Physiognomic Characteristics Research Articles

Interpretações paleoclimáticas a partir da tafoflora de Caieira, Formação Pirabas, Oligoceno/Mioceno da Amazônia Oriental, Pará, Brasil

The Caieira taphoflora, which is associated with the Pirabas Formation, is the best documented one for the Oligocene/ Miocene of the eastern Amazonia. The taphoflora represents a predecessor of a phytophysiognomy of the Amazon Forest, specifically of a floodplain forest, which has developed under a warm and humid climate. The main physiognomic characteristics – type of margins and leaf area – of the angiosperm leaves of 19 species of this taphoflora, allowed us to carry out the reconstruction of the mean annual temperature (MAT) and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) for the moment of its deposition. The different equations used to reconstruct the MAT and the MAP are based on univariate methods known as Leaf Margin Analysis and Leaf Area Analysis. These equations indicated that the Caieira taphoflora developed under a MAT between 24.6 and 25.0 °C, and a MAP between 1849 and 2423 mm. The values are similar to the current values for the region where the taphoflora was collected, therefore, it is possible to infer that the current climatic configuration has been firmly established since the Oligocene/Miocene, as well as its vegetation. The values also indicate that the climate was colder, between 1.1 and 1.5 °C, and less humid, between 42 and 619 mm, for the moment of deposition of the Caieira taphoflora, possibly due to the global cooling event known as Mi-1 glaciation, which affected the whole Amazonia during the Oligocene/Miocene transition.

The effect of grazing and anthropogenic disturbances on floristic and physiognomic characteristics in oriental beech communities, Masal Forest, Iran

This study aimed to investigate floristic and physiognomic characteristics of all plant species in relation to grazing and anthropogenic disturbances. So that, 100 ha beech communities were studied including 50 ha as protected and 50 ha as unprotected area of oriental beech communities in Masal forest, Guilan Province, Iran. The results indicated that the number of all species were higher in the protected area. The main family of the protected area was the Rosaceae, while in the unprotected area the Asteracea had the highest frequency. To identify and classify forest types in both areas, we used the proportion of each tree species larger than 7.5 cm in diameter to determine species dominance according to the classification method of Gorji Bahri. The applied tree classification method indicated that there were three main types and two secondary types in the protected area, whereas six main types were identified in the unprotected area. Physiognomic studies indicated that trees from both areas were in the same height classes, whereas, the total canopy cover percentage was higher in the protected area. Height classes and canopy cover percentage of deciduous broadleaf in shrub layer, were significantly higher in unprotected area than in protected one. In the latter area, the coverpercentage of herbaceous species was different. So that, forbs species had the highest coverpercentage. According to these results, destructive factors have altered the main composition in these communities. So that, avoid of livestock grazing and local people in these areas or livestock exclusion can be recommended as a management.

Mapping foliar functional traits and their uncertainties across three years in a grassland experiment

Foliar functional traits refer to a range of biochemical and physiognomic characteristics of vegetation that control photosynthesis, nutrient and water cycling, and can be used to describe the functional diversity of ecosystems. In this study, we utilize NASA AVIRIS - Next Generation imaging spectroscopy data to map 15 foliar functional traits in a grassland experiment at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a Long-Term Ecological Research site in Central Minnesota, across three years. To estimate traits, we compared the widely used partial least squares regression (PLSR) with Gaussian processes regression (GPR) to assess differences in model performance and uncertainty estimates. PLSR is attractive for its straightforward implementation and interpretation, but requires bootstrapping-based methods to estimate and map prediction uncertainties. On the other hand, GPR is more complex to implement and interpret, but provides explicit estimates of uncertainties. Our results indicated that foliar functional traits can be retrieved in these grasslands with moderate to high accuracies using either method. Highest validation accuracies were obtained for leaf mass per area (LMA), soluble cell contents, hemicellulose and cellulose (all with R2 > 0.8), and lower accuracies for lignin, nitrogen, and some pigments with both techniques. The estimations for the mass-based pigments were more accurate than the area-based pigments (at least 5% improvement in normalized RMSE). Overall, GPR and PLSR performed comparably with respect to both skill of predictions and the selection of most informative spectral regions. Maps of uncertainties corresponded well between the two models, with highest uncertainties related to low vegetation cover, high diversity levels, or under irrigation and nitrogen treatments (not represented in the field sampling). The maps showed that trait values in each plot were relatively stable across three years of managed species richness. Our results provide a template for mapping foliar traits and their uncertainties in grasslands, and point to the need for extensive ground data across time to properly evaluate performance of trait mapping algorithms.

