Plant Cover Research Articles

Azolla cultivation enables phosphate extraction from inundated former agricultural soils

To combat the global loss of wetlands and their essential functions, the restoration and creation of wetlands is imperative. However, wetland development is challenging when soils have been in prolonged agricultural use, often resulting in a substantial nutrient legacy, especially of phosphorous (P). Inundating these soils typically leads to P mobilization, resulting in poor water quality and low biodiversity recovery. As a potential novel means to overcome this challenge, we tested whether cultivation of the floating fern Azolla filiculoides could simultaneously extract and recycle P, and provide a commercial product. Azolla has high growth rates due to the nitrogen fixing capacity of its microbiome and is capable of luxury consumption of P. Azolla cultivation may also accelerate soil P mobilization and subsequent extraction by causing surface water anoxia and the release of iron-bound P. To test this approach, we cultivated Azolla on 15 P-rich former agricultural soils in an indoor mesocosm experiment. Soils were inundated and either left unvegetated or inoculated with A. filiculoides during two 8-week cultivation periods. Biomass was harvested at different intervals (weekly/monthly/bimonthly) to investigate the effect of harvesting frequency on oxygen (O2) and nutrient dynamics. We found that Azolla attained high growth rates only on soils with high mobilization of labile P, as plant cover did not reduce surface water O2 concentrations in the first phase after inundation. This concurred with low porewater iron to P ratios (<10) and high porewater P concentrations. A. filiculoides cultivation substantially reduced surface water nutrient concentrations and extracted P at rates up to 122 kg ha−1 yr−1. We conclude that rapid P extraction by A. filiculoides cultivation is possible on soils rich in labile P, offering new perspectives for wetland rehabilitation. Additional field trials are recommended to investigate long-term feasibility, seasonal variations, and the influence of potential grazers and pathogens.

Experimental warming and nitrogen deposition in clear‐cuts and forest edges: Assessing impacts on plant communities and tree seedling performance

AbstractQuestionsDo nitrogen deposition and climate warming affect tree seedlings and plant communities in different habitats? In these habitats, how do microenvironments, including soil properties and, when applicable, edge effects relate to plant performance?LocationThe University of British Columbia Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.MethodsWe assessed performance of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don and Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. planted tree seedlings and associated vascular plant communities. Performance of tree seedlings (height) and under vascular plant communities (percent cover) were examined in an experiment with warming (open‐top chambers) and nitrogen deposition (ammonium nitrate applied at 10 kg N ha−1 year−1) treatments applied to subplots in six forest edges and six clear‐cuts (N = 298 total subplots).ResultsIn clear‐cuts, tree seedling height increased with experimental warming and differed among species, and vascular plant cover increased with warming. In clear‐cuts, species identity, not soil variables, was a strong predictor of height, and plant cover was negatively related to pH. In forest edges, edge position and some soil variables were related to height, but not plant cover. There were no interaction effects found between experimental nitrogen deposition and warming.ConclusionsOur results suggest that moderate warming can enhance tree seedling height and understorey vascular plant cover in clear‐cuts in Pacific Northwest coastal ecosystems, but low nitrogen deposition may not have an effect alone or synergistically with warming.

“Evaluating the impact of climate change on drought risk in semi-arid region using GIS technique”

This GIS study examines how climate change affects drought risk in semi-arid regions. Semi-arid regions are especially vulnerable to droughts due to rising global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. The study analyses drought trends using diverse dataset, including climate projections, geographical information, and environmental parameters. The study incorporated temperature, precipitation, and moisture data, alongside land cover, soil type, and land usage information. Sabarmati River Basin residents and ecosystems need drought management and adaptation. We studied climate change using temperature, precipitation, and moisture data. Plant cover, soil type, and land usage indicated regional drought. GIS, meteorological, and environmental data projected drought. Drought risk model includes LULC, VCI, LST, SMI, and NDDI by integrating all parameters such as LULC, NDVI, Rainfall, etc. all meteorological and environmental data using GIS. Climate and land use changes increased drought risk in the study region. GIS-based drought indices and risk assessment models quantify and map drought intensity, frequency, and duration under different climate change scenarios. The results help semi-arid regions develop adaptive drought risk management strategies. This interdisciplinary approach emphasises the ability of GIS for assessing and mitigating climate-induced drought occurrences.

