Description Of Plant Communities Research Articles

Крупномасштабное исследование и картографирование геосистем северной части о. Кунашир (Курильские острова)

This work is based on the materials of a comprehensive expedition to the northern part of Kunashir Island (Great Kuril Ridge), which took place in 2021. The key site is located at the foot of the southwestern slope of the highest Kunashir volcano Tyatya (1819 m) on the Pacific coast, and is a flat, slightly hilly forested plain composed of volcanic deposits. The site is characterized by a flat relief, which, in general, is not typical for Kunashir; in addition, it is composed of fairly young volcanic deposits. The key area is bounded on the west and east by the channels of the relatively large rivers Saratovskaya and Tyatina; on its territory from north to south, the shallow watercourses Banny and Kol flow. The site is located on the territory of the Kuril’sky State Nature Reserve and its protected zone. In the course of the research, data on descriptions of soil profiles, vegetation, and landscapes were collected and systematized. A total of 22 complex landscape descriptions and 54 descriptions of plant communities were made. In the process of compiling a preliminary scheme for the interpretation and office processing of the collected materials, ultra-high spatial resolution images from the Pleiades-1B satellite were used, the date of acquisition was September 27, 2019. Soil, geobotanical and landscape maps were compiled for an area of 15 km2. The scale of the created cartographic materials is 1:20 000. The study made it possible to obtain new data for large-scale thematic mapping and increase the degree of knowledge of the northern part of Kunashir. In particular, numerous hydromorphic complexes, which are not typical for the rest of the island, have been discovered and studied. It has been established that waterlogging significantly affects the conditions and nature of the formation of soil-vegetable complexes.

Ecological and habitat ranges of orchids in the northernmost regions of their distribution areas: A case study from Ural Mountains, Russia

The Orchidaceae, which is one of the most interesting families of angiosperms, contains a large number of rare species. Despite their acknowledged importance, little attention has been paid to the study of orchids distributed in northern territories. In this study, we determined the syntaxonomical diversity and ecological parameters of orchid habitats in two of Europe's largest protected areas, the Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve and the Yugyd Va National Park (northeastern European Russia), and then compared our findings to those in other parts of orchid distribution ranges. For this purpose, we studied 345 descriptions of plant communities (releves) containing species from Orchidaceae and defined habitat parameters using Ellenberg indicator values with the community weight mean approach, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS), and relative niche width. We found that orchids were distributed in eight habitat types and 97 plant associations. The largest number of orchid species is found in forest communities. Half of the orchid species under study occur in the mires and rock habitats with open vegetation. Several orchids consistently occur in areas disturbed by human activity. In addition, our study indicates that the main drivers of orchid distribution across the vegetation types are light and soil nitrogen. Our analysis of the ecological parameters of orchid habitats indicates that some orchid species can be classified as habitat specialists that are confined to a relatively narrow ecological niche in the Urals (e.g., Goodyera repens, Cypripedium guttatum and Dactylorhiza maculata). Several other species (e.g. Neottia cordata and Dactylorhiza fuchsia) grow under diverse ecological parameters.

Reference values and drivers of diversity for South Brazilian grassland plant communities.

The South Brazilian grasslands (Campos Sulinos) form the dominant vegetation in southern Brazil. They are species-rich ecosystems that occur under distinct geomorphological and climatic conditions but spatial variation of plant species diversity remains understudied. Here, we present a detailed description of plant communities across the region. Our data were obtained in 1080 plots, representing well-preserved grasslands in different ecological systems. Apart from describing alpha and beta diversity, we investigated the relations of plant communities with environmental features. We identified 759 plant species and found clear differences in community composition across the region. Northern and Southern highland grasslands, humid and dry coastal grasslands and the mesic Pampa grassland were clearly distinct, related to climatic and edaphic features. While species abundance distribution was markedly uneven, local species richness was high, above 20 species/m2, especially in the highlands and in mesic Pampa sites, on shallow soils. The predominant component of beta diversity was species turnover, which suggests that a network of well-conserved grasslands distributed across the region would be the best strategy to protect plant diversity. Our results establish regionalized reference values for richness and diversity that can be useful for initiatives of restoration and conservation of these grasslands.

