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... Similarly, statistical information concerning abundancy and distribution for weeds are hardly available. Information can be obtained from sources such as Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964 ) and the Nobanis network ( http://www. nobanis.org/ ...
... Ecological preference : Consists of mainly fi ve species in Europe, where Alnus incana and Alnus glutinosa are the most common. According to Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964 ) , the species are present in most of Europe, and typical habitats are forest, woodlands and especially for Alnus glutinosa wet areas, such as in bogs and streams, where few other species will survive. ...
... považoval taxón E. hungarica iba za formu druhu E. campylosperma. V súčasnosti sa akceptuje názor, že E. hungarica je taxón na druhovej úrovni jasne odlíšiteľný od druhu E. campylosperma, pretože jeho korunné lupienky sú zreteľne dlhšie ako kališné lístky, zatiaľ čo E. campylosperma má korunné lupienky kratšie ako kališné lístky (Walters 1968, Felföldy 1990, Simon 1992, Molnár 2009, Popiela & Łysko 2010. Z ďalších druhov rodu sa elatinka maďarská môže zamieňať predovšetkým s elatinkou pieprovou (Elatine hydropiper L.) odlišujúcou sa hlavne kvetnou stopkou kratšou než 0,5 mm (Molnár 2009, Ťavoda & Goliašová 2008. ...
... Elatinka maďarská má pomerne malý areál -vyskytuje sa od Slovenska a Maďarska cez Rumunsko, Srbsko a Moldavsko po Ukrajinu a južné Rusko. Zavlečená a naturalizovaná bola v Portugalsku (Walters 1968, Molnár 2003, Uotila 2010. Šapoval (2006) ju zaraďuje do panónsko-čiernomorsko-kaspickej skupiny endemických rastlín Ukrajiny. ...
Last occurrence of Elatine hungarica Moesz was recorded before 35 years in Slovakia. Therefore, the species was regarded as probably extinct (EX?). In 2010, first locality of E. hungarica was found at the Danube Lowland in temporary field inundation near the village of Okánikovo. Based on our data we proposed to include E. hungarica in IUCN category 'Critically Endangered' (CR).
... Selection of these species was based on criteria of abundance and distribution at the Peninsular and European level. Cytisus striatus, G. berberidea, A. lainzii, and P. tridentatum are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula (Tutin et al. 1968); G. berberidea and A. lainzii are, moreover, endemic to the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula (Castroviejo et al. 1999). On the other hand, G. triacanthos is not considered to be endemic because, even though it is distributed only in the western part of the Peninsula, it occurs also in northern Morocco. ...
... On the other hand, G. triacanthos is not considered to be endemic because, even though it is distributed only in the western part of the Peninsula, it occurs also in northern Morocco. Finally, C. scoparius is distributed throughout almost all of Europe and has been introduced into North America, South Africa, and Australia (Tutin et al. 1968;Castroviejo et al. 1999). ...
The effect of high temperatures and smoke on germination was tested on the shrubland Leguminosae species, Adenocarpus lainzii, Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Genista berberidea, Genista triacanthos, and Pterospartum tridentatum, which are abundant and widely distributed throughout the north-western Iberian Peninsula. Light thermal shocks (80°C, 5 min and 80°C, 10 min) and medium thermal shocks (110°C, 5 min and 110°C, 10 min) stimulated seed germination in C. striatus, A. lainzii, and P. tridentatum. The treatments 80°C, 10 min and 110°C, 5 min stimulated germination in C. scoparius but only 110°C, 5 min did so in G. berberidea and G. triacanthos. The intense thermal shocks (150°C, 5 min and 150°C, 10 min) inhibited germination in all of the species studied but the inhibition effect was already detectable at 110°C, 10 min in G. berberidea. From the results, it was impossible to relate the different levels of smoke used to the variations in the germination response of the species studied. The increase in the germination level after fire was more important in C. scoparius, C. striatus, A. lainzii, and G. triacanthos, which are non-resprouters.
... Similarly, statistical information concerning abundancy and distribution for weeds are hardly available. Information can be obtained from sources such as Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964 ) and the Nobanis network ( http://www. nobanis.org/ ...
... Ecological preference : Consists of mainly fi ve species in Europe, where Alnus incana and Alnus glutinosa are the most common. According to Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964 ) , the species are present in most of Europe, and typical habitats are forest, woodlands and especially for Alnus glutinosa wet areas, such as in bogs and streams, where few other species will survive. ...
This chapter reviews what is known about abundance and distribution of the 12 most important aeroallergenic pollens in Europe: Ambrosia, Alnus, Artemisia, Betula, Chenopodiaceae, Corylus, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Olea, Platanus, Poaceae, Quercus and Urtica/Parietaria. Abundance is based on 10 years of pollen records from 521 stations of the European Aeroallergen Network that were interpolated into 12 distribution maps covering most of Europe. The chapter compares the distribution maps with other types of distribution maps that are available for selected tree species and discuss two methods for making harmonized pollen source inventories: “bottom-up” and “top-down”. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, and both need to be explored and further developed. Remote sensing has shown to be a valuable method to improve the inventories, especially the use of satellites. The full potential as well as limitations of remote sensing in relation to pollen sources remains to be explored. The review suggests that the most probable way of obtaining inventories of all 12 pollen species is to use top-down methods that use an ecosystem-based approach that for each particular species connects ecological preference, pollen counts and remote sensing.
... Those domesticates, however, have recently been re-dated or re-identified by archaeobotanical specialists, changing our previous notion about local cultivation. It appears that the seeds of cultivated Setaria italica identified in Šventoji, instead belong to the wild Setaria viridis species, which is indigenous to all of Eurasia (Tutin et al. 1996), while all the seeds attributed to Cannabis genus belonged to the yellow waterlily (Nuphar lutea) (Grikpėdis & Motuzaite Matuzeviciute 2017). The only carbonized grain from the Šventoji site originally identified as Emmer wheat was, after archaeobotanical revaluation, re-identified as rye and its direct radiocarbon date has shown it to belong to the 20th century AD rather than BC (Piličiauskas 2016). ...
Since domesticated plants moved from moderate Mediterranean climates in south-west Asia where their domestication took place to different latitudes and altitudes, these species have had to endure both genetic and morphotypical changes. Upon reaching the East Baltic, crops like wheat and barley were exposed to a different environment consisting of a continental climate with very distinct seasonal patterns, different soils, vernalization and photoperiod patterns that were crucial for plant development and growth. In this paper I take previously postulated ideas on the delay of agriculture in north-west Europe and the Alpine region of Eurasia to suggest that similar reasons could have been responsible for the delay of cereal cultivation in the eastern Baltic region. Here I argue that the slow introduction rate of cereal cultivation occurred not only due to human choice, as alternative wild resources were available, but due to the time it took for crops to adjust to environmental changes. In addition, the establishment of an ultimate crop species package was an important development that allowed better plant adaptation to novel environmental conditions and the reduction of crop failure. In this publication the term “geographical marginA. is used not in the sense of climatic hostility and difficulties for human subsistence but rather from the perspective of plant species of south-west Asian origin.
... It is suggested that the base number is x = 12 (Metcalfe 2005). This description of the plant is based on Tutin et al. 1968, Lee and Richards 1991, Rose 1996, Larocque 1999, and Reichard 2000, as well as personal observations by the authors. ...
