Number Of Vascular Plant Species Research Articles

Дополнение к флоре сосудистых растений заказника "Ольджиканский" (Хабаровский край)

The data on 66 species of vascular plants, first identified in the Oldzhikansky Federal Reserve, of which one species (Fritillaria maximowiczii Freyn) is registered in the Red Data Book of Khabarovsk Krai, are given. The total number of vascular plant species in the Reserve, including the abovementioned additions, is 436.

Changes in the Number of Vascular Plant Species during Reforestation of Clearcut Forests

The article aims to describe the patterns of changes in the number of vascular plant species in communities at different stages of forest regeneration after clearcutting using the space-for-time substitution method. Large-scale logging in boreal forests leads to a simplification of the territory’s forest cover (the formation of even-aged stands), which in turn leads to a decrease in the diversity of forest communities and species diversity. These tendencies have been confirmed for many groups of organisms, especially those associated with old trees and dead wood; however, this is not so clear for vascular plants. We investigated plant communities at different stages of regeneration. We used the so-called space-for-time substitution (chronosequence) method of building dynamic series for four forest ecotopes, where industrial clearcuts are most actively carried out. We showed that the fertility of forest ecotopes determines the species pool—the richer the conditions, the more species that can potentially inhabit the community. At the same time, the structure of the tree stand significantly affects the composition and number of species in the community. The lowest species richness was in old-growth forests characterized by the dominance of one species in the tree stand and one or two vascular plant species in the ground cover. With insignificant fluctuations in the average number of species between stages of forest regeneration after logging, some communities at clearcuts in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) forests have high species diversity due to the occupation of the site by species of open habitats. These clearcuts are located not far from settlements and close to roads.

Broadleaved trees enhance biodiversity of the understorey vegetation in boreal forests

Understorey vegetation constitutes a remarkable part of the total biodiversity of boreal forests. Mixing broadleaved trees in coniferous forests has been shown to enhance vascular plant abundance and species richness, while high stand density has a counteracting effect. However, more information is needed on how environmental factors modify these biodiversity responses.We investigated how the proportion of broadleaved trees of total basal area, tree species richness, stand density, and shrub cover were reflected in the number of vascular plant species and percentage cover of herbs and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). We also studied the response of site fertility indicators, i.e. C:N ratio and extractable calcium concentration in the soil organic layer, to broadleaved species in mixed-forests.The study was based on the data of understorey vegetation, soil, and stand properties in forests on mineral soil, inventoried on a systematic sample plot network in Finland in 2006. We used a subset of 307 plots in the hemi-southern and middle boreal zones and divided the plots either to xeric or mesic types. We used generalized additive models in analysing the data.Birches (Betula sp.) were the main broadleaved species. Vascular species richness and herb cover generally increased with increasing proportions of broadleaved trees and tree species number both on mesic and xeric sites but decreased with increasing stand density on mesic sites. An increase in proportion of broadleaved trees and stand density resulted in decreased bilberry cover in the southern boreal zone, probably due to stand shading, but in increased cover in the middle boreal zone. Vegetation responses to increasing shrub cover often showed unimodal shape. As increase of proportion of broadleaved trees correlated positively with calcium and negatively with C:N of the organic layer, we suggest that nutrient input from easily decomposable birch leaf litter promotes species richness and herb cover via improved nutrient availability in the soil.Our results indicate that many stand characteristics determining understorey biodiversity can be directed by forest management regimes. Generally, slight increase of broadleaved trees benefitted the understory plant richness, given that stand density is not too high. Because site type and zone controlled many responses, we suggest that it would be beneficial to have habitat and zone-specific instructions in forest management practices that conserve understorey vegetation and its multi-purpose ecosystem services.

On the Prospects of In Situ Conservation of Medicinal- and Aromatic-Plant Genetic Resources at Ancient-Hillfort Sites: A Case Study from Lithuania.

