Plant Diversity Research Articles

Antifungal Potentials of Asian Plants: Ethnobotanical Insights and Phytochemical Investigations.

Ethnomedicinal plants in Asia offer a promising, low-side-effect alternative to synthetic drugs for treating fungal infections, one of the most widespread communicable diseases caused by pathogenic fungi. Despite being underexplored, the region's rich plant diversity holds the potential for developing effective antifungal drugs. Research is increasingly focused on bioactive compounds from these plants, which show strong antifungal properties and may serve as leads for new drug development. This comprehensive review included 257 articles from 658 published ones, selecting only peer-reviewed, English-language studies that met the inclusion criteria. In this review, we have discussed 27 Asian medicinal plants that contain 67 responsible phytochemicals deciphering promising antifungal action. This finding revealed that Asian plant diversity can be helpful in treating fungal invasion against several fungal species. Inhibition and reduction of mycelial growth and zoospore germination, fungistatic and fungicidal activities, and inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis are some common mechanisms reported in this review. Thus, this Asian plant diversity can provide a ray of hope as a modern therapeutic approach to bypass antimicrobial resistance issues noticed in recent days. Further research is still recommended to ascertain their exact mode of action, required dose, and safety and efficacy profile.

Urbanized lands degrade surrounding grasslands by deteriorating the interactions between plants and soil microbiome.

To mitigate overgrazing on grasslands, towns were constructed in some pastoral regions of China to relocate pastoralists. Nevertheless, whether and how the urbanized lands impact the surrounding grassland ecosystem remains unclear. We assessed the impacts of urbanized lands on the plant and soil interactions within the surrounding grasslands in order to ensure an eco-sustainable pastoralist relocation. The town with 1 km radius was selected as urbanization sample and a grassland with 1 km radius was selected as nature grassland sample. Plants and soil were investigated in nature grassland (NG), and areas 1 km (T-1 km), 2 km (T-2 km), and 3 km (T-3 km) from the center of the town. In T-1 km and T-2 km, compared to the NG, plant diversity, the abundance of dominant plant species, the abundance of soil wood saprotroph fungi, soil water content (SWC), and total organic carbon (TOC) decreased, while soil plant pathogen fungi, soil pH, and total phosphatase (TP) increased. Conversely, no such changes were observed in T-3 km. The results of Mantel test and Partial least squares path model suggest that the decrease in soil TOC and SWC, along with the increase in pH and TP in T-1 km and T-2 km, lead to a decline in wood saprotroph fungi and an increase in plant pathogen fungi, ultimately resulting in reductions in plant diversity and the abundance of dominant plant species. These results indicate that towns in pastoral areas can lead to surrounding grassland degradation by deteriorating the plant-soil interactions.

Multiscale partitioning effects of livestock grazing management on plant community composition and diversity in arid rangelands.

Arid steppe rangelands in North Africa are highly significant ecosystems that are exceedingly sensitive to global warming and are also influenced by severe grazing and heavy utilization practices. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct extensive investigations regarding the impact of overgrazing due to increased sheep populations on plant diversity in these regions. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of two grazing managements (grazing-excluded vs. free-grazing) on floristic diversity in the arid steppe rangelands of North Africa. Sampling encompassed 10 sites, with 5 freely accessible to livestock and 5 protected from grazing. Within each site, three 200-m transects were established to survey and quantify plant species abundance. Alpha (species richness and diversity) and beta (qualitative and quantitative similarity analysis) biodiversity parameters were evaluated at both small and large spatial scales. The findings demonstrated a substantial disparity in plant diversity between grazing-excluded rangelands and free-grazed rangelands. Plant community diversity and stability parameters were notably higher in grazing-excluded areas. The taxonomic structure of plant communities also exhibited greater stability in grazing-excluded steppe areas. Specifically, the grazing-excluded sites displayed superior diversity metrics, including species richness (93), Shannon index (3.2), and Simpson reciprocal index (5.5), in comparison to severely grazed sites (61, 2.6, and 4.4), respectively). The influence of severe grazing had a more pronounced effect on ephemeral species rather than perennials, emphasizing the heightened vulnerability of these plants to overgrazing effect or inadequate grassland management practices. This effect coincided with heterogeneity in floristic composition between sites with free continuous livestock access and those protected from grazing. Furthermore, analysis of similarity at different spatial scales revealed an increase in diversity at small scales contrasted with a decrease at larger scales. Grazing exerted discernible effects on floristic composition, particularly affecting ephemeral species, albeit primarily at small scales. At larger scales, the impact of grazing was not detected. These findings underscore the complex relationship between grazing practices and plant diversity dynamics in arid steppe ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of sustainable management strategies to preserve biodiversity in these vulnerable habitats.

