Search Results (218)

Semi-natural grasslands are some of the most species-rich habitats in Europe and provide important ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and soil fertility maintenance. This study investigates how different intensities of grassland management affect the composition of functional groups and soil chemical properties. Five grassland management systems were analyzed: Cut3—three cuts per year; LGI—low grazing intensity; CG—combined cutting and grazing; Cut4—four cuts per year; and HGI—high grazing intensity. The functional groups assessed were grasses, legumes and forbs, while soil samples from three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) were analyzed for their chemical properties (soil organic carbon—SOC; soil total nitrogen—STN; inorganic soil carbon—SIC; soil organic matter—SOM; potassium oxide—K₂O; phosphorus pentoxide—P₂O₅; C/N ratio; and pH) and physical properties (volumetric soil water content—VWC; bulk density—BD; and porosity—POR). The results showed that less intensive systems had a higher proportion of legumes, while species diversity, as measured via the Shannon index, was the highest in the Cut4 system. The CG system tended to have the highest SOC and STN at a 0–10 cm depth, with a similar trend observed for SOC_stock at a 0–30 cm depth. The Cut4, HGI and CG systems also had an increased STN_stock. Both grazing systems had the highest P₂O₅ content. A tendency towards a higher BD was observed in the top 10 cm of soil in the more intensive systems. Choosing a management strategy that is tailored to local climate and site conditions is crucial for maintaining grassland stability, enhancing carbon sequestration and promoting long-term sustainability in the context of climate change. Full article

This study provides novel insight into herbaceous-layer dynamics across three distinct South African savanna bioregions (Central Bushveld, Lowveld, and Mopane) using a Total Count Quadrat approach to investigate species densities, community composition, diversity, and spatial patterns. A total of 196 unique herbaceous species were recorded across all bioregions. Contrary to typical expectations, our findings reveal no statistically significant differences in overall herbaceous density (ranging from 24.3 ± 2.31 to 32.0 ± 1.28 individuals/m²; F_2,6 = 1.89, p = 0.23), species richness (F_2,6 = 1.91, p = 0.23), or Shannon diversity (F_2,6 = 3.23, p = 0.11) among bioregions, suggesting a more complex interplay of environmental drivers beyond broad climatic gradients. However, there was significant within-bioregion spatial heterogeneity in density, notably in the Central Bushveld (F_2,87 = 4.96, p = 0.009) and Mopane (F_2,87 = 7.54, p < 0.001) regions, indicating important fine-scale variation, unlike in the Lowveld region (F_2,87 = 1.25, p = 0.292). Growth form analysis revealed that forbs consistently dominated species richness across all three bioregions (Central Bushveld: ~64%; Lowveld: ~70%; and Mopane: ~67%) and were also the dominant growth form by density in the Lowveld (54.3%) and Mopane (63.8%) regions. While numerical differences in grass density were observed, no statistically significant difference was found across bioregions (F_2,6 = 4.15, p = 0.07). Sedges consistently contributed a small proportion to both species richness and total density. Non-metric multidimensional scaling further revealed patterns of dispersion in herbaceous community compositions between the Lowveld and Mopane regions, with Central Bushveld communities exhibiting greater variability. These findings underscore the critical ecological importance of forbs in South African savannas, not only for biomass but also for driving herbaceous diversity and highlighting the necessity of considering fine-scale spatial variation in future ecological research and conservation strategies. Full article

