Botanical Garden Research Articles

How healthy are horticultural plants cultivated in urban gardens in polluted cities? The case of Mexico City

Soil-to-plant metal(loid) accumulation has been highly evaluated recently due to its significant impact on human health. This study reports the concentrations of 15 metal(oid)s in four vegetables (tomato, onion, chili, and lettuce) cultivated in a greenhouse and three shade houses (two roofs of buildings and one in the UNAM Botanical Garden) in four locations in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. In this experiment, the contribution of metals and metalloids due to atmospheric deposition and irrigation may be negligible. Hence, the concentration of metals depends only on transfer from the soil. Soil analysis indicates that only vanadium in one location (a rooftop garden in the municipality of Venustiano Carranza) exceeds the permissible limits according to Mexican regulations. Lettuce shows the highest concentrations and transfer factors for most metals compared to the other vegetables studied. Transfer factors were exceptionally high for Cd (lettuce) and Hg (tomato), presenting values above 1. Concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were compared with limit values recommended by different international agencies for vegetables. It was observed that, except for As, these values are exceeded in various vegetables harvested in this study. This information must be corroborated with more detailed studies evaluating the chemical species in which those metal(oid)s are present and identify the physical and chemical parameters of the soil that may have interfered with the soil-plant transfer factor.

How Can Citizen Science in a Botanical Garden Enrich the Discipline of Ethnobotany?

AbstractCitizen science is a tool that makes it possible to design large-scale studies while developing dialogues among people. It has developed in many fields, such as ecology, biodiversity studies, climatology, and sociology. Done properly, it can help produce a large amount of data that can later be analyzed using statistical tools. Can ethnobotany also benefit from such investigations? Based on three citizen science projects carried out in a botanical garden, this paper explores the possibility of developing ethnobotanical citizen science research in a context other than that of fieldwork. Examples include a literacy laboratory within a multicultural exhibit (2018), a survey on the uses of medicinal plants during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2021), and a call for testimonials about and recipes for medicinal plants from around the world (2020–2023). This approach, enriched by the citizens themselves, is in keeping with the aspirations of the ethnobiologists who have called for a paradigm shift following the COVID-19 pandemic, perceived as a tipping point. Citizen science practices implemented in a museum institution, such as a botanical garden, thus make it possible to carry out multicultural surveys and discuss results with people in an open dialogue.

The Effect of Ultrasonication and Delignification Treatment on the Sugar Released Value of Wood

The objective of these research was to study the impact of ultrasonication and delignification pretreatments in several wood species on their easiness for enzymatic hydrolysis, having the potential to be developed as the feedstocks for bioethanol production. Four different wood species from three botanical gardens in Indonesia have been selected, i.e., Gymnostoma sumatranum, Firmiana malayana, Pterocarpus indicus, and Alstonia scholaris, due to their higher sugar released values than a fast-grown tree, Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria), when all were directly enzymatically hydrolyzed without pretreatment. The sugar released values after ultrasonication and enzymatic hydrolysis were between 3 – 5.5 mg/100 mg wood meal. When delignification pretreatment was performed, the sugar released values were higher than those with ultrasonication, ranging between 4 – 10.2 mg/100 mg wood meal. All the sugar released values after pretreatment were higher than those without pretreatment. Gymnostoma sumatranum was selected as the most potential wood species in this study due to its consistency among the species producing highest sugar released across different treatments. The SEM results showed that there was no significant changes in the morphological structure of the untreated fiber before and after enzymatic saccharification since it still had a complex structure due to the high lignin content. However, after the delignification treatment, the surface morphology of the fiber showed a decrease in the number of pits of the fiber, the surface residual of pits were reduced, parallel lines were more clearly visible, and the fiber structure was damaged with more small holes presented. The surface morphology of the fiber from the wood powder having delignification pretreatment supports the sugar released values which shows that the these values were higher than other treatments due to more recalcitrant substances were degraded, making it was easier for enzymes to break down cellulose. After ultrasonication, the SEM result showed less disrupted cell wall compared to after delignification which confirmed the higher sugar released data with delignification.

