Floristic Composition

This article aims to analyze the building of the image of Tijuca National Forest after the 19th-century reforestation endeavor, in which vitality and desolation coexist. It will present the Forest as a thematic recurrence in the iconography and literature of the 19th century, focusing on the retrospective views of two distinguished figures: Army Major Archer (1821-1907), the foremost administrator of the Forest, who wrote an extensive Report of the reforestation work carried out in the Tijuca National Forest, from January 1890 to December 1891, and the writer Alfredo de Escragnolle Taunay, Viscount of Taunay, who published the text “The Tijuca Forest” in his book Viagens de Outrora (Travels of the Past) in 1885. These two retrospective gazes will help us understand how art, ecology, and politics merged to form the diversity of Tijuca Forest’s images, combining the praise of exuberance and the fear of destruction. These narratives underscore the urgent ecological importance of the Tijuca Forest, a theme that resonates with the current global concerns about deforestation and environmental preservation.

Butterflies, dung beetles, and plant species richness and abundance in organic and conventional crops in three regions of Costa Rica. One of the main causes of biodiversity loss is related to agriculture increase and the use of chemicals. Organic farming has been proposed as a solution to biodiversity loss, for that reason we evaluated the species richness, abundance and composition of diurnal butterflies, dung beetles, herbs and trees in three different agroecosystems during 2009-2010 in Costa Rica. Organic and non-organic coffee shade (San José), vegetables (Alajuela) and Cocoa-banana farms (Talamanca) were selected to make comparisons of these biological groups. In each farm we established three transects to capture butterflies, 20 pitfall traps to capture beetles, two plots to count trees and two sub-plots to count herbs. The Cocoa-banana organic crops had higher species richness of butterflies and higher mean abundance than coffee shade and cocoa-banana crops. We detected a greatest abundance of beetles in organic farms of shade coffee and cocoa-banana. In the vegetable and cocoa-banana crops there was more abundance of herbs. Organic cocoa-banana had more trees species and they are more abundant than in conventional crops. Butterflies, herbs and trees were less similar in species composition between organic and non-organic crops; however beetles were more similar between systems. Organic shade coffee and cocoa-banana are providing a more diverse habitat and resources to butterflies than vegetables farms. The more complex plant structure, the shaded habitats and mammals present in shade coffee and cocoa-banana organic farms favor beetle abundance. In addition, beetles could be adapted to altered ecosystems. Organic farms can play an important role in butterfly and beetles conservation in countryside areas, and its benefits are influenced by forest presence and the manner in which farmers manage their land.

Wood is a biological resource that has been widely used by mankind and represents a large part of the Brazilian cultural heritage. Our goal was to identify the wood used in an old historic building in southern Brazil. The wood samples were taken from the constructive elements of the building. Anatomical features of the sampled woods were used for taxonomic identification by comparisons with anatomical descriptions of wood samples from xylarium, the literature, and databases. Nine species were identified from a total of 30 samples, the genus being Ocotea (Lauraceae) and Araucaria (Araucariaceae), representing more than 90% of the samples. The use of these woods attests to the carpenters' knowledge of trees in southern Brazil and their identification in architectural monuments helps us understand how this resource was used in the past. The record of historical knowledge about the use of wood allows us to understand the relationship between human societies and the forest, as well as to safeguard ancient heritage, know-how, and memories embedded in wooden cultural assets.

Recent collections by the authors and others have yielded a new North American record, 38 additional new vascular plant state records for Indiana, and an additional five collections deemed noteworthy due to being recent observations of species that were considered extirpated from Indiana when they were discovered. Voucher specimens for all new records reside at various herbaria.

O carvão Brasil uma matriz energética fundamental desde a colonização portuguesa, sendo amplamente utilizado na economia do açúcar e do café. Contribuiu para a construção de centros urbanos com a cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Na Mata Atlântica, a produção de carvão ocorria a partir do corte da vegetação nativa e queima lenta em fornos em formato de balão posicionados em platôs escavados nas encostas dos morros. O carvão foi amplamente utilizado até o início do século XX e após esse período, as áreas produtoras foram abandonadas, o que acarretou no processo natural de regeneração florestal. Um desses locais está localizado em São Pedro da Serra, distrito do município de Nova Friburgo no estado do Rio de Janeiro. O trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a estrutura da vegetação e regeneração florestal em área antiga de produção de carvão. A atividade carvoeira nesta região foi abandonada há aproximadamente 100 anos, e a agricultura de corte e queima predomina na região. Para avaliar a regeneração natural da floresta em um antigo paleoterritório carvoeiro, foi utilizada a metodologia de amostragem fitossociológica de Gentry, adaptada para o desenho amostral de uma carvoaria. Foi analisada uma área de 600 m 2 , onde foram amostrados 200 indivíduos, distribuídos em 31 espécies, 29 gêneros e 21 famílias. A espécie dominante é a Euterpe edulis Mart., representando 45,5% dos indivíduos amostrados. Registrou-se a presença de Casearia sylvestris Sw., essa é uma espécie adaptada a florestas alteradas. Os indivíduos apresentam altura entre 2,0 e 30,0 metros de altura e possuem o diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) entre 5,0 e 62,0 centímetros. Dentre as espécies com maior abundância estão: Euterpe edulis Mart. (90), Cupania oblongifolia Mart. (5) e Tachigali paratyensis (Vell.) H.C. Lima (5). As espécies estão distribuídas em pioneiras (9) e secundárias iniciais (10) e tardias (9). A floresta formada após o período da carvoaria apresenta indivíduos de grande porte e encontra-se em estágio médio de regeneração. Assim, a área anteriormente utilizada para a produção de carvão foi capaz de proporcionar um ambiente favorável para a regeneração natural, possibilitando o desenvolvimento de espécies pioneiras, secundárias iniciais e tardias com predomínio de uma espécie vulnerável quanto à ameaçada de extinção no território brasileiro. Esses resultados evidenciam a possibilidade de recuperação de áreas florestais perturbadas pelo fogo controlado ocorrido nos balões de carvão.