Garvin Heights Park in southeastern Minnesota, USA, is a 12 ha mosaic of bluff prairie, oak savanna, and oak–hickory woodland co-owned by the City of Winona and Winona State University, with a 40+ year history of encroachment by non-native woody invasives, especially buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.). Habitat restoration was initiated in the early 1990s, but management gaps and a seedbank of invasives compromised initial efforts. More consistent and sustainable restoration activities since 2016 have included cutting and chemical treatment of invasives, managed goat browsing, targeted reseeding and plug planting with native species, and more regular prescribed fires. Throughout the restoration process, we assessed changes in buckthorn densities in response to various management practices, assessed the restored savanna tree community, and documented the presence of blooming plants across all park habitats. Manual clearing of woody invasives and repeated goat browsing significantly reduced buckthorn and honeysuckle abundance in prairies and savannas. Park plant communities responded to the combination of management strategies with reduced densities of woody invasives and expanding diversity (currently >220 species present) of forbs and grasses, including a large and growing population of state-threatened Great Indian Plantain (Arnoglossum reniforme). Prescribed fires have benefitted prairies but have done little to improve savanna plant communities, due largely to excessive tree canopy coverage causing a lack of burnable fuels (i.e., dry forbs and grasses). Improved partnerships between landowners and dedicated volunteers are working to expand restoration efforts to include other portions of the park and adjacent woodlands. Full article

Knowledge of how wind turbines interact with vertebrate animals is growing rapidly; however, less is known about plants and insects. Turbines produce infrasound (≤20 Hz), and these vibrations decrease with distance from turbines. We measured seed set and pollinators at six sites 0 to 28 km from turbines. We measured the number and mass of seeds produced by self-pollination, insect pollination, and when pollen was not limiting for nine native plants. We assessed pollinators by target netting bees and butterflies during transects, and by using blue vane traps (bees only). Most plants produced fewer or lighter developed seeds through self-pollination. Seed set did not vary between the open- and hand-pollinated treatments, indicating that the pollen was not limiting. The number and mass of seeds in the self-pollination treatment decreased with distance from the turbines. Bees and butterflies were more abundant near the wind facility, based on transects. The vane traps collected the fewest insects within the wind facility, likely due to bees being attracted to the turbine bases. The pollinator assemblage at the wind facility was distinct compared to other sites. Infrasound produced by the turbines appeared to enhance self-pollination, and the turbine bases attracted pollinators. We provide data on a seldom studied yet critical topic to inform land management and agricultural decisions, and to promote new strategies as wind energy development grows. Full article

Gut microbiota “enterotypes” are strongly associated with diet and host health. For grazing animals, plant species richness and nutrient content of vegetation may alter the food supply and diet composition of animals. Understanding this relationship is critical to clarify the adaption of gut microbiota to changes in vegetation quantity and quality in grassland ecosystems. Here, we studied the relationship between dietary and gut microbiota composition of sheep (lambs) over a growing season in a grassland ecosystem in northern China. Variation in vegetation composition among grazing intensities was greatest in September: and sheep preferred forbs and Rosaceae throughout the grazing period in all grazing treatments, yet their preference for Fabaceae was reduced in HG treatments in September. Grazing intensity and seasonal variations in food resource availability influenced dietary patterns, which in turn affected gut bacterial community composition. Enterotype 1, dominated by Christensenellaceae_R_7_group and Clostridia_UCG_014_unclassified, predominated during the warm season (July) for both LG and HG treatments. In contrast, Enterotype 2, dominated by Escherichia_Shigella, prevailed during the cool season (September) in HG. Diversity of Enterotype 1 exceeded (p < 0.001) that of Enterotype 2. For MG, Enterotype 1 and Enterotype 2 were evenly distributed over the grazing period. Our results highlight the importance of regulating grazing intensity to maintain the balance and health of gut microbiota according to temporal changes in plant nutrients and aboveground biomass of grassland ecosystems. Full article

