Myricaria Germanica Research Articles

The Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Action of Myricaria germanica Essential Oils on Skin Inflammation Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background: Currently, network pharmacology and molecular docking technology are valuable tools frequently employed to predict the mechanisms and targets of drugs. Wengbu, a Tibetan medicine, is an anti-inflammatory agent commonly used in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China, and it has been demonstrated to have an effect against skin inflammation. However, the network pharmacological mechanisms and targets of Wengbu in relation to skin inflammation have not yet been reported. This paper aims to provide a scientific basis for the anti-skin inflammatory effects of Wengbu through experimental verification based on the predicted targets. Methods: The chemical constituents and targets of Myricaria germanica Essential oil were identified through a literature search, as well as databases such as PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. Targets associated with skin inflammation were obtained from the Gene Cards human gene database, DisGeNET, and the OMIN databases. Subsequently, a Myricaria germanica Essential oil-skin inflammation target database and a corresponding target network diagram were constructed. Biological function enrichment analysis and molecular docking verification were then conducted. In vitro cell experiments were performed to validate the role of Myricaria germanica Essential oil's key targets in inhibiting skin inflammation. Results: Ten compounds were selected through a literature review, including linalool, eugenol, and vanillin. A total of 429 essential oil component targets, 889 skin inflammation targets, and 108 intersection targets were identified. MAPK1, PIK3CD, PIK3CA, and MAPK14 could be the principal targets of Myricaria germanica. Essential oil to reduce skin inflammation. The principal signaling pathways through which Myricaria germanica Essential oil exerts its anti-inflammatory effects include the cancer pathway, coronavirus disease (COVID-19), lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. These effects may be attributed to the regulation of the cellular inflammatory response, the cellular response to lipopolysaccharide, and the positive regulation of cytoplasmic calcium concentration. Molecular docking results indicated that the potential components of Myricaria germanica Essential oil exhibited strong binding affinity with the core target proteins. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that Myricaria germanica Essential oil effectively reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and Caspase-3, decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells, and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby inhibiting skin inflammation. Conclusion: Myricaria germanica Essential oil exhibits multi-component, multi-target, and multipathway characteristics in the inhibition of skin inflammation. This experiment serves as a reference and foundation for further elucidating its material basis and the mechanisms involved in inhibiting skin inflammation.

A habitat is not enough - increasing the chances of success for species reintroduction in riverscapes by habitat modeling and connectivity analysis

Alpine rivers are among the most heavily modified ecosystems in Europe. Following massive interventions in the 18th and 19th centuries, many plant species specialized in these challenging environments declined and are now endangered or even locally extinct. Today, attempts are being made to reintroduce these species as part of restoration measures, but only a few are successful. The selection of potential sites for reintroduction is commonly intuitive and based on practical considerations, while a prior scientific assessment of habitat availability and habitat connectivity is lacking. To increase the success of future reintroductions, we employ a habitat suitability model and subsequent habitat connectivity analysis to identify promising regions and patches for reintroduction within a riverscape. We demonstrate this approach using the Alpine river specialists Chondrilla chondrilloides and Myricaria germanica in three differently degraded and one restored section of the large Alpine river Isar. All river sections provide habitats for both species, but with increasing degradation, habitats become fewer and less connected. For the species with a narrower habitat niche and lower dispersal ability, suitable and connected patches that support a self-sustained metapopulation are only found in the near-natural sections. Despite an improvement in the habitat situation, the patch size in the restored section is too small, and the patches are too scattered to support a successful reintroduction of the species. We show that this evidence-based approach outperforms an intuitive selection of out-planting sites. The results further underline the importance of using scientific habitat analysis to increase the success of reintroduction measures.