Functional leaf and plant use by leafcutter bees: Implications for management and conservation.

Wild solitary bees face a host of challenges from the simplification of landscapes and biodiversity loss to invasive species and urbanization. Pollinator researchers and restoration workers thus far gave much attention to increase flower cover to reduce the impact of these anthropogenic pressures. Over 30% of bee species need nonfloral resources such as leaves and resin for their survival and reproduction. However, the importance of leaves in bee ecology, particularly for leafcutter bees, has received very little attention. Leafcutter bees have global distribution and cut leaves for constructing brood chambers. We have very little information for (a) what bees use and do not use for foraging leaves and (b) what leaf and plant traits and plant community traits drive plant preference and plant usage. To fill this gap and recommend plants for leafcutter bee conservation, we examined 13,062 plants of 612 species and 107 families distributed in 165 plant communities of nine towns/cities of four south Indian states. The plant community of nine locations and four states was quite dissimilar, but had similar proportion of native and exotic plants. The probability of a plant foraged for leaf is governed by its clade, family, nativity, and leaf dimension, particularly the leaf width. Bees have a clear preference for plants of common families, such as Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, and Meliaceae for foraging leaves, but bees going to plants of distant lineages, including rare species and families is not rare. At the same time, bees also avoided plants of several cosmopolitan families, such as Apocynaceae, Moraceae, Sapotaceae, and Asteraceae, among others. Bees preferred exotic plants more to native plants. The plant usage in communities is predicted by species richness, proportion of Fabaceae plants in communities, and proportion of herbs; plant diversity and abundance are not crucial drivers. Our study suggests that the bees' preference for leaf-foraging plants is not random, but governed by leaf, plant, and plant community traits. The preference for exotic plants is helpful for planning urban and homestead greening projects as they are dominated by exotics.

Wetland vegetation zoning as a response to groundwater complex systems.

This research investigates the interplay between groundwater flow systems and the zoning of wetland species. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between these factors through comprehensive field evaluations encompassing plant composition, piezometric levels, and flow direction; groundwater chemistry, vertical and horizontal, at different depths (0.15m, 2m, 4m, and 6m) during both rainy and dry seasons. Our findings reveal distinct patterns. The plant diversity in the FP site was related to low ion concentration. In contrast, the dominance of T. geniculata in the TH site correlated with species adapted to sulfate and chloride (SO42- and Cl-) tolerance. In the CTC site, the dominance of C. jamaicense was linked to local groundwater flow and significant surface water inflows. At the same time, T. domingensis prevailed in the TC site due to sodium chloride facie inhibiting C. jamaicense seed germination. Our study highlights the role of groundwater chemical composition in shaping wetland ecosystems by influencing species tolerance and how the spatial distribution of groundwater discharge and seasonal changes contribute to distinct vegetation patches within wetlands. The relationship between groundwater systems, the water's chemical composition, and vegetation is strongly dependent. This can explain mortality and changes in vegetation composition in wetlands in different parts of the world, stressed by climate change effects (rain pattern alteration).

How to develop nature-based solutions for revegetation on abandoned farmland in the Loess Plateau of China?