Phosphorus (P) and silicon (Si) could profoundly affect the net primary productivity (ANPP) of grassland ecosystems. However, how ecosystem biomass will respond to different Si addition, especially under a concurrent increase in P fertilization, remains limited. With persistent demand for grassland utilization, there is a need to enhance and sustain the productivity of grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Three P addition rates (0, 400, 800, and 1200 kg Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) without Si and with Si (14.36 kg H₄SiO₄ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) were applied to alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau to evaluate the responses of aboveground biomass and the underlying mechanisms linking to structural carbon composition and physiological traits of grasses and forbs. Our results show that the application of Si significantly reduced the lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and total phenol contents of both grasses and forbs. Additionally, the addition of P, Si, and phosphorus and silicon (PSi) co-application significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and light use efficiency (LUE) of grasses and forbs. Moreover, Si promoted the absorption of N and P by plants, resulting in significant changes in the Si:C, Si:P, and Si:N ratios and increasing the aboveground biomass. Our findings suggest that Si can replace structural carbohydrates and regulate the absorption and utilization of N and P to optimize the photosynthetic process of leaves, thereby achieving greater biomass. In summary, Si supplementation improves ecosystem stability in alpine meadows by optimizing plant functions and increasing biomass accumulation. Full article

This study investigates the feeding behavior of the European brown hare on Pianosa Island, Italy, focusing on seasonal dietary preferences in coastal and inland areas. We quantified plant species frequencies in vegetation and fecal pellets, assessed α and β diversity, compared diets via Bray–Curtis matrices, and evaluated selection preferences using the Resource Selection Ratio. During spring, the coastal diet was predominantly composed of grasses, particularly Dactylis glomerata, while non-leguminous forbs like Hedypnois rhagadioloides were prominent inland. Fabaceae, including Lotus ornithopodioides, were highly preferred. In autumn, non-leguminous forbs, such as Crepis foetida, were favored on the coast, while grasses like Bromus hordeaceus dominated inland. Fabaceae, particularly Trifolium species, remained a key component of the diet. Plant diversity peaked in spring and decreased markedly in autumn. Dietary overlap between seasons was moderate, with higher similarity observed in the coastal area. The study underscores the importance of Fabaceae and seasonal vegetation changes in shaping the hare’s diet. These findings provide valuable insights for conservation, emphasizing the need to preserve key plant species and habitats to support isolated hare populations in Mediterranean ecosystems. Full article

Mediterranean wood pastures are the result of traditional silvo-pastoral uses that shaped these ecosystems into a mosaic of trees and open grassland. This ecosystem structure is generally associated with increased soil fertility under tree canopies. However, the response of herbaceous plant functional types (PFTs)—grasses, legumes, and non-legume forbs—to these heterogeneous microenvironments (under the canopy vs. open grassland) remains largely unknown, particularly regarding carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) acquisition and use. Even less is known about how different tree species and environmental conditions influence these responses. In this study, we aim to assess how tree canopies influence carbon and nitrogen cycling by comparing the effects of traditional oak stands and pine plantations on herbaceous PFTs and soil dynamics. For that we use C and N content and natural isotopic abundances (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) as proxies for biogeochemical cycling. Our results show that ecosystem C and N patterns depend not only on herbaceous PFTs and the presence or absence of tree canopies but also on tree species identity and environmental conditions, including climate. In particular, pine-dominated plantations exhibited lower nitrogen availability compared to those dominated by oak, suggesting that oak stands may contribute more effectively to enhance soil fertility in Mediterranean wood pastures. Furthermore, the canopy effect was more pronounced under harsher environmental conditions, highlighting the role of trees in buffering environmental stress, particularly in arid regions. This suggests that changes in tree cover and tree species may drive complex changes in ecosystem C and N storage and cycling. Full article