Soil mite communities (Acari: Gamasina) from different ecosystem types from Romania

The study aimed to characterize the distribution of soil mite populations (Acari: Gamasina) from several terrestrial ecosystems, some of them little studied in Romania as well as in Europe. We studied the Gamasina communities in seven ecosystem types from the Doftana Valley, Prahova County: Luzulo-Fagetum beech forest; Medio-European limestone beech forest of the Cephalanthero-Fagion; Pannonic woods with Quercus petraea and Carpinus betulus; Galio-carpinetum oak – hornbeam forests; Alpine rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Myricaria germanica; alluvial shrub, characteristic for a hilly-mountain area, with Salix purpurea; adjacent area to an inland cliff ecosystem. A total of 240 soil samples, 63 species and 475 individuals were analysed. The samples were taken from May 2006 till September 2010. The highest numerical abundance and species diversity was found in the area located nearby to an inland cliff, which is an early succession stage ecosystem. Considering the dominance and constancy indices quantified for mites from all investigated areas, the highest percent was recorded by the recedent-subrecedent and accessory-accidental species. Based on similarity index two different characteristic groups of gamasid populations were delimited: one for deciduous forests and one for shrubs. DCA ordination successfully handled the variation in soil mite species communities taking account of the soil type.

THE ALIEN FLORA OF THE NATIONAL NATURE PARK «VYZHNYTSKYI»

List of the alien vascular plant species of the National Nature Park «Vyzhnytskyi» are specified. For the beginning of 2024, it counts 125 species, 101 genera and 38 families. Over last 18 years, this list enriched by 49 alien species. The analysis by taxonomy, life forms, temporal elements, and origin are carried out. Habitat preferences and peculiarities of naturalization are established. Within all alien species, kenophytes of North American origin prevail; within archaeophytes Mediterranean species prevail. According to the degree of naturalization, 90.0% of archaeophytes and 84.1% of kenophytes belong to the group of epoecophytes, confined to anthropogenic habitats. So, natural biotopes of the NPP are resistant to the process of adventitization, alien plants spread mostly in synanthropic habitats, which area is insignificant (2,65 ha). According to the «National Habitat Catalogue of Ukraine» (2018), 103 alien species are occurred in 18 habitats oh the 4th level, 4 habitats are synanthropic. In study area, alien plant species are listed for 7 habitat types from Natura 2000 and 7 habitats from Resolution 4 of the Bern Convention. The most invasiables is a habitat 6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) with 16 alien species, but these species (except of Lupinus polyphyllus and Narcissus poëticus), occur as a single individuals and do not cause changes in a community structure. For the habitat 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels, 5 alien vascular species are listed, for the habitat 3230 Alpine rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Myricaria germanica – 4 species, for the habitat 3270 Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. and Bidention p.p. vegetation– 2, in forest habitats 91E0, 9110 and 9130 – 1 species each in the herbal layer. Among 125 alien species, 26 belong to the group of high-active invasive plants in Ukraine, 2 of them impact plant cover on stude area significantly: Quercus rubra and Lupinus polyphyllus. Key words: alien plants, National Nature Park «Vyzhnytskyi», Chernivtsi region.

Preparation, characterization and immune response of chitosan‑gold loaded Myricaria germanica polysaccharide

In this study, a novel nano-drug delivery system (CS-Au NPs) based on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and chitosan (CS) that modified Myricaria germanica polysaccharide (MGP) was developed to enhance immune responses. At a MGP to CS Au ratio of 5:1, CS-Au-MGP NPs had a loading capacity of 78.27 %. The structure of CS-Au-MGP NPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscope, TEM-energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, particle size and zeta-potential distribution analysis. Under weakly acidic conditions, in vitro CS-Au-MGP NPs release was most effective. In vivo showed that co-immunization with CS-Au-MGP NPs and PCV2 significantly increased the organ index of the thymus, spleen, and liver in mice. Additionally, CS-Au-MGP NPs significantly increased the levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies, as well as IFN-γ and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, the CS-Au-MGP NPs promoted proliferation of spleen T and B lymphocytes, increased the number of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells, and increased the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio. Meanwhile, CS-Au-MGP NPs remarkably TLR2/IRAK4 pathway activation and mRNA levels of cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6). These results indicated that CS-Au-MGP NPs could enhance the immune activity, and it could be potentially used as an MGP delivery system for the induction of strong immune responses.