Twenty-three ancient-hillfort sites were investigated to evaluate the potential for the in situ conservation of medicinal- and aromatic-plant populations. An evaluation of the site's suitability was carried out by employing three major groups of criteria: species-specific, site-specific, and threat assessment. The species-specific criteria included the total species number, target species number, the cover-abundance of the target species estimated by mean Braun-Blanquet score, and, as an additional criterion, the number and cover-abundance of crop wild relatives. The site-specific criteria included site evaluation with respect to climatic region, the area size of a site, the habitat type, and the site's protection status. The threat assessment was focused on anthropogenic activities, such as recreational, agricultural, and others. The total number of vascular plant species inventoried was 264, including 82 species of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). There was a strong and highly significant correlation between the total and the MAP species numbers (rs = 0.77, p < 0.001), and the two most species-rich sites, Žuklijai and Pamiškė, contained the highest total and MAP species numbers. The investigated hillfort sites covered the populations of 49 species, or about 33% of the priority species list, with 5 or more populations. The most frequent species, Hypericum perforatum, occurred at 21 sites. The twenty-three hillfort sites represent three of the four climatic regions and six of the ten climatic subregions of Lithuania. Although these hillfort sites are quite small (1.24 ± 0.75 ha on average, without buffer zone), they are scattered across the country and are state-protected as archaeological objects, which makes them suitable for the in situ conservation of MAP genetic resources. In addition, seven hillfort sites (30.4% of the investigated ones) belong to the European network of special areas of conservation of habitats (Natura 2000), thus increasing their international importance. The threat assessment showed that anthropogenic activities (recreational, agricultural, etc.) are among the major factors affecting target-species populations.

The Effect of the Distance from a Path on Abiotic Conditions and Vascular Plant Species in the Undergrowth of Urban Forests and Parks.

Urban forests and parks are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity as well as human health and well-being. Residents and tourists commonly use urban forests and parks for recreational and sport purposes, contributing to changes in vegetation. This study aimed to assess the effect of distance from formal paths on the abiotic conditions, vegetation cover, as well as ecological diversity of vascular plant species in the undergrowth of urban forests and parks. The investigations were carried out in 2021 in 10 urban forests and 10 urban parks located in Kraków (southern Poland), using a total of 400 plots (1 × 1 m) situated in close (CL) and further (FU) vicinity of formal paths. We found a positive effect of the distance from the path on the depth of the compact soil layer, vegetation cover and height of the tallest shoot in the undergrowth of urban forests and parks. On the other hand, the distance from the path had a negative effect on the number of vascular plant species in the undergrowth in both forests and parks. Forests and parks differed significantly from each other in light intensity, the content of P in soil, depth of compact soil layer, number of species, as well as in cover-abundance of species representing different life forms, dispersal types, habitat affiliations and origins. Trampling leads to low plant cover and height of the undergrowth, as well as contributing to shallow localization of the compact soil layer near paths. Human movement on paths (walking, running, biking) with accompanying pets contributes to the successful dispersal of plants, resulting in high species richness. High light intensity in urban parks enhances the total number of species, cover-abundance of meadow and grassland plants, as well as cover-abundance of hemicryptophytes. The number of alien species was higher in parks than in forests, but the cover-abundance of alien plants was higher in forests than in parks. Urban forests are more suitable for the growth and biomass production of some alien herbs than urban parks, as mowing commonly used in parks appears to be an important factor in reducing their cover abundance. Regular fertilization and irrigation contribute to the high content of phosphorus in the soil, as well as to the high cover-abundance of meadow and grassland plants in urban parks. Urban forests enhance cover abundance of plants with dispersal mechanisms of the Bidens and Lycopodium types, whereas urban parks promote cover abundance of plants with the dispersal of the Allium type. Further study is needed to confirm the role of urban forests and parks in the preservation of ancient forest species, as well as to develop an appropriate design of paths that will allow the protection of vegetation and soil in urban forests and parks.

