Phanerogamic Species Research Articles

Molecular biodiversity in the moss Leptodon smithii (Neckeraceae) in relation to habitat disturbance and fragmentation

Bryophytes seem particularly suitable to investigate genetic diversity in relation to habitat disturbance due to their large employment as bioindicators and to the recent application of molecular markers to moss population studies. Genetic variation and structure were analysed in seven urban, extraurban and remote populations of Leptodon smithii, an epiphytic moss of Quercus ilex, a phanerogamic species of Mediterranean climax vegetation. A total of 210 individual shoots were DNA extracted and amplified with internal simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers, and 54 haplotypes were identified. An uneven distribution of haplotype number and frequencies was observed among sites, with a higher number of haplotypes and more homogeneous haplotype frequencies in the extraurban/remote populations. Molecular diversity indices were overall higher in the extraurban sites than in the urban ones. Multilocus linkage disequilibrium values were in line with the occurrence of sexual/asexual reproduction in the seven populations. The isolation-by-distance model was not supported by Mantel test among sites; however, within-population fixation index (F(ST)) highlighted a clear relation between genetic and physic distances among trees, suggesting a limited dispersal range for L. smithii's spores. The genetic structure was mainly affected by population size, wood structure and extent, and genetic drift consequent to habitat fragmentation and human-induced disturbance.

Soil seed bank and vegetation in mixed coniferous forest stands with different disturbance regimes

We studied the soil seed bank in mesophyte mixed spruce forest in Koeru, central Estonia, represented by three old stands with low intensity management, and three young regenerating planted stands in areas clear-cut 20–25 years ago. The seed bank consisted of 36-plant species altogether, of which 14 were not represented in the vegetation. There were 42 phanerogam species in the forest understory, which were not represented in the seed bank. There were on average 900 seeds per m 2 in the top 10 cm soil layer, this number was significantly higher in young (1105 seeds) than in old (640 seeds) stands. Differences in the seed bank between the top 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers were negligible. Rubus idaeus and Carex pallescens were the most abundant species in the seed bank, the first species being abundant in old stand gaps, whereas the second was not represented in the vegetation. CA ordination showed that community composition differed between the vegetation and the seed bank, as well as between young and old stands. Within both young and old stands, there was a poor correspondence between the vegetation and the seed bank.

Potencial de infectividade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em áreas nativas e impactadas por mineração gesseira no semi-árido brasileiro

Foi avaliado o efeito da mineração gesseira sobre os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA). Amostras de solo (10/área) foram coletadas em quatro áreas de uma mineradora: caatinga nativa (CN), arredores da mina (AM), rejeito (R) e interface entre o rejeito e caatinga degradada (IN), nos períodos chuvoso (dezembro/2003) e seco (setembro/2004). Foram registradas 42 espécies de fanerógamas: 25 na CN, 14 nos AM, 10 na IN e cinco na R. A CN apresentou maior número de espécies vegetais, esporos e propágulos infectivos de FMA. Número de esporos e colonização radicular diferiram entre os períodos. Maior esporulação ocorreu no período chuvoso, o número mais provável (NMP) de propágulos e colonização foram maiores no seco. Houve correlação positiva entre NMP e esporos nos dois períodos. No período chuvoso, o NMP foi negativamente correlacionado com colonização. Esta foi maior nas áreas AM e R. A atividade mineradora diminuiu a diversidade vegetal, o NMP de propágulos e a quantidade de esporos em relação à caatinga nativa.

A phytogeographical comparison of the major Mediterranean islands on the basis of Atlas Florae Europaeae

Junikka, L., Uotila, P. & Lahti, T.: A phytogeographical comparison of the major Mediterranean islands on the basis of Atlas Florae Europaeae. — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 379–388. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.36.36134 (available via http//dx.doi.org/)The phytogeographical affinities of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, the Maltese and the Balearic Islands are analysed on the basis of the chorological information in the Atlas Florae Europaeae 1–13. Data for 1109 indigenous phanerogam species were used for the production of a similarity matrix and taxon richness maps for each island, showing the representation of its flora in Europe. Jaccard's similarity index values of each island and related mainland areas show a strong floristic similarity between the large W Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, and parts of their adjacent mainland, which reflects a common geological history. The maps show that the Balearic Islands have many species in common with Malta, which depends on the prevailing pan-Mediterranean element. Many Sicilian taxa show up in the Balkans, while many species of (the mountains of) Corsica, Sicily and to a lesser extent of Sardinia appear in Central Europe. Such an element is absent in Crete, Malta and the Balearic Islands. Crete deviates widely from the other investigated areas as it has many species in common with the Cyclades and mainland Greece, but less so with the Balkans.