The present study provides a comprehensive data regarding the species composition and diversity of vascular plants found in the Char Kukri-Mukri mangrove ecosystem of Bhola district, Bangladesh. It reveals the occurrence of 383 species belonging to 264 genera under 85 families of vascular plants, of which 48 species are mangroves and mangrove associates, and the rest of the 335 species are nonmangroves. The major plant groups, viz., pteridophytes are represented by 11 species under 10 genera and six families; gymnosperms by two species under two genera and two families; magnoliopsida (dicotyledonous) by 278 species belonging to 194 genera and 60 families; and liliopsida by the rest of the 92 species under 59 genera and 17 families. Fabaceae is the largest dicot family with 43 species, and Poaceae with 30 species is recorded as the largest monocot family. Among the life-form categories, 198 (51.7%) species are recorded as herbs, followed by 98 (25.59%), 45 (11.75%), and 42 (10.97%) species those are recognized as trees, shrubs, and climbers, respectively. Seasonal variation in the average value of different diversity indices, including Simpson's, Shannon-Weiner, Margalef's, and McIntosh's diversity indices, representing the range from 0.59 to 0.81, 1.42 to 2.11, 1.67 to 2.39, and 0.38 to 0.61, respectively. The highest diversity indices values were always observed during monsoon season. Based on floristic status, the mangrove ecosystem of Char Kukri-Mukri Island seems to be of moderate quality. Nevertheless, in addition to the effects of climatic stressors, various human activities pose threats that increase the vulnerability of the study area. In this circumstance, the present study strongly recommends minimizing or stopping threat-causing activities, implementing effective conservation measures, and establishing regular monitoring to ensure future sustainability in the study area.

Resumo: A restauração florestal das áreas mineradas tornou-se uma condicionante indispensável no licenciamento das minas. A restauração da paisagem florestal em áreas lavradas a céu aberto é feita através do reflorestamento heterogêneo com espécies regionais, visando a enriquecer a composição florística e acelerar a cobertura do solo, aliado à prática de incorporação de solo superficial que facilita/induz a regeneração e a sucessão natural. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar a dinâmica e a estrutura da regeneração natural de arbóreas, identificar os tipos e os agentes de dispersão dos propágulos, elaborar uma matriz dos indicadores da dinâmica dessa regeneração natural e ranquear as áreas anuais de restauração florestal da Mineração Rio do Norte, Flona Saracá-Taqüera/IBAMA, Porto Trombetas, Pará. O estudo toma como base os resultados de 26 parcelas permanentes, abrangendo um período de quatro anos de monitoramento (2001 a 2005) nas áreas restauradas pela empresa entre 1981 e 1987; 1992 e 1996. Todos os indivíduos arbóreos com mais de 1,5 m de altura total foram qualificados e registrados na amostragem. Sobre a regeneração das espécies arbóreas, concluiu-se que: (i) apresenta maior número de espécies nas áreas jovens (entre 9 e 13 anos) do que as mais maduras (entre 18 e 24 anos de idade); (ii) as áreas mais antigas apresentam maior incremento anual do número de espécies; (iii) a abundância (ind/ha) tende a ser maior nas áreas mais jovens; (iv) o recrutamento, a ser bem mais intenso na áreas maduras do que nas jovens; (vi) a mortalidade anual nas áreas jovens é maior do que naquelas maduras; (vii) a taxa anual de renovação (turnover) é bem mais intensa nas áreas maduras; (viii) o tempo de substituição (turnover time) é mais extenso nas áreas jovens; (ix) o diâmetro médio manteve-se praticamente constante no período analisado; (x) o incremento anual da área basal é maior nas áreas maduras do que nas áreas jovens; (xi) a altura total média é maior nas áreas jovens do que nas áreas maduras; (xii) várias espécies arbóreas são dispersas por mais de um agente e mais de 80% das espécies arbóreas monitoradas são dispersas pela fauna, que exerce um papel fundamental na sucessão ecológica; (xiii) a área anual de 1992 foi ranqueada como a de melhor restauração florestal e, no extremo oposto, com maiores problemas, tem-se a área de 1987; (xiv) deve-se investir em pesquisas sobre o manejo do solo superficial em áreas fortemente impactadas pela atividade humana, objetivando a restauração florestal de maior riqueza, abundância e crescimento das espécies arbóreas; (xv) práticas silviculturais e de preparo do solo devem ser também objeto de pesquisa visando à otimização do paradigma da restauração florestal: a maximização da biodiversidade e da biomassa vegetal de árvores, sobretudo daquelas regionais de rápido crescimento e adaptadas a esses ambientes. Palavras-chave: Dinâmica florestal. Regeneração natural. Áreas degradadas. Parcelas permanentes de floresta. Amazônia brasileira.

no The roadside vegetation in some counties of north England (north and west Yorkshire) was studied to determine the community structure according to the British National Vegetation Classification (NVC) and main environmental factors influencing its composition. The data from Phytosociological survey (699 quadrats) and from the physico-chemical analyses of 233 soil samples from 35 sites were obtained. Both the classification (TWINSPAN & MATCH) and ordination programs (Canonical Correspondence Analysis) were used. The roadside vegetation is mainly dominated by few grasses (Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Elymus repens, Holcus lanatus) and their associated herbs (Cirsium arvense, Heracleum sphondylium, Urtica dioica). Five NVC Mesotrophic grassland communities (Arrhenatheretum elatioris community MG1, Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland MG6, Lolium perenne leys MG7, Holcus lanatus- Deschampsia cespitosa grassland MG9, F...

