Pteridophyte Diversity Research Articles

Diversitas dan Komposisi Flora Paku (Pteridophyta) di Perkebunan Teh Nirmala Citalahab, Kecamatan Kabandungan, Sukabumi, Jawa Barat

Pteridophytes are able to live in a variety of habitats resulting in high species diversity. However, in monoculture vegetation such as tea plantations, species diversity can be reduced. This study aimed to compare the composition of the pteridophytes on the edge of the main road and the area in the tea garden at the Nirmala Tea Plantation, Kabandungan District, Sukabumi, West Java. Samples were collected using the exploratory method, then identified and observed for their morphological characteristics, and then the data were analyzed descriptively. The diversity of pteridophytes in the tea garden area (18 species) was lower than the main roadside tea plantation (25 species). Some species in the tea plantations were only found in the tea garden area (7 species) or on the side of the main roadside (14), and there were also species found in both locations (11 species). Pteridophytes in the study area is dominated by terrestrial ferns and the Polypodiaceae family. Soil moisture and wind speed are more influential factors on the diversity of pteridophytes than other abiotic factors measured. This result is new information on the diversity of fern in the Tea Plantation.

A taxonomic survey of pteridophytic flora of Lalmai Pahar and Mainamati of Cumilla district, Bangladesh

This study aims to investigate the pteridophytic flora of the Lalmai Pahar, Mainamati, located at the Cumilla district of Bangladesh. Despite the absence of extensive pteridophyte surveys in this hilly forest, it is known to harbour a diverse range of pteridophyte species. This study presents a survey of the pteridophyte diversity within the specified area, documenting a total of 27 taxa. The voucher specimens have been deposited at the Salar Khan Herbarium, Department of Botany at the University of Dhaka. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(1): 1-21, 2024 (January)

Diversity and Chorotype Analysis of the Pteridophytes of Zimbabwe

In the current investigation, an attempt has been made to document the floristic diversity and chorotype analysis of Pteridophytes growing in Zimbabwe. Previously published literature and online sources were consulted to confirm the nomenclature, precise locations, chorotype, stages of invasion, and conservation status of the Pteridophytes in Zimbabwe. The updated list of Pteridophyte taxa confirms that there are 297 taxa belonging to 83 genera and 19 families. The largest family is Aspleniaceae, with 78 taxa (26.26%), followed by Polypodiaceae and Pteridaceace with 67 taxa (22.56%) and 54 taxa (18.18%), respectively. The largest genus is Asplenium L., with 46 taxa (15.49%), followed by Hemionitis L. with 22 taxa (7.41%), Ophioglossum L. (16 taxa, 5.39%), Thelypteris Schmidel (14 taxa, 4.71%), and Elaphoglossum Schott ex J.Sm. (12 taxa, 4.04%). A total of 20 taxa (6.73%) are threatened with extinction, emphasizing the need for detailed knowledge of the nomenclature, conservation status, and distribution of Pteridophytes taxa in Zimbabwe. Research focusing on the diversity, ecology, and conservation status of Pteridophytes is imperative for biodiversity conservation, as they are an important component of natural ecosystems adapted to different habitats. Therefore, future studies on Pteridophytes in Zimbabwe should explore how the lack of floristic data on the plant group can hinder ecological research.

Diversity and distribution of ferns and clubmosses in the eastern canyons of Isalo National Park, Madagascar

