Natural Distribution Area Research Articles

Population genetic structure and delineation of conservation units in European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) across its native range

Conservation of the intraspecific genetic diversity of trees is crucial for long-term forest sustainability, especially in the expected scenario of climate change. Larix decidua is an excellent example of a very common species for which better knowledge of the population genetic structure is needed. The aim of this study was to examine the molecular genetic variability of L. decidua in the Alps and Western Carpathians with adjacent areas using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Low to moderate levels of genetic differentiation were observed among the study populations across the native distribution area of L. decidua. Based on AMOVA and PCoA, we revealed a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances in the whole dataset. The group of analysed populations of Carpathian larch from Eastern Poland, the area of the Jeseníky Mountains in the Czech Republic and the Tatra Region in Slovakia is relatively homogenous with regard to genetics. The FST values between these populations did not exceed 0.05, indicating low genetic differentiation. In addition, the population from the Eastern Alps could be assigned to this group. A certain level of relationship to Carpathian populations was also observed in the populations from the Northern Alps. In contrast, more significant genetic differences were proven between the individual regions within the analysed populations of Alpine larch from the Southern Alps, including the Maritime Alps, Central Alps, and north-eastern and eastern borders of the Alps. The FST values between the individual populations from different Alpine regions indicated, in most cases, a medium genetic divergence (0.025–0.112).Further research is needed to obtain more detailed information about the genetic variability of local native populations of L. decidua and their geographical determination, especially in the area of the Alps.

Competition Between Lemna minuta, Lemna minor, and Azolla filiculoides. Growing Fast or Being Steadfast?

A substantial number of Lemnaceae are invasive outside their natural distribution area. Lemna minuta is considered invasive in several European countries, where it can occur in the same habitat as invasive Azolla filiculoides and native Lemna minor. In this study the presence, abundance and growth rates of all three species were monitored across 24 natural ponds and in a series of mesocosms in order to explore the importance of species invasiveness and habitat invisibility. Field monitoring showed that the distribution of the three species of macrophytes is heterogeneous in space and time. However, the data show no association of nutrient or light levels with plant distribution. Indeed, using reciprocal transplanting experiments it was demonstrated that all species are able to grow in all ponds, even ponds where the species do not naturally occur. It is concluded that distribution of L. minor, L. minuta, and A. filiculoides is not limited by the prevailing physicochemical characteristics of the ponds during the summer period. Remarkably, in these experiments A. filiculoides displayed the highest RGR, and exerted a negative influence on growth rates and surface cover of L. minor and L. minuta. Despite such apparent invasiveness, A. filiculoides was relatively rare in the study area. Rather, the species most abundant was L. minor which has the lowest RGR under field conditions in summer. Therefore, this study shows that the invasiveness of the species during the summer months is not necessarily reflected in the actual distribution pattern in natural ponds. In fact, alien L. minuta and A. filiculoides are under-represented in the monitored area. It is concluded that the interaction of several factors, including growth under winter-conditions and/or dispersal after disturbances, is the major determinant of the abundance and heterogeneous distribution of L. minor, L. minuta, and A. filiculoides in the study area.

