Sand Ecosystems Research Articles

Beach sand mycobiome: The silent threat of pathogenic fungi and toxic metal contamination for beachgoers

Emphasis is always placed on bacterial but not fungal pathogens in marine environments. We analysed the fungal diversity, functional predictions, and toxic metals and metalloids contamination in beach sand from different South African locations. Results revealed a diverse fungal community, with Ascomycota, Rozellomycota, and Basidiomycota being the dominant phyla. Functional predictions highlighted fungal metabolic pathways related to of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids, in different beach samples. Elevated concentrations of toxic metals and metalloids were detected in Central and Harbour beach sands, likely due to anthropogenic activities. Correlations among different elements were observed, suggesting complex interactions in the coastal environment. Fungal pathogens like Cladosporium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida in beach sands raise potential public health risk concerns. Therefore, monitoring fungal diversity (including pathogens) alongside bacterial contamination in beach environments is imperative. The results contribute to understanding fungal community dynamics, functional potential, toxic metal and metalloid contamination, and potential risks associated with beach sand ecosystems.

Impact of deeper groundwater depth on vegetation and soil in semi-arid region of eastern China.

Understanding the impact of deep groundwater depth on vegetation communities and soil in sand dunes with different underground water tables is essential for ecological restoration and the conservation of groundwater. Furthermore, this understanding is critical for determining the threshold value of groundwater depth that ensures the survival of vegetation. This paper was conducted in a semi-arid region in eastern China, and the effects of deep groundwater depth (6.25m, 10.61m, and 15.26m) on vegetation communities and soil properties (0-200 cm) across three dune types (mobile, semi-fixed, and fixed dunes) were evaluated in a sand ecosystem in the Horqin Sandy Land. For vegetation community, variations in the same species are more significant at different groundwater depths. For soil properties, groundwater depth negatively influences soil moisture, total carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus concentrations, and soil pH. Besides, groundwater depth also significantly affected organic carbon and available potassium concentrations. In addition, herb species were mainly distributed in areas with lower groundwater depth, yet arbor and shrub species were sparsely distributed in places with deeper groundwater depth. As arbor and shrub species are key drivers of ecosystem sustainability, the adaptation of these dominant species to increasing groundwater depth may alleviate the negative effects of increasing groundwater depth; however, restrictions on this adaptation were exceeded at deeper groundwater depth.

Frac Sand Facilities and Their Potential Effects on the Groundwater Resources of the Monahans-Mescalero Sand Ecosystem, Permian Basin, Texas

Up until the end of the oil and gas boom in 2014, much of the sand used in the Permian Basin for hydraulic fracturing was sourced from upper Midwest of the United States. Because of substantial cost savings, producers in the Permian Basin began using local sand resources, creating an associated boom in local frac-sand mining in the Monahans-Mescalaro Sand Ecosystem. By December 2018, 17 frac-sand operations had registered with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality with 16 being operational with a cumulative annual capacity of 56.8 million tons and a self-reported 2,927 acres of disturbed land. We identified 230 production wells for the 16 facilities with depths ranging from 80 to 1,199 feet and most completed in the Pecos Valley Alluvium and/or Dockum aquifers. Estimated frac sand facility water use (10,000 to 40,000 acre-feet per year, based on 60 to 250 gallons of water consumed per ton of produced sand) rivals or exceeds that of water used in the four counties (Crane, Ector, Ward, and Winkler) with active frac sand facilities (23,500 acre-feet per year). Modeling suggests that long-term pumping of the unconfined Pecos Valley Aquifer may be a challenge requiring additional wells over time or the use of alternative water supplies. For the confined Dockum Aquifer, simulations suggest that pumping might completely deplete artesian pressure at the well field after 10 years.

