Search Results (254)

This study presents a comprehensive inventory of bryophytes in Serra dos Órgãos National Park (PARNASO), aiming to evaluate species richness, floristic composition and threatened taxa. Despite the state of Rio de Janeiro being one of the most extensively sampled regions for bryophytes in Brazil, detailed surveys of its conservation units remain scarce. Data were obtained through bibliographic review, herbarium specimen analysis, and new field collections. A total of 504 species were recorded, belonging to 202 genera and 76 families. The park harbors three locally endemic species, eight endemic to Rio de Janeiro, and sixty-nine species endemic to Brazil. Additionally, eleven species were identified as threatened, comprising seven Endangered (EN), two Critically Endangered (CR), and two Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN guidelines. PARNASO includes four distinct ecosystems along an altitudinal gradient: sub-montane forest (up to 500 m), montane forest (500–1500 m), upper-montane forest (1500–2000 m), and high-altitude fields (above 2000 m). Montane Forest showed the highest species richness, followed by high-altitude fields, upper-montane forest, and sub-montane forest. The findings highlight PARNASO’s importance in preserving bryophyte diversity in a highly diverse yet understudied region. This work contributes valuable baseline data to support conservation strategies and future ecological studies in Atlantic Forest remnants. Full article

The primary aim of this study was to explore the influence of abiotic factors on weed development in maize fields, with the goal of informing more effective weed management practices. We focused on identifying key environmental, edaphic, and agricultural variables that contribute to weed infestations, particularly before the application of spring herbicide treatments. Field investigations were conducted from 2018 to 2021 across selected maize-growing regions in Hungary. Over the four-year period, a total of 51 weed species were recorded, with Echinochloa crus-galli, Chenopodium album, Portulaca oleracea, and Hibiscus trionum emerging as the most prevalent taxa. Collectively, these four species accounted for more than half (52%) of the total weed cover. Altogether, the 20 most dominant species contributed 95% of the overall weed coverage. The analysis revealed that weed cover, species richness, and weed diversity were significantly affected by soil properties, nutrient levels, geographic location, and tillage systems. The results confirm that the composition of weed species was influenced by several environmental and management-related factors, including soil parameters, geographical location, annual precipitation, tillage method, and fertilizer application. Environmental factors collectively explained a slightly higher proportion of the variance (13.37%) than farming factors (12.66%) at a 90% significance level. Seasonal dynamics and crop rotation history also played a notable role in species distribution. Nutrient inputs, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, influenced both species diversity and floristic composition. Deep tillage practices favored the proliferation of perennial species, whereas shallow cultivation tended to promote annual weeds. Overall, the composition of weed vegetation proved to be a valuable indicator of site-specific soil conditions and agricultural practices. These findings underscore the need to tailor weed management strategies to local environmental and soil contexts for sustainable crop production. Full article

The rubber plantations in Sankuru province, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have historically been pivotal to the regional economy. However, the absence of suitable silvicultural practices has promoted self-regeneration, resulting in the proliferation of diverse species. This study aims to characterize species richness and plant structure of these plantations. To this end, 80 subplots measuring 0.25 hectares were meticulously established, with a proportionate division between state-owned and farmer plantations. The results obtained from this study indicate that these plantations are home to approximately 105 species, classified into 33 distinct botanical families, with dominant families such as Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Olacaceae, Clusiaceae, and Moraceae. Despite the similarity between the two types of plantations (Cs = 58%), significant disparities were observed in terms of individuals, 635 ± 84.06 and 828 ± 144.62 (p < 10⁻³); species, 41 ± 7.49 and 28 ± 4.59 (p < 10⁻³); families, 19 ± 3.06 and 16 ± 1.62 (p < 10⁻²); and basal area, 29.88 ± 5.8 and 41.37 ± 7.57 (p < 10⁻²) for state and peasant plantations, respectively. State plantations exhibited greater diversity (H′ = 1.87) and enhanced equity (J’ = 0.43) than peasant plantations. The diametric structure exhibited an inverted J-shaped distribution, indicating constant and regular regeneration of these plantations. The upper canopy dominates the vertical structure in both types of plantations, with a significantly higher proportion in peasant plantations (83.60%) than in state plantations (73.8%), ANOVA (F (2.24 = 21.78), df = 24; p = 4.03 × 10⁻⁶). The findings indicate that the sustainable management of these plantations could incorporate agroecological principles to promote the coexistence of rubber production and biodiversity conservation while contributing to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and the well-being of local communities. Full article

