Plant Composition Research Articles

Floristic Inventory, Diversity, and Community Structure of the Riparian and Coastal Sand Dune Landscapes in the Lower Padsan River Basin, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Padsan River basin, the largest river system in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, encompasses two vital ecological landscapes: coastal sand dunes and riparian areas. Despite its ecological importance, the floristic diversity of these landscapes still needs to be better understood and documented. A vegetation assessment was conducted to characterize the composition, diversity, and community structure of plants in the lower Padsan River landscapes. Eighteen 10 m x 10 m nested quadrats were established across six sampling stations. The study recorded 82 species of vascular plants from 80 genera and 41 families. Fifty-two percent are introduced species, 48% are native species, and 27% are invasive species. The plant life forms are composed of trees (34 spp.), herbs (17 spp.), vines (13 spp.) and grasses (9 spp.). Fabaceae and poaceae were the most species-rich plant families. Prosopis juliflora (Candaroma) was the most dominant tree species, comprising 29% of the entire population. The lower Padsan River basin landscapes exhibits moderate tree diversity (H’ = 2.7), with Shannon diversity indices ranging from 0.89 to 2.43 across sampling locations. The riparian areas showed higher tree Shannon diversity, richness, and evenness, while the coastal sand dune areas had higher tree dominance but lower Shannon diversity. The plant community structure varies between the two types of ecological landscapes (ANOSIM Global R=0.7, p<0.05). P. juliflora dominates the coastal sand dune, while a mix of the Leucaena-Pithecellobium-Terminalia community characterizes the riparian area. This study provides essential baseline information on the floristic diversity and community structure, serving as a foundation for developing an integrated river management plan and strategies for conserving important ecological landscapes in the downstream section of the Padsan River Basin.

Significance of Tissue Culture in Medicinal Plant Conservation and enhancement of Secondary metabolites by Homoeopathic intervention: A Narrative review

Aim: The objective of this study is to explore the potential of homoeopathic remedies in enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in endangered medicinal plants. Background: Plants serve as a valuable source of medicine. Plant-based medicines are known for their simplicity, efficiency, and a broad range of activity with well-documented preventative or therapeutic effects. Secondary metabolites are active chemical components found in plants that are responsible for their medicinal properties. However, population growth, increased demand, illicit trafficking is driving the depletion of medicinal plants, and many are on the verge of extinction. The synthesis of phytochemicals in plants for medicinal purpose can be improved through various tissue culture techniques and homoeopathic remedies have been found to boost the generation of secondary metabolites. Methodology and Results: A comprehensive review of the scientific literature was carried out by searching through various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Wiley, Google Scholar. Numerous investigations were conducted to assess the impact of homoeopathic remedies on the growth, phytochemical composition, and essential oil production of various medicinal plants. The most studied homoeopathic preparations were Phosphorus, Sulphur, and Silicea. Homoeopathic preparations were observed to improve photosynthetic rates by distributing greater amounts of photo-assimilated substances in the leaves, ultimately leading to enhanced growth. Homoeopathic medications work on the initial substances like pyruvic acid, ornithine and proline that contribute to the formation of shikimic acid and acetate, while providing the vital energy needed for plants to grow and flourish. These processes generate organic compounds that serve as precursors for various categories of secondary metabolites. Conclusion, Significance, and Impact of the study: Overall, the results suggest that homoeopathic preparations can positively impact the essential oil yield, growth, phytochemical profile of medicinal plants and expanded possibilities for the synthesis of pharmacologically and biologically active compounds. Research into applying homoeopathy to grow medicinal plants is highly relevant, as it's a long-standing practice aiming to optimize production and improve chemical constituent quality.

THE BEGINNING OF ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF ACCLIMATIZED GINKGO BILOBA IN UZBEKISTAN

The chemical composition of the Gingko biloba plant introduced to the temperate climate of Uzbekistan was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography. During the research, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the vitamins content of the leaves of the plant was carried out in different period. In addition, based on the results of the conducted experimental research, after proving that the plant is rich in vitamins, it was recommended for the prevention and treatment of encephalopathy diseases. At the same time, the development of new medicinal food supplements based on acclimatized G. biloba was started.