Conservation Action Tracker: A tool to identify and monitor conservation actions for tree species

AbstractPremiseThe GlobalTree Portal, hosted by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, provides access to information on the approximately 58,000 tree species worldwide. Included in the GlobalTree Portal is the Conservation Action Tracker, a dynamic and collaborative database to identify and monitor conservation actions for tree species globally.MethodsThe Conservation Action Tracker collates conservation action information at the species level, including species recovery/action plans, ex situ collections, propagation protocols, in situ management, species protection policy, and education/awareness campaigns.ResultsTo date, the Conservation Action Tracker contains conservation action information for 4126 tree species, including 2161 threatened species, of which 659 are classified as Vulnerable, 783 as Endangered, and 719 as Critically Endangered. It covers conservation action information for at least one tree species in every country; however, more information is needed for 89% of Vulnerable, 87% of Endangered, and 77% of Critically Endangered tree species.DiscussionMonitoring species conservation actions can support the prioritization and scaling up of conservation practices by sharing knowledge, increasing collaboration, enabling the identification of conservation gaps, and making the information available to be used by decision‐makers. Tracking conservation actions at the species level is, therefore, essential to guide future conservation efforts. Increasing the amount of data in the Conservation Action Tracker will improve the tool's ability to guide future conservation efforts and avoid the extinction of tree species.

Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis Buku Ensiklopedia Famili Malvaceae Melalui Penelitian Pengembangan

The 21st century is called the information century for all aspects of life. One of the abilities that 21st century education must have is critical thinking. Statistics on critical thinking abilities of biology students show that these abilities are still lacking. The use of teaching materials is one method for training critical thinking skills. The Encyclopedia Book is an instructional resource created during this project. To improve the quality of a product developed in the form of an encyclopedia, development research is needed. Seven types of plants from the Malvaceae family which are often found in the Banua Botanical Gardens are included in the encyclopedia created. The EDR (Educational Design Research) research method was applied in the study of making this encyclopedia. In terms of developing students' critical thinking skills, the results of the expected effectiveness test are in the good category with a total average score of 76.3%, while actual effectiveness is in the very good category with a total average score of 87.13%. This is suitable for use as a teaching tool both in theory and practice.

Avian functional diversity retained in a tropical rainforest fragment after more than 120 years of turnover

AbstractDeforestation is linked to the increasing prevalence of small forest fragments worldwide and an associated loss in functional diversity. However, our long-term understanding on how biodiversity and functional roles respond in such isolated fragments is limited, especially in Southeast Asia. We compared the bird community in a small primary rainforest fragment in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, using historical records in 1898 and contemporary surveys conducted in 1998 and 2018–2021. Species composition was expectedly dissimilar between the 1898 and contemporary bird communities (50%), driven mostly by turnover (45.5%) rather than nestedness (4.5%). Despite the changes in community composition and species extirpations, both species richness and functional diversity were retained. Our results suggest that small forest fragments can form novel bird communities that are functionally similar to previous communities that inhabited the fragment, leading to the retention of functional diversity. Such functional redundancy may be encouraged through habitat restoration initiatives adjacent to fragmented forests.

Park lighting after dark – is it a route or a place? How people feel in park nightscapes (experiment)

The objective of our study was to verify: (1) whether adding ambient lighting in addition to path lighting has a positive impact on preferences, sense of safety and related feelings experienced by park visitors after dusk (H1) and whether this impact is differentiated by the features of the space (H2); (2) what features of the park space may influence the feelings tested (RQ1).For this purpose, we conducted an experiment in the Botanical Garden in Wrocław, where 114 study participants – randomly divided into two groups (experimental and control) – assessed nightscapes based on 13 variables (feelings). The experimental factor was the addition of ambient lighting (in addition to path lighting also present for the control group). The experiment was based on assessments made in three different places in the park – an open space, semi-open space and non-closed space. Thanks to this, we were able to check whether the features of the space differentiate the effects of the experimental factor and then consider their impact on people's feelings.The research found that the impact of the experimental factor (ambient light) is not obvious – it was only apparent in some cases. This factor increased preference for corridor landscapes (semi-open and semi-closed space), but lowered preference in the open landscape. The experimental factor had the strongest effects in the semi-closed, least lit space, and enhanced preferences, surprise and fascination.Moreover, comparison of the ratings of these three places showed that some spaces were rated as the safest while others were assessed as the most attractive. The safest turned out to be the semi-open space with typical park lighting, with the highest path illumination intensity, whereas the least safe was the semi-closed space with the least lighting. When it came to most of the other dimensions related to attractiveness and desire to stay in the area (mystery, contact with the surroundings, willingness to spend time there, surprise, fascination and contemplation), the place with an open view, visually attractive landscape and subtle linear point lighting was rated the highest. The remaining spaces were rated lower.The findings of the experiment indicate that (1) adding light does not always increase preference for a particular space – sometimes it lowers it, thus indicating the benefits of darkness and natural night light in park landscapes; (2) there are differences between the features of safe nightscapes and attractive and leisurely landscapes.