Elucidating the material basis and potential mechanisms of Myricaria germanica acting on rheumatoid arthritis by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS /MS and network pharmacology

ObjectiveThis study used the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique, network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology to elucidate the molecular mechanism of action of Myricaria germanica against rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsThe UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS technique and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to select active compounds for Myricaria germanica and to predict relevant targets, respectively. The targets of rheumatoid arthritis were obtained from the TTD and GeneCards databases. Constructing protein interaction networks utilizing the String database, GO functional enrichment analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of target genes utilizing the DAVID database, constructing "component-potential target-pathway" networks utilizing Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and finally performing molecular docking utilizing Autodock Vina and other software. ResultsMyricaria germanica screened 47 chemical components and 302 component targets, obtaining 4017 disease targets, and 32 intersection targets of chemical component targets and disease targets using the Veen diagram. PPI results demonstrate the greatest impact on TNF, VEGFA, ALB, etc. The GO enrichment analysis of 32 targets associated with rheumatoid arthritis reveals that all of these targets are associated with 129 biological processes, including the process of collagen degeneration and the positive regulation of the RNA polymerase II promoter. KEGG enrichment analysis reveals that 87 signaling pathways are involved in these rheumatoid arthritis-related targets, with the IL-17, Relaxin, and TNF signaling pathways being the most significant. As deduced from the network diagram of ingredient-potential target-pathway, the key ingredients for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Myricaria germanica are Apigenin, Quillaic Acid, and Isorhamnetin, and the associated targets are MMP9, PTGS2, and TNF, with a binding energy of less than -4.25 kcal/mol. ConclusionMyricaria germanica may act on potential core targets such as TNF, PTGS2, and MMP9 through key active ingredients such as Apigenin, Quillaic Acid, and Isorhamnetin to regulate signaling pathways such as IL-17, TNF, and Relaxin to exert therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis.

Gene flow in a pioneer plant metapopulation (Myricaria germanica) at the catchment scale in a fragmented alpine river system

River alterations for natural hazard mitigation and land reclamation result in habitat decline and fragmentation for riparian plant species. Extreme events such as floods are responsible for additional local species loss or population decline. Tributaries might provide refugia and subsequent source populations for the colonization of downstream sites in connected riverine networks with metapopulations of plant species. In this study, we analyzed the metapopulation structure of the endangered riparian shrub species Myricaria germanica along the river Isel, Austria, which is part of the Natura 2000 network, and its tributaries. The use of 22 microsatellite markers allowed us to assess the role of tributaries and single populations as well as gene flow up- and downstream. The analysis of 1307 individuals from 45 sites shows the influence of tributaries to the genetic diversity at Isel and no overall isolation by distance pattern. Ongoing bidirectional gene flow is revealed by the detection of first-generation migrants in populations of all tributaries as well as the river Isel, supporting upstream dispersal by wind (seeds) or animals (seeds and pollen). However, some populations display significant population declines and high inbreeding, and recent migration rates are non-significant or low. The genetic pattern at the mouth of river Schwarzach into Isel and shortly thereafter river Kalserbach supports the finding that geographically close populations remain connected and that tributaries can form important refugia for M. germanica in the dynamic riverine network. Conservation and mitigation measures should therefore focus on providing sufficient habitat along tributaries of various size allowing pioneer plants to cope with extreme events in the main channel, especially as they are expected to be more frequent under changing climate.

New occurrence of Myricaria germanica in a secondary habitat (NE Hungary)

In this paper, we report a new occurrence of Myricaria germanica (L.) Desf in a secondary habitat from the north-eastern part of Hungary, from the edge of the Bükk Mountains, in a slag dump in Miskolc. The plant is established on a steep wall formed during the extraction of slag. Due to the erosion of the wall, occasionally a few plants fall off. The age of the dead specimens is between 5 and 13 years, based on their growth rings. The population of about 50 individuals is the largest (but perhaps the only) living population of the species in Hungary. Other rare and protected species (Epilobium dodonaei Vill., Dysphania botrys (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants, Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs, Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth ex Mert.) have also been found in the slag heap area.

Suppression of β-Cell Apoptosis from H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in MIN6 cells using Methyl Gallate

A major parameter for diabetic relevant diseases and hyperglycemia is the β-cell apoptosis. Anti diabetic drugs used widely these days chiefly target to lower hyperglycemia along with prevention of β-cells from apoptosis. In this study three natural products methyl gallate, syringic acid, and butanedioic acid from Myricaria germanica were analyzed for β-cell protection. Methyl gallate provided significant β-cell protection from H2O2-induced oxidative stress mediated apoptosis in MIN6 cells at 50 μM (95.5% and#177; 16.0 vs 57.6% and#177; 1.1) and at 100 μM (85.5% and#177; 7.0 vs 57.6% and#177; 1.1) concentrations.

