Lagenocarpus (Cyperaceae) is a Neotropical genus and currently comprises 15 species. The genus has two centers of diversity: the rocky grasslands of the Brazilian Shield and the white-sand savannas of the Guiana Shield. In the Guiana Shield, its diversity is probably underestimated and the identifications of known species are frequently mistaken. Here, we describe a new Lagenocarpus species from the Guiana Shield distinguished from L. glomerulatus and L. pendulus mainly by its inflorescence, spikelets and fruit characters.

The study was conducted on the grassland areas of the Sukoró Equestrian Centre. Phytosociological surveys carried out in 2023 were repeated in 2024 on both the rocky grassland horse pasture and the hay meadow. The objective was to assess the extent to which year effects are reflected in vegetation patterns. The year 2023 represented a dry year, whereas 2024 was characterised by a wet year. Phytosociological data were collected using the Braun-Blanquet (1964) method, applying 2×2 m quadrats, with vegetation cover estimated as percentage values. Quadrats were placed randomly within the study sites. Four sampling areas were investigated. Three were hay meadows: (I) mesic hay meadow; (II) alkali grassland dominated by Festuca pseudovina; and (III) marsh meadow. The fourth sampling area (IV) was a siliceous rocky grassland used as a horse pasture, which remained ungrazed in 2023. Based on the results, increased moisture availability led to a higher abundance of species with greater nitrogen and water requirements in the mesic hay meadow (Alopecuro-Arrhenatheretum) and in the Achilleo setaceae Festucetum pseudovinae grassland. Classification analyses clearly demonstrated the year effect in these vegetation types. In contrast, relevés from the marsh meadow did not show a clear separation between the two years. In the rocky grassland, only the proportion of nitrogen-demanding species increased. Nature conservation–based analyses also revealed a distinct pattern for the marsh meadow, where the proportion of disturbance-tol erant species decreased, while it increased in the other three vegetation types. From a grassland management perspective, the abundance of economically important grasses (Poaceae) declined only in the marsh meadow, whereas it increased in the other three vegetation types, accompanied by higher forage value indices. Overall, with the exception of the inherently wet marsh meadow, the wetter conditions of 2024 had a positive and clearly detectable effect on the studied vegetation types.

The paper presents 1593 current chorological data of 584 taxa (species, subspe­cies, varietas, hybrids) from Hungary, collected during the last few years. All of these connec­ted also to a total of 184 CEU quadrats. Among the species characteristic to the natural habi­tats, we high­lighted the records of several species protected in Hungary (Adoxa moschatelina, Althaea canna­bina, Cardamine parviflora, Centaurium pulchellum, Gagea pusilla, Orobanche reticulata, Potentilla patula, Rosa zagrabiensis, Spergula pentandra, Trifolium diffusum, Vale­rianella dentata, V. rimosa, Veronica officinalis, Viola collina and V. pumila). In the Northern part of Hungary, we observed the establishment of Cerastium dubium and Ranunculus peda­tus at several places along road­sides, which species have been known from the surrounding saline areas for a long time, but their appearance at roadsides is relatively new phenomenon. In addition, Aegilops cylindrica, Crypsis schoenoides, and Fumaria vaillantii subsp. vaillantii were found in one location – each species on roadsides. Along the railway tracks, we found disturbance-tolerant pioneers of rocky grasslands, open sandy and loess grasslands, e.g. many population of the native Androsace elon­gata, Anthemis ruthenica, Centaurea arenaria, Draba nemorosa, Erodium ciconium, Medicago monspeliaca, Microrrhinum minus, Saxifraga tridactylites and Vulpia myuros were found, as well as numerous ruderalia and the archae­ophyt such as Aegilops cylindrica. In addition to the more common species from the urban flora, we present some new data on the occurrence of the rarer Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus, Chenopodium glaucum, Ch. murale, Ch. opulifolium, Ch. vulvaria and Euphorbia peplus. We have also listed some of the rarer field weeds and species that can establish in younger and older old-fields. Bromus secalinus has been found in several places in the north­eastern part of Hungary. We also observed Calepina irregularis, Centaurea solstitialis, Centau­rium pulchellum, Erysimum cheiranthoides, Filago lutescens, Fumaria officinalis subsp. of­ficinalis, Geranium dissectum, Misopates orontium, Myagrum perfoliatum, Reseda phyteuma, Sper­gularia salina and Veronica anagalloides populations. Erodium hoefftianum is a member of the natural flora, but is now found only in old-fields. We found some pasture weeds in re­gions where they are not common (e.g. Bupleurum tenuissimum, Cerastium dubium and Tri­folium striatum). The study also presents some species that are data deficient for taxonomic reasons, but not very rare ones (or we don’t know that). This group includes Arabis sagittata, Bolboschoenus glaucus, Bromus commutatus, B. racemosus, B. ramosus, Fumaria vaillantii subsp. schrammii, Ononis spi­nosiformis subsp. semihircina, Potentilla collina and Viola suavis “white morfotype”. We have drawn attention to the effect of ecological-botanical works on flora-influencing. We found An­themis ruthenica (species of sandy grasslands) in a moun­tain meadow, which is probably the result of seeds accidentally introduced by researchers. Finally, the paper provides data on the current distribution of hybrid taxa. A new individual of Betula ×rhombifolia was established in the Mátra Mts. We found some Euphorbia individuals that appeared to be a transitional form between E. esila and E. virgata (E. ×intercedens; Eu. esula subsp. saratoi). We also present some Verbascum and Viola hybrids. Hybrids were determined on a macromorphological basis.