Opening-up Crépin’s Rose Herbarium by New Technologies: a Pilot Project

The collections of Meise Botanic Garden comprise extensive and varied documentation on the genus Rosa. The library collection contains valuable and often rare 19th century publications about the genus Rosa, frequently with annotations by François Crépin. In addition to this, the archives hold the unpublished manuscripts and thousands of letters from Crépin’s correspondents reflecting the extraordinary scientific network he built up to facilitate the exchange of herbarium collections together with erudite discussions on the taxonomy of the genus Rosa. Crépin exchanged letters with all the important rhodologists of his time, such as E. Burnat, H. Christ, P.A. Déséglise, P.E. Parmentier, H. Takashima, and W. Wirtgen, and also with horticulturists, such as J. Gravereaux. This unique network and diversified patrimony of historical collections took shape over a period of several decades during which Crépin prepared a monograph of the genus Rosa that unfortunately was never finished. Crépin assembled a 19th century herbarium with ca. 40 000 specimens of the genus Rosa. In contrast to other important herbaria, the Crépin collection covers the whole natural area of distribution of Rosa and documents an unparalleled range of Rose taxa. The combination of documentary sources of several different types makes the collections of Meise Botanic Garden extremely valuable. They offer great opportunities for multidisciplinary studies by taxonomists and historians with the aim of solving the still insufficiently understood relations between taxa in the genus Rosa. Linking this unique heritage of Meise Botanic Garden with present-day molecular techniques promises rewarding research in the near future. We can conclude that the collections related to Roses are major masterpieces of the Garden. In 2016 the Piaget Foundation, the World Federation of Rose Societies and ‘De Vrienden van de Roos’, supported the Botanic Garden with a grant which allowed us to image 13 000 out of the 40 000 herbarium sheets. The public is invited to help us generate the label data on the Garden’s crowdsourcing platform (https://www.doedat.be/). In this project we tested also the quality of extracted DNA of 96 specimens of the Crépin Herbarium. 69% of the samples yielded with the Nanodrop technology good quality and quantity of DNA and for 29% of the samples it was even possible to amplify the rDNA gene marker ITS (with 650bp). These results are encouraging and illustrate that this historic herbarium could be a useful tool for research on roses.

How aridity variations affect Prosopis caldenia growth in transitional forests in the semiarid Argentinean Pampas

The semiarid Pampas in central Argentina, occupied by caldén’s (Prosopis caldenia Burkart) woodlands (caldenales), had been affected by several wet and dry periods in the last century. Nowadays, the caldenales cover about 17 million hectares of central Argentina and their current state is critical due to massive deforestation rates. Caldén has an important dendrochronological potential since it produces sensitive tree rings linked to climate oscillations, fire events, competence, insect breakout, among others. The standard dendrochronological analysis can be improved with new advances in serial modeling and multivariate ordination techniques for handling problems related to the comparison of dendrochronological samples. We applied a statistical algorithm, BIOdry, which integrates conventional procedures for modeling patterns between annual diameter increments and drought. P. caldenia dendrochronological data were used accounting for multiple sources of variation from the sample design, and comparing patterns from contrasting climatic portions of the study site. The relation between diameter growth dynamics of caldén with temperature and precipitation fluctuations along the second half of the last century was analyzed. Populations at the Northern limit of its natural distribution area were selected. Monthly temperature and precipitation were evaluated in order to identify relative water surplus and deficit periods and an annual aridity index (AAI) was calculated. The objectives of the present work were: to analyze, describe and model response patterns between the P. caldenia diameter growth increment and the AAIs. A common growth response pattern and differences in tree and population level were also analysed. The algorithm BIOdry showed a good behavior, according to the considered statistical parameters (all the fixed effects were statistically significant). Several and common problems associated with the nature of the tree-ring data in modeling (pseudorreplication, autocorrelation, and nested random effects) were efficiently addressed. P. caldenia diameter growth, at tree level significantly responds to different AAI variation intensities along the studied period. A high frequency growth variability at population level was detected when trees establishment happened. These associations ended when trees become older. Low frequency growth variability at population level was significant throughout the analyzed period, presumably linked to age and management history. These results provide news insights in relation to the climate impact on growth dynamics of caldén in the Argentinean pampas and the value of new statistical tools in order to improve dendrochronological studies.

Hydrological Regime Monitoring and Mapping of the Zhalong Wetland through Integrating Time Series Radarsat-2 and Landsat Imagery