Effect of two organic fertilizers on some anatomical features of Pinus pinea L. seedlings grown in field and lathe house

Effect of two organic fertilizers on some anatomical features of Pinus pinea L. seedlings grown in field and lathe house

Gene flow in a highly dynamic habitat and a single founder event: Proof from a plant population on a relocated river site

River relocations due to realization of infrastructure projects or flood protection provide a high potential for ecological restorations and the creation of near-natural habitats. Colonization success of new riparian habitats in the dynamic riverine zone is rarely predictable, as the survival of sessile plants is highly dependent on flood events. Relocated rivers offer a unique opportunity to study restoration success, and using genetic information allows tracing to source populations and assessing connectivity. This study focuses on the colonization of a new, 3.4 km long river stretch in the Inn catchment (Switzerland), with an artificial, stable shoreline and a dynamic riverine zone with gravel bars. We assess the colonization success of Myricaria germanica, a flagship species for floodplain pioneer vegetation, 14 years after river relocation. The population with over 600 individuals of which 147 were used for genetic analysis based on 22 microsatellite markers in comparison to 11 potential source populations up- and downstream of the new site. Our results on demography and genetic composition together with information on flood events allow tracing the origin of the subpopulation along the stable shoreline to a single founder event but several founder individuals further upstream. The subpopulation in the dynamic zone is younger and more likely strongly dependent on gene flow from the stable shoreline subpopulation, but allows for rejuvenation at the site. Genetic patterns along the catchment indicate ongoing gene flow, suggesting potential for colonization success for further restorations in the catchment. Our data reveals that near-natural flood dynamics with repeated larger flood events is a key factor for successful colonization of dynamic riparian habitats.

Quantifying the Estimation and Abundance of Plant Diversity of Shigar Valley, Gilgit -Baltistan, Pakistan

The studies were carried out from July 2017 to March 2018 in Shigar valley different Union Councils. The area lies between 7444 feet to 11694 feet from Above sea level in the Alpine zone including, Niali Nallah, Laxar Nallah, Nallah, Markuja union, Marapi union, Chorkah union, Gulapur. The study sites were randomly selected based on (1) herbs or shrubs land on the field periphery, (2) open grassland and arable land associated with sparse vegetation on rocks, stones, (3) forest land and open lands associated with sparse tree vegetation catchment of river and (4) forest land and arable land associated with dunes and rocky terrain. The quadrate method was used to record of vegetation from the selected study sites. A total of 59 plants species both medicinally and economically important were recorded at four study sites of CKNP and revealed that 30 herbs followed by 14 trees, 11 kinds of grass, and 4 shrubs respectively the dominant tree species recorded from all habitat types were Juniper sexcelsa, Elaeagnus ambulate, Morus alba, Salix Wilhelmina and Populus nigra. The most common herbs recorded were Artimisa brevifolia, Tanacetum, Echinops echinatus, Capparis sponsia, Ephedra intermedia, Peganum harmala, Daucus carota, Medicago sativa, Typha lotifuliya and Astragalus rhizanthus. The dominant shrubs were Rosa webbina, Hippophae rhamnoides, Sophora Molis and Myricaria germanica. The grasses recorded in the study area were Poa Alpina, Setaria Viridis, Hetropogon contortus, Cynodon dactylon, Taraxacum oritinlis, Trifolium repens and Cascuta reflexa. These plants are also used by local communities for fuelwood and timber. This study will be beneficial for locals and governments for the protection and conservation of this indigenous flora as well as fauna in the future.

The beaver’s menu: species and spatial selection of a European beaver population and implications for riverbank bioengineering