Native forests provide forage for grazing animals. We investigated whether native and exotic vegetation promotes the potential animal load (PAL, ind ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) for cattle (Bos taurus, ~700 kg) and sheep (Ovis aries, ~60 kg) in contrasting native forest types and canopy cover (closed, semi-open, open). This study was conducted in Chilean Patagonia (−44° to −49° SL). Vegetation cover (%) and growth habit data (trees, shrubs, forbs, graminoids, ferns, lianas, lichens, and bryophytes) were collected from 374 plots (>5 ha) in different environments: coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi, CO), lenga (N. pumilio, LE), mixed Nothofagus forests (MI), ñirre (N. antarctica, ÑI), evergreen forest (SV), and open land (OL). We combine this data with literature and laboratory analyses (e.g., crude protein, %) to develop PAL values for seasons. Data sampling was evaluated using descriptive analyses and uni- and multi-variate analyses (ANOVA, MCA, GLM). Results showed that closed forests had more native species (~56.6%) compared to open forests (~33.3%), while OL had higher cover of exotic species (~68.6%). LE presented the highest native species cover (~58.0%) and ÑI presented the highest exotic species cover (~53.0%). Closed forests had fewer exotic species than semi-open and open forests, which supported higher cover of native plants (p < 0.01). Forbs were the dominant growth habit in closed forests, while graminoids were dominant in OL (~45.8%). Multivariate analyses showed that LE and CO were associated with lower PAL values, explaining 91.2% variance. GLMs showed that the PAL increased in ÑI and the spring season, with forbs and graminoids having positive effects and shrubs and trees having negative effects (r² = 0.57–0.67). Our analyses also showed that exotic species dominated environment types with a high PAL, particularly during spring and summer, when cover increased. This indicates a trade-off between forage production in forests with exotic plants. Full article

Reduced floral resources and habitat fragmentation have led to pollinator decline. Increased diversity of native plants in pastures could support cattle and pollinators. However, the relationship between grazing and plant diversity needs to be investigated. We explored how grazing rest periods impacted persistence and forage characteristics of Andropogon gerardii (BB)/Sorghastrum nutans (IG; BBIG) and Panicum virgatum (SG) pastures interseeded with forbs and grazed over five years. ANOVA analysis was conducted using R with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Forb species exhibited different establishment and flowering characteristics. Coreopsis tinctoria, Rudbeckia hirta (BESU), and Coreopsis lanceolata (LCOR) established early, while Helianthus maximiliani, Heliopsis helianthoides (OSUN), and Echinacea purpurea (PURC) established the second season. Rudbeckia hirta, LCOR, OSUN, and PURC flowered most frequently, and the grazing regimen did not influence the flowering frequency of any species. Desmodium tortuosum (TTFL) was one of the most selected by cattle. Total forage mass declined in 2022, but forb mass interacted with treatment and year where mass declined each year but varied among treatments annually. Based on persistence and forage characteristics, BESU, LCOR, OSUN, PURC, and TTFL could successfully provide forage in native pastures under a variety of grazing regimens. Full article

The concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients in meadow swards should be influenced by habitat factors and by different meadow and pasture management methods. Therefore, the aim of the study was to learn about the ranges of macro- and micro-nutrient contents in selected species characteristic of mesic meadows, their sward and dead organic matter in relation to the concentrations in mountain soils and to different management methods. The study was conducted in the Central Sudetes (SW Poland) within meadow phytocoenoses representing the Arrhenatheretalia order managed in a mowing, mowing-pasture and fallowing manner. The studied species of dicotyledon herbs and grasses showed differences in the uptake of nutrients between those two plant groups, regarding such elements as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese. The comparison between forbs, grasses and the entire meadow sward revealed the highest contents of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper were recorded in forbs, and the lowest in the sward. In the case of manganese, the inverse relationship was observed. The management methods did not have a strong influence on element concentrations in studied plant species and sward. Full article

