Floristic Inventory Research Articles

EVALUACIÓN DEL APROVECHAMIENTO DE BONELLIA SPRUCEI (Mez) COMO PRODUCTO FORESTAL NO MADERABLE EN DOS LOCALIDADES DE LA COMUNIDAD JULCUY

Una evaluación del aprovechamiento de Bonellia sprucei Mez como producto forestal no maderable se realizó en las localidades de Las Peñas y Soledad de la localidad de Julcuy, para conocer sobre el aprovechamiento y potencialidades de uso de los Productos Forestales No Maderables derivados de esta especie. Se realizaron recorridos de campo, entrevistas y charlas, así el objetivo del trabajo consistió en evaluar el aprovechamiento de Bonellia sprucei Mez, en las localidades antes mencionadas, a través del método empírico de encuestas y la realización de un muestreo aleatorio estratificado; para el muestreo se establecieron transectos de 20 m x 50 m. Mediante un inventario florístico en el bosque seco tropical de aquellas localidades, se comprobó el grado de asociación de ese taxa con otras especies, así mismo se determinó su abundancia, los porcentajes, cantidad de uso y sus derivados. Los resultados revelan la composición del ecosistema, y demuestran que estos productos no se explotan al máximo. La distancia de los árboles a las viviendas es una variable que incide en el precio final del producto.

The Contribution of Local Management to Biodiversity Conservation: An Analysis of Specific Cases in the Region of Madrid (Spain)

In line with the Urban Agenda for the EU, this article highlights the importance of local actions in the conservation of biodiversity, both through specific activities and by increasing the availability of information. As such, the policies and projects related to the conservation of biodiversity have been analyzed here at different levels and, in particular, the initiatives undertaken in the Madrid Region, Spain. Consequently, two cases are presented that demonstrate the role that local administrations can play in improving the biodiversity database, and hence, in the effective protection of areas of significant environmental value. First, we will examine the effects that creating an environmental inventory of vegetation, flora and landscape has had in Torrelodones. Second, among the more recent environmental policies implemented in the municipality of Madrid are those that resulted in the environmental recovery of the urban section of the Manzanares River. Both these actions demonstrate how local authorities can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at relatively low expense and in line with EU guidelines. Notably, this occurred despite the fact that competences in environmental matters in Spain are not municipal. In this context, the paper reflects on the untapped potential of the General Urban Planning Plans (PGOU) in deep knowledge and sustainable and responsible management of municipal environmental values.

An Inventory of Benthic Flora in the Intertidal and Upper Subtidal Zones of Troitsa Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan)

The species composition of macrophytic algae in Troitsa Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) was studied from June to September in 2004–2018. A total of 111 macrophytes were found, of which 28 were epiphytes. The phylum Rhodophyta was the most diverse group represented by 58 species (or 54% of the total number of identified species); the phylum Ochrophyta (class Phaeophyceae) was represented by 35 species (32%); the phylum Chlorophyta, by 15 species (14%); 3 species of sea grasses (3%) were also recorded. The species diversity increased from the intertidal to subtidal zones. There were 23 plant communities identified in the intertidal and upper subtidal zones of Troitsa Bay.

The origins of Amazonian landscapes: Plant cultivation, domestication and the spread of food production in tropical South America

