Search Results (7)

Moroccan vegetation faces significant pressure particularly from human activities and climate change, while most ecosystems lack detailed assessments. Phytoecological studies and species assessments are implemented using vegetation sampling, analysis of climate data, geological substrate maps, and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The study area hosts 565 plant species distributed into 74 families, with Asteraceae being the most abundant family, representing 17.7%. In addition, the correspondence analysis test demonstrates that species are grouped into six distinct blocks. Block 1 comprises a set of Quercus ilex forests. Block 2 encompasses Juniperus phoenicea lands and transition zones between Quercus ilex and Juniperus phoenicea. Block 3 represents Pinus halepensis forests and pine occurrences within Quercus ilex and Juniperus phoenicea stands. Block 4 indicates the emergence of xerophytic species alongside the aforementioned species; it forms the upper limits of Blocks 1, 2, and 3. Block 5 corresponds to formations dominated by Juniperus thurifera in association with xerophytes. Block 6 groups together a set of xerophytic species characteristic of high mountain environments. Additionally, Quercus ilex colonizes the subhumid zones and prefers limestone substrates, Juniperus phoenicea and Tetraclinis articulata, and Pinus halepensis occupies the hot part of the semi-arid in limestone, clays, and conglomerates, while the Juniperus thurifera and xerophytes inhabit the cold parts and limestone substrates. The thermo-Mediterranean vegetation level occupies low altitudes, dominated by Tetraclinis articulata, Juniperus phoenicea, and Olea europaea. The meso-Mediterranean level extends to intermediate altitudes, dominated by Quercus ilex and Juniperus phoenicea. While the supra-Mediterranean level is dominated by Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, and Cistus creticus. The mountain Mediterranean level, located in the high mountains, is dominated by Juniperus thurifera associated with xerophytes. Finally, the oro-Mediterranean level, found at extreme altitudes, is dominated by xerophytes. Some species within this region are endemic, rare, and threatened. Consequently, the implementation of effective conservation and protection policies is recommended. Full article

This in-depth floristic study, conducted from 2019 to 2023 in nine temporary wetlands in the Guelma and Souk Ahras provinces, northeastern Algeria, aims to highlight the natural heritage of the region by analyzing the floristic composition in relation to environmental conditions. To achieve this goal, comprehensive inventories were conducted, revealing the presence of 317 species belonging to 64 botanical families and distributed across 204 genera. The plant diversity at each site was assessed using various biological indices, with a particular focus on the Taxonomic Distinctiveness Index (TDI) to determine the influence of environmental factors such as fires, altitude, overgrazing and agropastoral activities on biodiversity. The results highlighted the dominance of therophytes (43.22%) and the prevalence of the Mediterranean assemblage (66.25%). Moreover, 8.83% of the species were endemic, 1.89% were protected by Algerian legislation and 1.26% were listed on the IUCN Red List. The study identified Priority Conservation Zones (PCA) where the preservation of ponds, particularly MTG, TRC, BTH, and GZE, is crucial. Additionally, floristic and ecological boundaries between ponds were identified, highlighting marked biological similarities between certain pairs and notable isolations, particularly evident in the case of BTH with a significantly high TDI. These results underscore the critical importance of the studied region, emphasizing the need to integrate its floristic biodiversity into conservation efforts to enhance overall ecological integrity. Full article

The diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel was studied. Molecular phylogenetic relationships within the family, and genus Lycoperdon in particular, were inferred using original ITS rDNA sequences of 58 samples belonging to 25 species from Israel and six other countries, together with 66 sequences stored in the GenBank database. The current molecular phylogenetic study recovered the family Lycoperdaceae as a monophyletic group, which was supported in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The clades corresponding to the genera Apioperdon, Bovista, Calvatia, Disciseda, and Lycoperdon were revealed. The taxonomic structure of the named genera was partially resolved. Within the genus Lycoperdon, some species received significant statistical support; however, their relationships, as well as the problem of the genus monophyly, mostly remained questionable. As a result of a thorough literature survey, extensive sample collection, and studies of the material stored in the Herbarium of the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa (HAI, Israel), fifteen species representing five genera were found in the territory of Israel. Six species, namely Apioperdon pyriforme, Bovista aestivalis, Calvatia candida, Lycoperdon decipiens, L. niveum, and L. perlatum, are new additions to the diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions, ecology, geography, and critical notes, together with light microscopy photos and SEM micrographs, are provided. In-depth discussion on some taxonomically challenging species is presented. Full article