The present study analyzed the vegetation diversity in three forests located in southern Romania and assessed their degree of similarity. Data were collected using frame quadrat sampling and species taxonomic identification. The methodology included the calculation of ecological indices (Shannon–Wiener, equitability, maximum entropy, Menhinick, Margalef, McIntosh, Gleason, and Simpson) and statistical analysis using ANOVA and Duncan tests (p < 0.05). Similarity between forests was evaluated using the Jaccard and Dice/Sørensen coefficients. The results showed that biodiversity increases with area size, and the forest ecosystem in Vlădila exhibited the highest number of woody and herbaceous species. Although the forest ecosystem in Studinița had the greatest floristic diversity, according to the Shannon–Wiener index, it also showed higher equitability (0.911 compared to 0.673 in Vlădila) due to a more uniform species distribution. The forest ecosystem in Studinița acted as an intermediate zone between those in Grădinile and Vlădila. Variations in diversity among the three areas reflect ecological differences influenced by location-specific factors such as soil type, climatic conditions, and human interventions. This suggests that ecological conditions and the physical characteristics of forests significantly impact the number and types of species that can coexist within an ecosystem. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the intraspecific variability among 11 wild-growing populations of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) originating from Central Europe and preserved in the Polish Genebank Collection. The populations were introduced into ex situ conditions, and assessed in terms of selected developmental and chemical traits (essential oil, phenolic acids, polyphenols, and tannins content). Developmental observations and harvest of raw materials were carried out in the second year of plant vegetation, at the beginning of flowering. The populations exhibited significant differences. The greatest variability was observed in the number of shoots per plant (38–51) and dry mass of herb per plant (0.83–1.60 kg). Essential oil (EO) content ranged from 0.75 to 1.69 g/100 g dry weight (DW). A total of 41 compounds were identified in the EOs, with oxygenated monoterpenes (such as sabinyl acetate, cis-chrysanthenol, chrysantenyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, α- and β-thujone) as dominants, showing considerable variation among populations. Based on the EO profiles, several chemotypes were distinguished, mainly (1) a pure sabinyl acetate chemotype; (2) mixed chemotypes with sabinyl acetate accompanied by β-myrcene, cis-chrysanthenol, chrysanthenyl acetate, or 1,8-cineole; and (3) a thujone chemotype. The total content of phenolic acids (expressed as caffeic acid equivalent), tannins, and polyphenols (as pyrogallol equivalent) varied significantly, too (0.37–0.50; 0.10–0.26; 0.58–0.79%, respectively). The results confirm a high level of intraspecific variability in both developmental and chemical traits of A. absinthium populations originating from Poland. This diversity may be valuable for future breeding programs and for the selection of populations with desired phytochemical profiles for medicinal, food, and agricultural applications. It is worth noting that the floristic diversity among populations indicates the habitat heterogeneity, ranging from natural or semi-natural (populations 1, 6) to more anthropogenically influenced ones (populations 2, 4, 5, 7–11). Full article

Urban gardens, including family allotment gardens (FAGs) and community gardens (CGs), play an increasingly important role in urban resilience to climate change—particularly through the delivery of regulatory ecosystem services. They occupy as much as 2.6% of Warsaw’s land area and thus have a tangible impact on the entire metropolitan system. These gardens are used in different ways, and each use affects the magnitude of the provided ecosystem services. This preliminary study explores how different types of allotment garden uses affect biodiversity and ecosystem services, addressing a critical knowledge gap in the classification and ecological functioning of urban gardens. We surveyed 44 plots in Warsaw, categorizing them into five vegetation use types: turf, flower, vegetable, orchard, and abandoned. For each plot, we assessed the floristic diversity, vegetation structure (leaf area index, LAI), and six regulatory services: air and soil cooling, water retention, humidity regulation, PM 2.5 retention, and nectar provision. Flower gardens had the highest species diversity (Shannon index = 1.93), while turf gardens had the lowest (1.43) but the highest proportion of native species (92%). Abandoned plots stood out due to the densest vegetation (LAI = 4.93) and ecological distinctiveness. Principal component analysis showed that the selected ecosystem services explained 25% of the variation in vegetation types. We propose a use-based classification of urban gardens and highlight abandoned plots as a functionally unique and overlooked ecological category. Full article

