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Orchids of Russia and Crimea: herbarium collections provide sufficient data to recover the distributional changes over time
... Apart from their original taxonomic and inventory purpose, they can provide important information on plant functional traits, phenology, morphology, physical environment, associated species, and population genetics (Davis et al., 2015;Greve et al., 2016;Lang et al., 2019;Lehnert et al., 2023;Nualart et al., 2017;Park et al., 2019). However, one of their greatest potential may lie in tracking changes in distribution over space and time, particularly at the regional level (Efimov, 2023;Di Musciano et al., 2020;Greve et al., 2016;Huber, 1994;Yang et al., 2022), and in subsequent extinction risk assessment and IUCN Red List classification (Nic Lughadha et al., 2018). Taken together, the data that can be derived from herbarium specimens can provide crucial insights for the conservation of species (Nualart et al., 2017). ...
... Taken together, the data that can be derived from herbarium specimens can provide crucial insights for the conservation of species (Nualart et al., 2017). Although the use of herbarium specimens has its limitations -many of them are incorrectly determined (Rosche et al., 2024), do not contain a collection date, or the location is too imprecisely described -there is still a lot of material that can be used, after appropriate selection (Efimov, 2023), to set conservation priorities, improve decisions and restoration measures regarding rare and endangered species, and thus enhance conservation success (Nualart et al., 2017). ...
... Instead, each specimen was assigned to a 5 km x 5 km grid cell based on its general location. This method was successfully applied by Efimov (2023), where such grid cells were used to illustrate the reduction in the distribution area of various species. However, the size of the grid cells was adjusted to the size of the study area, as suggested by the author. ...
... It is the rarest and perhaps the least known orchid of the Caucasian region (Molnár et al., 2021), as well as one of the rarest species of the genus Himantoglossum. There was a positive distributional change observed for H. formosum in Russia in the middle of the XX century, but after that it had neutral dynamics (Efimov, 2023).The estimated IUCN Red List category for H. formosum in Russia is EN B2ab(iii) (Murtazaliev, in preparation). Nothing was previously known on its pollination ecology. ...
A male of Eucera (Synhalonia) tricincta Erichson, 1835 was recorded as the first known flower visitor and pollinator of Himantoglossum formosum (Steven) K. Koch. The bee specimen was carrying four pairs of the orchid pollinaria, three of which were with partially spent massulae. About a half (48.6%) of all flowers of H. formosum in the locality under study were observed to be visited by pollinators and 22.9% were pollinated. It is comparable to other species of Himantoglossum Spreng. except H. caprinum (M. Bieb.) Spreng., which has significantly lower pollination rate. Himantoglossum formosum is highly threatened in Russia, being estimated as endangered taxon, according to the IUCN categories and criteria. However, the rarity of the species is apparently not related to its pollination ecology.
Human pressure on the environment and climate change are two important factors contributing to species decline and overall loss of biodiversity. Orchids may be particularly vulnerable to human-induced losses of habitat and the pervasive impact of global climate change. In this study, we simulated the extent of the suitable habitat of three species of the terrestrial orchid genus Cypripedium in northeast China and assessed the impact of human pressure and climate change on the future distribution of these species. Cypripedium represents a genus of long-lived terrestrial orchids that contains several species with great ornamental value. Severe habitat destruction and overcollection have led to major population declines in recent decades. Our results showed that at present the most suitable habitats of the three species can be found in Da Xing’an Ling, Xiao Xing’an Ling and in the Changbai Mountains. Human activity was predicted to have the largest impact on species distributions in the Changbai Mountains. In addition, climate change was predicted to lead to a shift in distribution towards higher elevations and to an increased fragmentation of suitable habitats of the three investigated Cypripedium species in the study area. These results will be valuable for decision makers to identify areas that are likely to maintain viable Cypripedium populations in the future and to develop conservation strategies to protect the remaining populations of these enigmatic orchid species.
Modern botanical studies revealing patterns of plant species distribution are based
on analysis of big datasets. Despite publishing many maps of diversity and species
richness on the global scale and for huge biogeographic regions of the world, the
territories of Northern and Central Asia remain poorly studied.
We elaborated a special database, including distribution of 19 Oxytropis species
of the section Xerobia with 1353 localitites (See Fig. 1). For all species, we analyzed
their whole distribution range, including data from Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China.
Species distribution was detected according to the main foreign and Russian herbaria,
online databases, field data and relevés. Species distribution modeling was performed
using Maxent 3.3.3k with MIROC-ESM model in resolution of 2.5 arc-minutes. 19 BIOCLIM and 18 ENVIREM variables were analyzed. Past climate change was
evaluated using ENVIREM variables for the Mid-Holocene (ca. 6.000 yr. BP) and the
Last Glacial Maximum (ca. 22.000 yr. BP). Future distribution modeling was carried
out basing on different climatic scenarios, according to IPCC AR5: RCP8.5, RCP2.6
and RCP6.0.
Species distribution from the section Xerobia mostly occupied the territory of
Central Asia (See Fig. 1). Few species, such as Oxytropis grandiflora (Pall.) DC. and
O. leptophylla (Pall.) DC., were mostly found in the western part of Xerobia section
distribution on the territory of Zabaykal’skiy region of Russia, Eastern province of
Mongolia and Inner Mongolia province of China. The most part of Xerobia species have
isolated distribution and often occupy specific habitats. In such case, using SDM with
only bioclimatic variables for local endemic species is pointless. So, we chose species
Oxytropis ampullata (Pall.) Pers. (See Fig. 2) with Central Asian distribution and
O. grandiflora with Manchuro-Dahurian distribution for modeling (See Fig. 3A). The
selected species differ in their ecology: O. ampullata is a mountainous species, whereas
most habitats for O. grandiflora are river valleys and mid-mountainous regions. Our
analysis showed that ENVIREM variables provide more correct modeling results than
BIOCLIM variables (See Fig. 2). Predictive maps on the basis of BIOCLIM variables
showed wide potential distribution for O. ampullata, which does not correspond
well to the species ecology. The main habitats for this species are such mountainous
regions as the Khangai mountains, the Russian and the Mongolian Altai mountains,
the Dzhungarian mountains, and the Tarbagatai ridge. Additionally, modeling showed
potential distribution for the species in the Selenga river valley. Modern distribution
of O. grandiflora was studied quite well; suitable habitats with new localities for the
species can be found in the Khentii mountains (See Fig. 3A).