The Effect of Irrigation With Treated Sewage Effluent of Parand City on Growth Traits and Concentration of Nutrients (N, P and K) in Three Cover Plants

The Effect of Irrigation With Treated Sewage Effluent of Parand City on Growth Traits and Concentration of Nutrients (N, P and K) in Three Cover Plants

Spatiotemporal patterns of microclimatic buffering in relict alpine communities

AbstractQuestionsIn alpine landscapes, topography creates a mosaic of microclimatic niches that might prevent local extinctions, but the influence of this spatial heterogeneity on plant communities is largely unknown. Here we ask (1) how soil microclimatic variation is comparable at temporal and spatial scales, and (2) how such variation influences species composition and local extinctions in relict alpine communities.LocationPicos de Europa National Park, northern Spain.MethodsWe resurveyed permanent plots in four alpine sites following the recording of soil temperatures (temporal survey) for 10 years. We then sampled the spatial variation in species composition and microclimatic temperatures in 80 plots around the permanent plots (spatial survey). We evaluated the variation of six microclimatic indices between the temporal and the spatial surveys, and calculated the temporal trends observed in species cover. We finally predicted local extinction rates under microclimatic scenarios based on the observed microclimate–community relations.ResultsDespite high interannual variation, we found a 10‐year trend of temperature warming on (microridge) fellfields and (microvalley) snowbeds. Microclimatic variation was larger in space than in time, with little temperature variation in snowbeds and extreme low temperatures recorded in fellfields. Species composition was mainly influenced by growing degree days (GDD) and freezing degree days (FDD), which were both related to snow cover duration. Plant cover of 16 species (out of 36 frequent species) showed significant responses to microclimatic variation. Local extinctions were mainly predicted under relatively hotter and more freezing conditions.ConclusionsOur results support the idea that microclimatic spatial heterogeneity can reduce the negative influence of climate change on alpine plant communities. However, a continuous reduction of snow cover will result in a tipping point beyond which the buffer effect of this spatial heterogeneity will not be effective in protected microsites, leading to community homogenization. This process may have started in relict alpine communities where species from snowy microclimates are being outcompeted by species adapted to below‐zero winter temperatures.

Density-dependent facilitation and inhibition between submerged and free-floating plants

This study aimed at testing the hypothesis that free-floating plants may facilitate the growth of submerged plants under hypertrophic conditions and intermediate plant density. The effects of Lemna presence on the growth of two submerged plants (Elodea nuttallii and Ceratophyllum demersum) over a nitrogen gradient were experimentally investigated. This was complemented with analysing the presence of C. demersum and E. nuttallii in Hungary and in Germany in relation to the density of free-floating plants. Results showed a negative exponential pattern between underwater light intensity and Lemna cover. Ceratophyllum and Elodea relative growth rate decreased with increasing nitrogen concentrations and additional low Lemna density stimulated Ceratophyllum and suppressed Elodea. Elodea decreased linearly with Lemna density while Ceratophyllum showed a unimodal response. Total algal biomass (epiphytic and planktonic) was higher in Ceratophyllum than in Elodea treatments and decreased rapidly with increasing Lemna density. The field studies showed a positive relationship between Ceratophyllum and a negative one between Elodea and free-floating plant cover. This study clearly showed that free-floating plants can have either facilitating or inhibiting impact on the growth of submerged plants depending on cover density and macrophyte species. The facilitating effect on Ceratophyllum is most likely due to suppressing epiphytic algal growth.

