Rare Herbaceous Plants Research Articles

Ecology in Lakshmi Saravanakumar's novel ‘Kanagan’

The primary cause of deforestation is Man and also, he is the first to suffer from deforestation. The study is set to illustrate this under the title ‘Ecology in the Kanagan novel’. The novel sets out to explain who is responsible for deforestation and why they are doing it. The destruction of elephants at the instigation of big bosses also highlights the irresponsibility of forest officials who do not see them. The novel also reveals that the hill people, ‘Pali’, are being blamed for the ongoing deforestation and killing of elephants for their selfish ends. Along with these, the medical team that visits from time to time in the name of medical help can find out about the rare herbaceous plants in the forest, which are known to steal vines and eventually become extinct. The novel depicts the opposition of the hill people to this disgrace and sets out to bring about social change which is caused as a consequence of that. This article explains the role that elephants play in augmenting forest resources and the benefits they bring to wildlife. It also suggests that elephants have evolved into tools that work for humans during the twentieth century. Laws enacted by the government to protect wild elephants are being scrutinized in this review article. The tigers are threatened as an endangered species, revealing the steps taken by the government to protect the tigers. The study also says that the people have to protect the forests and the rare species of elephants and tigers that live in them from the brink of extinction.

ФЛОРА ТА РОСЛИННІСТЬ ІРПІНСЬКОГО ЛІСУ

It is reported about the diversity of phytobiota of the valuable natural complex "Irpin Forest" in the Kyiv region. The data on the history of research of this interesting from a botanical perspective territory of Kyiv Polissia are presented. The features of the vegetation of different complexes of this forest area, dominated by oak-pine, cereal and moss-lichen forests, are characterized. The most valuable forests here are oak ones, which are rich in rare herbaceous plant species. Besides, there fragmentary occur alder stands on lowland areas. The data on the flora of this territory, which includes 437 species of vascular plants from 67 families and 4 divisions, are presented. Ten dominating families of flora (Asreaceae, Poaceae Rosaceae, etc.) include 51.1 % of the forest flora species. A high level of adventization of this flora (19.6 %) has been noted, which is a result of the accessibility of the territory and a significant number of the population of adjacent settlements. Species with a high level of invasiveness include Amorpha fruticosa L., Iva xanthiifolia Nutt., Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Oenothera biennis L., Oxalis stricta L., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Solidago canadensis L., Solanum nigrum L. They most often occur along forest roads, on meadows, in places of selective cuttings, on the fringes of the forest. On the periphery of the forest, a number of species were found which have fallen out of cultivation – Berberis aquifolium Pursh, Datura stramonium L. Gaillardia pulchella Foug., Ricinus communis L., Vitis vinifera L. The data on the rare plant species of this territory are given. There are 34 rare taxa, the most valuable of which are the representatives of the families Orchidaceae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae. Five species of plants of the forest (Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó, D. incarnata (L.) Soó, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. Sl) are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. It is proposed to create a new object of the nature reserve fund of the Kyiv region – a regional landscape park "Streams" ("Potoky") on a part of this territory, with further plans to create an administration, security service and develop a management plan for resource management of the object.

Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, is ectomycorrhizal in northeastern Poland and likely shares ectomycorrhizal fungi with Pinus sylvestris

The sharing of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) among different co-occurring host plant species could allow the formation of common mycorrhizal networks, which can alter plant–plant interactions and succession. Such sharing of EMF among woody species is thought to be common in many forests, but very few herbaceous plants form EMF, so they are assumed to be excluded from EMF networks in forests. We studied the EMF on roots of a common coniferous tree, <em>Pinus sylvestris</em>, and a co-occurring rare herbaceous perennial plant, <em>Pulsatilla patens</em> (Ranunculaceae), in northeastern Poland. We examined roots from co-occuring <em>P. sylvestris</em> and <em>P. patens</em>, visually classified EMF into morphotypes, studied tissue sections of mycorrhizal structures using compound microscopy, and used DNA sequencing to identify the fungi. On both host plant species, we observed EMF colonization, with colonized root tips exhibiting a swollen appearance, as well as a variety of colors and textures of fungal mycelium covering and emanating from those swollen tips. Sectioning and microscopic examination of an EMF morphotype common on <em>P. patens</em> confirmed the presence of a mantle and Hartig net, indicating the likely presence of functional ectomycorrhizal structures. The two most frequent EMF were <em>Cenococcum geophilum</em> and <em>Piloderma olivaceum</em>, and the latter was found to associate with both host plant species. Several EMF found here only on <em>P. patens</em>, including <em>C. geophilum</em> and two <em>Russula</em> species, are known from previous studies to also associate with <em>P. sylvestris</em> and other tree species. The observation of shared EMF between a coniferous tree and an understory herb indicates the potential for common mycorrhizal networks to alter interactions between these two species and may also indicate a unique way in which the distribution and abundance of a rare herbaceous plant may be influenced by shared mutualisms with a common co-occurring woody plant.

