Distribution Of Plant Species Research Articles

Corchorus tridens L.: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Nutritional Content and Pharmacological Properties

Phytotherapy is a cost-effective alternative that continues to evolve. This has sparked significant research interest in naturally occurring compounds found in edible plants that possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Corchorus tridens L. is a wild edible plant widely recognised for its edible leaves, which are used for vegetable and animal feed. The plant is widely distributed across the African continent and is utilised in numerous countries for treating fever, pain, inflammation, and sexually transmitted diseases. Extracts from various parts of this plant exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and pesticidal properties. This plant is a rich source of amino acids, vitamins, essential fatty acids, proteins, and minerals, as well as secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, quinines, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, and tannins. Additional studies are still needed to determine other biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory activity, involvement in the treatment of measles, prevention of anaemia, and pain-relieving properties. The current review aims to provide information on the characteristics, distribution, nutritional content, bioactive compounds, traditional uses, and biological activities of the edible plant species C. tridens L. to stimulate further research interest to address the existing literature gaps concerning this plant.

Response of Extremely Small Populations to Climate Change—A Case of Trachycarpus nanus in Yunnan, China

Climate change affects the geographical distribution of plant species. Rare Trachycarpus nanus with a narrow distribution range, high medicinal value and extremely small population is facing increasing extinction risks under global climate change. In this study, 96 recorded occurrences and 23 environmental factors are used to predict the potential suitable area of T. nanus based on the optimized MaxEnt (3.4.4) model and ArcGIS (10.7) software. The results show that when the parameters are FC = LQ and RM = 1, the MaxEnt model is optimal and AUC = 0.946. The distribution patterns were predicted in the past, present, and four future phases, i.e., 2021–2040 (2030), 2041–2060 (2050), 2061–2080 (2070), and 2081–2100 (2090). The main factors are the annual precipitation (bio12), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio11), temperature seasonality (bio4), precipitation of the wettest quarter (bio16), and isothermality (bio3). The potential distribution of T. nanus is primarily concentrated in central Chuxiong, encompassing a total potential suitable area of 5.65 × 104 km2. In historical periods, the total habitat area is smaller than that in the present. In the future, the potential suitable area is generally increased. The centroid analysis shows that T. nanus will move to a high-altitude area and to the southeast. But its dispersal capacity may not keep up with the climate change rate. Therefore, additional protection sites for this species should be appropriately established and the habitat connectivity should be enhanced.

Decadal vegetation changes in a subarctic‐alpine ecosystem: Can effects of Iceland's largest hydropower reservoir, climate change, and herbivory be detected?

AbstractAimsWhile plot‐based vegetation surveys provide means to precisely track changes in plant species abundance and distribution, ecosystems are continuously influenced by numerous drivers, confounding interpretation of monitoring results. Following the making of Iceland's largest hydropower reservoir in 2006, a decadal vegetation monitoring was set up. Relating our results to those of different types of environmental monitoring associated with the hydropower project, we aimed to gain insights into the forces driving the spatio‐temporal vegetation pattern.LocationSubarctic‐alpine area near Hálslón reservoir, East Iceland.MethodsAt the time of its making, we conducted a baseline plant survey in a total of 72 plots, spread around Hálslón reservoir's vicinity (each containing ten 0.25 m2 subplots). Plots were located in three different habitat types (heathlands, wetlands, poorly vegetated land), at three different sites regarding direction and distance from the reservoir. A decade later, we resurveyed the plots and reviewed the results of other environmental monitoring projects in the area, mostly presented in the gray literature.ResultsTemporal changes in vegetation were mostly inconsistent between and within habitat types, but some general trends were noticed, that is, decreased lichen and fern cover in heathlands. Distance from the reservoir did not significantly affect changes in vegetation cover. The greatest overall changes were detected where great changes in herbivore land usage had been recorded during the study.ConclusionsDirect effects of Hálslón reservoir on vegetation in our study plots were not noticed. Most likely, the reservoir indirectly impacted vegetation in our study through loss of grazing area, affecting herbivore land usage, coupled with an unrelated population growth of two of the area's main wild herbivores before and during the study period. Response to climate change was not detected, potentially concealed by substantial land‐use change and a short study period.

Correction: Predicting the distribution of plant species from southern South America: are the hotspots of genetic diversity threatened by climate change?

Correction: Predicting the distribution of plant species from southern South America: are the hotspots of genetic diversity threatened by climate change?