During the last two decades, new archaeological projects which systematically integrate a variety of plant recovery techniques, along with palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, soil science and floristic inventories, have started to transform our understanding of plant exploitation, cultivation and domestication in tropical South America. Archaeobotanical studies are providing a far greater appreciation of the role of plants in the diets of early colonists. Since ∼13ka, these diets relied mainly on palm, tree fruits, and underground tubers, along with terrestrial and riverine faunal resources. Recent evidence indicates two areas of precocious plant cultivation and domestication: the sub-Andean montane forest of NW South America and the shrub savannahs and seasonal forests of SW Amazonia. In the latter area, thousands of anthropic keystone structures represented by forest islands show a significant human footprint in Amazonia from the start of the Holocene. While radiocarbon date databases show a decline in population during the middle Holocene, important developments happened during this epoch, including the domestication of cacao, the adoption of maize and the spread of manioc across the basin. The late Holocene witnessed the domestication of rice and the development of agricultural landscapes characterised by raised fields and Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs). Our multi-proxy analysis of 23 late Holocene ADEs and two lakes from southern Amazonia provides the first direct evidence of field polyculture agriculture including the cultivation of maize, manioc, sweet potato, squash, arrowroot and leren within closed-canopy forest, as well as enrichment with palms, limited clearing for crop cultivation, and low-severity fire management. Collectively, the evidence shows that during the late Holocene Amazonian farmers engaged in intensive agriculture marked by the cultivation of both annual and perennial crops relying on organic amendments requiring soil preparation and maintenance. Our study has broader implications for sustainable Amazonian futures.

Floristic diversity and management of fodder resources of the natural pastures of the Savanna Highlands of Western Cameroon

Sustainable management of pastoral resources requires knowledge in terms of floristic diversity and productivity of the rangelands. The objective of the present study carried out in the Bamboutos Mountains was to assess the floristic diversity and carrying capacity of the natural pastures. Floristic inventory was done using the method of quadrat point aligned in 15 plots of 400 m². Aerial phytomass of herbaceous plants was measured by the full harvest method. A total of 74 species, including 09 woody plants belonging to 56 genera and 20 families were recorded. The number of taxa recorded in the plots varied from 11 to 36 species. Imperata cylindrica with a specific contribution of presence of 17.45% was the most abundant species in the rangeland. The species-richest families were Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae. The calculated pastoral value of the pasture was 56.21%. These pastures were dominated by phanerophytes (29.72%) and therophytes (24.32%). The forage productivity of the grazed area, estimated based on the regrowth biomass was 6498.57 kg DM/ha while the carrying capacity of the rangeland was 2.31 TLU/ha. These results showed that the fodder potential of the Bamboutos Mountains is enough diversified but remains under exploited.

EFEITOS DE DIFERENTES TAMANHOS DE FRAGMENTOS FLORESTAIS SOBRE A DENSIDADE, QUALIDADE DA COPA E FUSTE DA ANDIROBA, SUDESTE DO PARÁ

Em meio a uma heterogeneidade de ambiente, a fragmentação tem mostrado efeitos e interações distintas. O objetivo desse estudo é comparar a densidade, qualidade da copa e altura do fuste da espécie andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet) em diferentes tamanhos de fragmentos florestais, no Projeto de Assentamento Agroextrativista Praialta Piranheira, sudeste do Pará. A metodologia envolveu inventario florístico em três áreas de fragmentos grandes (> 50 hectares) e três fragmentos pequenos (< 50 hectares). A densidade ind/ha, qualidade da copa e altura do fuste (m) foram comparadas entre os fragmentos através da ANOVA – teste F. Os resultados mostram que não houve diferença estatística das variáveis estudadas nos diferentes tamanhos de fragmentos florestais, tal similaridade pode estar relacionada aos fatores ambientais, bem como ações antrópicas, este trabalho sugere que outras variáveis sejam investigadas entre elas a ação antrópica, bem como testar outros tamanhos de fragmentos florestais. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Agroextrativistas, Cobertura vegetal, Produto não madeireiro.

Diversity of Edible Flora and Biotourism Potential Development of Botany Adventure in Turgo, Mount Merapi National Park Yogyakarta

