Acer Tataricum Research Articles

Phenolic compounds and spare carbohydrates content dynamics in seeds of the invasive species Acer negundo and the native species Acer tataricum in connection with their competitiveness in biocenoses

Changes in the content of various phenolic carboxylic acids (FCC) – chlorogenic (HC), caffeic (CC), ferulic (FC), as well as the amounts of flavonoids and spare carbohydrates (monosaccharides, polysaccharides and starch) in the tissues of Acer tataricum and Acer negundo seed embryos (indigenous and invasive species, respectively) during their storage were studied from October to March (cold chamber, t° = +5°C, humidity 80%). There was a significant increase in the content of HC and the absence of CC in December-January in an aboriginal species with a long dormant period. In the invasive species A. negundo, which does not have a rest period, the level of HC also increased, but was ten times lower than in A. tataricum, while a high level of CC was identified. In terms of flavonoid content, the native species A. tataricum is ten times superior to the invasive A. negundo. The carbohydrate content in A. tataricum was about 40%, and in the tissues of A. negundo seed embryos about 15% and did not change during the entire storage period. The dynamics of the content of phenolic compounds and forms of spare carbohydrates, their relationship with the activation of metabolic processes and protective anti-stress mechanisms during the cold storage of seeds and competitiveness in biocenoses are discussed.

The Content Dynamics of Phenolic Compounds and Spare Carbohydrates in Seeds of the Invasive Species Acer negundo and the Native Species Acer tataricum in Connection with Their Competitiveness in Biocenoses

The Content Dynamics of Phenolic Compounds and Spare Carbohydrates in Seeds of the Invasive Species Acer negundo and the Native Species Acer tataricum in Connection with Their Competitiveness in Biocenoses

Seasonal dynamics of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids) in woody plants of the Altai Botanical Garden

This article reflects the results of studies of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids) in 14 species of deciduous plants (trees and shrubs) and one coniferous Juniperus sabina L. in the Altai Botanical Garden during two growing seasons. The following species have a high accumulation of pigments: Acer tataricum L., Juglans cinerea L., Tilia cordata L., Corylus avellana L., Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht., Lonicera tatarica L. For the coniferous species Juniperus sabina L. low levels of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids are characteristic. Berberis thunbergii DC is also distinguished by a low accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. Minor differences between the species were noted in the content of carotenoids, twelve species were included in the group with low and medium content of this pigment. There is no definite pattern in the accumulation of carotenoids, and the data on the types and number of yellow pigments do not differ significantly. As a result of the conducted studies, a correlation was revealed between the content of carotenoids and the content of chlorophyll a in most species. The data obtained indicate the presence of species specificity in the content of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids. Also, the photosynthetic apparatus of woody plants is sensitive to light and water conditions

Seasonal dynamics of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids) in woody plants of the Altai Botanical Garden

This article reflects the results of studies of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids) in 14 species of deciduous plants (trees and shrubs) and one coniferous Juniperus sabina L. in the Altai Botanical Garden during two growing seasons. The following species have a high accumulation of pigments: Acer ta-taricum L., Juglans cinerea L., Tilia cordata L., Corylus avellana L., Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht., Lonicera tatarica L. For the coniferous species Juniperus sabina L. low levels of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids are characteristic. Berberis thunbergii DC is also distinguished by a low accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. Minor differences between the species were noted in the content of carotenoids, twelve species were included in the group with low and medium content of this pigment. There is no definite pattern in the accumulation of carotenoids, and the data on the types and number of yellow pigments do not differ significantly. As a result of the conducted studies, a correlation was revealed between the content of carotenoids and the content of chlorophyll a in most species. The data obtained indicate the presence of species specificity in the content of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids. Also, the photosynthetic apparatus of woody plants is sensitive to light and water conditions.