Wavelength-modulated photoacoustic spectroscopic instrumentation system for multiple greenhouse gas detection and in-field application in the Qinling mountainous region of China

We present a sensitive and compact quantum cascade laser-based photoacoustic greenhouse gas sensor for the detection of CO2, CH4 and CO and discuss its applicability toward on-line real-time trace greenhouse gas analysis. Differential photoacoustic resonators with different dimensions were used and optimized to balance sensitivity with signal saturation. The effects of ambient parameters, gas flow rate, pressure and humidity on the photoacoustic signal and the spectral cross-interference were investigated. Thanks to the combined operation of in-house designed laser control and lock-in amplifier, the gas detection sensitivities achieved were 5.6 ppb for CH4, 0.8 ppb for CO and 17.2 ppb for CO2, signal averaging time 1s and an excellent dynamic range beyond 6 orders of magnitude. A continuous outdoor five-day test was performed in an observation station in China’s Qinling National Botanical Garden (E longitude 108°29’, N latitude 33°43’) which demonstrated the stability and reliability of the greenhouse gas sensor.

Prioritising areas for conservation within Tropical Important Plant Areas of the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Oceanic islands are particularly vulnerable to the global decline of biological diversity, suffering disproportionally large losses of endemic species. A primary tool for mitigating species loss is the establishment of protected area networks. The 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework target calls for the protection of 30% of Earth’s land surface by 2030. This study identifies areas within the Tropical Important Plant Areas network of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), to better inform the expansion of the current protected area network with the objective of conserving the BVI’s unique flora. We identified and applied conservation targets for five threatened habitats and 34 species of conservation concern, including four endemic to the BVI. A total of 5,248 georeferenced plant records for the 34 species collected through decades of collaborative work between the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, along with the distribution of five threatened habitats were used within the decision support system MARXAN to identify four spatial portfolios to guide the expansion of the BVI’s current protected area network. Highlighting the need to expand the current (2007–2017) Protected Areas System Plan in the BVI, we found that the current Plan only covers 15% of terrestrial land and does not meet the conservation targets for plants and habitats. The portfolios identified in our analysis efficiently expand the current Protected Areas System Plan to strategically expand coverage for all conservation features, with two main portfolios reaching all defined conservation targets for protection. Notably, to evaluate options not requiring land purchase, we extracted areas within state-owned Crown land from two main identified portfolios and found that the two Crown land-portfolios could protect 28% and 23% of the BVI, respectively, while meeting the targets for most plants of conservation concern. However, to reach 30% land protection and meet the conservation targets for all plant species, including endemics, private land would need to be considered for this inclusion within the protected area network. Our results provide science-based guidance for the selection of candidate protected area expansion sites that include threatened plants and habitats for reaching the 2030 Biodiversity Framework targets. While systematic conservation planning can provide guidance on protected area expansion, it is important to evaluate and prioritise conservation actions, based on multiple solutions and available resources. We recommend similar approaches are applied more broadly throughout the Caribbean and other archipelagos across the world.

Biodiversity of Banana Trees (Musa sp.) in Purwodadi Botanical Gardens

Banana is a fruit that is often found in everyday life. This fruit is a daily consumption to meet daily nutritional needs. Indonesia has approximately 200 types of bananas scattered throughout the island. Diversity of banana trees (Musa sp.) in an effort to conserve Indonesian plants that live in lowland forests by carrying out plant exploration and collection activities. This research was conducted at the Purwodadi Botanical Gardens (KRP) with the aim of knowing the collection of banana trees (Musa sp.) in KRP. The method used is the roaming method with observation data collection. The results showed that there were 44 species of banana trees (Musa sp.) found alive, including the wild species with seeds Musa acuminate Colla and Musa balbisiana Colla. The species found consisted of 6 kinds of cultivar genome groups that had different characteristics. Banana tree cultivation was developed because it has many benefits and nutritional content for health.