Guárico. El muestreo se realizó con el método del marco conocido, determinando previamente el área mínima de muestreo. En 15 puntos de muestreo se lanzó al azar un cuadro metálico de 0,25 m 2 y dentro de éste se contaron, colectaron y identificaron las plantas arvenses. Se calcularon los parámetros poblacionales de densidad, frecuencia y dominancia; también se determinó el índice de valor de importancia (IVI). Se reportaron 24 especies de arvenses distribuidas en 14 familias botánicas. La familia Poaceae fue la más representada con cinco especies seguida de Asteraceae con tres especies. Las de mayor densidad fueron Cyanthillium cinereum, Bidens pilosa y Lindernia crustacea, con valores de 216, 209 y 90,67 plantas•m -2 . Las más frecuentes fueron L. crustacea y Digitaria sanguinalis con valores de 90 y 80 %, respectivamente. Los mayores valores de dominancia fueron reportados para las especies B. pilosa, L. crustacea y D. sanguinalis, con 24,08; 23,50 y 13,59 %, respectivamente. Por su parte, las especies con los mayores índices de valor de importancia (IVI) fueron B. pilosa (0,50), L. crustacea (0,45), D. sanguinalis (0,31) y C. cinereum (0,28). Se evidenció la biodiversidad de arvenses presentes en este tipo de sistemas de producción. Palabras clave adicionales: Densidad, frecuencia y dominancia de malezas, índice de valor de importancia, sistema agrícola

This study gives a review of diajunctions both between northern and southern and between eastern and western Africa as seen from the point of view of the "Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea." Some patterns are already well known. Northeasternsouthwestern disjunctions have been documented, and it is believed that the explanation is an arid corridor between northeastern and southwestern Africa in existence during the Pleistocene. Disjunctions between northeast and east Africa and Macaronesia have been documented, and it has been postulated that the explanation is a past continuous distribution, which was broken before the Pleistocene. Disjunctions between the highlands of Ethiopia and Cameroon have been documented and discussed in connection with the debate about the Afromontane flora. Now disjunctions between Ethiopia and central and western Africa are also beginning to appear at lower altitudes, both in the forest-and in the savanna-floras. Forest disjunctions seem to reflect an earlier larger extension of the Guineo-Congolian forests, while the western savanna disjunctions seem to coincide with the large hypothetical Pleistocene lakes: Lake Arouane in the west, Lake Mega-Chad in the middle, and Lake Sudd in the upper Nile basin. Disjunctions to Asia and other continents are not included.

The geographical distribution of the 22 species of Ficus L. known from tropical N.E. Africa is recorded and maps for 16 species are presented. The distribution patterns are compared with the distribution of vegetation types of the region, altitude, etc.

O Parque Natural Municipal da Taquara (PNMT) é uma área de conservação localizada no bioma Mata Atlântica, está situado no município de Duque de Caxias, estado do Rio de Janeiro, sendo recoberto por Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana. A Floresta Atlântica é um bioma que possui uma grande diversidade de espécies vegetais e apesar de recentes estudos na região, o conhecimento de muitos táxons ainda é incipiente. Distribuída dentro desse domínio da Mata Atlântica, a família Solanaceae compreende cerca de 3000 espécies e 150 gêneros com ampla distribuição, principalmente em regiões tropicais e subtropicais da América do Sul. No Brasil ocorrem 350 espécies e 32 gêneros, caracterizadas por árvores pequenas, arbustos, ervas ou trepadeiras inermes ou com acúleos, glabros ou com pelos simples, ramificados ou estrelados. Este trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar o levantamento florístico da família Solanaceae no Parque Natural Municipal da Taquara, contribuindo para a ampliação dos conhecimentos sobre a flora, a ecologia e a conservação desta família e complementando a lista de espécies do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Para elaboração deste trabalho analisou-se coleções de Solanaceae ocorrentes na área de estudo depositadas nos principais herbários do Estado. Realizou-se coletas mensais com duração de 1 dia durante 1 ano. Os materiais botânicos coletados foram herborizados segundo técnicas usuais para plantas vasculares e incorporados ao acervo dos herbários da Universidade do Grande Rio (UNIGRANRIO), Alberto Castellanos -INEA (GUA) e Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (RB). Como resultado foram encontradas três espécies representantes de um mesmo gênero, são elas: Solanun ciliatum, Solanum paniculatum e Solanum pseudoquina.