Factors of Detection Deficits in Vascular Plant Inventories—An Island Case Study

The degree of completeness of large-scale floristic inventories is often difficult to judge. We compared prior vascular plant species inventories of the Mediterranean island of Limnos (North Aegean, Greece) with 231 recent records from 2016–2021. Together with the recent records, the known number of vascular plant species on the island is 960 native taxa, 63 established neophytes, and 27 species of as yet casual status for a total of 1050 taxa. We looked at a number of traits (plant family, size, flower color, perceptibility, habitat, reproduction period, rarity, and status) to investigate whether they were overrepresented in the dataset of the newly found taxa. Overrepresentation was found in some plant families (e.g., Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae) and for traits such as hydrophytic life form, unobtrusive flower color, coastal as well as agricultural and ruderal habitats, and late (summer/autumn) reproduction period. Apart from the well-known fact of esthetic bias, we found evidence for ecological and perceptibility biases. Plant species inventories based on prior piecemeal collated data should focus on regionally specific species groups and underrepresented and rare habitats.

Comparative analysis of flora of the Middle Volga region

The authors took 32 local floras (LF) to study the floristic g-diversity of the Middle Volga region. Their species composition was studied on an area not exceeding 400 km 2 , which is the optimal value for this area. For such an area, the number of vascular plant species was 679 species (the maximum value is 835, the minimum is 586). This sample size is sufficient to illustrate the main taxonomic parameters. The considered local floras are geographically located within 3 zones and five subzones according to zones and types of vegetation zonation in Russia and are located within the territories of the Republics of Tatarstan, Mordovia, Chuvashia, as well as Samara, Ulyanovsk, and Penza regions. Based on the family and genera spectra, we identified groups of similar LFs using the k-means method in the R package. When analyzing the spectrum of families, the determining feature for this territory is the third place in the spectrum, which is occupied by the families Fabaceae or Rosaceae . All 32 LFs considered ranged from the Fabaceae type in the southeast to the Rosaceae type in the northerly direction. We have identified the following boundaries of qualitative changes in the floristic composition at the level of large taxonomic groups (genera and families): 1) extreme types of flora, in which the characteristics of "forest" and "steppe" are most pronounced: Rosaceae -type, characterized by a large number of species from the genus Alchemilla , as well as Potentilla and Fabaceae type, which is determined mainly by the numerical combination of the genera Astragalus and Vicia ; 2) transitional types of floras arise due to a decrease in the number of representatives of these genera. The reason for this may be anthropogenic impact, primarily deforestation; 3) the greatest differences in the composition of large taxonomic groups are observed in the southernmost local flora of the Trans-Volga region (south of Samara region).

Impact of the Disturbances for Forest Grazing on Flora Composition in a Natural Forest

Daegwallyeong is a mountain pass at an altitude of 832 m, which has been designated a conservation area because of its essential role in Korea’s forest ecosystem. Simultaneously, this area is considered a suitable place for forest grazing due to the cool temperature during the summer. Some areas have been converted to grassland for livestock feeding, and the scale has continued increasing. Although livestock in a forest area is more ecofriendly than industrialized facilities, it could impact the native ecosystem, especially in terms of the flora and vegetation. We investigated the changes in flora and vegetation of Daegwallyeong before and after the grassland formation. The total number of vascular plant species changed throughout the survey period. It was decreased by thinning and forest floor removal in 2015. However, it bounced back to the original number in 2016, even after grazing. However, there was a dramatic decrease after the second forest floor removal and 3 months of grazing in 2017. The number of flora slightly increased after the fallow of grazing in 2019, but it did not fully recover. Although the number of flora seemed back to normal, the composition of the flora in 2019 was significantly changed from the forest without disturbance in 2014. First, there was the invasion of naturalized plants such as Taraxacum officinale and Barbarea vularis, as well as ecosystem-disturbing flora such as Carex callitrichos var. nana and Rumex acetosa. Second, the coverage of those species expanded after thinning and grazing. Most importantly, we lost five valuable rare species, Anemone koraiensis, Viola diamantiaca, Chionanthus retusus, Scopolia japonica, and Streptopus ovalis, from the area. Additionally, the ground condition of the area was severely damaged, and plants no longer grow in some areas. The survey and analysis of plants in this study showed the adverse effects of forest grazing practices on rare plants in Daegwallyeong. Forest grazing practices should be carefully conducted to preserve vulnerable plant species and a healthy ecosystem.