Turgo Hill is one of the areas of Mount Merapi National Park included in the Nature Tourism Zone which is intended for recreational purposes, tourist visits, and other activities. This research activity was carried out based on a case study conducted by Generasi Biologi Indonesia (Genbinesia) in the activities of Botany Adventure in Turgo Hill. This study objectives to determine the diversity of edible flora, analyze the potential of botany adventure bio tourism and plan strategies for special interest in botanical bio tourism in Turgo Hill. The research method used for the inventory of edible flora is carried out by exploring methods in 2 locations based on the elevation of 500 meters respectively. Analysis of potential bio tourism used descriptive methods through field observation, asked the questionnaires, and interviewed participants. The bio tourism strategy plan is compiled with the SWOT technique. The results of the study show that the diversity of edible flora along the tracking routes as many as 60 species. Based on the analysis of potential, Botany Adventure Biotourism activities are feasible in Bukit Turgo with a feasibility index of 92.15%. The highest potential is supported by the attractiveness of natural resources, accessibility, and the availability of clean water. SWOT search recommends strengthening and developing external factors to improve botanical special interest bio tourism activities in Bukit Turgo by providing special vehicles that mobilize participants, complementing facilities, especially souvenir kiosks, religious facilities, other tourism facilities, and promoting the promotion of activities.

Impact of the chemical properties of different soil units on the dynamics of vegetal biodiversity in the Benoue National Park and its Western and Northern peripheries

This work aims at determining the impact of soils' chemical properties on the dynamics of biodiversity in the Benoue National Park (BNP) of Cameroon and its peripheries (surrounding hunting concessions N ° 1, 4, 5 and 7). Nine, out of the sixteen soil units encountered in the BNP were studied, because of their accessibility. On each of these nine soil units studied, three elementary plots were materialized for the collection of soil samples and for the study of vegetation dynamics. The chemical parameters were evaluated according to appropriate methods and the dynamics of the vegetation was obtained by carrying out a floristic inventory. Heterogeneity was observed in the chemical parameters of the different soil units. Soil units S5 and S6 are the most damaged regarding their low organic matter content (0.95 ± 0.78%) and (1.02 ± 0.33%), their carbon (5.53 ± 4.54 g.kg-1) and (5.91 ± 1.93 g.kg-1) and nitrogen (1.20 ± 0.45 g.kg-1) and (1.89 ± 0.41 g.kg-1) contents and a very low C/N ratio (4.72 ± 3.96) and (3.29 ± 1.37) respectively. These soils also have a low floristic abundance S5 (22 ± 0.53 individuals) and S6 (8 ± 1.86 individuals) unlike S4 which has good chemical properties, according to its OM (5.60 ± 0.83 %) and carbon (32.49 ± 4.79 g.kg-1) content, and C/N ratio (22.38 ± 6.84). Consequently, its floristic abundance (75 ± 1.37 individuals) and diversity (18.42 %) are considerable. These results show that the degree of chemical degradation varies according to soils. Elsewhere chemical properties of the soil influence the dynamics and sustainability of the biodiversity.

Floristic Inventory of the James River Park System, Richmond, Virginia

We completed a floristic inventory of the James River Park System (JRPS), a ca. 223-hectare (550-acre) multi-unit park along the James River in Richmond, Virginia. The JRPS includes land within the riparian zone along a 13-kilometer (8-mile) stretch of the river that bisects the city, providing two million annual visitors with recreational access to the rapids along the “Falls of the James.” Although the vegetation within the park system is an important attraction for park-goers, information on the flora of the JRPS and this section of the James River corridor is limited. This study updates partial records of the JRPS flora from ca. 50 years ago with collections that were made over the span of three growing seasons from 2016–2018. A total of 566 species and sub-specific taxa were documented from 336 genera and 115 families, including 63 new botanical records for the locality. Native species comprise 69.4% of the overall species richness, with dominant families including Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae. Non-native invasive species are prevalent throughout the park: 51 species are listed on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, 21 of which carry a “high” invasiveness rank. Four state-listed rare species were documented within the park, and seven other state-rare “watchlist” species were found. The information presented here is being used to help guide management efforts of the JRPS Invasive Plant Task Force, an organization dedicated to the removal of non-native invasive species, restoration of natural habitats, and preservation of natural communities within the park system.