Andean grassland ecosystems in Peru are characterized by diverse plant species adapted to environmental factors including weather, soil type, elevation, slope orientation, and soil moisture. This study evaluated the floristic composition, alpha diversity, indicator species, and suitable species for Andean livestock in the Sillapata micro-watershed, Junín region, Peru, across rainy and dry seasons. Data collection involved 100 m linear transects, and analyses included floristic composition and dissimilarity, Shannon-Wiener (H′) and Simpson (D) diversity indices, and the identification of indicator and suitable species using QGIS vs 3.28.14 and R software vs 4.3.2. Results revealed a total of 130 species classified into 74 genera and 23 families, with Asteraceae and Poaceae as the dominant families, exhibiting variations in richness and dissimilarity between control points and seasonal periods. Alpha diversity (H′) ranged from 2.07 to 3.1867, while Simpson’s index (D) ranged from 0.7644 to 0.9234. Six indicator species were identified, along with 11 families containing suitable species, predominantly Poaceae (38–60%), Cyperaceae (11–15%), and Asteraceae (3–9%). The findings indicate that the studied ecosystem exhibits a heterogeneous floristic composition with medium to low and variable diversity, influenced by seasonal climatic changes and the current grassland management regime, which involves rotational grazing with cattle adapted to high-altitude conditions. Full article

The study of flora is crucial for conserving natural resources and assessing human impact on the environment. This paper explores floristic diversity, the role of plants, and the integration of technology in botanical research. In the studied area, 462 plant species were identified. Bioform analysis revealed a predominance of hemicryptophytes (45.45%) and therophytes (26.19%), suggesting a warm climate and significant zoo-anthropogenic influences. Other bioforms were present in lower percentages. Most plant species in Teleorman County are mesophilic (39.39%) and mesoxerophilic (30.95%), indicating adaptation to moderate or slightly dry environments. Regarding temperature affinity, the majority are micromesotherms (62.98%), suited for mild thermal conditions. Soil reaction analysis showed a preference for weakly acidic neutrophilic (39.82%) and euryionic (33.76%) soils, indicating tolerance for neutral to slightly acidic pH levels. The research evaluates the structure and diversity of flora in Teleorman County and emphasizes the influence of climate factors such as humidity, temperature, and soil pH on species distribution. Using the transect method and fractal analysis, this study concludes that temperature is the dominant climatic factor shaping local biodiversity. Full article

Cantabrian mixed forests, located in areas of Spain, Portugal, and France, serve as an essential biogeographic transition region, noted for its extraordinary plant diversity and ecological intricacy. To aid conservation and research initiatives, a uniform checklist of vascular plants was created, incorporating information from citizen science platforms, scientific databases, herbarium records, and local floras. The outcome is a carefully selected collection of more than 8000 taxa, with over 76% recognized as native, highlighting the area’s importance as a reservoir of biodiversity and a climate refuge. Taxonomic discrepancies were resolved via expert verification and adherence to international naming standards, establishing a dependable basis for ecological research. The checklist demonstrates notable variations in organisms, ecological approaches, and evolutionary lineages, influenced by geographical diversity, climate variations, and past land use patterns. Importantly, the study emphasizes the drawbacks of unchecked biodiversity data and shows the benefits of expert-driven synthesis for addressing gaps and biases in species documentation. The floristic information presented here can act as a basis for transboundary conservation planning, ongoing biodiversity tracking, and the development of adaptive management approaches in response to climate change and ecological decline. This initiative represents an important move towards safeguarding the distinct natural heritage of this distinctive biogeographic region. Full article