Floral diversity and environment during the middle Siwalik sedimentation (Pliocene) in the Arunachal sub-Himalaya

A comprehensive morphotaxonomical evaluation of diverse angiospermic dicotyledonous leaf impressions recovered from the middle part of the Siwalik succession (Subansiri Formation: Pliocene) of Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalaya, India, shows that the leaf remains are comparable to modern Glochidion J. R. Forst. and G. Forst. (Phyllanthaceae), Bauhinia L., Callerya Endl. (Fabaceae), Mitragyna Korth. (Rubiaceae), Beilschmiedia Nees (Lauraceae), Uvaria L. (Annonaceae), Neolamarckia Bosser (Rubiaceae), Sorindeia Thouars (Anacardiaceae), Lagerstroemia L. (Lythraceae), and Premna L. (Lamiaceae). Among these taxa, seven species are new to the Neogene floras of the Indian subcontinent. Analyses of the floral assemblage, with respect to the present-day distribution pattern of modern equivalent taxa and the physiognomic characters of the recovered fossil leaves, suggest that a tropical evergreen forest was growing in a warm humid climate in the region at the time of deposition. This qualitative climatic data is also corroborated by our previously published quantitative data obtained from a CLAMP (climate leaf analysis multivariate program) analysis on the middle Siwalik floral assemblage. The presence of some Southeast Asian elements in the fossil assemblage provides clear evidence of free exchange of taxa across southern Asia in the Pliocene.

Comparative analysis of a characterization of the built-up area and settlement network on Polish topographic maps from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries

Abstract Built-up area is a particularly important element of the content of topographic maps. Its presentation changes significantly when map scales are reduced, due to both conceptual and graphic generalization. What is more, historically, changes in the depiction of built-up area were consequences of changes in the intended use of topographic maps, development of technology and changes in the cultural landscape, of which the built-up area is an important component.1 The authors describe the method of presentation of built-up areas on six Polish topographic maps or series of maps. The above-mentioned maps include the following: – Topograficzna Karta Królestwa Polskiego (Topographic Map of the Polish Kingdom) at the scale of 1:126,000 developed in 1822–1843; – topographic maps of the Polish Military Geographical Institute (MGI) at the scales of 1:25,000 and 1:100,000, published in 1930s; – a series of military maps (or military-civilian maps) at the scales of 1:10,000, 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:100,000, developed in 1956–1989, in accordance with the instruction for developing Soviet maps; – a series of civilian maps at the scales of 1:10,000, 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:100,000 developed after 1995. The basis for a quantitative comparison of the content of the maps was the number of categories of objects (identifications) which constitute part of built-up area and are presented on individual maps as symbols, as well as the number of characteristics represented by these symbols. These characteristics are divided into two basic types: functional characteristics and physiognomic characteristics. The analysis shows that military maps issued after the Second World War differ from the civilian maps, as they contain a much larger share of physiognomic characteristics, which is caused mainly from the fact that the vast majority of military maps distinguish between wooden and brick buildings. This difference was to large extent already noticeable among the oldest of the analysed maps – the Quartermaster’s Map and nineteenth-century Russian maps, which were partly modelled on the Quartermaster’s Map, and later also Soviet maps. Due to political reasons, the model of these Soviet maps was later adopted for the development of post-war Polish military maps. Out of all maps drawn up by military services, the inter-war MGI map serves special attention, as it was modelled on German maps. The main difference between military and civilian maps is foremost the fact that civilian maps include more functional characteristics of buildings and take into consideration new physiognomic characteristics related to residential development (compact, dense, multifamily dwellings, single family dwellings). The analysed maps include not only the characteristics of buildings and built-up area, but also information on the features of the town – population size, number of village houses and the administrative function.