Zhalong wetland is a globally important breeding habitat for many rare migratory bird species. Prompted by the high demand for temporal and spatial information about the wetland’s hydrological regimes and landscape patterns, eight time series Radarsat-2 images were utilized to detect the flooding characteristics of the Zhalong wetland. Subsequently, a random forest model was built to discriminate wetlands from other land cover types, combining with optical, radar, and hydrological regime data derived from multitemporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The results showed that hydrological regimes variables, including flooding extent and flooding frequency, derived from multitemporal SAR images, improve the land cover classification accuracy in the natural wetlands distribution area. The permutation importance scores derived from the random forest classifier indicate that normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) calculated from optical imagery and the flooding frequency derived from multitemporal SAR imagery were found to be the most important variables for land cover mapping. Accuracy testing indicate that the addition of hydrological regime features effectively depressed the omission error rates (from 52.14% to 2.88%) of marsh and the commission error (from 77.34% to 51.27%) of meadow, thereby improving the overall classification accuracy (from 76.49% to 91.73%). The hydrological regimes and land cover monitoring in the typical wetlands are important for eco-hydrological modeling, biodiversity conservation, and regional ecology and water security.

The Archaeobotany and Ethnobotany of Portuguese or White Crowberry (Corema album)

Portuguese crowberry (Corema album (L.) D. Don) is a shrub considered endemic to the Atlantic coastal dunes of the Iberian Peninsula. For many reasons, among which the most prominent are habitat loss and competition from invasive species, but possibly also due to overexploitation, the survival of several of its populations is now compromised. By promoting the identification of its archaeobotanical remains and gathering information about its past uses, the current need for conservation is emphasized. The plant has been exploited for its berries since at least the Early Neolithic and the species features in a number of historical written sources. Archaeological sites located within its current natural distribution area have yielded relatively abundant archaeobotanical finds. This evidence suggests that its distribution area was much larger in the past and has decreased rapidly in recent decades. Its archaeological importance may be misrepresented due to issues with identification, particularly outside its current distribution area. It is hoped that this paper will contribute to a higher identification rate of archaeobotanical remains of this plant, eventually leading to a more thorough recognition of its past importance and contributing to its present conservation.

The results of the introduction of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. into the oak-woods of the Khopyor region

An analysis of the results of the introduction of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. into the flood-plain oak-woods of the Khopyor is conducted. The total bioecological assessment and prospects of the introduction into the natural flood-plain oak-woods of the Middle Khopyor region for the enrichment of their species composition with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of these ecosystems and optimization of their ecological functions are given. The compliance of the environmental conditions of the growth of introduced stands in the middle reaches of the Khopyor River, original within the natural distribution area is found. Alongside with the identified typical directions of reduction in the indicators of the stability and productivity of this breed in introduced centres in comparison with the natural areas there detected trends in increasing the resistance of the species in the succeeding generations, as a result of clone variability, a selection of species with a high vital potential and adaptive capacity.

