Geobotanical Indicators Research Articles

Astronium graveolens tree – mineral exploration guide in search for copper and potential use of this plant for reforestation of mining waste

Geological mapping and sampling of sediment-hosted copper-silver mineralization in NE Colombia identified the association of the Astronium graveolens tree (Diomate Gusanero) with the elevated presence of copper (up to 317 ppm) and silver (up to 24 ppm) in plant ash. During the dry season, when most plants lose their leaves, young Astronium graveolens seedlings growing along copper sulfide-rich showings retain their green foliage. This observation allowed authors to effectively use this plant as an exploration guide in search for copper mineralization and Astronium graveolens can be potentially considered as a geobotanical indicator plant. The observed resistance of Astronium graveolens to the presence of copper sulfides suggests that this tree could be also a potential excellent species for reforestation and reclamation of tailings and other mining waste.

A Biogeochemical study of Pandanus candelabrum in Liberia: A potential geobotanical indicator for kimberlite pipes in tropical terranes

Pandanus is recently recognized as a new geobotanical indicator for kimberlite diatremes in Liberia. The plant also grows in non-kimberlite terranes making it critical to determine the differences, similarities or contrasts between the chemical nutrient uptake of elements into the tissues (roots, fronds, bark and trunk) of the plant from substrates of fertile kimberlite and those of non-economic regional country rock.A random sampling survey was adopted in which 20 soils and 59 Pandanus tissues of roots, fronds trunks, and bark were collected over a kimberlite pipe in NW Liberia. In addition, 9 soils and 27 Pandanus samples covering the equivalent botanical tissues, except for trunk, were obtained over three granodiorite gneiss, non-kimberlite locations. A total of 5,865 analyses for major and trace elements including REE were obtained by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry on Pandanus candelabrum and their soil hosts.Major Mg and trace elements of Co, Cr, Ni, Ba, Cs, Nb, Rb, Sr, Zr and REEs are enriched in the kimberlitic eluvium compared to soils from granodiorite gneisses. Diagnostic Cr, Ni, Ba, Rb, Sr, Zr and REE in Pandanus tissues on the kimberlite pipe have distinctive concentrations making the plant a new biogeochemical tool in the exploration for kimberlites in tropical cratonic terranes.

Post-fire restoration of pine forests in the Badary area, Tunkinskiy National Park, Russia

A morphological variety of pyrogenic transformations characterises burnt areas of the Badary area of the Tunkinskiy National Park (Russia), from heavily damaged areas with a partially remained forest stand to bare spaces of tens of square metres. This enabled us to study the dynamics of the post-fire reproduction of Pinus sylvestris (hereinafter – pine) forests in areas with various environmental conditions. The main goal of our study was to determine the nature of the pyrogenic transformation of ecosystems and to evaluate the success of the forest reproduction. The studies were based on the geobotanical monitoring in two burnt-out areas, differing in the degree and area of wildfire damage due to a creeping fire in 2010. Between 2014 and 2020, we considered the multi-temporal specificity of the species composition of the forest stand, shrub layer, and plant communities. The emergence of the first shoots of undergrowth and new growth has been recorded. The projective cover and the dynamics of the species abundance in all forest layers were fixed. The analysis of the natural reforestation dynamics revealed a similarity of the main geobotanical indicators. Pine seedlings dominated in the undergrowth of the study sites, with a small proportion of Betula pendula. The shrub layer consisted of Rosa acicularis. Rhododendron dauricum has been found there only at the late stage of the study. In the herbaceous layer, the largest proportion was represented by meadow species, with a small participation of forest plants. Differences were revealed during the emergence of first seedlings of undergrowth and new growth, as well as in the size of projective cover of species in all forest layers. The first pine seedlings on a heavily burnt-out study plot were recorded a year earlier than on a less transformed plot. Nevertheless, the height increment and the projective cover of the undergrowth were significantly higher on the burnt-out area of a medium damage degree. On the heavily fire-damaged area, we observed pine seedlings planted by the staff of the Tunkinskiy National Park. A satisfactory rate of seedling survival at the initial stage and further deceleration of growth parameters have been noted. The obtained results indicate the reforestation success and, therefore, a favourable forecast of post-fire recovery of light-coniferous forests in the Badary area of the Tunkinskiy National Park.