Soil properties, Groundwater quality and Land use in Coastal Sand Ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh

Soil properties, Groundwater quality and Land use in Coastal Sand Ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh

Development of Biology Learning Media based on Echinoderm Diversity for Support Environmental Sustainability

Biodiversity was the important topic for biology learning to support environmental sustainability, especially in Echinoderms biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to identify Echinoderm species found on Pangumbahan Beach, Ujung Genteng, Sukabumi and develop e-booklet teaching materials for students. The research procedure is field observation with the exploration of transect methods at 3 stations representing 3 ecosystems, namely rocky sand ecosystems, coral ecosystems, and seagrass meadow ecosystems. Sampling was carried out by transecting a combination of plots with a plot size of 5 x 25 meters at three different stations and the develop the learning media with research and development method. The results of the study found 3 classes, 4 orders, 4 families, and 4 genera of Echinodermata consisting of 7 species, namely Ophiocoma scolopendrina, Ophiocoma erinaceus, Ophiomastix annulosus, Diadema setosum, Tripneustes gratilla, Synapta maculata, Euapta gedeffroyi, and Holothuria atra. The validation results of the booklet receive an average score of 88%, placing it in the category of very feasible for use in school learning activities. This media can empower students’ knowledge about biology topic, expecially in Echinoderm to support environmental sustainability.

C:N:P stoichiometry in plant, soil and microbe in Sophora moorcroftiana shrubs across three sandy dune types in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River.

The alpine sandy dune ecosystem is highly vulnerable to global climate change. Ecological stoichiometry in plants and soils plays a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles, energy flow and functioning in ecosystems. The alpine sandy dune ecosystem is highly vulnerable to global climate change. However, the stoichiometric changes and correlations of plants and soils among different types of sandy dunes have not been fully explored. Three sandy dune types (moving dune, MD; semifixed dune, SFD; and fixed dune, FD) of the Sophora moorcroftiana shrub in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River were used as the subjects in the current study. Plant community characteristics, soil physicochemical properties, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents of leaves, understorey herbs, litter, and soil microbes were evaluated to explore the C:N:P stoichiometry and its driving factors. Sandy dune type significant affected on the C:N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils. High soil N:P ratio was observed in FD and high plant C:P and N:P ratios in SFD and MD. The C:N ratio decreased with sand dune stabilization compared with other stoichiometric ratios of soil resources. Leaf C:P and N:P ratios in S. moorcroftiana were higher than those in the understorey herb biomass, because of the low P concentrations in leaves. C, N and P contents and stoichiometry of leaves, understorey herbs, litter and microbe were significantly correlated with the soil C, N and P contents and stoichiometry, with a higher correlation for soil N:P ratio. P was the mainly limiting factor for the growth of S. moorcroftiana population in the study area and its demand became increasingly critical with the increase in shrub age. The variation in the C:N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils was mainly modulated by the soil physicochemical properties, mainly for soil moisture, pH, available P and dissolved organic C. These findings provide key information on the nutrient stoichiometry patterns, element distribution and utilization strategies of C, N and P and as well as scrubland restoration and management in alpine valley sand ecosystems.

A multistakeholder approach and techno-economic analysis of a mechanical reclamation process for waste foundry sand in the Indian context

This article presents a holistic approach to promote waste foundry sand (WFS) reclamation in India by designing a framework for a multistakeholder approach that combines resources, technology, and potential market. The scale of WFS generation and dumping is estimated based on a survey, and a solution is proposed that integrates WFS collection and sand reclamation technology for foundry sand ecosystem development. The study further examined the economic feasibility of a mechanical reclamation process for WFS, using indicators such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), discounted payback period (DPBP), and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). A sand reclamation plant of 1 ton h−1 capacity showed promising economics, and the NPV, IRR, DPBP, and BCR were found to be ₹57.21 million ($0.76 million), 29.78%, 2.82 years, and 5.48, respectively. All the operating, manpower, raw material, and utility costs reasonably influence the economics of the reclamation process. In parallel, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were carried out using a Monte Carlo simulation to understand the influence of the above-mentioned indicators on the economics of the process. This uncertainty analysis predicted an average NPV of ₹56.55 ± 2 million ($0.75 ± 0.027 million). The castings made up of reclaimed sand appeared to be cost competitive at the reclaimed sand price in the range of ₹1000–2000 ton−1 ($13.33–26.67 ton−1). Overall, the designed framework appears to encourage reduction in WFS disposal and promotion of reclaimed sand in Indian foundries. Policy interventions are suggested to promote the proposed solution in its initial phase.