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study on Rosa acicularis Lindl., Rosa laxa Retz., and Rosa spinosissima L. growing in the sharply continental climate of the Kazakhstan Altai under diverse ecological and phytocenotic conditions. All three wild rose species show notable ecological plasticity, allowing them to thrive in heterogeneous environments. A total of 41 populations were recorded: 12 of R. acicularis, 13 of R. laxa, and 16 of R. spinosissima, with vertical distribution ranging from 404 to 1837 m a.s.l. Nine populations where each species dominates its plant community were selected as model sites to assess ecological, biological, and economic traits. For each population, the floristic composition and structure were described, and morphometric, resource, and physiological indicators were evaluated. Significant phenotypic variation was noted in plant height, bush diameter, leaf traits, and fruit morphology and taste. Under natural conditions, industrial thickets are mainly formed by R. laxa in the Southern Altai and by R. spinosissima in the Southwestern Altai due to their wide distribution and high plant density. Fruit weight ranged from 2.23 to 2.47 g (R. acicularis), 2.28 to 2.68 g (R. laxa), and 2.17 to 2.55 g (R. spinosissima), values generally lower than those previously reported. Based on coefficients of variation for intra-population diversity in morphological and quantitative traits, several promising populations were identified. These populations hold potential for selecting valuable forms for breeding programs and for establishing a regionally adapted gene pool. Full article

This study reports seven new records of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) for the flora of Laos: Curcuma comosa Roxb., C. pedicellata (Chaveer. & Mokkamul) Škorničk., C. phrayawan Boonma & Saensouk, C. pierreana Gagnep., C. rangjued Saensouk & Boonma, C. sabhasrii Saensouk, Maknoi, Wongnak & Rakarcha, and C. wanenlueanga Saensouk, Thomudtha & Boonma. Field surveys were conducted across various habitats in Laos, and species identification was confirmed through morphological comparisons with type specimens and protologues. An identification key for Curcuma species in Laos is provided to facilitate future taxonomic studies. Additionally, the lectotypification of C. comosa Roxb. is designated to ensure nomenclatural stability and clarify its taxonomic placement. The discovery of these species expands the known distribution of Curcuma in Indochina and highlights the importance of continued floristic exploration in understudied regions. These findings emphasize the need for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the nnatural habitats where these species occur. Furthermore, some of the newly recorded species exhibit attractive floral characteristics, making them valuable for sustainable horticultural applications, especially in ornamental plant cultivation. This study underscores the significance of taxonomic research in documenting regional flora, supporting conservation efforts, and promoting the sustainable utilization of plant diversity. Full article

Ethnobotanical knowledge and biodiversity are critical components of sustainable natural resource management, especially in regions undergoing rapid environmental and socio-economic change. In Northeast Thailand, traditional plant knowledge is deeply intertwined with local cultural identity but faces increasing threats from urbanization, agricultural expansion, and generational shifts. This study presents a floristic and ethnobotanical survey of the Khanthararat Public Benefit Forest, a community-managed remnant forest in Maha Sarakham Province, documenting 110 plant species from 42 families. The Fabaceae family was the most diverse, consistent with other tropical ecosystems. Predominantly native species (85.45%) indicate minimal disturbance, while introduced (11.82%) and endemic species (2.73%) reflect ecological complexity. Ethnobotanical data revealed 34 wild edible species, 33 medicinal plants, and 19 ornamental species used by the local community, highlighting the forest’s vital role in supporting livelihoods and cultural practices. High Use Values (UVs) for species such as Spondias pinnata and Coccinia grandis underline their dual importance in food and medicine. Informant Consensus Factor (Fic) values demonstrate strong agreement on plant use for reproductive and musculoskeletal health, reflecting well-established traditional knowledge. The findings underscore the forest’s dual significance as an ecological hotspot and a repository of cultural heritage, providing essential ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and cultural provisioning. By integrating traditional knowledge with biodiversity assessment, this study offers valuable insights for community-based conservation strategies that sustain both ecological integrity and cultural resilience in Northeast Thailand. Full article

