Some adaptational peculiarities of introduced species of the genus Hydrangea

Due to potential impact of invasive alien (exotic) species to the natural ecosystems, inventory of exotic species in the Cibodas Botanic Gardens (CBG) remnant forest area is an urgent need for CBG. Inventory of exotic species can assist gardens manager to set priorities and plan better responses for possible or existed invasive plants in the CBG remnants forest. The objectives of this study are to do inventory of the exotic species in the CBG remnant forest and to determine whether several environmental variables play role to the existence of exotic species in the CBG remnant forests. There are 26 exotic plant species (23 genera, 14 families) found and recorded from all four remnant forests in CBG. Cluster analysis of four environmental variables shows that clustering of environmental factors of exotic species correlates with the abundances of those exotic species. The relation between environmental factor clusters and the abundance of those exotics signify the role of environmental variables on the existence of exotic plant species. The information of exotic plant species in the remnants forest is the base information for gardens manager to manage exotic species in CBG remnants forest. The relation of several environmental factors with exotic species abundance could assist gardens manager to understand better the supportive and or suppressor factors of exotics in the CBG remnants forest. Further study on these species is needed to set priorities to decide which species should be treated first in order to minimize the impact of exotic plant species to native ecosystem of CBG.

<p>To date, about a 120 hundred clown beetle species from 32 genera are known from Ukraine. The validity of a species new to science (<em>Eudiplister ukrainicus</em> Pozharov, 2011) described from the agroecosystems of Poltava region require verification. Based on personal and literature-derived data, 39 species of clown beetles have been registered in the transformed ecosystems of Ukraine. Of these, 12 species in six genera are known from Kharkiv City: <em>Margarinotus</em> (4 species), <em>Hister</em> (3 species), <em>Atholus</em> (2 species), and <em>Gnathoncus, Hypocacculus</em>, <em>Saprinus</em> with one species each. Individual abundance of the clown beetles in the Kharkiv urban coenoses averaged 0.2% out of the total number of collected ground-dwelling beetles. Only one species, <em>Margarinotus purpurascens</em> Herbst, 1792, reached the status of subdominant in some habitats, the other species being rare. Eight species were found at the garden-plots, and seven species in the city parks (six species were recorded from the Karpovskyi Sad, the other parks hosted three or four species each). Central and suburban loans were inhabited by three species only. In terms of habitat distribution, three species of collected clown beetles belonged to the group of meadow dwellers, three species to the steppe dwellers, and six species were classified as generalists. In terms of station preferences, we distinguished six copro-necrobiont species, four coprobionts, one botrobiont (<em>Gnathoncus suturifer</em>), and one stratobiont (<em>Margarinotus ventralis</em>) inhabiting decaying plant and fungi residues. Faunisitc similarity of the histerid assemblages of the urban ecosystems of Kharkiv and field agroecosystems of Forest-steppe zone of Ukraine is high. In our collection, eleven species out of twelve occurred in both city and fields, <em>M. ventralis</em> was the only species found exclusively in the city. This suggests that the ways of the fauna formation in the above-mentioned transformed ecosystems has been identical. Therefore, we suppose some species known from the agroecosystems (<em>Hister bissexstriatus </em>Fabricius, 1801, <em>H. helluo</em> Truqui, 1852, <em>H. quadrimaculatus</em> Linnaeus, 1758, <em>H. unicolor</em> Linnaeus, 1758, <em>M</em><em>. carbonarius</em> Hoffmann, 1803, <em>Eudiplister planulus  </em>Ménétries, 1848 and <em>S. tenuistriatus</em> Marseul, 1862) to be found in the urban areas as well.</p>

The Fauna of New Zealand / Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa monograph series. ISSN: 1179-7193

Impacts of invasive plants on soil fungi and on above- and belowground plant diversity in temperate forests