Ian Fleming Introduces Jamaican Plants: Gardens, Plantations, and Natural Threats in <em>Dr. No</em> and <em>The Man with the Golden Gun</em>

Ian Fleming’s Dr. No (1958) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1965) – published before and after Jamaican independence in 1962 – each connect the botanical concerns of the island of Jamaica to its colonial past. This article takes a plant humanities approach to these novels, to reveal that Fleming’s interest in Jamaican flora and fauna is inseparable from his interaction with Jamaica as a colony and his reaction to independence. Fleming’s description of Jamaica in Dr. No opens that novel, focusing on the trees and flowers from the Hope Botanical Gardens bordering the beautiful English lawns of Kingston’s wealthiest homes. The gardens at Hope were just one of the colonial botanic gardens in Jamaica established in the nineteenth century by the British government to exploit the island by improving its agricultural industries. Bond’s encounter with a basket of poisoned, glasshouse-grown tropical fruit in Dr. No is a precursor to another threat disguised by a natural product: guano, a garden fertiliser front for Dr No’s operation at Crab Key, while the scale of the threat posed by Scaramanga’s burning of sugar plantations in The Man with the Golden Gun emphasises the dependence of Jamaica’s economic security on agricultural plants. As this article will argue, Fleming’s interaction with plants demands more attention within Bond scholarship, as a way of engaging a new readership with the breadth of his work in a time of ecological crisis.

Botanic Garden Tourism, Social Value, Health, and Well-Being

Many botanic gardens are flourishing, and many others can learn from those leading the way; at the same time, all can form new allegiances informed by service research. We developed this paper to plant seeds for different stakeholders interested in putting a spotlight on botanic garden tourism opportunities. It is in response to a call to action by many stakeholders across the botanic garden sector for greater public engagement, to challenge plant awareness disparity, and to ensure the vitality and viability of the sector. Our commentary considers positive, transformative service making, marketing, management, and development. We recommend holistic, integrated services via ecosystemic thinking and collaborative partnerships across the sector and with non-traditional partnerships in the design of sustainable service ecosystems. It is envisaged that service research will spur on a more responsible, ethical, moral enterprise and sustainable botanic garden tourism with opportunities to drive positive, transformative change in meeting sustainable development goals for the good of plants, people, and planet.

Features of the water regime and photosynthesis in hybrid forms of cherry plum under the dry wind season conditions

Background. The results of a study on the drought resistance of cherry plum hybrid forms are presented. Water retention capacity of leaves and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured under the simulated conditions close to the dry wind season.Materials and methods. The water regime parameters were studied for five cherry plum genotypes in 2021 and 2022. Leaves of four hybrid forms developed at the Nikita Botanical Gardens and the reference cherry plum hybrid cultivar ‘Rumyanaya Zorka’ (Prunus rossica Erem.) were taken into the experiments. Using the guidelines by G. N. Eremeev and A. I. Lishchuk, a series of experiments on controlled leaf wilt at the air temperature of +27°C and relative humidity of 30% were conducted on cherry plum to assess the functional state of the photosynthetic apparatus during the development of water stress under dry wind conditions. The experiments were carried out in a Binder climate chamber. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured using a portable Floratest fluorometer. The measurements were based on the parameters of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve (CFI) obtained on native leaves. The leaves of cv. ‘Rumyanaya Zorka’ in the state of complete watering served as the reference.Results and discussion. Dependence was identified between chlorophyll fluorescence and moisture content in the leaves of the studied samples. The hybrids were found to respond to drought in different ways. A relatively increased ability to retain moisture during dehydration was observed in form 12/26 whose leaves gave off moisture more slowly and restored their turgor better. It is promising for cultivation in areas with insufficient water supply. Form 99/36 had the lowest potential drought resistance. Forms 99/14 and 9/28 occupied an intermediate position.