The determinants for O. ampullata are mean annual temperature, isothermality and
potential evapotranspiration (PET) of the driest and coldest quarter (See Table 1). PET
parameters in the driest and the coldest time of the year have the key meaning because
in arid conditions plants receive the main portion of moisture in the colder period when
the evaporation is not intense, also it is important to conserve the moisture during the
dry season. Distribution of O. grandiflora is limited by temperature and precipitation
seasonality, temperature annual range, PET seasonality, and PET of the driest quarter
(See Table 1). Determinants for the species with Central-Asian distribution O. ampullata
are connected with temperature variables, whereas for Manchuro-Daurian species
O. grandiflora precipitation matters (See Table 1 and Fig. 3A).
The key factors for modern distribution of the studied Xerobia species are mean
monthly potential evapotranspiration of the driest quarter, continentality index and
climatic moisture index (See Fig. 3B). All these variables were determinants for the
mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum (See Table 2 and Fig. 4), which might
give evidence of relatively stable environmental conditions in the studied region.
Central Asia has not been severely affected by glaciation as more northern latitudes and
climate conditions on that territory were relatively stable during a long period.
Modeling for the past climate showed a wider distribution for Xerobia species
in the north-west during the Last Glacial Maximum and future shrinking during
the Mid-Holocene till modern time (See Fig. 4). The north-eastern territories, such
as Zabaykal’skiy region of Russia and, partially, the central part of Siberia, are
characterized by a wider distribution under modern climate conditions. Species habitats
of that territory are mostly confined with mountains. It is consistent with previous
studies that described Southern Siberia as one of the centers of speciation for the genus
Oxytropis. This region has now high Oxytropis species richness with a great number of
endemics.
Predictive maps for different climate scenarios reveal insignificant changes in
distribution of the section Xerobia, even for the maximum climate warming (RCP8.5
scenario) (See Fig.5). Under predicted climate change, potential habitats in the southwest
and in the north-east of Xerobia distribution, as well as a slight shrinking in the
south-east can be observed in the future.
The "Flora of Russia" project on iNaturalist brought together professional scientists and amateur naturalists from all over the country. Over 10,000 people were involved in the data collection.
Within 20 months, the participants accumulated 750,143 photo observations of 6,857 species of the Russian flora. This constitutes the largest dataset of open spatial data on the country’s biodiversity and a leading source of data on the current state of the national flora. About 87% of all project data, i.e. 652,285 observations, are available under free licences (CC0, CC-BY, CC-BY-NC) and can be freely used in scientific, educational and environmental activities.
The article provides a relevant nomenclature list of Orchidaceae on the Black Sea coast in Krasnodarsky Krai (Russia), with clarification of the taxonomic status of each taxon. Fifty-one taxa (41 species and eleven subspecies) are known in the study area; apart of them, there are ten hybrids. Of them, five taxa are not found anywhere else in Russia, including Cephalanthera epipactoides, Epipactis euxina (endemic), E. leptochila subsp. neglecta, E. pontica, and Serapias orientalis subsp. feldwegiana. Two taxa (Epipactis condensata and Ophrys mammosa subsp. caucasica) slightly exceed the boundaries of the study area. Data on the distribution, occurrence, and association of species with plant communities are provided. Most taxa are more or less represented in forest communities. Only eight species are confined to grassland communities and ecotonic habitats. For 19 taxa, favourable conditions seem to be in anthropogenically disturbed habitats, preferring clearings under power lines, sides of forest roads, deposits, hay meadows, and dendroparks. Data on new locations and the state of the most threatened orchid species on the Black Sea coast in Krasnodarsky Krai are presented. Three species, Anacamptis coriophora, Dactylorhiza incarnata and Epipactis palustris, seem to have disappeared in the study area, possibly due to human activity. The state of regional populations of ten taxa causes concerns about their conservation on the Black Sea coast in Krasnodarsky Krai. Seven taxa (Anacamptis laxiflora subsp. dielsiana, Cephalanthera epipactoides, Dactylorhiza viridis, Epipactis condensata, E. euxina, Neotinea ustulata, Ophrys apifera, and Himantoglossum comperianum) have a critical status. For these orchids, the risk of extinction is very high in the study area. The other three taxa can be described as endangered , namely Himantoglossum caprinum, Ophrys mammosa subsp. caucasica, Orchis militaris subsp. stevenii. The problems of orchid diversity conservation in the study area are identified. We are convinced that the most effective method of orchid conservation on the Black sea coast of Krasnodarsky Krai concerns the further developing of a Protected Area network, primarily through the creation of regional Protected Areas, including natural parks, nature monuments, municipal Protected Areas.
Orchid abundance data collected over the past 30 years (1987–2016) from 440 sites within the National Orchid Monitoring Program were analyzed to quantify the population trends of orchids in Denmark, and the underlying reasons for the observed population trends were analyzed and discussed. Of the 45 monitored Danish orchids, 20 showed a significant decrease in abundance over the past 30 years (16, if only orchids with at least 50 observations each were selected), thus corroborating the previous observations of declining orchid abundances at the European scale. Generally, there was a significant negative effect of overgrowing with tall-growing herbs and shrubs on the abundance of Danish orchids, mainly caused by change of farming practices, as extensive management, such as grazing or mowing of light-open grassland areas, has decreased.