A Floral Checklist for Wheaton Regional Park, Montgomery County, Maryland

Wheaton Regional Park is a suburban 500-acre park in Montgomery County, Maryland, on the northern edge of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Early floristic surveys of the park, conducted between 1961–1964 when the park was founded, showed the park to be diverse, with 443 taxa of vascular plants. Our research team conducted a second round of floristic surveys between 2014–2019 to update the checklist of plants in the park. Here, we present a comprehensive checklist of all species collected in the park over the past 50 years, discuss recent plant introductions, and share a platform for a digital flora of the park through the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis online portal. We documented 393 vascular plant species from the 1960s, as part of a comprehensive review of those collections. The 2010s collections recorded 293 vascular plant species, and an additional 16 species of bryophytes. In total, 554 species of plants (vascular and non-vascular) in 326 genera and 118 families have been recorded in Wheaton Regional Park over the past 50 years. We found that the surveys in the 2010s identified a substantial number of vascular plant species that were not recorded in the 1960s surveys. Additionally, we were able to recover less than half of the vascular plants recorded in the 1960s. The proportion of non-native vascular plant species increased from 22.1% in the 1960s to 34.5% in the 2010s. We offer recommendations for preserving the extant diversity of native plants in the park.

ДОПОВНЕННЯ ДО СПОНТАННОЇ ФЛОРИ БОТАНІЧНОГО САДУ ІМЕНІ АКАД. О. В. ФОМІНА

The results of the inventory of wild plants in the territory of O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden in 2021 are given. For the needs of the research, an online project "Biota of the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden (Kyiv)" has been launched. Historic milestones and latest achievements in the study of spontaneous flora of the Botanical garden are characterized. The tendency towards the increase in number of vascular plant species is noted. Specifically, in the middle of the 20th century there were reported 220 species of vascular plants for the Botanical garden territory, in the early 21st century there were 245 species (2005) and 314 species from 215 genera and 65 families (2008). In 2015, 347 species from 223 genera, 67 families, 4 classes and 3 divisions were noted. According to the results of the study in 2021, 115 new plants were found by the authors of the article in spontaneous flora of the Botanical garden. The list of new taxa, their habitat and date of discovery, as well as the authorship of the findings are given. For the first time, 4 taxa of alien plants were found for the flora of Ukraine: Arabis procurrens, Lactuca sibirica, Polanisia dodecandra subsp. trachysperma and Talinum paniculatum. Their main morphological, taxonomic and geographical characteristics are briefly described, information on the naturalization of these taxa in other countries is given. For the first time for the flora of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe and the urban flora of Kyiv the following are given: Cymbalaria muralis, Cyperus glomeratus, Phedimus stoloniferus, Ranunculus acris subsp. friesianus, Tradescantia × andersoniana. Additionally, during the research there were identified 29 introduced plants with high naturalization rates that need further monitoring. Their list and features of naturalization are given. According to the results of the study, a complete list of the spontaneous flora of the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden includes 524 taxa from 291 genera and 71 families.

No apparent effect of invasive alien goldenrod on soil microbial communities or soil fauna feeding activity