Two related species of Hedera spp. exist throughout Canada: English Ivy (Hedera helix L.) and Irish Ivy [Hedera hibernica (G. Kirchn.) Bean]. These species are difficult to distinguish taxonomically and clear distinctions are not always made in the literature, so we largely discuss them as a single taxon in this account. Ivy is an evergreen perennial with two distinct forms: woody vine (juvenile form) or shrub (adult form). In Canada, Hedera spp. are found naturalized along the southern coast of British Columbia (Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands) and in southwestern Ontario. During the past century, ivies have greatly expanded their ranges along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America and in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and Hawaii. Ivy is physiologically plastic, invading both semi-open and deeply shaded forests. It forms a dense ground cover that can inhibit native vegetation. It grows up on tree trunks and competes for soil nutrients, frequently leading to tree damage or even tree fall. Invasive characteristics include its evergreen habit, persistence, and vegetative reproductive capabilities. Humans have accelerated the spread of ivy by planting it along highway embankments and medians to control soil erosion and through widespread sale as an ornamental plant. There is debate among horticulturalists and ecologists over the destructive and advantageous effects of ivy growth and sale within North America. Various methods of control (chemical, manual, biological, and integrated) may be used to manage this species, but more research is needed to design better control techniques.
... peuce GRISEB), a Balkan endemic of the high mountains of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece, which is a member of the subgenus Strobus. [7] [8] For a long time, the opinions on phylogenetic positions of these relict pine species have been contentious, particularly relationships between hard pines P. heldreichii and P. nigra. After Shaw, [2] who considered Bosnian pine only as a variety of P. nigra, Mirov [9] first revealed that P. heldreichii has a completely different terpene composition. ...
Comparative analysis of terpene diversity and differentiation of relict pines Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce from the central Balkans was performed at the population level. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that the composition of needle terpenes reflects clear divergence among the pine species from different subgenera: P. peuce (subgenus Strobus) vs. P. nigra and P. heldreichii (subgenus Pinus). In addition, despite the described morphological similarities and the fact that P. nigra and P. heldreichii may spontaneously hybridize, our results indicated differentiation of their populations naturally growing in the same area. In accordance with recently proposed concept of 'flavonic evolution' in the genus Pinus, we assumed that the terpene profile of soft pine P. peuce, defined by high amounts of six monoterpenes, is more basal than those of hard pines P. nigra and P. heldreichii, which were characterized by high content levels of mainly sesquiterpenes. In order to establish precise positions of P. heldreichii, P. nigra and P. peuce within the taxonomic and phylogenetic tree, as well as develop suitable conservation strategies and future breeding efforts, it is necessary to perform additional morphological, biochemical, and genetic studies.
... The genus Carlina (Asteraceae) comprises over 30 species found in their natural habitat in Europe and Asia (Tutin et al., 1976). Various species of Carlina genus, e.g., C. acaulis, C. acanthifolia, C. utzka (C. ...
Various species of the Carlina genus have been used in traditional medicine in many countries to treat numerous skin disorders, including cancer. The objective of this work was to assess the anticancer properties of root and leaf extracts from Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens and C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka. Anti-tumor properties of the extracts were explored using a tetrazolium-based cell viability assay and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis, followed by immunodetection of phosphoactive ERK1/2 in UACC-903, C32, and UACC-647 human melanoma cell lines. Normal human fibroblasts were used as a control. Leaf extracts inhibited the viability of all tested melanoma cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion while the fibroblasts were less sensitive to such extract. The root extracts inhibited the proliferation of UACC-903 and UACC-647 cells only at the highest doses (300 μg/mL). However, the C32 and fibroblast cells exhibited an increase in the cellular proliferation rate and no caspase activity was observed in response to the root extracts (100 μg/mL). An increase in caspase activity was observed in melanoma cells treated with the leaf extracts of both Carlina species. Leaf extracts from C. acaulis subsp. caulescens (100 μg/mL) inhibited proliferatory ERK1/2 in UACC-903 and C32 cells, as demonstrated by the decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. No reduction in phospho-ERK1/2 was observed in the tested cell lines treated with the root extracts, apart from UACC-647 after incubation with the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka root extract (100 μg/mL). There was no change in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the fibroblasts. The extracts from the leaves and roots were analyzed by HPLC and the analysis showed the presence of triterpenes and phenolic acids as the main extract components. The research demonstrated that the extracts from the leaves of the plants were cytotoxic against the human melanoma line and induced apoptosis of the cells. The triterpene fraction present in the tested extracts may be responsible for this activity.
... Gentiana utriculosa L. is a medium-sized, inconspicuous annual alpine species found in highlands of Central Europe and on mountains of Apennine and Balkan Peninsula (Tutin 1972;Köhlein 1991). It prefers damp locations and grows best on peaty meadows and pastures. ...
Study describes protocols for in vitro propagation of Gentiana utriculosa L. via axillary shoot multiplication and indirect somatic embryogenesis. Shoot cultures were established from seedling epicotyl explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L-1 BA and 0.1 mg L-1 IAA. Medium containing 2% sucrose and 0.2 mg L-1 BA improved multiple shoot production, providing 2.3 shoots per explant. The highest rooting (29.6%) was obtained on medium with 1/2 MS mineral salts and 0.5 mg L-1 NAA. Somatic embryogenesis was induced using different explants, including immature seeds as well as leaves and roots from shoot cultures. Following auxin treatment with either 1.0 mg L-1 2,4-D (immature seeds and leaves) or 0.1 mg L-1 NAA (roots), explants produced embryogenic calli which upon transfer to plant growth regulator-free medium allowed embryo conversion into plantlets. The best embryogenic response (82%) was obtained in calli derived from leaves cultured with their abaxial surface in contact with medium, whereas the highest embryo conversion rate (68%) was recorded for calli induced on immature seed explants. Histological analysis in all explant types revealed development of proembryogenic cell complexes at callus periphery, giving rise to somatic embryos. The presence of embryos at various stages of development indicated asynchronous somatic embryogenesis in G. utriculosa. Derooted embryo-derived plantlets placed on medium with 0.2 mg L-1 BA multiplied further as shoot cultures.
... Likely, the reason for S. hypanica's removal from the European Red List is change in the understanding of S. compacta volume in 1990-s. In particular, S. hypanica was considered as a probable synonym of S. compacta in West-European literature [TUTIN et al., 1993]. It should be mentioned, that the tendency for the enlargement of S. compacta appeared earlier. ...
Secondary structures of ITS1 and ITS2 transcripts of Atocion hypanicum (Klokov) Tzvelev and A. compactum (Fisch. ex Hornem.) Tzvelev were reconstructed. The presence of aunique nucleotide substitution in fourth helix of A. hypanicum ITS1 transcript, which lead toa disturbance in the secondary structure of the helix, strongly supported it as a separateoperational taxonomic unit. The lack of CBC in obtained sequences of ITS2 from A. hypanicum and A. compactum confirmed the absence of genetic barriers for the taxa crossing. Phenotypical distinctions between A. hypanicum and A. compactum from Caucasus associated with bracts and the morphology of the uppermost leaves are demonstrated. The separate species status of A. hypanicum was confirmed.