Shrub interaction with oak seedlings under high herbivory pressure: The role of ontogeny, drought, and plant competition

Land use changes occurring during the last decades have caused new challenges in forest management of Mediterranean ecosystems, such as overpopulation of wild ungulates. This is causing serious impacts on forest regeneration, particularly increased seedling mortality of dominant tree species. This study aims to unravel whether oak seedlings could be facilitated by non-palatable shrubs under herbivory and drought stress to improve assisted oak regeneration. For this purpose, we planted one- and two-year-old seedlings of an evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) in a Mediterranean open shrubland, considering three factors: herbivore exposure (with or without herbivores), seedling age (one- vs. two-year-old seedlings), and shrub cover (seedlings planted under non-palatable shrubs Cistus ladanifer or in open microsites). We evaluated seedling survival and performance monthly along the growing season (February-September), and measured physiological traits in May, just prior to the drought season. Our results revealed that herbivores, mostly wild boar (Sus scrofa), were the main cause of mortality from February to late May, while drought was responsible of mortality from early June to September. Almost all seedlings died within the first year of plantation after a severe long summer. Leaf predawn water potential and leaf stomatal conductance of one-year-old seedlings were lower under shrubs than in open microsites, a negative effect of shrubs that was not evident in the two-year-old seedlings. Plant photosynthetic performance of two-year old seedlings was higher under shrubs than in open microsites. Interestingly, the net effect of shrubs as facilitators (measured monthly through chlorophyll content) was greater in areas with no herbivores, probably due to the strong difference in herbaceous plant cover between open areas and under shrubs. Our results suggest that facilitation of Q. ilex seedlings by C. ladanifer shrub is weak under herbivory pressure and strongly depends on seedling age as shrubs seem to mostly compete for water with one-year-old seedlings and alleviate photoinhibition in two-year-old seedlings. This study reveals the possible use of two-year-old seedlings under very specific conditions, but some important inconveniences may arise as they are more stressed in the open microsites (ungulate induced mortality was similar for one and two-year old oak seedlings) and require more resources (e.g., time, energy and water) before plantation than one-year-old seedlings. We conclude that the age of plant material must be taken into account when planning oak restoration practices that can potentially benefit from the facilitative effects of shrubs under moderate biotic and abiotic stress.

The Analysis of Lawn Rebate Programs and Drought Tolerant Lawn Recommendations in California

California faces persistent cyclical droughts that are expected to worsen due to climate change. The state currently operates in an overall annual water deficit, and projections suggest a 10% reduction in water availability by 2040. To combat these water shortages, Governor Newsom's administration has unveiled a water supply strategy with substantial investments in water conservation policies, including rebate initiatives to encourage residents to replace lawns with drought-tolerant (DT) plants and non-living hardscapes. However, questions have arisen about the overall effectiveness and environmental impact of these costly programs. This study delves into the potential consequences of replacing living lawns with non-living hardscapes, specifically whether it might elevate local microclimate temperatures, akin to urban heat islands (UHI) caused by the substitution of natural land cover with man-made, impermeable surfaces. The research examines existing rebate programs across the state, assessing their reimbursement structures and variations. Surface temperatures of commonly recommended lawn alternatives are measured and compared, including comparisons between different alternatives and drought-tolerant ground cover plants. Additionally, the study includes an experiment involving a drought-tolerant ground cover seed mix to replace a traditional lawn. The findings indicate that hardscape lawn alternatives generate significantly higher temperatures than any of the drought-tolerant ground cover plants analyzed. Furthermore, there is notable temperature variability among the hardscapes studied. Consequently, this paper proposes modifications to the existing rebate programs and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that environmental solutions introduced to address one issue do not inadvertently exacerbate related problems.

First palynological results from Spila nad Procjepom cave, Mljet island (Croatia)

This paper presents the first results of palynological research from the Spila nad Procjepom cave, situated in the Mljet National Park, Croatia. The palynological data obtained, enables a partial insight into the local vegetation cover, temporal changes in the vegetation during the accumulation of studied deposits (at ca. 3500 cal years BP), and post-depositional processes that influenced the palynomorph assemblage. Results of palynofacies analysis indicate changes from fluvial (channel deposits), through palustrine to terrestrial environments. Although the interpretation of changes in plant cover, due to the lack of statistical significance, should be taken with caution, preserved pollen types confirm the dominance of the Mediterranean evergreen forest vegetation on Mljet island. Moreover, a high proportion of non-arboreal pollen (NAP) indicates some level of forest degradation, ranging from Mediterranean open forest to degraded maquis. Abundant charcoal additionaly confirms that the cave was inhabited by humans.