Establishing a precise relationship between modern vegetation and surface pollen is the basis and key to quantitatively reconstruct paleovegetation and paleoclimate based on pollen records. The record of plant community plots has been less considered in the statistical analysis of modern vegetation and surface pollen, which limits the quantitative estimation of its precise relationship. In this study, the quantitative relationships of compositions and quantities between modern surface pollen and plant community were analyzed, based on the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, through the analysis of 33 surface soil samples and corresponding vegetation plots from forest, meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe on the Northeast China Transect. Results showed that, in a single plot, the relationships between vegetation and pollen in compositions and quantities were different across all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera, and less common and rare families and genera, respectively, due to the differences in pollen dispersal and pollen productivity. There were significant differences among different vegetation types. The compositions of meadow steppe differed greatly, while all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera differed greatly in the quantitative relationship in forest. Less common and rare families and genera differed greatly in the compositions in meadow steppe. The vegetation-pollen relationship of different families and genera was basically the same in terms of composition and quantities. According to the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, pollen taxa could be divided into three types: over-representative, under-representative and representative types. This dissimilarity index represented both the species composition and quantity relationship between vegetation and pollen both at quadrat scale and at specie level, which could be used as an indicator to quantitatively describe the modern vegetation-pollen relationship.

Ecological impact of phytoinvasions in Ukraine

Non-native plant species are being introduced to ecosystems worldwide at an unprecedented rate. Many of these non-native species become invasive by spreading across their introduced ranges and impacting native biota, ecosystems and human societies. However, the impacts of the majority of non-native plant species remain unquantified. Moreover, the mechanisms that underpin the spread and impact of non-native plants are unclear, which hinders our ability to predict and mitigate impacts. The aim of this thesis is to improve our understanding of these mechanisms. To achieve this, experiments were conducted in the lab, greenhouse and field; across local, regional and global scales. The findings of this thesis add to mounting empirical evidence that contradicts prevalent assumptions in invasion ecology. Results showed that invader density is rarely proportional to impact and that changes to soil properties resulting from plant invasion reduced litter decomposition rates, while changes in litter quality had no effect. There was no evidence for belowground enemy release in driving the spread of three widespread invasive grasses in New Zealand, although biogeographic differences in soil biota influenced invasive species responses to nutrient enrichment. There was strong evidence that belowground competition underpinned the impact of a widespread invasive grass on native species, regardless of nitrogen availability. Most surprisingly, dominant native and non-native species did not differ in specific leaf area or leaf %N across natural or nutrient enriched grasslands worldwide. Since these traits are indicative of plant growth strategies, this suggests successful native and non-native grassland species exhibit similar growth strategies. However, non-native species showed higher leaf %P and %K, along with lower leaf %C than native species. These findings have contributed to unpicking some of the complex mechanisms that underlie the spread and impact of invasive plants. They also demonstrate that a more nuanced understanding of plant invasions is needed to protect biodiversity and ecosystem functions in an era of rapid global change.

Clark, M. J. and Zheng, Y. 2015. Species-specific fertilization can benefit container nursery crop production. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 251-262. To determine the responses of six container-grown shrub species to different controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application rates, plant growth and root-zone traits were evaluated following fertilization with Polyon® 16-6-13, 5-6 month CRF incorporated at 0.60, 0.89, 1.19, 1.49 and 1.79 kg m-3 N. The six species tested at a southwestern Ontario, Canada, nursery were Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ (yellow-twig dogwood), Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (dwarf winged euonymus), Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ (Pee Gee hydrangea), Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Nugget’ (Nugget ninebark), Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ (Magic Carpet spirea), Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ (Wine and Roses weigela). Different species responded differently to the CRF rates applied. For the majority of species at the final harvest, growth index, plant height, canopy area, leaf area and above-ground dry weight were greater in high vs. low CRF rates; however, different species had different optimal CRF application rates or ranges: 1.49 kg m-3 N for Hydrangea and Spiraea, 1.19 kg m-3 N for Weigela, 1.19 to 1.49 kg m-3 N for Cornus and Physocarpus, and =0.60 kg m-3 N for Euonymus. Based on these species-specific optimal fertilizer rates or ranges, growers can group plant species with similar fertilizer demands, thereby reducing fertilizer waste and maximizing plant production.