En el presente trabajo se estudia la evolucion primaveral de algunos prados del Pirineo de Huesca, a traves de los cambios que se registran en sus componentes organicos (NDF, ADF, hemicelulosas, celulosa, lignina, DNDF, DCC, DMD y proteina) a lo largo de tres muestreos (abril-mayo, mayo-junio y juniojulio). Se clasifican tambien distintos tipos de prados de acuerdo con las relaciones existentes entre los componentes organicos y la composicion floristica (Gramineas, Leguminosas y otras familias) en el momento del corte para henificar (junio-julio)

Este trabajo compara, cuantitativamente, las ventajas y limitaciones entre los enfoques de paisaje y forestal. Los resultados intentan satisfacer la demanda tanto productiva (aprovechamiento forestal) como ambiental (conservación) que se establece sobre el mismo recurso. Dado que el bosque es el elemento común, se compararon las formas de estudio de ambos enfoques. El enfoque de paisaje se basó en la escuela europea de descripción y clasificación de la información. Para estos fines se realizaron 177 relevés o levantamientos bajo un diseño estratificado al azar. De aquí se reconocieron 13 comunidades vegetales y sus especies características. El enfoque forestal siguió un diseño estratificado sistemático de muestreo. Se reconocieron 136 rodales que agrupan a 1 271 subrodales (unidades de manejo forestal). Esto incluyó el muestreo de 4 662 sitios de ci. 1 000 m2. La comparación se presenta en tres contextos: alcances florísticos, dinámica del bosque y contexto espacial. El enfoque pais...

Tree growth predictions still present a challenge to forestry scientists. Species richness, ecological behavior variations, and different climate and soil interactions make it difficult to predict and understand tree growth in managed forests. This study examined the relationship between soil, climate, and forest management parameters and tree growth, using data from more than 30 years of monitoring in the Brazilian Amazon. We evaluated all trees with DBH ≥ 20 cm in a database of 66,182 observations in 166 permanent plots, corresponding to 17,440 individuals and 642 species. We used the CAFOGROM growth model approach to analyze the dataset, and found 10 statistically distinct species groups in terms of tree diameter growth and maximal DBH for the species. Species classification based on ecological characteristics plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of treatment decisions and selective logging in forest management, making it possible to adopt appropriate practices and define logging intensities and cutting cycles compatible with conserving forest structure and species population. The model revealed variations in species growth resulting from the influence of factors including light, nutrients, and competition. Depending on the group, soil properties such as percentage of sand, silt, total carbon, presence of aluminum and phosphorus, and exchangeable bases or cation exchange capacity can accelerate or limit tree growth. However, no direct relationship has been found between specific soil and climate variables and an ecological group or tree size. Our study highlights distinct growth patterns among different species groups in response to reduced-impact logging and environmental variables. Effective forest management requires a nuanced approach, considering the varied growth responses of different species groups to ensure sustainable use and conservation of forest resources.

The Talchir Formation occurs at the base of the Indian Gondwana sequence resting directly on the Precambrian basement and is conformably overlain by the coal bearing Damuda Group. It is a treasure trove of plant fossils and holds clue to the origin and subsequent rise of Glossopteris flora. Mega and palynofossils of the Talchir Formation reported from various basins of peninsular India are reviewed in the light of new researches. A comparative study of homotaxial flora from other Gondwana continents indicates uniformity and similarity in plant types at the generic level. The flora reconfirms an Early Permian age equivalent to Assel ian-Sakmarian for the Talch ir Formation.

Due to their confinement to specific hostplants or restricted habitat types, Auchenorrhyncha have the potential to make suitable biological indicators to measure the quality of chalk grassland under different management practices for nature conservation. The Auchenorrhyncha data from a study designed to identify the factors influencing the invertebrate diversity of chalk grasslands in southern England was used to evaluate the potential use of this group of insects as biological indicators. Between 1998 and 2002 altogether 81 chalk grassland sites were sampled. Vegetation structure and composition were recorded, and Auchenorrhyncha were sampled at each site on three occasions in each of two seasons using a 'Vortis' suction sampler. Auchenorrhyncha assemblages were then linked to the different grassland plant communities occurring on chalk soils according to the British National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Altogether 96 Auchenorrhyncha species were recorded during the study. Using data on the frequency and dominance of species, as is commonly done for plant communities, it was possible to identify the preferential and differential species of distinct Auchenorrhyncha assemblages. Significant differences between the Auchenorrhyncha assemblages associated with the various chalk grassland plant communities of the NVC were observed down to a level of sub-communities. We conclude that data on Auchenorrhyncha assemblages can provide valuable information for the setting of conservation management priorities, where data on floristic composition alone may not be sufficient, providing additional information on aspects of vegetation structure and condition.

Wetlands are recognized as hotspots of biodiversity and providers of several ecosystem services, including water purification, sediment stabilization, and flood, erosion, and climate regulation. This article aims to investigate the floristic diversity of the wetlands the Haho River watershed in southern Togo. Spatial data from Astrium service and Google Earth were collected, and phytosociological data were classified following the Braun–Blanquet approach. The findings indicate that 72 families in total have evolved in this environment, with Poaceae (14.95%) and Fabaceae (11.98%) dominating. The number of species was estimated to be 323; the three species that were most prevalent in the wetland’s habitats were Elaeis guineensis Jacq (2.44%), Panicum maximum Jacq (2.29%), and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) H. B. K. (1.71%). The most prevalent and abundant life forms in these moist habitats were micro-phanerophytes (34.70%) and therophytes (23.50%). However, the most common and abundant ...

