Distribution Of Vascular Plants Research Articles

An update and reassessment of vascular plant species richness and distribution in Bach Ma National Park, Central Vietnam


 
 
 Bach Ma National Park (BMNP) is recognized as an essential biodiversity hotspot in Vietnam because of its diverse topography, high species richness and threatened and endemic species. This study updates the richness and distribution of vascular plant species in the BMNP by intergrading data from literature, field surveys, key-informant interviews and participatory observations. Our results showed that the park has a high diversity of vascular plants with 1,874 species belonging to 192 families, 6 phylums including Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta, and Magnoliophyta. It also indicates that 199 out of 1,874 vascular species in the BMNP are listed as endangered, precious and rare plant species of Vietnam. In particular, 55 species are part of the IUCN 2020 list, in which 9 are critically endangered species (CR), 15 are endangered species (EN), and 31 are vulnerable species (VU). According to the rankings of the Red List Vietnam (2007), 6 species of CR (accounting for 13.64% compared with the whole country), 36 species of EN (20%), and 52 species of VU (26%) were found in this area. The results provided that vascular plant species are distributed into 2 types based on high altitude (threshold at 900m), but there are no dominant communities. The findings may be essential information for foresters and biologists to recognize and use it as the newest update for their next scientific research in conservation and resource management.
 Vườn Quốc gia (VQG) Bạch Mã được xem là một điểm nóng đa dạng sinh học quan trọng ở Việt Nam vì địa hình đa dạng, độ phong phú loài cao, đặc biệt là các loài đặc hữu và nguy cấp. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã cập nhật sự phong phú và phân bố của các loài thực vật bậc cao tại VQG Bạch Mã bằng cách kết hợp dữ liệu từ tổng quan tài liệu, khảo sát thực địa, phỏng vấn người am hiểu và điều tra có sự tham gia. Kết quả cho thấy VQG có hệ thực vật bậc cao phong phú với 1.874 loài, thuộc 192 họ, 6 ngành bao gồm Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta, Magnoliophyta. Kết quả chỉ ra rằng 199 trong số 1.874 loài thực vật bậc cao tại VQG này được xếp vào danh sách các loài nguy cấp của Việt Nam. Đặc biệt, có 55 loài thuộc danh mục của IUCN năm 2020, trong đó có 9 loài Cực kỳ nguy cấp (CR), 15 loài Nguy cấp (EN) và 31 loài Sẽ nguy cấp (VU). Trong khi đó, theo xếp hạng của Sách Đỏ Việt Nam (2007), nghiên cứu cho thấy có 6 loài CR (chiếm 13,64% so với cả nước), 36 loài EN (20%) và 52 loài VU (26%). Phát hiện của chúng tôi cũng chỉ ra rằng đặc điểm phân bố của các loài thực vật bậc cao ở VQG Bạch Mã gồm 2 kiểu rừng dựa trên độ cao (mức 900m), nhưng không có quần xã nào chiếm ưu thế. Các kết quả này được kỳ vọng sẽ là nguồn thông tin cần thiết cho các nhà hoạt động lâm nghiệp và sinh vật học sử dụng nó như một bản cập nhật mới nhất cho các nghiên cứu khoa học tiếp theo trong bảo tồn và quản lý tài nguyên.
 
 

Consequence of interaction between soil erosion processes and dryland landforms

Soil is directly linked to climate through the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and the pedosphere. Anthropogenic-geomorphic disturbances and accelerated soil erosion processes stimulate spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of soil biotic-abiotic components, causing the activation of positive feedback mechanisms that amplify small deviations and encourage large scale dynamics at the landscape level. Interaction between soil erosion processes and landform characteristics are thought to be the major factors contributing to the emergence of spatial heterogeneity in the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms controlling the linkage between the pedosphere and atmosphere. Dryland landscapes contribute a high proportion of CO2 emissions from soil to the atmosphere due to large‐scale heterogeneity in the distribution of vascular plants and surface concentrations of SOC. Here we reviewed recent contributions to the study of biotic and abiotic drivers of spatial heterogeneity in drylands, and we illustrated a holistic perspective of the interactions among soil erosion processes such as water-wind erosion and dryland landforms characteristics and their impacts on instability in the CO2 concentrations of the atmosphere and, subsequently climate change.