Three new Rhyncaphytoptinae mite species from China (Acari: Eriophyoidea)</p >

Three new species of eriophyoid mite from China are described and illustrated. They are Rhyncaphytoptus emeishanicus sp. nov. on Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Sapindaceae), Rhyncaphytoptus thysanolaenus sp. nov. on Thysanolaena latifolia (Poaceae), and Catarhinus haikouicus sp. nov. on Miscanthus floridulus (Poaceae). All three new eriophyoid mite species are vagrants causing no apparent symptom to their host plants.

Patterns of Leaf and Fruit Morphological Variation in Marginal Populations of Acer tataricum L. subsp. tataricum.

Marginal populations are usually smaller and more isolated and grow in less favourable conditions than those at the distribution centre. The variability of these populations is of high importance, as it can support the adaptations needed for the conditions that they grow in. In this research, the morphological variability of eight Tatar maple (Acer tataricum L. subsp. tataricum) populations was analysed. Tatar maple is an insect-pollinated and wind-dispersed shrub/tree, whose northwestern distribution edge is in southeastern Europe. Morphometric methods were used to analyse the variability of the populations using leaf and fruit morphology. The research revealed significant differences between and within populations. Furthermore, differences in the distribution of the total variability were noted, which suggest that different evolutionarily factors affect different plant traits. Correlation analysis confirmed a weak dependency between the vegetative and generative traits. In addition, no evidence was found for the presence of isolation by environment (IBE). However, the Mantel test for isolation by distance (IBD) was significant for the leaf morphometric traits and non-significant for the fruit morphometric traits. Being the marginal leading-edge populations, they are younger and were less likely to have had time for adaptation to local environments, which would have resulted in the development of IBE. Overall, edge populations of Tatar maple were characterised by great morphological variability, which helps these populations in their response to the intensive selective pressures they face in their environment.

Comparative Analysis of Foliar Diseases of Some Native and Non-Native Tree Species in Belarus and Siberia

Urban green spaces are known to be subjected to additional anthropogenic stress. Using native plants in monoculture, i.e., planting trees of the same species, may favour disease outbreaks and plant death. Non-native plants to be used in large cities for creating sustainable plantations are being searched for worldwide. Meanwhile, it is necessary to control plant pathogens in the variable conditions of the region and natural habitat. In Siberian cities, non-native European trees are used, and non-native Siberian plants are introduced in Belarus. This article reports long-term observations of foliar fungal pathogens attacking 21 woody plants (19 European, 2 Siberian) in Siberian and Belarusian cities. In both regions, 48 leaf fungal pathogens were detected, with powdery mildew fungi predominating in Belarus and leaf spotting fungi prevailing in Siberia. In both research regions, the greatest number of fungal species was found on Syringa vulgaris L. In Siberia, many pathogens were found on the non-native European plant Berberis vulgaris (9 species) and native plant Caragana arborescens Lam. (8 species). We have not detected the pathogens on European plants: Acer campestre L., Acer platanoides L., Euonymus europaeus L., Lonicera caprifolium L. in urban green areas in Siberia, while we have identified one to four foliar fungal pathogens on these plants in Belarus. To sum up: more pathogens were found on native plants in Siberia and Belarus; some leaf pathogen species (Sawadaea tulasnei (Fuckel) Homma, Erysiphe alphitoides (Griffon & Maubl.) U. Braun & S. Takam., Cladosporium syringae (Oudem.) Montem., Erysiphe syringae Schwein., Erysiphe palczewskii (Jacz.) U. Braun & S. Takam.) followed their host plants (Acer tataricum L., Syringa vulgaris L., Caragana arborescens Lam.) when introduced into new areas; and some local pathogens were also observed to spread to the non-native plants of closely related species.