Vegetation was sampled in 86 plots of riparian forest and dry forests of northern Togo. The recorded data were subjected to floristic and quantitative ecological analyses in order to describe the main woody plant communities and their size structure. The plant groupings were determined by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and defined through the indicator value method. Alpha diversity index, and tree species structure features were computed for forest woody plant groupings. Results classified four woody communities. Two of them belonged to riparian forest while the other two, dry forest. A total of 77 plant species consisted of woody species. Pterocarpus santalinoïdes and Anogeissus leiocarpuswere the most important species based on their indicator values. The diversity indices of P. santalinoïdes, Eugenia kerstingiiand A. leiocarpusand Vitellaria paradoxaplant communities were significant and indicated a wide distribution of species in the area, while their structural feature...

The 170 relevés, out of a field sampling conducted in protected areas of Northern Togo, were subjected to a floristic analysis in order to study the status of the remnant flora and plant diversity and to determine the distribution of life forms and phytogeographic types. 274 plants species, grouped in 63 families were recorded, among which six families proved to be well represented in this region. The Sudano-Zambesian species followed by Pan-Tropical and Guineo-Congolian were themost frequent phytogeographic types while the phanerophytes, especially micro-phanerophytes and nano-phanerophytes, were the most represented life forms.

RESUMO-O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a estrutura da regeneração natural de uma floresta explorada de várzea baixa localizada no município de Afuá, no norte do Estado do Pará. Foram amostradas 25 subparcelas de 100 m 2, nas quais foram medidos ...

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de sustentação de uma floresta nativa explorada, mediante o conhecimento da estrutura da floresta antes e após a exploração florestal, buscando recomendar medidas para minimizar os impactos causados pelas atividades de exploração sobre a vegetação adulta remanescente. Observou-se aumento no número de espécies e famílias dois anos após a exploração, em nível das adultas, ou seja, DAP > 5 cm, em razão do ingresso de espécies, o mesmo não sendo observado para classes menores que esta. O padrão de distribuição das espécies foi bastante afetado pela exploração, mas devido ao dinamismo da floresta ele deverá ser avaliado na época da próxima exploração.

Bowé are particular form of degraded land where ferricrete, a hard erosion-resistant layer, is exposed. This study investigated vegetation characteristics of bowé (species composition, life form, chorological type, and plant family) in the semiarid and sub-humid climate zones in Benin. In both climate zones, bowé sites were characterized by grassland and savanna. The species composition on bowé varied according to the climate zone. Woody species were frequent on bowé in sub-humid (51% of the total species recorded) than in semiarid (44%). Geophytes, hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes were frequent on bowé in the sub-humid than in the semiarid climate zone. The difference between the two climate zones on the occurrence of therophytes on bowé was not significant. The frequency of chamaephytes was higher on bowé sites in the semiarid zone. Afro-tropical, Afro-Malgache, Pluri regional African and Pantropical chorological types were frequent on bowé than in woodlands in each climate zone while the opposite was found for Guineo-Congolian and Sudano-Zambesian chorotypes. Plant families such as Amaranthaceae, Zingiberaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Connaraceae, Loganiaceae, Moraceae and Ochnaceae were only found on bowé in the sub-humid climate zone, while Convolvulaceae, Loganiaceae, Rhamnaceae, Araceae, Colchicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Olacaceae, Pedaliaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Cyperaceae were only found on bowé in the semiarid zone.

The main aim of this article is to assess changes in important waterfowl habitats -protected wetlands situated in the impact zone of proposed dolomite mining. The changes in the waterfowl habitats are evaluated according to changes in the area of sub-wetlands that compose the principal basis of the waterfowl habitat. The sub-wetlands were selected according to vegetation structure of Lake Čedasas and its riparian zone (northern Lithuania). The open water, hydrophyte, helophyte, open grass and mire scrub sub-wetlands were distinguished. According to the simulation results, the decrease in groundwater level between 6 and 7 m in the dolomite quarry would not produce a decline of the water level of Lake Čedasas and groundwater level in the riparian zone, but the lowering of the groundwater level in the dolomite quarry and predicted climate change will produce a decline of groundwater level of as much as 10 cm in the surroundings of the investigated lake. The water level of Lake Čedasas would also decrease by about 10 cm. Even these minor water level changes will influence the ecosystems of Lake Čedasas. The following changes are predicted: open water territory will diminish by about 25%, the area covered by hydrophytes will increase by about 15% and the area covered by helophytes will decrease by about 17%, the area of the open grass sub-wetland will decline by about 5%, whereas the area of the mire scrub sub-wetland will increase even by as much as 28%. The research results showed that the selected mathematical model could be employed to produce a useful simulation of surface water resources and understand the wetland habitats response to disturbances in the water regime.

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Vascular plant diversity (excluding pteridophytes) was analyzed for the countries of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia from information available in TROPICOS. A total of 34,286 species were registered for the three countries, distributed in 256 families and 3,309 genera. Peru ...

Se estudiaron aspectos de la flora y la ecología del matorral desértico rosetófilo en dos áreas que difieren en el tipo de suelo en el centro de Nuevo León, México (Rendzina + Litosol, textura media, lítico y Regosol calcárico + Litosol, textura media). Utilizando 44 parcelas de 20 × 10 m se muestrearon las especies suculentas, arbustivas y arbóreas. Se calcularon los atributos de la vegetación tales como densidad (N/ha), cobertura de copa (m2/ha), frecuencia, índice de valor de importancia (IVI), además de la diversidad α y β. Mediante un ANOVA no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la riqueza, la diversidad y la cobertura foliar. Los resultados indican que la composición florística presentó disimilitud entre los dos tipos de suelos, siendo además la densidad significativamente mayor en el Regosol (8909 N/ha) que en la Rendzina (4790 N/ha). La predominancia de cactáceas es favorecida por la baja retención de humedad de la asociación Regosol calcárico + Litosol.