Emerging techniques for the trace elemental analysis of plants and food-based extracts: A comprehensive review

This comprehensive review investigates the dynamic landscape of trace elemental analysis methodologies applied to plants and food-based extracts. The exploration spans from the inception of techniques to the latest procedures, contributing to heightened precision and sensitivity in elemental detection. According to the WHO, herbal plants and medicine from varied soil compositions serve as crucial therapeutic agents for 70–80 % of the world's population. Yet, their susceptibility to trace element toxicity poses a significant risk to human health. Rising population and increased food demands have led to environmental pollution, contaminating the food chain through unintended activities like industrialization, mining, and pesticide production. The elemental composition of plants and derived extracts is central to comprehending nutritional profiles, evaluating product quality, and ensuring food safety. Methodological advancements, progressing from manual procedures to sophisticated technologies such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), neutron activation analysis (NAA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are delineated. Recent strides in paper-based electrochemical sensors are highlighted for their distinctive capabilities and elucidation of associated advantages and limitations.Moreover, the review delves into innovative sample preparation methodologies, encompassing microwave-assisted digestion and solid-phase microextraction, to amplify the efficiency of elemental extraction and subsequent analysis. Integrating data analytics and machine learning in elucidating complex elementary datasets is explored, underscoring the potential for heightened accuracy and automation in trace elemental analysis. This review compiles literature data, summarizing sample preparation methods for various herbal parts (roots, soil, stems, bark, fruits, food). Standard protocols from WHO, United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-FR), Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) are considered. Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic are the primary toxic elements of concern in herbal medicines. This review furnishes valuable insights tailored for researchers, analysts, and policymakers actively involved in advancing the domain of trace elemental analysis in plants and food-based extract.

Land management and factors influencing agroforestry adoption on potato farmlands in the Dieng Plateau, Indonesia

Abstract. Pujiwinarko A, Soeprobowati TR, Kismartini. 2024. Land management and factors influencing agroforestry adoption on potato farmlands in the Dieng Plateau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2623-2641. The Dieng area in Indonesia has long experienced agricultural land degradation, and intensive potato monoculture farming is one of the leading causes. Vegetative-based programs such as agroforestry have been implemented, but the level of adoption still needs to improve. This research aims to evaluate land management systems and analyze practices and the factors influencing agroforestry adoption of potato farming land in Dieng. We surveyed 260 potato farmers and interviewed 12 Key Informant Interviews (KII). Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, descriptive statistics, and narrative approaches. Our research found changes in how potato farmers manage land regarding planting frequency and mulch use. The combination of potatoes and MPTS (Multi-Purpose Tree Species) is the plant composition most commonly found in agroforestry practices. Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are the vegetables that farmers most often plant when rotating potato crops. Mountain pine (Casuarina junghuhniana Miq.) and Carica (Carica pubescens (A.DC.) Lenne & K.Koch) are the species of trees and MPTS most commonly found in the fields of potato farmers who adopt agroforestry. Farmers maintain MPTS and trees on their land due to their suitability with main food crops and economic considerations. Several factors, including the species of energy source, use of mulch, frequency of potato planting, perception of disasters, farmer interest, prices, markets, the experience of vegetative activities, and government policy, significantly influence agroforestry adoption. Considering local agricultural systems, including the presence of principal crops and their management on the land, socio-economic and farmers' perspectives are essential to further increase agroforestry adoption in Dieng.

Modern approaches to the use of Berberis Thunbergii cultivars for sustainable landscape design