Agrobiodiversity decline depends on wider-scale landscape ecological traits. Studying inter-scale patterns helps in understanding context-specific farm-scale biodiversity issues and needs. In this study, we investigated the drivers of agrobiodiversity in four Po Plain sites (northern Italy), an intensively impacted agricultural district. Farm-scale floristic–vegetational indicators reflecting anthropic disturbance (biological forms, chorological traits, and maturity traits) were studied for their relationship with species richness and phytocoenosis α-diversity values. Their correlation with local- and extra-local-scale landscape ecology traits was also studied. Species richness and α-diversity were negatively related to floristic contamination and therophytes; they tended to increase with the Eurasiatic and phanerophyte ratio, suggesting a role of disturbance conditions on diversity values. Extra-local/local scale showed similar relationships with farm-scale floristic–vegetational traits; correlation was higher for local scale. Species richness and α-diversity tended to increase with higher landscape natural components, landscape diversity, biological territorial capacity, and connectivity. These landscape traits also tended to be positively related to Eurasiatic, hemicryptophyte, chamaephyte, phanerophyte, and maturity values, while they were negatively related to adventitious, wide distribution, aliens, and therophytes. Corridors’ ecological quality apparently influenced disturbance-related species amount. Maps representing these inter-scale biodiversity facets are provided (land-use-based support ecosystem service maps integrated with landscape diversity maps). The detected patterns orient context-specific multi-scale biodiversity support. They confirm the theoretical frameworks and should be validated on wider datasets to strengthen their representativeness. Full article

Despite Qatar’s depressions being ecologically significant for biodiversity in arid desert regions, they remain poorly studied. This study aimed at assessing the floristic diversity of Qatar’s depression habitat and examining the key environmental drivers shaping vegetation patterns. We applied multivariate analyses, including Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN), to understand the environmental factors that shape vegetation communities and classify the depression sites. A total of 139 plant species from 35 families were recorded from 26 depression sites across Qatar. Both therophytes and chamaephytes were the dominant life forms. Biregional chorotypes were the most prevalent among phytogeographical groups. CCA indicated that grazing pressure, latitude, nitrogen concentration, clay content, and soil pH were among the variables that influenced the vegetation patterns of depressions, while longitude and soil carbon content showed marginal significance in explaining the observed floristic variation. TWINSPAN classified the sites into four distinct clusters, each associated with specific indicator species and habitat conditions. Northern depressions supported higher species richness compared to central and southern depressions, which are dominated by sandy soils and experience intensive grazing patterns that reduce the floristic diversity and limited regeneration of key shrubs such as Vachellia tortilis (Forssk.) Galasso & Banfi. This study helps fill a critical knowledge gap about Qatar’s depression habitat, enhancing efforts to conserve these vulnerable ecosystems, identify ecological threats, and better understand patterns of species distribution across arid landscapes. Full article

Biodeterioration, the alteration of materials by living organisms, affects approximately two-thirds of the world’s cultural heritage. When organisms colonize the surfaces, they induce physical and chemical changes that can lead to significant damage. Despite its relevance, this phenomenon remains understudied in Croatia. This study aims to assess the deteriogenic vascular flora colonizing Croatian historical structures, including castles, towers, and archaeological remains, in relation to several environmental and anthropogenic factors: distance from the sea (0–1, 1–10, 10–65, and 65–165 km), elevation (0–50, 50–150, 150–300, and 300–600 m a.s.l.), exposure (north, south, east, west), and the state of conservation of the site (absent, low, good, excellent). Vegetation cover and floristic diversity, assessed using the Shannon Index, were primarily influenced by elevation and conservation status. As expected, vegetation cover decreased significantly, by 67.75%, from sites classified as ‘Absent’ to those with ‘Excellent’ conservation status (p < 0.001). To explain the observed differences in vegetation cover across the four altitudinal ranges, an analysis of plant life forms was carried out, revealing a wide variability and statistically significant patterns also related to the type and frequency of maintenance interventions. The potential risk posed by vascular plants was evaluated using the Hazard Index (HI), which revealed significant differences only for elevation and distance from the sea. The highest risk levels were recorded at mid-elevations (150–300 m), where the Hazard Index reached its maximum value (HI = 158). Exposure did not show a significant effect on biodeterioration processes. These findings provide new insights into plant-driven biodeterioration in Croatia and highlight the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect the country’s cultural heritage. Full article