Mountain Zebra National Park phytosociological classification: A case study of scale and management in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Mountain Zebra National Park has been extended over a number of years. To develop a scientifically sound management programme for the Park it was essential that an inventory of its natural resources was instituted. As a result various phytosociological studies were undertaken on the newly acquired farms to identify the different plant communities present on each. These detailed maps and descriptions are regarded too fine scale for the management of this large area taking into account the limited time, human and financial resources. The aim of this study was to use the detailed plant community descriptions together with land type data and produce a broad vegetation map, which can serve as management units. Land type data for the Park was used to stratify the area into physiographic units which was further refined into terrain landscape units (TLU's) and terrain units (TU's). The floristic data was analysed using both the BBPC suite and JUICE software packages. The large units identified from a TWINSPAN analysis were related to the different terrain landscape units (TLU's) and landscape units (LU's) from where a broad vegetation map was produced. The study resulted in the identification, classification and description of three major terrain landscape units (TLU) which have been divided into 13 landscape units (LU) and two sub-units. This new approach proved to be an accurate and effective way whereby various floristically defined plant communities for a large area could be lumped together into landscape units (LU's) that can be used for management purposes.

Vegetation science during hectic times

Vegetation science during hectic times

ФЛОРИСТИЧЕСКОЕ БОГАТСТВО И НАСЫЩЕННОСТЬ ПРИМОРСКИХ РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫХ СООБЩЕСТВ С ДОМИНИРОВАНИЕМ TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA L. (JUNCAGINACEAE) НА ПОБЕРЕЖЬЕ СЕВЕРНЫХ МОРЕЙ

The article presents the results of studying of the floral richness and density of communities dominated by the circumboreal temperate Arctic species Triglochin maritima L. (fam. Juncaginaceae). On the tidal zone of the western coast of the White sea in the direction from the lowland to the level of the low tide the geobotanical descriptions of plant communities on the model transects were made. The ecological characteristics of habitats, including geomorphic shore type, wave exposure and the mechanical composition of the substrate were given. It is revealed that various indicators of the geomorphological structure of the coast of the Bay effect on the characteristics and features of the floristic richness and density in the saltmarsh communities in these biotopes

Ecological features of some species of the Lily of the valley family (Convallariaceae) in the Kirov Region

In connection with the anthropogenic load on the natural habitats of many medicinal plant species, it is relevant to assess the ecological conditions of growth in order to study the relationships between species and plant communities. The paper presents the analysis of ecological features of some species of the Lily of the valley family (Convallariaceae) in the Kirov Region. To identify the ecological-phytocoenotic association of the studied species in forest communities of the Kirov Region, 45 coenotic populations (CP) ofConvallaria majalis, 10 CP ofPolygonatum odoratumand 20 CP ofMajanthemum bifoliumwere studied. When analyzing the ecological conditions of the species habitats, H.Ellenberg ecological scales were used. Geobotanical descriptions of plant communities were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It has been established that the amplitudes of the ecological spaces of the studied species in the Kirov Region practically do not fit into most ranges of ecological niches calculated on the basis of H.Ellenberg scales. The species have a wide range of adaptability to the studied environmental factors. All studied species are distributed on medium-moist soils (5thlevel of H.Ellenberg scale). The authors have shown that the studied species are similar in environmental factors such as moisture and soil richness with nitrogen.Convallaria majalisandPolygonatum odoratum photophilous species,Majanthemum bifolium shade-tolerant species are distinguished with respect to illumination. In the grass-shrub layer of the studied habitats of the species, 7 rare, small, narrowly araic species are listed in the Red Book of the Kirov Region(Pulsatilia flavescens(Zuccar.) Juz.,Potentilla humifusaWilld. ex Schlecht.,Centaurea sumensisKalen.,Koeleria glauca(Spreng.) DC.,Eryngium planumL.,Geranium sanguineumL.,Carex bohemicaSchreb.). And 4 species that need constant monitoring and observation in the region (Annex 2) Campanula perscifoliaL.,Pulsatilia patens(L.) Mill.,Platanthera bifolia(L.) Rich.,Iris sibiricaL.).