After a nomenclatural revision of the available names for the order of rocky grasslands of the Balkan Peninsula within the class Festuco-Brometea, based on Article 52 ICPN we propose the conservation of the name Koelerietalia splendentis against the name Halacsyetalia sendtneri. In syntaxonomic concepts not combining the limestone and serpentine rocky grasslands of the Balkans in a single order, the latter name would still be available as it is based on a different nomenclatural type. (39) Koelerietalia splendentisHorvatić 1973 nom. cons. propos. Typus: Chrysopogono grylli-Koelerion splendentisHorvatić 1973 (holotypus) (=) Halacsyetalia sendtneriRitter-Studnička 1970 Typus: Potentillion visianiiRitter-Studnička 1970 (lectotypus: Kuzmanović et al. 2016) Taxonomic reference: Mucina et al. (2016). Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, 4th edition (Theurillat et al. 2021).

Abstract A new species of Odontarrhena (Brassicaceae) is described from Mount Vourinos in western Macedonia, Greece. The species is restricted to the ridge and the northern slopes of Mt. Vourinos above 1500 m a.s.l. and grows on stony slopes and dry rocky grassland on ultramafic soil with elevated trace metal concentrations. Based on morphological, karyological, and nrDNA sequences, the species is tetraploid with supernumerary B‐chromosomes (2n = 4× = 32 + 2B) and related to the Balkan endemic Odontarrhena decipiens. It differs from the latter mainly by the habit of subshrub with woody base and a denser indumentum of stellate trichomes, resulting in a white‐silvery color of the leaves and shoots. The presence of four degenerate positions in the ITS1 region was detected only in the new species from Mt. Vourinos. Shoot Ni concentrations determined by x‐ray fluorescence analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy were largely variable (6200–18,700 μg g−1 dw), but always significantly higher than in roots. Hydroponic trials confirmed the typical features of Ni hyperaccumulating plants, such as growth stimulating effect at low metal doses and shoot metal concentration above the hyperaccumulation threshold. The new species of Odontarrhena is a Ni hyperaccumulator with substantial aboveground biomass production, making it a promising candidate for phytomining applications.

The unique, basophilic rocky grasslands on the Pulinka rock near Kletno in the Śnieżnik Massif (Eastern Sudetes) have been known since the 1960s. The aim of the study was to, re-analyze the status of this plant community with reference to species composition, functional structure, habitat conditions and syntaxonomic position 50 years afer its discovery, and first description. For this purpose, we used archival and contemporary data. The obtained results revealed close compositional similarity between the vegetation plots collected in 1968 and 2022. The abundance of relic species documented in phytosociological relevès has remained constant (<i>Sesleria tatrae</i>, <i>Galium anisophyllon</i>) or increased (<i>Scabiosa lucida</i>). Additionally, the first locality of <i>Calamagrostis varia</i> was found on the Pulinka – a species not yet recorded in the Sudetes. On the other hand, some regular fluctuations in the abundance of sporadic species were observed. However, these were not reflected in changes in community-weighted means for environmental variables (temperature, light, nutrients, soil reaction, and moisture) and functional traits (specific leaf area, seed mass, and leaf dry matter content). We also found no differences in the functional diversity index (FD Rao) between the first and last surveys. Therefore, the lack of temporal changes in the main ecological features may indicate a high stability of the studied grasslands despite the pressure of external factors (progressive climate warming and nitrogen deposition). The phytosociological analysis carried out suggests that the studied community belongs to the class <i>Elyno-Seslerietea</i> and the order <i>Seslerietalia caeruleae</i>. However, due to the unusually poor species composition of the studied rocky grasslands, we did not find it currently possible to classify them at the alliance and association level. This requires further studies and classification based on broader data, including Western Carpathian calcicolous swards.