Biochar and vegetation effects on discharge water quality from organic-substrate green roofs

Green roofs have been increasingly used to improve stormwater management, but poor vegetation performance on roof systems, varying with vegetation type, can degrade discharge quality. Biochar has been suggested as an effective substrate additive for green roofs to improve plant performance and discharge quality. However, research on the effects of biochar and vegetation on discharge quality in the long term is lacking and the underlying mechanisms involved are unclear. We examined the effects of biochar amendment and vegetation on discharge quality on organic-substrate green roofs with pre-grown sedum mats and direct-seeded native plants for three years and investigated the key factors influencing discharge quality. Sedum mats reduced the leaching of nutrients and particulate matter by 6–64% relative to native plants, largely due to the higher initial vegetation cover of the former. Biochar addition to sedum mat green roofs resulted in the best integrated water quality due to enhanced plant cover and sorption effects. Structural equation modeling revealed that nutrient leaching was primarily influenced by rainfall depth, time, vegetation cover, and substrate pH. Although biochar-amended sedum mats showed better discharge quality from organic-substrate green roofs, additional ecosystem services may be provided by native plants, suggesting future research to optimize plant composition and cover and biochar properties for sustainable green roofs.

How Do Nitrogen Deposition, Mowing, and Deer Grazing Drive Vegetation Changes on Dune Heaths?

Heathland vegetation has undergone significant changes in the past century, e.g., due to airborne pollutants and a lack of proper management. Understanding the interactions between these factors in combination is pivotal for heathland conservation. Here, we studied the vegetation changes at a dune heath in a four-year manipulation experiment analysing the combined effects of nitrogen deposition, mowing, and deer grazing. Our results showed no significant effect of nitrogen deposition and deer grazing on plant growth and cover of dwarf shrubs within the experimental plots. However, high loads of nitrogen decreased bryophyte cover and increased the growth and cover of sand sedge Carex arenaria L. Mowing adversely affected the dwarf shrub community, e.g., the dwarf shrub species crowberry Empetrum nigrum L., and facilitated increased cover and plant growth of graminoids. Plant growth and the cover of C. arenaria increased in plots without deer grazing, whereas bryophyte cover decreased significantly without grazing. We do not recommend intensive mowing of vegetation as a conservation method for dune heaths because it promotes graminoids. From a conservation aspect, it is essential to consider the effect of deer on heathlands because they both impede some species and benefit others and mitigate the adverse effects of nitrogen deposition on dune heaths.

Early potassium fertilization in cover plant previous to soybean crop in highly weathered soil

Soybean crops are of great economic importance in Brazil due to its cultivation in different regions of the country, like in Mato Grosso with approximately 19,235.60 thousand hectares cultivated annually and a production of 86,484.30 thousand tons in the 21/22 harvest. Direct sowing has been widely used in production, the plants that precede the crop are fertilized, with increased benefits of the use of straw through nutrient cycling, and the succession crop would benefit from the potassium, being a way that guarantees greater fertilization efficiency, with potassium being released gradually into the soil. The objective was to evaluate the effect of potassium doses applied to U. ruziziensis on forage straw production and potassium availability in the soil profile cultivated with soybeans in succession. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five (5) treatments and four (4) replications, totaling twenty (20) plots. The size of each plot was 2 m wide by 3 m long (6 m²). The treatments consisted of (T0) control, (T1) 25 kg ha-1 of K2O, (T2) 50 kg ha-1 of K2O, (T3) 75 kg ha-1 of K2O, (T4) 100 kg ha-1 of K2O. Straw productivity was evaluated, potassium content was determined, and potassium accumulation by forage straw was calculated. The potassium doses provided a linear increase in straw production, potassium content and accumulation in U. ruziziensis., with the highest potassium content in the soil being obtained in the first 20 cm of soil.