Adequate revegetation of abandoned farmland acts as a defence against desertification and soil loss, and can help remove carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thereby playing an important role in regulating regional climate change. Legume, a nitrogen-fixation species, which could effectively improve vegetation coverage to control soil erosion, was widely used for revegetation. However, the dynamics of soil and plant development after legume introduction on abandoned farmland remain unclear. A 16-year in situ experiment including three treatments, natural abandonment (fallow), planting of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L.) was conducted on bare farmland of the Loess Plateau in 2003-2018. The results showed that initially introduced species significantly affected the potential succession patterns in the community. Alfalfa introduction decreased plant community stability (CS) and hindered plant species establishment in early successional stages due to inter/intraspecific competition caused by high aboveground biomass (AB). Plant CS was affected by species evenness, AB, revegetation time and revegetation methods. Sweet clover facilitated succession process by rapidly improving soil conditions (organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) and quickly exiting from the community after its life span to avoid further competitive effects. During 2003-2018, the soil (water storage, organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus), plant (AB, CS), and ecological related variables (plant diversity and soil carbon sequestration) contributed 60.1%, 15.7% and 20.2%, respectively, to the ecosystem health. Alfalfa planting increased ecosystem health index (EHI) in the long-term while sweet clover favours plant diversity, providing less overall EHI but recover faster than natural abandonment community. We concluded that alfalfa introduction, which provides the greatest AB, is a good option for comprehensively improving ecosystems (e.g., soil nutrient sequestration and control soil erosion) if the site in question suffers from few disturbances. Sweet clover introduction, however, is recommendable for restoring native biodiversity effectively if disturbances are frequent.

Prediction of coastal barren plant species richness and functional diversity by environmental variability across scales

AbstractQuestionsThe relationships between environmental heterogeneity and plant diversity may be negative or neutral at fine spatial scales but positive across broader areas. How do the relationships between spatial environmental variability and mean environmental conditions, plant species richness and functional diversity change across spatial scales?LocationCoastal barrens landscape in Nova Scotia, eastern Canada.MethodsWe sampled plant species composition and environmental variables in nested areas at three scales: 0.25 m2, 1 m2 and 50 m2. At each scale, subsamples of environmental variables (including elevation, soil moisture and depth) were used to calculate average and standard deviation; plant species richness was also determined for each sample. Plant traits at the species level were used to calculate functional dispersion for each of five traits (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf thickness, plant height and canopy width) and a combined index of total functional dispersion. Functional dispersion and species richness were predicted at each scale by environmental variables using linear mixed models.ResultsEnvironmental heterogeneity had low predictive power for plant diversity at the 0.25‐m2 scale but was unimodally related to species richness and functional‐diversity variables at the 1‐m2 scale. The shape of the unimodal relationships suggested a leveling off of diversity at higher levels of environmental variability rather than a decline in diversity (monotonic or asymptotic). There was a strong positive relationship between elevation (topographic) variability and species richness at the 50‐m2 scale. Functional dispersion was most strongly related to environmental variables at the 1‐m2 scale.ConclusionsPositive or non‐linear asymptotic relationships between environmental heterogeneity, richness and functional diversity at the 1‐m2 scale provide some support for niche‐based explanations of species coexistence in plant neighborhoods. At broader sampling extents, greater topographic heterogeneity may allow distinct plant communities to co‐occur within a sample, increasing richness but not functional diversity because functional diversity in leaf and canopy traits are already high within each plant community.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of HcCAT2 depresses the adaptive capacity of Hyphantria cunea larvae to cytisine and coumarin.