Assessment of the ecological status of street plantings in Balashikha city, Moscow region

The level of urbanization in the world is increasing by the year. In Russia, it amounts to about 75%. Green spaces play a leading role in the process of maintaining the ecological balance of urbanized territories. One of the main sources of environmental pollution in cities are cars. Monitoring the condition of woody plants in outdoor plantings is an important part of assessing the condition of urban systems. The purpose of the work is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the ecological state of tree plantations in the street plantings of Balashikha, a city, which is a part of Moscow agglomeration. The study was carried out in 2019-2021 in 20 streets of Balashikha. The species composition, the vital state of tree and shrub vegetation in street plantings according to Alekseev’s methodology and winter hardiness according to Lapin and Sidneva’s methodology were revealed. The following results were obtained: in the street plantings of Balashikha there are 21 species of trees and shrubs, the average age of tree plantations is 30-40 years, the most common ones are Аcеr nеgundo L., Аcеr plаtаnoidеs L., Tiliа cordаtа Mill., single - Acer tataricum L., Pinus sylvestris L., Sorbus aucuparia (L.) Gaertn., Ulmus laevis Pall. In order to maintain sustainable development, it is necessary to change the strategy of urban greening (implement a more diverse species composition, conduct monitoring studies involving not only utilities, but also researchers dealing with urban ecology problems, apply modern maintenance technologies. Recommendations are given on the introduction of new types of woody plants for outdoor plantings to improve the ecological situation in Balashikha.

Comparison of Seasonally Adaptive Metabolic Response Strategies of Two Acer Species

Acer L. species are well known as ornamental trees due to their colourful leaves in autumn season. Acer pictum subsp. mono (Maxim.) H. Ohashi (APM) and Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Maximowicz) Wesmael (ATG) form leaves with completely different colours in autumn, yellow and red, respectively. In response to this phenomenon, we investigated the metabolic regulation of APM and ATG in different seasons by combining metabolomics, ionomics, the antioxidant system and pigment content. The results showed that the process of senescence and discolouration exists in leaves of different Acer species, and the regulatory strategy shows species specificity. Compared with green leaves, the accumulation of primary metabolites in autumn leaves of APM was extensively depleted, chlorophyll content was decreased, and antioxidant enzymes and C6C3C6 type phenolic compounds synergistically enhanced the antioxidant capacity of plants to cope with senescence. Carotenoid content was raised, which together with phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, rutin) provides the leaves with a yellow colour. The response of chlorophyll and the antioxidant system in autumn leaves of ATG is consistent with that of APM, while sugar content increases. The increased anthocyanin content in autumn leaves of ATG explains the transition of leaves from green to the red colour, which may be accompanied by the combined effect of elements (Fe, Zn, Mn) and isoflavones. This study provides a reference for the study of colouration mechanism and seasonal adaptation in Acer L. species.

Фітосанітарний стан Acer tataricum L. в урбоценозах правобережної частини м. Дніпра

The research results of the vital state of Acer tataricum L. trees in the green areas of an industrial city in the period 2019–2021 are presented. In the city of Dnipro, Tatar maple grows in small groups or in a row planting in separate localities (stow, island, central park, residential and school area). A total of 112 A. tataricum trees were examined. The vital condition of most of them (75.0 %) was assessed as acceptable. The average parameters of the trees are as follows: plant height – 6 m, age – 28 years, trunk diameter – 10.2 cm. The best average indicators of the length of the annual growth have the trees of A. tataricum from the Lazar Globa Park – 5.8 mm, and «Tunelna Balka» stow – 5.7 mm. The diameter of the annual increase does not change reliably and is 2.3 mm on average for all researched trees. Examination of the leaves of A. tataricum to analyze the distribution, level of harmfulness and establish the phyllophages species composition and leaf diseases was carried out once a decade. A total of 3042 leaves were collected. The overall level of leaf damage by phyllophages was 48.6 %. The most damaged leaves were from trees growing in the central park (74.5 %) and the «Tunelna Balka» stow (65.4 %), the least – on Monastyrskyi Island (26.5 %). Among the types of damage, the main ones were: change in color of leaves due to feeding by sucking insects (50.5 % of all damaged leaves), leaves gnawing by chewing insects with an open lifestyle (40.3 %); leaf mining in 0.4 % of cases, gall-formation – in 0.5 %, respectively. During the research period, only two leaf diseases were detected. The specific disease of the Tatar maple, induced by the fungus Taphrina polyspora (Sorokīn) Johanson, 1886, affects plants in all experimental plots, in some cases the level of damage not only to the leaves, but also to the A. tataricum fruits of reached 100 % (Pokrovsky residential area, Monastyrskyi Island). Maple powdery mildew was detected only on the leaves of A. tataricum in a row planting on the school territory. It was established that the complex of insects – phyllophagous and anthophagous of Tatar maple, which grows in the green areas of the Dnipro right-bank, includes 28 species from 23 genera 15 families 5 orders. The share of Hemiptera is 42.8 %, Lepidoptera – 28.6 %, Coleoptera – 21.4 %, Thysanoptera and Diptera – 3.6 % each.