Tulipa sylvestris is a small yellow tulip that was introduced to northern Europe in the 16th century. Unlike the tulips that came from the Ottoman empire and gave birth to modern cultivars, T. sylvestris came from the Mediterranean and became a garden escapee that successfully naturalized across Europe. Its taxonomy is complex due to morphological diversity, polyploidy and naturalization of cultivated plants. Two subspecies are provisionally accepted in Europe: subsp. australis, a diploid native in the Mediterranean (up to Central Asia) that grows on mountainous rocky grasslands, on poor soils; and subsp. sylvestris a tetraploid that is naturalized across Europe and grows in rich soils at low altitudes, mainly at field margins, vineyards and gardens. Sometimes these two subspecies are regarded as distinct species, but their taxonomic delimitation is unclear.

This paper specifies the invasibility of common plant community types in the natural habitats of the Middle Urals. Invasibility was defined as the vulnerability of a community to alien plant species invasions, regardless of the conditions in which the community existed. We analyzed 749 vegetation relevés made in natural bogs, floodplains, rocky grasslands, meadows, and forest communities. We surveyed urban and non-urban habitats (30–40 km from the city). Invasibility was calculated in two different ways based on two parameters: the number and proportion of alien species in the relevé. These invasibility parameters are widely applicable and comparable, scale-independent, measurable, and reliable, based on data that do not require the destruction of ecosystems or biota and are based on available data. Based on the invasibility degree, we identified three community-type groups with two subgroups in one group. In ascending order of invasibility degree, the community types were arranged as follows: (1) bogs with and without trees; (2a) coniferous forests; grass communities in floodplains; (2b) deciduous forests, coniferous plantations, floodplain communities with woody plants; and (3) dry meadows and rocky grasslands. Obtained results of the assessment of different plant community invasibility may be used to understand patterns of alien plant distribution in local habitats and the reasons for the different vulnerability of communities to plant invasions.

The new species Sileneisabellae is described and illustrated from the Skënderbëut mountain range of central Albania. It grows on the ultramafic mountain slopes around Qafë Shtamë, in the understorey of open Pinusnigra forests and in the rocky grasslands above the forest belt, at 1000–1600 m a.s.l. Sileneisabellae is a serpentine endemic likely belonging to section Elisanthe (Fenzl ex Endl.) Ledeb. and shows affinities with the widespread European species S.noctiflora L. It is sharply distinct from the latter species in habit, stem and leaf pubescence, morphology, and biology of the flowers and length of the carpophore. Moreover, the ecology of the two taxa is also contrasting, being S.noctiflora a synanthropic-ruderal, mostly in lowlands. Weaker similarities were also observed with the south European subalpine taxa of the group of S.vallesia L. of section Auriculatae (Boiss.) Schischk., though these are not likely to reflect a real systematic affinity.

The stenoendemic species Dalmatocytisus dalmaticus (Vis.) Trinajstić was previously known only from two sites (hills of Medinjak and Šušnjevača) on the outskirts of Sinj. But large populations have been found at over 30 new sites in the surroundings of Sinj, Otok and Trilj. The plant grows on substrate of limestone marls, on rocky grasslands, as well as in the ground layer of planted black pine forests and along the edges of pine forests. The size of the occupied habitat area of D. dalmaticus known so far is estimated at approximately 1.5 km2. The area has been significantly reduced by the expansion of the settlements of Jasenovo and Poljak, as well as by the building of a macadam road through Greda Hill. The planned construction of a quarry with an access road in the Šušnjevača area will result in an additional reduction of the plant's area. Habitats are exposed to strong anthropogenic pressure and to the changes resulting from the previous and current planting of black pine. According to the methods for threat assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we propose that D. dalmaticus should be included in the national red list in the category of ”endangered“ taxa (EN; criteria B2ab(ii,iii,iv)).