<p>As a result of research in parks of Kiev, Kharkov and Donetsk cities, 21 species of ground beetles from four genera of the Pterostichini tribe were identified. The number of species in the parks of each cities ranged from 9 (Kharkov) to 16 (Kiev). Only in the parks of Kiev marked the species frome genera <em>Abax</em>, <em>Molops </em>and some <em>Pterostichus</em>, which is due to the boundaries of their areas. The data of a comparative ecology-faunistic analysis of Pterostichini in the main urban and agrocenoses of different cities are presented. Faunal similarity was lower for parks of Kiev and Donetsk (0.26/0.33 by Jacquard and Chekanovsky-Sørensen indexes), but higher for Kharkov/Kiev and Kharkov/Donetsk (0.43–0.58 and 0.60–0.73). Depending on the station, some ecologically close species are replaced by others. Numerous in agrocenoses <em>P. cupreus</em> Linnaeus, 1758 in urban cenosises was rare, where replaced by the close species – <em>P. versicolor</em> Sturm, 1824. Steppe species <em>P. crenuliger </em>Chaudoir, 1876 were common in the fields, but rarely observed in the parklands. The faunistic indexes (when comparing the total species composition) of agrocenoses and parks varied from 0.44–0.50 (according by Jacquard) to 0.55–0.70 (according by Chekanovsky-Sørensen). In a comparative analysis of only dominant species, the similarities of Pterostichini in agrocenosis / parks decreased to 0.10–0.18. This may indicate a significant specificity of the main composition of ground beetles for these stations. The general similarity of the carabidofauna of forest belts and parks (by the example of Kharkov) did not differ much from that of agro- and urbocenosises (0.46–0.63), mainly due to forest and polytopic species. However, when comparing of only common species, this index fell to – 0,25–0.30.</p>

Grassland Degradation Decrease the Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Species in Tibet Plateau

Establishment of non-native species and human-driven alteration of habitats are major causes of the decline of native faunas. Interference between native and non-native cockroach species was evaluated here by comparing their distribution areas in two oceanic islands: Mayotte and La Réunion. A factorial correspondence analysis showed that their presence is related to environmental parameters among which human activity, humidity and altitude are the three most important. Human activity and humidity favour establishment and development of non-native species, whereas altitude limits their presence. Non-native species form guilds (up to seven species). Their distribution areas overlap and illustrate their colonizing capacities. On the contrary, distribution areas of native species never overlap, although some co-occur with non-native species. Native species are more endangered when they are established in cultivated areas than when they are in protected natural areas.

The article describes the taxonomic composition and photobionts localization specificities in above-ground lichens of the genus Cladonia . Moreover it analyzes the amount and algal species in thallus homogenates due to their age: in zones of active growth, aging zone and destruction zone; alga cells in washings from surface of thalli. Also the article analyzes the influence of the mycobiont on the photobiont species and abundance of the photobiont. It gives the comparison analysis of these data in lichens in the north taiga zone (Murmansk Region) and steppe zone (on the example of Orenburg Region). The method of direct microscopy helped to determine the taxonomic affiliation of the photobionts to the genus. Here the authors mean the size, shape of the cells, the nature of the chromatophore, etc. The number of photobionts in samples was studied both by light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The paper presents the comparison results of the amount and algae diversity in in the thalli of the above-ground lichens of the genus Cladonia due to their geographical location and the specificity of the age dynamics of the podecium. The research shows the fact that Asterochloris alga was the dominant group in the actively growing lichen podecia. However geographical location is not important. Chlorella, Stichococcus, Pseudococcomyxa were found in lichens algae. The authors believe that the new information about the changes in the taxonomic composition of algae, due to the age of the thallus is important for science. Pseudococcomyxa algae dominated in the old parts of the north taiga lichens and Stichococcus dominated in the steppe areas. Moreover the authors give the attempt of resynthesize lichen tallium from previously isolated cultures of the mycobiotic and photobiont. This attempt was unsuccessful at the period of the research work.