ПОСТПИРОГЕННОЕ ВОССТАНОВЛЕНИЕ ПОДТАЕЖНЫХ СВЕТЛОХВОЙНЫХ ГЕОСИСТЕМ ТУНКИНСКОЙ КОТЛОВИНЫ, ЮГО-ЗАПАДНОЕ ПРИБАЙКАЛЬЕ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ СОСНОВЫХ ЛЕСОВ УРОЧИЩА БАДАРЫ)

We analyzed the post-pyrogenic demutation processes in pine forests of the Badary urochishche in the Tunkinsky National Park, which are periodically exposed to wildfires. The research was based on the geobotanical monitoring in two burnt-out areas, differing in the degree and area of damage due to a creeping fire in 2010. We studied the species composition of the stand, shrub layer and plant communities at different time periods between 2014 and 2020. The emergence of the first shoots of undergrowth and new growth was noted; the size of the projective cover and the abundance dynamics of the species of all forest layers were established. The analysis of the dynamics of natural reforestation revealed the similarity of the main geobotanical indicators. Pine (Pinus sylvestris) sprouts dominated in the undergrowth of the sites under consideration, and only a small percentage fell to the share of silver birch (Betula pendula). The shrub layer consisted of prickly wild rose (Rosa acicularis); daurian rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum) was noted there only at the late observation stages. In the herbaceous layer, meadow species with a small participation of forest species made up the largest share. There were revealed differences in the time of emergence of the first sprouts of undergrowth and new growth, as well as in the size of the projective cover of species in all forest layers. The first sprouts of pine on a heavily burnt-out key plot were noted a year earlier than on the less transformed area. Nevertheless, the height increment and the projective cover of the undergrowth were significantly greater within the burnt-out area with the medium-degree damage. On the territory heavily damaged by wildfire, we observed pine seedlings planted by the staff of the National Park. Satisfactory survival rate of the seedlings at the initial stage and further deceleration of growth parameters were noted. The results obtained indicate the reforestation success and, therefore, a favorable forecast for post-fire recovery of light coniferous forests in the Badary urochishche.

STABILITY OF PHYTOCENOSES IN OIL-PRODUCING REGIONS

The only real way to deal with the consequences of oil and oil products spills is a complex of works, including mechanical or physico-chemical removal of spilled oil products with subsequent purification of the remaining oil in the soil by biological methods using phytoremediation with oil-oxidizing plants. One of the stages of the study of hydrocarbon-oxidizing plants before their introduction into the environment for remediation of contaminated sites is the study of the process of degradation of pollutants in model soil systems. Model experiments on cleaning and restoration of soils after their contamination with oil and oil products by plant biomass were studied. Oil samples from the Tengiz field were taken. During the experiments, the indicator of the total amount of biomass, as well as the oil content in the soil, was controlled. To correctly assess the participation of plant raw materials in the destruction of oil, experiments were carried out using non-sterile soils. Among other plant cultures, the most degrading activity was shown by plant cultures of the genus Fabaceae, which led to an increase in growth in the soil environment by an average of 7 sm in 20 days. This is observed for plants with oil concentrations of 3, 6 and 9 g. The results of physical and chemical analyses of phytoremediation products of crude oil, petroleum products and individual aromatic hydrocarbons can be important in microbiological and chemical studies with geobotanical indicators that allow analyzing the mechanism of action of biomass in the process of phytoremediation in the disposal of oil waste that pollutes the environment. The available data on the effect of petroleum hydrocarbons on plants are very contradictory. The species diversity of plants capable of growing on oil-contaminated soils has not been sufficiently studied. Knowledge of the degree of resistance of plants to hydrocarbon pollution is necessary to address issues related, on the one hand, to the possibility of their cultivation on contaminated soil, and on the other - to use for the restoration of disturbed soil fertility. In connection with the above, it is of great scientific and practical interest to study the effect of various doses of oil on changes in vegetation cover, soil properties and assessment of their phytotoxicity, which together determines the relevance of the stated topic.