Background and aims – In contrast to the flowering plants, the pteridophyte flora of Madagascar is still understudied. While several studies have been published on the eastern and central parts of the island, there are currently few works dedicated to the pteridophytes of southwestern Madagascar. The aim of this work is to increase the knowledge of the pteridophyte flora of the Isalo massif in southwestern Madagascar. It presents a checklist of Isalo’s pteridophytes and an analysis of the diversity and distribution patterns of pteridophyte communities across ecological gradients in the eastern canyons of Isalo. Material and methods – Eighty plots were placed in six canyons. In each plot, pteridophyte species abundance was inventoried, as well as several ecological and geomorphological variables. A census in the field and observations on specimens in herbaria were carried to make a checklist of all the pteridophyte species known for Isalo. Statistical analysis was carried out to understand the pteridophyte diversity and distribution patterns in the Isalo’s canyons: (1) exploratory analysis (FAMD and HCPC) highlights the general patterns of ecological gradients, (2) a rarefaction curve was used to compare species diversity, and (3) co-inertia analysis investigated the relationship between ecological gradient and pteridophyte communities. Key results – In total, 60 species of ferns and lycophytes have been recorded in the massif, including ten endemic species to Madagascar and 11 species reported for the first time in the Isalo massif. Species diversity is especially high in the northern canyons (Anjofo, Andramanero, Antsifotra) in contrast to the middle (Maki and Rats) and southern (Namaza) canyons. Fern distribution patterns were correlated to a combination of environmental factors, highlighting species-specific ecological preferences.

Types of diversity and ecological functions of pteridophytes in the Lawe Secepit Waterfall Kendal

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Pteridophytes Diversity and Distribution Along The Elevational Gradient of Mount Penanggungan's Hiking Trail, East Java, Indonesia

Pteridophytes (ferns) are a fundamental element of tropical rainforests, which provide excellent microhabitats for their development. In addition, the sensitivity of pteridophytes to shifts in microclimate and anthropogenic disturbances makes them excellent environmental bioindicators. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity and distribution of pteridophytes along the elevational gradient of two well-known hiking trails of Mount Penanggungan, East Java, Indonesia. Using a 10x10 m2 plot and transect line, we examined the composition, species diversity using Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), relative abundance, and distribution pattern using Morisita index of dispersion (Id) of ferns along an elevational gradient (700–1500 m above sea level) on the hiking trails of Mount Penanggungan, i.e., Tamiajeng and Kunjorowesi. As many as 14 species from 7 families living in both terrestrial and arboreal types were identified. Species composition along the elevation gradient revealed a pattern of predominating species. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') indicated a moderate level of diversity, where many pteridophytes species are found on the altitude gradient between (700-900 m dpl), and the Morisita index of dispersion (Id) indicated a clustered distribution pattern for most of the species. This pattern of diversity and distribution can be explained by changes in biotic and abiotic factors.

Diversity and distribution of Pteridophytes in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

An updated list of the pteridophytes known to occur in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve has been presented. It comprises two classes, 24 families, 49 genera, and 102 species, including 11 subspecies. Four families were identified as monotypic. Among the 102 species collected, six were endemic to south India, 10 were confined to south India and Sri Lanka, and eight were in the threatened category. We make available baseline biodiversity information on the pteridophytes of the study area and provide details on taxonomic diversity and distribution along the elevation gradient. The relationship between elevation and species richness in the study area showed a unimodal pattern. Color photographs of species from each family are also provided. The presence of many threatened and endemic species in the area implies that a high priority should be given to protecting and conserving these species of pteridophytes in the BRT Tiger Reserve.

Ferns and Lycophytes from the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins: a contribution to the flora of the Jalapão, Brazil

Abstract This study contributes to the flora of ferns and lycophytes, also referred to as pteridophytes, from the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT), which is part of the Jalapão region in Tocantins. Although Jalapão is one of the largest protected areas in the Cerrado vegetation of Northern Brazil, its biodiversity has, thus far, been poorly reported in the literature. Therefore, fieldwork was recently carried out at EESGT in different habitats. Our collections and data from digital repositories included 31 ferns and four lycophyte species belonging to 20 genera of 15 families. Despite occupying only a small fraction of the landscape, forests concentrate most pteridophyte diversity, reinforcing their importance for the conservation of this group within the Cerrado. Eleven species are new records for Tocantins, one is new for Bahia, and one was recently described (Anemia areniticola). In addition to a list of all taxa, we provide illustrations and an identification key to encourage further studies on this often-neglected component of Cerrado flora.