A web-resource, the Moscow Digital Herbarium (https://plant.depo.msu.ru/), was launched by the Lomonosov Moscow State University in October, 2016 for publication of specimens imaged and databased in the Moscow University Herbarium (MW) (Seregin, 2018). In 2015–2018, a commercial partner scanned 93% of the regular herbarium collections at 300 dpi and 100% of types at 600 dpi due to the financial support from the Russian Science Foundation. As of 31 December 2018, the web-portal included 968,031 images of 971,732 specimens. About a third (i.e., 323,015 records) were georeferenced by that time. This dataset is available in GBIF (https://doi.org/10.15468/cpnhcc) since late 2017, in a weekly synchronization mode. Recently, we launched a network of regional extensions of the Moscow Digital Herbarium to interact with local herbaria as equal partners in documentation and research of provincial floras. Our local partners, such as MHA, TUL, KUZ, and IRKU, help us to avoid mistakes in georeferencing and label capturing of MW holdings from definite regions, whereas Moscow University is providing them with the complete IT-workflow for uploading, storing, retrieving and publishing of specimen-based e-data on https://plant.depo.msu.ru/. The network of regional extensions of the Moscow Digital Herbarium will include five portals in the next two years—Moscow City (since 18 September 2019), Krasnodar Krai & Adygea (since 13 December 2019), Tula Oblast (to be launched in early 2021), Kemerovo Oblast (to be launched in mid-2021), and Baikal Area (to be launched in late 2021).
A checklist of orchids is presented for Russia. Data from the project «Biodiversity Mapping of Orchidaceae of Russia» are supplemented by the literature data in order to analyse the geographical distribution of species. We consider that the orchid diversity of Russia comprises 135 species and 13 subspecies belonging to 38 genera, including several taxa with status «uncertain for Russia»: Dactylorhiza majalis, D. sambucina, Epipactis purpurata, Cephalanthera caucasica, Anacamptis laxiflora subsp. palustris, and Platanthera komarovii subsp. maximovicziana. Krasnodarsky Krai has the highest number of orchid species (56 species), followed by Sakhalin Region (50), Republic of Dagestan (49), Republic of Crimea (45), Primorsky Krai (42), and Khabarovsky Krai (41). Only in Astrakhan Region there are no orchids known. One species (Anacamptis laxiflora, from one locality) is known from the Republic of Kalmykia, three species from Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug, eight species from Nenetsky Autonomous Okrug. Gymnadenia conopsea is the most widely distributed species, being found in 74 regions (90%), followed by Corallorhiza trifida (73 regions), Dactylorhiza incarnata (72), and D. viridis (71). Twenty-five species are known from only one administrative region. Eleven of them have been found in Sakhalin Region, four of them in Republic of Dagestan. Cephalanthera erecta, Epipactis euxina, and E. leptochila subsp. neglecta are the rarest orchids in Russia (excluding the ones with «uncertain for Russia» status), considering the number of localities: each of these species is known from the unique locus. Two endemic species have been registered in Russia: Epipactis euxina and E. krymmontana. Both species have been described recently. So their distribution demands future studies: supposedly, they may be found in the Caucasus region outside Russia. Liparis loeselii subsp. sachalinensis is another endemic for Russia at the subspecies rank. However, this taxon is uncertain and may be a synonym of L. loeselii subsp. loeselii. Neottia krasnojarica and N. ussuriensis, earlier reported as endemics of Russia, are treated here as synonyms of N. nidus-avis and N. acuminata, respectively. Chamorchis alpina and Liparis loeselii subsp. sachalinensis are the taxa with the highest probability of extinction in Russia.
Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) is considered an endangered species in most countries within its geographical range. The main reason for the decline in the number of populations of this species in Europe is habitat destruction. In this paper the ecological niche modelling approach was used to estimate the effect of future climate change on the area of niches suitable for C. calceolus. Predictions of the extent of the potential range of this species in 2070 were made using climate projections obtained from the Community Climate System Model for four representative concentration pathways: rcp2.6, rcp4.5, rcp6.0 and rcp8.5. According to these analyses all the scenarios of future climate change will result in the total area of niches suitable for C. calceolus decreasing. Considering areas characterized by a suitability of at least 0.4 the loss of habitat will vary between ca. 30% and 63%. The highest habitat loss of ca. 63% is predicted to occur in scenario rcp 8.5. Surprisingly, in the most damaging rcp 8.5 prediction the highest overlap between potential range of C. calceolus and its pollinators will be observed and in all other scenarios some pollinators will be available for this species in various geographical regions. Based on these results at least two approaches should be implemented to improve the chances of survival of C. calceolus. In view of the unavoidable loss of suitable habitats in numerous European regions, conservation activities should be intensified in areas where this species will still have suitable niches in the next 50 years. In addition, for C. calceolus ex-situ activities should be greatly increased so that it can be re-introduced in the remaining suitable areas.
The book describes native orchids of the Crimea. A short overview, color photographs, and a map showing distribution within the Crimea are presented for each of the 45 species. A key to identification of all taxa is also provided. The book is dedicated for specialists in nature conservation, students, and everybody who is interested in the Crimean nature.
With c. 28,000 species, orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants, and they are also one of the most threatened, in part due to their complex life history strategies. Threats include habitat destruction and climate change, but many orchids are also threatened by unsustainable (often illegal and/or undocumented) harvest for horticulture, food or medicine. The level of these threats now outstrips our abilities to combat them at a species-by-species basis for all species in such a large group as Orchidaceae; if we are to be successful in conserving orchids for the future, we will need to develop approaches that allow us to address the threats on a broader scale to complement focused approaches for the species that are identified as being at the highest risk.