Biogeographical characterisation of Egypt based on environmental features and endemic vascular plants distribution

Biogeographical studies are considered effective for investigations on macroecology and evolution, as well as for delineating patterns of endemism and identifying the key drivers influencing the historical distribution of species. Clustering techniques, based on environmental datasets and distribution of endemic species, have been largely used in biogeography and for the definition of endemic-rich regions where conservation actions should be implemented. Despite several earlier studies have dealt with the biogeographical territories in Egypt, none of them have provided a replicable method to support such regionalisation. We proposed a two-step procedure for the biogeographical regionalisation of Egypt consisting in (1) the definition of environmental clusters (based on 24 climatic, three topographic, two soil organic carbon content and pH, and four habitat heterogeneity variables) by using the k-nearest neighbours algorithm and (2) the spatial clustering of such clusters according to the distribution of 140 endemic vascular plants. The hierarchical clustering and indicator values analyses, based on the presence-absence matrix of endemic taxa in each cluster were performed to define two cut-off levels of biogeographical sectors and subsectors. A total of six sectors and nine subsectors were identified. Climatic-related variables, elevation and soil organic carbon were the most important determinants for environmental clustering of Egypt. The highest endemic richness was recorded in the Marioutico-Arishian (71 species), Sinaico-Arabian (62 species) and Nilotic (16 species) sectors, and in Sinaic (54 species), Arishian (45 species) and Marioutic (40 species) subsectors. Nonetheless, the most protected sectors were Elbanian and Suezian (62.73 and 29.05%, respectively) while the lowest sectors were Nilotic and Marioutico-Arishian (9.86 and 13.26%, respectively). The already established protected areas in Egypt are not sufficient for conserving the representation of the identified endemic rich plant sectors. This two-step procedure confirms the usefulness of environmental attributes together with the spatial distribution of endemic vascular plants to define the biogeographical units in Egypt. Our regionalisation method could be replicated for other species’ groups, with the ultimate goal of integration all species of interest in a single biogeographical system. Furthermore, the presented regionalisation will help to identify weaknesses in current protection actions and to understand biogeographical processes.

Morphological characteristics as a key attribute for a successful determination of selected Cotoneaster species

Article Details: Received: 2019-12-17 | Accepted: 2019-01-24 | Available online: 2020-03-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.01.15-23 In this paper, morphological features, such as the number of pyrenes in pome and the number of pomes in infructescence, were used for determination of closely related tetraploid Cotoneaster species. Samples were collected from various localities in the Western Carpathians. The collection of samples, designed for counting of pyrenes in pome, included 2353 pomes of >130 individuals. Number of pyrenes in pome ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in pyrenes per pome mean values between C. integerrimus (3.01), C. melanocarpus agg. (2.46; including C. matrensis) and C. tomentosus (3.93). The collection of samples, designed for counting of pomes in infructescence, included 1019 infructescences of 141 individuals. Number of pomes in infructescence ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant difference in pomes per infructescence mean values between C. integerrimus (1.14) and C. melanocarpus agg. (1.54; including C. matrensis), and between C. integerrimus and C. tomentosus (1.50). Keywords: pyrenes, pomes, infructescence, Cotoneaster, Western Carpathians

Steep topography buffers threatened gymnosperm species against anthropogenic pressures in China.

