emotional, and symbolic qualities. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions robustly supported three hypotheses, gender disparities in appreciation, educational and sustainability awareness, and income influences on quality and variety emphasis, with descriptive evidence aligning with two further hypotheses regarding perceived supply shortages and sustainability preferences. The preferred places to buy include nurseries and high-end florists, suggesting opportunities for SMEs. Our study offers initial evidence supporting the application of HCT to perishable luxury floriculture among younger, educated, affluent consumers in North America. It underscores the hedonic appeal heightened by ephemerality and the potential influence of sustainability as a guilt-free enhancement, while indicating opportunities for niche marketing strategies through customization and sustainable sourcing. Our findings indicate opportunities for businesses aiming to reach comparable younger, educated, affluent demographics to fulfill unmet demand through sustainable sourcing, unique varieties, and customized experiences, which align with the SDGs. We conclude with a future research agenda. Full article

Modern pollen rain studies provide essential calibration for interpreting fossil pollen records, particularly in montane environments. This study explores pollen–vegetation relationships along an altitudinal transect in the Rarău Massif (Eastern Carpathians, Romania). Eight moss cushion samples collected between 1215 and 1619 m a.s.l. were analysed palynologically and compared with eight paired vegetation surveys. Multivariate analyses, including hierarchical clustering, Mantel tests, NMDS, and Procrustes analysis, were applied to evaluate floristic and palynological similarity in relation to altitude. Pollen spectra are dominated by Picea, reflecting the prevalence of spruce forests characteristic of the montane belt, while Abies and Pinus occur in lower proportions, indicating a secondary role. Broad-leaved taxa such as Fagus, Betula, and Alnus complement the arboreal pollen signal, whereas thermophilous taxa Quercus and Tilia represent extra-local pollen input from lower altitudes. Herbaceous and shrub taxa are generally underrepresented in the pollen record relative to field observations. Pollen taxa associated with anthropogenic disturbance (Plantago, Rumex, Artemisia and Urtica) show a constant presence, which may suggest localized human influence likely linked to grazing and tourism. Statistical results show weak and non-significant correlations between pollen composition, vegetation structure, and altitude. Overall, modern pollen rain reflects the dominant vegetation structure of the studied montane belt but shows limited fidelity at the local floristic scale. Full article

Vegetation in desert ecosystems is strongly affected by seasonal climatic fluctuations and soil physical and chemical properties. Rawdat Nourah is a natural watershed depression within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia. It is colonized by grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Climatic variability and soil heterogeneity are influencing the vegetation dynamics and regeneration patterns in this ecosystem. Based on the literature review, no previous study analyzed and determined either the vegetation composition or the soil seed-bank of Rawdat Nourah. So, the general objective of this study is to examine the vegetation composition and its relationships with soil physicochemical properties and soil seed-bank composition across Rawdat Nourah across different seasons. Floristic analyses, vegetation composition, soil properties, and soil seed-bank were performed within two seasons (winter–spring and summer–fall seasons) of 2023–2024. The obtained data were analyzed using multivariate and statistical approaches. Six plant associations were identified: winter–spring (WVG I: Zilla spinosa–Malva parviflora; WVG II: Rhazya stricta–Zilla spinosa; WVG III: Cynodon dactylon–Convolvulus pilosellifolius) and summer–fall (SVG I: Calotropis procera–Pulicaria undulata; SVG II: Cynodon dactylon–Zilla spinosa; SVG III: Rhazya stricta–Schismus arabicus). Species richness was higher in winter–spring (2.4 species stand⁻¹) than in summer–fall (1.66 species stand⁻¹), while the seed-bank densities were 633.9 and 575.1 seeds m⁻², respectively. Vegetation responded strongly to marked seasonal contrasts in temperature and moisture (~15 °C, 11 mm vs. ~36 °C, 3 mm). Moderate human activity enhanced vegetation cover, whereas prolonged grazing exclusion reduced diversity through the dominance of a few species. The response of vegetation structure and species richness to climatic factors varies greatly depending on the increase in water availability, and moisture content during the mild weather Winter–Spring season (mean temperature is 15 °C and rainfall is 11 mm), compared to the Summer–Autumn season (mean temperature is 36 °C and rainfall is 3 mm). The richness and cover of the plants were generally affected by human activity, where long-term grazing will reduce species richness and increase competition between species, making one or two species dominant. Although above-ground vegetation exhibited clear seasonal and spatial shifts in species composition and abundance, these changes were not reflected in the soil seed-bank. This relation suggests that above-ground communities and seed-banks are regulated by different ecological processes under arid conditions. The data of the present study showed low correlation between the current vegetation and the soil seed bank, which reflects a degradation in this region. Therefore, these findings suggest that sustained protection of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is essential for enhancing seed-bank persistence, vegetation recovery, and ecosystem resilience under arid conditions. Full article

