Phytosociological Study Research Articles

Vegetation of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), South Africa: A baseline to measure local and global change

Phytosociological studies provide plot-based vegetation data which can be used for numerous purposes. Recently, the potential of historical phytosociological plot data has been emphasised as a means to study vegetation change over time. Vegetation change occurs naturally but also as a result of land use and climate change. In order to quantify change, the current vegetation has to be compared with the vegetation that occurred historically at a site. The objectives of this study were to describe the vegetation on two properties (Losberg and Meysdam) purchased by the National Research Foundation on which the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be developed, and publish, in the scientific arena, the vegetation and landscape unit descriptions of these properties to promote awareness that baseline data exists before significant land use change occurred on the properties.One hundred and eighty Braun Blanquet surveys were conducted in units stratified using satellite images, topography, land type, geology and drainage information. The plot data were analysed using standard Braun Blanquet methodology. Ten plant communities and 2 sub-communities were identified. These plant communi-ties and sub-communities were used, together with landforms and associated environmental parameters, to produce five landscape units for decision making and management purposes.The data shows the past effect of disturbance. Historical overgrazing is speculated to have resulted in large patches denude of vegetation and the densification of the naturally occurring spinescent shrubs Rhigozum trichotomum and Lycium cinereum over large areas as in other parts of the Karoo. Significant soil erosion is evident. Soil conservation infrastructure erected in the past to combat further erosion, together with the highly disturbed vegetation and soils, has enabled the alien invasive tree species Prosopis glandulosa to proliferate in exceptionally large numbers, particularly on the flats and drainage areas. This highlights the importance of limiting disturbance to the natural vegetation and soils during the construction of SKA infrastructure. The study provides baseline vegetation data to inform the management of the proposed SKA protected area and for researchers working at this site. These data will also prove useful for ongoing monitoring efforts to detect the impact of local and global change on the vegetation of the Nama Karoo.

English

Phytosociological study was carried out in the outer periphery region of Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India. An attempt has been made to find out the characteristics of the vegetation community of the forests of the sanctuary. Analysis of the vegetation was done following the standard ecological methods widely adopted for such studies (quadrat method). A total of 68 plant species from 30 families were documented comprising of 14 species of tree, 42 species of shrubs and saplings and 12 species of herbs and seedlings. This study provides a baseline data for all such future studies as no previous ecological assessment about the forest vegetation of the sanctuary is available. In terms of Importance Value Index (IVI), Azadirachta indica with IVI value of 61.45 among trees was found most dominant followed by Shroea robusta (46) and Schleichera oleosa (37). Similarly most common plant species amongst shrubs and herbs were Ageratum conyzoides L. (IVI-40.08) and Mimosa pudica L. (IVI-45.67). The sanctuary has been under various anthropogenic pressures resulting in depletion of the vegetation. Near absence of saplings and seedlings of dominant forest trees is a matter of concern in the peripheral region of the sanctuary. The study revealed that, a suitable long term management intervention to step up regeneration of population in this area will go a long way in improving overall ecological and aesthetic value of the forests of the sanctuary area.   Key words: Importance Value Index (IVI), Santhal tribe, natural vegetation, traditional knowledge, strict enforcement.

European Weed Vegetation Database – a gap-focused vegetation-plot database

This report presents the European Weed Vegetation Database, a new database of vegetation plots documenting short-lived vegetation of arable and ruderal habitats from Europe and Macaronesia. The database comprises the phytosociological classes Papaveretea rhoeadis, Sisymbrietea, Chenopodietea and Digitario sanguinalis-Eragrostietea minoris. It is a gap-focused database containing mainly plots of this vegetation from the areas not yet represented in the European Vegetation Archive (EVA), to facilitate its accessibility for researchers to answer various questions. As of the end of 2018, it contained 24,734 plots, predominantly from Southern Europe. The data can be used for phytosociological studies, various kinds of interdisciplinary research as well as for studies for agronomy, nature management and biodiversity conservation. Syntaxonomic reference: Mucina et al. (2016) Abbreviations: EVA = European Vegetation Archive; GIVD = Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases.