Diversity and ecology of Pteridophytes in Cendil heath forest and Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest, Belitung Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Priambudi AS, Chikmawati T, Sulistijorini, Fakhrurrozi Y. 2022. Diversity and ecology of Pteridophytes in Cendil heath forest and Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest, Belitung, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4775-4782. The tropical heath forest is a unique ecosystem type characterized by sandy and acidic soils with poor nutrients and water availability, making this ecosystem very vulnerable to disturbances. Yet, knowledge regarding the diversity and ecology of the biological elements of heath forests is still very limited, moreover, information on lesser-known plant groups, such as pteridophytes. Pteridophytes can be used as indicators of the quality of a forest ecosystem since they are cosmopolitan and have an excellent adaptation to various habitats. Belitung Island, Indonesia, is a region with a large proportion of tropical heath forest and small areas of tropical rainforest. There are only a few studies on comparison of the flora of the two ecosystem types on Belitung Island. This research aimed to compare the diversity and the ecology of pteridophytes that grow in the Cendil heath forest and the Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest, Belitung Island. The study used the cruise and the purposive sampling methods to record all pteridophytes within the sampling plots measuring 5 x 5 m alternately located on the right and left of line transects with a length of 50 meters each transect. Ecological data were calculated using the Important Value Index (IVI), Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index, Evenness index, Sorensen similarity index, Morisita distribution index, and Canonical Correspondence Analysis. The results showed that as many as 31 species of pteridophytes belonged to 14 families in the Cendil heath forest and Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest. The pteridophytes found in the Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest were higher (30 species) than that in the Cendil heath forest (9 species). There was high dominance of a few species in the Cendil heath forest due to the presence of three species with high IVI, namely Dicranopteris linearis, Palhinhaea cernua and Dicranopteris splendida. In contrast, pteridophytes in the Gurok Beraye tropical rainforest were evenly distributed with no high dominance species. Environmental parameters that affected the diversity and abundance of pteridophytes included temperature, light intensity, humidity, and altitude.

Pteridophyte Diversity in the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Samar Island, Philippines

Despite major efforts over the last 100 years assembling notable large amounts of information concerning the rich fern and lycophyte diversity of the Philippines, we still lack records for many areas including localities selected to protect biodiversity. Addressing the major gaps in our knowledge about the current distribution of plants in the Philippines is a crucial step towards the implementation of effective protection measurements to halter the ongoing biodiversity crisis. This study has been conducted to assemble a checklist of ferns and lycophytes occurring in the forests over limestone in Paranas, Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Philippines. The Samar Island is of special interest not only to studies aiming to reconstruct the history of plants in the Philippines but also to our efforts to conserve this diversity in the Anthropocene. By field investigations in a series of transect walks and in combination with published fern records from online resources, a total of 139 fern species belonging to 59 genera and from 22 families were documented. About 18.7% of the recorded species were endemic to the Philippines. Two species Tectaria macleanii (Copel.) S.Y.Dong and T. psomiocarpa S.Y.Dong were considered to be endangered whereas Taenitis cordata (Gaudich.) Holttum and Pyrossia splendens (C.Presl) Ching were listed as vulnerable in the Philippines. This study provided the first comprehensive checklist of the fern and lycophyte diversity that has been protected in this natural park. However, we want to stress that further field exploration is required to improve our understanding of the fern and lycophyte diversity in the less explored parts of the Samar Island. Given the occurrences of several species with rather restricted occurrences including endemics, our study emphasizes the high value of the SINP to preserve the Philippine’s plant diversity.