Invasive alien species spreading in abandoned agricultural landscape may negatively affect native organisms, including plants and soil biota. This study assessed the effects of invasion by Solidago sp. (goldenrod) in southern Poland on soil fauna feeding activity and on soil microorganism activity, biomass, and functional and taxonomic diversity, in a comparisons of paired plots: goldenrod-invaded plots and nearby non-invaded plots of semi-natural grassland. Goldenrod-invaded plots had fewer vascular plant species (paired t-test) than non-invaded ones, and showed a distinct plant community composition (ANOSIM). Non-invaded and invaded plots did not differ in a range of measured soil physicochemical parameters. No differences were observed between non-invaded and invaded plots in soil fauna feeding activity (measured in the field using bait-lamina test), nor in soil microbial activity (basal respiration rate) and biomass (substrate-induced respiration rate). Goldenrod invasion also did not affect soil bacterial activity and functional diversity as assessed using Biolog® ECO plates, nor bacterial and eukaryotic taxonomic diversity as assessed using Illumina 16/18S rDNA gene fragment sequencing. Bacterial community functional structure (CLPP pattern) and the taxonomic structure of bacteria and eukaryotes (OTUbact and OTUeuk patterns) were not observed to differ between non-invaded and invaded plots. None of the measured soil microbial indices or soil fauna feeding activity were related to the number of vascular plant species (alpha diversity) as tested by simple regressions. The altered vegetation diversity and composition (beta diversity) was not reflected in the CLPP, OTUbact and OTUeuk patterns (Mantel tests). The reduced alpha and beta plant diversity resulting from goldenrod invasion was not reflected in soil microbial community parameters. Results of the effects of goldenrod invasion on soil organisms should be interpreted with caution, as the effects may not be so pronounced as the effects on aboveground organisms.

Naturalised plants transform the composition and function of the New Zealand flora

The New Zealand flora has a high proportion of endemic species but has been invaded by almost the same number of non-native plant species. To support management of invasive plant species, we provide an updated inventory of New Zealand’s naturalised flora and compare it with the native flora to identify key taxonomic and functional distinctions. We also assess how the naturalised flora may impact ecosystem processes differently than the native flora using functional traits related to plant resource use strategy. The 1798 species in the naturalised flora currently comprise 43.9% of the total number of vascular plant species, and add 67 plant families and 649 genera to the total vascular flora. The naturalised flora has a greater proportion of herbaceous species and annual species than the native flora, which could influence ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. Naturalised trees have higher leaf nitrogen concentration for a given leaf area than native trees, which could increase rates of nutrient cycling in invaded forest ecosystems. A greater number of naturalised species are present in larger, more northerly, and more populated regions of New Zealand. Our results demonstrate both taxonomic and functional differences between the native and naturalised flora of New Zealand that can be used to guide management of naturalised plants, including the 314 species currently managed as environmental weeds, from the local to national scale.

Dependence of Weed Composition on Cultivated Plant Species and Varieties in Energy-Tree and -Grass Plantations

Energy plantations create new habitats in agricultural landscapes with species compositions different from those in forests or farmlands. The purpose of our nine-year research project (2010–2018) was to evaluate the dependence of weed-species richness and their selected ecological aspects on stands of energy-plant species, and varieties in energy-tree and -grass plantations in conditions of Central Europe, on the basis of a case study. The permanent research plots were established in plantations containing two varieties of willow (Tordis and Inger), one poplar variety (Pegaso), and one clone of Miscanthus × giganteus. This evaluation included the species composition of understory flora, habitat preferences of different species, life cycle, life forms, ecological demands, and the harmfulness of these weed-species. The ground flora of energy plantations is predominantly composed of synanthropic plants of a weedy character with differences in species composition among different energy-tree and -grass species and varieties. The total number of vascular plant species was 98. The highest number of species (58) was recorded in the Tordis and Inger willow varieties, and the lowest was observed in the Pegaso poplar variety (45). Perennial species prevailed by their share, 10 of which were found in all four research plots. Therophytes and hemicryptophytes prevailed. Most species have high light requirements and are typical for mild-to-warm suboceanic areas, demanding freshly moist alkalic soils that are medium-to-rich in mineral nitrogen. Fifty percent of all observed species are considered weeds in Slovakia. The “very dangerous” category represented 46.94% of weeds, the “less dangerous” category 51.02%, and the “nondangerous” category represented 2.04% out of 49 species. The biggest share of “very dangerous weeds” was found in the poplar stand (38.78%), less in willow (32.65% and 28.57%), and the least in miscanthus stands (26.53%). The weeds of the Tordis variety were relatively poorly influenced by specific environmental conditions, and the weeds of the Inger variety were mainly defined by the soil reaction. Weeds in the undergrowth of both Miscanthus × giganteus and poplar trees (Pegaso) had the greatest affinity to mineral nitrogen content and temperature requirements.