江西武夷山中亚热带南方铁杉针阔混交林群落组成与结构

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 江西武夷山中亚热带南方铁杉针阔混交林群落组成与结构 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201709051597 作者: 作者单位: 南京林业大学,南京林业大学,南京林业大学,江苏省中国科学院植物研究所,江西武夷山国家级自然保护区管理局 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金（31600328）；江苏省自然科学基金项目（BK20160924）；江苏省高校优势学科建设工程资助项目（PAPD） Community composition and structure of a mid-subtropical coniferous (Tsuga chinensis var. tchekiangensis) and broadleaf mixed forest in Jiangxi Wuyishan, China Author: Affiliation: Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing Forestry University,Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences,Administrative Bureau of Jiangxi Wuyishan National Nature Reserve Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:长期监测型固定样地是研究物种分布格局、群落动态和生物多样性维持机制等森林生态系统特征、过程与机理的重要平台。我国亚热带地区已建立的森林固定样地多为阔叶林类型，而针叶（阔叶混交）林类型十分有限。按照巴拿马Barro Colorado Island大型森林固定样地的建设规范，于2014年在江西武夷山国家级自然保护区内海拔1800 m左右的南方铁杉（Tsuga chinensis var.tchekiangensis）天然种群分布区域建立中亚热带针阔混交林6.4 hm2固定样地。木本植物调查结果表明：（1）样地内胸径≥1 cm的木本植物共有29科53属89种，显著低于我国亚热带阔叶林样地平均水平，但显著高于温带针叶（阔叶混交）林样地平均水平；（2）在区系组成上，科以热带成分为主，而属以温带成分为主；（3）样地内独立个体数密度为2252株/hm2，与温带针叶（阔叶混交）林平均水平相当，但显著低于亚热带阔叶林平均水平；（4）胸高断面积为37.89 m2/hm2，与亚热带阔叶林样地平均水平相当，但显著低于温带针叶（阔叶混交）林平均水平；（5）群落成层现象显著，优势种明显，多度排名前4位的物种的个体数占总个体数的55%，而排名后40的物种仅占1%；（6）群落总径级结构呈倒"J"型分布，其中胸径≤10 cm的小径木占总个体数的76.9%，而胸径 > 30 cm的大径木仅占5.3%；（7）主要树种的径级结构有偏正态分布和"L"型分布等类型，但它们的种群在空间上均呈现显著的聚集分布特征；（8）南方铁杉虽然是群落现阶段最重要的优势种，但它的种群更新缓慢。研究结果充分显示该样地对中国森林多样性监测以及南方铁杉种群保育的重要意义。 Abstract:Long-term plots are important platforms for research on forest ecosystem characteristics, processes, and functioning such as species spatial distribution, community dynamics, and mechanisms for the maintenance of biodiversity. Many long-term forest plots have been established in subtropical China, but most of them are broadleaf forests. Plots that focus on coniferous (and broadleaf mixed) forests in that region are still scarce. Following the field protocol of the large long-term plot on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, a 6.4 hm2 mid-subtropical coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest long-term plot was established in the natural distribution area of Tsuga chinensis var. tchekiangensis (Pinaceae) at an elevation of around 1800 m in Jiangxi Wuyishan National Nature Reserve in 2014. The first inventory of woody plants with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm in the plot showed that (1) there were a total of 89 woody species belonging to 53 genera of 29 families; these values were significantly lower than the averages of subtropical broadleaf forest (SBF) plots, but significantly higher than those of temperate coniferous (and broadleaf mixed) forest (TCF) plots in China. (2) Tropical areal types were the major floral components at the family level, whereas temperate areal types were the major floral components at the genus level. (3) The density of independent individuals was 2252/hm2, which was similar to the average of TCF plots, but significantly lower than that of SBF plots. (4) The basal area at breast height of the plot was 37.89 m2/hm2, which was similar to the average of SBF plots, but significantly lower than that of TCF plots. (5) Canopy layering was evident and dominant species were distinct in the community. The sum of the abundance of the four most-abundant species was as high as 55% of the total abundance; however, the sum of abundance of the 40 least-abundant species was only 1% of the total. (6) The DBH distribution of the community appeared as a reversed ‘J’ shape. The number of small-size (DBH ≤ 10 cm) individuals was around 76.9% of the total abundance, whereas the number of large-size (DBH > 30 cm) individuals was only 5.3% of the total. (7) For the major species, DBH distribution shapes appeared as various types, such as a skewed distribution and ‘L’ shape, but spatially they all showed aggregated distribution patterns within the plot. (8) Though T. chinensis var. tchekiangensis was the most dominant species at the current successional stage, its recruitment rate was low. These findings demonstrate important values of this long-term plot for the monitoring of forest biodiversity and conservation of T. chinensis var. tchekiangensis in China. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Determination of Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Some Quality Properties of Salep Orchid (Orchis sancta L.) Cultivated in Field Conditions in Turkey

Turkey has rich biodiversity due to located at the intersection of Europe-Siberia, Mediterranean and Iran-Turan flora regions. Orchidaceae family has a distinct place within this rich biodiversity. It has been reported total 204 orchid species those belongs to the 24 genera are grown in Turkey. The exports of the salep orchids were banned in 1974 by the Ministry of Agriculture due to high destruction of natural distribution areas of the plant. Despite the fact that nowadays the salep plants are protected by laws, the tubers of salep orchids still have been collected by people. Washing, boiling in water or milk, washing in cold water and drying stages are used to prevent growing activity of salep tubers. After this, tubers of salep are grind and prepared to use as salep powder. All of salep production is provided by collection of salep tubers from nature. For one kilogram of salep, 1000-4000 tubers is used. And it was assumed that our country produces 45 tons of tubers per year.This study was carried out to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization on some quality characteristics of Orchis sancta L. grown in field conditions, in order to take part in agricultural cultivation of salep orchids. In the study, the effect of four fertilizer doses (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/da) was investigated on starch ratio (%), mucilage ratio (%), protein ratio (%) and ash ratio (%). Mucilage ratio (salep mannia) was varied between 14% and 26% according to nitrogen fertilizer doses.