Hydrangea is a genus of ornamental plants which is gaining new markets mainly as a fresh or dried cut flower, but it is also important as a pot plant and for landscaping. To expand its market, new hybrids should be developed. To increase the hybridization efficiency, some techniques were developed and tested: i) evaluation of two pollination systems; ii) comparison among fruit-cut systems before in vitro cultivation to develop embryos and to allow the growth of new genotypes; iii) evaluation of seed disinfection systems for in vitro germination; iv) sowing systems using seeds and fruits from stocks cultivated in two environments. To increase inter- and intra-specific hybridization, pollination by dispersion of previously collected pollen on the top of a corymb by a brush was more effective than pollination using the corymb itself as a brush. A longitudinal cut system can be considered the best treatment to be applied on fruits before in vitro cultivation to allow growth of seedlings. Sterilization of seeds can be done by immersion in a solution of commercial bleach for 5 minutes on MS culture medium with PPM®. When stocks are cultivated in greenhouses, in vitro contamination is lower and seeds have a better rate of germination. The results of these experiments were applied in a breeding program on Hydrangea using sexual crosses.

Floristic surveys are significant tools to get to know species diversity and distribution. Little is known about the diversity of aquatic macrophytes in the palustrine wetlands of the Lagoa do Peixe National Park. The goal of this study was to survey aquatic macrophytes in the park wetlands. It identified 176 aquatic macrophyte species distributed in 98 genera and 44 families. Families with the largest number of species included Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Asteraceae. The most diverse genera were Eleocharis (14 species), Juncus (10 species), Cyperus (7 species), Utricularia (7 species), Rhynchospora (6 species), and Ludwigia (6 species). The most frequent species were Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Centella asiatica, Ischaemum minus, Nymphoides indica. The predominant biological forms were amphibious (45% of the species) and emergent (28% of the species) macrophytes. The floating ones represented 16% of the species, and the submerged macrophytes represented 11% of the species. The diversity of the palustrine wetlands is high and comparable to other extensive wetlands in Brazil, such as Pantanal and Taim. The information in this study is important to improve the knowledge about the biological diversity of the National Park. Key words: Lagoa do Peixe, floristic survey, aquatic plants, biological forms.

We present the study results of modern dendroflora of Donetsk (a large industrial city of the south steppe zone). We have determined the species composition, analyzed the age structure of plantations, estimated the life condition of trees and shrubs. Plantations compose 76 species and 32 forms, types, sorts of trees, including 11 species and 9 sorts of the coniferous, as well as 79 species and 35 forms, sorts of shrubs, including 7 species and 19 sorts of the coniferous. Trees and shrubs belong to 78 genera, which are included into 38 families. The most represented family among the deciduous is Rosaceae Juss. - 46 species and 13 sorts, among the coniferous - Pinaceae Lindl. (9 species and 6 sorts), Cupressaceae Rich. ex Bartl. (7 species and 22 sorts). Tree species dominating in plantations are Populus bolleana Lauche (14,6% of the total number of trees), dominating shrubs are the sorts of Rosa hybrida (44,0% of the total number of shrubs). In the plantations studied we have indicated 33 species of trees and shrubs of the aboriginal fraction of local flora. Analysis of the age structure of plantations revealed that the majority of trees compose the age group of 20-29 years, the majority of shrubs - up to 10 years. Fast-growing species prevail in plantations (73% of the total number). Viability of the most part of trees of fast-growing and slow-growing species is estimated by 4 points, viability of moderate-growing species - by 6 points. The number of trees being in unsatisfactory condition (0 or 1-3 points) prevails among fast-growing species.