Riparian ecosystems are of utmost importance for many key ecosystem services, such as nutrient filtering or flood and erosion control. Restoring degraded riverbanks using soil bioengineering techniques initiates secondary succession improving both protection from erosion and riparian ecological functions. These techniques often rely on the settlement of Salicaceae and sometimes Tamaricaceae species that can be strongly impacted by beaver browsing. During the last decade European beaver (Castor fiber) populations have largely grown in France and can thus impact restored riverbanks, leading practitioners to adapt their management strategy. We conducted a study to assess the feeding preference of C. fiber and their browsing spatial pattern in semi natural riverbanks in the French Alps (Isere, France) by measuring browsing impacts along a transect. Our results indicate selective browsing occurrences at two nested spatial scales: firstly, beavers create large preferentially browsed patches (~ 8 m diameter) secondly, at a finer scale within these patches, they demonstrate a selective browsing between plant species. Among the species used in soil bioengineering, Myricaria germanica showed the lower browsing selectivity with only 2.5% of browsing probability while Salix eleagnos and Salix purpurea (10%) and Populus nigra, Salix daphnoides and Salix alba (20%) showed significant higher selectivity by beaver. Our results suggest that within the beaver presence area soil bioengineering techniques should consider adjusting both the composition and the spatial pattern of plant species settlement to mitigate the impacts of beaver on restored riverbanks.

Phytosociology, Distribution and Ecology of a Willow Community with False Tamarisk from the Lotru Valley (Romanian Carpathians)

The overall objective of this research was to contribute to a better knowledge of the phytosociology, ecology and distribution of the plant community formed by Myricaria germanica (false tamarisk) and the willow species Salix purpurea. This plant community has an important role in reducing the speed and strength of the water flow during floods. The description was based on cover‐abundance data for the faithful, dominant, characteristic and companion species of this plant community. A predominance of Myricaria germanica was observed when analysing the phytocoenoses, as the species finds in this area favourable ecological conditions for an abundant development. Salix purpurea presents a small abundance-dominance or in some phytocoenoses may even lack. The field research also revealed the excessive development of the species Calamagrostis pseudophragmites in some areas, related mostly with the effect of human activities. The anthropogenic disorders have induced modifications in the floristic physiognomy and compositions of the phytocoenoses, favouring also the invasion of opportunistic species such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Impatiens glandulifera, Phytolacca amearicana, Amorpha fruticosa, Erigeron annuus, which continuously extend in the studied territory. As Myricaria germanica and Salix purpurea phytocoenoses suffer a great decline throughout Europe, the habitat built by these species was declared of interest and was included in the Habitats Directive.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Gravel bar inundation frequency: an important parameter for understanding riparian corridor dynamics

Riparian zones are some of the most valuable and at the same time endangered ecosystems in the world. Their progressive degradation caused by anthropogenic pressure calls for the adoption of effective, resilient restoration strategies. However, a full understanding of the complex mechanisms governing riparian ecosystems has not yet been achieved, and many assumptions are based on qualitative findings. We quantitatively investigated the habitat conditions of a key riparian plant, the German tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model that was created for a braided reach of the river Sense (Switzerland). The results demonstrate that the presence of this species in gravel bar habitats is strongly correlated with inundation frequency. The species was present on gravel bars near the main river channels, which are inundated every 4–5 years. Where the gravel bars are frequently flooded, seedlings do not survive the hydrodynamic perturbations, whereas elsewhere, where periodic flooding does not reach, M. germanica is replaced by stronger competitors. Our study contributes to an understanding of the dynamics of riparian corridors and provides a quantitative basis for developing effective restoration plans, which may involve the optimisation of hydropower regulation programmes.

Colonization potential of an endangered riparian shrub species

Riparian areas and their plant communities are threatened due to human exploitation and habitat loss. Conservation of riparian vegetation requires knowledge on limiting factors in the biology of species preventing its spread along suitable areas. It needs to be assessed if an endangered species is trapped in an extinction vortex or whether it can recover from its current bottleneck situation by management measurements. We investigate the recovery potential of an endangered riparian shrub species of European rivers, the German tamarisk, Myricaria germanica, by combining field and lab experiments on seed production, germination and wind dispersal with a modelling approach on species distribution. While the seed potential is high, wind-mediated dispersal is average, with a majority of seeds falling next to the mother shrub. The modelled dispersal kernel shows highest goodness-of-fit with a polynomic function. Including this kernel in a model on the future distribution of the species based on identification of suitable habitat, limited spread to new areas in Switzerland after 20 and 50 dispersal events is predicted. Given the current limited distribution of the German tamarisk in Switzerland, conservation efforts are required to allow for the formation of new riparian habitat. Additionally, connectivity along river networks has to be enhanced to help the species to escape the extinction vortex it is trapped in.