Chemical and genetic diversity of Astragalus mongholicus grown in different eco-climatic regions.

Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Fabaceae) is an important plant source of the herbal drug known as Radix Astragali, which is used worldwide as a medicinal ingredient and a component of food supplement. Russian Federation, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China are the main natural distribution areas of A. mongholicus in the world. However, the quality of medicinal plant varies among different locations. As for A. mongholicus, limited literature focused on its biodiversity mechanism. Here, we combined the chemometric analysis of chemical components with genetic variation, as well as climatic and edaphic traits, to reveal the biodiversity mechanism of A. mongholicus. Results showed that the detected chemical, genetic and climatic traits comprehensively contributed to the quality diversity of A. mongholicus. The eight main chemical components, as well as the inorganic elements of P, B and Na were all significant chemical factors. The precipitation and sunshine duration were the main distinguishing climatic factors. The inorganic elements As, Mn, P, Se and Pb were the distinguishing edaphic factors. The systematic method was firstly established for this medicinal plant in order to illustrate the formation of diversity in terms of quality, and provide scientific evidence for geographic indications and climatic adaptation in production and in the clinical application of herbal medicinal plants.

European beech in its northeasternmost stands in Europe: Varying climate-growth relationships among generations and diameter classes

Age, genetics and social status of trees affect their sensitivity to environmental factors, and information about such effects is needed for comprehensive assessment of growth potential. Climatic sensitivity of radial increment (i.e., tree-ring width) of introduced European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) of different generations and social status, growing in its northeasternmost stands in Europe, was studied by dendroclimatological methods. At present, the studied stands occur outside of the natural distribution area of the species, providing opportunity to study adaptability and potential growth of beech in novel environments under changing climate. The sensitivity of radial growth to climatic factors was modulated by the generation and social status (size) of trees. The first generation trees, which were propagated from the material transferred from the northern Germany, were highly sensitive to climatic factors and showed wide spectrum of responses. The dominant trees were particularly sensitive to June precipitation, indicating sensitivity to water deficit in summer. The suppressed trees were mainly sensitive to temperature in the dormant period. Tree-ring width of the second generation trees, which were propagated from the first generation stands, was mainly affected by water deficit in summer, yet the local factors, modulated the mechanisms of response. In one stand, tree-ring width was affected by conditions during the formation of tree-ring, indicating direct influence of weather conditions on xylogenesis. In the other stand, tree-ring width was correlated to weather conditions in the preceding year, suggesting influence via carbohydrate reserves. The effect of social status on climatic sensitivity in the second generation stands was considerably weaker, likely due to the natural and anthropogenic selection of the material best adapted for local conditions. The effect of climatic factors on radial growth of beech has shifted during the 20th century. The effect of autumn temperature has weakened, likely due to warming; the effect of factors related to water deficit in summer has intensified that could be related to both, changes in climate and ageing. The observed climate-growth relationships suggested that conditions in winter have become suitable for beech, yet careful selection of sites/regions with appropriate hydrological conditions appear necessary to counteract the increasing effect of water deficit, hence to ensure productivity of future beech sites in Latvia.