First Recorded Account of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Sand Dunes in South Eastern Australia: Biogeography and Species Richness

Hanlon, L.M., 2021. First recorded account of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sand dunes in south eastern Australia: Biogeography and species richness. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(2), 280–290. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Coastal arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on incipient foredunes survive in extreme and environmentally stressful ecosystems that are regularly eroded and replaced. These dunes encounter strong, salt-laden winds, sea-water overwash, and low nutrients and are subject to storms of greater magnitude than established foredunes, often being scarped. The species richness of coastal arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was examined in sand dunes, as well as in the roots of mixed vegetation and grasses growing in the dunes, to elucidate differences in species between the incipient foredune and established foredune gradients and to address the paucity of information on the biogeography of coastal arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Seventy-three operational taxonomic units were identified through DNA analyses and classified into 16 arbuscular mycorrhizal species, of which Glomus spp. was dominant in both dune niches. Three species were specific to the established foredune ecosystem, and four discrete species were found in the incipient foredune ecosystem, demonstrating a robustness to disturbance. Additionally, one discrete species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus was found in the two incipient foredune grasses. All nucleotide sequences have been accepted and assigned accession numbers by GenBank. The identification of microbial biota in coastal sites is of vital importance in allowing more informed decisions to be made on the restoration and conservation of coastal sand dunes or ecosystem remediation. It is postulated that these results are the first to report the biogeography and species richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the southern coast of Australia.

The role of ecological groups in the formation of cyanobacterial communities in the ecosystems of the North Azov region (Ukraine)

The role of Cyanoprokaryota ecological groups in the ecosystems of the North Azov region was revealed in this work. On the territory of Pryazovskyi National Nature Park, 9 experimental polygons were studied, which covered steppe areas or slopes, salt marshes, coastal sandy soils and water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries, sea bays, lagoons). As a result of research on the territory of Pryazovskyi National Nature Park, 124 species of cyanoprokaryotes were identified, which include 127 intraspecific taxa. It was proved that the procedure of canonical correspondence analysis is the most suitable for the analysis of the species matrix. The axes identified as a result of the ordination procedure, which indicate the coordinated dynamics of the species, correlated with both synecological characteristics, such as diversity indicators, and with autoecological characteristics, such as ecotypes of cyanoprokaryotes in relation to habitat types or types of adaptation to salinity conditions. The first four canonical axes together explain 47.5% of species matrix variability. Canonical axis 1 explains 18.0% of the variability of the species matrix and is mostly marked by aqual subaerophytes and eurybionts. This axis indicates the presence of a gradient of salinity conditions where the most saline conditions correspond to the positive values of the axis, and the negative values correspond to less saline. Canonical axis 2 describes 12.1% of species matrix variability. This axis differentiates aquatic ecosystems from others. Canonical axis 3 explains 10.0% of the communities’ variability. This axis distinguishes freshwater ecosystems from saline ecosystems. Markers of freshwater communities are stenotopic halotolerants, which are narrow-range, common mainly in the temperate zone of Europe. The canonical axis 4 explains 7.3% of variability of the matrix of species and is able to differentiate sand ecosystems. The ecotopic structure and geographic range width of community species have the greatest independent value among the considered sources of variation. The independent role of adaptation to the salinity conditions of the ecotope and the role of the type of ecosystems is somewhat smaller. The interaction between the sources of variation is important in the variation of the structure of communities. The interaction between the ecotopic structure and the geographic range width of species and the triple interaction between the ecotopic structure of a community, the width of the geographic range of species and the ecosystem type plays the greatest role in the variation of community structure. Ecotopic groups, which indicate the preference of a particular habitat, correlate with the species composition of the communities. It is shown that the ratio of ecototopic groups in a community is a characteristic that reveals the features of the community as a whole.