Morfologia e anatomia dos frutos e sementes de três espécies de Erythroxylum P. Browne (Erythroxylaceae)

The cerrado (sensu lato) vegetation includes 20 to 25% of the Brazilian territory showing a very rich and diversified flora with around 6,062 Phanerogam species, such as trees, large shrubs, and many tree-like and herbaceous species. Incomplete knowledge of the flora and scattered information restricted to a small number of species make difficult any attempt to establish a rational preservation program of the cerrados and identification of particularly critical areas. Morphological and anatomical aspects of most cerrado plants are unknown; morphological and anatomical studies on fruits and seeds of cerrado plants are even more scarce. Because the Erythroxylaceae family is one the most representative cerrado plants, we have studied the morphology, anatomy, and ontogenesis of fruits and seeds of Erythroxylum campestre, E. cuneifolium, and E. suberosum, native cerrado species of Sao Paulo State. The fruit is drupaceous, red when mature, with persistent calyx; the seed is bitegmic, albuminous, and contains an axial embryo with short embryonic axis and fleshy cotyledons. The fruits are anatomically divided into three developmental stages: I — characterized by many cell divisions on the ovary wall and floral bud ovules, and flowers in anthesis and post-anthesis; II — large pericarp and seed growth of immature fruits up until their final size; and III —pericarp and seed maturation with embryo differentiation. During fruit development, we have observed that the tissue that lignifies and delimitates the pyrene is derived from the inner mesocarp associated to the uniseriate endocarp. The seminal integuments are papyraceous with lignified exotegmen. We have concluded that to include the fruits studied here, the classical definition of drupaceous fruits has to be revised, as it is not always that only the endocarp is woody. To include the studied species of Erythroxylum as drupaceous fruits, they should be defined as those presenting a woody inner per

Morpho-chronological variations and primary production in Posidonia sea grass from Western Australia

The occurrence of morpho-chronological variations was demonstrated in three Australian species of phanerogams, Posidonia australis, Posidonia coriacea and Posidonia sinuosa, which are found living around Rottnest Island (Western Australia). Three chronological parameters were identified: the thickness of dead sheaths, the internodal distance and the regular presence of floral stalk remains. The foliar primary production for these three species, as estimated using the lepidochronology method, is very high since values of 1374, 1811 and 678 mg dw shoot−1 y−1 were recorded, respectively. Rhizome production values range from 70·6 and 376·7 mg dw shoot−1 y−1 for Posidonia coriacea and Posidonia australis respectively. The results obtained are very encouraging and confirm that these morpho-chronological variations are particularly well developed for the genus Posidonia.

WOMEN AND BOTANY IN RISORGIMENTO ITALY

The first Italian women described as botanists by their male peers were active during the Risorgimento. They were few in numbers and only one of them, Elisabetta Fiorini, was recognized for her extensive contributions to the field of cryptogams in Italy by being nominated to important Italian scientific academies. No such recognition was ever alloted to the other female botanists who acted as collectors, correspondents and/or patrons to male botanists, had their own garden of exotic plants, or discovered a new species of phanerogams, and occasionally published on the subject. This study will show that a woman could still belong to Italian scientific academies in the nineteenth century, if like Fiorini, she chose to practice science in a way that was considered at par with that of male scientists.

Impoundment Höchstädt (river-km 2538.0-2530.8) in the upper reach of the Danube River in Germany

Numerous hydro-electric power stations and their retainments form a characteristic feature of the upper reaches of the River Danube in Germany and Austria. The aquatic vegetation was assessed in one retainment, which is part of a contiguous set of five power plants. Three reaches were recognised in the impoundment based on characterstic species. In the upper part only rheophilic mosses and Ranunculus fluitans were present. In the middle reach one moss is still present and several new phanerogam species occur, but the plant mass is low. In the lower reach no mosses are present any more and phanerogams become very abundant. Upon comparison the latter situation is close to that found in reaches of the Danube (e.g. in Hungary) where the natural gradient of the river is much lower than in Germany.