Classification, description and mapping of the vegetation in Khutse Game Reserve, Botswana

There is currently no detailed classification and description of plant communities in Khutse Game Reserve (KGR), Botswana, using phytosociological techniques. The main aim of this study was to classify and describe plant communities in KGR. Classification and description of plant communities will help in understanding the plant ecology of KGR. Braun-Blanquet sampling method was applied in 91 stratified random relevés. Nine plant communities were identified and classified using Modified TWINSPAN which is contained in JUICE program. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in percentage cover of herbaceous plants between the different plant communities. Schmidtia pappophoroides-Stipagrostis uniplumis and Heliotropium lineare-Enneapogon desvauxii communities had higher cover (%) of herbaceous plants than other communities. Catophractes alexandri-Stipagrostis uniplumis community had the highest cover (%) of shrubs. There was no statistically significant difference in plant species diversity (Shannon-Wienner Index) and species evenness between plant communities, but there was a statistically significant difference in plant species richness between the different plant communities. Dichrostachys cinerea-Grewia flava community, Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens-Maytenus species community and Catophractes alexandri-Stipagrostis uniplumis community had lower number of species, whereas Vachellia luederitzii var. retinens-Grewia flava community had the highest number (46) of plant species. This study will help the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) to develop an updated and informed Management Plan for the reserve, which takes cognizance of the plant ecology of the reserve.

A comparison of phylogenetic and species beta diversity measures describing vegetation assemblages along an elevation gradient

AbstractQuestionEcologists have long been interested in the delineation and description of plant communities but have only recently included phylogenetic data into these analyses. Here, we assess whether species‐based dissimilarities (beta diversity, BD) and more recent phylogenetic beta diversity (PhBD) measures are correlated with dissimilarities among sites based on abiotic variables. Additionally, we examine whether BD and PhBD measures aggregate sites into clusters that reflect their environmental attributes. Assuming phylogenetic conservatism in abiotic niche preferences, we predict PhBD dissimilarity matrices will correlate to those based on abiotic site variables, and that clusters determined by PhBD will more closely match to assemblages clustered by abiotic environment than will clusters determined by species BD.LocationMount Irony, Labrador in the Eastern Canadian subarctic.MethodsWe combine vascular plant co‐occurrence data collected from an elevation gradient on Mount Irony with information on phylogenetic relatedness to compare site dissimilarities based on abiotic variables with those estimated on measures of BD and PhBD. We also examine whether clusters based on BD and PhBD resemble clusters based on abiotic variables, and investigate whether similarly clustered sites are composed of species with similar evolutionary histories.ResultsWe found significant correlations among the dissimilarity matrices and ordinations for the abiotic variables, BD and PhBD; however, neither BD nor PhBD aggregated assemblages into clusters that reflected their environmental differences. Further, we found no evidence that species within clusters were any more closely related than expected by chance. We observed similar patterns when communities were defined by all vascular plants and only angiosperms.ConclusionsThe correlations among site dissimilarities based on abiotic variables, BD and PhBD suggest environmental filtering; however, sites clustered by BD and PhBD did not resemble those clustered by abiotic variables, indicating that the added value of phylogenetic data for local scale analyses might be limited.

Phytosociology—A Useful Tool for the Assessment of Past and Future Human Impacts on Plants and Forest Ecosystems

The aim of this research was to answer the question of whether the floristic- phytosociological characteristics of the forest communities described in the mid-twentieth century in the Zielonka Experimental Forest (Poland) have changed, and if so, what were the reasons for these changes and what were their environmental and economic consequences. The basis of the research was a comparison of plant community descriptions drawn up in 1957-1961 to descriptions of the states of those communities in 2010-2017. The study showed a significant decrease in the number of plant species. The reasons for the disappearance of some plant communities are seen in the natural or artificial changes of pine in sandy habitats, which evolved towards richer communities. The disappearance of xero-thermophile oak woods had two main causes: a natural cause, which was a consequence of regeneration towards oak-hornbeam woods after the anthropogenic phenomena responsible for their management, and anthropogenic disturbance related to the planting of Fagus sylvatica trees or Prunus serotina. The second case is described more broadly and considers both the positive and negative roles of changing the floristic compositions of forest ecosystems.

Plant communities of the uMlalazi Nature Reserve and their contribution to conservation in KwaZulu-Natal

Vegetation research is an important tool for the simplified and effective identification, management and conservation of the very complex ecosystems underlying them. Plant community descriptions offer scientists a summary and surrogate of all the biotic and abiotic factors shaping and driving ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify, describe and map the plant communities within the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. A total of 149 vegetation plots were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet technique. Thirteen plant communities were identified using a combination of numeric classification (modified Two-way-Indicator Species Analysis) and ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling). These communities were described in terms of their structure, floristic composition and distribution. An indirect gradient analysis of the ordination results was conducted to investigate the relationship between plant communities and their potentially important underlying environmental drivers. Based on the results, the floristic conservation importance of each plant community was discussed to provide some means to evaluate the relative contribution of the reserve to regional ecosystem conservation targets.Conservation implications: The uMlalazi Nature Reserve represents numerous ecosystems that are disappearing from a rapidly transforming landscape outside of formally protected areas in Zululand. The descriptions of the plant communities of these relatively pristine ecosystems provide conservation authorities with inventories and benchmarks with which the ecological health of similar ecosystems in the region can be measured.