Comparative phytosociological assessment of three terrestrial ecosystems of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India

Phytosociological studies were conducted in three vegetation types in the WS II area of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. In each vegetation type, 85 quadrats (10 x 10 m) were laid to quantify the vegetation. Natural forest showed comparatively higher species richness than plantation and vayal (swamps/low lying grassland). In natural forest 96 plant species were present while it was 70 and 66 respectively in plantation and vayal. Fabaceae was the dominant family in all the three vegetation types. The natural forest was dominated by Chromolaena odorata, followed by Lantana camara, Mimosa pudica, Terminalia elliptica, Glycosmis pentaphylla. In the plantations, Chromolaena odorata, Tectona grandis, Mimosa pudica and Glycosmis pentaphylla showed dominance. The vayal was dominated by Arundinella leptochloa. The second most dominant species in the vayal was Chromolaena odorata. Other dominant species were Kyllinga nemoralis and Sporobolus tenuissimus. Among the three, vayal recorded the highest Simpson Diversity Index. The highest Berger-Parker Dominance Index value in plantation indicates the presence of dominant species. Natural forests recorded highest Margalef Richness Index and the least was in vayal. The highest Pielou’s Wiener Equitability Index in vayal indicated all species are evenly distributed.

Coastal sand dune vegetation of Velika plaža (Montenegro)

Velika plaža (Ulcinj, Montenegro) is the largest sandy beach along the coast of the eastern Adriatic that still has well-developed sand-dune vegetation. Although the characterization of the flora and vegetation of Velika plaža has been addressed by many authors, knowledge on its vegetation remained poor. We made a phytosociological study of sand beach vegetation comprising both dunal and wetland areas to provide a comprehensive survey of sand dune vegetation and habitat typology of Velika plaža. Based on 149 relevés (both from literature and recent field work), and with numerical classification (Flexible beta) and ordination (Non-metric multidimensional scaling) our results show that the vegetation of Velika plaža is much more diverse than previously known. Altogether, 19 plant communities from 6 vegetation classes were identified. Among them we described two new associations: Cuscuto cesatianae-Phyletum nodiflorae and Onobrychido caput-galli-Vulpietum fasciculatae.

Phytosociological study of weeds of wheat crop under edaphic variation: A case study from district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Phytosociological study of weeds of wheat crop under edaphic variation: A case study from district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Phytosociological study of the forest vegetation of Kyiv urban area (Ukraine)

Abstract The study presents a floristic-sociological classification of the forest vegetation of Kyiv urban area. We identified 18 syntaxa within 7 classes, 7 orders, 8 alliances, and 3 new associations were allocated (Aristolochio clematitis-Populetum nigrae, Galio aparines-Aceretum negundi, Dryopterido carthusianae-Pinetum sylvestris). We analyzed vegetation data using quantitative approaches of ordination and phytoindication. Considering many relevés of transitional nature in the collected data on urban forests, the clustering algorithm of DRSA (Distance-Ranked Sorting Algorithm) was applied to classify vegetation matrix. Large-scale comparative floristic analysis of syntaxa from different regions and countries have been conducted and summarized in differentiating tables.

IMPACT OF INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES ON BIODIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN MORNI HILLS OF WESTERN HIMALAYA

Species diversity, especially in forests, is one of the most important indices used to evaluate forest productivity, sustainability of forest communities and its ecological functioning and stand structure. Invasive alien species (IAS) are usually considered to be the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction. The present study aims to characterize estimate the species richness, dominance of certain species distribution and population structure of major species in the study areas i.e. Kalka, Morni and Pinjore forest range of Panchkula Forest Division, Haryana lies under the Shiwalik mountain range of Western Himalaya. To achieve this, phytosociological study was carried out using quadrat method to assess the impact of IAS on plant diversity. We took twenty quardrats laid down in each site (10×10m for tree layer; 3×3m for shrubby layer and 1×1m for herbaceous flora) in both, invaded sites and control sites (without any IAS). In the study sites, Lantana camara was the major threat to the native flora. In general, diversity index (H) was higher at control site, however, species richness was found to be more in Lantana infested sites for trees and more or less equal for herbs and shrubs in control sites. This indicates the invasion of L. camara after the establishment of tree species in study sites. In all sites, the seedlings have significant more number than saplings and trees. But the conversion of saplings into trees was poor as well as the production of seedlings and their survival rate was very less or drastically reduced. Thus, there is an urgent need of conservation and management of alien invasive species in Himalayas and other parts of Indian forests. Lantana camara infestation can be managed if we utilize it for making handmade papers, handicrafts, baskets, toys, etc. by involving the self help groups and village forest communities.