Purpose. For the purposes of sustainable landscape design of the urban space, to substantiate new modern nature-oriented solutions for the use of dwarf cultivars of the Berberis Thunberg species. Methods. Visual assessment, computer modeling and visualization. Results. One of the aspects of realizing the goals of sustainable development, namely Sustainable development of cities and communities, is the rationalization of living space in cities. An integral part of this process is the aesthetic arrangement of territories, which ensures sustainable landscape design. The design of flower arrangements, flower beds can and should change, be updated, absorb new things. One of the ways of realizing such a context when creating permanent flower beds is the use of metal frame structures, which solve the task of creating a contrast with the colors of decorative plant compositions. The choice of the color of the metal frame should be subject to the thematic and landscape context. In order to give graphicness to decorative plant compositions from cultivars of Berberis thunbergii species, the expediency of horizontal contouring of the plant ornament with metal structures with a width of contour lines of 3–5% of the linear dimensions of the structure is shown. Modeling of structures was carried out using the program Realtime Landscaping Architect 2023.02, Trial Free Version. The use of the color solution, shape, texture of the modeled structures, the use of contour lighting of the decorative-but-foliage installation is substantiated. Cultivars of Berberis Thunberg are given, which are appropriate for use, the life span of which can reach 50 years under the conditions of performing the necessary minimum care. Conclusions. The creation of permanent, aesthetically expressive flower beds and flower beds involves not only the use of environmentally friendly materials, but also the choice of local or adaptive decorative cultivars that provide all-season decorativeness, the absence of the need for annual renewal of plant material, artificial watering, and the creation of a habitat for pollinators and birds The use of cultivars of the Berberis Thunberg species contributes to the creation of stable flower beds that are able to preserve their decorative characteristics for a long time. The most harmoniously proposed compositions will be revealed in the presence of dynamic visual points, a deep perspective and a panoramic view.

Coexpression enhances cross-species integration of single-cell RNA sequencing across diverse plant species

Single-cell RNA sequencing is increasingly used to investigate cross-species differences driven by gene expression and cell-type composition in plants. However, the frequent expansion of plant gene families due to whole-genome duplications makes identification of one-to-one orthologues difficult, complicating integration. Here we demonstrate that coexpression can be used to trim many-to-many orthology families down to identify one-to-one gene pairs with proxy expression profiles, improving the performance of traditional integration methods and reducing barriers to integration across a diverse array of plant species.

Changes in the elemental composition of agrocenosis components on gray forest soil under long-term application of mineral and organic fertilizers

The paper analyzes the elemental composition of soils and plants of agrocenosis on the gray forest soil of Vladimir opolye under long-term application of mineral and organic fertilizers. The content of total and mobile forms of Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe and the content of these elements in aboveground plant organs, as well as changes in the main agrochemical characteristics that can affect the availability of elements to plants were evaluated. It is shown that the application of mineral fertilizers contributes to soil acidification, increase in the content of organic carbon, mobile forms of phosphorus. At the same time, the variants with joint application of mineral and organic fertilizers are subject to less change of these characteristics, which may be due to the increased buffering capacity of the soil with respect to the components coming with mineral salts, due to the applied organic matter. Introduction of Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe into agrocenosis with fertilizers (organic and mineral) did not affect the gross content of metals in soil. There was a change in the content of mobile forms of metals in the soil due to changes in agrochemical parameters of soils. Changes in the content of trace elements in plant products were recorded. The reduction of Zn, Cu content in plants on the variants with more intensive use of fertilizers (and with higher yield) is explained by "dilution effect". The low content of Co in the soil and its insufficient supply to the plants must be controlled. The joint use of data on changes in the elemental composition of soils and plants allows better differentiation of experimental variants in the space of principal components when analyzed by this method and is promising for monitoring the consequences of agrogenic load of different degrees. The results obtained can be taken into account in the formation of criteria for assessing the mineral nutrition of plants and fertilizer application rates.

Assessment of weed species composition of Cabbage family plants (Brassicaceae) of ruderal and segetal habitats of the Ussuriysk urban district of the Primorsky Territory

The data on the species composition of weeds from the Cabbage family (Brassicaceae) that grow stably in the territory of the Ussuriysk urban district of the Primorsky Territory and dominate in agrocenoses are given in the article. Objectives of the study are: to summarize data on the most widespread (background) plant species of natural and adventive flora of the Cabbage family of ruderal and segetal habitats of the Ussuriysk urban district of the Primorsky Territory; to note the species listed in the "Black Book of Flora of the Far East" and growing within the limits of the urban district; to cite the species composition of herbaceous plants of the Cabbage family found in the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve. Field studies were conducted using the traditional route-reconnaissance method in 2010–2023. Phenological observations, geobotanical descriptions of identified habitats, collection, identification of herbarium material and photographing of objects from growing sites were carried out. Of the 23 species of Brassicaceae cited in the paper, ten are invasive in the ecosystems of the Far Eastern Federal District: Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., Mey. et Scherb., Berteroa incana (L.) DC., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., Bunias orientalis L., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., Hesperis matronalis L., Lepidium densiflorum Schrad., Thlaspi arvense L., Turritis glabra L., Velarum officinale (L.) Reichenb. Most of them, with the exception of B. juncea, C. bursa-pastoris and Th. arvense, are classified as plants that do not cause significant damage at this stage of development. Ruderal habitats are also sites of biodiversity conservation. In the V.L. Komarov Ussuriysky Nature Reserve, 16 species of Cabbage, of which Barbarea orthoceras, B. incana, and Th. arvense are segetal, were identified on the territory of the Ussuriysk Urban District.