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.

Environmental Changes Caused by the Clonal Invasive Plant Solidago canadensis

Invasive plant species pose a threat to the diversity of natural habitats. The extent of the changes depends, among others, on soil properties, settlement time and the degree of coverage of sites by an invasive species. The objective of this study was to determine changes in the habitats of Solidago canadensis at two localities in Poland that differ in soil fertility and acidity. The content of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as pH were analysed from soil samples collected from the sites invaded by S. canadensis and from the control sites. The composition and species richness of vascular plant communities at the same sites were also determined. The analyses revealed an increase in the soil organic carbon content and in the C/N ratio at the sites invaded by S. canadensis. The presence of S. canadensis also reduced the number of vascular plant species, mainly annuals and perennials. Thus, an increase in S. canadensis cover results in soil degradation and habitat homogenization.

Four decades of new vascular plant records for Greenland.

Records of new species of vascular plants in Greenland from the last four decades are presented and new phytogeographical data leading to extension of the known distribution limits in Greenland are discussed. Since the publication of the latest edition of the Flora of Greenland in 1978 (Böcher et al. 1978) fieldwork by Greenland Botanical Survey and other expeditions have taken place especially in West and East Greenland and in many remote areas in North and Northeast Greenland. This paper serves as an update of the Flora of Greenland. Twenty species, one subspecies and one new forma have been added to the flora of Greenland: Carex membranacea Hook., Carex miliaris Michx., Carex rhomalea (Fernald) Mack., Equisetum hyemale L., Festuca edlundiae S. Aiken, Consaul and Lefkovich, Festuca groenlandica (Schol.) Frederiksen, Festuca saximontana Rydb., Galium verum L., Geum rossii (R. Br.) Ser., Papaver cornwallisense D. Löve, Papaver dahlianum Nordh., Papaver labradoricum (Fedde) Solstad and Elven, Papaver lapponicum (Tolm.) Nordh., Pedicularis sudetica Willd. ssp. albolabiata Hult., Poa flexuosa Sm., Puccinellia bruggemanni Th. Sør., Ranunculus subrigidus W.B. Drew., Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke, Trientalis europaea L. and Veronica officinalis L. in addition to one subspecies Phippsia algida (Sol.) R. Br. ssp. algidiformis (H. Sm.) Löve and Löve. The viviparous form of Poa hartzii f. prolifera has been reported for the first time in Greenland. Presently, the total number of vascular plant species in Greenland is 532. 89 new northern and 28 new southern distribution limits are presented and 26 species are new to the flora province East Greenland, whereas 15 species are new to West Greenland. The numbers of new species to flora provinces North and South Greenland are 14 and one, respectively.

Alpha diversity of vascular plants in European forests

AbstractAimThe former continental‐scale studies modelled coarse‐grained plant species‐richness patterns (gamma diversity). Here we aim to refine this information for European forests by (a) modelling the number of vascular plant species that co‐occur in local communities (alpha diversity) within spatial units of 400 m2; and (b) assessing the factors likely determining the observed spatial patterns in alpha diversity.LocationEurope roughly within 12°W–30°E and 35–60°N.TaxonVascular plants.MethodsThe numbers of co‐occurring vascular plant species were counted in 73,134 georeferenced vegetation plots. Each plot was classified by an expert system into deciduous broadleaf, coniferous or sclerophyllous forest. Random Forest models were used to map and explain spatial patterns in alpha diversity for each forest type separately using 19 environmental, land‐use and historical variables.ResultsOur models explained from 51.0% to 70.9% of the variation in forest alpha diversity. The modelled alpha‐diversity pattern was dominated by a marked gradient from species‐poor north‐western to species‐rich south‐eastern Europe. The most prominent richness hotspots were identified in the Calcareous Alps and adjacent north‐western Dinarides, the Carpathian foothills in Romania and the Western Carpathians in Slovakia. Energy‐related factors, bedrock types and terrain ruggedness were identified as the main variables underlying the observed richness patterns. Alpha diversity increases especially with temperature seasonality in deciduous broadleaf forests, on limestone bedrock in coniferous forests and in areas with low annual actual evapotranspiration in sclerophyllous forests.Main conclusionsWe provide the first predictive maps and analyses of environmental factors driving the alpha diversity of vascular plants across European forests. Such information is important for the general understanding of European biodiversity. This study also demonstrates a high potential of vegetation‐plot databases as sources for robust estimation of the number of vascular plant species that co‐occur at fine spatial grains across large areas.