Abstract Knowledge concerning the processes involved in defining the boundaries between rainforests (fire-sensitive) and open formations (fire-tolerant) is essential to safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, especially under climate change and increased anthropogenic pressure. Here, we investigated the main environmental factors involved in the co-occurrence of forest islands and humid grasslands located in a protected area in the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve, southeastern Brazil. We used permanent plots to collect the soil variables (moisture and chemical properties) in the forest islands. For sampling in wet grasslands, we installed four lines of 30 m from the edge of the islands in different directions. Subsequently, we delimited three points on each line10 m apart, totaling 12 points per area. We also surveyed the vegetation cover before and after prescribed burns. The environmental variables were subjected to tests of means and principal component analysis. We observed higher values of potassium, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity and organic matter in soils from forest islands than in wet grasslands. Therefore, the boundaries’ definition between the two vegetation types appeared to be primarily related to soil fertility and moisture gradients. After prescribed burning of the areas, no regeneration of arboreal individuals was detected near the edges of the islands. Therefore, our results suggest that forest islands are unable to expand due to well-defined edapho-climatic conditions. Thus, these environments should be a target focus for designing public conservation policies because they increase the complexity of the landscape of Campos Rupestres vegetation (mountain rocky grasslands).

“VESTA - resurvey of natural, non-forest vegetation (Central Europe)” is a thematic, resurvey database focused on documentation of changes in natural, non-forest communities. Currently, the database includes 549 relevés (231 replots for 84 sites) corresponding to the classes Asplenietea trichomanis (incl. Polypodietea), Koelerio-Corynephoretea (rocky grasslands), Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea and Betulo carpaticae-Alnetea viridis. The project is continuous in character. It is based on the phytosociological relevés from own field studies which have been carried out in the Sudetes Mts. and their foothills since 1989. The subject of research have been all types of rocky communities (chasmophytic, grasslands, thickets), mountain and submountain tall-herb communities, subalpine thickets and heathlands. Relevés are collected according to the standard Braun-Blanquet method (species coverage scale: r, +, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and on rectangular or square-shaped surfaces with possible adjustment to the shape of the rocky outcrops. Initially (until 2008), the location of plots was marked on maps and field sketches. However, the fact that all relevés were collected by the owners of the database made it easier to revisit all plots and assigned a location compatible with GPS with SiRFstar III chipset. The accuracy of position measurements varies between 2 and 15 meters (on average 10 meters). Aspect is determined using electronic compass linked to GPS. Altitude is obtained from Google Earth and corrected with landmarks from topographical maps if necessary. The shading of the plots has been visually assessed so far. The bedrock type is derived from a Detailed Geological Map of the Sudetes (http://sudety.pgi.gov.pl/). Subsequent resurveys of the plots are conducted during field visits planned specifically for this purpose or during other research carried out in the same area.

Abstract Based on previously published molecular (mitochondrial) and herein provided morphological (qualitative and quantitative data) evidence, we describe a new species of leaf-eared mouse of the genus Phyllotis. The new species is morphometrically distinct when compared with other phylogenetically or geographically close species of Phyllotis, showing several quantitative differences in their external and craniodental characters (e.g., proportionally broader nasals and interorbital region, and proportionally smaller tympanic bullae). The new species is endemic to central Argentina, occurring on rocky grasslands at elevations of 650–2,800 m a.s.l. This is the only species of Phyllotis inhabiting the Central Sierras, a mountain system of medium elevation, isolated from the Andes by low elevation arid and semiarid environments.

Lychnophorinae comprises 19 genera and 117 species. Its representatives are found mostly in the rocky grasslands ("campos rupestres") of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Goiás States, Brazil. This study presents a palynological investigation of 10 species belonging to the genus Piptolepis, endemic to the rocky grasslands of the Espinhaço Mountains, in Minas Gerais State. The plant material used in this investigation was obtained from specimens deposited in Brazilian herbaria. Pollen grains were processed by the acetolysis method, measured, described, and photomicrographed in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological observations revealed Piptolepis pollen to be large, prolate spheroidal in most species, 3-colporate, ectoapertures long, sexine subechinolophate or sublophate. Endoapertures vary from almost circular, lalongate or lalongate, with a median constriction observed only in three species. Three types of spines were identified: prostrate and disorganized, elongated and narrow, and conical, erect, apex acute in the other species. This first palynological study of Piptolepis species allowed the separation of representatives of the genus using pollen keys. The most significant characters were pollen shape, ornamentation, endoaperture, and presence of median constriction in the endoaperture. The findings presented here do not support the infrageneric classification of Piptolepis, as pollen characters were not unique to any section.