... Arenaria grandiflora is a mountain Caryophyllaceae that mostly grows on cliffs and calcareous rocks of the south and central mountains of Europe. In France, it is frequent in the mountainous regions and very rare in lowlands (Tutin et al., 1980). Two plain locations are extant: one is in the Parisian region (50 km south of Paris in the Fontainebleau forest), consisting of only 6 individuals in 2006; the other is situated 200 km southwest of Paris in the Loire valley and contains a few hundred individuals. ...
Peu de projets de restauration de plantes rares ou menacées figurent dans la bibliographie scientifique. Généralement, les expérimentations se font de manière empirique et ont un taux de réussite assez faible. En effet, pour qu'un plan de restauration ait de bonnes chances de succès, il convient de bien connaître les besoins des espèces en terme d'habitat ainsi que de prendre en considération les caractéristiques génétiques, démographiques et écologiques qui sont susceptibles d'augmenter la vulnérabilité de leurs populations face aux processus stochastiques d'extinction. Dans cet article, nous présentons, à tous les stades des expérimentations, les pratiques utilisées et décrites dans la littérature scientifique. Nous exposons également, à titre d'exemple, l'expérimentation que nous avons menée sur une plante menacée de la région parisienne (Arenaria grandiflora). Le but de cette publication est de fournir des conseils sur la manière de conduire une opération de restauration de population en maximisant les chances de réussite.
The current study aims to estimate the most frequent number of nucleoli in taxonomically interesting Fritillaria species. Silver nitrate staining is applied using a modified protocol in 14 taxa and one hybrid from 17 populations from Greece. This is the first report of the number of nucleoli for all the Fritillaria taxa studied here. In general, the number of nucleoli ranges from 0-8, with Fritillaria pontica and F. theophrasti characterised by the greatest number of observed nucleoli. The results reinforce the classification of taxonomically intriguing taxa, such as Fritillaria sporadum and F. theophrasti, as distinct species, even though they have recently been considered synonyms of F. ehrhartii and F. pontica, respectively.
Rubus chingii Hu (Fu‐Pen‐Zi), a perennial woody plant in the Rosaceae family, is a characteristic traditional Chinese medicinal plant because of its unique pharmacological effects. There are abundant hydrolysable tannin (HT) components in R. chingii that provide health benefits. Here, an R. chingii chromosome‐scale genome and related functional analysis provide insights into the biosynthetic pathway of HTs. Sequence data totaling 231.21 Mb (155 scaffolds with an N50 of 8.2 Mb) were assembled into seven chromosomes with an average length of 31.4 Mb, and 33130 protein‐coding genes were predicted, 89.28% of which were functionally annotated. Evolutionary analysis showed that R. chingii was most closely related to R. occidentalis, from which it was predicted to have diverged 22.46 million years ago. Comparative genomic analysis showed that there was a tandem gene cluster of UGT, CXE and SCPL genes on chromosome 02 of R. chingii, including 11 CXE, 8 UGT, and 6 SCPL genes, which may be critical for the synthesis of HTs. In vitro enzyme assays indicated that the proteins encoded by the CXE (LG02.4273) and UGT (LG02.4102) genes have tannin hydrolase and gallic acid glycosyltransferase functions, respectively. The genomic sequence of R. chingii will be a valuable resource for comparative genomic analysis within the Rosaceae family and will be useful for understanding the biosynthesis of HTs.
Geranium species are widely used in traditional medicine of Balkan. The aim of this work was to investigate and compare chemical composition of volatile fractions obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of G. macrorrhizum, G. phaeum, G. sanguineum, G. robertianum, G. palustre, G. pyrenaicum, G. columbinum and G. lucidum as well as from underground parts of G. macrorrhizum and G. phaeum , originated from Vlasina plateau in South Eastern Serbia. The volatiles were analysed using GC‐MS and GC‐FID. G. palustre volatiles have been studied for the first time with β‐selinene (18.6%) as characteristic compound. The cluster analysis revealed separation of volatiles into two main groups. Volatile fractions of G. macrorrhizum were separated from all other samples due to high sesquiterpene content (92.3% in aerial and 94.6% in underground parts). The volatile fractions of other samples were mainly composed of sesquiterpenes (10.8‐61.8%), diterpenes (12.9‐43.0%) and fatty acids and their derivatives (6.6‐21.6%) with the exception of volatile fraction of G. phaeum underground parts which was dominated only by fatty acids and their derivatives (76.6%). The results presented in this paper contribute to the knowledge on the chemistry of this genus and advances the knowledge on flora of southeast Serbia.
Astragalus L. species were reported for their important biological activities and they were used in the treatment of several diseases. Astragalus sieberi DC. is a wild plant belonging to family Fabaceae and is growing in the Egyptian deserts. The plant was subjected to extraction by 70% methanol to give the total aqueous methanol extract which was fractionated by organic solvent to give three fractions; petroleum ether (Pet.Ether), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH). These fractions were screened for their in vitro cytotoxic activity using colon (HCT-116) and breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell lines as well as in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. The EtOAc fraction showed IC50 32.2 and 69.6 (µg/ml) against HCT-116 and MCF-7, compared to doxorubicin with IC50 37.6 and 26.3 (µg/ml), respectively. Moreover, the pet.ether fraction showed a moderate radical scavenging activity at 100 ug/ml with cell viability 57.6%. Phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc and MeOH fractions of the plant revealed isolation and identification of eight compounds. They were identified as 3-nitro-1-propanol (1), 3-nitro-1-propyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), kaempferol (3), rhamnocitrin (4), kaempferol 3-O-(2″-α-arabinopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol 3-O-(6″-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (6), isorhamnetin 3-O-(2″-α-arabinopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (7) and isorhamnetin 3-O-(6″-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (8). GC–MS analysis of the Pet.Ether and EtOAc fractions led to identification of twelve compounds, where phtyol (11.55%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (10.3%) and 16-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (9.45%) are the major compounds detected in the EtOAc fraction as well as N,N-dimethyl-1-dodecanamine (42.36%) and butylated hydroxytoluene (35.96%) were the major compounds detected in the pet.ether fraction. Additionally, LC–ESI–MS analysis of the MeOH fraction was also performed and revealed the tentative identification of kaempferol and isorhamnetin nuclei with high grade of glycosylation for the first time. Keywords: Astragalus sieberi, GC–MS, LC–ESI–MS, Nitro-compounds, Flavonoids, Cytotoxicity
Developing effective larvicides for mosquito control is being challenging due to the quick development of resistance in targeted vectors. Botanical products can help, due to their multiple mechanisms of action coupled with eco-friendly features. Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) is an Alpine perennial herb used as a traditional remedy and food. Its root essential oil (EO) has antimicrobial and antitrypanosomal properties, and is currently listed among botanicals employable in food supplements. Its insecticidal activity has not been explored so far. Here, after analysing the C. acaulis EO chemical composition by GC–MS and NMR, we detected extremely high larvicidal activity of this EO and its main constituent, carlina oxide, against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae by using the standard WHO protocol. LC 50 were 1.31 and 1.39 μg mL ⁻¹ , respectively. 24-h exposure to both products triggered significant mortality rates for five days post-treatment. Larvicidal tests on a wider scale confirmed >95% larvicidal effectiveness of the EO and carlina oxide tested at 1.25 μg L ⁻¹ . Their non-target impact was evaluated through experiments on Daphnia magna adults. Both showed significantly lower toxicity if compared to cypermethrin. To shed light on the modes of action, carlina oxide was tested for anti-acetylcholinesterase activity by the Ellman method, with lower performances over galantamine. A moderate antioxidant potential was observed using DPPH and ABTS assays, since it has a role for preserving the shelf-life of herbal-based insecticides. Finally, cytotoxicity on vertebrate cells was noted, testing carlina oxide on human dermis, HCT116 and MDA-MB231 cell lines by MTT assay. Overall, the outstanding toxicity of the tested products make them excellent candidates to develop novel mosquito larvicides for real-world applications.