Biodiversity Conservation in Xishuangbanna, China: Diversity Analysis of Traditional Knowledge Related to Biodiversity and Conservation Progress and Achievement Evaluation

Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. The study of traditional knowledge related to biological resources is a hot issue in the field of international biodiversity conservation. Xishuangbanna is a key area of biodiversity and a cultural hotspot of international significance. According to the Technical Regulation for Classification, Investigation, and Inventory of Traditional Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, we investigated and catalogued the traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people who have lived in Xishuangbanna for generations, and collected 490 entries of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people. Drawing on the traditional knowledge diversity index calculation method proposed by Wang Guoping, the overall traditional knowledge α-diversity index of the Jino people is 0.63, indicating that the richness of the traditional knowledge of the Jinuo people is relatively high. The traditional culture related to biodiversity, the traditional knowledge related to agricultural genetic resources, and the traditional technology related to the sustainable utilization of biological resources are relatively rich and diverse. The diversity index is 0.86, 0.82 and 0.79, respectively. In addition, Xishuangbanna has invested a lot of energy in biodiversity protection, including the establishment of nature reserves, botanical gardens, zoos, ecological tea gardens and other species reserves, and the promulgation of laws and policies related to biodiversity protection, and has achieved remarkable results in in situ protection and ex situ protection. On the basis of analyzing the progress and achievements of biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna, this study points out that Xishuangbanna faces challenges such as the loss of traditional knowledge, insufficient conservation efforts, and great changes in land use, and puts forward corresponding suggestions.

Nomenclatural revision and typification of extra-Amazonian Tachigali (Leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae)

Background and aims – The neotropical genus Tachigali comprises about 75 recorded species, including names described in Sclerolobium, synonymised in 1993 in Tachigali based on morphological, molecular, and anatomical characters. Most species are found in northern South America and the Atlantic Forest. However, some species are exclusively found in the savannas of central Brazil (Cerrado), Bolivia, and Paraguay. The Tachigali species from northern South America and Central America has already been revised. However, the extra-Amazonian Tachigali species were not correctly typified due to the impossibility of examining all syntypes. Therefore, the present work aims to present the nomenclatural review of the extra-Amazonian species of Tachigali. Material and methods – The list of accepted extra-Amazonian Tachigali names and their basionyms was made and verified through online databases. The original descriptions were consulted online or in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Library. The type specimens were examined in virtual herbaria and through visits to the B, IAN, G, K, M, NY, P, R, RB, US, and W herbaria. The International Code of Nomenclature of algae, fungi, and plants was followed for the type designation and nomenclatural notes. Key results – The nomenclatural review was carried out for 32 names. A total of 15 lectotypifications, representing 12 Tachigali species, and a new combination for Tachigali rubiginosa is proposed herein. Furthermore, the nomen dubium Sclerolobium macrophyllum is presented. Conclusion – Our study provides the nomenclatural review for the extra-Amazonian Tachigali species, including notes about the type materials, collectors, and authors of all species names, in addition to the holotype and lectotype images.

Promising ornamental grasses and sedges in the introduction collection of the Stavropol Botanical Garden

Promising ornamental grasses and sedges in the introduction collection of the Stavropol Botanical Garden

Distribution and Conservation Status of Plants’ species in the Botanical Garden and Arboretum domiciled in University of Uyo, Nigeria

This research assessed the plant species composition, distribution and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  conservation status of plants in University of Uyo botanical garden and arboretum using systematic sampling technique. The species  were sampled in 10 x 10 m quadrats spaced at least regular intervals of 20 m from each quadrat. Thirty-one and thirty-eight species were encountered in the arboretum and botanic garden respectively. In terms of the frequency, Chromolaena odorata and Nauclea diderichii  had the highest values (75%), while Acanthus montanus, Anthocleista djalonensis, Anthonotha macrophylla, Baphia nitida, Barteria  nigritiana, Carpolobia lutea, Ceiba pentandra, Cnestis ferruginea, Entandrophragma utile, Hura crepitans, Lonchocarpus griffoneonus, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Senna siamea, Tamarindus indica, Tectona grandis and Treculia africana had the least frequency (25% each). For the  density, Nauclea diderichii had the value of 250±15.30 st/ha. In the botanic garden, Ageratum houstonianum, Alchornea cordifolia,  Chromolaena ordorata and Croton hirtus had the highest frequency (100%) while Allamanda cathartica, Asystasia gangetica, Bambusa vulgaris, Caladium bicolor, Centrosema virginianum, Cnestis ferruginea, Culcasia scandens, Cyathula prostrata, Desmodium scorpiurus,  Emilia sonchifolia, Heliconia psittacorum, Ipomea involucrata, Lagenaria sphaerica, Mimosa pudica, Nephrolepis bisserata, Panicum sp.,  Pentaclethra macrophylla, Plumeria rubra, Polyalthia longifolia, Pteridium aquilinum, Scoparia dulcis, Senna siamea, Sesamum radiatum  and Sida acuta had the least frequency (33.33%). The vegetation of both sites indicated variation in composition of trees, shrubs, herbs,  climbers and ferns. These heterogeneities may be a pointer to their varying adaptation levels and differential responses of plant species  to pedological and anthropogenic influences. 