Floristic findings in the Republic of Tuva and in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Upper Yenisei basin)

In the course of field research, analysis of previously published works and review of materials stored in well-known collection funds of Siberia (NS, KRAS, SSHZ), information on the distribution of rare adventitious and native plant species in the Upper Yenisei basin was clarified. For the first time, Arctium lappa, Armoracia sisymbrioides, Bupleurum sibiricum, Calystegia sepium, Lolium perenne, Pastinaca sativa, and Polygonum subaphyllum were noted for the flora of the Republic of Tuva. Stipa glareosa was collected for the first time on the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Viola tricolor was turned out to be new for the flora of the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. For 10 rare species, new locations were noted and range boundaries were specified: Acer tataricum, Armoracia rusticana, Avena fatua, Carduus nutans, Clematis aethusifolia, Convolvulus arvensis, Polygonum rurivagum, Sedum acre, Setaria pumila, and Viola tricolor.

Синтаксономический обзор мезофитных широколиственных лесов союза Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015 Юго-Запада России

Mesophilous broad-leaved forests predominating in south-western part of Russia were included in alliance Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015, association Fraxino excelsioris–Quercetum roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch 2003 and three geographic subassociations. The subassociation F. e.–Q. r. typicum Bulokhov et Solomeshch 2003 in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015 unites communities occurring mainly in the broad-leaved forests zone of the Central Russian Upland. The subassociation F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori Semenishchenkov et al. 2015 occurs in the northern part of the association range in the zone of broad-leaved forests and close to the southeastern border of the hemiboreal subzone. Mesophilous broad-leaved forests occurring in the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland were included in the subass. F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae Semenishchenkov in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015. The geographical distribution of the syntaxa is related to the climate continentality gradient — from the subass F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae (the largest continentality indices) to the subass. F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori (the smallest continentality indices). The associations Aceri campestris–Tilietum cordatae Zaugolnova et Braslavskaya 2003 (nom. inv.) from the Kaluga and Tula Regions (Zaugolnova, Braslavskaya, 2003) and Aceri campestris–Quercetum roboris (nom. inv.) (var. Acer tataricum) described from the Voronezh Region (Starodubtseva, Khanina, 2009) were included in the association Fraxino excelsioris–Quercetum roboris after comparative syntxonomical analysis. On the basis of a comparative analysis, diagnostic combinations of subassociations were compiled, consisting of species with constancy above 20 % and values of the statistical φ-coefficient for selections above 20: F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori — Carex sylvatica (5059.9), Equisetum hyemale (2842.3), Galeobdolon luteum (10087.4), Matteucia struthiopteris (4257.7), Ranunculus cassubicus (5857.9), Stellaria nemorum (3349.6); F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae — Acer tataricum (5362.0), Crataegus rhipidophylla (5964.0), Poa nemoralis (2736.9), Pyrus pyraster (3840.8), Scilla siberica (4558.4), Viola odorata (3440.5). Analysis of the differentiaal table of mesophilous broad-leaved and spruce-broad-leaved forests syntaxa made it possible to conclude that associations previously (Onyshchenko, 2009) assigned in Ukraine to alliance Scillo sibericae–Quercion roboris have a high floristic similarity with the syntaxa of Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris from the South-West of Russia, especially in the forest-steppe part of its range. Selections of three subassociations of the association Mercurialo perennis–Quercetum roboris from Ukraine floristically close to the syntaxa of alliance Querco roboris–Tilion cordatae from the South-West of Russia. In the dendrogram of cluster analysis, the compared syntaxa are grouped into two blocks corresponding to the rank of alliances: Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris and Querco roboris–Tilion cordatae. Based on the review, the authors believe that the «Hierarchical floristic classification system…» (Mucina et al., 2016) may be amended in terms of recognizing the syntaxonomical independence of the alliance Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris and its geographical interpretation. Derivative communities disturbed by humans in the place of mesophylous broad-leaved forests are classified as anthropogenic variants and non-rank «communities» named after the dominant species: Betula pendula, Populus tremula, Tilia cordata. Forests with a poor floristic composition, in which the diagnostic species of association and subassociation drop out of the coenoflora are classified as inops variants. They are characterized by a noticeable decrease in the average floristic saturation in comparison with typical communities. Derivative forests with a predominance of Betula pendula have a higher species richness in comparison with aspen or linden forests, as well as typical phytocoenoses of the association.