China is one of the most species‐rich countries in the world, harboring many rare gymnosperms. Following recent human‐led loss of forests, China is now experiencing increases in forest cover resulting from efforts of reforestation schemes. As anthropogenic activities have previously been found to interact with topography in shaping forest cover in China and considering the large human population and the ongoing population increase of the country, it is important to understand the role of anthropogenic pressures relative to environmental drivers for shaping species distributions here. Based on the well‐established relationship between human population density and topography, we propose a hypothesis for explaining species distributions in a country dominated by human activities, predicting that species are more likely to occur in areas of steep topography under medium human population densities compared to low and high human population densities. Using species occurrence data from the Chinese Vascular Plant Distribution Database along with a common SDM method (maximum entropy modeling), we tested this hypothesis. Our results show that steep topography has the highest importance for predicting Chinese gymnosperm species occurrences in general, and threatened species specifically, in areas of medium human population densities. Consequently, these species are more often found in areas of steep terrain, supporting the proposed hypothesis. Results from this study highlight the need to include topographically heterogeneous habitats when planning new protected areas for species conservation.

Taxonomical and chorological notes 11 (112–125)

The present part of the series provides new records of 14 taxa of which 8 are native and 6 introduced in Europe. Three vascular plants are newly reported from Kosovo (Corrigiola litoralis, Dysphania pumilio, Equisetum pratense) and one (Chamaecytisus purpureus) from Northern Macedonia. The occurrence of one species (Corydalis pumila) is confirmed in Northern Macedonia. Amendments to the known distribution of vascular plants are reported from Albania (Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Gratiola officinalis, Onosma heterophylla, Paspalum dilatatum), Hungary (Euphorbia lathyris), Lithuania (Ophioglossum vulgatum), and Slovakia (Duchesnea indica, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Pilosella cymosa).

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic

Asymmetric patterns of global diversity among plants and mycorrhizal fungi

AbstractQuestionsAlthough the roles of mycorrhizal fungi in different vegetation types are widely acknowledged, it is still largely unknown how the diversity and frequency of different symbiotic partners vary among plant assemblages globally. We asked (1) how the global distribution of vascular plants correlates with the diversity (i.e. number of species) and frequency (i.e. relative abundance) of different plant mycorrhizal types (i.e. arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM], ectomycorrhizal [ECM], ericoid mycorrhizal [ERM], orchid mycorrhizal [ORM] and non‐mycorrhizal [NM]); and (2) how the diversities of the most dominant plant mycorrhizal types (AM and ECM) correlate with those of their respective mycorrhizal fungal partners.LocationWorldwide.MethodsWe retrieved all vascular plant occurrences available in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database from sites worldwide where AM and ECM fungal diversity has been examined. Plant mycorrhizal types were assigned to plant species using expert‐based imputation. Diversity and frequency indices were calculated using extrapolation and bootstrapping procedures in order to account for the heterogeneity and uncertainty of the datasets.ResultsEach plant mycorrhizal type correlated differently with the global diversity pattern of vascular plants, with higher total plant diversity in AM‐dominated vegetation, compared with vegetation containing a larger share of ECM, ERM or NM plant species. The diversities of AM and ECM fungi were positively correlated with the frequency, but not diversity, of their respective plant mycorrhizal types; and weakly correlated with the frequency and diversity of other plant mycorrhizal types.ConclusionsAt the global scale, vascular plant distribution correlates, among other factors, with the frequency, and to a lesser extent diversity, of different mycorrhizal types of plants and fungi. Recognizing these relationships may help to predict changes in the frequency of ECM and AM plant mycorrhizal types under the different ongoing global changes.

Floristic survey of vascular plants in Crawford and Cherokee Counties in southeastern Kansas, U.S.A.