Potential distribution of pine wilt disease under future climate change scenarios.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) constitutes a serious threat to pine forests. Since development depends on temperature and drought, there is a concern that future climate change could lead to the spread of PWD infections. We evaluated the risk of PWD in 21 susceptible Pinus species on a global scale. The MB index, which represents the sum of the difference between the mean monthly temperature and 15 when the mean monthly temperatures exceeds 15°C, was used to determine current and future regions vulnerable to PWD (MB ≥ 22). For future climate conditions, we compared the difference in PWD risks among four different representative concentration pathways (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) and two time periods (2050s and 2070s). We also evaluated the impact of climate change on habitat suitability for each Pinus species using species distribution models. The findings were then integrated and the potential risk of PWD spread under climate change was discussed. Within the natural Pinus distribution area, southern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia were categorized as vulnerable regions (MB ≥ 22; 16% of the total Pinus distribution area). Representative provinces in which PWD has been reported at least once overlapped with the vulnerable regions. All RCP scenarios showed expansion of vulnerable regions in northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America under future climate conditions. By the 2070s, under RCP 8.5, an estimated increase in the area of vulnerable regions to approximately 50% of the total Pinus distribution area was revealed. In addition, the habitat conditions of a large portion of the Pinus distribution areas in Europe and Asia were deemed unsuitable by the 2070s under RCP 8.5. Approximately 40% of these regions overlapped with regions deemed vulnerable to PWD, suggesting that Pinus forests in these areas are at risk of serious damage due to habitat shifts and spread of PWD.

Climate change-induced water stress suppresses the regeneration of the critically endangered forest tree Nyssa yunnanensis.

Climatic change-induced water stress has been found to threaten the viability of trees, especially endangered species, through inhibiting their recruitment. Nyssa yunnanensis, a plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP), consists of only two small populations of eight mature individuals remaining in southwestern China. In order to determine the barriers to regeneration, both in situ and laboratory experiments were performed to examine the critical factors hindering seed germination and seedling establishment. The results of in situ field experiments demonstrated that soil water potentials lower than -5.40 MPa (experienced in December) had significantly inhibitory effects on seedling survival, and all seedlings perished at a soil water potential of -5.60 MPa (January). Laboratory experiments verified that N. yunnanensis seedlings could not survive at a 20% PEG 6000 concentration (-5.34 MPa) or 1/5 water-holding capacity (WHC; -5.64 MPa), and seed germination was inhibited in the field from September (-1.10 MPa) to November (-4.30 MPa). Our results suggested that soil water potentials between -5.34 and -5.64 MPa constituted the range of soil water potentials in which N. yunnanensis seedlings could not survive. In addition to water deficit, intensified autotoxicity, which is concentration-dependent, resulted in lower seed germination and seedling survival. Thus, seed establishment was probably simultaneously impacted by water deficit and aggravated autotoxicity. Meteorological records from the natural distribution areas of N. yunnanensis indicated that mean annual rainfall and relative humidity have declined by 21.7% and 6.3% respectively over past 55 years, while the temperature has increased by 6.0%. Climate change-induced drought, along with a poor resistance and adaptability to drought stress, has severely impacted the natural regeneration of N. yunnanensis. In conclusion, climate change-induced drought has been implicated as a regulating factor in the natural regeneration of N. yunnanensis through suppressing seed germination and screening out seedlings in the dry season. Based on the experimental findings, habitat restoration and microclimate improvement should both be highlighted in the conservation of this particular plant species.

The extent of historic translocation of Norway spruce forest reproductive material in Europe

Norway spruce seed has been traded extensively for at least three centuries throughout the natural distribution range in Europe and beyond. However, our knowledge about these transfers is limited. Historic data are essential tools to trace back human-mediated gene flow and for interpretation of recent genetic studies. Human-mediated gene flow can potentially have a major impact on the genetic composition of forest tree populations, yet our knowledge about seed sources used within the current species’ range is still limited. Norway spruce is one of the most important coniferous species in European forestry, and data drawing conclusions about the genetic composition of current populations are vital with regard to gene conservation and sustainable forest management. Because molecular data are not available on a more detailed scale, historic records provide crucial information about translocations. Our aim is to provide the first pan-European review on Norway spruce translocations from the seventeenth until the twentieth century. We analysed historic and recent literature compiling information on the cultivation and transfer of Norway spruce reproductive material. Historic records are compared with recent molecular studies. Seed exchanges have profoundly altered the native genetic population structure of Norway spruce. Especially, Central European seeds have been used throughout and beyond the natural distribution area. Figures illustrating the historic plantings in Europe are provided. Recent molecular data reveal persisting effects of past translocations. Historical records can be extremely useful for providing information about autochthony and thus guide gene conservation strategies and explain the performance of extant populations.