Plant colonizers of a mercury contaminated site: trace metals and associated rhizosphere bacteria

Abstract Background and aims Mercury (Hg) contamination poses severe human and environmental health risks. We aimed to evaluate the colonization of Hg-contaminated sites by native plants and the prokaryotic composition of rhizosphere soil communities of the dominant plant species. Methods A field study was conducted at a Hg-contaminated site in Romania. Metal concentrations in soil and plant samples were analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The prokaryotic composition of rhizosphere soil communities was determined through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and community functionality was predicted through PICRUSt2. Results Site-specific trace metal distribution across the site drove plant species distribution in the highly contaminated soil, with Lotus tenuis and Diplotaxis muralis associated with higher Hg concentrations. In addition, for the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil of D. muralis, there was no observable decrease in alpha diversity with increasing soil Hg levels. Notably, Actinomycetota had an average of 24% relative abundance in the rhizosphere communities that also tested positive for the presence of merA, whereas in the absence of merA the phylum’s relative abundance was approximately 2%. merA positive rhizosphere communities also displayed an inferred increase in ABC transporters. Conclusions The results suggest a dependence of species-wise plant survival on local trace metal levels in soil, as well as an intricate interplay of the latter with rhizosphere bacterial diversity. Knowledge of these interdependencies could have implications for phytoremediation stakeholders, as it may allow for the selection of plant species and appropriate soil microbial inoculates with elevated Hg tolerance.

Fine-resolution land cover mapping over large and mountainous areas for Lāna‘i, Hawaii using posterior probabilities, and expert knowledge

ABSTRACT The task of accurately mapping species-specific vegetation cover in remote and topographically complex regions like those found in Hawaiʻi presents unique challenges. This study leverages a machine learning approach to accurately classify vegetation into fine species-specific classes across the island of Lāna‘i, Hawaii, offering a novel methodology for tackling such challenges. Utilizing high-resolution WordView-2 satellite imagery, a neural network classifier and a custom lidar-based geometric correction, we introduced two new approaches to refine our high-resolution land cover classifications. This included the implementation of prior-based adjustments to class posterior probabilities to enhance land cover classification accuracy. Moreover, we developed mixed hierarchical classification maps that use class posterior probabilities to identify, at the pixel level, the finest land cover class that meets a user-defined confidence threshold. The resulting high-resolution land cover map for Lāna‘i captures the rich diversity and distribution of native and invasive plant species with high overall accuracy, generally exceeding 95%, based on independent ground control data. The capacity to produce wall-to-wall species-level vegetation maps provides a new window into monitoring vegetation dynamics on Lāna‘i and similarly remote and topographically complex regions, and contributes to our broader understanding of ecosystem responses to invasive species, climatic changes, and land management practices such as erosion and sediment control planning. Our approach offers a blueprint for similar efforts in other complex and remote ecosystems.

A more effective approach for species-level classifications using multi-source remote sensing data: Validation and application to an arid and semi-arid grassland

The distribution of grassland communities significantly influences biodiversity conservation and resource management. Remote sensing datasets, such as Sentinel land cover images with high spatial and temporal resolution, have been commonly employed to simulate the distribution and community structure of plant species in grasslands. Nevertheless, the precision of grassland and community classification requires further enhancement for more effective grassland management. In response, our study presents a dynamic workflow for simulating the distribution of grassland plant species under different hydroclimatic conditions. Leveraging a random forest classifier with multi-source remote sensing features, we mapped the distribution of nine plant communities and six types of land cover in the upstream grasslands of the Xilingol River Basin, Inner Mongolia from 2017 to 2022. Utilizing the Google Earth Engine platform, our findings reveal a remarkable consistency in the overall spatiotemporal accuracy and classification precision of grassland communities across different years, even under varying hydroclimatic conditions. When critical features were carefully selected, the integration of Sentinel-1 (C-band synthetic aperture radar), Sentinel-2 (surface reflectance), SRTM DEM 30 m (Digital Elevation Model data), and MOD16A2.006 (evapotranspiration/latent heat flux product) data yielded a high overall accuracy ranging from 87.0 % to 89.5 % over multiple years. Our study not only determined the spatial patterns of various grassland plant communities but also explored the mechanism of their responses to different hydroclimatic conditions. The proposed approach holds practical implications for fine-scale grassland classification, providing valuable support for landscape classification and monitoring efforts. Furthermore, the insights derived from our findings offer valuable guidance for land managers and policymakers, aiding them in making informed decisions related to grassland conservation and sustainable land use planning.

Rich specialized insect damage on Pliocene leaves from the Mahuadanr Valley (India) growing under a warm climate with weak seasonality.