Legacy of last millennium timber use on plant cover in Central Europe: Insights from tree rings and pollen

Throughout history, humans have relied on wood for constructions, tool production or as an energy source. How and to what extent these human activities have impacted plant abundance and composition over a long-term perspective is, however, not well known. To address this knowledge gap, we combined 44,239 precisely dated tree-ring samples from economically and ecologically important tree species (spruce, fir, pine, oak) from historical buildings, and pollen-based plant cover estimates using the REVEALS model from 169 records for a total of 34 1° × 1° grid cells for Central Europe. Building activity and REVEALS estimates were compared for the entire study region (4–15°E, 46–51°N), and for low (<500 m asl) and mid/high elevations (≥500 m asl) in 100-year time windows over the period 1150–1850. Spruce and oak were more widely used in wooden constructions, amounting to 35 % and 32 %, respectively, compared to pine and fir. Besides wood properties and species abundance, tree diameters of harvested individuals, being similar for all four species, were found to be the most crucial criterion for timber selection throughout the last millennium. Regarding land use changes, from the 1150–1250's onwards, forest cover generally decreased due to deforestation until 1850, especially at lower elevations, resulting in a more heterogeneous landscape. The period 1650–1750 marks a distinct change in the environmental history of Central Europe; increasing agriculture and intense forest management practices were introduced to meet the high demands of an increasing population and intensifying industrialization, causing a decrease in palynological diversity, especially at low elevations. Likely the characteristic vegetation structure and composition of contemporary landscapes originated from that period. We further show that land use has impacted vegetation composition and diversity at an increasing speed leading to a general homogenization of landscapes through time, highlighting the limited environmental benefits of even-aged plantation forestry.

Save or spend? Diverging water‐use strategies of grasses and encroaching clonal shrubs

Abstract Shrub encroachment is one of the primary threats to mesic grasslands around the world. This dramatic shift in plant cover has the potential to alter ecosystem‐scale water budgets and responses to novel rainfall regimes. Understanding divergent water‐use strategies among encroaching shrubs and the grasses they replace is critical for predicting shifts in ecosystem‐scale water dynamics as a result of shrub encroachment, particularly if drought events become more frequent and/or severe in the future. In this study, we assessed how water‐use traits of a rapidly encroaching clonal shrub (Cornus drummondii) and a dominant C4 grass (Andropogon gerardii) impact responses to changes in water availability in tallgrass prairie. We assessed intra‐annual change in depth of water uptake, turgor loss point and stomatal regulation in each species. Sampling took place at Konza Prairie Biological Station (northeastern KS, USA) during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Cornus drummondii shifted from shallow to deep soil water sources across the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. This plasticity in depth of water uptake facilitated a ‘wasteful’ water‐use strategy in C. drummondii, where stomatal conductance and transpiration rates continued to increase even when no further gain in photosynthetic rate occurred. A. gerardii photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance were more variable through time and were more responsive to changes in leaf water potential than C. drummondii. However, intra‐annual adjustment of turgor loss point was more pronounced in C. drummondii (ΔπTLP = −0.48 MPa ± 0.15 SD) than in A. gerardii (ΔπTLP = −0.29 MPa ± 0.19 SD). Synthesis. These results suggest that C. drummondii is highly resilient to changes in water availability in surface soils and will likely remain unaffected by future droughts unless they are severe enough to reduce the availability of deep soil water. Given that clonal shrubs are key invaders of grasslands world‐wide, increased leaf‐level water loss is expected to accelerate ecosystem‐level drying as clonal shrub encroachment proceeds in mesic grasslands.