Effects of checkerboard barriers on the distribution of aeolian sandy soil particles and soil organic carbon

Sand-barrier setup is an important measure to protect the topsoil against wind erosion. Salix psammophila checkerboard barriers are used widely in the Mu Us Sandy Land in order to ensure the safety of life and agricultural production. To measure variations in soil structure and quality caused by barriers with different duration (7 years and 2 years), the composition of aeolian sandy soil particles and the soil organic carbon (SOC) distributions are studied; the dunes with no barrier are used as controls (CK). Analyzed by multi-fractal parameters, the topsoil samples are collected in the field and tested in the laboratory.The predominant soil particles are fine sand, medium coarse sand and clay, and the contents of silt and very fine sand increase with extending barrier duration, which shows a wider distribution range, greater dispersion degree and larger soil particle heterogeneity. The aeolian sandy particles, particularly fine granular grains, are deposited and accumulate at the bottom and top of dunes because of the barrier blocking effect.The particle size distribution (PSD) heterogeneity is the highest in 7-year barrier dunes and the lowest in the no barrier dunes. The mean values of D0 (Capacity dimension) of 7-year barrier dunes, D1 (entropy dimension) of the no barrier dunes and D1/D0 of 2-year barrier dunes are maxima. In addition, the PSD range and distribution increased with prolonged dune barrier duration, as well as the changes of Δf(∂) (shape of the multi-fractal spectrum) and Δ∂ (width of multi-fractal spectrum).SOC content increased with increasing barrier duration and decreasing D1/D0. The average SOC contents of 7-year barrier dunes were the maximum and one of no barrier dunes had the minimum SOC content, and their difference was significant (P < 0.05). In both the PSD and SOC distribution, the 7-year barrier showed better results on the topsoil than that of 2-year and no barrier situation.Correlations between the SOC content and the PSD multi-fractal parameters of both 7-year and 2-year barrier dunes are significantly different (P < 0.01). The multi-fractal parameters can be used to indicate soil nutrient contents, which provide fundamental knowledge for evaluating the effectiveness of ecological engineering to restore soil quality and structure to sandy ecosystems. Salix psammophila checkerboard sand barriers play a role in increasing the fine particles and soil organic carbon in surface dune soil, which is helpful in restoring the Mu Us sand ecosystem. The early use of sand barriers is therefore recommended.

近10年青海湖东沙地人工植被群落特征

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 近10年青海湖东沙地人工植被群落特征 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201712292353 作者: 作者单位: 北京师范大学地理科学学部,青海大学农林科学院,青海大学省部共建三江源生态和高原农牧业国家重点实验室,北京师范大学地理科学学部,青海大学省部共建三江源生态和高原农牧业国家重点实验室 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（41461002，41661001）；青海省自然科学基金项目（2018-ZJ-966Q）；青海省科学技术厅项目（2016-HZ-822）；青海省"高端创新人才千人计划"项目 Features of artificial plant communities from the east sand region of the Qinghai Lake over the last 10 years Author: Affiliation: Faculty of Geography, Beijing Normal University,Qinghai Academy of Agricultural Forestry Sciences,State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China,, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:植物治沙是高寒沙地植被重建与生态恢复的重要措施，人工植被群落特征的研究揭示了植被对高寒沙地生态环境的适应性与改良性，有益于筛选高寒沙地治沙物种。2008-2017年，通过对青海湖湖东沙地人工治理沙丘上的11种人工植被（沙棘（Hippophae rhamnoides）、乌柳（Salix cheilophila）、樟子松（Pinus sylvestris）、小叶杨（Populus simonii）、柠条（Caragana korshinskii）、沙蒿（Artemisia desertorum）、花棒（Hedysarum scoparium）、沙地柏（Sabina vulgaris）、柽柳（Tamarix chinensis）、青海云杉（Picea crassifolia）和金露梅（Potentilla fruticosa））进行植被调查和群落特征分析，结果显示：（1）除柽柳、金露梅之外，各人工物种均能保持80%以上的当年成活率和50%以上的保存率，总盖度以每年6.4%-8.8%的速度增加，乌柳、小叶杨、柠条和花棒林地群落的丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数相对较高，而沙棘和樟子松的群落优势度较高；（2）前3-5年通常为各物种成活与生长的关键期，也是群落形成与多样性增加的快速期；（3）沙棘、乌柳、樟子松、花棒和小叶杨的群落防风固沙效益和土壤水分与养分的改良效益显著，为高寒沙地典型优良的固沙物种。 Abstract:Artificial introduced plants played an important role in alpine and sandy vegetation reconstruction and recovery. Research on these artificial plant communities has helped in the development of sand-fixing mechanisms and ecological improvements; especially in the optimization of adaptive vegetation species. From 2008 to 2017, we selected 11 artificially transplanted species in the east sand area of Qinghai Lake to study. Vegetation sample surveys were performed every summer, and plant growth and community forming features were calculated and analyzed with the following three main results:(1)The majority of species, with the exception of Tamarix chinensis and Potentilla fruticosa, showed high survival rates above 80 percent and conservation rates of over 50 percent through the entire study period. Some species, e.g., Hippophae rhamnoides, Salix cheilophila, Pinus sylvestris, Populus simonii, and Hedysarum scoparium, with their fast-growing heights and canopy diameters, exhibited strong adaptability to alpine-sand ecology. Also, the coverages of all plant communities increased significantly, at a rate of 6.4 percent to 8.8 percent a year, with obvious benefits to the recovery of the sand ecosystem. In species diversity, Caragana korshinskii, S. cheilophila, H. scoparium, and P. simonii all had a relatively high diversity indexes including the Simpson's index, the Shannon-Weiner index, the Margalef richness index and Pielou evenness index. H. rhamnoides and P. sylvestris had remained dominant and constructive in the plant community.(2)The first three to five years were key to plant survival and growth. This period also displayed rapid growth of the forming community and increasing plant diversity.(3)H. rhamnoides, S. cheilophila, P. sylvestris, H. scoparium, and P. simonii should be selected as pioneer species to control desertification and recover plant ecosystems because of their strong benefits in terms of wind-sand prevention and soil amelioration. Other species could be subsidiary plants during vegetation reconstruction and recovery in all alpine-sand areas. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