A new locality for rare orchid species Ophrys apifera Huds. (Orchidaceae Juss.) is reported. It was discovered on the territory of Rogatynske Opilla (Western Podillya), near Vodnyky village, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, in sammer 2010. Relevent nomenclatural citations for the species are provided. Information about its geographical distribution and ecological-coenotic features of the locality at the northeastern border of the range are given. It is regarded as a relict locality. Migration pathways for O. apifera are suggested.
Nowadays at least 140 Red Data books or lists are used in Russia. They reflect threatened species of various subdivisions of Russia in addition to all-Russian Red Data book. None of them uses criteria for the species assessment of the modern version of the IUCN list. Non-threatened species had not been included in the Russian red books. Most of species listed in the all-Russian Red Data book (77 %) has not yet been assessed for the IUCN red list. These particularities indicate on the necessity of gap-analysis in the planning of the following work on the IUCN red list keeping. It should focus first of all on revealing of the most urgent objectives, but not on the simple increase of species assessments. Now more than a half of species of “Тhe IUCN red list of threatened species” are not threatened ones, that is why its title does not reflect its contents.
Information from natural history collections (NHCs) about the diversity, taxonomy and historical distributions of species worldwide is becoming increasingly available over the Internet. In light of this relatively new and rapidly increasing resource, we critically review its utility and limitations for addressing a diverse array of applications. When integrated with spatial environmental data, NHC data can be used to study a broad range of topics, from aspects of ecological and evolutionary theory, to applications in conservation, agriculture and human health. There are challenges inherent to using NHC data, such as taxonomic inaccuracies and biases in the spatial coverage of data, which require consideration. Promising research frontiers include the integration of NHC data with information from comparative genomics and phylogenetics, and stronger connections between the environmental analysis of NHC data and experimental and field-based tests of hypotheses.
The occurrence of Orchis pallens L. in the Ukrainian Carpathians is reported,
and the available information about its growth localities is summarized. The
species is currently known from two populations in Rakhiv district
(Zakarpattia region (Transcarpathia)) located at the distance of approximately
8 km. The reported populations are located at the north-eastern limit of the
species distribution.
Decline in wet grasslands, which in the past resulted particularly from the intensification of agriculture, was accompanied by the loss of a lot of populations of organisms, including protected and endangered species of plants and animals associated with these habitats e.g. terrestrial orchids. The survival of populations of many species of European orchids is strongly dependent on appropriate site management, especially regular mowing or grazing. In addition, humans can negatively affect the persistence of orchid populations in various ways, such as conversion of orchid meadows into building areas, dams, roads etc. or the intensive use of fertilizers and contamination of areas by fertilisers from nearby fields. Comparison of historical data with the present distribution of orchids can reveal a lot about the main reasons for the decline in this endangered group of plants. Here we present an extensive study of the persistence of 192 historical orchid sites in South Bohemia, with particular reference to the 5 commonest species of orchids, Anacamptis morio, Dactylorhiza majalis, Epipactis helleborine, Epipactis palustris and Platanthera bifolia. We show that the most abundant species at the sites studied was Dactylorhiza majalis. E. palustris, A. morio and P. bifolia are currently not present at any of the historical localities for these species. Considering more recent history, the situation regarding orchid localities in South Bohemia is not critical, but the fate of these species should be closely monitored. The majority of this loss is due to the cessation of mowing of the sites. Thus more attention should be paid to the management of the existing sites. During this study, some new sites were discovered.
The boreal forest, one of the largest biomes on Earth, provides ecosystem services that benefit society at levels ranging from local to global. Currently, about two-thirds of the area covered by this biome is under some form of management, mostly for wood production. Services such as climate regulation are also provided by both the unmanaged and managed boreal forests. Although most of the boreal forests have retained the resilience to cope with current disturbances, projected environmental changes of unprecedented speed and amplitude pose a substantial threat to their health. Management options to reduce these threats are available and could be implemented, but economic incentives and a greater focus on the boreal biome in international fora are needed to support further adaptation and mitigation actions.
Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Abstract: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/349/6250/819?ijkey=9E/LoNrjj1ASk&keytype=ref&siteid=sci
Reprint: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/rapidpdf/349/6250/819?ijkey=9E/LoNrjj1ASk&keytype=ref&siteid=sci
Full Text: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/349/6250/819?ijkey=9E/LoNrjj1ASk&keytype=ref&siteid=sci
Because the conservation of biodiversity occurs under time and resource constraints, it is necessary to prioritize species most deserving of attention. Natural history collections have been identified as a valuable source of information in applied conservation practice, particularly for species-rich taxa like plants. Here, online herbarium information was combined with a novel, straightforward priority setting approach to screen a large list of rare vascular plant species (n = 418) in Saskatchewan, Canada. Data was quantified to develop priority scores (for a given species) using three key criteria: (1) provincial responsibility in species survival, (2) species local population characteristics, and (3) the anthropogenic threats causing species to be rare. The use of a hierarchy of the three criteria, wherein provincial responsibility was assigned the most weight, resulted in the highest ranking for 13 species that exist only in Saskatchewan and no other Canadian province or territory. The list is a first step in identifying species deserving of conservation attention and/or further study, while the method itself was deemed to be highly relevant to conservation managers and decision makers due to its scale adaptability and fairly minimal resource requirements.