Indicators of the state of forage ecosystems arid and semi-arid territories of Siberia and Kazakhstan

Science-based management of forage ecosystems of arid and semi-arid territories and the fight against their degradation, carried out on the basis of systematic monitoring, assessment and accounting of their state and dynamics, are becoming actual state problems in Russia and Kazakhstan. As a result of studying, evaluating and agro-landscape-ecological zoning of territories of Siberia and Kazakhstan, creating databases of land resources and natural forage lands, using literary and stock data, the authors developed indicators of the state of forage ecosystems of arid and semi-arid territories. One of the most important ways to improve the effectiveness of assessments of the state and dynamics of degradation of forage ecosystems, as well as the most accurate diagnosis of negative processes is to solve the problem of creating and using a system of geobotanical and soil indicators of degradation of forage ecosystems. The full assessment of the state and development of the process of degradation of forage ecosystems can only be provided by using the entire system of indicators compiled on the basis of a combination of a number of main indicators of forage ecosystems. Geobotanical indicators of forage ecosystems include the following main indicators: change of plant communities, degradation of pastures, projective cover of indigenous and ruderal vegetation, productivity of natural pastures, etc. Soil indicators include: the area of allotments disturbed by erosion, the degree of destruction of surface soil horizons by erosion, the intensity of erosion, etc.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Wildfires in the Forest Tundra of Western Siberia

The climate change that has taken place in recent decades has significantly increased the threat of the occurrence and distribution of wildfires in northwestern Siberia. However, little is known about the spatial and temporal patterns of fires and their relationship with climate and vegetation in this area. As a result of processing Landsat satellite images for 1985–2017, it was determined that 10.5% of the Western Siberia forest tundra was exposed to fires. The maximum relative area of burned forests (23%) was found in larch and spruce–larch lichen woodlands. One geobotanical indicator of increased fire hazard is the dominance of synusiae of epigeic lichens in the vegetation cover. It is shown that most of the severely burned areas were distributed in the central part of the forest tundra within the largest gas fields. Our results have shown a positive significant correlation between square of areas burned and summer temperature regime (average and maximum summer temperatures) and a negative correlation between burned areas and the amount of summer precipitation. A dendrochronological analysis showed that the frequency of fires varied from 15 to 60 years (an average of about 30 years).

Some Aspects of the Systematics and Diagnostics of Peat Soils of Boreal Mires

On the basis of the review of available literature sources, the approaches to the systematics of peat soils in different soil classifications systems (Russian, German, FAO-UNESCO, WRB, and Soil Taxonomy) are discussed and compared with the landscape-based classifications of boreal mires. Among the diagnostic criteria, the most important in the systematics of peat soils and peatlands are the peat thickness, trophic status as the availability of nutrients and as a botanical concept, and acidity (pH) of peat and peat waters. The following suggestions are made: (a) to establish the peat thickness ≥30 cm as a criterion for peat soils, (b) to exclude the contents of nutrients in the peat from the diagnostic scheme for peat soils, and (c) to develop this scheme on the basis of geobotanical indicators. The latter may include active peat-forming plants, as well as plant species settling on the regressive mires under conditions of a cessation or drastic slowdown of peat accumulation. It is also recommended that the type of mesotrophic peat soils should be added to the Russian soil classification system and that the subtype of wet regressive soils should be distinguished within the oligotrophic type of peat soils along with the existing subtype of destructive soils.