PROCESS BASED NUMERICAL MODELING AND LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE OF COASTAL SAND DUNE

Coastal sand dunes are important in the nearshore environment with respect to the sand supply, ecosystem, and hazard mitigation. While the reliable prediction of the dune erosion is important, numerical modeling of this phenomenon is still challenging. In this study, a process based morphological modeling was performed and the results were compared with large-scale laboratory experimental data.

Evidence for mtDNA capture in the jacamar Galbula leucogastra/chalcothorax species-complex and insights on the evolution of white-sand ecosystems in the Amazon basin

Jacamar species occur throughout Amazonia, with most species occupying forested habitats. One species-complex, Galbula leucogastra/chalcothorax, is associated to white sand ecosystems (WSE). Previous studies of WSE bird species recovered shallow genetic structure in mtDNA coupled with signs of gene flow among WSE patches. Here, we characterize diversification of the G. leucogastra/chalcothorax species-complex with dense sampling across its distribution using mitochondrial and genomic (Ultraconserved Elements, UCEs) DNA sequences. We performed concatenated likelihood and Bayesian analysis, as well as a species-tree analysis using ∗BEAST, to establish the phylogenetic relationships among populations. The mtDNA results recovered at least six geographically-structured lineages, with G. chalcothorax embedded within lineages of G. leucogastra. In contrast, both concatenated and species-tree analyses of UCE data recovered G. chalcothorax as sister to all G. leucogastra lineages. We hypothesize that the mitochondrial genome of one of the G. leucogastra lineage (Madeira) was captured into G. chalcothorax in the past. We discuss how WSE evolution and the coevolution of mtDNA and nuclear genes might have played a role in this apparently rare event.