Systematic, spatially explicit tree inventories are increasingly implemented in cities worldwide, as they are crucial for evidence-based green infrastructure planning. Currently, different approaches are adopted, which differ in methodological framework and parameter standardization, limiting comparative assessments and coordinated monitoring. This study presents a replicable protocol for a field-based digital street tree census, applied in a densely built central area and in a low-density suburban area of Rome. Field surveys documented a set of 15 parameters, including species identity, dendrometric and tree pit parameters, acquired using open-source QGIS/QField tools. Subsequent analysis evaluated floristic diversity, population structure, and climate suitability at the neighborhood scale, enabling the identification of context-specific vulnerabilities. The testing of the methodology shown in this work involved 13,017 georeferenced tree pits, pointing out substantial pit restoration needs and insufficient soil conditions in the most densely urbanized area, whereas the suburban area shows optimal conditions with extensive road verge green spaces. Joint interpretation of the considered parameters reveals that high floristic diversity alone does not guarantee climate resilience: high-diversity neighborhoods can exhibit substantial non-climate-resilient species and limited alignment with local species recommendations, demonstrating that comprehensive evaluation of street tree populations requires integrated analysis. The operationalized protocol establishes a replicable, municipally scalable methodological framework, providing policymakers with fine-scale, actionable insights enabling differentiated urban forestry strategies addressing both infrastructure deficits and long-term species climate suitability. Full article

A multitemporal floristic study was conducted on the aquatic and riparian plant communities of the lower stretch of the Tiber River (central Italy) to identify any floristic changes in response to possible environmental pressures that have occurred locally over time. This investigation was carried out by comparing α- and temporal β-diversity, as well as biological, chorological, and ecological traits of plant assemblages present in permanent plots (n = 24) and sampled at two different time points (2005, 2025). Although both aquatic and riparian plant communities showed an increase in α-diversity over time (+94.1% and +56.5%, respectively), they generally exhibited different temporal patterns. The aquatic community showed a more stable floristic structure compared to the riparian one, with a persistent dominance of eutrophic and pollution-tolerant species, although local disappearance/rarefaction of some species was recorded. On the contrary, the riparian community showed greater species turnover, mainly due to an increase in generalist, ruderal and alien species, which over time have partially replaced those typically associated with riparian habitats. Ecological trait-based analyses indicated an increase over time in the percentage of thermophilous, heliophilous and nitrophilous species in both plant communities; the riparian community also showed an increase in xerophilous ones. Overall, the results indicate that aquatic and riparian communities exhibit distinct temporal dynamics within the same river system and highlight how long-term, permanent plot-based floristic monitoring is a useful tool in environmental studies. Full article

Coastal salt marshes are essential for climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage capacity, which is influenced by soil type, hydrology, and floristic composition. Over the past century, invasive Phragmites australis has displaced native Sporobolus alterniflorus (formerly Spartina alterniflora) across salt marshes on the Long Island Sound, and it is widely hypothesized that its larger biomass and rapid growth enhance soil carbon sequestration. This study tested that hypothesis by comparing total organic carbon stocks and physical soil properties in two southern Connecticut marshes over multiple seasons. Our results show that mean soil bulk density was significantly higher under P. australis than S. alterniflorus at both locations. However, this did not translate to superior carbon storage. Analysis showed a significant seasonal effect but no significant overall difference in median TOC between species, indicating that P. australis is competitive in total mass only due to its higher soil density. Notably, Levene’s test for homogeneity of variance was significant (p = 0.039), revealing that P. australis creates highly heterogeneous “hot spots” of carbon storage compared to the relatively uniform distribution found in native stands. These findings suggest that while P. australis invasion results in a more physically dense and potentially resilient marsh platform—relevant for surviving sea-level rise and filtering nutrient runoff—it may simultaneously compromise the stability and uniformity of regional carbon sinks. Management strategies should consider these tradeoffs when prioritizing the protection of native S. alterniflorus for consistent carbon sequestration. Full article

The accelerating spread of invasive Acacia species poses a severe threat to native ecology, ecosystem services and environmental sustainability in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), which is recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. As such, effective management of these threats relies on accurate and timely monitoring of invasive plant species. Remote sensing has been widely used to map invasive species; however, the emergence of new spaceborne hyperspectral sensors necessitates the evaluation of their capabilities. This study investigated the potential of the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) hyperspectral and Sentinel-1 radar data to discriminate between two invasive Acacia species (A. cyclops and A. mearnsii). Four data scenarios were evaluated: (1) spectral bands alone, (2) spectral bands combined with radar data, (3) EnMAP-derived principal components (PCs), and (4) PCs combined with radar data. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was used to classify the two Acacia species using each of the four data scenarios as predictors. Integrating radar data with spectral bands improved the classification accuracy from 83% to 85% for A. cyclops and from 87% to 88% for A. mearnsii, compared to using spectral data alone. PCs of EnMAP bands slightly reduced the accuracy when compared to using spectral data alone, with the producer’s accuracy for A. cyclops decreasing by 2% (from 83% to 81%) and for A. mearnsii by 5% (from 87% to 82%). However, the addition of radar data to the PCs improved the accuracy, increasing the producer’s accuracy for A. cyclops by 2% (from 81% to 83%) and for A. mearnsii by 2% (from 82% to 84%). The visible and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) bands of EnMAP had high contributions to the identification of the species. In general, the study showed the capability of EnMAP hyperspectral data and radar data for mapping Acacia species. Full article