Peat soils of boreal regressive bogs in West Siberia: Problems of biological diagnostics and systematics

In this paper we consider plant (geobotanical) indicators of soils, occurring in regressive bogs in the north taiga subzone of West Siberia. The specificity of regressive bogs is the difference between current vegetation and botanical composition of the peat surface horizon, which complicates their biological diagnostics. The data on peat botanical composition, degree of decomposition and thickness are presented. Destructive oligotrophic peat soils, the allocation of which is provided in the actual Russian soil classification at the level of subtype, occur in palsa bogs under shrub-lichen vegetation. Their indicators include lichens: Cladonia stellaris, C. rangiferina, C. stygia, C. arbuscula, C. mitis, Alectoria ochroleuca, Сetraria islandica, C. laevigata, Flavocetraria cucullata, F. nivalis, Govardia nigricans. A new subtype - peat oligotrophic regressive soils - which occurs in non-freezing bog is suggested. The indicators of this soil subtype in pine-shrub-sphagnum bogs are lichens Cladonia cenotea, C. chlorophaea, C. coniocraea, C. cornuta, C. crispata, C. deformis, C. gracilis, C. fimbriata, C. mitis, C. ochrochlora, C. pleurota, C. polydactyla, C. pyxidata, C. rangiferina, C. stellaris, C. subulata, C. sulphurina and liverwort Mylia anomala . The indicators of regressive soils in bog hollows are mainly liverwort Cladopodiella fluitans , mosses Warnstorfia fluitans , W. exannulata , and lichen Cetrariella delisei .

Remote indicators of desertification

Russia faces significant and complex problems associated with desertification in the south of the country. Global climate changes may lead to further desiccation of the affected lands. A system of geobotanical, soil, and remote indicators for assessing desertification is proposed.

Geological mapping by geobotanical and geophysical means: a case study from the Bükk Mountains (NE Hungary)

AbstractGeological mapping of an unexposed area can be supported by indirect methods. Among these, the use of mushrooms as geobotanical indicators and the shallow-penetration electromagnetic VLF method proved to be useful in the Bükk Mountains. Mushrooms have not been applied to geological mapping before. Common species like Boletus edulis and Leccinum aurantiacum are correlated with siliciclastic and magmatic formations while Calocybe gambosa is correlated with limestone. The validity of this correlation observed in the eastern part of the Bükk Mts. was controlled on a site where there was an indicated (by the mushrooms only) but unexposed occurrence of siliciclastic rocks not mapped before. The extent and structure of this occurrence were explored with the VLF survey and a trial-and-error method was applied for the interpretation. This case study presented here demonstrates the effectiveness of the combination of these relatively simple and inexpensive methods.

Copper Tolerance and Accumulation of Elsholtzia splendens Nakai in a Pot Environment

ABSTRACT Elsholtzia splendens Naki has been identified as a copper (Cu) geobotanical indicator. In this study, the effects of Cu supply levels (control, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 mg kg1) on the growth and Cu accumulation in E. splendens were studied in one pot experiment. The results showed that no reduction in shoot height and dry weight was noted when the plants were grown at Cu supply levels up to 1000 mg kg−1 in soil. Slight stimulation on shoot growth was noted at Cu levels ≥ 100 mg kg−1. Copper concentration in shoots and roots increased with increasing Cu levels, and reached a maximum of 1751 and 9.45 mg kg−1 (DW) at 1200 mg Cu kg−1. The amount of Cu accumulated in the roots and shoots were 313 and 22 μ g plant−1 at external Cu levels of 1000 and 800 mg kg−1, respectively. The shoot/root Cu ratios ranged from 0.005 to 0.008 and more than 92% of the total Cu taken up by E. splendens was accumulated in roots. Furthermore, Cu concentrations in roots and shoots were significant and positively correlated with total soil Cu, water, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), ammonium (NH4)-acetate, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractable Cu. These results indicate that E. splendens can considered as a Cu tolerant and accumulated plant, and root is the major part for accumulation of Cu in E. splendens.