Impacts of climate change on eucalypt distributions in Australia: an examination of a recent study

ABSTRACTA recent study examined the possible impacts of climate change on 657 Australian eucalypt species in the period to 2085 using species distribution modelling (SDM). The study predicted that ‘within the next 60 years the vast majority of species distributions (91%) across Australia will shrink in size (on average by 51%)’. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of this previous study. Its main strength is that it identifies relatively hot and dry areas of species distributions that may be vulnerable under climate change. Its main weakness is that the individual analyses tend to overestimate the areas of species natural distributions. Consequently, the predicted percentage losses of species distribution areas are unreliable. To illustrate the problem the freely available Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is used examine two contrasting species (Eucalyptus diversicolor and E. nitens) in detail, so readers will be able to apply similar methods to any eucalypt species of interest. For well-known species a more reliable assessment of likely losses of distributional area under climate change may be obtained by applying the results of the SDM analysis, but assuming that ALA occurrences within 25 km x 25 km areas are an accurate representation of present natural distributions. Using this approach the estimated loss of area of natural distribution by 2085 for both E. diversicolor and E. nitens are less than half the estimates provided by the original paper. For lesser-known species, it is concluded that an additional SDM analysis is required to provide a closer representation of species natural distributions, to which the original SDM climate change results, which attempt to capture some of the species adaptability/plasticity, could be applied.

STUDI ADAPTASI DAN KINERJA PERTUMBUHAN CENDANA (SANTALUM ALBUM L) PADA UMUR 11 TAHUN DI WATUSIPAT KABUPATEN GUNUNG KIDUL

Sandalwood (Santalum album L) is a high-value economic tree species that is increasingly threatened and rare in the its natural distribution area. Efforts to save these species through ex-situ conservation have been done by various parties. One of the conservation activities was carried out by BBP-BPTH in 2005 by collecting genetic material from several natural populations at NTT Province. The purpose of this study is to see the growth performance of Cendana plants from 4 provenance of the age of 11 years in Gunung Kidul Regency. Measurements were performed on the total height variable of the tree, the height of the bole length and the stem diameter. The result of data analysis shows that there is significantly different from the population tested for the variable height of tree and the diameter of the stem, while for the bole length is not. The best performance of growth are from the Rote provenance (height is 6.07 m and diameter of stem is 5.08 cm). As for the best adaptation ability is from Rote (92.19%).Key words : Adaptability, conservation, growth, sandalwood

Effect of chronic arsenic exposure under environmental conditions on bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzymatic defenses in wild trout Salmo trutta (Pisces, Teleostei).

The present study evaluates the relation between chronic arsenic (As) exposure in the natural distribution area of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta), oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymatic defenses. Two rivers of the same watershed were evaluated to highlight the correlation between As accumulation and the resulting stress: (i) the Presa River, which has high chronic As levels (2281.66 µg/L) due to past mining activity, and (ii) the Bravona River (control river). This metalloid was measured in main fish tissues (gills, kidney, liver, muscle, gonads and fins) and water. As organotropism in S. trutta was kidney > liver > gill > fin > gonad > muscle. The HepatoSomatic Index (HSI) and somatic condition (CF) were used to compare fish population conditions from both sites. Arsenic can be absorbed by the gills and can induce oxidative stress and disturb antioxidant defenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress response by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymatic defenses (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)), in the main tissues of control and exposed trout. The highest MDA content was found in the kidney and liver of exposed trout. SOD and CAT activities in exposed livers and kidneys were considerably increased while a significant rise of GPx activity was observed only in the liver. GST activity was found to be significantly induced in the liver of exposed trout. The results demonstrate that arsenic bioaccumulation can induce lipid peroxidation and substantial modifications in antioxidant enzymatic defenses in main wild trout tissues.