Study of plant biodiversity and spatial distribution of spontaneous vegetation in semi-arid region (Tebessa Province. Northeast Algeria)

The semi-arid is a climate characterized by precipitation that is. insufficient to maintain crops and where evaporation often exceeds rainfall. Vegetation is one of the most sensitive indicators of environmental changes understanding the patterns of biodiversity distribution and what influences them is a fundamental pre-requisite for effective conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. In this study. our focus was on examining the vegetation diversity in the semi-arid region of Tebessa. which falls within the Eastern Saharan Atlas domain in North Africa’s semi-arid zone. Plants were sampled at 15 sites distributed across the study area. The quadrat method was used to conduct floral surveys. The sampling area of each sample was 100 square meters 10 m × 10 m (quadrat). Each quadrat was measured for species richness (number of species). abundance (number of individuals). and Richness generic (plant cover). Based on the floristic research. 48 species were found. classified into 21 families. with Asteraceae accounting for 34.69% of the species and Poaceae accounting for 14.28%.

Seedcorn maggot response to planting date, cover crops, and tillage in organic cropping systems.

Seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an economically important early-season pest of corn and soybean in the United States. Adult seedcorn maggot is attracted to decomposing plant residues for oviposition, creating potential management issues where growers typically use tillage to incorporate fertility amendments and to create a seedbed. The use of growing degree-day models to time planting dates is an important tool for effectively managing this pest, but their use has not been examined in organic crop production. Here, we report the results of experiments to determine the effects of cover crops, tillage, and relative planting date on seedcorn maggot in corn and soybean in 2 experiments: The first during the transition to organic from conventional management and the second during the 3 yr following organic certification in central Pennsylvania, United States. Overall, delaying the planting date by 1-2 wk reduced fly emergence in corn, but not in soybean in both experiments. Seedcorn maggot emergence was also consistently greater in corn than in soybean, with 6 times more flies in corn than in soy. About 15 times more seedcorn maggot flies emerged from corn in treatments in which cover crops were managed with tillage compared to treatments in which cover crops were terminated with a roller-crimper followed by no-till planting of corn. Fly emergence was negatively related to the proportion of legumes in the cover crop mixture preceding corn. These results can help inform soil, cover crop, and crop decisions for organic growers in the Mid-Atlantic United States.

Non fire-adapted dry forest of Northwestern Madagascar: Escalating and devastating trends revealed by Landsat timeseries and GEDI lidar data.

Ankarafantsika National Park (ANP), the last significant remnant of Northwestern Madagascar's tropical dry forests, is facing rapid degradation due to increased incidences of fire. This poses severe threats to biodiversity, local livelihoods, and vital ecosystem services. Our study, conducted on 3,052-ha of ANP's pristine forests, employed advanced remote-sensing techniques to assess fire impacts during the past 37 years. Our aims were to understand historical fire patterns and evaluate forest recovery and susceptibility to repeated fires following initial burns. Using data from multiple Landsat satellite sensors, we constructed a time series of fire events since 1985, which revealed no fire activity before 2014. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar sensor data were used to observe forest structure in both post-fire areas and undisturbed zones for comparison. We recorded six fire incidents from 2014-2021, during which the fire-affected area exponentially grew. A significant fire incident in October 2021 impacted 1,052 hectares, 59% of which had experienced at least one fire in two-to-four years prior, with 60% experiencing two preceding incidents: one in 2017 and another in 2019. The initial fire drastically reduced plant cover and tree height, with subsequent fires causing minor additional loss. Post-fire recovery was negligible within the initial four years, even in patches without recurrent fires. The likelihood for an initial burn to trigger subsequent fires within a few years was high, leading to larger, more severe fires. We conclude that ANP's dry forests exhibit high vulnerability and low resilience to anthropogenic fires. Prompt preventive measures are essential to halt further fire spread and conserve the park's unique and invaluable biodiversity.