No Reproductive Interference from an Alien to a Native Species in Cerastium (Caryophyllaceae) at the Stage of Seed Production

Reproductive interference, adverse interspecific interaction during the mating process, has been regarded as a powerful driver of species displacement between species. Recent empirical reports have described its importance in biological invasions. This study was undertaken to test whether a rare herbaceous plant species indigenous to Japan suffered reproductive interference from an alien species of the genus Cerastium. Field observations and a transplanting experiment were conducted to ascertain the effects of coexistence with an alien species on the seed production of the native species. Results show that coexistence with the alien species did not significantly decrease seed numbers, but it significantly affected the seed weight only in field observations. In this study, the reproductive process of the native species was examined only at or before the seed production stage. Because the interspecific pollen transfer might produce hybrids with low viability or fertility, reproductive interference cannot be denied in this study. To test reproductive interference at such latter stages, additional studies should be conducted. Consequently, detection of reproductive interference demands high costs in some species. Based on these results and suggestions, the necessity of narrowing down the target species for testing of reproductive interference is discussed to elucidate the universality of reproductive interference.

Managing Marginal Populations of the Rare Wetland PlantTrollius laxusSalisbury (Spreading Globeflower): Consideration of Light Levels, Herbivory, and Pollination

Abstract To address the question of how succession in protected habitats might be managed to favor rare understory plants in the Northeast, this study examined whether reducing shade might have negative impacts via increased herbivory or reduced pollination. We studied marginal populations of Trollius laxus Salisbury (Spreading Globeflower), a rare herbaceous plant of calcareous wetlands, making observations of natural variation in one population, and experimentally cutting back herbaceous neighboring plants in another. In a Trollius population under a mixed canopy, we quantified natural light levels at each plant and tested for correlations with measures of reproduction and herbivory. Flowering and fruit production were positively correlated with light level in one of the two years measured, while herbivore damage and plant growth were uncorrelated with light level. In another study population, where the woody canopy had been removed previously, experimental clipping of herbaceous neighbors did not incre...

Hurricane effects on subtropical pine rocklands of the Florida Keys

We investigate the effects of Hurricane Wilma’s storm surge (23–24 October 2005) on the dominant tree Pinus elliottii var densa (South Florida slash pine) and rare plant species in subtropical pine rocklands of the Lower Florida Keys. We examine the role of elevation on species abundance in 1995 (Hurricane Betsy in 1965), 2005 (Hurricane Georges in 1998), and 2008 (Hurricane Wilma in 2005) to investigate if hurricanes influence abundance by eliminating plants at lower elevation on Big Pine Key, the largest island in the Lower Florida Keys. We compare densities before and after Hurricane Wilma over the 2005–2008 sampling period and examine the role of elevation on changes in pine and rare species densities three years after Hurricane Wilma. We use elevation to assess the impact of hurricanes because elevation determined whether a location was influenced by storm surge (maximum surge of 2 m) in the Lower Florida Keys, where pine rocklands occur at a maximum elevation of 3 m. In 1995 (30 years after a major storm), elevation did not explain the abundance of South Florida slash pine or Chamaecrista lineata, but explained significant variation in abundance of Chamaesyce deltoidea. The latter two species are rare herbaceous plants restricted to pine rocklands. In 2008, 3 years after Hurricane Wilma, the positive relationship between elevation and abundance was strongest for South Florida slash pine, C. deltoidea, and C. lineata. Effects of Hurricane Wilma were not significant for rare species with wider distribution, occurring in plant communities adjacent to pine rocklands and in disturbed rocklands. Our results suggest that hurricanes drive population dynamics of South Florida slash pine and rare species that occur exclusively in pine rocklands at higher elevations. Rare species restricted to pine rocklands showed dramatic declines after Hurricane Wilma and were eliminated at elevations <0.5 m. Widely distributed rare species did not show significant changes in density after Hurricane Wilma. Abundance increased with elevation for South Florida slash pine and C. lineata after the hurricane. In an environment influenced by sea level rise, concrete plans to conserve pine ecosystems are warranted. Results from this study will help define conservation strategies by strengthening predictive understanding of plant responses to disturbance in the backdrop of sea level rise.