Studies on the foliage of Myricaria germanica (Tamaricaceae) and their evolutionary and ecological implications

Ancestral halophytic traits such as salt glands and leaf deciduousness have facilitated the adaptation of Myricaria germanica to non-saline calcium-rich soils. Myricaria germanica is a scale-leaved, deciduous shrub from the Tamaricaceae, a salt gland family of halophytes, xerophytes and rheophytes usually from xeric, saline areas. Atypically, the genus Myricaria is usually from mesic, non-saline areas. In this study, we describe the shoot morphology and anatomy of seedlings and adult plants of Myricaria germanica in order to explore its adaptation to the environment. It is a species of montane to subalpine-flooded riverine areas on non-saline limestone and dolomite soils. The adult leaves show strong leaf reduction but no other significant xeromorphic or scleromorphic features. While the salt glands of most Tamaricaceae secrete NaCl, our SEM EDS investigations show that Myricaria germanica secretes large amounts of Ca and Mg, probably as CaSO4 and as Mg-containing CaCO3, rather than NaCl. This suggests that the evolution of salt glands in a halophytic ancestor may have been an enabling trait that facilitated the adaptation of Myricaria germanica to non-saline Ca-rich soils. Because leaf deciduousness can also be an adaptation for reduction of plant NaCl content, the same may apply to this Myricaria germanica trait. Similarly, leaf reduction can evolve as a response to osmotic stress in saline areas. Its persistence in Myricaria germanica may no longer have any adaptational significance. Our work highlights the dichotomy of the stress-tolerant family Tamaricaceae into two types of stressful habitats, one lowland (e.g. Tamarix) and one montane to alpine (Myricaria). Similar range fragmentation is known in Mediterranean taxa like Armeria and Astragalus.

A csermelyciprus (Myricaria germanica) új hazai előfordulása

A közlemény a Magyarországon igen ritka Myricaria germanica második olyan előfor­dulásáról számol be, amely ember által létrehozott termőhelyről ismert. A faj Hejőpapi mellől (Sajó–Hernád-sík), egy kavicsbányából került elő. A faj legközelebbi lelőhelye mintegy 60 kilométerre találha­tó, így az előfordulás a szél általi terjedés (anemochoria) hatékonyságát jelzi. Úgy tűnik a kavicsbányák megfelelő termőhelyet jelenthetnek e hazánkban veszélyeztetett cserjefajnak.

Population dynamics of the endangered shrub Myricaria germanica in a regulated Alpine river is influenced by active channel width and distance to check dams

Despite its high conservation and indicator value, there is a lack of information on the long-term dynamics of Myricaria germanica (L.) Desv. (German tamarisk), and of factors affecting its population density and viability. Here we studied the dynamics of adult and juvenile M. germanica at 19 sites during a seven year period (2009–2015) along a 30km long stretch of an Italian Eastern Alpine river, by assessing a set of anthropogenic and geomorphological factors. Adult (239–571 individuals) and juvenile (62–292 individuals) population numbers showed no significant difference between years, and a remarkably uneven distribution among sites. Yet, several remnant populations have declined or disappeared in recent years and a few populations have increased. We found a positive effect of the width of the active channel on adult and juveniles plants. This means that anthropogenic river narrowing is a leading cause of the decline of the species along river banks. For juveniles, abundance also decreased with distance from downstream check dams. We conclude that in the regulated river studied, the conservation of M. germanica appears to be possible not only as a result of natural flow dynamics, but also at an artificial sediment storage area upstream of a check dam with a semi-natural river dynamic that maintains favourable riverine habitats. Our results are useful in a decision-making framework for the conservation of M. germanica, for river restoration and for flood protection in alpine valleys.

Considerations Regarding Alpine Rivers And Their Ligneous Vegetation With Myricaria germanica In The Maramureş Mountains Nature Park (Romania)

Abstract The habitat 3230 Mountain rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Myricaria germanica was not listed in the standard form based on which the Natura 2000 site ROSCI0124 Maramureș Mountains was declared. The aim of this study is to offer some new information regarding the structure, distribution and ecology of the Natura 2000 habitat 3230 Mountain rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Myricaria germanica in Maramureș Mountains Nature Park. The ecological importance of habitat 3230 results from the capacity of Myricaria germanica to colonize new deposits of gravels and set up new biocoenoses, this ability being possible only in the case of natural morphodynamics of the mountain streams, not influenced by human activities.