Mesophilous Forest Research Articles

Experimental trampling and vegetation recovery in some forest and heathland communities

Abstract. Over the past decades outdoor recreation has become progressively more important and as a result human‐induced potential damage has increased. In this study, short‐term effects – a 2‐yr period – of human trampling on some common forest and heath communities in Central Belgium were studied experimentally. Vulnerability to disturbance was compared among plant communities in terms of resistance, resilience and tolerance, which are based on cover measurements. The herb layer of the examined mesophilous forest communities appeared to be more sensitive than the heath and dry forest community, which were dominated by more resistant graminoid (Molinia caerulea, Deschampsiaflexuosa) and dwarf‐shrub species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix). The analysis showed that site structure and vegetation were already affected by low intensities of trampling, while vegetation recovery during the first year after trampling was limited in most plant communities. Recovery during the second year in vegetation cover as well as height was most pronounced in mesophilous forest communities. Occasional trampling clearly can lead to increased visual evidence of previous use and continued recreational disturbance. Therefore management plans should discourage hiking activity off paths and restrict recreation activities to the least vulnerable communities.

Ecological and historical factors affecting carabid and tenebrionid communities (Coleoptera Carabidae and Tenebrionidae) in a Mediterranean coastal area

Biogeographia vol. XX/II - 2002 (Pubb/icato il 1“ ottobre 2002) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri Ecological and historical factors affecting carabid and tenebrionid communities (Coleoptera Carabidae and Tenebrionidae) in a Mediterranean coastal area SIMONE FATTORINI, AUGUSTO VTGNA TAGLIANTT DIpam'77ze72t0 (Ii Biologizz Animzzle e de/[’U0m0 (Z00[0gi:z}, Universiriz di Roma qLzz Srzpimzzz ”, Vizzle z2'e[[’U7zz'ver5it£z 32, I-00185 Rama (Ital)/) Keywords: carabid beetles, tenebrionid beetles, coastal areas, Mediterranean, zoogeography. Pleistocene glaciations SUMMARY This research aimed to compare the diversity ofcarabid and tenebrionid communities in a Mediterranean area (Castelporziano, Central Italy), searching for the historical and ecological factors responsible for the observed patterns. In the study area, earabids showed the highest richness values in wetlands and in open areas, while tenebrionids were more speciose on the dune and in the natural forest. As to the carabids. stenotopic species occurred in the beach—dune system, in the mesophilous forest, and, with very high proportions, in wetlands and in open areas. By contrast, in the renebrionids, the srenotopic species were strongly represented on the dune, in wetlands, in the oak forest, and poorly in open areas. As awhole, most of the carabid species are distributed in the Palearctic region, while most of the tenebrionids are distributed in the Mediterranean area. For the carabids, the stenotopic species were mostly represented by species widely distributed in the Palearctic area, while for the tenebrionids the stenotopic species were mostly represented by species distributed in the Mediterranean region. This can be explained by the fact that, in contrast with carabids (where stenotopic species are nearly all hygrophilous), stenotopic tenebrionids include at least two categories: stenotopic species associated with sandy soils, and stenotopic species associated with trees. From an ecological point ofview, the occurrence of many carabid species with Palearctic chorotypes (which are also typically stenotopic hygtophilous species) can be related to the presence ofwetlands and ponds. Most probably, such species largely colonised Italian coastal areas during Pleistocene glaciations, as a consequence of a colder climate that favoured dispersal processes from northern and inland regions. The occurrence of many thermophilous species with Mediterranean chorotypes among the tenebrionids can be related to the Mediterranean feature of the area and to the refugial role of the Tyrrhenian coasts during Pleistocene glaciations. The present occurrence of some tenebrionid species with ‘northern' chorotypes can be related to the presence, in the study area, of hygrophilous/mesophilous phytocoenoses. INTRODUCTION Carabidae and Tenebrionidae are very speciose in Italy. Carabidae include approximately 1300 species (Vigna Taglianti, 1993), Tenebrionidae 255 species (Fattorini and Maltzeffl 2001). Both Carabidae and Tenebrionidae are excellent models for biogeographical purposes (Fattorini, 2000, 2002a, 2002b; Vigna

MAMÍFEROS NÃO-VOADORES DE UM FRAGMENTO DE MATA MESÓFILA SEMIDECÍDUA, DO INTERIOR DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL

As florestas semidecíduas do interior do Estado de São Paulo são isoladas e pequenas devido às atividades agrícolas, expansão urbana e industrial. Os remanescentes dos fragmentos florestais são importantes para a persistência de diversas espécies de mamíferos. Neste estudo foi feito um inventário da mastofauna de um fragmento de mata mesófila semidecídua no interior do Estado (Fazenda São José) nos municípios de Rio Claro e Araras. Nos três períodos amostrados, entre maio de 1997 e março de 1999, o 
 levantamento da mastofauna foi feito por meio de armadilhas para pequenos mamíferos, bem como de observação direta e identificação de rastros dos animais. Registrou-se a 
 ocorrência de três espécies de marsupiais (Didelphidae), duas de tatus (Dasipodidae), três de primatas (Callithrichidae e Cebidae), cinco de carnívoros (Canidae, Procyonidae e
 Mustelidae), uma de veado (Cervidae), sete de roedores (Sciuridae e Muridae) e uma de coelho (Leporidae). Didelphis albiventris (Didelphidae), Nectomys squamipes e Akodon
 montensis (Muridae) foram as espécies com maior número de indivíduos coletados. A mastofauna da área estudada apresenta espécies comuns a outras áreas de Mata Atlântica
 do interior do Estado de São Paulo e a outras áreas de floresta mesófila da mesma região. Entretanto, não foram capturadas ou avistadas espécies de roedores e felinos comuns em outras áreas de mata que estão ligadas a área estudada pela mata ciliar do Ribeirão Claro (município de Rio Claro). O fragmento de mata estudado apresenta ainda um subconjunto da mastofauna que ocorre nas áreas maiores da região, sendo a conservação deste e de outros fragmentos de mata importante para a manutenção da diversidade de mamíferos no Estado.

Les flores du bassin lacustre de Rubielos de Mora. Nouvelles données sur les conditions climatiques au Miocène inférieur dans la région de Teruel (Espagne)

The stratigraphie and floristic studies of two sections in the lacustrine deposits of the Miocene basin of Rubielos de Mora increase our knowledge of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions and specify the biochronology of these sites. The lowlands are inhabited by a swampy, or lacustrine, vegetation ( Botryococcus, Sparganium, Potamogeton, Taxodiaceae, Myrica, Nyssa…), whereas the uplands are covered by a Zelkova mesophilous forest with other temperate elements ( Acer, Betula, Carya…). The scarcity of thermophilous taxa in this vegetation indicates that the climatic conditions were not the warmest in the Miocene. The rodents faunas of this basin suggest a Ramblian-basal Aragonian age (Lower Miocene).

Forest response to climate changes in Atlantic Equatorial Africa during the last 4000 years BP and inheritance on the modern landscapes

SummaryThis review paper synthesizes the recent published palaeoecological results obtained in Atlantic Equatorial Africa (ECOFIT program) on the history of forest ecosystems and inferred climate changes during the past 4000 years. Evidence are mainly provided by pollen analysis carried out at nine sites from Congo, Cameroon and Ghana, locally supported by macroflora remains, phytoliths, diatoms, δ13C and mineralogical data.At all the sites, except Lake Bosumtwi (Ghana), following a large expansion of rain and mesophilous forests until 3000 years BP, a major change is registered, affecting floristic composition, structure and geographical distribution. According to the hydrological sensitivity of the different sites, local openings of the forests with development of heliophilous formations and/or isolated enclosed savannas are observed at the most humid sites; complete disappearance of forested formations at the driest. The agreement between pollen records, hydrological and hydrobiological data definitely demonstrates that an arid event has been the primary driving factor of this change and is responsable for the main features of the modern landscapes in Atlantic Equatorial Africa. Moreover, the most recent palaeoecological data obtained in Congo (Lake Sinnda), indicate that this Late Holocene increasing aridity was of longer duration, from 4000 to 1300 years BP, and more progressive than previously inferred. A new expansion of forests is locally detected c. 900–600 BP despite increased human impact.

A New Species of Sechium Sect. Frantzia (Cucurbitaceae, Sicyeae, Sicyinae) from Mexico

Sechium mexicanum is described as a new species ofSechium sect.Frantzia. It differs from the remaining species of the section by several features of the inflorescences and staminate flowers, the obovoid and completely unarmed fruits, and pollen grains with 9–10 narrow, poorly defined colpi. It is endemic to Mexico and the first member of sect.Frantzia to be recorded outside of Central America. It grows at 900–2300 m in mesophilous forests and in oak and pineoak forests in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Queretaro, and Veracruz.