Plant-insect interactions play a crucial role in shaping terrestrial ecosystems, influencing abundance and distribution of plant species. In the present study, we investigated leaf-mining patterns on fossil leaves from Pliocene strata of the Mahuadanr Valley, Jharkhand, eastern India, deposited under a seasonal tropical climate, and reported complex interactions between plants and insects. We identified 11 distinct mining morphotypes. These morphotypes were mainly found on Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, and Moraceae; similar mining traces were also observed in the contemporary vegetation surrounding the fossil site. Although mining richness was relatively high, only 2.6% of all leaves in the fossil assemblage were mined. We compared mining richness and abundance values with previously reported values for galling. While richness was slightly lower for galling, almost 50% of all fossil leaves were galled. A literature survey on mining and galling patterns in modern vegetation suggests that there is no global explanation for richness of mining or gall-inducing insects. Thus, low nutrient availability in the ancient forest, dominance of semideciduous leaves with hard texture, and different habitats in the same forest ecosystem, such as well-drained forests and riparian stands, may all have favored different types of specialized plant-insect interactions.

Hormonal response to recurrent seasonal stress in coastal and mountain scabiouses growing in their natural habitat: linking ABA and jasmonates with photoprotection.

Plant species distribution across ecosystems is influenced by multiple environmental factors, and recurrent seasonal stress events can act as natural selection agents for specific plant traits and limit species distribution. For that, studies aiming at understanding how environmental constraints affect adaptive mechanisms of taxonomically closely related species are of great interest. We chose two Scabiosa species inhabiting contrasting environments: the coastal scabious S. atropurpurea, typically coping with hot-dry summers in a Mediterranean climate, and the mountain scabious S. columbaria facing cold winters in an oceanic climate. A set of functional traits was examined to assess plant performance in these congeneric species from contrasting natural habitats. Both S. atropurpurea and S. columbaria appeared to be perfectly adapted to their environment in terms of adjustments in stomatal closure, CO2 assimilation rate and water use efficiency over the seasons. However, an unexpected dry period during winter followed by the typical Mediterranean hot-dry summer forced S. atropurpurea plants to deploy a set of photoprotective responses during summer. Aside from reductions in leaf water content and Fv/Fm, photoprotective molecules (carotenoids, α-tocopherol and anthocyanins) per unit of chlorophyll increased, mostly as a consequence of a severe chlorophyll loss. The profiling of stress-related hormones (ABA, salicylic acid and jasmonates) revealed associations between ABA and the bioactive jasmonoyl-isoleucine with the underlying photoprotective response to recurrent seasonal stress in S. atropurpurea. We conclude that jasmonates may be used together with ABA as a functional trait that may, at least in part, help understand plant responses to recurrent seasonal stress in the current frame of global climate change.

Differences in plant water use between check-dam land and slope land on the Loess Plateau: Significance for vegetation restoration

Check dam lands (DLs) and hillslope lands (SLs) are two typical landscape units in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China (CLP). Knowledge of the water resource distribution and water use characteristics of plant species used for revegetation in SL and DL has profound implications for understanding plant–water relations and guiding revegetation strategies in water-limited ecosystems. To assess the spatiotemporal characteristics of water resource and investigate water use strategies of two widely used species for revegetation (i.e., Medicago sativa and Caragana korshinskii) in the SL and DL, numerous types of water samples (including rain-, soil-, plant-, and groundwater) were collected from a watershed in the semi-arid CLP for analysis. The oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopic ratios (δ18O and δD) of the water samples were estimated for three consecutive hydrological years (2018−2020). The soil water storage in the unsaturated zone of 0–600cm in the DL (mean 1008mm) was estimated to be 64% higher than that in the SL (mean 613mm). Below 600cm, soil was saturated with water (i.e. groundwater) in the DL and remained unsaturated in the SL. The Bayesian mixing model was applied to the stable isotopic ratios of H and O, which revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proportional contributions of water resources between the two revegetated species. Although M. sativa (mean 76% for SL and 61% for DL) and C. korshinskii (mean 72% for SL and 47% for DL) relied on water from the upper 100-cm soil layer during the observation period, C. korshinskii generally utilised more water from the deep soil layer (>100cm) than M. sativa. Furthermore, the mean water uptake fractions of C. korshinskii in both the SL and DL for the deep soil layers and groundwater significantly increased with decreasing annual rainfall, whereas this was not observed for M. sativa, suggesting that the environmental adaptability of C. korshinskii may be more ecologically plastic than that of M. sativa. Additionally, the contribution of groundwater (>600cm) to root water uptake in M. sativa (mean, 21%) and C. korshinskii (mean, 28%) was comparable in the DL, indicating the importance of groundwater in combating possible water stress for revegetated plants. These results indicate that natural and engineering measure-induced water resource distributions result in different plant water-use characteristics and responses to variations in precipitation. Therefore, engineering measures and species are essential factors in ecological restoration management for enhancing the effectiveness of vegetation restoration strategies.