The temporal and geographical variation in the history of botanical recording in the British Isles between 1836 and 1988 has been reconstructed from literature, herbarium, and field records, and related to the number and distribution of botanists. The number of botanists increased steadily to the 1930s and then five-fold after the Second World War, and is a consistent proportion of the local population. The amount of variation in the literature, assessed from the number of pages published, number of publications, and number of floras, has changed from a low rate between 1836 and 1880, to twice that between 1890 and 1940, and increased steadily to 1988. The number of herbarium specimens collected was also low up to the 1870s and then increased three-fold between 1870 and 1914, decreased between the World Wars, increased in the 1950s, and then decreased as conservation concerns came into play. The number of field records, now on computer, has risen dramatically since the 1930s, especially associated with major recording projects. The Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) Monitoring Scheme data show a strong relationship between the number of hours spent recording at a site and the number of species recorded. The production of literature, collection of herbarium specimens, and field records also vary geographically, being concentrated in the areas in which botanists live. General patterns of recording activity are presented from a combination of the data that follow the general trends shown by the sources. There has been an increase in recording activity, with a low level between 1836 and 1870, followed by a large increase, peaking between 1890 and 1910, followed by decreases during the World Wars, with a recovery between, and a sustained increase since 1950. There is a clear trend from a high recording activity in south-east England to low levels in Scotland and, especially, Ireland, high levels being associated with the main population areas. Temporal and geographical variations in recording activity need to be taken into account when assessing floristic change. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 303–330.
The present review deals with the studies conducted on the impact of phosphorus on growth of aquatic plants causing eutrophication in well-known water bodies the world over. The review covers the definition and concept of eutrophication and the adverse effects on quality and ecosystem functioning. The eutrophication of several water bodies leads to significant changes in the structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem. Several activities of human interest, including navigation and power generation, are hampered. A large number of lakes in the United States, Europe, and Asia have recently been found to be highly eutrophic. Water, the precious fluid, is not uniformly distributed throughout the surface of the earth. Most of the water bodies world over are surrounded with densely populated human settlement areas and agricultural fields. The size of smaller water bodies in human settlement areas is on the decrease with rise in population. After treatment, a large quantity of sewage from the households is regularly discharged into the water bodies. The runoff brings down fertilizers and other chemicals from agricultural fields. The phosphorus contained in these effluents is known to promote excessive growth of plants. This review is an account of the role, sources, and monitoring of phosphorus, as well as its cycle. The natural phosphorus cycle originating from the weathering of phosphate rock is now a two-way operation, due to significant addition of phosphorus from anthropogenic sources.
The detergents that are the major source of phosphorus inputs into water bodies (through sewage and drainage systems) have been thoroughly discussed. The major part of detergents comprises builders containing polyphosphate salts. An environment-friendly and effective synthetic builder is yet to be developed to replace existing phosphorus containing builders of detergents. The utility of the alternative builders available has been reviewed. Nitrogen has also been reported to affect the phytoplankton production in eutrophic waters in temperate regions. Several environmental factors have also been found to add to the problem of eutrophication in addition to nutrients. Several limiting factors—namely, CO2 level, temperature, pH, light, and dissolved oxygen—are known to affect eutrophic water bodies. Eutrophication not only results in algal bloom but also affects wetland plants and activates early onset of natural succession at a relatively faster rate. Some of the plant species reported and studied world over are the best indicators of the level of eutrophication. The studies on the change in structure, function, and diversity of the ecosystem have been used as parameters to assess the level of eutrophication. In several countries adequate control measures have been adopted in to control eutrophication. But these measures were found to be only partially effective in controlling the phosphorus unloading in water bodies. In this review some control measures are suggested, with emphasis on biological control. The review concludes by taking into account the ecological prospective of the water—the precious fluid and a basis of life on the earth.
In large parts of Western Europe agricultural intensification after World War II has led to an increased use of fertilisers.
The resulting nutrient enrichment (=eutrophication) has a huge impact on the occurrence and distribution of plant species
and is one of the main pressures on native plant communities. We used the distribution maps (grid size: 16 km²) of individual
plant species, obtained through two consecutive survey projects (1939–1971 and 1972–2004) in Flanders (northern Belgium),
to estimate the relative change in their distribution area. The comparison of changes in range size among groups of taxa classified
according to habitat preference and Ellenberg indicator values, demonstrated a marked decline in distribution area in species
that are characteristic for nutrient-poor habitats. To assess geographic patterns in the change of species assemblages, we
calculated the mean Ellenberg N- and R-values for every grid cell during each of both survey periods. Differences between
these values were analysed in relation to soil type and estimates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. The largest shifts in
Ellenberg N-values, reflecting a decline of species from nutrient-poor conditions and/or an increase of nitrophilous plants,
were observed in areas with nutrient-poor, acid sandy soils and high nitrogen deposition rates. Hence, shifts in species composition
were modulated by geographic variation in soil type and levels of nitrogen deposition. As the levels of atmospheric nitrogen
deposition are still very high in Flanders, it is likely that species from nutrient-poor habitats such as heathlands, will
further decline in the near future.
In the Netherlands nation-wide databases are available with about 10 million records of occurrences of vascular plant species
in the 20th century on a scale of approximately 1 km2. These data were analysed with a view to identifying relationships between changes in botanical biodiversity and climatic
and other environmental factors. Prior to analysis the data were corrected for several major forms of survey bias. The records
were broken down into three periods: 1902–1949, 1975–1984 and 1985–1999. Using multiple regression analysis, differences between
successive periods were related to plant functional characteristics as explanatory variables. Between the periods 1902–1949
and 1975–1984 there were small but significant increases in the presence of both thermophilic (‘warm’) and psychrophilic (‘cold’)
species. However, in the final decades of the 20th century there was a marked increase in thermophilic species only, coinciding
with the marked increase in ambient temperature observed during this period, evidence at least of a rapid response of Dutch
flora to climate change. Urbanisation was also examined as an alternative explanation for the increase in thermophilic plant
species and was found to explain only 50% of the increased presence of such species in the final decades of the 20th century.
Besides temperature-related effects, the most important change during the 20th century was a strong decline in oligotrophic
and a marked increase in eutrophic plant species.