Differential physiological and genetic responses of five European Scots pine provenances to induced water stress

Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) is the conifer with widest natural distribution area. Portugal constitutes its westernmost limit of distribution. Most of the Portuguese populations were planted but two autochthonous populations were recently ascribed to ‘Serra do Gerês’ (NW Portugal), and seem to be well adapted to the temperate climate. However, the ongoing climate changes may compromise their survival. With this study we intend to evaluate the anatomic-physiological and genetic responses of Scots pine from five European provenances (‘Gerês’, ‘Puebla de Lillo’, ‘Montes Universales’, Germany and Sweden) to three water availability regimes, in order to determine which one(s) present higher resistance to drought. Individuals from ‘Gerês’ presented the highest stability in photosynthetic reactions as well as the better photochemical and metabolic behaviours under drought (T3). Hence, the relative expression ratio of three water stress-responsive genes during drought was lower and gradual in ‘Gerês’, compared to all other provenances, followed by Germany. The results achieved in ‘Gerês’ and Germany provenances are very interesting since they reflected that the native populations of ‘Gerês’ along with the Portuguese Scots pine planted populations with a probable German provenance, have ability and high adaptive potential to respond to situations of water deficit. Moreover, the present genetic and physiological data demonstrated the urgent demand for the conservation of Portuguese Scots pine genetic resources as well as its use in plantation/afforestation of areas where the warming and drought has been affecting the survival of this species.

Study on associated plants and spatial distribution pattern of Dipsacus asperoides populations

In order to understand the associated species and the population distribution pattern, the investigation of 32 sample plotsfrom the main natural distribution area in Dipsacus asperoides community was carried by quadrat method .The results showed that there were 156 species, which belong to 131 genera and 60 families. There were more species in the two dominant families, Asteraceae and Rosaceae. There were many types of associated, but most appeared at a low frequency. The vegetation type were mostly herbaceous and shrub species, which accounted for 77.6% of the total species. The value of t was greater than t0.05 by methods of variance/mean, showed the difference was significant and the distribution pattern of D. asperoides were cluster distribution. The determination results of seven aggregation intensity index also showed that D. asperoides population accorded with the characteristics of cluster distribution（C>1，K>0，Ca>0，m*>1，m*/m>1，I>0，GI>0）.

Coexistence in the Mediterranean-Temperate transitional border: Multi-century dynamics of a mixed old-growth forest under global change

Old-growth forests, particularly those located at the interface between different bioregions, are unevaluable sources of long-term vegetation dynamics and historical stand response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Although old-growth forests are scarce, the information gathered studying them may assist forest ecosystem restoration and management under forthcoming climate and land-use changes.We analysed how complementary dynamics of a mixed old-growth forest composed by temperate (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea) and submediterranean (Quercus pyrenaica) tree species were driven in response to global changes in the last two centuries. The old-growth forest, named El Hayedo de Montejo, is located at the interface between the Mediterranean and temperate bioregions in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The populations of temperate species growing in El Hayedo de Montejo (F. sylvatica and Q. petraea) are at the dry and warm edges of their natural distribution area in Europe, whereas the submediterranean species Q. pyrenaica is at the core of the distribution range. In order to analyse the long-term dynamics, we developed basal area increment and disturbance chronologies for each of the tree species under study. Furthermore, we assessed the climate influence on tree growth during the most recent decades.Our results reveal historical shifts in forest dominance (as reflected by growth) induced by changes in climate and forest management between temperate and sub-Mediterranean species. This was particularly noticeable for F. sylvatica and Q. pyrenaica the least and most drought-tolerant species, respectively. A reduction in growth of F. sylvatica unprecedented in the context of the last two hundred years was observed during the last decades concurrent with forest densification and marked changes in climate. Conversely, both oak species seem to be better suited to current environmental conditions as expressed by increasing growth rates.