The assessment of the conservation status of urban forest remnants is essential for sustaining tree diversity in metropolitan cities. This study evaluated the composition and structure of forest remnants in four urban parks within the natural distribution of Montane Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in Curitiba (PR, Brazil). We allocated 66 plots of 100 m² and recorded all trees with perimeters at breast height ≥ 15 cm. A total of 1256 individuals from 44 botanical families and 117 tree species were identified, of which three are alien species. Tree density ranged from 1670 to 2095 trees ha⁻¹, while the density of standing dead trees varied between 90 and 188 trees ha⁻¹. We experienced values for the Shannon diversity index between 3.00 and 3.52 nats ind⁻¹, which are comparable to the values for other non-urban forest remnants. Non-pioneer species represented 84.6% of the tree community (99 spp.), and 76% were zoochoric species (89 spp.). The research findings feed the discussion on the need of specific and integrated measures for the management of the urban parks reserved to the conservation of tree diversity in a specific phytoecological formation, while considering aspects of climate change and historical anthropisation. Full article

Regardless of their biogeographic origins or degree of artificialization, the world’s forests are a source of a wide range of ecosystem services (ES). However, the quality and quantity of these services depend on the type of forest studied and its phytogeographic context. Our objective is to transpose the concept of ES, in particular, the assessment of forest ES, to the specific Mediterranean context of the North African mountains, where this issue is still in its infancy and where access to the data needed for assessment remains difficult. Our work presents an introductory approach, allowing us to set up methodological and scientific milestones based on open-access remote sensing data and already tested geospatial processing associated with phytoecological surveys to assess the ES provided by forests in an Algerian study area. Specifically, several indicators used to assess (both qualitatively and quantitatively) the potential ES of the Ouled Hannèche forest, a forest located in the Hodna Mountains, are derived from LANDSAT 8 OLI images from 2017 and an ALOS AW3D30 DSM. The qualitative ES typology is jointly based on an SVM classification of topographically corrected LANDSAT images and a geomorphic-type classification using the geomorphon method. NDVI is a quantitative estimator of many plant ecosystem functions related to ES. It highlights the variations in the provision of ES according to the types of vegetation formations present. It serves as a support for estimating spectral heterogeneity through Rao’s quadratic entropy, which is considered a relative indicator of biodiversity at the landscape scale. The two previous variables (the multitemporal NDVI and Rao’s Q), completed by the Shannon entropy method applied to the geomorphon classes as a proxy for topo-morphological heterogeneity, constitute the input variables of a quantitative map of the potential supply of ES in the forest determined by Spatial Multicriteria Analysis (SMCA). Ultimately, our results serve as a useful basis for land-use planning and biodiversity conservation. Full article

There is a relation of vegetation physiognomies with soil and geological conditions that can be represented spatially with the support of remote sensing data. The goal of this research was to map vegetation physiognomies in a mountainous area by using Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) data and morphometrical covariates through data mining techniques. The research was based on red-edge (RE) bands, and indices, to classify phytophysiognomies at two taxonomic levels. The input data was pixel sampled based on field sample sites. Data mining procedures comprised covariate selection and supervised classification through the Random Forest model. Results showed the potential of bands 3, 5, and 6 to map phytophysiognomies for both seasons, as well as Green Chlorophyll (CLg) and SAVI indices. NDVI indices were important, particularly those calculated with bands 6, 7, 8, and 8A, which were placed at the RE position. The model performance showed reasonable success to Kappa index 0.72 and 0.56 for the first and fifth taxonomic level, respectively. The model presented confusion between Broadleaved dwarf-forest, Parkland Savanna, and Bushy grassland. Savanna formations occurred variably in the area while Bushy grasslands strictly occur in certain landscape positions. Broadleaved forests presented the best performance (first taxonomic level), and among its variation (fifth level) the model could precisely capture the pattern for those on deep soils from gneiss parent material. The approach was thus useful to capture intrinsic soil-plant relationships and its relation with remote sensing data, showing potential to map phytophysiognomies in two distinct taxonomic levels in poorly accessible areas. Full article

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife. Full article