This study documented the vascular flora of Crawford and Cherokee counties in southeastern Kansas. Each county experienced limited collecting in recent decades. A Pittsburg State University (PSU) student (Earl Sam Gibson) summarized the flora for Crawford County in 1963, but an extensive survey had never been done for Cherokee County. Fieldwork for the present study occurred mostly in 2014 and 2015. Based on approximately 6450 newly collected specimens, vouchers at PSU (including those of Gibson), and taxa documented by Biota of North America (BONAP) (Kartesz 2019), a total of 1420 unique taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) are reported for both counties combined, including 148 families, 591 genera, and 111 non-nominal infraspecific taxa. Of these, 1177 (82.9%) are native and 243 (17.1%) are non-native. A total of 44 state and 233 county records are documented. Included were 15 species of hybrid origin and 22 that are adventive from other parts of North America. Significant among the state records is the first published adventive occurrence of the genus Pinus in Kansas. Cherokee County has 1281 taxa (including 81 county records), whereas Crawford County includes 1139 taxa (and 152 county records). An important finding of our study, along with those of other recent floristic studies, is that vascular plant distributions at the state and county levels in the U.S.A. are less well documented than probably assumed. This is especially true for weedy taxa occurring in highly agricultural and industrial counties, as well as taxa with small, inconspicuous flowers and inflorescences, and counties relatively distant from universities. Undocumented occurrences of such taxa may adversely affect interpretations and distribution patterns of abundance, as for example when modeling plant distributions.

Elevational changes in vascular plants richness, diversity, and distribution pattern in Abune Yosef mountain range, Northern Ethiopia

The aim of this research is to investigate the patterns of vascular plant species richness, diversity, and distribution along an elevation gradient in the Abune Yosef mountain range, Ethiopia. Preferential systematic sampling was employed to collect vegetation and environmental data along the elevation gradient. We found that plant species richness declines monotonically from low to high elevations. Specifically, vascular plant species richness and diversity were lower in the Afroalpine grassland (high elevation) than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest (low elevations). In contrast, endemic vascular plant richness was significantly higher in the Afroalpine grassland than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest. Elevation showed a significant impact on the richness, diversity, and endemism of vascular plants. According to Sørensen's coefficient, the similarity between Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest vegetation types is higher (32%) than the similarity between Ericaceous forest and Afroalpine grassland (18%). Only 5% similarity was recorded between the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Afroalpine grassland. Growth forms showed different elevational richness patterns. Trees and liana increased monotonically up to 3300 m. Shrub and herb richness patterns followed a hump-shaped and inverted hump-shaped pattern along the elevation gradient. The elevation patterns of vascular plant species richness, diversity, and growth form in the present study may be attributed to differences in management intensity, spatial heterogeneity, microclimatic variations, and anthropogenic disturbances.

New Records of Vascular Plant Distribution in the Polish Part of the Lithuanian Lakeland, North-Eastern Poland

AbstractThe paper presents new localities of 15 vascular plants recorded in the Polish part of the Lithuanian Lakeland, north-eastern Poland in 2017–2018, using the ATPOL cartogram method. Crepis capillaris, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Eragrostis albensis, Matthiola longipetala, Oenothera fruticosa, Oenothera glazioviana and Rubus armeniacus are listed as new species for the regional flora.

Distribution of Vascular Plants along Altitudinal Gradients in Hoang Lien National Park, Vietnam

Short Retraction Notice The paper does not meet the standards of "Open Journal of Forestry". This article has been retracted to straighten the academic record. In making this decision the Editorial Board follows COPE's Retraction Guidelines. The aim is to promote the circulation of scientific research by offering an ideal research publication platform with due consideration of internationally accepted standards on publication ethics. The Editorial Board would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused. Editor guiding this retraction: Prof. Dr. Valeriy Perminov (EiC of OJF) The full retraction notice in PDF is preceding the original paper, which is marked "RETRACTED".