A survey of syntaxa of vegetation of North American boreal forests (class Vaccinio-Piceetea) is presented. This phytosociological survey, carried out combining the Braun-Blanquet method with numerical syntaxonomical analyses (cluster and correspondence analysis), describes the associations of the North American boreal forests, which have several species, varieties or vicariant species in common with their Eurasian counterparts, and can be placed in

Using advanced remote sensing, a comprehensive evaluation of the vegetation at the Amazonian Center for Experimental Research and Production (CEIPA) of Universidad Estatal Amazónica was conducted. Landsat 9 satellite images from 2023 were analyzed, focusing on the red and near-infrared spectral bands in order to calculate the normalized difference vegetation index. This index provided detailed information on vegetation health and type in the study area. The results indicated that over 90% of the CEIPA's surface exhibits medium to high-density vegetation, suggesting a healthy state. These findings are crucial for decision-making, land management, and environmental conservation in the academic sphere and in environmental management.

The grassland area of Romania covers over 4.8 million hectares, of which more than a half are located in upland areas. In the present research it has been studied the influence of organic fertilization on the productivity, vegetal canopy and fodder quality of the intramontane Depression of Vatra Dornei, from the North-Eastern Romanian Carpathians, at rates of 20-50 Mg ha-1, applied either on a yearly basis, or every two years. The purpose of this study is to underline the dynamics of productivity and phytocenosis biodiversity, due to the application of some practical, technical measures meant to improve the production and fodder quality of Nardus stricta L. permanent grasslands, with minimal effects on the environment. The organic fertilizer rates triggered changes in the canopy structure by reducing the percentage of Nardus stricta L species, from 70% to 14-31%, and increasing the percentage of legumes, as well as the productivity and fodder quality 5-30%, respectively.

The meadows of Nardus stricta L. and Festuca rubra L. from Dorna Depression are of low productivity and quality and are mostly used for cattle grazing. Improving the trophic regime, through organic fertilization, causes a change in the floristic composition and the ratio of the species favouring the valuable ones. The research was carried out under the pedo-climatic conditions of Şaru-Dornei locality, from 2008 to 2010. The experience was conducted on an area located at an altitude of 940 m, with a slope of 10°. We followed the effect of fertilization of 20-50 t/ha manure applied annually or every two years on production, biodiversity and structure of vegetation in a meadow of Festuca rubra L. and Nardus stricta L. The manure application resulted in increases of production between 84-114%, ensured from the statistical viewpoint. Organic fertilization led to the reduction of the share of Nardus stricta L. species from 70-80% to 8-35% in the fertilized variants with 20 and 30 t/ha manure applied annually, in favour of the valuable species: Festuca rubra, Trisetum flavescens , Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens.

Aims: This study aims to: i) differentiate the plant associations in the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari (BRP), ii) determine the ecological characteristics of their habitats and iii) present distribution maps on different soil types. Study area: The BRP, located in the Sudanian Zone of Benin. Methods: 202 phytosociological relevés were sampled according to the Braun-Blanquet method within the BRP. Ordination was performed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis to evaluate vegetation patterns. Soil parameters were used to characterize the vegetation types. Results: The numerical analysis of 202 plots and 249 plant species showed two major floristic groups that correlated with a moisture gradient: drylands versus wetlands. The dryland group was a mixture of woodland and shrub savanna, the dominant ecosystems of the study area. The wetland group encompassed species primarily from riparian forest, tree savanna and grass savanna on floodplains. Syntaxonomical analysis of the dryland grou...

A pesquisa foi conduzida no Centro de Assessoria e Apoio aos Trabalhadores e Instituições Não-Governamentais Alternativas (CAATINGA), no município de Ouricuri, PE, no período de 1989 a 1994 com o objetivo de comparar diferentes práticas de manipulação da vegetação lenhosa, como alternativas de manejo pastoril sustentável da caatinga, viável em nível do pequeno produtor. Parcelas de 25 x 100 m cada uma, tiveram sua vegetação lenhosa submetida aos seguintes tratamentos experimentais: desmatamento, raleamento, raleamento-rebaixamento, rebaixamento e testemunha. Os resultados indicaram que a disponibilidade total e a compartimentalização da fitomassa da parte aérea da caatinga (folhagem das lenhosas e vegetação herbácea) foram afetadas pelos métodos de manipulação e pelas flutuações anuais da precipitação pluvial. Os tratamentos de manipulação aumentaram substancialmente a participação das gramíneas na composição florística da fitomassa herbácea. O rebaixamento e o raleamento-rebaixamen...

The Shannon index is an information statistic index, which means it assumes all species are represented in a sample and that they are randomly sampled. Species richness, evenness, and diversity are used to compare different populations . This index quantifies the diversity of a community by considering both the number of species (species richness) and the evenness of their distribution(Species richness).Biodiversity indices can help prioritize conservation efforts by identifying areas of high biodiversity importance and species in need of protection .They can also be used to assess the effectiveness of conservation and restoration projects, such as habitat restoration or invasive species management. In the present study Shannon-Weiner Species Diversity Index (H) was used to calculate biodiversity for site 1 and for site 2 in University Campus Kota Rajasthan India.Higher the value of H in site 1, indicated higher the diversity of tree species in that area .