Diversity, Ecological and Traditional Knowledge of Pteridophytes in the Western Himalayas

Pteridophytes have been used by humans for millennia, but in comparison to flowering plants, the documentation of their traditional uses is still neglected; as a result, they must be highlighted and popularized. The present study was carried out from January 2019 to November 2021 to gather ecological and traditional use information on pteridophytes from local inhabitants of the Kashmir valley via semi-structured personal interviews and group discussions. We recorded 58 pteridophyte species belonging to 13 families. The distributions of the species among the families were unequal, with four families constituting more than half of the total species (Dryopteridaceae 26%, Woodsiaceae 17%, Aspleniaceae 14%, and Pteridaceae (14%). The highest numbers of species (45%) were found growing on the forest floor, followed by those growing in rock crevices (26%). This was supported further by a cluster analysis, which identified two primary clusters based on the species presence in different habitats. Half of the species (56%) were reported from altitudes below 2000m, followed by 19% from 2001–2500m, and 8% (e.g., Deparia allantodioides, Dryopteris xanthomelas, Asplenium viride) from 3001–3500m. Among the documented species (N = 58), only 28 species had a traditional usage (as medicine, vegetables, for oral hygiene, and for veterinary use). The aerial parts were most commonly used (64%) followed by the rachis (18%). The highest use value was observed for Diplazium maximum and the lowest for Asplenium fontanum. The findings of our study contribute baseline data to fill the existing knowledge gaps on ecological and traditional knowledge of pteridophytes in the Himalayas.

Pteridophytes of Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, N.E. India

Namdapha National Park in eastern Arunachal Pradesh near the Myanmar border is perhaps the most bio-diverse park in India, being situated at the edge of the region of the centre of diversity of Sino-Himalayan species and also being connected to the S.E. Asian (Malesian) flora through the adjacent mountain ranges of Myanmar. The area has very high rainfall and a great range of altitude (from c. 300 m to 4500 m). Despite increasing human pressure, the Park still contains large areas of species-rich, pristine tropical-type rain-forest and temperate forest, along with secondary forest. It is thus a notable haven for a very great diversity of pteridophytes (ferns and allies, including lycophytes), which form an obvious and often dominant part of the ground vegetation, with tree-ferns (Cyathea) above. However only the lower regions have been explored scientifically, up to c. 500 m altitude. A remarkable nine tenths of the altitude-range of the park remains entirely unexplored and its high-altitude Sino-Himalayan flora, still quite unknown, must be immensely rich, including the pteridophytes. A checklist of pteridophytes of the park is given here as known so far from all relevant herbarium-collections and from the authors’ own collections, altogether 184 taxa, though well over twice that number should be expected if a far-reaching scientific expedition could take place, which has not so far occurred.

Exploring the High Variability of Vegetative Desiccation Tolerance in Pteridophytes.

In the context of plant evolution, pteridophytes, which is comprised of lycophytes and ferns, occupy an intermediate position between bryophytes and seed plants, sharing characteristics with both groups. Pteridophytes is a highly diverse group of plant species that occupy a wide range of habitats including ecosystems with extreme climatic conditions. There is a significant number of pteridophytes that can tolerate desiccation by temporarily arresting their metabolism in the dry state and reactivating it upon rehydration. Desiccation-tolerant pteridophytes exhibit a strategy that appears to be intermediate between the constitutive and inducible desiccation tolerance (DT) mechanisms observed in bryophytes and angiosperms, respectively. In this review, we first describe the incidence and anatomical diversity of desiccation-tolerant pteridophytes and discuss recent advances on the origin of DT in vascular plants. Then, we summarize the highly diverse adaptations and mechanisms exhibited by this group and describe how some of these plants could exhibit tolerance to multiple types of abiotic stress. Research on the evolution and regulation of DT in different lineages is crucial to understand how plants have adapted to extreme environments. Thus, in the current scenario of climate change, the knowledge of the whole landscape of DT strategies is of vital importance as a potential basis to improve plant abiotic stress tolerance.