Climate change increases threat to plant diversity in tropical forests of Central America and southern Mexico.

Global biodiversity is negatively affected by anthropogenic climate change. As species distributions shift due to increasing temperatures and precipitation fluctuations, many species face the risk of extinction. In this study, we explore the expected trend for plant species distributions in Central America and southern Mexico under two alternative Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) portraying moderate (RCP4.5) and severe (RCP8.5) increases in greenhouse gas emissions, combined with two species dispersal assumptions (limited and unlimited), for the 2061-2080 climate forecast. Using an ensemble approach employing three techniques to generate species distribution models, we classified 1924 plant species from the region's (sub)tropical forests according to IUCN Red List categories. To infer the spatial and taxonomic distribution of species' vulnerability under each scenario, we calculated the proportion of species in a threat category (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered) at a pixel resolution of 30 arc seconds and by family. Our results show a high proportion (58-67%) of threatened species among the four experimental scenarios, with the highest proportion under RCP8.5 and limited dispersal. Threatened species were concentrated in montane areas and avoided lowland areas where conditions are likely to be increasingly inhospitable. Annual precipitation and diurnal temperature range were the main drivers of species' relative vulnerability. Our approach identifies strategic montane areas and taxa of conservation concern that merit urgent inclusion in management plans to improve climatic resilience in the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot. Such information is necessary to develop policies that prioritize vulnerable elements and mitigate threats to biodiversity under climate change.

Ecological and Biogeographical Imprints in a Beech Glacial Refugium

The distribution of vascular plant species and assemblages existing in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests was compared with the distribution of beech chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes, aiming to identify possible interpretable trends of co-occurrence, on a small geographical scale, and to infer the relevant historical factors. Vegetation and genetic (cpSSR) data were collected from 60 plots on Mt. Menikio (northeastern Greece). Classification and ordination analyses were applied on the vegetation data, while on the cpSSR data, diversity measures and genetic structure analyses were employed. A probabilistic co-occurrence analysis was performed on haplotypes and taxa. The results show that a plant biogeographical border exists on Mt. Menikio which, in addition, has acted both as a refugium and as a meeting point of lineages for more than one glacial cycle. Significant associations of co-occurrence between haplotypes and vascular taxa were found but no common distribution patterns between the former and species assemblages were identified. The combined consideration of the distribution profiles of species assemblages, plant species and cpDNA haplotypes (corresponding to the three levels of biodiversity) provides concrete information on historical events, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary and biogeographical processes that have shaped specific spatial patterns of biodiversity.

Rare faction of flora of the designed landscape reserve “Balka Shchurovka”

The article is devoted to the study of the modern distribution of certain rare plant species within the "Balka Shchurovka" beam system (near the settlements of Dniprovske, Novomykolaivka of the Verkhnyodniprovska OTG of the Dnipropetrovsk region) and substantiation of the prospects for granting the object the status of a nature conservation area. The natural diversity of the vegetation cover of the designed reserve consists of zonal steppe vegetation, bairach forests, psamophilic and petrophilic communities, and meadow vegetation. According to indicators of biodiversity, the territory b. Shchurovka is one of the most valuable within the borders of Verkhnyodniprovska OTG of Dnipropetrovsk region. In the process of researching the flora of the planned reserve, a number of new locations of species rare for the region and the region were discovered. 26 regionally rare plant species grow here, 13 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, 3 species from Resolution 6 of the Berne Convention and Annexes of the Habitats Directive, presented in the flora of Ukraine, 1 species from the World Red List. The list of plants of the Dnipropetrovsk region included in the Red Book of Ukraine includes 56 species of vascular plants, of which 13 species grow within the b. Rat, which is 23% of the total number of red book species of Dnipropetrovsk region. An important and interesting feature of the layer of sand exposed on the right slope of the gully is the presence of blocks of red sandstone enriched with iron oxides. Near the sandstone outcrops, a characteristic complex of flora has formed on sandy soil with the participation of Sempervivum ruthenicum Schnittsp. &amp; C.B. Lehm, Pulsatilla pratensis (L.) Mill. s.l., Thymus pallasianus Heinr.Braun, Peucedanum arenarium Waldst. &amp; Kit. (Taeniopetalum arenarium (Waldst. &amp; Kit.) V. N. Tichomirov), Achillea leptophylla M. Bieb. Jurinea cyanoides (L.) Rchb and Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill grow here. s.l. - rare species from the Annexes of the Habitats Directive, Annex I of the Berne Convention, which prefer biotopes with an intact structure as part of rare coenoses. The study of the rare fraction of the flora of the beam system in the context of the conservation of biodiversity of the Right Bank Steppe of the Dnieper region can become the basis of the nature conservation concept of sustainable development of the region.