Effects of community-level grassland management on the non-target rare annual Agalinis auriculata

The objective of grassland management is to maintain keystone species, as well as species diversity, to promote a particular community structure, or to preserve specific ecosystem processes. Studies of grassland management rarely ascertain the effects on rare plant species, although conservation plans for rare herbaceous plants often recommend habitat management as well as restoration activities. Indeed, conservation biology has evolved from a relatively species-specific discipline into one more focused on larger scale issues such as ecosystem function, community composition and habitat restoration. Few studies have tested whether species of concern are adequately managed with a community or ecosystem-level approach. In this study, we evaluate whether community-level management of white-tailed deer and woody brush improves the viability of the rare annual plant species, Agalinis auriculata (Earleaf false foxglove; Orobanchaceae). Reducing deer browse and removing brush each positively affect plant vital rates. Brush removal increases the proportion of plants that reach the largest size class. Reducing deer browse increases the fertility of plants, particularly those in the largest size class. We report on demographic matrix models created with data from five populations of A . auriculata studied across 4 years. We find that both management activities positively affect the non-target plant species and are, in fact, necessary for A. auriculata to persist. Conservation of A. auriculata at our study sites requires both reducing the density of white-tailed deer and brush removal. Our study demonstrates that management at the community and ecosystem levels can be compatible with conservation goals at the species and population levels.

The response of rare herbaceous plants to the removal of weeds in an unproductive environment

We investigated the neighbourhood-scale effect of weeding on native plants in Lance McCaskill Nature Reserve, Canterbury, New Zealand. The reserve is an unproductive basin of limestone debris. Originally set up to protect the Castle Hill buttercup, Ranunculus crithmifolius var. paucifolius , the reserve also offers protection for nationally endangered species: Myosotis colensoi and Lepidium sisymbrioides . Our aim was to investigate whether removal of introduced plants increased the cover of remaining native species. We removed introduced plants, by hand, every year for 6 years from half of the plots. We used nonparametric multivariate analysis to compare overall species cover.The results suggest that weeding does benefit the native plants in this area. There was a significant difference in the mean of the overall native species cover between the weeded and the non-weeded plots. For the ten species measured, the mean area covered per square metre was higher in the weeded plots than in the non-weeded plots...

A COMPARISON OF THE VEGETATION OF THREE LIMESTONE GLADES IN CALHOUN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Three limestone glades in Calhoun County, Illinois were studied. These relatively rare herbaceous plant communities are dominated by grasses of the tallgrass prairie that grow where limestone is at or near the surface and the shallow soils do not support much woody vegetation. Occasionally associated with hill prairies on the bluffs of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, the thin soil and bare rock prevent the growth of many hill prairie species. Vascular plant species found included three ferns, one gymnosperm, 33 monocots, and 87 dicots for a total of 124 taxa. Thirteen alien taxa were encountered (10%). Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar) was common on and around the glade edges. The common grasses were Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), and Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), while Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass) were occasionally found in crevices. Common forbs included Hedyotis nigricans (narrow-leaved bluets), Ruellia humilis (wild Petunia), and Croton capitatus (capitate croton).

Commonness and rarity in plants with special reference to the Sheffield flora Part I: The identity, distribution and habitat characteristics of the common and rare species

By reference to extensive vegetation surveys the habitats of common and rare herbaceous plants and small (<1 m) woody species have been compared for the Sheffield region of Central England. Common species are frequent at sites of high fertility, are strongly represented in habitats which are heavily disturbed or of recent origin and generally have a wide geographical and ecological range in the Sheffield region and within Britain as a whole. Many of the rare species are restricted to the lowland half of the region and most of the species which have become extinct from the region in the recent past were associated with lowland agricultural areas where the pressures of changing land use are greatest. Rare species are concentrated within less fertile sites, particularly those with calcareous soils, and they are often present in species-rich vegetation in ancient habitats. Many rare species have a narrow ecological range, some appear restricted to ‘intermediate’ habitats (either ecoclines or ecotones) and a high proportion are near the northern limit of their geographical range. No single ecological characteristic is totally diagnostic of either common or rare species. Most of the differences between common and rare species in the Sheffield region may be interpreted in terms of the availability of suitable habitats within the region with common species occupying common, and rare species less common, habitats.