Phytochemical characterization and antibacterial evaluation of crude saps from medicinal plants in Palestinian cuisine

The emergence and evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has shifted interest in herbal therapy. Plants have long been a source of anti-infective compounds. This study investigated the antibacterial activity and phytochemical composition of various Palestinian plants against five human pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial activity was determined using the Agar Diffusion Method (ADM), as well as the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Broth Microdilution (BMD) assays. The successful ADM bacterial inhibition zones employing plant extracts were Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. (E. camaldulensis) 9.35 mm, Allium sativum L. (A. sativum) 8.35 mm, Ceratonia siliqua L. (C. siliqua) 7.85 mm, and Amygdalus communis L. (A. communis) 7.85 mm. The MIC50 values against the tested microorganisms varied from 5.69 to 398.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, the MIC50 values for Gram-positive bacteria varied from 5.69 to 233.88 mg/mL, whereas the values for Gram-negative bacteria ranged from 28.65 to 398.5 mg/mL. Most species of bacteria were effectively inhibited by E. camaldulensis and A. sativum extracts. For Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the MIC50 values for E. camaldulensis were 39.01-40.38 and 31.60-85.37 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC50 values for A. sativum against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were 5.69-14.85 mg/mL and 38.98-200.11 mg/mL, respectively. The phytochemicals such as flavonoids, steroids, proteins, carbohydrates, and alkaloids in varying amounts, may explain their diverse capability to inhibit bacteria. The present study showed that E. camaldulensis, A. sativum, C. siliqua and A. communis are valuable Palestinian medicinal plants that contain antibacterial agents against the tested bacterial species. However, this study serves as a foundation for further pharmaceutical studies.

Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential, Metabolite Composition and Inorganic Profile of Cistus monspeliensis L. Aerial Parts and Roots.

This work focuses on Cistus monspeliensis L. aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) extracts, investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the two organs in comparison. At dosages between 1.56 and 6.25 µg/mL, both extracts showed a protective effect against LPS inflammatory stimulus on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Interestingly, only R was able to significantly reduce both IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA gene expression in the presence of LPS. Moreover, the treatment of a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) with AP and R at 6.25 µg/mL increased the cell survival rate by nearly 20% after H2O2 insult. However, only R promoted mitochondria survival, exhibited a significantly higher production of ATP and a higher activity of the enzyme catalase than the control. Both AP and R had similar primary metabolites; in particular, they both contained 1-O-methyl-epi-inositol. Labdane and methoxylated flavonoids were the most characteristic compounds of AP, while R contained mainly catechins, gallic acid, and pyrogallol derivatives. Considering the importance of elemental composition in plants, the inorganic profile of AP and R was also investigated and compared. No potentially toxic elements, such as Pb, were detected in any sample.

Effects of nitric oxide on composition of the isolated essential oil from Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae), under the cadmium stress

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the heavy metals that cause environmental pollution and biochemical changes in plants grown in contaminated soils. In plants, sodium nitroprusside is used as a nitric oxide (NO) release agent. In this research, a glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to examine the effect of exogenous NO on the essential oil composition of the savory plant, Satureja hortensis, under the Cd stress. For this, the plants were treated by different levels of Cd concentration including 0 (control), 75, 100, and 150 µM in the contaminated soil. Plants were also foliar sprayed with concentrations of 0 (control), 50, 100, and 200 µM NO. The results indicated that carvacrol was the main compound in all examined essential oils. Also, there were significant differences among the essential compounds under treatments of Cd and NO. Moreover, the differences among minor constituents were not significant in most of treatments. In apposite, carvacrol (approximately 60% of total volume) showed a significant difference than the others. The results indicated the role of exogenous agents on the changes of essential oil constituents in S. hortensis.

The Genus Hyssopus: Traditional Use, Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Properties.