УЧЕТ И ИНВЕНТАРИЗАЦИЯ ЗЕЛЕНЫХ НАСАЖДЕНИЙ ЛАНДШАФТНО-АРХИТЕКТУРНОГО ОБЪЕКТА – ГОРОДСКОГО ПАРКА КУЛЬТУРЫ И ОТДЫХА Г. УРАЛЬСКА

This article discusses the issues of accounting and inventory of green spacesin the territory of the city park and provides the results of their quantitative and qualitative assessment. The studies were conducted using standard methods. The main purpose of the field study was to analyze the structure of existing plantings. The structure includes the determination of the species composition, age structure, nature and density of plant placement. In total, fifteen sections of the park territory occupied by green spaces were examined. In the course of the study, 5,496 specimens were recorded on an area of 16.5 hectares, among which 4,882 specimens were trees and 614 shrubs, and it was found that trees occupy 82% of the area of plantings, and shrubs – 18%; the most numerous species: Acer tataricum. Ulmusparvifolia, Fraxinus Americana, Betula pendula, Ulmuslaevis, Populus alba, Populusnigra; average tree age 26 years; average tree height 12.4 m.

Особливості гніздобудування вивірки лісової (Sciurus vulgaris) в умовах Кам’янця-Подільського

Research on the biotopic distribution, abundance, and specific nesting features of the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) was carried out from October 2016 until May 2017 in the entire area of Kamianets-Podilskiy (Khmelnitskiy Oblast, Ukraine). By its construction type and tree vegetation, the following biotopes were singled out in the town area: one-storey buildings, multi-storey buildings, mixed housing types, parks, industrial area, the Smotrych river’s canyon, and gardening area. In total, 272 nests of the European red squirrel were registered, including 89 nests in parks (32.7 % of the total number of nests), 79 in the industrial area (29.0 %), 49 in the mixed housing area (18.0 %), 19 in the area of multi-storey buildings (7.0 %), 13 in the area of one-storey buildings (4.8 %), 12 in the gardening area (4.4 %), and 11 in the canyon of the Smotrych river (4.0 %). In Kamianets-Podilskiy and its surroundings, 178 178 pairs of the European red squirrel were recorded, what makes up 65.4 % of the number of registered nests. The population density (pair/km2) of the red squirrel in Kamianets-Podilskiy is 6.4 pairs/km2. The highest density was observed in the forest-park area (43.3 pairs/km2), in the canyon of the Smotrych river (10.7 pairs/km2), and in the area multi-storey buildings (9.1 pairs/km2). Squirrel nests were observed on 21 tree species, including the linden Тіlіа sp., the asp Populus sp., the chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, the sycamore tree Acer tataricum, the field maple Асеr саmреstrе, the elm tree Ulmus laevis, the sweet cherry Prunus sp., the maple Acer negundo, the fir tree Рісеа sp., the walnut tree Juglans regia, the horn beech Саrріnus bеculus, the willow Salix alba, the acacia Robinia pseudoacacia, the ash tree Frахіnus ехсеlsіоr, the birch tree Betula sp., the poplar Populus sp., the pyramidal poplar Populus pyramidalis, the cedar Thuja occidentalis, the Norway maple Acer platanoides, the honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos, and the oak Quеrсus rоbur. Most nests were located on the pyramidal poplar (24.1 %), linden (19.7 %), and Norway maple (13.7 %), while the least number of nests was found on the fir tree (0.8 %) and chestnut (0.8 %). The European red squirrel usually arranges its nests at the height of 3.5 m to 23 m, in average 9.3 m. The specific features of location of squirrel nests depend on the tree species (the highest nests being located on the ash tree, pyramidal poplar, and the lowest nests being on the fir tree and cedar). The squirrel mostly arranges its nests at whorls usually made up of 3–4 branches (51.9 %), near the trunk (32.7 %), on the branches (13.0 %) and between trunks (2.4 %).