Protected areas are important sources providing plant resources for human populations, and contributing to the livelihood and income of families. To test the ecological apparency hypothesis, that there is positive relationship between the visibility of a species and its use, we conducted an ethnobotanical survey in the protected area of the Itaúna rural settlement in the municipality of Planaltina, in the state of Goiás, in central Brazil. The phytosociological parameters were obtained in 5.6 ha area of the Brazilian cerrado (savanna), and the ethnobotanical survey conducted with semi-structured interviews with 75 people. There was a weak positive correlation between the use value and the phytosociological parameters. A principal component analysis showed that seven species (Pterodon pubescens, Hancornia speciosa, Hymenaea stigonocarpa, Eugenia dysenterica, Annona crassiflora, Stryphnodendron adstringens and Solanum lycocarpum) have high use value, despite having low density, dominance and frequency. Nineteen species showed a positive relationship between their use value and their phytosociological parameters. The relationship between vegetation structure and use value differed among species in the protected area, indicating that more attention should be paid to those under more pressure, with low abundance. Further studies of these seven species should be conducted to determine whether human pressure is affecting populations structures and to define management strategies.

Protected areas are important sources providing plant resources for human populations, and contributing to the livelihood and income of families. To test the ecological apparency hypothesis, that there is positive relationship between the visibility of a species and its use, we conducted an ethnobotanical survey in the protected area of the Itaúna rural settlement in the municipality of Planaltina, in the state of Goiás, in central Brazil. The phytosociological parameters were obtained in 5.6 ha area of the Brazilian cerrado (savanna), and the ethnobotanical survey conducted with semi-structured interviews with 75 people. There was a weak positive correlation between the use value and the phytosociological parameters. A principal component analysis showed that seven species (Pterodon pubescens, Hancornia speciosa, Hymenaea stigonocarpa, Eugenia dysenterica, Annona crassiflora, Stryphnodendron adstringens and Solanum lycocarpum) have high use value, despite having low density, dominance and frequency. Nineteen species showed a positive relationship between their use value and their phytosociological parameters. The relationship between vegetation structure and use value differed among species in the protected area, indicating that more attention should be paid to those under more pressure, with low abundance. Further studies of these seven species should be conducted to determine whether human pressure is affecting populations structures and to define management strategies.

The flora and vegetation of the north-easternmost islands of the prefecture of Dodekanisos, Agathonisi and Pharmakonisi, which remained floristically almost unexplored until recently, have been investigated. Included are also the flora and vegetation of the seven islets around Agathonisi. Altogether, 402 species and infraspecific taxa of higher plants belonging to 131 genera and 52 families have been found. The analysis of the flora and the classification of the taxa into three main chorological units and five life form types shows that the Mediterranean elements and the therophytes predominate. A comparison of the individual floras of the two islands and seven islets revealed very low values of Sørensen's similarity coefficient, indicating a remarkable floristic independence. This floristic independence is also expressed by the fact that the nine islands and islets have not one taxon in common, whereas 130 taxa occur only on one island or islet each. Three vegetation zones (littoral, epilittoral and interior) are distinguished and described. The vegetation physiognomy differs from islet to islet due to different dominant species. Human activities such as agriculture, grazing, fires, etc. likewise affect the local floristic composition and vegetation physiognomy.

This paper deals with result of the effects of tillage systems on floristic composition weed synuzia of winter wheat in investigated period (2000/01-2002/03) on the chernozem luvic soil type. Tillage have a big influence on weed control and floristic composition, number of species, individuals and biomass of weeds of winter wheat. The obtained results shows that the dominant species were from annuels Bilderdykia convolvulus (L.) Dum., Sinapis arvensis L. and Agropyrum repens (L.) Beauv., Convolvulus arvensis (L.), Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., from perennials. The greatest number of species belonged to terrophytes in biological specter of weed communities. Mulch tillage had better effect in weed control than conventional and especially from no tillage systems. This is one of possibilities for crop technology rationalization for winter wheat and soil conservation. No-tillage increased total weed number annual and perennial species esspecially biomass. This tillage make weed control dif...

Well preserved plant fossil assemblage recorded for the first time from the Barakar Formation of Sharda Open Cast Mine, Sohagpur Coalfield, Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh is documented in this study. The assemblage comprises the orders Equisetales, Glossopteridales and Cordaitales. Equisetales is represented by unidentifiable leafless equisetalean axes bearing nodes and internodes, Glossopteridales comprises one species of Gangamopteris (Gangamopteris intermedia) and seven species of Glossopteris (Glossopteris communis, G. gigas, G. giridihensis, G. indica, G. longicaulis, G. spatulata and Glossopteris sp.), and Cordaitales is known by one species of Noeggerathiopsis (Noeggerathiopsis hislopii). The floral assemblage is broadly comparable with those described previously from the Barakar Formation of Damodar, Mahanadi, Wardha, Godavari, Rajmahal and Satpura Gondwana basins of India. Since the known records of plant mega fossils from the Barakar Formation of Sohagpur Coalfield are m...