Towards a Reproducible LULC Hierarchical Class Legend for Use in the Southwest of Pará State, Brazil: A Comparison with Remote Sensing Data-Driven Hierarchies

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classes defined by subjective criteria can diminish the significance of a study, hindering the reproducibility and the comparison of results with other studies. Having a standard legend for a given study area and objective could benefit a group of researchers focused on long-term or multidisciplinary studies in a given area, in the sense that they would be able to maintain class definition among different works, done by different teams. To allow for reproducibility, it is important that the classes in this legend are described using quantifiable elements of land cover, which can be measured on the ground, as is recommended by Land Cover Meta Language (LCML). The present study aims to propose LCML formalized hierarchical legends for LULC classes, focusing on the southwest of Pará state, within the Brazilian Amazon. In order to illustrate the potential of these legends, a secondary objective of the current study is to analyze classification results using legends derived from a particular Remote Sensing dataset and compare these results with the classification obtained using the LCML hierarchical legend proposed. To perform this analysis, firstly, we proposed a conceptual class model based on existing classification systems for the upland Brazilian Amazon Biome. From this model, 16 LULC classes were described in LCML, using quantifiable and easily recognizable physiognomic characteristics of land cover classes measured on the lower Tapajós river, in Pará state. These classes were grouped into legends with different levels of detail (number of classes), based on our model or on the image and clustering algorithms. All legends were used in supervised classification of a Landsat5/TM image. Results indicate that it is necessary to incorporate multi-temporal knowledge for class definition as well as the proposed thresholds (height and cover proportion of soil, litter, herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, and trees) in order to properly describe classes. However, the thresholds are useful to delimit classes that happen in a successive way. Classification results revealed that classes formed by the same elements of land cover with similar thresholds present high confusion. Additionally, classifications obtained using legends based on the class separability in a given Remote Sensing image tend to be more accurate but not always useful because they can hide or mix important classes. It was observed that the more generalized the legend (those with few details and number of classes), the more accurate the classifications results are for all types of legends.

Interpretações paleoclimáticas a partir da flora pliocênica de Nova Iorque, Maranhão, Brasil

The Nova Iorque fossil flora, located in northeastern Brazil, is the only fossil flora known for the Pliocene of the Nova Iorque Basin. Because the paleobotanical records in the areas populated by the Caatinga vegetation are scarce, this flora is very important to understand the climatic and environmental changes that occurred in northeastern Brazil. The main physiognomic characteristics – margin type and leaf area – of the angiosperm leaves of 26 species of this flora, allowed us to carry out a quantitative estimation of mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) for the moment of its sedimentation. The different equations used to estimate the MAT and the MAP are based on univariate methods known as Leaf Margin Analysis and Leaf Area Analysis. The equations used indicate that the Nova Iorque fossil flora developed under a MAT between 26.1 and 26.7°C and a MAP between 580 and 833 mm. These values are very similar to those currently registered in the region where the Nova Iorque fossil flora is located; therefore, this flora lived under a climate similar to that of the Caatinga, which is characterized by being warm and semi-arid. Because this fossil flora has developed under conditions similar to those of the current flora, it is possible to infer that this flora represents a precursor of a phytophysiognomy of the Caatinga.

The Society of Kongunadu Through the Inscriptions of Seven Kongu Saivaite Temples

The Kongunadu does not mean into any geographical division such as river valley, hilly region, forested area, desert zone, etc. However, if one considers its physiognomic features, it can be treated as a semi-arid area having its major portion occupied by hills and forest. The Western and the Eastern Ghats almost cover the region providing a natural boundary. Among the five ecological divisions of early Tamil literary traditions, the region is identical with kurinji and mullai. Some later literatures and epigraphic records refer this region by the name of malainadu. Moreover, the ecological influence over its inhabitants can also be best understood by the names of tribes who belonged to this area. The suffix mala (hills) appears with the tribe names such as malaikoundan, malai vellalar, malaikaran, malainayakan, etc. Such names are rarely found in other parts of Tamilnadu. In addition to its physical environment, there are also cultural, social and political aspects that considerably distinguish the region from the rest of Tamilnadu.

Personal Identification of Deceased Persons: An Overview of the Current Methods Based on Physical Appearance.

The use of the physical appearance of the deceased has become more important because the available antemortem information for comparisons may consist only of a physical description and photographs. Twenty-one articles dealing with the identification based on the physiognomic features of the human body were selected for review and were divided into four sections: (i) visual recognition, (ii) specific facial/body areas, (iii) biometrics, and (iv) dental superimposition. While opinions about the reliability of the visual recognition differ, the search showed that it has been used in mass disasters, even without testing its objectivity and reliability. Specific facial areas being explored for the identification of dead; however, their practical use is questioned, similarly to soft biometrics. The emerging dental superimposition seems to be the only standardized and successfully applied method for identification so far. More research is needed into a potential use of the individualizing features, considering that postmortem changes and technical difficulties may affect the identification.