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala Inhibits Skin Photoaging via Regulating MAPK/AP-1, NF-κB, and TGFβ/Smad Signaling in UVB-Irradiated Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Skin, the organ protecting the human body from external factors, maintains structural and tensile strength by containing many collagen fibrils, particularly type I procollagen. However, oxidative stress by ultraviolet (UV) exposure causes skin photoaging by activating collagen degradation and inhibiting collagen synthesis. Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala extract (AGE) is a herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, but there is no report on the protective effect against skin photoaging. Therefore, we conducted research concentrating on the anti-photoaging effect of Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (AG) in UVB (20 mJ/cm2)-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Then, various concentrations (7.5, 15, 30 µg/mL) of AGE were treated in HDF for 24 h following UVB irradiation. After we performed AGE treatment, the matrix metalloproteinase1 (MMP1) expression was downregulated, and the type I procollagen level was recovered. Then, we investigated the mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein 1 (MAPK/AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, which induce collagen breakdown by promoting the MMP1 level and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The results indicated that AGE downregulates the expression of the MAPK/AP-1 pathway, leading to MMP1 reduction. AGE inhibits nuclear translocation of NF-κB and inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (IκB) degradation. Therefore, it downregulates the expression of MMP1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 increased by UVB. Besides, the TGFβ/Smad pathway, which is mainly responsible for the collagen synthesis in the skin, was also analyzed. AGE decreases the expression of Smad7 and increases TGFβRII expression and Smad3 phosphorylation. This means that AGE stimulates the TGFβ/Smad pathway that plays a critical role in promoting collagen synthesis. Thus, this study suggests that AGE can be a functional material with anti-photoaging properties.

ФИТОМЕЛИОРАТИВНАЯ РОЛЬ КУСТАРНИКОВОГО ПОЯСА В ПРИДОРОЖНЫХ НАСАЖДЕНИЯХ

Along the federal roads of the Rostov region, Krasnodar Territory and the Stavropol Territory, it is increasingly possible to find clean plantations consisting of one or two tree species, with a completely destroyed bush belt. In 62 % of the plots studied, the shrub belt is represented by species of scumpia (Cotinus coggygria, 17 %), terna (Prunus spinosa, 9 %), elm (Ulmus parvifolia, 5 %), maple (Acer tataricum, 3 %), that is, resistant to anthropogenic and climatic factors steppe The bush belt in protective roadside strips plays a significant role in the accumulation of soil moisture (by 6.3 %), humus (by 2.4 %), in reducing the noise load (by 25 dB). Ancestral and overband shrubs make it possible to create a dense structure of forest strips, which fully performs protective functions both from drifts of the highway bed with snow, and to reduce the negative impact of vehicles on adjacent landscapes. The study of the phytomeliorative role of the shrub belt in existing roadside plantations is a relevant area of research for the further development of recommendations for the creation and maintenance of protective roadside plantings in the steppe zone of southern Russia.