A synthesis on the distribution of the protected lichen species Xanthoparmelia pulvinaris in Hungary is provided. In addition to summarising the herbarium and published data, we have significantly increased the number of known occurrences with systematic field mapping and clarified the distribution pattern of the species in Hungary. The species occurs in the sandy areas of the Great Hungarian and the Little Hungarian Plains, in the southern and southeastern margins and sporadically in the inner hilly landscapes of the Transdanubian Mountain Ranges. Xanthoparmelia pulvinaris is a characteristic species of the open steppe habitats, further important evidence of the plant-geography and historical vegetation development relationships between the sandy grasslands of the plains and the limestone and dolomite rocky grasslands of the middle mountains. Its stronger stands persisted on the eastern edge of the Vértes Mts and in some sand steppes of good natural condition of the Great Hungarian Plain. Most of its mapped occurrences represent small, vulnerable populations.

Beauverdia hirtella comprises two subspecies: hirtella and lorentzii, the former occurs in Uruguay and southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, while the second subspecies spreads in southeastern Corrientes and eastern Entre Ríos provinces, Argentina. Based on field surveys, study of nomenclatural types and other specimens, and review of literature, the new subspecies Beauverdia hirtella subsp. glabrata is here proposed, being endemic to rocky grasslands in south-central Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The new subspecies differs from the other two subspecies in several aspects, including the glabrous leaves and pedicels, the narrower leaves, and the smaller and nearly spherical or obovate capsules. Beauverdia hirtella subsp. glabrata is here described and illustrated, including comments on distribution, phenology and conservation. The main differences with regards to related taxa and a key to distinguish the taxa of Beauverdia are also provided.

Impatiens megamalayana is a recently described balsam from the Megamalai hills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu state. This is a small, annual herb with ridged stem, often distributed in open, wet, rocky grasslands above 1,000 m elevation. The plant considered endemic to the Megamalai hills of Tamil Nadu is recently located in the Urumbikkara hills of Idukki district in Kerala state, which is about 120 km away from its original locality. Urumbikkara is an emerging tourist destination in central Kerala and the newly located populations of the plant are outside protected forest areas and are facing severe threat due to anthrapogenic activities. A detailed description, photographs and distribution maps are provided to facilitate easy identification of the plant in the field. An updated checklist of the genus Impatiens in Kerala state is also furnished for future reference.

Biogeomorphological evolution of rocky hillslopes driven by roots in campos rupestres, Brazil

Two new species of small-sized terrestrial toad of the genus Melanophryniscus from the highland grasslands of the Ventania and Tandilia Mountain Systems in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, are described. We assign provisionally Melanophryniscus diabolicus sp. nov. (Ventania mountains) and Melanophryniscus nigricans sp. nov. (Tandilia mountains) as both belonging to the Melanophryniscus stelzneri group. The new species differs from other congeners by a distinctive combination of characters: dorsum dark black, tympanum concealed, venter blackish, and distribution on highland rocky grasslands in the mountains of Tandilia (M. nigricans sp. nov.), and on highland rocky grasslands in the mountains of Ventania and coastal dune grassland (M. diabolicus sp. nov.). Moreover, the advertisement call of the new species is noticeable different between species and close related species M. atroluteus and M. montevidensis. Both species have experienced local extinctions and should be categorized as threatened species.

Abstract The maintenance of protected lichen species and their biodiversity in general depends on good management practices based on their distribution and habitat preferences. To date, 10 of the 17 protected lichen species of Hungary have been recorded in the Bakony Mts including the Balaton Uplands region. Habitat preferences of three protected Cladonia species (C. arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) growing on underlying rocks of red sandstone, basalt, Pannonian sandstone and gravel were investigated by detailed sampling. We recorded aspect, underlying rock type, soil depth, pH and CaCO3 content, habitat type (as defined by the General National Habitat Classification System Á-NÉR), all species of lichen, bryophyte and vascular plants as well as percentage cover of exposed rock, total bryophytes, lichens, vascular plants and canopy, degree of disturbance and animal impacts. Sporadic populations of these species mostly exist at the top of hills and mountains in open acidofrequent oak forests, but they may occur in other habitats, such as closed acidofrequent oak forests, slope steppes on stony soils, siliceous open rocky grasslands, open sand steppes, wet and mesic pioneer scrub and dry Calluna heaths. Cladonia rangiferina was found to grow beneath higher canopy cover than either C. arbuscula or C. mitis in the Balaton Uplands. Furthermore, there were significant differences in canopy cover between occupied and unoccupied quadrats in the case of all three species. Cladonia rangiferina is a good indicator species of natural habitats in Hungary due to its restricted distribution and low ecological tolerance. These results may lead to the adoption of effective conservation methods (e.g. game exclusion, artificial dispersal) in the future.