Mesophilous woods with Fagus sylvatica L. of northern Latium (Tyrrhenian Central Italy): synecology and syntaxonomy

ABSTRACT The results of a synecological and syntaxonomic study of mesophilous forest coenoses, mixed or with a prevalence of Beech, in northern Latium (Roman Tuscia), are reported. The main parameters determining the distribution pattern and floristic composition of these coenoses were altitude, exposure, acclivity, asperity and ecotope. The presence of Aquifolio-Fagetum (Doronico-Fagion) at la Tolfa and in the Sabatini Mts. is confirmed, together with the autonomy of Teucrio siculi-Quercion cerridis and Lathyro-Quercion cerridis in the Cimini-Vicani and Sabatini Mts. and on the sandstone substrates of Mt. Rufeno, respectively. Variants of Polysticho-Fagetum aceretosum pseudoplatani (Galio odorati-Fagenion) with Polystichum setiferum and with Veronica hederifolia were recognized in certain parts of the Cimini and Vicani Mts. The presence of Carpinion betuli, especially with Carpino-Coryletum avellanae and the new subassociation phyllitiaetosum scolopendrii of the latter, is recognized in gullies and ravines eroded in tufo of the Vulsino and Cimino complexes.

Análisis preliminar de la flora vascular de los bosques mesófilos de montaña de México

Se presenta una lista preliminar de 650 géneros de plantas vasculares que contienen al menos una especie ligada en forma exclusiva o preferencial con el bosque mesófilo de montaña de México. Del análisis de tal inventario se desprende que: a) En esta comunidad vegetal la forma biológica mejor representada corresponde a las epífitas y la familia numéricamente prevaleciente es la de las Orchidaceae, que supera más de dos veces a Compositae y cerca de cuatro veces a Leguminosae. b) 13 familias de la flora vascular de México (Brunelliaceae, Chloranthaceae, Cunoniaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Illiciaceae, Nyssaceae, Podocarpaceae, Proteaceae, Sabiaceae, Schisandraceae, Tovariaceae, Tropaeolaceae y Winteraceae) son exclusivas o casi exclusivas de este tipo de vegetación y la mayoría de los componentes de otras 33 entidades del mismo nivel prospera preferente o mayoritariamente en el bosque mesófilo de montaña. c) A nivel de géneros predominan ampliamente los de afinidad geográfica meridional sobre los boreales; solamente 2% restringe su distribución a los límites del país, aunque ese porcentaje se eleva a 12 si se toma como referencia a México y Centroamérica. d) El registro fósil indica que el bosque mesófilo de montaña existe en México desde el Terciario y en tal contexto se postula que este tipo de vegetación evolucionó integrando elementos de afinidades ecológicas apropiadas de la antigua flora del sur de Laurasia, de la flora llegada de Sudamérica y de la flora originada en México y Centroamérica, sin menoscabo de la muy probable incorporación de algunas plantas provenientes de otros tipos de vegetación.

Pollen evidence of late Quaternary vegetation and inferred climate changes in Congo

A detailed palynological analysis of two cores recovered from a swamp in the Southern Batéké Plateaux (Congo), provides information on the botanical history of this region during the last 24,000 yr B.P. Rich and well-diversified pollen counts exhibit changes in the vegetational communities related to hydrological and climatic fluctuations. Around 24,000 yr B.P., the occurrence of hydromorphous forest elements gives evidence of a humid phase. Between 24,000 and around 13,000 yr B.P., swampy herbaceous communities expanded, indicating slightly drier climatic conditions. From approximately 13,000 yr B.P. onward, the beginning of a humid episode is reflected by the development of mesophilous forests. The decrease of these forests is documented since 3000 yr B.P. Grasslands are found to extend locally whereas Elaies guineensis (oil palm) spreads out, indicating both climatic change but also anthropogenic activities.

A new classification of the forests of the Muniellos Biological Reserve in Northwest Spain

By means of a cluster analysis, we classified 135 releves of the forests of the Muniellos Reserve into 8 groups and the species in these releves into 28 groups. The concentration analysis applied allows to study the relationship between releve group and species group. The forest types in Muniellos Reserve are: mixed riverside forest, mixed forest with hazel, semideciduous pyrenean oak forest, xerophilous and mesophilous sessile oak forest, beech forest and open and thick birch forest. These forest types are characterized floristically, structurally and ecologically. The pattern of distribution of forest types in the Muniellos Reserve is also discussed; in the siliceous areas of the Orocantabric province this pattern is widespread, but differes to some extent from the accepted pattern.