The diversity of host plants is an important reason for the global spread of Hyphantria cunea. However, no studies have explored the role of the antioxidant defense system with catalase (CAT) as the core at the molecular level in the adaptation of the H. cunea to host plant secondary metabolites. Herein, the purpose is to explore how HcCAT2, highly expressed in cytisine- or coumarin-treated H. cunea larvae, mediates the adaptation of H. cunea to cytisine and coumarin, and to develop nucleic acid pesticides targeting HcCAT2. Findings revealed that H. cunea larvae treated with dsHcCAT2 alongside cytisine or coumarin exhibited significantly reduced body weight, survival rate, and expression levels of growth-related genes, energy metabolism genes, and oxidative damage regulatory genes compared to treated with cytisine or coumarin alone. HcCAT2 overexpression enhanced cell viability, lowered apoptosis rates, Ca2+ concentrations, ROS levels, and MPTP opening, and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in cytisine or coumarin-treated SF9 cells. Encapsulation of dsHcCAT2 in chitosan (CS) improved stability and gene silencing efficacy. CS-dsHcCAT2 treatment did not significantly affect SF9 cell, Lymantria dispar larvae, and Arma chinensis nymphs. However, H. cunea larvae treated with CS-dsHcCAT2 combined with cytisine or coumarin showed significantly reduced body weight and survival compared to those receiving secondary metabolites alone. Therefore, HcCAT2 is a critical antioxidant defense gene for adaptation of H. cunea larvae to cytisine and coumarin stress, with the ability of maintaining energy metabolism homeostasis and antioxidant defense level. The constructed CS-dsHcCAT2 can be developed as a synergistic agent for plant-derived pesticides.

Legacy effects of an invasive legume more strongly impact bacterial than plant communities in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem.

The impacts of invasive plants on ecosystem processes and functions may persist as "legacy effects" after their removal. Understanding these effects on native plant-soil interactions is critical for guiding ecological restoration efforts. This study examines the legacy effects of the invasive legume Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl. in South Africa's Cape Fynbos to evaluate restoration potential post-removal. We compared cleared, invaded, and uninvaded reference sites across three conservation areas, examining soil chemical properties, nitrogen (N) isotope signatures (as a proxy for the sources of N uptake by a native plant and A. saligna), and the diversity and composition of plant and soil bacterial communities. The effects of A. saligna removal was contingent on conservation area, though consistent patterns emerged for plant and bacterial diversity across sites. Recovery toward reference site levels were evident for soil organic carbon and potassium, but nitrate and available phosphorous only improved in one area. Invader removal was linked to higher soil pH in one area and higher phosphorus availability in two. Soil conditions in cleared sites influenced the nitrogen sources used by A. saligna, shifting towards soil-derived nitrogen, but did not influence those used by the native species assessed. While we observed signs of native plant community recovery after clearing, soil bacterial communities remained comparable to those in invaded sites. The lag in bacterial community recovery was linked to soil pH changes caused by A. saligna invasion. Our findings demonstrate that removing A. saligna can promote native vegetation recovery, though legacy effects may impede or delay the recovery of soil bacterial communities. The influence of these soil legacy effects may also depend on the management or invasion history of sites.

The role of GIS and remote sensing in tracking vegetation cover in the Tlagh and El-Abed Basins (Northeastern Morocco) from 1986 to 2018

The Tlagh and El-Abed basins in the Taourirt-Guercif corridor are known for their diverse plant cover, especially in species naturally present for generations, termed 'inherited species'. However, this diversity needs to be more evenly distributed. Vegetation degradation is concentrated in the piedmonts and reliefs of both basins, attributed to topography, lithology, soil type, and climate. These formations, categorized into various types, all exhibit severe degradation due to persistent drought. Plant cover has decreased over time due to species disappearance or emergence of new formations adapted to drought conditions. This underscores the urgency of our research. This article discusses plant cover distribution and diversity in the El Abed and Tlagh basins and the evolution of plant cover density from 1986 to 2018. Our study, using Landsat satellite images, calculates seven vegetation indicators (GNDVI, GRVI, IPVI, SR, DVI, OSAVI, SAVI), showcasing our research precision.