Diversidade e potencial de infectividade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em área de caatinga, na Região de Xingó, Estado de Alagoas, Brasil

A região de Xingó ocupa 2.800 km², em Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe e Bahia, constituindo parte ainda conservada do semi-árido nordestino. Para avaliação da diversidade e da densidade de propágulos de FMA no solo e da colonização micorrízica em plantas da área, foram realizadas coletas de solo e raízes nas estações seca (agosto/2000) e chuvosa (março/2001), em duas subáreas de Piranhas e Olho d'Água do Casado, em Alagoas. Mais de 95% das plantas, dentre as 71 examinadas, apresentaram micorriza arbuscular (5% a 80%). Das 30 espécies de fanerógamas, correspondentes a 14 famílias, apenas Pilosocereus sp. não estava associado com FMA. Os percentuais médios de colonização (@16 a 20%) foram semelhantes nos dois períodos. Houve relação inversa entre o número de esporos e o número mais provável (NMP) de propágulos infectivos em Olho d'Água do Casado, com menor densidade de esporos (< 2 esporos.g-1 de solo) e maior NMP de propágulos (4,7 e 11,6 esporos.g-1 de solo), nos períodos chuvoso e seco, respectivamente. Em Piranhas o número de esporos e o NMP de propágulos foram similares no período chuvoso, enquanto no período seco houve 1,5 vezes mais esporos do que propágulos infectivos. Foram identificados 24 táxons de FMA, com maior representatividade de Acaulosporaceaee Glomaceae. Os FMA estão bem representados, formando associação com a maioria das espécies de caatinga, apesar das limitações climáticas da região.

Marine phanerogams as a tool in the evaluation of marine trace-metal contamination: an example from the Mediterranean

New ways of evaluating the quality of the coastal marine environment in a practical, dependable and cost-efficient manner are continually sought. It would thus appear of some value to make use of bioindicator species that reflect both the average levels and the temporal variations of contaminants at a given site. Owing to their extensive distribution in the littoral zone and the ecological importance of such populations, it is of interest to examine the potential of marine phanerogams as indicator species of metal contamination in the marine environment. Based on results obtained in the Mediterranean, it would appear that the accumulation by marine phanerogams of metallic elements present in the environment is both extensive and specific. The levels accumulated vary according to the metal, the species and the tissue type examined. In addition, the plant's physiology, which will vary with the season and/or the age of the tissues, has a significant effect on the stocking process. Nevertheless, a number of laboratory and in situ experiments seem to indicate that the levels of contaminants that are accumulated are a good reflection of environmental contamination. Recent studies offer new research outlooks with the possibility of using biochemical parameter measurements as a means of early detection and estimation of metal contaminant levels, and evaluating the current and past contamination levels for a given site by making use of the dating and memorization capacities that are characteristic of certain phanerogam species.

Plant species diversity in an old, traditionally managed hay meadow compared to abandoned hay meadows in southwest Norway.

A chronosequence, representing a successional series, was used for the comparison of a hay meadow site managed in an old traditional way for at least a hundred years, and hay meadow sites abandoned for about 10, 20 and 30 years, respectively. Old traditional management included grazing early and late in the growing season, mowing in August and light or no fertilizing. The tree cover was the most important factor deciding the composition of vegetation. Time since abandonment was not completely correlated to tree cover, as some plots had a dense canopy and others were situated in the open. The total species number decreased with number of years since abandonment in plots > 0.001 m2and <100 m2. The highest species number in 1 m2 plots was recorded in the managed site, with 38 species of phanerogams. Fourtyeight % of the indicators of traditional management present in the managed site was recorded in the site which had been abandoned for 30 years. Frequency — log area curves made it possible to group species according to persistence in the sward. As a result, a group of functional indicators of rare hay meadows in the region was distinguished.

Seed dispersal by common ravens Corvus corax among island habitats (Canarian Archipelago)

The role of the common raven (Corvus corax; Corvidae) as a seed dispersal agent for plants in the Canary Islands was studied by analysing 2672 pellets collected from all islands of the archipelago. Seeds of 16 species of phanerogams were found (four endemic to the Canaries, three endemic to the Macaronesian islands, six not endemic, and three introduced by man). Vegetation in this archipelago is highly structured according to altitude creating different types of macrohabitats. The quality of the transport of seeds between habitats was evaluated in a preliminary way by making use of the very high fidelity of the plant species to particular macrohabitats. Of the 102 580 potentially fertile seeds (excepting the other 51 061 infertile Ficus carica seeds) transported by common ravens, 76.5% were regurgitated in theoretically suitable habitat while the remaining 23.5% were taken to habitats that were not appropriate for the establishment. Common ravens improved germination of six species, whereas an opposite effect was observed for three others. The percentage of viable seeds did not differ for any species between pellet seeds and seeds collected directly from the plants. Considering results from germination and viability experiments and macrohabitat patterns of dispersal, the common raven seems to be an important disperser for nine plant species: Lycium intricatum (Solanaceae), Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae), Rubia fruticosa and Plocama pendula (Rubiaceae), Juniperus turbinata and J. cedrus (Cupressaceae), Phoenix canariensis (Arecaceae), Asparagus pastorianus (Liliaceae), and Myrica faya (Myricaceae).