The Tropical Forests of Southern China and Conservation of Biodiversity

Species-rich tropical forests once occurred along much of China’s southern border, from southeastern Xizang (Tibet) and southern Yunnan to southwestern Guangxi, southern Taiwan and Hainan, mainly south of 22°30’N latitude. These Chinese forests are similar to Southeast Asian lowland tropical forests in their profiles and physiognomic characteristics, floristic composition and species richness. Studies of these southern forests in China are reviewed. Complete vegetation studies on the physiognomy and floristic composition have been done in southern Yunnan, Hainan and southwestern Guangxi. Forest fragmentation, dispersal patterns of trees, and the maintenance, population dynamics, phylogenetic community structure, tree functionality and phylogenetic diversity and conservation of these tropical Chinese forests have also been studied. Major changes in land use in China have resulted in an increase in rubber and Eucalyptus plantations and a decrease in the extent of southern forests. The direct results have been fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. The underplanting of economic crops in native forests also threatens to destroy saplings and seedlings, causing the forest to lose its regenerative capacity. Limiting further expansion of monoculture tree plantations, restricting underplanting, and promoting multi-species agroforestry systems are needed in China to conserve the biodiversity of its forests.

Louis Sullivan and the Physiognomic Translation of American Character

Louis Sullivan and the Physiognomic Translation of American Character examines the racial politics of Louis Sullivan's democratic vision for American architecture, as manifest in his interpretations of physiognomic character in people and the built environment and in his reflections on U.S. nationalism. Charles L. Davis II argues that while Sullivan believed that ordinary Americans would produce an indigenous culture reflective of democratic ideals, his assimilationist conception of American citizenship excluded recent white immigrants and resident nonwhite peoples and limited his democratic architecture, as in the case of Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue in Chicago. While Sullivan's ornament for the synagogue expressed Jewish identity in Chicago, its Richardsonian exterior referred to his secular-assimilationist model of national culture. The synagogue's subsequent use as Pilgrim Baptist Church by an African American congregation complicates our understanding of Sullivan's assimilationist political theory and its expression in his architecture.

Fizionomske implikacije vikendaštva u receptivnim naseljima – primjer Malinske na otoku Krku

In the past fifty years the second home phenomenon has become one of the most distinguished geographical features in the Croatian littoral. After Croatia won its independence and after the cessation of war operations, with the start of the period of apartmentalisation, secondary dwelling emerged as the dominant factor in landscape definition in many settlements of the Croatian littoral in the past ten to fifteen years. In the settlements which recorded most significant transformational influence of the second home phenomenon, the local housing fund has experienced the development of a typical second home landscape whose physiognomic characteristics are primarily defined by the presence of building units for vacation and recreation. The main aim of this study is to establish and analyse physiognomic implications of the second home phenomenon in Malinska on the island of Krk. Malinska has been chosen as a typical example of a receiving settlement in the Croatian littoral because it has gone through all characteristic phases of the development of the second home phenomenon – from the prevalence of luxurious villas and resorts through the domination of individual family houses for vacation and recreation (second homes in the strict sense) to numerous multi-apartment buildings which today characterise, more than any other kind of buildings, secondary dwelling. Through the popularisation and growth of secondary dwelling in the period of the Socialist Yugoslavia, and particularly in the "apartmentalisation" phase in the last fifteen years, Malinska has become a true "second home centre" of the island which manifests, more vividly than any other settlement on the island of Krk, direct (physiognomic) and indirect (economic and socio-cultural) impact of secondary recreational dwelling on physical space, and provides an illustrative example of a second home landscape in the Croatian littoral. The methodology is a combination of the analysis of relevant literature about the geographical aspect of the second home phenomenon and field research with direct survey of local population and second home owners in Malinska, mapping, photographing and deduction based on many years of direct acquaintance with the area included in the study.

Response of middle-taiga permafrost landscapes of Central Siberia to global warming in the late 20th and early 21st centuries

In this paper, regional features of a climatogenic response of the middle-taiga permafrost landscapes of Central Siberia, as well as corresponding transformations of the exodynamic processes, are considered. Lithological-geomorphologic and landscape- geocryological data are analyzed with large amounts of actual data and results of monitoring surveys. Specific features of an ecotone localization of middle-taiga permafrost landscapes and their typical physiognomic characteristics are described. A comprehensive investigation of representative key sites makes it possible to discover the response of different types of permafrost landscapes to regional climate warming. A rapid increase in the active layer depth, slower creep, transformations of the moving kurums, intensive solifluction, and a local replacement of solifluction by landslides-earthflows are revealed within ecotone landscapes of the cryolithozone.