As modern silviculture in natural forests is based on natural regeneration, finding the most important drivers of regeneration is crucial for forestry as well as conservation. We explored the relationship between numerous environmental and land use history variables and the species richness, cover and composition of the regeneration layer, and also the cover of the dominant species of the regeneration (sessile oak, hornbeam and beech) in coniferous-deciduous mixed forests. We identified the key factors which forest management can influence to support the regeneration of mixedwoods.
Thirty-four stands were sampled, representing different tree species combinations and stand structures. We used redundancy analysis to explore the effects of the explanatory variables on the regeneration’s species composition, and general linear modelling to examine their effects on its species richness and cover.
The most important drivers of species composition were tree species richness, the amount of relative diffuse light, the proportion of beech in the overstory, and the heterogeneity of the diameter of trees. The cover of the regeneration layer was positively related to the density of large trees and to the amount of relative diffuse light. Its species richness was most strongly influenced by light and tree species richness. For the cover of a particular species in the regeneration, the proportion of the conspecific species in the overstory was determinant for every species, but other, various drivers also played a role in the case of the different species.
According to our results, the community variables of the regeneration are mainly driven by the characteristics of the current forest stands, thus they are strongly influenced by management. Compositional heterogeneity of the overstory, various tree size distribution and the presence of large trees play key roles in the maintenance of a heterogeneous regeneration layer. The shelterwood forestry system is partially capable of providing these conditions, but continuous cover forestry is much more suitable to achieve them. Besides the stand structural variables, among the drivers of the individual species, various variables of forest site, landscape and land use history also occurred. Therefore, we conclude that maintaining the landscape-scale heterogeneity of forest types and management systems may promote the coexistence of various species in the region.
Abstract
Questions: How do land-use legacies, tree encroachment and distance to the edge interact to determine species richness patterns in the ground vegetation of an unmanaged heathland? What are the direct and indirect effects of these fac-tors?Do different functional groups respond differently to these factors?
Location: Nørholmheathland, southwest Denmark.
Methods:We recorded the overstorey and ground vegetation along with environmental variables in 129 plots on a 350 ha heathland where management ceased more than 100 yrs ago. We used structural equation models (SEM) to examine the relationship between species richness of functional groups (herbs, dwarf shrubs and tree seedlings) and ground vegetation cover, overstorey development, distance to the edge and nutrient availability.
Results: The relative importance of the driving factors differed between functional groups. Herb richness increased with increasing nutrient availability from previous land use and decreased with overstorey development. Dwarf shrub richness responded negatively to overstorey development and herb cover. In contrast, species richness of tree seedlings responded strongly and positively to overstorey development but not to environmental variables or ground vegetation. In general, the effect of nutrient availability and distance to the edge were of similar magnitude and were largely mediated by the overstorey and ground vegetation.
Aims
Phytosociological classification of fen vegetation ( Scheuchzerio palustris‐Caricetea fuscae class) differs among European countries. Here we propose a unified vegetation classification of European fens at the alliance level, provide unequivocal assignment rules for individual vegetation plots, identify diagnostic species of fen alliances, and map their distribution.
Location
Europe, western Siberia and SE Greenland.
Methods
29 049 vegetation‐plot records of fens were selected from databases using a list of specialist fen species. Formal definitions of alliances were created using the presence, absence and abundance of Cocktail‐based species groups and indicator species. DCA visualized the similarities among the alliances in an ordination space. The ISOPAM classification algorithm was applied to regional subsets with homogeneous plot size to check whether the classification based on formal definitions matches the results of unsupervised classifications.
Results
The following alliances were defined: Caricion viridulo‐trinervis (sub‐halophytic Atlantic dune‐slack fens), Caricion davallianae (temperate calcareous fens), Caricion atrofusco‐saxatilis (arcto‐alpine calcareous fens), Stygio‐Caricion limosae (boreal topogenic brown‐moss fens), Sphagno warnstorfii‐Tomentypnion nitentis ( Sphagnum‐ brown‐moss rich fens), Saxifrago‐Tomentypnion (continental to boreo‐continental nitrogen‐limited brown‐moss rich fens), Narthecion scardici (alpine fens with Balkan endemics), Caricion stantis (arctic brown‐moss rich fens), Anagallido tenellae‐Juncion bulbosi (Ibero‐Atlantic moderately rich fens), Drepanocladion exannulati (arcto‐boreal‐alpine non‐calcareous fens), Caricion fuscae (temperate moderately rich fens), Sphagno‐Caricion canescentis (poor fens) and Scheuchzerion palustris (dystrophic hollows). The main variation in the species composition of European fens reflected site chemistry (pH, mineral richness) and sorted the plots from calcareous and extremely rich fens, through rich and moderately rich fens, to poor fens and dystrophic hollows. ISOPAM classified regional subsets according to this gradient, supporting the ecological meaningfulness of this classification concept on both the regional and continental scale. Geographic/macroclimatic variation was reflected in the second most important gradient.
Conclusions
The pan‐European classification of fen vegetation was proposed and supported by the data for the first time. Formal definitions developed here allow consistent and unequivocal assignment of individual vegetation plots to fen alliances at the continental scale.
The value of root and rhizome anatomy for the taxonomic characterisation of 59 species classified into 34 genera and 12 subtribes from the Asteraceae tribes Cardueae and Cichorieae was assessed. In addition, the evolutionary history of anatomical characters was reconstructed using a nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence-based phylogeny of the Cichorieae. Taxa were selected with a focus on pharmaceutically relevant species. A binary decision tree was constructed and discriminant function analyses were performed to extract taxonomically relevant anatomical characters and to infer the separability of infratribal taxa, respectively. The binary decision tree distinguished 33 species and two subspecies, but only five of the genera (sampled for at least two species) by a unique combination of hierarchically arranged characters. Accessions were discriminated—except for one sample worthy of discussion—according to their subtribal affiliation in the discriminant function analyses (DFA). However, constantly expressed subtribe-specific characters were almost missing and even in combination, did not discriminate the subtribes. Most anatomical characters showed at least some degree of homoplasious evolution limiting their suitability as phylogenetically informative characters.