Unveiling Rainfall's Role in Shaping Woody Plant Functional Traits and Diversity in Northern Namibia

Unveiling Rainfall's Role in Shaping Woody Plant Functional Traits and Diversity in Northern Namibia

Kurdish ethnomedicine in the context of historic migration

Ethnopharmacological RelevanceCommunity displacement and cultural integration influence the use of plants for medicine. This study enhances our understanding of how communities adapt their medical practices in response to environmental changes. Aim of the StudyWe investigate how Kurds in SE Iran (Balochi Kurds), displaced between the 16th and 18th centuries from their homeland in NW Iran, retained and adapted their medicinal knowledge. Materials and MethodsFieldwork was conducted over 12 months across 8 Kurdish municipalities in NW Iran and 3 in SE Iran, using standard ethnobotanical methods. Totally 121 people were interviewed; data were analysed at the level of use reports (UR), classifying therapeutic uses according to ICPC. Comparisons between NW and SE Iran are based on plant genera available in both regions. ResultsMedicinal knowledge is maintained by various practitioners, including herbalists, midwives, bonesetters, ritual healers, knowledgeable laypersons, and herb collectors/sellers in both regions. We documented 278 plant species (177 in NW Iran and 142 in SE Iran) and 4722 UR. SE Iran shows a greater variety of preparation methods, such as vaporization and suppositories. Gastrointestinal diseases are the most significant, followed by musculoskeletal issues in SE Iran, and skin and respiratory diseases at both locations. Commonly used plants in NW Iran include Urtica dioica (75 UR) for female genitourinary infections and Quercus spp. (50 UR) for gastric ulcers. In SE Iran, Haplophyllum canaliculatum (83 UR) is widely used. Pistacia atlantica resin is widely used in both areas. The comparison reveals continuation of uses (e.g., Mentha longifolia), plant substitutions (e.g., Thymus vs. Zataria), new uses (e.g., Capparis spinosa), and the loss of certain plant uses (e.g., Eryngium, Euphorbia) among the Balochi Kurds. ConclusionThe greater medicinal plant diversity in NW Iran reflects its richer biodiversity. In SE Iran, the higher diversity in preparation methods and therapeutic uses is likely due to its less developed healthcare system and more traditional lifestyle. The loss of their native language has not negatively impacted the traditional knowledge of the Balochi Kurds.

Root-associated functional microbiome endemism facilitates heavy metal resilience and nutrient poor adaptation in native plants under serpentine driven edaphic challenges.

Serpentine soils are characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and limited essential nutrients with remarkable endemic plant diversity, yet the mechanisms enabling plant adaptation to thrive in such harsh environments remain largely unknown. Full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, coupled with physiological and functional assays, was used to explore root-associated bacterial community composition and their metabolic and ecological functions. The results revealed that serpentine plant species exhibited significantly higher metal transfer factor values compared to non-serpentine plant species, particularly evident in Bidens pilosa, Miscanthus floridulus, and Leucaena leucocephala. The serpentine root-associated microbes showed a higher utilization of carboxylic acid, whereas carbohydrate utilization was higher in the non-serpentine site. Zymomonas mobilis and Flavabacterium sp. exhibited high resistance to heavy metal concentrations, showing greater adaptability, while, Staphylococcus carnosus showed sensitivity to HMs, showing limited adaptability. Moreover, Ni, Cr, and Co resistance genes were found, while nitrogen and phosphorous metabolism genes were less abundant in the serpentine site compared to the non-serpentine site. Furthermore, Flavobacterium sp. had a strong positive relationship with Cd and Cu, Zymomonas mobilis with Ni, and Cr, Streptomyces sp. with Co, and Staphylococcus carnosus with N and P cycling. These findings underscore critical role of root-associated bacterial communities and distinctive soil conditions of serpentine habitats in fostering ecological adaptation of native plant species to the challenges posed by HMs and nutrient deficiencies.