The vegetation types of Northeast Greenland. A phytosociological study based mainly on material left by Th. Sørensen from the 1931-35 expeditions

Based on 347 vegetation analyses carried out in 1931-35 by Th. S0rensen in the 72°- 74°N area, supplemented by 136 recent analyses from 74½0N and field observations northwards to 79°N, the vegetation types of Northeast Greenland are described. Further to phanerogams, the mosses and a few lichens are determined in 274 of the 347 analyses.&#x0D; The most characteristic vegetation types present in this middle-arctic area are: 1. Dwarfshrub heaths dominated by Cassiope tetragona, Salix arctica, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. microphyllum or Betula arctica, depending on soil and duration of snow cover. 2. Grasslands, drying out during summer, characterised by Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex bigelowii, C. misandra, and Eriophorum triste. 3. Permanently wet fens with Carex stanus, Eriophorum scheuchzeri, and Arctagrostis latifolia. 4. Snowbeds, the late ones characterised by Phippsia algida, the moderately late by Salix herbacea, and the few early herb-slope like snowbeds by Trisetum spicatum and Erigeron humilis. 5. Open, graminoid Dryas-heaths and fell-fields on dry soil with Carex nardina, C. rupestris, and Kobresia myosuroides. 6. Fell-fields with Calamagrostis purpurascens and Carex supina ssp. spaniocarpa. 7. Species rich communities on wet ground, covered by organic crust, characterised by Koenigia islandica and Festuca hyperborea. 8. Halophytic vegetations with Puccinellia phryganodes and Carex subspathacea.&#x0D; Soil samples have been analyzed for nine factors for the major part of the 347 analyses. The plant to soil relationship is illustrated for the 109 most frequent phanerogam species, for 40 of these lo all nine factors, for 69 only to pH and conductivity. &#x0D; Sørensen arranged his analyses in 41 phytosociological groups according to his similarity coefficient - the "Sørensen index''. These groups form the basis of the phytosociological classification according to the Braun-Blanquet system. The vegetation units are grouped into 13 associations, of which 7 are new, subdivided into a number of new, lower phytosociological units. These are grouped in the alliances Saxifrago-Ranunculion nivalis, Caricion atrofusco-saxatilis, Dryadion integrifoliae, Veronico-Poion glaucae, and Puccincllion phryganodis. Two synoptical tables summarizes the frequency of 135 phanerogams and 99 cryptogams, mainly mosses, in 42 phytosociological units.

Ecology and seed morphology of endemic species from Kerguelen Phytogeographic Zone

Morphological descriptions of the seeds of eight phanerogamic species are provided together with observations on the dispersal of the seeds and the habitats of parent plants. These are discussed in relation to long-distance dispersal and proposals are made for future research.

Notes concerning the Typification of Names of William Roxburgh's Species of Phanerogams

Summary. An outline is given of William Roxburgh's botanical work in India leading to the publication of 'Hortus Bengalensis', 'Plants of the Coast of Coromandel' and 'Flora Indica'. The locations of the main sets of Roxburgh's specimens and drawings are discussed. Problems in typifying the names of Roxburgh's species are discussed as well as the relevance of the Flora Indica drawings. A partial list of Roxburgh specimens of his species is given: this is largely based on a manuscript list at Brussels of specimens there from the Martius herbarium, and on entries in Wallich's 'Catalogue'. Other specimens at Edinburgh, Liverpool, Oxford etc. are included. The corresponding drawings at Kew or Calcutta are listed where these are present.

Uncertain or disappeared phanerogamic species from Romania (III)

In this third paper are presented 28 sympetalous Dicotyledonatae species, 20 odd which, emphasized by a frame, are considered to be disappeared definitely from Romanian flora.

Plant extinction in New Caledonia: protection of sclerophyll forests urgently needed

The sclerophyll forests which once extended over the lowlands of the west coast of New Caledonia are now reduced to small fragments representing about 2% (10 000 ha) of their original area. Much of the remaining forests are degraded. Threats to sclerophyll forests come from land clearance, grazing by cattle or deer, and fire. In sclerophyll forests, 223 endemic phanerogam species occur and 59 of these are specific to this forest type. Several of the 59 specific species are known only from a few plants at a single locality and are critically endangered. Pittosporum tanianum sp. nov. became extinct shortly after its discovery in 1988, and becomes the first documented plant extinction in New Caledonia. A further 15 species of New Caledonian plants, not recorded for several decades, are discussed, and it is concluded that between 4 and 9 of them may be extinct. The existing reserves containing sclerophyll forests are inadequate to protect the remaining biodiversity of the forests. Four immediate steps needed to protect sclerophyll forests are (i) restoration of Lepredour Island; (ii) purchase and restoration of selected privately owned forests; (iii) management of publicly owned forest near Nepoui; and (iv) ex situ conservation of certain species.