Pedoforms Microclimate and Seasonal Forest Structure in Médio Vale do Paraíba

Abstract In the Rio de Janeiro State, the Atlantic Forest is restricted to small fragments, responsible for the maintenance of environmental services. These fragments occur on steep slopes dominated by concave and convex pedoforms, capable of changing the local microclimate conditions. To preserve these communities, it is necessary to determine the level of influence of these pedoforms on forests structure and species distribution. Thus, we performed a phytosociological study and installed a set of four sensors to determine the monthly mean of air temperature and relative humidity in concave and concave pedoforms. The forest structure and the microclimate averages are compared by the Levene’s T-test. We observed differences between microclimatic average, importance value indexes (IVIs) and total height, indicating that microclime variations can influence the structure and composition of the tree community. However, these structure differences are punctual and insufficient to determine specific communities.

Syntaxonomy of open oak forests on basalt formations in north Lebanon

This phytosociological study of the Dreib Region in Akkar-Lebanonis the first on basaltic bedrockin Lebanon. Thesynusial methods isused and compared bynumerical classification. The latter shows satisfactory results when compared to the synusial manual classification. The followingplant associations are defined:Quercetum veneris–ithaburensis, Calicotomo villosae –Rhamnetum punctati, Eryngio cretici –Echietum angustifolii and Sileno aegyptiacae –Isatidetum lusitanicae.Consequently, the alliance Quercion ithaburensi is stated for the first time in Lebanon. Vegetationseries for progressive and regressive successions are also produced. Further relevés are required to consolidate additional associations that are depicted from both synusial and numerical vegetation classifications.

A phytosociological analysis of the Olea europaea L. var. sylvestris (Mill.) Lehr. forests in Sicily

This paper presents a phytosociological study on the forest vegetation of Olea europaea var. sylvestris of Sicily and of the smaller minor islands. In Sicily, Oleaster formations show considerable climacic potentiality in the bioclimactic belts between the infra- and the thermomediterranean with single edapho-climacic penetrations that are also in the mesomediterranean; however, these were largely destroyed by man in order to make room for crops. Furthermore, the residual expressions of the Oleaster forests are limited, and often exist as regenerated woodland made possible by the abandonment of agricultural land; they are often small forest nuclei – high maquis, woods and micro-woods – with a more or less discontinuous distribution within the agricultural landscape. The fieldwork is supported by 120 phytosociological surveys carried out in various areas of Sicily, which were statistically analyzed and compared with other published data from surveys of other communities that have been described for the Tyrrhenian (Sardinia and Corsica) and Balearic Islands up until now. The phytosociological and statistical analysis has led to the description of three new associations two of which are classified in the Oleo-Ceratonion alliance (Ruto chalepensis-Oleetum sylvestris and Chamaeropo humilis-Oleetum sylvestris), the third in the Erico-Quercion ilicis alliance (Calicotomo infestae-Oleetum sylvestris).

Phytosociological study of forest, maquis and coastal vegetation of Karpaz Peninsula (Cyprus Island)

Phytosociological study of forest, maquis and coastal vegetation of Karpaz Peninsula (Cyprus Island)

CARACTERÍSTICAS FITOSSOCIOLÓGICAS DA ARBORIZAÇÃO VIÁRIA DE BONITO-MS

Diagnosis through the street trees’ assessment is fundamental to the planning and maintenance of this asset, in order to maximize the benefits provided by the urban trees. Phytosociological studies allow an improvement of the data analysis obtained from the inventory, however they are still not used often in research on this subject. Within this context, the objective of this study was to analyze the phytosociological characteristics of the street trees of Bonito-MS, from the data obtained through a previous urban forest inventory. For this, the following factors were analyzed: frequency, density, dominance (expressed by the crown area in replace of the DBH) and importance value, calculated by the traditional method and by the Species Performance Index (IPE). Within the results, it is possible to verify that the importance value highlighted species which presented larger crown area even to the detriment of those that presented higher absolute frequency. The species with the highest frequency, density and dominance values was Licania tomentosa, and, despite the homogeneity of its planting in the municipality, this species presented high IPE value. The use of these phytosociological parameters allows a better evaluation of the adaptation and performance of the species in the municipality and assists in the decision-making of new plantings.