Environmental drivers of herbaceous plant diversity in the understory community of a warm-temperate forest

Environmental drivers of herbaceous plant diversity in the understory community of a warm-temperate forest

The diversity and use of ritual plants by the Alas tribe in Babul Rahmah sub-district, Southeast Aceh, Indonesia

The diversity and use of ritual plants by the Alas tribe in Babul Rahmah sub-district, Southeast Aceh, Indonesia

SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE TYPES FROM 1993 TO 2023 IN THE SOUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF CAMEROON

This work raises the problem of the evolution of deforestation in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This land cover study was mainly based on diachronic analyzes of satellite images (Landsat). Diachronic analysis, used for a long time to understand the transformations of space, is an approach which carries out a comparative study, by superposition, or even juxtaposition of the different documents processed. Diachronic analysis in this study is developed over a three-decade period. Understanding vegetation dynamics in this study region requires careful analysis of how vegetation has evolved over the past three decades. It evolves according to management methods imposed by humans and climate variability. Satellite imaging (also called space imaging) refers to the taking of images from space, by sensors placed on satellites. The physiognomy of vegetation refers to the overall appearance of the vegetation, structure, and more particularly aerial system. This allows an overview on a very large scale, which depends on the species in an environment.In addition, topographic maps were acquired and digitized, as well as photographs. This study was undertaken with the aim of showing from satellite images the transformations undergone by plant formations in four Divisions of the Far North region of Cameroon and make a forecast of the vegetation of the study sites in thirty (30) years.From the analogical interpretation and mapping of land data, seven major land cover classes have been identified. These are: Steppe, Grassy Savannah/Fields, Shrubby Savannah, Wooded Savannah, Forest Gallery/Clear Forest, Surface Water and Buildings/Bare Soil and Sand Strip. The evolution of deforestation does not affect all vegetation, but there is an increase in other types of plant formations to the detriment of others. In addition, the vegetation of the study area is undergoing a regressive evolution due to the phenomenon of deforestation. Satellite images clearly show a number of negative changes in plant physiognomy. The 1993 image shows homogeneity of spots. Thirty (30) years later (2023), it indicates heterogeneous spots. Overall, the simulation of percentage changes in deforestation is very accentuated in the study area. The results of this study show that vegetation is in full decline in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This regression is due to deforestation and the deforestation is a function of ethnicities, cultures and traditions.Deforestation, which is mainly caused by human activities, has the major consequences of flooding and loss of biodiversity. These results could serve as a reference for the search for strategies for the exploitation of natural resources and sustainable conservation of plant diversity in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon.

Diversity, Distribution, and Evolution of Bioluminescent Fungi.

All known bioluminescent fungi are basidiomycetes belonging to the Agaricales. They emit 520-530 nm wavelength light 24 h per day in a circadian rhythm. The number of known bioluminescent fungi has more than doubled in the past 15 years from 64 to 132 species. We currently recognize five distinct lineages of bioluminescent Agaricales belonging to the Omphalotaceae (18 species), Physalacriaceae (14), Mycenaceae (96), Lucentipes lineage (3), and Cyphellopsidaceae (1). They are distributed across the globe with the highest diversity occurring on woody or leafy substrates in subtropical closed canopy forests with high plant diversity. With the caveat that most regions of the world have not been extensively sampled for bioluminescent fungi, the areas with the most known species are Japan (36), South America (30), North America (27), Malesia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia (26), Europe (23), Central America (21), China (13), Africa (10), Australasia, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia (11), and the Pacific Islands (5). Recent studies have elucidated the biochemical and genetic pathways of fungal bioluminescence and suggest the phenomenon originated a single time early in the evolution of the Agaricales. Multiple independent evolutionary losses explain the absence of luminescence in many species found within the five lineages and in the majority of Agaricales.