According to modern concepts, the genus Hyssopus L. includes seven plant species (Hyssopus ambiguus (Trautv.) Iljin ex Prochorov. & Lebel; Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss; Hyssopus latilabiatus C.Y.Wu & H.W. Li; Hyssopus macranthus Boriss.; Hyssopus officinalis L.; Hyssopus seravschanicus (Dubj.) Pazij; Hyssopus subulifolius (Rech.f.) Rech.f.). The plants are rich in various groups of biologically active substances with a wide spectrum of pharmacological action. This review presents a modern comprehensive overview of the botanical research, extraction methods, chemical composition and pharmacological activity of plants of the genus Hyssopus L. As a result of the review, it was established that the chemical composition of plant extracts of the genus Hyssopus L. depends on various factors (place of growth, weather conditions, chemotypes, extraction methods, etc.). For the further use of the plants, the extraction methods and low-molecular metabolites isolated from them (mono- and sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc.) are discussed. The data from the review provide an assessment of the relevance.

The Low Congruence between Plant and Animal Diversity in Field Ridges of Intensively Managed Paddy Landscapes, China.

Field ridges are commonly viewed as the stable semi-natural habitats for maintaining plant diversity in the agricultural landscape. The high plant diversity could further support higher animal diversity. But following the adoption of well-facilitated farmland construction measures in China, many field ridges have been disproportionately neglected or destroyed. Empirical studies delineating the relationships between plant and animal diversity in these field ridges in the paddy landscape remain scant, especially in China, which has the most rice production. A two-year field ridge evaluation was conducted in the Chengdu Plain area, covering 30 paddy landscapes. This investigation scrutinizes the shape attributes of field ridges, their plant diversity, and the associated animal α-diversity and community compositions, including spiders, carabids, birds, frogs, and rice planthoppers. In the results of Pearson's correlation analysis, a significant inconsistent correlation was observed between plant diversity and animal diversity. The analysis of community structure heterogeneity also revealed no correspondence for species composition between plant and animal communities (i.e., spiders, carabids, and birds), while the non-metric multidimensional scale analysis indicated a substantial difference in the species composition of spiders or plants even within the same field ridge between 2020 and 2021. We argue that the implementation of intensive management practices in paddy landscapes, such as machine ploughing and harvesting and herbicide spraying with drones, leads to a scarcity of stable animal and plant communities in field ridges. Therefore, besides retaining these field ridges in paddy landscapes, maintaining the long-term stable ridges by refraining from herbicide spraying or artificial weeding, as well as avoiding winter wheat cultivating in field ridges, will contribute to protecting biodiversity of field ridges as semi-natural habitats.

Біорізноманіття гідрологічного заказника «Луга» у межах міста Володимир (Волинська область)

According to the results of the research, it was established that the flora of vascular plantsof the Luga River is 119 species, the faunal complex is represented by 80 species of animals ofthe mammal class – 3 species, birds – 23 species, amphibians – 2 species, fish rays – 6 species,earthworms –1 species, crustaceans – 2 species, arachnids – 2 species, insects – 28 species,molluscs – 12 species. The following families are the most numerous in terms of the number ofgenera and speciesAsteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Polygonaceae,Rosaceae. It is these families that have the greatest floristic diversity and occupy a leading placein the study area, and their spectrum is evidence of a strong anthropogenic influence on thevegetation cover.Various biotopes have formed in the floodplain of the Luga River and along its periphery,which differ in structure and varying degrees of transformation. The plant species composition ofthe floodplain of the Luga River is represented by typical aquatic, coastal-aquatic macrophytesand mesophytic forbs of floodplain meadows. The largest areas are occupied by monodominantgroups of Phragmites australis and Glyceria maxima, in smaller measures Typha latifolia. Theanimal world of the Luga River and its floodplain is represented by 16 species of hydrobiontsand 13 species of amphibiotic animals. Mammalia – 1 species, Aves – 6 species, Amphibia – 2species, Actinopterygii – 6 species, Crustacea – 1 species, Insecta – 6 species, Bivalvia – 2species, Gastropoda – 6 species.The marginal biotopes of the terraces are characterized by the dominance of ruderalcommunities with a significant participation of adventive plant species. The rarity component ofthe flora is represented by rare groups of yellow pitcher plants (Nuphareta luteae). Intensiveprocesses of natural overgrowth of the Luga River bed have been noted, which causes the flow toslow down, silt to accumulate, and the species composition of plants and animals to change. Thestudy area is characterized by high phytocenotic activity Аcer negиndo, Echinocуstis lobata,Solidago canadensis, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Heracleum mantegazzianumm etc. The animalworld of the edge terraces is represented by 64 species of animals. Mammalia – 3 species, Aves– 20 species, Amphibia – 2 species, Crustacea – 1 species, Arachnida – 2 species, Insecta – 28species, Gastropoda – 4 species.The main trends and threats caused by the anthropogenic factor have been identified:increased recreational load and accompanying degradation of vegetation due to direct impact onareas of mass gathering of vacationers, which leads to the disappearance of typical coastal-waterspecies of plants and animals associated with them, transformation as a result of anthropogeniceutrophication, which leads to a change in the structure of macrophyte and hydrobiontcommunities. The transformation of plant cover and animal complexes takes place in thedirection of replacing natural species with apophytes and adventitious plant species,synanthropic animal species and plant pests that are more resistant to anthropogenic influence.