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. is a perennial plant used for the treatment and prevention of the common cold and flu because of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. At present, it is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world. This study evaluated several weeding methods during three years of E. purpurea cultivation: mulching with black polyethylene film, corn gluten meal treatment, white clover living mulch, flame weeding, and metribuzin application. The adventitious flora was periodically inventoried, recording the coverage (%) and density (individuals/m 2). Furthermore, yields of biomass were determined and concentrations of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives were analyzed. Plastic mulching and metribuzin controlled weeds efficiently, allowing profitable biomass production. The highest yield of aerial and underground parts was afforded by plots mulched with black polyethylene film (5800 kg DM/ha and 1032.5 kg DM/ha at year 3). The highest concentrations of alkamides were found in plants from plots treated with metribuzin. Caffeic acid derivatives concentration in plants from plots treated with metribuzin was similar to that from plots treated with plastic mulching.
Species of Peucedanum (sect. Peucedanum) with closer botanical relationships were source of taxonomic, ecologic and coenologic incertitudes. Coenological studies of grassland vegetation in the Carpathian basin completed with the ecological indicators contributed to the foundation some coeno-ecological species groups, which can express and characterize the coenological differentiation of the Peucedanum-species and stands. Thus, various stands of P. officinale are characterized by distinctive group of species for dry, humid and semi-dry salt meadows, P. longifolium by groups for rupicolous submediterranean habitats, P. rochelianum by a group of fen and wet meadows, P. tauricum by a group of xerothermic fringe vegetation and an other for stepic grasslands. It is presented the vegetation structure, local diagnostics, constant and dominant species of recently described plant community: Inulo ensifoliae-Peucedanetum tauricae. © 2011, Universita degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza'. All rights reserved.
Questions
What is the impact of nitrogen (N) inputs on the vegetation of mountain permanent grasslands? Beyond the effect of fertilizer quantity (total and available N supply), is there a specific effect of fertilizer quality (the various N sources) on the multiple biodiversity facets of plant communities?
Location
Jura Mountains (France).
Methods
Based on a vegetation and agronomic survey of 29 mown grasslands, we considered taxonomic, phylogenetic and multi‐trait functional diversity indices as well as community‐weighted means of seven functional traits ( CWM s) including CSR strategies. Using partial redundancy analysis ( pRDA ) and Spearman correlations, we assessed the response of these biodiversity metrics to (1) the medium‐term total N input and the short‐term available N input of any origin, and (2) the relative contribution of industrial fertilizers, solid manure, liquid manure, livestock restitutions and atmospheric deposition to the amount of available N added to the soil during the year preceding vegetation sampling.
Results
We report significant negative rank correlations between total or available N input and two diversity metrics: species richness and functional richness. Among CWM s, high N inputs were positively correlated with specific leaf area ( SLA ), competitive and ruderal strategies, and negatively with seed mass and stress‐tolerant strategy. Results also revealed various trends according to the N source: when the proportion of available N from livestock restitutions was high, plant communities showed higher taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and lower leaf dry matter content. In contrast, communities receiving mainly industrial fertilizers showed lower taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and higher SLA . Moreover, pRDA suggested contrasting impacts of the main N source on life strategies: R strategy appeared more favoured by a high proportion of industrial fertilizers, while C strategy was enhanced by liquid or solid manure.
Conclusions
Our observations support the common finding that a high N supply impacts plant functional composition and is associated with a decrease in species richness through the loss of stress‐tolerant species. In addition, they show that biodiversity patterns mostly depend on fertilizer origin. In particular, industrial fertilizers appear to be the most detrimental sources of nutrients for both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in mountain grasslands.
Elimination of all bibliographic references, that we consider erroneous, of Selinum pyrenaeum (L.) Gouan on the Iberian System (NC Spain), and specifically to the Sierra de la Demanda is proposed.
The essential oil of Peucedanum ruthenicum leaf obtained by hydro distillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Among the 17 identified constituents accounting for 100% of the total oil, the major component was Thymol (57.79%). Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of P. ruthenicum showed activity against Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria.
The pyrenomycete flora on Salix is examined along a mid-Scandinavian transect. A restricted number of Salix species and a fixed number of host individuals are examined in each of the vegetation regions in central Norway, and in two vegetation regions in north-central Sweden. This investigation addressed the unsolved problems listed in my previous study (Mathiassen 1989) and the same 29 taxa are treated. The following new species are described: Amphisphaerella erikssonii G. Mathiassen, Glyphium grisonense G. Mathiassen, Keissleriella holmiorum G. Mathiassen, Leptosphaeria to/lens G. Mathiassen, and Saccardoella kanderana G. Mathiassen. The type material has been examined for all 29 species mentioned in the study, except Bertia moriformis var. moriformis.
A dichotomous key is followed by reviews of the species in alphabetical order. A systematic survey of the investigated taxa is also given. In addition to comments on taxonomy, ecology and distribution for the different pyrenomycete species, substrate ecology and host specificity are discussed. Statistical treatment of spore measurement data form the basis for a discussion of geographical variation. Multivariate techniques (ordination) are used to investigate the relative importance of geographic (including climatic) factors and the substrate tree.
Masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium, syn. Imperatoria ostruthium, Apiaceae) is an old economic plant in Alpine countries cultivated as ornamental plant and used for spirits and in folk medicine. Peucedanum ostruthium is a species that has often been confused with related Apiaceae species or morphologically similar roots or tubers resulting in products of minor quality. Masterwort can be distinguished from other Apiaceae species by nrDNA (ITS1 and ITS2). The analysed chloroplast markers (trnK 5' intron, trnT-trnL, and psbA-trnH), however, showed no species-specific mutations. With the application of two primer pairs amplifying parts of ITS and developed for high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRM) the target species was distinguishable from the other Peucedanum and Apiaceae species of our reference set. A multiplex PCR/HRM was developed to detect adulterations with Gentiana spp., Aconitum napellus and Veratrum album.
The present study reports the chemical composition of Peucedanum longifolium essential oil and headspace (HS) volatiles obtained from the fresh aerial parts. The major contributors of the essential oil were β-elemene (24.7%), (E)-β-ocimene (11.7%), cis-linalool oxide (furanoid, 5.7%), (Z)-β-ocimene (5.6%) and α-humulene (5.2%). HS analysis of the above ground plant parts has enabled the identification of thirty-one components, representing 98.7% of the total volatiles. The main constituents were: (E)-β-ocimene (28.5%), (Z)-β-ocimene (11.9%), α-pinene (8.9%), myrcene (8.5%), p-cymene (6.4%), limonene (6.3%), sabinene (6.0%) and α-phellandrene (5.6%). Twenty-six components were in common for both the oil and HS volatiles, which is 77.3% of the oil and 97.1% of the HS sample.
Alien plant species are rapidly spreading in aquatic ecosystems around the world, causing major ecological effects. They are typically introduced by humans, after which natural vectors facilitate their further spread. Migratory waterbirds have long been recognised as important dispersal vectors for native and aquatic plants, yet little is known about their role in the spread of alien species.
We determined experimentally the potential for long‐distance dispersal of native and alien wetland plants in Europe by two abundant waterfowl: mallards Anas platyrhynchos and greylag geese Anser anser . We fed seeds from two plants alien to Europe and two native plants to 10 individuals of each bird species, testing for the effects of bird and plant species on the potential for dispersal.