Ecological analysis of plant community structure and soil effects in subtropical forest ecosystem

BackgroundSubtropical forest plant diversity, characterized by a wide range of species adapted to seasonal variations, is vital for sustaining ecological balance, supporting diverse wildlife, and providing critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and soil stabilization. The Changa Manga Forest, an ecologically rich area with varied vegetation, was analyzed to understand the intricate relationship between plant diversity and environmental factors. This study investigates the diversity patterns, vegetation structure, and environmental influences on forest biodiversity.MethodsA comprehensive survey was conducted across 127 stands within the Changa Manga Forest to document plant species and classify vegetation communities. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for key physicochemical parameters, while multivariate statistical methods, including hierarchical clustering and ordination, were applied to examine the relationships between vegetation structure and environmental factors. Diversity indices and beta diversity components were calculated to assess variations across plant communities.ResultsThe species were classified into six distinct vegetation communities: Neltuma-Ziziphus-Malvestrum (NZM), Broussonetia-Lantana-Morus (BLM), Dalbergia-Lantana-Solanum (DLS), Morus-Abutilon-Ricinus (MAR), Eucalyptus-Vachellia-Sorghum (EVS), and Bombax-Leucaena-Croton (BLC). Analyses using hierarchical clustering and ordination methods revealed significant differences in species composition among these communities, with NZM and DLS exhibiting the highest dissimilarity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that environmental factors such as soil pH, available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter percentage (OM%) are crucial in shaping plant distribution, though the total explained variation remained relatively low. Diversity indices varied significantly among communities, with the NZM community showing the highest Shannon and Simpson diversity, while EVS exhibited the lowest. The beta diversity analysis revealed a high species turnover between certain communities, indicating complex ecological interactions. Our results indicate significant variability in plant community composition and diversity patterns, influenced by edaphic factors and environmental gradients. We anticipate that future environmental changes, such as shifts in soil properties, precipitation patterns, and increased human activity, may exacerbate declines in local plant species richness and disrupt community structures. To preserve the invaluable biodiversity of the study area for future generations, it is essential to implement timely and effective conservation and management strategies.

Pengembangan Modul Sistematika Cryptogamae: Keanekaragaman Jenis Rumput Laut Di Dusun Labuhan Terata

This study aims to develop a Sistematika Cryptogamae module based on research findings on the diversity of seaweed species in the waters of Dusun Labuhan Terata, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. The research was conducted using a development method that refers to the ADDIE Model by Reiser and Mollenda, which includes Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. This study is limited to the Development stage. The research instruments are validation sheets and readability questionnaires. Data analysis is conducted using a descriptive quantitative approach. The validity test results of the Sistematika Cryptogamae module reached 86.6%, categorized as highly feasible. In addition, the readability test results reached 84.4%, categorized as easy to understand. This module was developed using a research-based approach and local environmental context to meet the needs of contextual education. It is expected to enhance students' understanding of the diversity of lower-level plants, particularly seaweed, and to foster awareness of marine ecosystem conservation. This research also contributes to the documentation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of seaweed resources. The conclusion of this study is that the Cryptogamae Systematics module developed is deemed highly suitable for implementation in learning.

Diversification of Home Garden with Avocado Trees Planting in The Karst Area of Karangasem Village, Paliyan District, Gunungkidul Regency

Home garden productivity can be enhanced by managing plant diversity, optimizing stand arrangements, and selecting species suited to local land conditions. Avocado trees, in particular, have strong potential to thrive in the karst regions of Karangasem Village, Paliyan, Gunungkidul. Some trees planted spottily by local people in their home garden have been able to bear fruit. The avocado trees have also been grown intensively in the Semanu District, adjacent to Paliyan District. These factors indicate that avocado trees are well-adapted to the local area. To promote optimal growth, stand management should incorporate appropriate silvicultural practices. The objective of this community service program was to increase the tree species diversification of home gardens in Karangasem Village by planting avocado trees by assisting the Forest Farmer Group of Lestari Mulyo, as a potential driving group to the community. In the future, local communities can hopefully establish avocados as a new commodity to help boost household incomes.