Distribution pattern and management of invasive alien plant species in Sikkim Himalaya, India

An assessment of the distribution pattern of Invasive Alien Plant species in the Sikkim Himalayas was conducted at different elevation gradients and accordingly, management strategies were recommended to combat the ever-increasing condition of invasive plant species threatening the sensitive ecoregions. Among the most relevant factors supporting the present study were changes in the importance value index (IVI), variety, and evenness. There is a greater percentage of domination of invasion at lower elevations than at higher elevations. Species diversity, dominance, and evenness values decreased significantly at higher elevations; interestingly, the fraction of invaded regions is lower at higher elevations. Several factors may contribute to the large cover of invasive plants at lower elevations, including the enabling climate and anthropogenic activities. As a result of invasive alien plant species, such as Ageratum conyzoides, Ageratina adenophora, Bidens pilosa, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha and Parthenium hysterophorus, native vegetation, and fauna may suffer adverse consequences, as well as socioeconomic conditions and health issues. This study determined that the invasion of these invasive alien plants in different elevations in the Sikkim Himalaya impacts ecosystem services and depletes several species of commercial importance. The current study recommends quick action to control harmful invasive alien plant species in the Sikkim Himalaya

Microbial composition and function in reclaimed mine sites along a reclamation chronosequence become increasingly similar to undisturbed reference sites

Mine reclamation historically focuses on enhancing plant coverage to improve below and aboveground ecology. However, there is a great need to study the role of soil microorganisms in mine reclamation, particularly long-term studies that track the succession of microbial communities. Here, we investigate the trajectory of microbial communities of mining sites reclaimed between three and 26 years. We used high-throughput amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial and fungal communities. We quantified how similar the reclaimed sites were to unmined, undisturbed reference sites and explored the trajectory of microbial communities along the reclamation chronosequence. We also examined the ecological processes that shape the assembly of bacterial communities. Finally, we investigated the functional potential of the microbial communities through metagenomic sequencing. Our results reveal that the reclamation age significantly impacted the community compositions of bacterial and fungal communities. As the reclamation age increases, bacterial and fungal communities become similar to the unmined, undisturbed reference site, suggesting a favorable succession in microbial communities. The bacterial community assembly was also significantly impacted by reclamation age and was primarily driven by stochastic processes, indicating a lesser influence of environmental properties on the bacterial community. Furthermore, our read-based metagenomic analysis showed that the microbial communities' functional potential increasingly became similar to the reference sites. Additionally, we found that the plant richness increased with the reclamation age. Overall, our study shows that both above- and belowground ecological properties of reclaimed mine sites trend towards undisturbed sites with increasing reclamation age. Further, it demonstrates the importance of microbial genomics in tracking the trajectory of ecosystem reclamation.

Habitat suitability modelling of Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) in moist temperate forest.

The decreasing status of on IUCN of Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) belongs to the family Phasianidae and the order Galliform needs the attention of researchers. The species with habitats as low as 6,000 feet and as high as 11,000 feet certainly cover a broad variety of habitats, such a wide altitude range embraces a diverse range of habitats. Insufficient research has been conducted on the suitability of moist temperate forests as a potential habitat for the Koklass pheasant. Therefore, this study was carried out to explore habitat suitability in 15 different sites which were located in the 4 districts of Hazara Division using GIS data science and environmental variables. A random sampling technique was used for laying out the transect. Overall, 45 line transects (Length 2-4 km, Width 10-30 m) were laid out in study sites. The size of sample plots for trees was 10x10m, for shrubs (4 x4m), and herbs and grasses 1x1m. The other habitat parameters like elevation, slope, cover, and frequency of plant at each point were also considered. We found the uneven distribution of Koklass pheasant in the Hazara Division. There were 59 occurrence points identified and highlighted the distribution of Koklass pheasant in the study area. Although all environmental variables were preferred by Koklass pheasant in its habitat statistical analysis proved that slope, level of disturbance, tree and shrub frequency of habitat contributed mostly to the presence of Koklass in each study site except the contribution of soil and herbs. The potential suitable habitat of Koklass pheasant was estimated to be 439.6 km2 areas starting from Abbottabad to Mansehra in the Hazara division. Awareness and enforcing legal protection are recommended for the conservation of Koklass Pheasant in Moist temperate forest.