Intact seeds were retrieved from faeces for up to 4 days after ingestion. The proportion of seeds retrieved intact varied significantly between plant, but not bird, species. Retrieval was highest for the invasive water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora (>35% of ingested seeds), lowest for the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora (<3%) and intermediate for the native glasswort Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and seablite Suaeda vera (5–10%).
Seed retrieval patterns over time varied between both plant and bird species. Contrary to expectations, seeds were retained in the gut for longer in the smaller mallards. No Spartina seeds germinated after retention for over 8 h, whereas some seeds of the other species germinated even after retention for 72 h. Germinability was reduced by gut passage for Ludwigia and Arthrocnemum seeds. Ludwigia seeds recovered from geese were more likely to germinate than those recovered from mallards. Time to germination was reduced by gut passage for Spartina and Ludwigia , but increased with retention time.
Ducks and geese evidently have the potential for long‐distance transport of alien and native plant seeds, with maximal dispersal distances of well over 1000 km. The much greater potential of Ludwigia than Spartina for dispersal by waterfowl is consistent with its faster expansion across Europe. Maximum retention times of wetland seeds have been underestimated in previous experimental studies that lasted only 1–2 days. Contrary to previous studies, wetland plants with large seeds, such as Ludwigia, can still show high potential for long‐distance dispersal. More attention should be paid to the role of waterbirds as vectors of alien plants and to the role of migratory geese as vectors of plants in general.
Many countries have one or more national flowers representative of the geographic area or culture and traditions. In Romania, several proposals have been made for choosing a national flower but none of the proposals has been finalized by a legislative act to formalize the national flower. The authors of this article suggest that peony be proclaimed Romania's national flower. Among the arguments of this proposal there are: peony species with high ornamental potential biological and growing naturally in several parts of the country, in reserves protected by law; besides spontaneous species there are also cultivated species, found in a variety of significant shapes and colours (100-130 species and cultivars taxa identified to date); the peony flowers are very popular in the whole country, often being subject of traditions, music, poetry, literature and painting of the Romanian people; to honor peony, festivals and celebrations are held annually in many areas of the country; the beauty and grace of the plants (especially the flowers) and their biological qualities (perennial productivity, technological flexibility, adaptability ecological), The peony species are almost never absent from parks and gardens and enable the development of other types of exceptional floral arrangements: in the consciousness of the Romanian people, physical and spiritual beauty are often associated with peony, as evidenced by the widespread use of the name of peony and its derivatives for family name, first name, city name, street name, name of birds and animals; in addition to its ornamental use, the peony is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The paper will further develop these arguments. In addition, the present work will describe all species of peony that are common in our country, as well as the geographic areas were wild species of peony are present. Together with this presentation, the authors propose actions to popularize the importance and beauty of the herbaceous peony species and to formalize them as Romania's national flower. To this end, the paper will be accompanied by lists of adhesion and will be presented in other specialized universities and research institutions in our country. After gathering the necessary signatures, we propose to proclaim the peony as the national flower of Romania by law in the Romanian Parliament.
Akpulat, H. A. & Akalın, E. 2010: Peucedanum ozhatayiorum (Apiaceae), a new species from NE Turkey. — Ann. Bot. Fennici 47: 59–62. Peucedanum ozhatayiorum Akpulat & E. Akalın is described and illustrated as a new species from northeast Anatolia, Turkey. It is similar to P. caucasicum and P. longibracteolatum but differs from them by having a slender, scabroid stem; scabroid leaves; a fibrous collar; deciduous bracts; persistent unequal bracteoles; green-purple petals; and up to 10 vittae in the dorsal side of mericarps. Peucedanum is an heterogeneous genus of 100– 120 species, distributed in the Old World, mainly in Eurasia and Africa. The North American genus Lomatium is fairly similar to Peucedanum (Pimenov & Leonov 1993). Taxonomically Peucedanum s. lato is the most complex genus in the Apiaceae and it is usu-ally defined in a broad sense, as in the majority of modern floras. Only few characters are common to all of the species and the genus exhibits a great diversity of life-forms, leaf structures and chemi-cal constituents (Solov'eva et al. 1985). It is cur-rently under revision by different botanists and it is reduced to only 8–10 Eurasian species, which are known as "true Peucedanum" species related to the type species P. officinale. Many satellite genera are separated from Peucedanum, includ-ing Cervaria, Holandrea, Imperatoria, Oreo-selinum, Pteroselinum, Thysselinum, Tommasinia and Xanthoselinum (Spalik et al. 2004) In Turkey Peucedanum s. lato is represented by 16 species, and 17 taxa, including six endemic taxa (Chamberlain 1972, Bernardi 1979, Davis et al. 1988, Pimenov & Leonov 2004, Parolly & North 2004, Parolly & North 2005). We came across a new species during our fieldwork, which initiated a revision of Peu-cedanum in Turkey. The main objective of this project is to resolve the taxonomic problems in Peucedanum species, since the genus has not been studied in detail.
The background of dormancy and optimal germination parameters were studied in four populations of masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium, Apiaceae). The species is an alpine plant whose roots are used for flavouring and medicinal purposes. Peucedanum ostruthium is characterised
by a (non-deep)-morphophysiological dormancy with an underdeveloped embryo. The optimal germination temperature is 26°C and light is required for germination. Application of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) decreased germination percentage in optimal conditions but increased
it under non-optimal conditions, with the exception of one population where germination failed completely when GA3 was applied. This population was characterised by a lower mericarp and embryo size. The requirement for afterripening and high temperature for germination prevents
germination of the mericarps when they are ripe in the autumn. Thus germination is delayed in alpine conditions until the following late spring/early summer, when late frosts cannot damage young plantlets.
Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils isolated from fruits and leaves of Peucedanum austriacum (Jacq.) W.D.J. Koch were determined in order to define their medical potential. An analysis of leaf and fruit essential oils by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) resulted in identification of 141 different components, representing 93.6% and 96.1% of the total oils. The most abundant class of compounds in fruit essential oil was monoterpenoids (64.0%) and in the leaf essential oil sesquiterpenoids (82.0%). The major contributors of fruit essential oil were β-phellandrene (45.2%) and α-pinene (10.1%). The major constituents of leaf essential oil were caryophyllene oxide (23.1%), germacrene D (12.2%) and (E)-caryophyllene (10.2%). Minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined by performing broth microdilution assay. In the antibacterial activity assay, both samples showed moderate activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibitory effect at 0.625 and 1.25 mg/mL, weak activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibitory effect at 5.00 mg/mL and no effect on the growth of bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. The results showed that essential oils composition of P. austriacum leaves and fruits differed considerably. Tested oils were proved selective antibacterial agents.
A study of the meiotic behaviour and transmission of accessory chromosomes in a British population of C. pyrenaica DC. (C. alpina Wats.) has been carried out. The accessories are euchromatic but smaller than the A-chromosomes. They occur in 78% of the individuals sampled and are constant in number in all the cells of an individual. All the accessories are morphologically identical and in no cell has any association between the accessories and the A-chromosomes been observed. The accessory chromosomes behave normally at mitosis. During meiosis their behaviour differs from that of the A-chromosomes in that at metaphase I they are sometimes associated together to form accessory ‘bivalents’ or ‘multivalents’. At anaphase I the paired accessories segregate in the same way as the A-chromosomes. Unpaired accessories, however, do not divide and are generally incorporated in one of the daughter nuclei. At anaphase II the accessories divide and segregate regularly. There is a significant difference in the transmission of accessories through the male and female lines. The accessories are preferentially eliminated from the male line and retained in the female line. This provides a possible mechanism for their retention at a constant level and frequency in the population.