A phytosociological study of spring-type rice field vegetation in Angye Plains, South Korea

This phytosociological study was carried out on spring-type rice field vegetation in the Angye Plains. Field surveys were based on the method developed by the Zürich–Montpellier School of Phytosociology, which emphasizes species composition and homogeneity of the phytocenosis, and 75 relevés were obtained. We analyzed the species performance of 63 plant species appearing in the obtained relevés through 9 levels of combined cover degree and relative net contibution degree (r-NCD). We classified syntaxa by grouping the relevés. Two associations, one subassociation, and one community were classified: the Stellario-Alopecuretum amurensis (typicum subassociation and persicaretosum hydropiperae subasso. nov. hoc loco), Alopecuro-Ranunculetum scelerati, Hemistepto-Capsellietum drabetosum nemorosae, and Cardamine fallax–Alopecurus aequalis community. This study identified the Stellario-Alopecuretum persicaretosum hydropiperae and Cardamine fallax–Alopecurus aequalis communities for the first time. The spring-type rice field vegetation in the Angye Plains was considered rice field vegetation of the dry type, which reflects impact of frequent human activity and rainless climate of the Daegu regional bioclimatic subdistrict.

Nutrient stock and nutritional efficiency of woody species in dry tropical forest as reforestation indicators

ABSTRACT Efficient forest species can be indicated for reforesting environments, which present nutritional restriction. The objective of this study was to determine the nutrient stock in leaf biomass of the species of greatest importance value (IV) in a tropical dry forest fragment, as well as to evaluate the nutritional efficiency of these species as reforestation indicators. A phytosociological study of the woody species was carried out defining the ten species with the greatest IV. Three individuals of each species were selected and sampled, with 25 leaves being collected from the middle part of the crown of each individual. The N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents were determined in these leaves and the leaf biomass was estimated by an allometric equation, calculating the stock of these nutrients and the nutritional efficiency of the species. The Schinopsis brasiliensis and Mimosa tenuiflora species can be recommended in environments with restricted P availability, and Spondias tuberosa can additionally be indicated to populate areas with low levels of K and Mg in the soil. Differences in the nutritional efficiency of the species can be attributed to the differences in the absorption and translocation capacity, as well as the utilization of these nutrients.

Riparian or phreatophile woodland and shrubland vegetation in the Central Chilean biogeographic region: phytosociological study

The Mediterranean territory in Chile is an extensive area whose natural vegetation has suffered the impact of man-made activities far more severely than anywhere else in the country. Its northernmost section (the Atacama and Coquimbo regions) is characterised by ombroclimates that range from ultra-hyperarid to arid, and by highly irregular river courses with limited spaces for phreatophilic vegetation that have been exploited by humans as fertile farmlands. However, in the river valleys of the Central Chilean biogeographic province, where the ombroclimate is at least semiarid, there may be permanent watercourses that drain from the Andean mountain range towards the Pacific Ocean that contain representations of riparian or phreatophilic vegetation linked to riverbanks or alluvial terraces, in spite of the inevitable human influence. We studied the most conspicuous plant communities with the most highly developed biomass in these riparian environments, namely willow stands dominated by Salix humboldtiana and accompanied by some autochthonous woody species, in order to clarify their floristic composition and their correct ordination within the syntaxonomy of Chilean vegetation. The data collected suggest the existence of a phytosociological association: Otholobio glandulosi-Salicetum humboldtianae ass. nova, as the majority association in the Central Chilean province. Another possible association which replaces this (Baccharido salicifoliae-Myrceugenietum lanceolatae prov.) is also proposed in the transition to a humid ombroclimate and Temperate macrobioclimate.
 The floristic contents of these Chilean communities are compared with other associations dominated by Salix humboldtiana described for other territories bordering Chile: Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. However, given that they are all located in a Tropical macrobioclimate and their companion flora is therefore clearly different from the flora present in the Chilean communities, we propose the creation of a new phytosociological class to include these syntaxonomically: Mayteno boariae-Salicetea humboldtianae class. nova. This work also ascribes the association Tessario absinthioidis-Baccharidetum marginalis (representing a prior dynamic stage to Otholobio glandulosi-Salicetum humboldtianae) to the class Tessario integrifoliae-Baccharidetea salicifoliae.