New occurrences of bryophytes species in Southern Brazil: bryodiversity still scarcely known

Rio Grande do Sul is the southern state of Brazil and includes 569 taxa of bryophytes, a rich diversity promoted by its geographical position. All recent floristic inventories in the state recorded new occurrences of species, indicating that the diversity of bryophytes may be underestimated. Through floristic inventories carried out between 2016 and 2019, new occurrences of 16 species, included in seven families and 11 genera, were identified. Seven of them are also new records for the Southern Brazil. Bryophyta is represented by five species, four genera and four families, and Marchantiophyta by 11 species, seven genera, and three families.

Floristic diversity of Anjaneri Hills, Maharashtra, India

High altitude plateaux are found throughout northern Western Ghats. These plateaux harbor a great diversity of monsoon flora and endemism but are highly neglected due to the seasonality and harsh climatic conditions. Anjaneri Hill is an important rock outcrop in northern Western Ghats. It is the type locality of Ceropegia anjanerica. As an attempt to make a floristic inventory of an important area, a preliminary study was undertaken. A total of 385 flowering plants from 68 families have been reported from Anjaneri protected area in the present study, of these 114 are endemics. Out of these 114 species, 81 are endemic to India while 33 taxa are endemic to the Western Ghats. Anjaneri rock outcrop shows great floral diversity due to varied microhabitats. The observations on phenology and adaptive traits were recorded. The data on geology and geomorphology is presented in order to understand the geological nature of the rock outcrop. Intensive study on varied microhabitat is needed for the documentation of floral diversity existing on the Anjaneri Hill.

Pre-colonial Amerindian legacies in forest composition of southern Brazil.

Past human societies have left persistent marks on forests worldwide. However, the degree to which pre-colonial Amerindian societies have affected forest structure is still not fully understood, especially in southern Brazil. This study investigated the influence of two distinct Amerindian groups (Southern-Jê and Guarani) over tree composition of forest fragments in the State of Santa Catarina. Vegetation data was obtained from the Santa Catarina Forest and Floristic Inventory (SCFFI): a statewide systematic vegetation sampling project. Archaeological data was collated from literature reviews as well as existing databases for archaeological sites occupied by Guarani and Southern-Jê groups. Using these sites of known Amerindian occupation, and corresponding environmental variables, ecological niche models were developed for each Amerindian group, predicting potential archaeological sites occupied by these groups across southern Brazil. Maps of these potential occupation sites of pre-colonial Amerindian groups were compared with 417 corresponding floristic inventory plots. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to identify floristic composition patterns linked to areas with a high probability of Southern-Jê or Guarani presence. Southern-Jê and Guarani pre-colonial occupations overlapped near main rivers; however, Southern-Jê groups generally occupied elevated areas whereas Guarani occupied mostly coastal areas. We observed differences in forest composition associated with the predicted occurrence of these pre-colonial Amerindian groups. Based on these results, we argue there is a relationship between tree species distribution and pre-colonial human occupation by these two Amerindian groups.

Floristic inventory of woody species of the Kupe Mountain Forest in the South-West Cameroon: Phytosociological approach

Floristic inventory of woody species of the Kupe Mountain Forest in the South-West Cameroon: Phytosociological approach

Pseudofilamentous desmids (Zygnematophyceae) from an Amazonian floodplain lake (Macapá, AP, Brazil)

The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic inventory and taxonomical characterization of the pseudofilamentous desmids from a floodplain lake in the Oriental Amazon, Northern Brazil. Twenty-one taxa were identified and described. Desmidium quadratum var. constrictum Nordstedt, Haplozyga armata var. armata (Nordstedt) Raciborski, and Spondylosium rectangulare var. goyazense Förster were registered for the first time for the Amazon region. Desmidium longatum Wolle, has only been recorded previously in North America and is now registered for the first time in Brazil. According to their frequency of occurrence during the study period, 10 taxa were considered frequent, nine were less frequent, and two were considered rare. Most taxa were collected during both the rainy and the dry (less rainy) seasons, whereas six taxa were exclusively found during the rainy period.