Biodiversité et projet de gestion de la réserve naturelle de la Caravelle (Martinique)

After a brief historical review and a physical description of the La Caravelle Natural Reserve (Martinique), we present 13 recognized ecological units. These units are dependent on edaphic, climatic and anthropic factors. The 422 ha of the La Caravelle Reserve shelter 179 phanerogamic species and over 100 macrofauna species, distributed unequally over the ecological units. Some of the indigenous and introduced species are very rare in the Martinique and some of them are only found at La Caravelle in secondary vegetation and relictual spots of climactic formations. Human activities and, to a lesser extent, natural disasters such as hurricanes, have had a major impact on the vegetation in most of the ecological units. Although changing, it still has not reached the climactic stage. On request of the authorities that manage La Caravelle, we present proposals for restauring climactic vegetal formations needed by the original fauna of the reserve, including such birds as the white-breasted thrasher Çorge biancht .Ramphoc inclus brachyurus and the Carouge (Martinique oriole) : Icterus bonana, which is the last one endemic of Martinica. These proposals also recommend maintaining environments that are favorable for rare vegetal species living in the secondary formations. The goal is to maintain the highest degree of biodiversity possible. as the white-breasted thrasher Çorge biancht .Ramphoc inclus brachyurus and the Carouge (Martinique oriole) : Icterus bonana, which is the last one endemic of Martinica. These proposals also recommend maintaining environments that are favorable for rare vegetal species living in the secondary formations. The goal is to maintain the highest degree of biodiversity possible.

Restoration management of abandoned chalk grassland in the Netherlands

After abandonment of chalk grassland in the Netherlands, Brachypodium pinnatum had become very dominant and this resulted in a dramatic decrease of plant diversity. Restoration of these abandoned sites is important, because of its former high diversity with many nationally endangered species. To restore the chalk grassland vegetation, the impact of the introduction of different experimental cutting regimes was investigated during three years. The thick litter layer and the dominance of Brachypodium was strongly reduced after introduction of all cutting regimes. In all cutting treatments forb phytomass increased considerably, especially in the twice-a-year cutting vegetation, where the forb phytomass became as high as that of Brachypodium. Phanerogamic species diversity was stimulated in all cutting regimes. Especially the number of short-lived forbs. with a persistent seed bank, increased markedly in the twice-a-year cutting treatment. It is concluded that cutting the vegetation twice is adequate to reduce the negative effects of the thick litter layer and the abundant growth of Brachypodium. It creates an appropriate starting point for more detinite management, whether mowing or grazing. However, the restoration of a more complete species assortment strongly depends on the re-invasion possibilities of these species.

Patterns of variation in the climates, soils and vegetation of some subantarctic and antarctic islands

Patterns of variation in the climate, soils and vegetation among 19 sites from 3 subantarctic and one maritime antarctic island were defined by principal component analyses (PCA) of abiotic and vegetation variables. The sites were classified on the same parameters by nearest neighbour/group mean clustering. The first two components from the PCA of the abiotic (climate and soil) data separated the islands along a climatic gradient, partly related to latitude. Sites within each island were separated along parallel series by edaphic factors and exposure. The third and fourth components reflected changes in soil chemistry caused by manuring by seabirds and seals. Cluster analysis on the abiotic variables showed that the main division was between high- and low-latitude islands, with a strong tendency to ‘chaining’. PCA of the vegetation data resulted in few conspicuous or simple patterns but three environmental trends were indicated, which corresponded approximately to components II, III and IV from the PCA of the abiotic data. Animal manuring induces vegetation successions parallel to the soil changes noted in the abiotic analyses and these combine with radiative successions from fellfields to all other vegetation types to produce a complex, and somewhat ambiguous, pattern of sites. Cluster analyses on the botanical variables produced clear groupings but these varied markedly according to the life-form category used to classify two of the plant species. This instability reflects the wide ecological amplitude of the phanerogamic species, with single species often filling what would be a variety of niches in less isolated ecosystems. The results also emphasize the importance of bryophytes on the southern subpolar islands. The two sets of analyses, taken together, emphasize the special characteristics of subantarctic islands found in previous bipolar comparisons and also indicate the extreme sensitivity of these ecosystems to the introduction of alien species.