Plant use values and phytosociological indicators: Implications for conservation in the Kailash Sacred Landscape, Nepal

Human communities that inhabit rural, remote, rugged and biodiverse environments adopt diverse livelihood strategies such as utilizing different ethno-ecological environments. The present study explores how people use plant resources in the context of availability and accessibility of plants and habitats, and diversity of culture. We hypothesize that people are most likely to forage the most visible and accessible plants and habitats frequently. This relationship was tested in the Darchula and Baitadi districts of the Kailash Sacred Landscape Nepal, using data from phytosociological studies and community interviews. Total use values, medicinal use values and other use values of plants were used for analyses. Plant availability was assessed by using phytosociological indicators. The accessibility was tested by using the use values of plants with reference to the site-specific explanatory variables: forest/non-forest habitat, nearby/transition/distant area, hill/mountainous district, and Himalayan endemic/Pan-Himalayan/cosmopolitan distribution. A weak association between plant use values and plant availability and site accessibility was recorded. However, the plant use value was influenced by ecological (Shannon diversity, species richness) and cultural indicators (preference for specific products and recognition) and varied at the level of use category (medicinal and non-medicinal). Higher medicinal use values at Darchula district indicate that the knowledge of plant collection and use was more dependent on quality of products and directed harvesting and less influenced by availability of resources and accessibility of sites. Since plant apparency was not found to always be the most important indicator, social and cultural factors appear to be as the most influential indicators.

Phytosociological Studies in Alpine Pasture of Tikkagahar, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

A study was carried out to know the status of plant diversity in the alpine pasture of Tikkagahar, district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh during the year, 2017. A total of 75 plant species belonging to 31 families and 66 genera were recorded from the study area. Out of 59 medicinal plant species recorded from the pasture, two species viz; Roscoea alpina and Selinum vaginatum fall in the category of threatened plants. The distribution pattern of most of plant species was contiguous.

Floristic composition of weeds in a dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol under the cultivation of cowpea, cv. BRS Novaera

Among the several factors that negatively influence cowpea culture, weeds have been responsible for the reduction of growth, development and productive performance of the crop, making it necessary to establish management strategies based on phytosociological studies of weed species in growing areas. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the floristic composition of weeds, aiming to identify the main species and their dynamics, and to consider their distribution in time and space as pertaining to the cultivation of a modern variety of cowpea, cv. BRS Novaera, in dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol, in the Midnorth region of the state of Piauí, Brazil. The phytosociological survey of weeds was carried out in three sessions: the first one was immediately before the area was desiccated with glyphosate (15 days before sowing the cowpea), and the others were at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS). Following the quantification of species and number of individuals, the following phytosociological parameters were calculated: frequency and relative frequency; density and relative density; abundance and relative abundance; and importance value index. It was concluded that there were few changes in the floristic composition of the weed community according to the epoch of the phytosociological surveys. The main weed plants at 20 DAS of cowpea (vegetative phase) were Chamaesyce hirta, Digitaria insularis, Alternanthera tenella, Cleome affinis, Mollugo verticillata and Portulaca oleracea. At 40 days (reproductive phase), the weed species with a large establishment and acting as potential competitors with cv. BRS Novaera cowpea were Digitaria insularis, Chamaesyce hirta and Mollugo verticillata.

Numerical classification and ordination of Esenli (Giresun) forest vegetation

The forest vegetation of Esenli Forest Planning Unit was investigated between 2015 and 2018 from the phytosociological point of view. The study area is situated in the Euxine province of Euro-Siberian Region. Phytosociological studies were carried out in accordance with the classical Braun-Blanquet methodology, and 131 releves were collected during the field survey. The releves were classified using the Modified TWINSPAN classification, and general distribution patterns of vegetation were analysed using indirect ordination analysis (Principal Component Analysis) with the R-Project available in the JUICE program. In addition to topographic factors, ecological factors were assessed using the mean Ellenberg Indicator Values to observe the ecological relationships among communities. Four new plant associations (Cirsio trachylepidis-Pinetum sylvestris, Angelico sylvestri-Alnetum barbatae, Circaeo lutetianae-Fagetum orientalis, and Veronico chamaedryo-Piceetum orientalis) were described as belonging to humid montane coniferous and thermophilous deciduous forests within four classes. Distribution pattern of plant communities was strictly influenced by altitude, inclination, moisture, nutrient content, and light.