Holocene Neolithic human activity shaped ecosystem functions through the altering of vegetation traits in Zhejiang, eastern China

Since the Holocene, long–term human activities have altered the composition, structure, and function of ecosystems, yet uncertainty remains regarding the underlying mechanism of a variety of vegetation responses to both natural and anthropogenic forces. In this study, we collected and categorized 37 fossil pollen records from Zhejiang, a region characterized by continuous Neolithic Cultures in eastern China, into natural and human–impacted sites. The aim was to reconstruct past long–term changes in plant traits and to investigate variations in ecosystem functioning under the pressure of natural climate shifts and anthropogenic disturbances. Our findings reveal that, during the Holocene, plant functional traits at natural sites gradually adapted to warmer and wetter conditions, with the natural functional dispersion (FDis) showing a steady decrease between 9.0 and 4.0 cal ka BP. At human–impacted sites, intensified human activities gradually transformed the landscape from forest to grassland and shrubland, allowing light–demanding vegetation to thrive due to extended canopy gaps. Pioneer plants flourished in the secondary succession, leading communities to exhibit more aggressive resource acquisition strategies compared to a natural community. With the progression of agriculture towards intensive practices, ancestors might have expanded their original ecological niches by shaping a landscape encompassing a gradient of grasslands, shrublands, and forests, leading to an increase in plant diversity and a reversal in the trend of decreasing FDis. Higher functional diversity is considered a potential factor in maintaining ecosystem stability. Neolithic human activities, by modifying plant composition, community structure, and shaping landscape gradients, probably contributed to enhancing the stability of past terrestrial ecosystems.

Changes in above- versus belowground biomass distribution in permafrost regions in response to climate warming

Permafrost regions contain approximately half of the carbon stored in land ecosystems and have warmed at least twice as much as any other biome. This warming has influenced vegetation activity, leading to changes in plant composition, physiology, and biomass storage in aboveground and belowground components, ultimately impacting ecosystem carbon balance. Yet, little is known about the causes and magnitude of long-term changes in the above- to belowground biomass ratio of plants (η). Here, we analyzed η values using 3,013 plots and 26,337 species-specific measurements across eight sites on the Tibetan Plateau from 1995 to 2021. Our analysis revealed distinct temporal trends in η for three vegetation types: a 17% increase in alpine wetlands, and a decrease of 26% and 48% in alpine meadows and alpine steppes, respectively. These trends were primarily driven by temperature-induced growth preferences rather than shifts in plant species composition. Our findings indicate that in wetter ecosystems, climate warming promotes aboveground plant growth, while in drier ecosystems, such as alpine meadows and alpine steppes, plants allocate more biomass belowground. Furthermore, we observed a threefold strengthening of the warming effect on η over the past 27 y. Soil moisture was found to modulate the sensitivity of η to soil temperature in alpine meadows and alpine steppes, but not in alpine wetlands. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the processes driving the response of biomass distribution to climate warming, which is crucial for predicting the future carbon trajectory of permafrost ecosystems and climate feedback.