Communities of broadleaved woodlands of the lower part of the forest belt of the Belaya river basin (North-Western Caucasus)

The study of phytocoenotic diversity of oak and oak-hornbeam forests of the lower part of the forest belt in the Belaya river basin (Western Caucasus) was performed using the Braun-Blanquet approach. Five floristically different groups of releves were identified based on quantitative classification (Ward's method, Jaccard Distance Measure). An association rank was established for each group. According to the results of comparative syntaxonomic analysis, three associations of moderately masic oak and oak-hornbeam forests - Geranio sanguinei-Quercetum petraeae ass. nova hoc loco (diagnostic species: Pinus sylvestris, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Rhododendron luteum, Geranium sanguineum, Vaccinium arctostaphylos), Inulo salicinae-Quercetum petraeae ass. nova hoc loco (diagnostic species: Brachypodium pinnatum, Inula salicina, Dorycnium graecum, Laser trilobum, Trifolium medium, Viola alba, Stachys officinalis, Pyrethrum poteriifolium, Phleum phleoides, Teucrium chamaedrys, Genista patula) and Acero tatarici-Carpinetum betuli ass. nova hoc loco (diagnostic species: Phalacroloma annuum, Thalictrum minus, Torilis japonica, Prunus divaricata, Physalis alkekengi, Lamium maculatum, Acer tataricum) were included in the alliance Crataego-Carpinion Passarge 1981, order Lathyro-Carpinetalia Passarge 1981, class Carpino-Fagetea Jakucs et Passarge 1968. The correct syntaxonomic position of two associations of mesic hornbeam and oak-hornbeam forests - Dryopterido filicis-maris-Carpinetum betuli ass. nova hoc loco (diagnostic species: Dryopteris filix-mas, Circaea lutetiana, Aegopodium podagraria, Paris incompleta, Abies nordmanniana, Impatiens noli-tangere, Festuca gigantean, Symphytum grandiflorum, Dipsacus pilosus, Aconitum orientale, Asperula caucasica, Moehringia trinervia, Polygonatum orientale) and Vincetoxico scandentis-Carpinetum betuli ass. nova hoc loco (diagnostic species: Viola hirta, Vincetoxicum scandens, Ligustrum vulgare, Lathyrus vernus, Polygonatum multiflorum, Rubus caucasicus, Euphorbia squamosa) has not been determined, however their relations to beech and beech-hornbeam forests of the order Rhododendro-Fagetalia orientalis Passarge 1981 were noted. The described associations of oak-hornbeam forests correspond to the regional ecological series of communities along the moisture gradient.

The small-scale variation of herb-layer community structure in a riparian mixed forest