We examined the occurrence of Dactylorhiza majalis, the most abundant terrestrial orchid species growing in rapidly disappearing wet meadows, at 50 historical sites for 3 years. We aimed to find the most frequent reasons for its recent extinction at many sites. We found that the main reasons for its extinction were absence of mowing, intensive fertilisation and washouts of fertilisers from fields nearby. At extant sites, we studied its biometric characteristics and composition of surrounding vegetation, to determine factors affecting its persistence. Bad performance of persisting populations of this species was associated with prevalence of grasses, low May temperatures and absence of mowing. This confirms, at metapopulation level, what has previously been observed at the level of individual populations. We suggest that the system of agricultural subsidies in the country should change towards more sensitive allocation of funds to those farmers, who will adopt the appropriate management of wet meadows and their surroundings.
The article reports the discovery of Epipactis leptochila (Godfery) Godfery in the north-east of the Belgorod Region. The species is found for the first time in the central part of the European Russia. Its distribution in the region in question and distinctions from the closely related species Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz are discussed. The species is suggested to be more widespread in Russia than previously assumed.
Background and aims Orchids are known to be particularly sensitive to environmental changes due to their narrow ranges of secondary successional habitats. Lack of data at the community level limits our ability to evaluate how traits of different species influence their responses to habitat change. Here, we used a diachronic survey of Mediterranean orchid communities in Corsica to examine this question.
Methods Using data from two field surveys conducted 27 years apart (1982–84 and 2009–11) at the same 45 sites in Corsica, we evaluated the impact of increase in woody plant cover (WPC) on (i) the richness and composition and (ii) the local extinction/colonization dynamics of orchids. We applied a Bayesian multispecies site-occupancy model to each of the 36 orchid species recorded at these sites to estimate the detection probability of each species, enabling us to account for under-detection in estimating their dynamics.
Key Results Between 1982 and 2011, WPC changed at 82·3 % of sites (increasing at 75·6 %, decreasing at 6·7 %). Despite marked changes in composition of orchid communities at the local scale, no significant change was detected in species richness at the regional scale. Canopy closure affected the probability of new colonization of sites, but had no significant influence on the probability of local extinction. However, the abundance of shade-intolerant species declined more sharply than that of shade-requiring species. Among orchid species, the detection probability was significantly and positively correlated with population density and plant height.
Conclusions This study reveals contrasted dynamics of orchid communities between local and regional scales in Corsica. Although high turnover in communities was found at the local scale, regional species richness was maintained despite major land-use changes. Conserving landscape mosaics could provide locally suitable habitats for orchids of different ecologies to maintain diversity at larger spatial scales.
A revision of Platanthera of Asia is presented, which recognises 78 species. Each species description is supplemented by extensive synonymy and a distribution map; all species are illustrated by line drawings. In the general chapters, special importance is given to delineating the generic limit of Platanthera, which is continuously changing. An improved taxonomic system of Platanthera on a global scale is elaborated in connection with existing phylogenetic studies and discussed in detail. The genus is subdivided into five subgenera, two of which are further divided into sections. The possible main routes of transcontinental migrations during the evolution of the genus are speculated upon in a section on ‘biogeographic considerations’. One new species (P. miniangustata), 12 new subgenera and sections, five new combinations at specific and intraspecific ranks and 20 new neo- and lectotypes are included.
A new approach to reveal the dynamics of taxa on incompletely investigated territories was developed. The decline/expansion rate of orchids in the North Western part of European Russia (Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov Regions, an area approx. 195,000 km2) was estimated using this method. The method is based on comparison of numbers of grid cells where a certain species was recorded in various time intervals using specially designed software. More than 9000 records were used, however the territory remained insufficiently and unevenly studied both spatially and over time. The study revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) decrease for Coeloglossum viride, Corallorhiza trifida, Cypripedium calceolus, Gymnadenia conopsea, Herminium monorchis, Malaxis monophyllos, Neotinea ustulata and Orchis militaris and a significant increase for Dactylorhiza baltica, D. fuchsii and Platanthera chlorantha. In several taxa, the trend was changed over the time. Of them, Gymnadenia conopsea displayed significant decline only since the middle of XX century, and Orchis militaris and Epipactis atrorubens decreased significantly only in the end of XIX and the beginning of XX century. The reasons for these patterns of dynamics were discussed. Parallels between the dynamics of orchids and land use in different periods of time in Russia are provided.
Natural-history collections in museums contain data critical to decisions in biodiversity conservation. Collectively, these specimen-based data describe the distributions of known taxa in time and space. As the most comprehensive, reliable source of knowledge for most described species, these records are potentially available to answer a wide range of conservation and research questions. Nevertheless, these data have shortcomings, notably geographic gaps, resulting mainly from the ad hoc nature of collecting effort. This problem has been frequently cited but rarely addressed in a systematic manner. We have developed a methodology to evaluate museum collection data, in particular the reliability of distributional data for narrow-range taxa. We included only those taxa for which there were an appropriate number of records, expert verification of identifications, and acceptable locality accuracy. First, we compared the available data for the taxon of interest to the “background data,” comprised of records for those organisms likely to be captured by the same methods or by the same collectors as the taxon of interest. The “adequacy”of background sampling effort was assessed through calculation of statistics describing the separation, density, and clustering of points, and through generation of a sampling density contour surface. Geographical information systems (GIS) technology was then used to model predicted distributions of species based on abiotic (e.g., climatic and geological) data. The robustness of these predicted distributions can be tested iteratively or by bootstrapping. Together, these methods provide an objective means to assess the likelihood of the distributions obtained from museum collection records representing true distributions. Potentially, they could be used to evaluate any point data to be collated in species maps, biodiversity assessment, or similar applications requiring distributional information.
Interpretation of large-scale faunal and floral survey data is often frustrated by the bias caused by variation in recording intensity. Using distribution data for Odonata and Hepaticae from the Biological Records Centre, a technique for correcting this bias is described The method is used to locate species-rich hotspots for the two taxa and comparisons are made with uncorrected data.