Time trumps habitat in the dynamics of an avian community

AbstractPredictions of change in avian biodiversity often fail to account for the natural dynamism of species assemblages. Information from historical datasets can be useful indicators of how avian communities may change in the future. However, simple comparisons of diversity and abundances over time may overlook additional changes in bird–habitat associations. In 2013, we revisited sites from a unique, highly detailed avian survey from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, conducted in 1952. Our objectives were to quantify and describe the extent of avian community change; relate observed species assemblages to changes in vegetation type and land‐use class; and identify species with specific associations to either survey era. Using nonparametric ordination, we assessed whether the distribution of the avian community within the environmental space varied temporally. We used blocked indicator species analysis to identify species with specific association to historical or modern survey eras. Nonparametric permutation procedures identified both plot, each representing a different major habitat type, and year as significant factors defining communities. Year was more strongly related to the second ordination axis than the other environmental variables examined. Ordination of survey sites in species space confirmed modern avian communities were significantly different from their historical counterparts. Bird species richness increased and community composition changed by at least 50% despite the physiognomic characteristics of each plot's habitat and the surrounding landscape remaining comparatively stable. Because of this, we conclude time trumped, or was more strongly associated with community change, than alterations in physiognomic habitat. These results suggest avian communities are naturally dynamic even in areas with relatively stable habitat conditions. Predictions that only address changes in climate, land use, or vegetation cover type may fail to predict changes in avian community composition. Historical datasets are a valuable means of understanding real‐world changes in avian communities. We suggest additional factors, such as vegetation structure and microhabitat, may predict fine‐scale shifts in avian species assemblages. Nevertheless, major changes in community composition occurred with apparently minor shifts in physiognomic habitat characteristics in our study area.

A Touristic Concept of Land Management of Zaklików’s Reservoir Based on its Natural Values (South-Eastern Poland)

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine actions towards enrichment of natural aspects of the water reservoir in Zaklików, with consideration of nature protection and social needs. For this purpose, physical and chemical parameters of the reservoir, floristic and physiognomic characteristics of the area, cartographic analysis of land use, natural and touristic valorisation, and the concept of tourism development of the area were considered. The reservoir, based on the ESMI index, rated as moderate ecological status. The highest natural and tourist values, as well as the highest intensity of conflict between them, were located in the north-eastern and central part of the study area. Based on all analyzes, a concept of development of the study area was created, consistent with the local development plan.

Common Denominators of Swainson's Warbler Breeding Habitat in Bottomland Hardwood Forest in the White River Watershed in Southeastern Arkansas

Abstract The most intensively studied breeding population of Limnothlypis swainsonii (Swainson's Warbler) is in the White River watershed of southeastern Arkansas. However, because vegetation sampling protocols employed at this site have been significantly different from those used elsewhere, it has been difficult for land managers to reconcile datasets across the species' range in order to construct consensus quantitative benchmarks for optimal breeding habitat in bottomland hardwoods. We used a standardized sampling protocol to compare the physiognomic and floristic characteristics of breeding territories at 2 sites in the White River watershed with comparable data from other populations in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Virginia. Breeding territories in the combined dataset for this rare migratory species varied substantially in successional stage, floristic diversity, hydrology, and management history. Visual screening provided by understory thickets of saplings, vine tangles, and shru...

A Quantitative Physiognomic Analysis of Contemporary Farm Buildings to Improve Awareness in Rural Planning

<abstract> . Ordinary citizens and stakeholders are gaining increasing awareness of rural landscapes as a common good, where architectural quality is an integral part of the environment. While historic rural buildings represent an acknowledged landscape value, this does not apply to contemporary buildings, which up to now have been considered service architecture to support the production of material goods. This study developed a method for analyzing the formal characteristics of contemporary farm building that adds quantitative aspects to the qualitative descriptions with the application of analytical tools. In particular, this work presents a validation and implementation of the methodological model FarmBuiLD (Farm Building Landscape Design) through application to contemporary rural buildings (constructed after World War II) in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, as well as a study of the relationships between the formal features and functional requirements of contemporary rural architecture. The results show how the contemporary rural architecture is diversified in terms of shape, relationship with the surrounding landscape, and articulation or compactness. Physiognomic clusters were defined on the basis of joint interpretation of the results. They allowed definition of the correspondences between physiognomic characteristics and specific functional requirements expressed by users of the rural landscape. This research also shows how the application of analytical tools can increase knowledge of contemporary farm buildings.