Alternative tourism through product and service networks for the development of Santiago, of the Cabo del Este Region of the Municipality of Los Cabos

A strategic plan is presented, it includes strategies that facilitate the structuring and implementation of a network of products and services in the population of Santiago, B.C.S. to achieve the economic reactivation of the community. In the development of this project, documentary and field research was used to obtain information related to this population, its inhabitants, its activities, its traditions and customs, etc. They went to the area to have a group interview with the authorities and inhabitants of the place to carry out the definition of the project and establish the necessary commitments with them. Subsequently, zoning activities, inventory of flora, fauna, gastronomy and tourist attractions of the area were carried out, the results of which were extremely important and a key piece for this research. Both the general and specific objectives were fully met, resulting in the design of strategies that, if implemented, will allow this population to become one of the preferred tourist areas for both national and foreign visitors, generating benefits mainly for its inhabitants.

First inventory of vascular flora of Matokit mountain (Biokovo massif, Croatia)

The vascular flora of Matokit Mt (Biokovo Massif) in southern Croatia was researched in different vegetation periods from 2010-2015, and a total of 604 vascular plant taxa belonging to 86 families and 337 genera were found. The studied area has never been studied in the past and these are the first detailed floristic data about grasslands in different succession stages of Matokit Mt. Collected herbarium specimens (345 sheets) were digitalized and are available at the ZAGR Virtual Herbarium. The most dominant families were legumes (Fabaceae 9.9%), grasses (Poaceae 9.1%), daisies (Asteraceae 7.4%) and mints (Lamiaceae 6.8%). The analysis of life forms shows the dominance of hemicryptophytes (39.9%) and therophytes (26.2%) on Matokit Mt that indicates a high influence of the Mediterranean climate. A total of 36 endangered and 17 invasive plant taxa across the whole studied area were recorded. Endemic are 32 plant taxa (26 endemics in a broader sense and 6 stenoendemics) and they represent new site of Croatian flora. The occurrence of some very rare endemics (Cardamine fialae Fritsch and Erysimum croaticum Polatschek) in the flora of Matokit Mt is of special interest for the national flora.

More species, less effort: Designing and comparing sampling strategies to draft optimised floristic inventories

Floristic inventories are an essential part of basic and applied research in botany. Despite their long history, floristic research is still carried out following non-objective (preferential) sampling approaches. Accordingly, final outputs (i) are extremely variable in the quality and quantity of collected data and hardly repeatable, (ii) rely on the researcher ability, and (iii) miss the basic assumptions to allow inferential statistical analyses. The aim of this work is to explore the drafting of a floristic inventory by means of geostatistical approaches to locate sampling units (plots) in the study area. We planned, carried out and then compared two different sampling strategies: (i) ‘basic strategy’, a stratified random sampling design based solely on a spatial optimization criterion (no prior information is available), and (ii) ‘advanced strategy’, a sampling design based on the maximisation of the spectral heterogeneity among sampling units, quantified in terms of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values (NDVI). The strategy that maximises collected floristic information was assessed based on a combination of descriptive and quantitative statistics, such as (i) the completeness of the floristic inventory, (ii) the steepness of the rarefaction curves, (iii) the sampling time effort, and (iv) the plot contribution to the total β diversity. The 'advanced strategy' detects more species than the 'basic strategy' in all the sampling sites. The 'advanced strategy' accumulates species more quickly than the 'basic strategy'. The 'advanced strategy' selects sampling units more homogeneously contributing to total β diversity; in addition, they are better spatially arranged across the study area to capture environmental peculiarities of sampling sites. The 'advanced strategy' needs a little more effort in the design of the sampling strategy, but it is more effective than the 'basic strategy' in drafting a species inventory. We provide here the R routine to perform the 'advanced strategy', which can be profitably and freely used in any other geographic location and vegetation context.