The diversity of Pteridophytes in pepe watershed Surakarta polluted by household waste

Pepe River is one of the Bengawan Solo with a reasonably high level of water pollution due to the habit of the surroundings in throwing garbage into the river. Plants that can survive in polluted land conditions have a high tolerance level, called pioneer plants. One of them is ferns (Pteridophyta). This study aims to identify the type, abundance, Important Value Index (IVI), and index Diversity of pteridophytes plant diversity in the Pepe Watershed. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative using the quadrat sampling technique method with a 1x1 meter plot. The sampling technique is using purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively and quantitatively. Analysis of diversity index data (H’) by Shannon-Wiener. Based on the results of the study found eight species of ferns from 5 families. There are Pteris vittata, Pteris biaurita L., Adiantum lunulatum Burm.fil., Adiantum latifolium Lam., Adiantum hispidulum Sw, Marsilea crenata C. Presl, Microlepia speluncae (L.) T. Moore, and Asplenium scandicinum Kaulf. This diversity is included in the medium category with H'= 1.44. The fern with the highest abundance was Pteris vittata with 176 individuals, a density of 5.87 individuals/m2, a frequency of 0.53, and an IVI of 109.3%. Set side by set, the lowest abundance was Microlepia speluncae with eight individuals, a density of 0.27 individuals/m2, a frequency of 0.03, and IVI of 5.6%. Based on this, ferns can survive in polluted river areas. Information on the diversity of ferns found on critical land, especially rivers, is expected to provide initial information in overcoming other similar critical lands.

Assessment of diversity and distribution patterns of Pteridophytes in the South-Central Biological Corridor III of Bhutan

Pteridophytes constitute an important component of forest ecosystems in addition to non-vascular cryptogams and spermatophytes (Magnoliophyta). Study has been carried out to assess the diversity and distribution patterns of pteridophytes in Biological Corridor III of South Central Bhutan with an aim to evaluate species composition along elevation-gradients and to understand how environmental factors influence species richness and distribution. Line-transect methods were adopted on site in four different locations. Species richness and diversity study was conducted in 47 sample plots taken at sizes of (10 x 10m) at 500m interval from 800 to 2200m altitude in three forest types. A total of 64 fern species were recorded represented by 3146 individual plants. Maximum species richness was observed at elevations between 1000 and 2000m. The species diversity index was (H = 1.368), evenness (EH = 0.88) and species richness (SR = 5.1). Pteris normalis was found to have the highest relative abundance of (RA = 9.91); Selaginella monospora had the highest relative density with (Rd = 11.35) and the maximum Importance Value Index of (IVI = 26.48) distributed along the widest range of elevation. Environmental and ecological variables such as temperature, slope and soil pH tend to have negative correlation with species counts. Elevation, soil-moisture content, precipitation and canopy coverage tend to have a positive correlation. Species counts through different vegetation zones tend to increase from tropical to subtropical and gradually decrease towards warm temperate forest.

Pteridophyte distribution of the Urals and adjacent areas: a dataset.

BackgroundData on the species diversity and distribution of pteridophytes (lycophytes and ferns) in the Urals and adjacent areas are presented. The dataset includes 13,742 observations of two classes Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida. In total, the dataset contains information on 16 families, 28 generas, 65 species, four subspecies and nine interspecies hybrids. All records are for lycophytes and ferns collected over 170 years between 1853 and 2021. The dataset presented is based on herbarium specimens, published data and field research conducted by the authors. This dataset is the first and important step towards generalising information on the current diversity and geographical distribution of pteridophytes in the Urals and adjacent areas.New informationThe dataset contains 13,742 records of 65 species of pteridophytes occurrences in the Urals and adjacent territories: Udmurt Republic (42,100 km2); Perm Krai (160,600 km2); Sverdlovsk Oblast (194,800 km2); Chelyabinsk Oblast (87,900 km2); Republic of Bashkortostan (143,600 km2); Tyumen Oblast (160,100 km2); Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (769,300 km2); Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (534,800km2) and Kurgan Oblast (71,500 km2). Each record includes a geographical description of the place of discovery and habitat, year of discovery, author of the finding and determination, as well as a link to a literary source (if the data were published) or the place of storage of the herbarium specimen. The presented dataset supplements the information on the occurrence of pteridophytes in the Russian Federation as a whole and clarifies their distribution in the Urals.