How plant composition in margins influences the assemblage of pests and predators and its effect on biocontrol in melon fields

Many agricultural landscapes offer few resources for maintaining natural enemy populations and floral plantings have frequently been adopted to enhance biological pest control in crops. However, restored margins may harbour both pests and natural enemies. The aim was to compare the abundance of pests and natural enemies in three types of margins (unmanaged, sown herbaceous floral strips and shrubby hedgerows) as well as in adjacent melon fields. Besides, yield was compared among melon fields as way of testing the effect of the type of margin on biocontrol. The research was carried out during 2 years in twelve melon fields from four different locations in southern Spain. Arthropods were sampled periodically in margins and melon fields by visual inspections and Berlese extraction. Hedgerow and floral strips hosted higher numbers of both pests and predators than unmanaged margins. Besides, hedgerows had a similar or higher number of natural enemies than floral strips but lower number of pests. In just a few occasions, the type of margin had a significant effect on the abundance of pests and natural enemies in melon fields, but rarely there was consistency between the two growing seasons. No differences were found in yield. We hypothesised that the lack of association in the abundances of pests and natural enemies between margins and melon fields could be attributed to the overriding effects of the landscape and/or the internal population dynamics of arthropods in melon fields. Overall, shrubby hedgerows are more recommended than herbaceous floral strips.

Element composition of several marine macrophytes (Crimea, Black Sea) and correlations with the element abundances in sediments and seawater

The study of the element accumulation in marine plants against the backdrop of permanently increasing environmental pollution is of particular importance due to the participation of these plants in biogeochemical cycles. The element abundances are highly variable and depend on both the macrophyte species and environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the elemental composition of widespread marine plants of different taxonomic affiliations collected in the same area of the Black Sea coast. The contents of 74 elements in three species of lower (red, brown, green algae) and one species of higher plants (seagrass) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. High contents of most elements were found in the red alga Ceramium ciliatum and in rhizomes of the seagrass Zostera noltei. In C. ciliatum, high metal bioaccumulation factors were found, which are dependent also on their concentration in the environment. Compared to the higher plant, all the macroalgae accumulated increased amounts of As and I. The seagrass proved to be a good concentrator of Mo and Sb, and relatively high contents of Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Ir were registered in its leaves. High contents of Mg, S, Ge, Se and Ta were found in the green alga Ulva rigida, and elevated levels of Al, As, Sr, Zr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ba and Re were noted in the brown alga Gongolaria barbata. The enrichment factors for most elements in the sediments were well above 1 with respect to both the local Late Pleistocene sediments and the upper continental crust. The strength of correlations between the element contents in the plants and sediments was found to decrease with the specific surface area growth and appeared to have a lower asymptotic limit of the sediments–seawater correlation strength.

Shedding light on overlooked pollinators: Global insights into floral interactions of velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae and Myrmosidae)

AbstractPlant–animal interactions constitute a recurrent and central focus in ecological research, with pollination representing one of its most extensively studied aspects. While certain insect orders have traditionally received considerable attention due to their abundance as flower visitors and their efficiency in pollination, it is undeniable that the significance of other less popular and neglected flower visitors cannot be overlooked. In this regard, velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae and Myrmosidae) constitute an excellent study model, as the knowledge of their ecology (e.g., their feeding preferences) is still very limited despite being reported as common flower visitors. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive global review of velvet ant floral visitation patterns using citizen science data, literature records and unpublished data. We used network metrics to explore their flower‐visit preferences on a global scale, as well as depending on the bioregion where the interaction was recorded and the sex of the velvet ants. In addition, we explored their potential role as pollen vectors examining the number of photographic records where velvet ants had pollen attached to their bodies. Our analyses revealed that velvet ants are generalist flower visitors of a wide range of plant families, with Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rhamnaceae and Fabaceae as the most visited. Despite differences in flowering plant and velvet ant composition across bioregions causing differences in plant‐velvet ant interactions, velvet ants visited flowering plants in a generalistic way across the globe. Males and females seemed to visit different plant communities, with males being more generalist than females. Furthermore, 42.7% (likely an underestimation) of the photographic records of velvet ants visiting flowers showed pollen attached to their bodies in the same way as in other pollinating insects, suggesting the same potential role as pollinators. There remains ample scope for ongoing investigation to comprehensively assess the importance of numerous arthropods, including velvet ants, not only as flower visitors but also as potential pollinators.