The Influence of the Intra-annual Distribution of Climate Characteristics on the Diversity of Vascular Plants in the Middle Volga Region

This study deals with the relationship between the species richness of vascular plants in 10 × 10-km plots and climate indices in the Middle Volga Region. The most significant indices have been revealed: precipitation and temperature in March, temperature in October, and winter precipitation, with their combined effect accounting for 74% of variation in species richness. In view of relatively low climate gradients, a special function of total precipitation in March has been used in analysis, which describes the nonlinear dependence of the richness of vascular plants on the amount of March precipitation in the form of a peak. An ecological interpretation of these relationships is given and a species richness map is constructed. It is hypothesized that minor variations of intra-annual temperature and precipitation indices in the area with low climate gradients may become critical factors for the spatial change in the number of vascular plant species.

Novitates Gabonenses 91: additions to the grass flora of Gabon

Background – The number of vascular plant species known to occur in Gabon rises quickly due to renewed collecting and inventory activities, often in little-known or previously uncollected areas.Methods – Herbarium material from BR, BRLU and WAG was studied.Results – Two genera (Alloteropsis, Entolasia), eleven species and one variety of grasses are recorded from Gabon for the first time (Alloteropsis paniculata, Cenchrus echinatus, Elionurus platypus, Entolasia olivacea, Eragrostis patens, Hyparrhenia diplandra var. mutica, Leersia triandra, Loudetia annua, Oryza longistaminata, Rottboellia purpurascens, Sacciolepis africana and Setaria geminata), while information on two erroneous species reports is provided. This brings the total number of grass species known to occur in Gabon to 190. Finally, new records of four rare species (Elionurus hensii, Guaduella macrostachys, Paratheria prostrata and Puelia schumanniana) are discussed.

Impacts of invasive Iris pseudacorus L. (yellow flag) establishing in an abandoned urban pond on native semi-wetland vegetation

Iris pseudacorus L., intentionally introduced in Japan as an ornamental plant and to improve aquatic environments, has been declared a noxious species in the Invasive Alien Species Act of Japan due to the suspected high ecological risks to the local species and ecosystems. Although prompt responses to I. pseudacorus have been sought to conserve local biodiversity, knowledge about its invasiveness is lacking. Here, we report the relationship between the establishment of I. pseudacorus and floristic changes in semi-wetland vegetation of an abandoned urban pond (Aoike), Nara City, Nara Prepecture, Japan. In total, 64 vascular plants were recorded in the pond, of which 50 were native species, seven were naturalized non-native, and seven were invasive species. On the other hand, most of these vascular plants (42 species) were grassland species and only several aquatic plants (10 species) were found in this study pond. The number of vascular plant species decreased significantly at quadrats with a coverage of I. pseudacorus above 50%. In addition, tendencies of lower number of native species and concomitant higher number of invasive species were found with increasing coverage of I. pseudacorus. From these results, we suggest that it is important to preferentially manage sites where the coverage of I. pseudacorus is above 50%, in order to preserve the local biodiversity. Additionally, as recommended in the literature, it is essential that the cut reproductive organs are kept submerged under deep water for an effective control of I. pseudacorus.