Butterflies are charismatic insects that are critical pollinators for plants that humans and wildlife depend on; however, butterflies have some of the largest measured declines. Two iconic butterflies in the USA, the Regal Fritillary (Argynnis idalia) and the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), are proposed for protection due to decreasing numbers from overexploitation, agricultural activities, disease and development. We surveyed 145 sites and walked 557 km from mid-June to August in 2019 and 2021 to create baseline information for butterflies and fill in knowledge gaps for these species. We observed 16,986 individuals and identified 52 species of butterflies. Generally, butterflies were more abundant at lower wind speeds and in areas with higher forb cover and less bare ground. We identified more species in locations with taller grass, higher bloom densities, higher cover of forbs, and less bare ground. We observed 11 Regal Fritillaries and 31 Monarchs extending from northeastern to southeastern Wyoming in a variety of habitats. The predicted suitable habitat of Regal Fritillaries and Monarchs was highly influenced by sagebrush cover and mean temperature of the wettest quarter according to species distribution models. Our results provide information to managers about the status, distribution, and habitat use of butterflies in a previously un-surveyed area. Historical butterfly surveys were limited to mountain ecosystems, and we provide baseline information on the habitat characteristics that support the highest abundances and most species in prairie ecosystems that can be compared to future efforts. Full article

A study was conducted on the vascular floras of the Ziwuling Mountains in Shaanxi Province to establish a foundational database, providing data support for the conservation and utilization of the Ziwuling Mountains’ plant diversity resources. Based on field surveys and literature references, the composition and geographical elements of the vascular floras in the study area were analyzed. The species richness and floristic similarity coefficients of the study area were compared with other floras on the Ordos Platform. The results were as follows: (1) The vascular floras of the Ziwuling Mountains in Shaanxi Province comprised 120 families, 498 genera, and 965 species, with superrosids and superasterids being significantly dominant. There were 15 dominant families, primarily composed of oligotypic and monotypic genera. In terms of life forms, perennial forbs were the most abundant. (2) At the family level, tropical elements slightly outweighed temperate elements; at the genus level, temperate elements dominated. (3) The study area was rich in rare and endangered species. (4) Compared with other floras on the Ordos Platform, the study area exhibited higher species richness and the greatest similarity with the Liupan Mountain floras. The biodiversity of the Ziwuling Mountains in Shaanxi Province was relatively high, with diverse geographical elements and abundant rare and endangered species resources. Full article

This article examines the relationship between implementing sustainable development measures and financial risk in the context of global companies and the recycling economy. This study uses statistics from Forbes, TIME, and Statista on 50 global companies that actively embrace sustainable development and recycling-economy practices across various industries. As a result, we have compiled a Structural Equation Model (SEM), with the help of which we established that growth in the activity of their implementing the measures of sustainable development and the recycling economy by each 1 point leads to a reduction in the risk of a shortfall in global companies’ profit by USD 0.0741 billion and the risk of ousting global companies from the market by USD 1.8374 billion. It has also been revealed that a reduction in the risk of the shortfall in profit by each USD 1 billion is accompanied by an increase in the activity of global companies’ implementing the measures of sustainable development and the recycling economy by 0.3433 points, and a reduction in the risk of market displacement by each USD 1 billion is accompanied by a growth in this activity by 0.0073 points. The theoretical novelty of the research consists of substantiating the differences in the consequences of the development of the recycling economy for financial risks of companies from different sectors. Practical implications of the proposed recommendations for companies in different industries are that the authors’ recommendations for the development of the recycling economy will allow for systemic reduction in financial risks in the sectors “Automotive Industry & Suppliers”, “Banking, Insurance & Financial Services”, “Chemicals, Drugs & Biotechnology”, and “Retail, Wholesale & Consumer Goods”. We have also revealed the threat of growth of all financial risks in the course of the development of the recycling economy in the sphere “Transportation, Logistics & Aviation”. In “Electronics, Hardware & Equipment” and “Manufacturing & Industrial Production”, the implications are differentiated among financial risks, which require flexibility and care during the development of the recycling economy. We find that global companies’ implementation of sustainable development measures, recycling economy practices, and financial risks are mutually dependent organizational phenomena. Moreover, the risk to profits and market displacement manifest differently among global industries. Our conclusions support expediency in implementing sustainable development and recycling-economy measures to reduce the financial risks to global companies. Further, we propose practical recommendations for companies from different sectors of the world economy. Full article