The aim of this research was to evaluate plant diversity and the relationships between the distribution of Raunkiaer life forms and community structure, and species richness, at different successional stages in communities of Quercus ilex L., Erica arborea L. and Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach., distributed as enclaves in Sinop Province. Permanent sample plots were selected to determine plant diversity. The cover percentage of each plant species was recorded monthly during two vegetation periods. Raunkiaer life forms, and the Shannon-Wiener, Evenness, Simpson and Margalef indexes were determined. Twenty-three species in Quercus ilex, 96 species in Erica arborea, and 148 species in Sarcopoterium spinosum were identified. Hemicryptophyte dominancy was observed followed by phanerophytes in the Q. ilex community, and therophyte and hemicryptophyte dominancy in the E. arborea and S. spinosum communities, respectively. It was determined that the S. spinosum community was the most heterogeneous community while the Q. ilex community was more uniform than other communities. The variation in diversity indexes, homogeneity, and composition of life forms among communities adopting a similar climatic environment could result from a differentiation of environmental factors, which impact on community structuring, from biotic to abiotic at different successional stages of Mediterranean communities.

The study was conducted under the “Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation Project” to examine changes that occurred in the reclaimed sodic land in two districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study focuses on long‐term seasonal changes in the floral diversity and soil characteristics of the reclaimed sodic land over a period of 10 y. The changes in the floristic composition, plant density, and soil characteristics (microbial biomass carbon [MBC], pH, exchangeable‐sodium percentage (ESP), and electrical conductivity) were compared among the different study plots after different years of sodic‐land reclamation. The study plots comprised reclaimed land with rice–wheat cultivation; semireclaimed land under rice cultivation only and nonreclaimed barren sodic land. There was a significant variation in the floristic composition of the three study plots. Dominance in the floristic composition was shifted from monocotyledonous weeds in the nonreclaimed sodic land to dicotyledonous weeds in the ...

This paper presents the first continuous (gap-free) Lateglacial-Early Holocene (LGEH) pollen record for the Iberian Pyrenees resolved at centennial resolution. The main aims are (i) to provide a standard chronostratigraphic correlation framework, (ii) to unravel the relationships between vegetation shifts, climatic changes and fire, and (iii) to obtain a regional picture of LGEH vegetation for the Pyrenees and the surrounding lowlands. Seven pollen assemblage zones were obtained and correlated with the stadial/interstadial phases of the Greenland ice cores that serve as a global reference. Several well-dated datums were also derived for keystone individual taxa that are useful for correlation purposes. Four vegetation types were identified, two of them corresponding to conifer and deciduous forests (Cf, Df) and two representing open vegetation types with no modern analogs (periglacial herbs, or PH, andSaxifraga-Cichorioideae, or SC). The first two forests dominated during interstadi...

The objective was to perform a floristic and phytosociological study and adjust probability density functions to express the diameter distribution in a Cerrado area on the banks of the Uruçuí-Preto River. The study was carried out in the municipality of Baixa Grande do Ribeiro, Piauí, where 10 sample units of 20 x 20 m (400 m²) were placed. Living and dead individuals with CHC ≥ 10 cm were measured. To verify the sample adequacy, a method of the species-area curve was used and the horizontal structure was analyzed through phytosociological estimators. For the diametrical distribution, the functions of 2 and 3-parameters Weibull, type I and II Meyer, were adjusted. There were 621 individuals distributed in 31 species belonging to 19 families. The diametric distributions were presented in decreasing order, and the 3-parameter Weibull distribution was significant for all species analyzed and for those of higher importance value (IV), according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test. The species Vochysia pyramidalis, Mauritia flexuosa, Alchornea discolor and Tapirira obtuse presented high density and frequency in the studied area with the highest IV. The 3-parameter Weibull distribution presented adequate adjustment for both data and may be indicated to describe the diametric distribution of the species.

New Greek legislation imposes conservation goals for habitat types (HTs) in sites of (European) community interest (SCI), so the ecological equilibrium status must be checked before impact assessment in these sites. We processed 1,875 vegetation samples (relevés) from the previous Conservation Status Assessment campaign in Crete (2014Crete ( -2015) ) concerning low-vegetation pastures in 29 SCI. We conducted a frequency analysis to find vegetation groups (VGs) and relevés groups (RGs) using the same matrix species × relevés. We present a general table where the RG are defined by their habitat code and class values of altitudinal and geological substrates. We also used ecological profiles on these variables to fine-tune the differences within the VG. These methods led to phytosociological and ecological precisions: in the grass habitats (HT code 6220), the class of Lygeo sparti-Stipetea tenacissimae is on tertiary substrate at an altitude below 210 m, the Helianthemetea guttati is below 1,250 m on hard limestone and at a low altitude on noncalcareous substrate, while the Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae is below 800 m and is not substrate-restricted. Concerning phryganas and heaths, the altitude at 1,500 m separates HT 5420-5430 downward, associated with classes Ononido-Rosmarinetea and Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis, from HT 4090 upward, associated with the Daphno-Festucetea. The altitude of HT 5420 remains downward of 800 m. HT 4090 and 5430 are also characterized by calcareous geological substrates, namely hard limestone and marble. We suggest that HT 5420 is the most post-cultural vegetation and HT 5430 is a long-term pasture on noncultivable substrates.

This paper describes the direct measurements of the structure of iron-bearing liquids using a combination of containerless techniques and insitu high energy x-ray diffraction. These capabilities provide data that is important to help model and optimize processes such as smelting, steel making, and controlling slag chemistry. A successful programme of liquid studies has been undertaken and the Advanced Photon Source using these combined techniques which include the provision of gas mixing and the control of pO 2 and the changing influence of mixed valance elements. It is possible to combine rapid image acquisition with quenching of liquids to obtain the full diffraction patterns of deeply supercooled liquids and the metastable supercooled liquid regime, where the liquid structures and viscosity change most dramatically, can also be explored.