Geobotany and biogeochemistry of Gymnosporia montana – a case study from Nellore Mica Belt, Andhra Pradesh

The use of vegetation in interpreting geological phenomena is becoming an important tool in the search for ore deposits which are buried under thick soil cover or layers of unmineralised rock. The present investigation was undertaken to study the distribution of Gymnosporia montana developed on pegmatites with a view to establish this species as a geobotanical indicator of these rock types. A significant feature of this area is the occurrence of G. montana as a lithological indicator of pegmatites. The biogeochemical behaviour of G. montana was studied by analysing the leaves and twigs of this plant species. It has the capability of accumulating large amounts of Ca, K, Mg, B, Ba, Cu, Mn, Sr and Zn. Further, this study has given great scope to understand the geobotanical and biogeochemical behaviour of this plant species in this famous Nellore mica belt.

Copper uptake studies on Erica andevalensis, a metal‐tolerant plant from southwestern Spain

Pot trials and chemical analyses were carried out on wild specimens of Erica andevalensis Cabezudo et Rivera (Ericaceae) and their associated soils. Natural soils hosting E. andevalensis all had elevated copper concentrations. Pot trials showed that the Erica would grow in sulphide‐ore substrates containing up to 12,500 μg g‐1 (1.25%) copper, with or without amendment with EDTA. The addition of EDTA to these substrates increased the solubility of the copper to levels that killed other metal‐tolerant species (Biscutella laevigata and Brassica juncea), but not E. andevalensis. The copper concentrations in wild plants were only 1 to 24 μg g‐1 (dry weight) despite the high levels of copper (up to 3,676 μg g‐1) in the supporting soils. In the pot trials, the plant was able partially to exclude total copper up to 1,000 μg g‐1 in the soil. Thereafter, there was an exponential increase of copper in plant until the limit of tolerance was reached. Conclusions of the study were: (a) tolerance to copper by the Erica is much higher compared with other metal‐tolerant plants tested, (b) the plant does not have hyperaccumulator status (> 1,000 μg g‐1 dry weight) for copper, (c) copper uptake by the plant is governed by the extractable and not total copper content of the soil, hence limiting its use in biogeochemical prospecting, (d) uptake of copper by the plant follows the typical pattern of a metal‐excluding plant, (e) Erica andevalensis is a good geobotanical indicator of copper because of its faithful association with sulphide mineralization in the Huelva area of Spain.

A re-evaluation of haumaniastrum species as geobotanical indicators of copper and cobalt

The taxonomy and morphology of the “copper flowers” Haumaniastrum katangense and H. robertii are described. Herbarium collections are an important resource for evaluating potential geobotanical indicators of mineralization. Specimens collected from Angola, Zaïre, Zambia, and Tanzania were analyzed for cobalt, copper, and zinc. Though both species are known to hyperaccumulate copper and/or cobalt (> 1000 gmg/g [ppm]in dried tissues), this ability appeared to be confined to specimens from the Shaban Copper Arc in Zaäre and adjacent parts of the Zambian Copperbelt such as at Solwezi. The reputation of H. katangense as a universal indicator of copper was not confirmed by the study as this showed the occurrence of several specimens over non-mineralized ground in Angola, Zambia and Tanzania. There is some evidence that H. katangense is a species present over disturbed ground where there is less competition from other plants. This intolerance of competition helps to explain the occurrence of this plant over phytotoxic mineralization. Despite its distribution both on and off copper-rich soils, the species still has value as a geobotanical indicator of copper/cobalt mineralization, particularly in the Shaban Copper Arc. With one exception, there was no unusual accumulation of zinc in either species, probably because the copper ores of Central Africa are not particularly enriched in this element.

Phosphatic limestones from Tuvalu (Ellice Islands)

Phosphatic limestones and associated soils occur on each of the nine islands of Tuvalu, central Pacific. Deposits range from gram-sized crusts to >500,000 metric tons. Carbonate-hydroxylapatite (dahllite) forms multilaminar botryoidal crustose cement around calcareous bioclasts which it sometimes replaces. Consolidated rock occurs as hardpan with unconsolidated phosphatic layers above and below. The genetic relationship of phosphatic limestone to unconsolidated phosphatic sediments and to phosphatic soil is unclear. Phosphatization has occurred either continuously or episodically within the vadose zone for at least 2,000 yrs, while relative sea level has fluctuated. The present deposits are exhumed accumulations of apatite formed at earlier, higher, Holocene sea levels, with phosphorous derived from possibly both terrestrial and marine organisms, including birds, plants, and degradation of the bioclastic calcareous substrate. Humic complexes could enable phosphate to enter the lensoid fresh water table. Degradation of these humic complexes would liberate free HPO (super -2) 4 with subsequent precipitation of apatite under suitable conditions of alkalinity and carbonate and magnesium activity. Pisonia grandis should not be regarded as a geobotanical indicator of phosphate deposits in present-day Tuvalu.