National databases were interrogated to analyse and compare proportional alterations in the distribution ranges of orchid species between two surveys in the UK (surveys completed in 1969 and 1999) and in Estonia (surveys completed in 1970 and 2004). Nearly every species declined between the surveys in both countries, and two species may have become extinct in the UK. Mean decline in distribution range for 49 species in the UK was 50% (range 14–100%), and 23 species declined by over 50%. The mean decline for 33 orchid species in Estonia was 25% (range 0–62%), and three species declined by over 50%. These results corroborate serious range declines recently reported for orchids in other regions of Europe (the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium). In contrast with these other regions, we found that species associated with calcareous grassland and woodland habitats had suffered greater mean contractions in range than species of wet grassland habitats. Greater decline was recorded for species found on drier soils, and for species characteristic of open habitats. In addition, greater decline was found in species with short inflorescences, and in species that were short-lived, and clonal. Our results suggest that levels of decline shown both by groups of species associated with specific habitat types, and by particular species of orchid, depend strongly on local policies and specific conservation action, and indicate the habitat types on which conservation efforts may need to be concentrated in the future. The results suggest that grazing and mowing of competing vegetation, and avoidance of substrate disturbance, will produce the greatest rewards for the most vulnerable species.
This paper explores potential biases due to recording effort in the species richness (number of vascular plant species) recorded in grid-mapping projects. In this study, we review 80 regional and national grid Central European Basic Area (CEBA) mapping projects on the vascular plant flora of Central Europe. The measures of recording effort used were the duration of the mapping project, resolution of the mapping grid and number of botanists involved. Furthermore, several environmental and geographic factors associated with the variation in species richness were used as covariables: the number of phytosociological units in the Map of Potential Natural Vegetation of Europe, altitudinal range, annual precipitation, mean January and June temperatures and geographical location of the study areas. The effects of individual factors on species richness were compared by multiple regression and hierarchical partitioning. Both methods indicated a bias in observed species richness due to recording effort. Multiple regression indicated a significant role of duration of study, and hierarchical partitioning revealed significant effects of duration, number of botanists and used resolution. Of the variation in the total number of species recorded, 8% was attributed to the duration of mapping, 9% to the used resolution, and 7% to the number of botanists involved in mapping. However, this bias was scale-dependent. Although the sampling effect can be neglected on a broad scale, on a finer scale a significant amount of the variation in plant species richness can be ascribed to recording effort. This indicates the need for a standard approach in mapping and analysing patterns of species richness.
I. Species are likely to be most sensitive to climate change at the geographic limits of their distribution. The behaviour of such populations may therefore be a predictor of the response of the species to global change. 2. The northern limit of the Lizard Orchid, Himantoglossum hircinum, occurs in England, where 16 populations are currently known. British records over the past 100 years are particularly accurate for this species and it was one of the first for which changes in distribution were linked to an amelioration of climate (Good 1936). 3. Early records were checked to confirm the rise in population number in the early part of the century. Analysis of more recent data showed that this was followed by a sharp decline and numbers have only been rising again over the last decade. The range expanded with the earlier increase in population number, but did not contract as populations were lost. 4. Data collected between 1977 and 1998 in the largest population allowed flowering probability and seed production to be correlated with rainfall during the growing season. Analysis of the resulting model showed that both observed rises in population number followed periods during which the seasons for vegetative growth had been wet. 5. Populations have become both larger and more persistent due to an increased interest in conservation. 6. Changes in the abundance of H. hircinum are likely to depend on other factors, including patterns of human activity, as well as on climate change.
Botanical recording data are often used to assess changes in the frequencies of plant species over time, but are subject to marked variations in recording activity. We compare and evaluate some general methods that can be used to detect changes in species’ frequencies taking into account the recording variations. Models for 15 species that have been studied in detail previously were compared using the numbers of individual records, sites, hectads, or vice-counties at different time scales (year, decade, moving averages, and pre-/post- specific dates), with or without correction for recording variation. The best methods had a correction for the amount of recording over time, summarized records by decade or moving average, and used an extrapolation between first and last records for sites or hectads. Increasing the geographical and temporal scales can decrease the influence of recording variations, but leads to a loss of sensitivity and under-estimates the true extent of change. The choice between sites and hectads will depend on the detail of the records available; cruder data sets should use the latter. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 279–301.
This article presents an ecological interpretation of the changes in the vascular flora of the Netherlands during the 20th century, paying attention to survey bias and the impact of environmental and nature conservation policies from 1970 onwards. In the course of the 20th century, some 10 million records of 1500 vascular plant species were sampled on a 1 km grid scale. These data were divided into three periods: 1902–1950, 1975–1988 and 1988–2000, and for each period and species total national presence were calculated. To interpret the ecological significance species were aggregated into 83 ‘ecological groups’ using a classification based on five ecological site factors. The changes of these ecological groups were statistically analysed by redundancy analysis. The principal change observed throughout the whole of the 20th century is a marked decline in vegetation types of nutrient-poor sites, particularly those on neutral soils, and at the same time a large increase in those of (moderately) nutrient-rich sites. The second most important change was a decline in saline vegetation types especially between the first and second period. Other important changes were a decline in grassland vegetation types and an increase in tall herbaceous and woodland vegetation types. For certain pioneer vegetation types on nutrient-poor, neutral soils recovery was observed, probably as a consequence of nature restoration projects started in the 1980s. Despite measures to reduce environmental emissions, eutrophication remains a major threat to the flora of the Netherlands.