Online appendix 2:Plant communities of the uMlalazi Nature Reserve and their contribution to conservation in KwaZulu-Natal

Vegetation research is an important tool for the simplified and effective identification, management and conservation of the very complex ecosystems underlying them. Plant community descriptions offer scientists a summary and surrogate of all the biotic and abiotic factors shaping and driving ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify, describe and map the plant communities within the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. A total of 149 vegetation plots were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet technique. Thirteen plant communities were identified using a combination of numeric classification (modified Two-way-Indicator Species Analysis) and ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling). These communities were described in terms of their structure, floristic composition and distribution. An indirect gradient analysis of the ordination results was conducted to investigate the relationship between plant communities and their potentially important underlying environmental drivers. Based on the results, the floristic conservation importance of each plant community was discussed to provide some means to evaluate the relative contribution of the reserve to regional ecosystem conservation targets.Conservation implications: The uMlalazi Nature Reserve represents numerous ecosystems that are disappearing from a rapidly transforming landscape outside of formally protected areas in Zululand. The descriptions of the plant communities of these relatively pristine ecosystems provide conservation authorities with inventories and benchmarks with which the ecological health of similar ecosystems in the region can be measured.

Online appendix 1:Plant communities of the uMlalazi Nature Reserve and their contribution to conservation in KwaZulu-Natal

Vegetation research is an important tool for the simplified and effective identification, management and conservation of the very complex ecosystems underlying them. Plant community descriptions offer scientists a summary and surrogate of all the biotic and abiotic factors shaping and driving ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify, describe and map the plant communities within the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. A total of 149 vegetation plots were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet technique. Thirteen plant communities were identified using a combination of numeric classification (modified Two-way-Indicator Species Analysis) and ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling). These communities were described in terms of their structure, floristic composition and distribution. An indirect gradient analysis of the ordination results was conducted to investigate the relationship between plant communities and their potentially important underlying environmental drivers. Based on the results, the floristic conservation importance of each plant community was discussed to provide some means to evaluate the relative contribution of the reserve to regional ecosystem conservation targets.Conservation implications: The uMlalazi Nature Reserve represents numerous ecosystems that are disappearing from a rapidly transforming landscape outside of formally protected areas in Zululand. The descriptions of the plant communities of these relatively pristine ecosystems provide conservation authorities with inventories and benchmarks with which the ecological health of similar ecosystems in the region can be measured.

Description of plant communities on Half Moon Island, Antarctica

ABSTRACTDuring February–March of the austral summers of 2013/14 and 2014/2015, fieldwork was performed on Half Moon Island, South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctica, to evaluate the distribution and abundance of mosses and lichens, as well as to describe and map the plant communities there. The quadrat (20 × 20 cm) sampling method was employed in a phytosociological study that aimed to describe these communities. The area was mapped using an Astech Promark II® DGPS, yielding sub-metric precision after post-processing with software. The number of species totalled 38 bryophytes, 59 lichens, only one flowering plant (Deschampsia antarctica Desv.), and two macroscopic terrestrial algae. Five types of plant communities were identified on the island, as follows: (1) fruticose lichen and moss cushion, (2) moss carpet, (3) muscicolous lichen, (4) crustose lichen and (5) moss turf.

Involucropyrenium breussii (Verrucariaceae, lichen-forming Ascomycota), a new lichen species from chalk soil of Eastern Ukrainian steppes

Involucropyrenium breussii A. B. Gromakova et S. Y. Kondr., a new lichen species for science, is described from eastern Ukraine, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa. It is similar to I. tremniacense from which it differs in having smaller thalline areoles, narrower rhizohyphae, a medullary layer differentiated in the centre of areoles, and longer ascospores. A short description of plant communities in which Involucropyrenium breussii was found in Ukrainian steppes with chalk outcrops is provided.