Diversity of vascular flora accompanying Salix viminalis L. crops depending on soil conditions

The main purpose of the study was to assess the impact of energy willow (Salix viminalis L.) crops on the vascular flora diversity of agroecosystems in Łódź voivodeship in central Poland. The studies were carried out in the years 2013 and 2014 on seven commercial plantations which were established in various soil conditions, on five soil agricultural complexes. In total, 50 phytosociological relevés were made using the Braun-Blanquet method. The evaluation was conducted on the basis of an inventory of vascular flora accompanying energy willow crops, involving determination of phytosociological classes and multifaceted analysis. For each species the following parameters were determined: family, geographical and historical group, apophyte origin, biological-stability, life-form, and status as an invasive, endangered, near-endangered, or protected species. The number of vascular plant species accompanying energy willow crops was high (133 species in total) and depended on the soil conditions (soil agricultural complex - SAC). The largest number of species (74) was found on silty and sandy soils, too wet or too dry (SAC 9), while the lowest (45) was on very dry sandy soils (SAC 7). These species belonged mainly to three phytosociological classes: Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Stellarietea mediae, and Artemisietea vulgaris. In all habitats, most species (83%) were rare and more frequent (I and II constancy class). The species were mainly apophytes – native species (76.7%), and among them meadow plants, woodland and shrub species were predominant. An important part of flora was endangered species (Agrostemma githago L.). Ten invasive plant species which mostly occurred very rarely were also found. Salix viminalis L. crops favor the maintenance of agroecosystem biodiversity, as confirmed by the values calculated for the Shannon–Wiener, Simpson and inverse Simpson indexes. The floristic diversity on the Salix viminalis L. plantations proved to be slightly higher than on typical arable crop plantations.

An annotated checklist of the coastal forests of Kenya, East Africa.

The inadequacy of information impedes society’s competence to find out the cause or degree of a problem or even to avoid further losses in an ecosystem. It becomes even harder to identify all the biological resources at risk because there is no exhaustive inventory of either fauna or flora of a particular region. Coastal forests of Kenya are located in the southeast part of Kenya and are distributed mainly in four counties: Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River County. They are a stretch of fragmented forests ca. 30−120 km away from the Indian Ocean, and they have existed for millions of years. Diversity of both fauna and flora is very high in these relicts and the coastal forests of Eastern Africa, extending along the coast from Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique, are ranked among the priority biodiversity hotspot in the world. In spite of the high plant species richness and their importance towards supporting the livelihoods of the communities that live around them, floristic studies in these forests have remained poorly investigated. Hence, based on numerous field investigations, plant lists from published monograph/literature, and data from BRAHMS (Botanical Records and Herbarium Management System) database at East African herbarium (EA), we present a detailed checklist of vascular plants recorded in this region. Our results show that Kenyan coastal forests play an essential role in the flora of Kenya and the plant diversity of the coastal forests of East Africa. The checklist represents 176 families, 981 genera, 2489 species, 100 infraspecific taxa, 90 endemic plants species, 72 exotic species, and 120 species that are included in the current IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as species of major concern. We also discovered three new species to the world from these relicts. Thus, Kenyan coastal forests present a remarkable and significant center of plant diversity.

Phytoliths from native plants and surface soils from the Upper Madeira river, SW Amazonia, and their potential for paleoecological reconstruction

Phytolith reference collections of plants and surface soils are a critical part of studies that use these microbotanical remains for archaeological and paleoecological reconstruction. In the archaeologically-rich region of the Upper Madeira river in Rondônia, Brazil, phytolith analysis is being applied in both on- and off-site contexts in order to shed light on human-environment interactions over a period that extends almost the entire Holocene. The present study brings together data on phytolith production patterns among 90 native species, representing 36 plant families, as well as 56 surface soil samples taken from underneath 11 monitored forest plots. Our discussion focuses on the comparison between the surface soil phytolith records and the above-ground floristic inventories, scrutinized considering the plant reference collection results. We found that the phytoliths of several species which produce diagnostic or potentially-diagnostic morphotypes were under-represented in the surface soils, including several understory herbs. While the phytolith assemblages from three forest types (palm, sororoca and dense forest) presented considerable overlap, in accordance with similarities in the floristic inventories, bamboo forest and different types of campinaranas were able to be distinguished based on their phytolith signatures.