The results of the chemical investigations of the essential oils from the flowers, leaves, stems and rhizome of Peucedanum officinale are presented. The essential oil contents were 1.21% (v/w) in flowers, 0.64% (v/w) in leaves, 0.08% (v/w) in stems and 0.24% (v/w) in rhizome. By GC and GC/MS analysis, in all four oils the total of 132 compounds was identified: 53 constituents (93.4% of total amount) in the oil obtained from the flowers, 70 (94.3% of total amount) in the oil from the leaves, 78 (87.8% of total amount) in the oil from the stems and 67 (95.9% of total amount) in the oil from rhizome. In all oils investigated, monoterpenes were the dominant class of constituents (73.9–83.7%), with hydrocarbons (65.6–81.6%) as the most abundant representatives. Limonene, α-pinene and sabinene were identified as the most important constituents in common for all four oils. In the oil from the flowers, leaves and stems, β-pinene and myrcene were also abundant. However, the flower oil differed from the others by a significant quantity of α-phellandrene.
The chemical composition of Xanthium italicum Moretti essential oil was established for the first time using gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. One hundred and seven compounds were identified and accounted for 98.7% of the total amount. The main compounds were limonene (35.3%), borneol (5.6%), sabinene (5.8%), germacrene-D (2.5%), a-bisabolol (2.4%) and a-humulene (2.1%). Twenty-five oil samples were investigated, and their chemical variability was analysed statistically. Two main groups of essential oils were identified in concordance with the morphological characteristics: hydrocarbon-rich oils, which correlated with 100–120 cm plant height and oxygenated-rich oils, which correlated with 5–20 cm plant height. The chemical composition of the oils obtained from separated organs and the concentrations of the main compounds throughout the vegetative cycle of the plant were studied. Stem and leaf oils were characterized by the occurrence of limonene (47.9% g and 22.9%, respectively) and germacrene-D (4.6% and 15.8%, re-spectively). Flower oils displayed d-selinene and germacrene-D as the main components (22.4% and 17.0%, respectively). X. italicum fruits yielded oil with a high amount of oxygenated compounds (72.9%), particularly sesquiterpene compounds (61.5%) such as a-bisabolol (43.0%), a-cadinol (5.0%) and (E,E)-a-farnesol (4.3%). The amount of hydrocarbon compounds remained stable throughout the vegetative cycle, whereas the amounts of oxygenated compounds increased during fructification.
Two new derivatives, a flavonol, kaempferol 7-methyl ether-4′-glucoside, and an isoflavone, genistein 5-methyl ether 4′-glucoside, were isolated from the leaves of Cotoneaster simonsii. Ursolic, tormentic and euscapic acids, arbutin, genistein 5-methyl ether, catechin, chlorogenic acid and benzyl alcohol glucoside were also identified. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods.
Namely, Najas major was evidenced in the particular localities along North, North-West and South coastline of Lake. There are optimal ecological conditions for its intensive growth and development and it grows in dense populations. This species was present in 20 localities which is 33.90 % of all researched localities along Macedonian shoreline (59). Najas major was evidenced in only 7 localities (11.86 % of all researched localities) where it is rare and grows particularly. Najas major All. (Spiny naiad) is submersed annual plant, with brittle stem that are often branched toward the upward portion of the plant. The leaves are dark green, very narrow, linear, opposite, ragged in margins, and spiny in the top. The flowers are tiny, solitary, unisexual, situated in the leaf axils. Fruit is elliptical. Najas minor All. (Brittle naiad) is small submersed annual plant (in relation to Najas major), with smooth, and much branched stem. Leaves are light-green, opposite, narrow linear, ragged in margins, recurved and minutely spiny at the top. Flowers are unisexual, situated separately in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is narrow, slightly curved.
This study was carried out Ballikayalar Valley, which is present in the city limits of Kocaeli. The research area is situated in Euro-Sibirian phytogeographic region and within A2 square in grid system adopted by Davis in Flora of Turkey. At the end of evaluation of plant samples collected from the field, 293 taxa, as 193 genus, 291 species, 1 subspecies and 1 varieties belong to 73 families, have been determined. 6 of these taxa are endemic and endemism ratio is 2 %. Distribution and ratio of taxa according to phytogeographic regions are 85 taxa Euro-Siberian element with a ratio of 29 %, 30 taxa Mediterranean element with a ratio of 9.8 % and 3 taxa Irano-Turanian element with a ratio of 1 %. Besides, 169 taxa have been identified as multi-regional or of unknown-phytogeographic origin with a ratio of 58 %. 9 of identified taxa belong to divisio Pteridophyta and also 284 of them belong to divisio Spermatophyta.
The water-distilled fruit oil of Laserpitium siler L. (Apiaceae) grown in southern France was analyzed by GC/MS. The main compounds found were perillaldehyde (75.0%) and limonene (22.0%).
The aim of this paper was to determine the distribution of some representatives of emergent vegetation in Lake Ohrid: Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud. - Common Reed, Typha latifolia L. - Great Reedmace, Typha angustifolia L. - Lesser Reedmace, and Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.) Palla (Syn. Scirpus lacustris L). - Bulrush. The data for the distribution of these representatives of emergent vegetation in Lake Ohrid we received from the researches performed along the whole Lake's coastline in the territory of Republic of Macedonia (from Radozda to St.Naum). The obtained results show that there are differences in the distribution of representatives from emergent vegetation between particulars regions of Lake's Ohrid littoral zone. The differences in distribution principally are due to the different ecological conditions in the researched regions, and specific character of particular species. Namely, Phragmites australis in the upper littoral of Lake Ohrid form a natural discontinuous belt which is distributed from 0 to 5 meters depth. The others researched representatives of emergent vegetation (Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, and Schoenoplectus lacustris) were present in the belt of reed, and in particular localities form almost pure associations.
The essential oils of Laserpitium gallicum. L. (Apiaceae) from two sites in southern France have been analyzed. In plants from one site, α.- and β.-pinene were the main components, whereas the samples from the second site displayed approximately equal amounts of α.-pinene, β.-pinene, sabinene, and limonene. Additionally, some oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids could be found. The leaf oil had a composition similar to the fruit oil.
The essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the dried leaves of Achillea abrotanoides (Vis.) Vis. was analysed by a combination of capillary gas chromatography (CGC), capillary gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (CGC-MS) and capillary gas chromatography - Fourier transform/infrared spectroscopy (CGC-FT/ IR). 1,8-Cineole and camphor accounted for about 32.7% of the oil which contained about fifty compounds most of them present only in traces; 24 components (92.3% of the oil) were characterized.