Wetlands characterized by the presence of rare and endangered reed plant communities are seriously threatened by hydrological changes and pollution caused by human activity, e.g., drainage, river regulation, and conversion to agricultural land. Despite numerous studies of wetland communities, the “volume of ecological niche” based on Ellenberg indices, i.e., the ecological preferences of vascular plant species, has rarely been analyzed at the level of entire plant communities. Properly defined indicators of microclimatic and habitat factors (ranges of environmental conditions), appropriate for individual rush and sedge communities (specific communities), are very important for the sustainable management of ecosystems and potential restoration processes in renaturation activities. Therefore, a comprehensive floristic and habitat assessment of wetland communities of the Phragmitetea class was conducted in a Natura 2000 site in southeastern Poland (name and number of the Natura 2000 site—Wolica Valley PLH060058), located within the East European Lowland. The communities were analyzed in the context of the variability of individual Ellenberg indices and designated ecological hypervolumes. These were typical rush communities occurring in wet and fertile soils with a neutral or alkaline pH. The microclimatic conditions were typical for these habitats. The studied communities differ in terms of the variability of Ellenberg ecological indices. Some of them are characterized by low ecological niches, while others are characterized by larger ones. The volume of determined multidimensional hypervolumes allowed us to distinguish two communities (Phragmitetum australis and Caricetum rostratae) to have greater generality compared to the others. They can occur in a greater variety of environmental conditions than other communities that require more specific conditions. Other phytocenoses with low hypervolume values (hypervolumes more than 10 times smaller than mentioned before) were distinguished by high habitat specialization. In turn, the analysis of the overlapping of hypervolumes allowed us to group communities into four clusters with similar ranges of Ellenberg indices’ values: (1) Caricetum distichae and Caricetum gracilis; (2) Glycerietum maximae, Iridetum pseudoacori, Caricetum appropinquatae, and Phalaridetum arundinaceae; (3) Phragmitetum australis and Caricetum rostratae; and (4) Caricetum acutiformis, Caricetum vesicariae, and Caricetum elatae. Full article

This study evaluated the long-term effects of organo-mineral fertilization on floristic diversity, species diversity, and vegetation structure in an HNV grasslands of the Apuseni Mountains. The experiment included five fertilization variants (control, organic, organo-mineral, mineral, and intensive organo-mineral), applied over a period of more than 15 years. Floristic diversity was assessed using a modified Braun–Blanquet method and multivariate methods—cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), MRPP procedure, and indicator species analysis (ISA). Our analysis showed a trophic gradient, from oligotrophic Festuca rubra grasslands to mesotrophic (Agrostis capillaris–Trisetum flavescens) and eutrophic (Agrostis capillaris–Centaurea pseudophrygia) communities, depending on the intensity of organo-mineral fertilization applied. Moderate organo-mineral fertilization maintained a balanced floristic diversity and higher Shannon and Simpson indices compared to variants fertilized only with mineral inputs. Organo-mineral inputs improved soil fertility and ecosystem resilience, supporting soil microbiota activity and reducing nutrient losses. Intensive mineral fertilization led to a reduction in floristic richness and the dominance of nitrophilic species. This study demonstrates that moderate organo-mineral fertilization (≤10 t ha⁻¹ manure combined with N₅₀P₂₅K₂₅) provides an optimal balance between grassland productivity and biodiversity conservation, offering practical guidance for the sustainable management of High Nature Value mountain grasslands. Full article

Temperate grasslands rank among the most diverse ecosystems in the world at small spatial scales. Maintaining species-rich grasslands is therefore essential for biodiversity conservation in Europe. Several EU countries have implemented Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) designed to preserve grassland biodiversity and support farmers in developing their operations in a sustainable manner. While the prohibition of fertilization helps maintain oligotrophic, species-rich grasslands, it remains a stringent requirement that may discourage farmers from enrolling in these schemes. Because hay meadows are mesotrophic habitats, low levels of fertilization could potentially allow the maintenance of satisfactory biodiversity. We compared two AES measures implemented in Luxembourg: P4B (mowing after 15 June, no fertilization) and P3B (mowing after 15 June, fertilization permitted up to 50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), the latter aiming to increase forage yield while maintaining acceptable biodiversity levels. Nineteen grassland sites were selected across Luxembourg. Within each site, adjacent delimited experimental plots were managed under P3B (350 kg ha⁻¹ of mineral fertilizer, N14–P9–K24) and P4B (no fertilization). Floristic composition and biomass yield were recorded annually over four years. Fertilization had a negative effect on hay meadow biodiversity and conservation status, resulting in fewer typical species, a reduced dicot-to-grass ratio, and greater cover of nitrophilous species. Nevertheless, most fertilized plots still met the criteria for hay meadows of good to medium conservation status according to Luxembourg’s evaluation framework. Fertilization increased biomass yield by approximately 40% compared with unfertilized plots. We conclude that P4B remains the optimal management option for hay meadows and should be prioritized in areas hosting sensitive species and in the most biodiverse sites. However, P3B represents a pragmatic compromise, maintaining an acceptable level of biodiversity while being more attractive to farmers. Full article