Continental-scale assessments of 21st century global impacts of climate change on biodiversity have forecasted range contractions for many species. These coarse resolution studies are, however, of limited relevance for projecting risks to biodiversity in mountain systems, where pronounced microclimatic variation could allow species to persist locally, and are ill-suited for assessment of species-specific threat in particular regions. Here, we assess the impacts of climate change on 2632 plant species across all major European mountain ranges, using high-resolution (ca. 100 m) species samples and data expressing four future climate scenarios. Projected habitat loss is greater for species distributed at higher elevations; depending on the climate scenario, we find 36–55% of alpine species, 31–51% of subalpine species and 19–46% of montane species lose more than 80% of their suitable habitat by 2070–2100. While our high-resolution analyses consistently indicate marked levels of threat to cold-adapted mountain florae across Europe, they also reveal unequal distribution of this threat across the various mountain ranges. Impacts on florae from regions projected to undergo increased warming accompanied by decreased precipitation, such as the Pyrenees and the Eastern Austrian Alps, will likely be greater than on florae in regions where the increase in temperature is less pronounced and rainfall increases concomitantly, such as in the Norwegian Scandes and the Scottish Highlands. This suggests that change in precipitation, not only warming, plays an important role in determining the potential impacts of climate change on vegetation.
Methods for inferring threat from scientific collections were tested using museum records of marsupials and monotremes in south-west Western Australia. A modification of Solow's equation is presented that accounts for changes in collection effort. A runs test, sensitive to runs of zeroes anywhere in the collection record, was only marginally useful for identifying declining and threatened species. The two forms of Solow's equation, a trend analysis based on rank correlation, and a partial trend analysis to account for changes in collection effort, appeared the most promising of the methods tested. The results demonstrated that the use of these methods to infer threat may be useful when expert opinion is limited or not available. In conjunction with other relevant information, it appears that the methods can help to prioritise species on the basis of relative levels of threat.
The large losses of heathland area since the end of the 18th century can be expected to have resulted in the decline or even extinction of many characteristic heathland species. Historical data on plant species distribution patterns can provide valuable information in this context. Therefore, the aims of this research are to study how the loss of heathland area has changed the presence of heathland and forest plant species in north-western Belgium using historical plant distribution data, and to test whether the heathland flora shows an extinction debt. Furthermore, plant traits determining extinction sensitivity are investigated.Our results revealed that, despite the dramatic reduction of heathland area (more than 99% of heathland was destroyed over a 230-year period), the loss of heathland species is relatively limited (11%) and is comparable with that of forest species (11%). Heathland species that have a long-term persistent seed bank or can propagate vegetatively are least sensitive to extinction. For forest species, on the other hand, growth form is the key determinant for extinction sensitivity. Long-lived woody species have a greater chance of persisting.The relatively low extinction numbers probably represent an extinction debt and the full effects of habitat loss may not have been fully manifested yet. Consequently, future extinctions are expected to occur unless environmental conditions are improved. Therefore, heathland restoration and prevention of further heathland area losses is required.
Terrestrial orchids typically produce numerous small seeds that contain very small nutrient reserves. The seeds are structurally adapted for wind dispersal but little is known about their fate after dispersal. Some studies of seed viability in situ indicate survival for up to two years in temperate orchid species. Seeds stored in the laboratory may last much longer. We investigated seed viability of seven North American orchid species with seed packets buried in a range of soil and wood substrates within their natural habitats. In Goodyera pubescens most seeds germinated within one year. Four other species continued to germinate sparsely during the observation period, but after almost seven years many seeds were still viable. In one species, Liparis liliifolia, seeds that had been in situ for four years had germination rates as high as 68% when sown in vitro with a compatible fungus. The remaining two species did not germinate during the observation period but the seeds were judged to be intact and tested positively for viability after four years in the ground. These observations are interpreted as different species-specific strategies for in situ germination and their seed bank potential is discussed.
The BSBI Monitoring Scheme was a sample hectad (10 km × 10 km square) survey of Britain and Ireland during 1987 and 1988 set up to assess changes in the vascular plant flora since 1960. To assess change, records were compared against data collected for the Atlas of the British flora (1930–1960) for England and Scotland. At least 24% of the flora was found to have changed significantly in England, and at least 12% in Scotland. Tables showing species which have changed in frequency and selected maps are presented. The major trends suggest that plants of grasslands, heathlands, aquatic and swamp habitats and arable weeds have declined, whilst introduced species have increased.
Since about J600, 486 animal species have been recorded extinct. This represents about 0.04% of all animal species so far described. In the same period, 600 plant species are known to have disappeared, about 0.25% of the total. These figures are much smaller than those of the Permian/ Triassic and Cretaceous/Tertiary mass extinctions. One might therefore conclude that at present life on earth is at comparatively little risk of extinction. However, there is a growing body of data to show that the converse is true.
We are now entering a time of immense environmental upheaval in which, increasingly, experts are required to provide conservation assessments. Quantitative assessment of trends in species' range and abundance is costly, requiring extensive field studies over a long period of time. Unfortunately, many species are only known through a few "chance" sightings or a handful of specimens, and therefore extinction may be even harder to ascertain. Several methods have been proposed for estimating the probability of extinction. However comparison within and between species is difficult because of variations in sighting rates. We applied a probabilistic method that incorporates sighting rate to the sighting record of Vietnamese slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum). The method generates a probability that another sighting will occur given the previous sighting rate and the time since last observation. This allows greater comparability between species discovered at different times. Its predictions were more highly correlated with the World Conservation Union criteria than previous methods. Trends in data collection and the political climate of a country, which affects access to material, are important potential sources of variation that affect sighting rates. A lack of understanding of the process by which data are generated makes inferring extinction from sighting records difficult because extinction status depends on how the sighting rate varies. However such methods allow rapid conservation prioritization of taxa that are poorly known and would otherwise go unassessed.
The dynamics of Orchids of NW European Russia
- Efimov
The genus Liparis (Orchidaceae) in Russia
- Efimov
Findings of Himantoglossum robertianum in South Baden
- Achstetter
Soil seed bank dynamics of terrestrial orchids
- Batty
Plants and lichens of Russia and neighboring countries: open online galleries and plant identification guide
- Plantarium
On the record of Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) in Bryansk Region
- Semenishchenkov
Krasnyye knigi: spiski okhranyayamykh vidov rasteniy i lishaynikov
- Plantarium