Emotional Well-Being of Preschoolers in Extreme Climatic and Geographical Conditions by Means of Ecological and Psychological Support

Emotional well-being of preschool children that live in extreme climatic conditions is difficult to maintain. Emotional well-being is a basis of psychological health that manifests itself as positive emotional states in social environment. It presupposes a stable emotional sphere when interacting with the world, low anxiety, emotional comfort, and adequate self-esteem. Climatic and geographical factors of the Russian Arctic may inhibit the development of the emotional well-being in preschool children. However, some psychological and pedagogical conditions may neutralize the negative impact of environmental factors. They include psycho-emotional monitoring, flexible school interior, and health-saving technologies in the academic process. The authors developed a model of ecological and psychological support for preschool children living in polar regions. It is based on interaction with plants and animals as a source of positive emotions. The model of environmental and psychological support for emotional well-being of preschoolers living in the Russian Arctic justifies the feasibility of health-saving technologies as part of an active cooperation between a preschool institution and a botanical garden.

First catalogue of benthic marine macroalgae from glacier-influenced environments of the Beagle Channel, deposited in the new Sub-Antarctic Cryptogamic Herbarium (SCH) of the University of Magallanes

The environmental characteristics and geomorphological landscape in the sub-Antarctic Magellanic ecoregion underpin a biological diversity that evolved adapting to the microhabitats produced by these heterogeneous ecological conditions. The high level of endemism found in these biological communities is nowadays protected thanks to the creation of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR), a natural laboratory at the southern end of the sub-Antarctic Magellanic ecoregion. Studies produced in this region offer a valuable knowledge of its biological, ecological and cultural facets in a state still scarcely impacted by anthropogenic activities. The retreat of glaciers present along the channels and fjords of the CHBR due to global climate change impacts the marine benthic and macroalgae communities hosted in these water bodies. European expeditions in the 18th and 19th centuries pioneered the works which provided our current knowledge about this subantarctic marine flora. Nevertheless, there is still a gap of taxonomic information of macroalgae diversity in the CHBR. To solve this gap, with support of the Cape Horn Internationional Center (CHIC), we created the Sub-Antarctic Cryptogamic Herbarium (SCH) hosted at the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Marine Ecosystems Laboratory (LEMAS), University of Magallanes. In 2020, the New York Botanical Garden indexed the SCH in its Index Herbariorum. This indexation granted by this world-renowned institution places the SCH's biological collection as the world's southernmost cryptogamic repository. As such, the SCH's botanical collection is currently the only gateway to the subantarctic ecosystem's biological legacy. The catalogue below provides information about the ecological and morphological characteristics of macroalgae deposited in the SCH, with particular focus on those species present in the CHBR. We identified 54 species. Among them 23 belong to the Rhodophyta division (43%), 19 species to the Chlorophyta division (35%), and 12 species to the Ochrophyta division (22%). In the context of rapid global change, involving increasingly threatened taxa due to human impact, baseline studies and records deposited at the SCH will provide an essential tool for assessing patterns of change and defining conservation practices to protect the rich biodiversity of these sub-Antarctic ecosystems.

Evaluation of the diversity and genetic structure of Ceratozamia kuesteriana Regel. (Zamiaceae) in Tamaulipas, Mexico

AbstractGenetic diversity is the most widely used indicator to evaluate the evolutionary potential of a species. In theory, species with limited distribution are more susceptible to diversity loss. However, some species with restricted distribution occasionally present more diversity than expected, as is the case for some cycads. Ceratozamia kuesteriana is a microendemic species in El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Several previously reported populations have been eradicated in the last 10 years. The objective of this work was to estimate the levels of diversity and genetic structure in five populations within the reserve. The results show a high structure and differentiation, even when the populations are geographically proximal. However, overall diversity is high, with recent bottlenecks and alleles departing from neutrality, suggesting a broad, well‐adapted genetic base. Unfortunately, this genetic pool has recently become fragmented, posing a high extinction risk if allelic representativeness is absent in collections or botanical gardens.