Studies on serpentine flora : Preliminary analyses of soils and vegetation associated with serpentinite rock formations in the south-eastern Transvaal

Soils sampled from sites adjacent to two disused mines in the Barberton district were found to be derived from ultrabasic rocks. The soils contained elevated concentrations of Ni and Cr. Although potentially phytotoxic, the soils supported a relatively diverse flora. Samples of six species collected from both sites had unusually high root and leaf tissue concentrations of Ni, suggesting physiological tolerance of the metal. Berkheya coddii Roessl. showed hyperaccumulation of Ni in leaves and is likely to be endemic to nickeliferous serpentine; it may also have value as a geobotanical indicator species. Only Sporobolus pectinatus Hack. and Sutera sp. aff. S. silenoides Hilliard absorbed Cr from soil solution and translocated it to leaves. Uptake and translocation of Cr is rare and the physiological mechanisms of Cr tolerance in these species remains unclear. Grondmonsters is in die Barbertonse distrik, in die omgewing van twee myne wat nie meer bewerk word nie, versamel. Die grond is gevorm uit basiese gesteentes. Die grond het hoë konsentrasies Ni en Cr bevat. Alhoewel die grond potensiaal fitotoksies is, kom ’n relatief diverse flora daarop voor. Monsters van ses plantsoorte wat op albei lokaliteite versamel is, het ongewoon hoë Ni-konsentrasies in beide die wortels en blaarmateriaal gehad, wat dui op die fisiologiese verdraagsamheid van die spesies teenoor die metaal. Berkheya coddii Roessl. hiper-akkumuleer Ni in die blare en is heelwaarskynlik endemies op nikkeldraende serpentyngesteentes; dit mag van waarde wees as ’n geobotaniese indikator-spesie. Slegs Sporobolus pectinatus Hack, en Sutera sp. aff. S. silenoides Hilliard absorbeer Cr uit die grondoplossing en translokeer dit na die blare. Die opname en translokasie van Cr is ’n seldsame verskynsel en die fisiologiese meganismes wat verantwoordelik is vir die verdraagsaamheid van Cr in die spesies is nog onduidelik.

Aquatic Bryophytes as Indicators of Uranium Mineralization

Aquatic Bryophytes as Indicators of Uranium Mineralization

Accumulation of Copper by Some Zambian Plants

IN the areas of Zambia which are rich in minerals there are several species of plants which are both accumulators and geo-botanical indicators of copper. The relation of these plants to soil copper has been surveyed in the initial stage of an investigation of the effects of heavy metals on the metabolism of plant cells. The survey was conducted mainly in some of the typical “copper clearings”, areas in which the soil is rich in copper and where normal bush vegetation is replaced by copper-resistant species.

GEOBOTANICAL METHOD IN PROSPECTING FOR SALTS OF BORON

The successful use of geobotanical indicators in prospecting for boron-bearing mineral deposits is described. Three types of indicators were found to apply to three situations where boron is present in varying degrees or combinations with other chemical elements: 1) where boron content is very high, sections may be devoid of plant life or support Salsola nitraria. Pa1L and Limonium suffruticosum Ktze. ; 2) where the magnesium content of ascharites counteracts the effect of the -boron, Eurotia ceratoides C. A. M. congregations may indicate sulfate-carbonate soil salinity; and 3) where boron content is in the order of tenths of one percent, plants are oppressed, deformed or subject to plant diseases. A very low boron content, such as on old mineralized banks, on the other hand, stimulates plant growth. — A. Eustus