A Quantitative Physiognomic Analysis of Contemporary Farm Buildings to Improve Awareness in Rural Planning

. Ordinary citizens and stakeholders are gaining increasing awareness of rural landscapes as a common good, where architectural quality is an integral part of the environment. While historic rural buildings represent an acknowledged landscape value, this does not apply to contemporary buildings, which up to now have been considered service architecture to support the production of material goods. This study developed a method for analyzing the formal characteristics of contemporary farm building that adds quantitative aspects to the qualitative descriptions with the application of analytical tools. In particular, this work presents a validation and implementation of the methodological model FarmBuiLD (Farm Building Landscape Design) through application to contemporary rural buildings (constructed after World War II) in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, as well as a study of the relationships between the formal features and functional requirements of contemporary rural architecture. The results show how the contemporary rural architecture is diversified in terms of shape, relationship with the surrounding landscape, and articulation or compactness. Physiognomic clusters were defined on the basis of joint interpretation of the results. They allowed definition of the correspondences between physiognomic characteristics and specific functional requirements expressed by users of the rural landscape. This research also shows how the application of analytical tools can increase knowledge of contemporary farm buildings.

Artificial neural networks reveal a high-resolution climatic signal in leaf physiognomy

The relationship linking leaf physiognomy and climate has long been used in paleoclimatic reconstructions, but current models lose precision when worldwide data sets are considered because of the broader range of physiognomies that occur under the wider range of climate types represented. Our aim is to improve the predictive power of leaf physiognomy to yield climate signals, and here we explore the use of an algorithm based on the general regression neural network (GRNN), which we refer to as Climate Leaf Analysis with Neural Networks (CLANN). We then test our algorithm on Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) data sets and digital leaf physiognomy (DLP) data sets, and compare our results with those obtained from other computation methods. We explore the contribution of different physiognomic characters and test fossil sites from North America. The CLANN algorithm introduced here gives high predictive precision for all tested climatic parameters in both data sets. For the CLAMP data set neural network analysis improves the predictive capability as measured by R2, to 0.86 for MAT on a worldwide basis, compared to 0.71 using the vector-based approach used in the standard analysis. Such a high resolution is attained due to the nonlinearity of the method, but at the cost of being susceptible to ‘noise’ in the calibration data. Tests show that the predictions are repeatable, and robust to information loss and applicable to fossil leaf data. The CLANN neural network algorithm used here confirms, and better resolves, the global leaf form–climate relationship, opening new approaches to paleoclimatic reconstruction and understanding the evolution of complex leaf function.

Recognition memory for faces is modulated by attractiveness beyond distinctiveness and emotional valence – an ERP study.

Abstract Accurate memory for faces is important for numerous social interactions, but is modulated by physiognomic characteristics. Recently, it was shown that attractive faces are remembered less accurately than unattractive faces when distinctiveness is controlled for (Wiese, Altmann, & Schweinberger, 2014). It is still unclear, however, if this effect is constituted by a disadvantage for attractive faces, a benefit for unattractive faces, or both. To clarify, we conducted a recognition memory experiment including attractive, mid-attractive and unattractive faces, matched for deviation-based distinctiveness (Wickham & Morris, 2003). In addition to behavioural measures, event-related potentials were analysed. Memory was most accurate for unattractive faces, followed by attractive faces, with poorest performance for mid-attractive faces. Item analyses confirmed that this effect remained significant when emotional valence was taken into account. Furthermore, participants responded less conservatively to attractive compared to both mid- and unattractive faces. Replicating earlier findings, an attractiveness effect in the early posterior negativity (EPN) during learning, with larger amplitudes for attractive than unattractive faces, correlated significantly with the memory advantage for unattractive faces. Higher amplitudes with increasing attractiveness were found both in the EPN at test and in the late positive component (LPC) during both experimental phases. Finally, an old/new-effect with larger amplitudes for hits than correct rejections (Rugg & Curran, 2007) was found between 500-700 ms at test, but did not interact with attractiveness. Our findings show an effect of attractiveness on face memory beyond distinctiveness and emotional valence. As the EPN is typically enhanced for affective stimuli, processing of emotionally relevant attractive faces during learning could hamper their encoding into memory. This, however, cannot explain poor performance for emotionally neutral mid-attractive faces. We suggest an explanation based on a modified face-space model, in which mid-attractive faces are more frequent, and hence less well distinguishable, than both attractive and unattractive faces. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.