The differential contribution of coyotes and passerines on future biotic carbon storage through juniper seed dispersal

Differences in seed dispersal patterns can alter plant distributions, species persistence, plant community composition, and biotic carbon sequestered within a landscape. Though carnivorans are known to be frugivorous, their contribution to seed dispersal is marginally studied, especially compared to other sympatric dispersers such as passerines. This gap is important to understand because carnivorans may be better suited to assist plant dispersal in disturbed habitats and the longer distances necessary for climate migration. In this study, we evaluated how seed dispersal by a particular carnivoran, coyote Canis latrans, differed from passerines Passeriformes for juniper Juniperus sp. in the conterminous United States under future climate change. We modeled changes in juniper niche suitability starting in 2021 through the next 80 years of climate change by estimating the current niche with Maxent, and then using climate predictions to define spatial changes in suitable niches. Seed dispersal by both coyote and passerine dispersers was simulated to estimate total juniper dispersal, juniper encroachment into grasslands, and finally changes in above‐ground biotic carbon storage due to juniper encroachment. Our models indicate that over the next 80 years, suitable conditions for juniper will contract, but losses from the current range will be minimal. Our model suggests that coyote dispersal of juniper will result in a 54–59% increase in range, which is 2.5 times as much as the estimated increase provided by passerines. We estimate that coyotes will facilitate juniper encroachment into 170 000–185 000 km2 of current grasslands, 3.4 times as much as passerines. Modeling the effect of coyote‐mediated juniper encroachment of grasslands, we forecast that the addition of woody aboveground biomass will provide between 1.1 and 1.2 Pg of additional carbon storage over the next 80 years. Results highlight how coyotes and passerines provide different outcomes for changes in juniper ranges, plant community composition, and landscape carbon storage. Understanding the differences in outcomes provided by different seed dispersers is important for modeling plant species distributions and carbon storage.

Plant distribution and conservation in mediterranean islands’ lentic wetlands: there is more than aquatic species

This study investigates the distribution and conservation status of plant species in lentic wetlands of Mediterranean islands. Field data on vascular macrophytes were collected from the online national databases of the “Conservation of the island wetlands of the Mediterranean Basin” (MedIsWet). A comprehensive inventory of wetlands was conducted, and information on the main anthropogenic impacts and conservation priorities was compiled. In addition to all vascular hygro- and hydrophytes, we retained information on those species typically adapted to environments with intermittent or temporary wetness. A significant knowledge gap regarding the distribution and conservation of plant species in Mediterranean wetlands was found. A lower endemism rate was observed particularly in coastal wetlands. However, approximately 25% of species, mainly with relatively wide distribution, were identified as endangered or with unknown conservation status. Including all macrophytes adapted to seasonal wetness is crucial when considering wetland conservation efforts. The research emphasised the importance of considering diverse wetland types, including seasonal and permanent, natural and artificial, for effective plant conservation. Artificial wetlands emerged as potential habitats with considerable biodiversity conservation value. This study provides a comprehensive inventory of wetlands and valuable insights into the distribution, ecology, and conservation relevance of aquatic macrophytes in Mediterranean islands. The research enhances our understanding of biogeographic patterns and processes, offers critical information for the management and conservation of Mediterranean island wetlands, and presents a replicable approach that can be applied to other wetland contexts.

Genomic characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from Callery pear and the efficiency of associated phages in disease protection.