A virus was isolated in Italy from Tamus communis in which it caused symptoms of red mosaic and leaf distortion. The virus, for which the name tamus red mosaic virus (TRMV) is suggested, was differentiated from other potexviruses or possible potexviruses on the basis of host range, particle properties and serology. In crude preparations, TRMV had elongated particles of modal length 550–560 nm and diameter of 13 nm. TRMV was easily purified from Chenopodium quinoa and had a buoyant density of 1·34 g/cm3 in CsCl and 1·27 g/cm-3 in Cs2SO4. An antiserum to TRMV was obtained with a titre of 1/1024 in slide precipitin tests. TRMV was related to, but distinct from, tamus latent virus, a potexvirus isolated from Tamus communis in the UK, and more distantly related to potato virus X, cactus virus X and commelina virus X. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicated that the virus particles contained a single protein species of estimated molecular weight 25·2 kDa. Enzymatic digestions, agarose gel electrophoresis and infectivity of the isolated nucleic acid indicated that the virus has a single major molecule of single-stranded positive-sense RNA of estimated molecular weight 2120 kDa (ca. 6·4 kb).
Data about the bionomics of the pollen wasp Ceramius palaestinensis (Giordani Soika, 1957) are presented for the first time. Ceramius palaestinensis is characterized by the following ethological elements: (i) the nest is excavated in non-friable soil; (ii) the burrow is surmounted by a turret from earth extracted from within the burrow; (iii) the nest is possibly perennial; (iv) the nest has a relatively short, vertical to sub-vertical main shaft with an expansion at the bottom; (v) the main shaft is not terminated by a cell; (vi) secondary shafts are absent; (vii) the cells are sub-horizontal, all at different depths; (viii) brood cells are constructed mud-cells built within an excavated cell, formed from earth excavated within the burrow; (ix) imagines visit only flowers of Trifolium (Fabaceae) and brood cells are provisioned exclusively with pollen from this plant genus; Trifolium species varying considerably in inflorescence morphology lead to different positions of foraging wasps on the inflorescences during flower visits; Trifolium resupinatum or T. clusii inflorescences with resupinate flowers function as a disc-shaped pseudanthium with the vexilla of the flowers arranged on the outer periphery serving as petal-like exhibition organs; and (x) males patrol and perch at water collection sites, at flowers and within nesting aggregations; copulations or copulatory attempts are observed there.
In Mediterranean fire‐prone ecosystems, plant species persist and regenerate after fire by resprouting, by recruiting new individuals from a seed bank (post‐fire seeding), or by both resprouting and post‐fire seeding. Since species with resprouting ability are already able to persist in fire‐prone ecosystems, we hypothesize that they have been subjected to lower evolutionary pressure to acquire traits allowing or enhancing post‐fire recruitment. Consequently, we predict that the germination of non‐resprouters is more likely to be increased or at least unaffected by heat than the germination of resprouters.
To test this hypothesis we compiled published experiments carried out in Mediterranean Basin species where seeds were exposed to different heat treatments. We compared the probability of heat‐tolerant germination (i.e. heated seeds had greater or equal germination than the control), the probability of heat‐stimulated germination (i.e. heated seeds had greater germination than the control) and the stimulation magnitude (differences in proportion of germination of the heated seeds in relation to the untreated seeds, for heat‐stimulated treatments) between resprouters and non‐resprouters.
Non‐resprouters showed higher probability of heat‐tolerance, higher probability of heat‐stimulation and higher stimulation magnitude even when phylogenetic relatedness was considered. Differences between life‐forms and post‐fire seeding ability do not explain this pattern.
Non‐resprouters appear to have a greater capacity to both (i) persist after fire by means of recruiting (greater heat‐tolerance) and (ii) increase their population after fire (greater heat‐stimulated germination), than resprouters.
Synthesis . Our results contribute to understanding the factors that condition the evolution of fire‐persistence plant traits and support the hypothesis that resprouting and post‐fire recruitment are negatively associated in Mediterranean Basin flora.
Echium plantagineum is native to the western Mediterranean Basin, where it is a common, but not dominant, component of species‐rich annual grasslands. Since its introduction into Australia, E. plantagineum has spread to infest vast areas of predominantly agricultural land in south‐east and south‐west Australia, where it can be the dominant pasture species.
To unravel the ecological factors responsible for the high population abundance of E. plantagineum in Australia, its demography was compared between sites in the invaded and native ranges. Demographic parameters of E. plantagineum populations were estimated at a site near Canberra in south‐eastern Australia, and at a site near Evora in southern Portugal. Identical factorial experiments were set up at each site with treatment combinations of the presence or absence of grazing and pasture competition.
The recruitment, survival, fecundity and seed bank dynamics of E. plantagineum populations were measured for each of the treatment combinations over 2 years at each site. These data allowed the estimation of demographic parameters describing the proportion of E. plantagineum individuals moving from one life‐cycle stage to the next.
Seedling establishment fractions were two to five times greater at Canberra than at Evora, and seed bank incorporation rates were three times greater at Canberra than Evora. These demographic differences were those most likely to play an important role in the greater abundance of E. plantagineum in Australia compared with Mediterranean Europe. Neither seed bank survival rates nor seed production differed between populations at Canberra and Evora, while seedling survival rates were always lower at Canberra than at Evora.
Neither grazing nor pasture competition limited the seed production or seedling survival of E. plantagineum populations at Evora more than at Canberra.
An effective approach for the control of E. plantagineum in Australia may thus be through the reduction of the seedling establishment fraction. This may be achieved by maintaining significant pasture vegetation cover and reducing the available space for E. plantagineum establishment during autumn.
Interspecific and temporal variations in presumed water‐use efficiency, as measured by carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), were examined in a Greek semiarid herbaceous grassland, and the hypothesis tested that competition for water is a factor in determining vegetation structure.
Experiments were conducted for 3 years in an upland grassland consisting of exclusively C 3 perennial species. The most abundant species were the grasses Poa pratensis L., Lolium perenne L. and Festuca valida (Uechtr.) Penzes; the forbs Achillea millefolium L., Plantago lanceolata L. and Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg; and the legume Trifolium repens L.
Rooting depth did not explain plant Δ in this shallow‐soil site, where soil moisture was concentrated in the top of the profile.
Although temporal variation for Δ was significant within most species, changes in ranking of species were slight throughout three growing seasons.
Δ Was negatively related to species biomass production, which means that species’ abundances were positively related to species’ water‐use efficiencies. Δ Was positively related to leaf N content, which we interpret as an autocorrelation with water availability.
The results of this study are consistent with the notion that, in an environment where water is scarce, plants may compete effectively by increasing their potential water‐use efficiency as measured by Δ, and that species abundance is regulated by competition‐driven water depletion.
We used RAPDs (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs) to investigate genetic diversity and its partition within and between three populations of Iris aphylla in Poland. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) of 84 distinct RAPD multiband genotypes revealed higher variation within populations (77.2%) than genetic differentiation between them (22.8%, P < 0.002). Values of genetic diversity indices (H) were similar in all three sites (0.21–0.24). The differentiation of the populations corresponded to low average gene flow (Nm = 0.81). Our results indicated that genetic diversity was independent of population size. We concluded that although sexual reproduction and gene flow between populations of I. aphylla were very limited, they preserved high levels of genetic diversity. Relatively large number of seeds, which migrated in the past to populations, as well as patterns of reproduction and life history of I. aphylla may explain this situation. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 142, 65–72.
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