Diversidad de cianobacterias en costras biológicas de suelo de la ecorregión del Monte Central (Mendoza, Argentina)

The ecoregion of Monte Central has a high water deficit. Scarcity and variability of the water resource determine the spatial distribution of vascular plants. Areas devoid of vegetation are commonly colonized by microbial communities (mosses, cyanobacteria, lichens) called biological soil crusts (BSCs), which modify numerous biogeochemical properties of the substrate. Cyanobacteria are fundamental constituents of BSCs, they synthesize chlorophyll a, phycobilins and fix atmospheric nitrogen (N), representing one of the main sources of N for some arid ecosystems. The objective of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of the cyanobacteria present in BSCs of the Monte Central desert, in different landscape units of eastern Mendoza (natural reserves and grazing lands). Biotic and abiotic material was collected during the years 2015 and 2016 in each environmental unit. For the identification of cyanobacteria, morphological characteristics observed under light microscope, along with taxonomic keys were used. Thus, 12 new records of cyanobacteria are repor ted in BSCs, improving our knowledge of these biocrusts, their geographical distribution and ecology in the province of Mendoza, Argentina.

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic. Part 7

The seventh part of the series on the distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic includes grid maps of 104 taxa in the genera Anthriscus, Callitriche, Cochlearia, Dittrichia, Egeria, Elodea, Elymus, Epilobium, Gentianella, Gnaphalium, Gymnocarpium, Hordeum, Hydrocharis, Limonium, Najas, Phleum, Phragmites, Polypodium, Pseudognaphalium, Rubus, Sedum, Senecio, Setaria, Stratiotes, Trichomanes and Woodsia. These maps were produced by taxonomic experts based on examined herbarium specimens, literature and field records. Many of the studied native species are on the national Red List. The genus most affected by decline in abundance is Gentianella, which includes six taxa extirpated from this country and six taxa critically threatened. Another group with a high proportion of endangered species comprises aquatic and wetland plants, which are represented by Callitriche hermaphroditica, Hydrocharis morsusranae, Najas minor, Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum and Stratiotes aloides. Other ecologically specialized groups include mainly montane wetland plants (Epilobium anagallidifolium, E. nutans and Rubus chamaemorus) and plants of rocky habitats (Polypodium interjectum, Trichomanes speciosum and Woodsia ilvensis). The previously rare Woodsia alpina has been extirpated from this country. Alien species mapped in this paper include both archaeophytes and neophytes, mainly from the genera Anthriscus, Cochlearia, Elodea, Epilobium, Hordeum and Phleum. Cochlearia danica, Dittrichia graveolens and Limonium gmelinii have recently colonized habitats along the roads treated by de-icing salt. Senecio inaequidens has also spread mainly along motorways. Epilobium adenocaulon is another successful neophyte; it is now widespread throughout this country and the most successful hybrid parent within the genus. Neophyte aquatics are represented by Egeria densa, Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii. Spatial distributions and often also temporal dynamics of individual taxa are shown in maps and documented by records included in the Pladias database and available in electronic appendices. The maps are accompanied by comments that include additional information on the distribution, habitats, taxonomy and biology of the taxa.

Some Features of the Distribution of Aquatic Vascular Plants in Asian Russia

Some Features of the Distribution of Aquatic Vascular Plants in Asian Russia

Floristic diversity in different urban ecological niches of a southern European city

The present paper aimed at studying the vertical and horizontal spatial distribution, species richness and diversity of vascular plants in different urban ecological niches (urban habitats) by means of the case study of Bologna (Italy), a typical densely populated southern European city. A total of 477 species were found in the study area of the historical city centre, 30% of which were alien species. Alien plant species were mainly present among phanerophytes, while native plants were mainly therophytes and hemicryptophytes. The habitats that mostly contributed to the species total richness were semi-natural soils, followed by paved areas, walls, rooftops and manholes. The number of exclusive species decreased according to the selectiveness of the habitat, with manholes and rooftops being the most selective. The presence of hemicryptophytes constant decreased going from 27% of more humid habitats to 5% of more arid habitats, so that they can be considered a water availability biomarker. Urban habitat quality, measured by the number of native species, was directly proportional to the strength of selective factors and inversely proportional to the rate of disturbance, with roofs and semi-natural soils having, respectively, the highest and lowest quality. Finally, a relation between species richness and street characteristics, like width, orientation and type of flooring, was demonstrated.

Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic. Part 6

The second part of the publication series on the istributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic includes grid maps of 87 taxa of the genera Antennaria, Aposeris, Astragalus, Avenula, Bidens, Carex, Cenchrus, Centunculus, Convallaria, Crocus, Cryptogramma, Cyperus, Dryopteris, Gladiolus, Gratiola, Helictochloa, Hierochloe, Lindernia, Maianthemum, Myriophyllum, Notholaena, Nymphoides, Radiola, Schoenoplectus, Sisyrinchium, Spergularia, Tillaea, Veratrum and Veronica. The maps were produced by taxonomic experts based on all available herbarium, literature and field records. The plants studied include 56 taxa registered in the Red List of vascular plants of the Czech Republic, some of which showed remarkable declines. Spatial and temporal dynamics of individual species are shown in maps and documented by records included in the Pladias database and available in Electronic appendices. The maps are accompanied by comments, which include additional information on distribution, habitats, taxonomy and biology of the species.

Vascular plants distribution in relation to topography and environmental variables in alpine zone of Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary, West Himalaya

The present study was carried out in Tungnath alpine meadows of Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary, Western Himalaya from subalpine to upper alpine zone. A total of four summits were selected along an altitudinal gradient and sampled for detailed vegetation analysis using multi summit approach as per Global observation research initiative in alpine environments (GLORIA). Species richness, diversity, and evenness among four summits as well as the interaction between environmental variables with plant communities were assessed. Monthly mean soil temperature was calculated using data retrieved from geo-precision temperature logger in order to identify the trend of soil temperature among different season and altitudinal gradient and its implications to plant communities. Soil samples were analyzed from each summit by collecting randomized composite soil samples. The indirect non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and direct canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) tools of ordination techniques to determine the linkage between plant species from various sample summits and biotic/abiotic environmental gradients were used in the present study. The results of the study demonstrated increase in species richness as soil temperature increases, the ecotone representing summits were found most warm summits followed by highest species richness. Annual soil temperature increased by 1.43°C at timberline ecotone. Whereas, at upper alpine zone the soil temperature increased by 0.810C from year 2015 to 2016. Sorensen’s similarity index was found to be increased between subalpine and upper alpine zone with increase in the presence of subalpine plant species at upper alpine zone. Both the ordination tools separate the subalpine summit and their respective vegetation from summits representing timberline ecotone and upper alpine zone. Soil pH, altitude, soil cation exchange capacity were found as the key abiotic drivers for distribution of plant species.

Vascular Plant Species Composition, Relative Abundance, Distribution, and Threats in Arsi Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

A study of vascular plant species composition, relative abundance, distribution, and anthropogenic threats to these species' survival was carried out in the Galama Mountains in Arsi Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. An Intensive Modified Whitaker nested plot design was used to sample vegetation in disturbed and undisturbed habitats across the landscape. A total of 191 plant species (including 5 identified only to the genus level) in 56 families were recorded. The dominant family was Asteraceae, followed by Poaceae. Twenty species (about one-tenth of all species recorded) are endemic to Ethiopia. The highest overall species richness was recorded in the dry evergreen Afromontane vegetation in the undisturbed plots and in the Erica (heath) habitat in the disturbed plots. Rare plant species were less frequent in the disturbed plots than in the undisturbed ones. Regression analysis indicated a significant decrease in total species richness with increase in elevation. It also indicated a significant decrease in species richness and average plant species ground cover with increasing amounts of fresh livestock dung. The rate of tree removal exceeds the rate of regeneration in the dry evergreen Afromontane vegetation. Myrsine melanophloeos, Schefflera abyssinica, and Juniperus procera were the dominant tree species in the lower elevations (2843 to 3200 m above sea level) and have been found to be overharvested. Based on the current anthropogenic pressures in the study area, we expect species diversity and frequency of occurrence to diminish over time. Urgent conservation measures including control of tree harvesting and livestock encroachment should be prioritized in Arsi Mountains National Park.