Estudios sobre la vegetación del estado de Paraná (Brasil meridional)

Contribution to knowledge about the vegetation of the state of Parana in southern Brazil (Serra do Mar, Planaltos, Iguacu Valley). Numerous plant associations are described and grouped together in the following classes: Pistio-Eichhornietea (communities of floating cormophytes) Xyrido-Typhetea (helophytic herbaceous vegetation) Polypodio-Tillandsietea (epiphytic and comophytic vegetation) Ruderali-Manihotetea (ruderal and segetal vegetation) Andropogono-Baccharidetea (savanoid vegetation) Rhizophoretea (mangroves) Lantano-Chusqueetea (woody marginal communities of the forest) Cedrelo-Ocoteetea (rain and mesophilous forest). Special attention is paid to the study of the physiognomy, structure and dynamism of the vegetation and its biogeographical significance.

Habitat, distribution and status of the Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi in Mexico

SummaryThe Azure-rumped Tanager Tangara cabanisi is a threatened species confined to the mountains of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in Mexico and neighbouring Guatemala. It occurs on the Pacific and Gulf slopes of the mountain range, but most frequently on the former between 1,000 and 1,700 m. The Azure-rumped Tanager's habitat is a medium height (about 30 m tall) humid evergreen broadleaf forest formation containing elements of both mesophilous forest of higher altitudes and tropical forests of the lowlands. Information from field surveys and more general data from vegetation maps was combined using a geographical information system package to extrapolate and predict distribution of potential Azure-rumped Tanager habitat in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. It is estimated that a maximum of 112,000 ha remain, although the total was probably never greater than 200,000 ha. Fortunately 43,660 ha (39%) of the maximum total is contained within the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, a newly decreed protected area that spans both the Pacific and Gulf slopes in the central portion of the mountain range. Most of the suitable habitat is found within the reserve's buffer zone, an area in which there are several small but expanding communities. The effective protection and future status of the species rests heavily on the conservation of this habitat within the reserve and essentially this depends on the collaboration in favour of conservation between the local people and the conservation managers and, ultimately, the development of viable land-use alternatives that are less damaging to the forest ecosystem.

Taxonomy and Distribution of Circaea (Onagraceae) in the USSR

In the USSR, five species of Circaea are recognized: C. alpina L., C. caulescens (Kom.) Hara, C. lutetiana L., C. cordata Royle, and C. mollis Sieb. & Zucc. Also, the sterile hybrid C. x intermedia Ehrh. is known from several regions. Distribution areas of all these taxa are presented on maps based on herbarium materials studied by the author. Among these materials, no specimen of C. erubescens Franch. & Savat. has been detected, though this species had been reported from southern Sakhalin previously. Circaea caucasica A. Skvortsov, described by the author earlier, is now regarded to be a disjunct fraction of C. caulescens. The genus Circaea has few species, and they are sharply delimited taxonomically and very distinct and uniform morphologically and ecologically. All Circaea species are tender, broad-leaved, shade- and moisture-loving herbs. The overall area of the genus closely coincides with the area of temperate mesophilic (broadleaved, mixed, and dark-coniferous) forests of the northern hemisphere. Hence, from the study of taxonomic interrelations within the genus Circaea, one could expect to get interesting suggestions regarding the history of mesophilic temperate forest in general. I have been interested in Circaea for many years, and have previously published a few short notes on the subject (Skvortsov 1970, 1971, 1977). The present paper provides a general taxonomic and geographical review of this genus within the USSR. I have studied Circaea both in the field and in herbaria. Field observations have been made chiefly in the following regions of the USSR: central part of the European territory (provinces of Moscow, Kaluga, Smolensk); Ukrainian Carpathians; Crimea; central part of the Great Caucasus; Altai Mountains; southern part of the Soviet Far East (Primorski Province). Outside the USSR, I have had the opportunity to observe and to collect Circaea species in Sweden, in the Indian Himalayas, and in the southern Appalachians. Herbarium materials of the following institutions have been studied in full: Komarov Botanical Institute in Leningrad (LE); Botanical Institutes in Kiev (KW), Minsk (MSK), Erevan (ERE), and Wilnius; Biological Institutes in Riga (LATV), Syktyvkar (SYKO), and Vladivostok (VLA); Institute of Zoology and Botany in Tartu (TAA), Institute of Ecology in Sverdlovsk (SVER), Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in Irkutsk (IRK), Main Botanic Garden in Moscow (MHA), Central Siberian Botanic Garden in Novosibirsk (NS); Universities of Moscow (MW), Leningrad (LECB), Tartu (TU), Riga (RIG), Wilnius (WI), and Vladivostok. In part, materials also have been studied from the Universities of Uppsala (UPS) and Lund (LD).