Spatial phylogenetic diversity of pteridophytes in Latium (Central Italy): a tool for conservation planning at regional scale

Spatial phylogenetic diversity of pteridophytes in Latium (Central Italy): a tool for conservation planning at regional scale

Biodiversity, richness and spatial distribution of extant Pteridophytes in Kudremukh National Park, Western Ghats, India

Pteridophyte richness and diversity in Kudremukh National Park (KNP) was assessed using qualitative and quantitative diversity indexing methods, along with the geographic spatial distribution of the extant pteridophyte flora. The field research design employed a stratified random sampling method and was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 included the survey, identification and distribution of the pteridophyte flora and Phase 2 was to study the diversity of the extant pteridophytes throughout the KNP using seven transects. The region exhibited rich and highly diverse (Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index of 3.38), non-homogenous (compared to normal Raunkiaer’s frequency curve) stand of 46 different unevenly (evenness index 0.64) distributed pteridophyte flora. The study region was dominated by two unambiguous pteridophyte species of weedy nature (Pteridium aquilinum and Dicranopteris linearis), with a high Simpson's dominance index of 0.96. The study reports eight endemic, two rare, five at risk and seven vulnerable and near-threatened IUCN listed pteridophyte species in the study region. The quantitative diversity indices i.e. frequency, density, abundance, relative abundance and important value index of each extant pteridophyte is calculated. The study also noted that some endemic species such as Osmunda huegeliana and Cyathea nilgirensis present in KNP needed immediate conservation efforts. This study gives an extensive report on the extant pteridophyte flora of KNP and will help future taxonomic surveys and research, as well as conservation and sustenance measures.

Check-list of Pteridophytes from Gujarat State, Western India

Gujarat is the westernmost state of India and is known for varied climatic conditions starting from moist deciduous forest to pure desert conditions as in the Greater Rann of Kachchh. A major part of the geographical area of Gujarat is a semi-arid region with dry climatic conditions; but studies on pteridophyte diversity of Gujarat state have always been neglected by botanists. Consequently, the diversity of pteridophytes in the state was poorly represented with 12 genera and only 16 species reported in previous literature. The present investigation was carried out to document species diversity and to update the checklist of pteridophytes occurring in Gujarat state. A total of 50 naturally occurring species or subspecies representing 23 genera in 14 families were collected from different regions of the state. An additional 13 species cultivated in the University Botanical Garden or in homes and gardens have also been noted. Among the indigenous species, Aleuritopteris anceps, A. formosana, Ceratopteris thalictroides subsp. thalictroides, Ophioglossum indicum, O. lancifolium, O. lusoafricanum and O. petiolatum are reported as new distributional records for the state. The maximum diversity was observed in south Gujarat, followed by Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region whereas less diversity was observed in the North and Kachchh regions. Results of our study are compared to findings made by earlier workers.

Diversity of Pteridophytes in Mount Timolan Protected Landscape, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

This study serves as the first generation research on the rich yet not poorly known ferns and lycophyte species of the Mount Timolan Protected Landscape (MTPL). A total of 151 species from 62 genera and 24 families were recorded from December 2019-May 2019. Overall, the species of MTPL respectively holds 14%, 40% and 71% of the recorded total species, genera and families of ferns and lycophytes in the Philippines. The most represented families in terms of the number of genera is Polypodiaceae (10 spp.), whereas, the most represented genera in terms of the number of species were Selaginella (11 spp.). The results of the study showed that Mount Timolan Protected Landscape harbours number of some endemic species (17 spp.), critically endangered species (1 spp.), endangered species (3 spp.), vulnerable species (5 spp.), threatened, non-native species and economically important species (25 spp.). Based on conservation and ecological status of assessed ferns and lycophyte species, it is likely to strongly suggest to set species-specific conservation management strategy to protect the threatened species. However, additional studies and thorough field explorations should also be done to conduct a re-inventory on the pteridophyte species in order to arrive a more scientific results to establish a real profile of the ferns and lycophyte species of Mount Timolan Protected Landscape.