Distribution of C4 plants in sand habitats of different climatic regions

Sand dunes of warm regions provide suitable habitats for C4 plants because of their water and nitrogen use efficiency under high temperature and their high tolerance to ecological stress such as salinity, aridity and disturbance. We studied the distribution patterns of C4 plant species in five habitat types of sand dune ecosystems in three climatic regions (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Hyrcanian). We compared the relative abundance of C4 plants in terms of richness and cover and aimed at identifying their habitat preferences in sand ecosystems. Our results revealed that C4 species notably contribute to the vegetation cover, despite their rather low contribution to the richness in comparison with C3 species. Generally, C4 plants were more prominent in mobile dunes, saltmarshes and disturbed sandy ground, but they showed regional differences in habitat preference. In northern and central Iran, C4 plants had the highest relative abundance in mobile dunes whereas in northeastern Greece they dominated disturbed sandy ground. The abundance of C4 plants appears to be influenced by climatic conditions. Central Iran, the driest and warmest among our study regions, has the highest proportion of C4 species in terms of number and cover. We observed an increasing trend in richness and cover of C4 plants with increasing aridity. As the number of C4 species alone may not fully reflect their role in a given area, the C4 plant total vegetation cover is shown to be an additional important parameter in ecological studies.

Sheep trampling on surface‐lying seeds improves seedling recruitment in open sand ecosystems

Low‐intensity grazing with domestic ungulates is an important tool in restoration to enhance habitat openness and foster light‐demanding plant species. Ungulates affect plant regeneration in different ways; one important factor is trampling. We hypothesized that in dry open sand ecosystems sheep trampling is beneficial for seedling recruitment. Therefore, we set up a standardized laboratory experiment, where we simulated trampling on surface‐lying seeds and measured the number of seedlings, mean germination time, synchrony of germination, and aboveground phytomass of seedlings. We studied seeds of 16 herbaceous species occurring in European open inland sand ecosystems, which depend on continuous disturbance dynamics. The species set comprised four plant families (Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae) and two species groups (target and ruderal nontarget species). Across species, trampling had profound effects on seedling emergence, that is it induced a 3.5‐fold increase in the number of emerging seedlings. In addition, germination synchrony and aboveground phytomass increased after trampling, whereas mean germination time decreased. Interestingly, ruderal species seemed to be more susceptible toward trampling than target species. We conclude that sheep trampling strongly promotes seedling emergence in grazed open sand ecosystems by pressing seeds into the uppermost soil layer and improving microclimatic conditions.

Thyrostromella myriana .

Abstract A description is provided for Thyrostromella myriana , found mainly on old dead and dry leaves and stems of Ammophila and other grasses of coastal sand ecosystems. Nothing is known about when it colonizes the substratum, but it is saprobic by the time ascomata are produced. Some information on its habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Australasia (Australia (Victoria)), Europe (Belgium, Denmark (Faeroes), France, Netherlands, UK)).

Tiarospora perforans .

Abstract A description is provided for Tiarospora perforans [ Montagnula perforans ], found mainly on dead and dry leaves and stems of Ammophila and other grasses of coastal sand ecosystems, with a small number of records on living leaves, sometimes causing a leaf speckle on Leymus mollis in Oregon, USA. Nothing is known about when it colonizes the substratum, but it is saprobic by the time ascomata are produced. Some information on its habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (North America (USA (New York, Oregon)), Australasia (Australia (Victoria), New Zealand), Europe (Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden, Ukraine, UK)).

Tubeufia parvula .

Abstract A description is provided for Tubeufia parvula , found mainly on dead attached and fallen leaves, and dead stems and flowers of Ammophila , a grass of coastal sand ecosystems. Nothing is known about when it colonizes the substratum, but it is saprobic by the time ascomata are produced. Some information on its habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Europe (Sweden, UK)).

Plejobolus arenarius .

Abstract A description is provided for Plejobolus arenarius , found on dead leaves of Ammophila , a grass of coastal sand ecosystems. Nothing is known about when it colonizes the substratum, but it is saprobic by the time ascomata are produced. Some information on its habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Europe (Belgium, Sweden, UK)).

Anthostomella phaeosticta .

Abstract A description is provided for Anthostomella phaeosticta , which is most frequently found on dead leaves of grasses typical of coastal sand ecosystem; it has also been found on dead leaves of other monocot genera, again usually in coastal ecosystems. Some information on its habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (North America (Canada, USA (Florida, Texas)), South America (Argentina, Chile), Australasia (New Zealand), Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, UK), Pacific Ocean (USA (Hawaii))).