The Pseudomonas syringae species complex is a heterogeneous group of plant pathogenic bacteria associated with a wide distribution of plant species. Advances in genomics are revealing the complex evolutionary history of this species complex and the wide array of genetic adaptations underpinning their diverse lifestyles. Here, we genomically characterize two P. syringae isolates collected from diseased Callery pears (Pyrus calleryana) in Berkeley, California in 2019 and 2022. We also isolated a lytic bacteriophage, which we characterized and evaluated for biocontrol efficiency. Using a multilocus sequence analysis and core genome alignment, we classified the P. syringae isolates as members of phylogroup 2, related to other strains previously isolated from Pyrus and Prunus. An analysis of effector proteins demonstrated an evolutionary conservation of effectoromes across isolates classified in PG2 and yet uncovered unique effector profiles for each, including the two newly identified isolates. Whole-genome sequencing of the associated phage uncovered a novel phage genus related to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae phage PHB09 and the Flaumdravirus genus. Finally, using in planta infection assays, we demonstrate that the phage was equally useful in symptom mitigation of immature pear fruit regardless of the Pss strain tested. Overall, this study demonstrates the diversity of P. syringae and their viruses associated with ornamental pear trees, posing spill-over risks to commercial pear trees and the possibility of using phages as biocontrol agents to reduce the impact of disease.IMPORTANCEGlobal change exacerbates the spread and impact of pathogens, especially in agricultural settings. There is a clear need to better monitor the spread and diversity of plant pathogens, including in potential spillover hosts, and for the development of novel and sustainable control strategies. In this study, we characterize the first described strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolated from Callery pear in Berkeley, California from diseased tissues in an urban environment. We show that these strains have divergent virulence profiles from previously described strains and that they can cause disease in commercial pears. Additionally, we describe a novel bacteriophage that is associated with these strains and explore its potential to act as a biocontrol agent. Together, the data presented here demonstrate that ornamental pear trees harbor novel P. syringae pv. syringae isolates that potentially pose a risk to local fruit production, or vice versa-but also provide us with novel associated phages, effective in disease mitigation.

Role of Environmental Heterogeneity in the Species Distribution of Vascular Plants in Periods of High and Low Emissions from a Copper Smelter

Role of Environmental Heterogeneity in the Species Distribution of Vascular Plants in Periods of High and Low Emissions from a Copper Smelter

ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN GIURGIU COUNTY, ROMANIA: AN INVENTORY AND DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS

Giurgiu County, a crucial hub in the Pan-European Corridor with the sole Danube bridge to Bulgaria, plays an important role in potential pathways for introducing alien plant species. However, the information regarding the distribution of alien plants in this county is incomplete. Our study aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the current distribution of alien plant species based on field records collected from September 2019 to November 2022. Following the guidelines of the POIM/178/4/1/120008 project, data were collected across diverse habitats. Our findings reveal 89 alien plant taxa, including 58 newly reported at the county level. Over half of the alien plant species (66.29%) are also present in the natural protected areas. The study contributes essential information for biodiversity conservation, emphasizing ongoing monitoring and invasive species management within Giurgiu County's protected areas.

Predicting the distribution of plant species from southern South America: are the hotspots of genetic diversity threatened by climate change?

Predicting the distribution of plant species from southern South America: are the hotspots of genetic diversity threatened by climate change?

FAMeLeS: A multispecies and fully automated method to measure morphological leaf traits

Abstract Leaf shape parameters are of key importance to explain the role of energy balance and water economy in plant species distribution, plant productivity and, more generally, in plant–environment interactions. Yet, leaf shape measurements based on image processing are still challenging due to the high diversity of leaf shapes, colours and sizes leading to the development of time‐consuming methods with a narrow field of applicability, sometimes species‐specific or often limited to a few species. We developed a fully automated method for measuring multiple leaf shape parameters (area, perimeter, length, width, circularity and solidity) based on a large image sampling of leaf diversity (including litter) belonging to 587 species and spread over 232 countries worldwide. To evaluate the accuracy of the method to detect small objects, the sampling particularly targeted Mediterranean ecosystems (32 species and 25,205 leaves), in which small leaves often represent methodological challenges. We compared our approach and found that its mean error in leaf area measurement (+0.46%) was 1.7–148 times lower than four existing methods. It was also the only one capable of detecting and measuring all leaves in the test data set, even variegated and small leaves (less than 1 mm2). Its reliability was extensively checked on the largest and most diversified data set ever used. Our method, accessible to the broader scientific community, was simple, rapid and effective on multiple image file types and on a high diversity of leaf size, shape and colour. As such, our approach allows measurement not only on fresh leaves but also on dry leaves, such as leaf litter or leaves from herbaria. This tolerance to leaf characteristics is crucial to increase large‐scale sampling efforts and paves the way for a standardized multispecies approach to measuring leaf morphological traits for ecological and agricultural studies.