State and transition model approach in native forests of Southern Patagonia (Argentina): linking ecosystem services, thresholds and resilience

ABSTRACTThe sustainable use of ñire forests requires knowledge of its dynamics and management to maintain long-term main forest ecosystem services. The aim of this work was to develop a structural–functional state and transition model for ñire forests in southern Patagonia. For this, provincial inventory information was analyzed together with information from permanent PEBANPA plots (plots of Ecology and Biodiversity, natural environments in Southern Patagonia) and studies of ecology and eco-physiology in ñire forests. This allowed the description of plant communities on these ecological sites and the history of natural disturbances. Seven states and 10 negative transitions were described, as well the factors that trigger transitions (levels of grazing, fire and intense logging). Mature forests with low grazing, no extractive activity and complete canopy cover (>70%) correspond to the reference state or condition of greater integrity, and grassland or murtillar (dominance of Empetrum rubrum) with forest loss is considered the most degraded state. Negative transitions determine the threshold crossings associated with the reduction or loss of resilience to the previous or original state. The development of state and transition models allows for early warnings of deterioration and is a tool to achieve more productive and environmental value.EDITED BY Christine Fürst

Floristic and coenotic descriptions of plant communities of artificial forest planting in southern Kryvyi Rih area (Ukraine)

Floristic and coenotic descriptions of plant communities of artificial forest planting in southern Kryvyi Rih area (Ukraine)

Sphagnum tenellum (Sphagnaceae, Bryophyta) in West Siberia

The first finding of Sphagnum tenellum, a species with a well-defined oceanic distribution, on a ridge-hollow bog in the centre of the taiga zone of Western Siberia is reported. Its distribution in Russia is analyzed and re-assessed. The geobotanical descriptions of plant communities with Sphagnum tenellum from Western Siberia and South Siberian mountains are presented. It has been shown that communities with Sphagnum tenellum in montane mires in South Siberia are most similar in composition and environmental conditions to finds from the highlands of Scandinavia, while the new location of Sphagnum tenellum in the taiga zone of Western Siberia is fully consistent with the ecologocenotic amplitude of the species in the north of West European plains and North-West Russia.

Fundamental Basis for the Conservation of Biodiversity of the Black Sea-Kazak H Steppes

Abstract The paper presents new approaches for assessing the conservation value of plant communities based on the use of quantitative criteria contained in databases and eco-floristic classification of steppe vegetation in the Don basin (Rostov region). The Black Sea and Kazakhstan steppes have significant potential for environmental protection. Analysis of biodiversity levels has been facilitated by descriptions of plant communities and quantitative indicators of major faunal groups of soil invertebrates (macrofauna) in the Tobol-Turgai basin (Kostanay region, Kazakhstan). As the structure of soil invertebrate communities is closely associated with vegetation, its assessment can provide insight into the degree of preservation or the depth of disturbance of ecosystems such as those found in the Black Sea and Kazakhstan steppes.

Phragmites australis management in the United States: 40 years of methods and outcomes

Studies on invasive plant management are often short in duration and limited in the methods tested, and lack an adequate description of plant communities that replace the invader following removal. Here we present a comprehensive review of management studies on a single species, in an effort to elucidate future directions for research in invasive plant management. We reviewed the literature on Phragmites management in North America in an effort to synthesize our understanding of management efforts, identify gaps in knowledge and improve the efficacy of management. Additionally, we assessed recent ecological findings concerning Phragmites mechanisms of invasion and integrated these findings into our recommendations for more effective management. Our overall goal is to examine whether or not current management approaches can be improved and whether they promote reestablishment of native plant communities. We found: (i) little information on community-level recovery of vegetation following removal of Phragmites; and (ii) most management approaches focus on the removal of Phragmites from individual stands or groups of stands over a relatively small area. With a few exceptions, recovery studies did not monitor vegetation for substantial durations, thus limiting adequate evaluation of the recovery trajectory. We also found that none of the recovery studies were conducted in a landscape context, even though it is now well documented that land-use patterns on adjacent habitats influence the structure and function of wetlands, including the expansion of Phragmites. We suggest that Phragmites management needs to shift to watershed-scale efforts in coastal regions, or larger management units inland. In addition, management efforts should focus on restoring native plant communities, rather than simply eradicating Phragmites stands. Wetlands and watersheds should be prioritized to identify ecosystems that would benefit most from Phragmites management and those where the negative impact of management would be minimal.