The ground vegetation layer is the most diverse plant community in forest ecosystems. We have shown the role of spatial variables, soil properties and overstorey structure in spatial variation of the herb-layer community in a riparian mixed forest . The research was conducted in the "Dnipro-Orils’kiy" Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The research polygon was located in the forest in the floodplain of the River Protich, which is a left tributary of the River Dnipro. Plant abundance was quantified by measuring cover within an experimental polygon. The experimental polygon consisted of 7 transects, each comprising 15 test points. The distance between the rows in the site was 3 m. At the site we established a plot of 45 × 21 m, with 105 subplots of 3 × 3 m organized in a regular grid. A list of vascular plant species was composed for each 3 × 3 m subplot along with visual estimates of species cover projection. The plant community was represented by 43 species, of which 18.6% were phanerophytes, 39.5% were hemicryptophytes, 9.3% were therophytes, 7.0% were geophytes. An overall test of random labelling revealed the total nonrandom distribution of the tree stems within the site. The species-specific test of random labelling showed the nonrandom segregated distribution of Acer tataricum, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur, and Ulmus laevis. Crataegus monogyna and Euonymus europaeus were distributed randomly. The nearest neighbour of Acer tataricum was less likely to be Ulmus laevis. There was no direct spatial connection between Acer tataricum and other trees. Crataegus monogyna, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur and Euonymus europaeus were not segregated from all other species. The nearest neighbour of Ulmus laevis was less likely to be Acer tataricum. Constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied as ordination approach. The forward selection procedure allowed us to select 6 soil variables which explain 28.3% of the herb-layer community variability. The list of the important soil variables includes soil mechanical impedance (at the depth 0–5, 30–35, 75–80, and 95–10 cm), soil moisture, and soil bulk density. The variation explained by pure spatial variables accounted for 11.0 %. The majority of the tree-distance structured variation in plant community composition was broad-scaled. The spatial scalograms were left-skewed asymmetric. Significant relationship was found between the pure spatial component of the community variation and a number of phytoindicator estimations, most important of which were the variability of damping and humidity. Tree stand was obseerved to be a considerable factor structuring both the herb-layer community and spatial variation of the physical properties of soil.

Developing Triploid Maples

Maples are common street and shade trees throughout the temperate zone. They are widely used for their wide range of ornamental traits and adaptability, particularly to urban settings. Unfortunately, some species such as Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala (Amur maple) and A. platanoides (Norway maple) have escaped cultivation to become pests or in some cases threaten native flora. However, these species remain economically important and are still asked for by name. To ameliorate potential future ecological damage from additional escapes, we have been breeding for sterile forms using ploidy manipulation and backcrossing to develop triploids. We began with a series of experiments to develop tetraploids of Amur, Norway, and trident (A. buergerianum) maples. Treatment of seedlings at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage was successful in inducing tetraploids of each species. Mortality, cytochimeras, and tetraploids varied among species. After identifying tetraploids, they were field planted alongside diploid cultivars and seedlings, which served as pollinizers in open-pollination. Seedlings derived from open-pollinated tetraploids were generally found to be a high percentage triploids. Thus far, no Norway or trident maple triploids have flowered but after three years we observed five, 22, and 22 Amur maple triploids flowering over three respective years with no seedlings recovered to date. Further evaluation is required but our findings are encouraging that the triploids we have developed thus far will be sterile and provide new cultivars for nursery growers and land managers.

LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OAK DECLINE AND SHRUB GROWTH DYNAMICS IN AN HUNGARIAN OAK FOREST, 1972-2017

Long-term structural dynamics of shrub layer of temperate oak forest communities were not extensively reported in published studies. The serious oak decline was first reported in 1979-80 and nowadays 63.0% of canopy oak trees died in a forest stand. The data were used to obtain (1) quantitative information on shrub layer growth, including height (H) and shoot diameter (DSH) condition and basal area (BA) values; (2) structural information on foliage cover rate of the shrub layer, mean cover of some shrub species; (3) comprehensive description from the ecological processes in the shrub layer in the last 45 years and our objective was (4) to analyze the possible effects of oak decline on the shrub growth dynamics. The following measurements were carried out in the 48 × 48 m plot: shoot height, shoot diameter, basal area and foliage cover of each individuals in the high shrub layer. Correlation analysis confirmed that significant positive relations were between mean H, mean DSH of the dominant woody species (Acer campestre, Acer tataricum and Cornus mas) and oak tree density between 1972 and 2017. The decreasing oak tree density did not show detectable impact to the co-dominant shrubs growth. There was a low significant association between number of oak trees and basal area of high shrub layer. Finally, there was a statistically significant interaction between mean cover of A. campestre and C. mas and oak trees. The findings of the study indicate that forest responded to oak decline with significant structural rearrangement in the shrub layer.