Benthic marine flora in the Tuscan Archipelago. A first contribution: Isles of Capraia,Elba, Formiche di Grosseto,Giglio, Scoglio d'Africa,Montecristo and Giannutri

Abstract

Benthic marine flora of Tuscan Archipelago has been studied. Several samples were collected along five islands and some rocks. This paper is a compendium of new and already published data, in which 267 species, varieties, forms and stadia of algae and seagrasses are listed: 5 Bangiophyceae, 182 Florideophyceae, 45 Phaeophyceae, 6 Chlorophyceae, 28 Bryopsidophyceae, 1 Angiospermae.     

Floristic elements in European vascular plants: an analysis based on Atlas Florae Europaeae

Aim To identify floristic elements in the European flora by an analysis of the distributions of species and species groups mapped in Atlas Florae Europaeae. Location Europe, as defined by Flora Europaea. Methods We analysed the native distributions of 2762 species and 33 species’ aggregates from 79 families, which represent c. 20% of the European flora. The distributional data base, derived from Atlas Florae Europaeae, includes records from 4420 50 × 50‐km UTM grid squares. We classified species into floristic elements by a three‐stage clustering procedure, which consisted of: (1) constructing a dissimilarity hierarchy by complete linkage clustering, using a distance measure based on Jaccard’s coefficient; (2) cutting the hierarchical tree at the 0.95 level to create initial clusters, and forcing small clusters to link with larger ones until the sum of within‐group pairwise distances exceeded a threshold value; and (3) checking the allocation of all species to the redefined clusters and reassigning species if appropriate, using the cosine of the angle between the species and cluster centres to measure the similarity of species to clusters. Results The clustering procedure classified 2793 taxa into 18 floristic elements, which included between 66 and 289 taxa; two species had unique, non‐overlapping distributions and could not be classified. Main conclusions The analysis highlights the floristic diversity of the mountains of central and southern Europe, and of the Mediterranean region. The floristic elements of northern latitudes and the temperate lowlands tend to be composed of wide‐ranging species and include only a low proportion of European endemics. The montane elements, including those centred on montane areas in the Mediterranean region, are composed predominantly of perennial species and include high or very high proportions of European endemics. Classifications that recognize one ‘Alpine’ and one ‘Mediterranean’ biogeographical zone in Europe fail to reflect this floristic diversity.     

The oldest monitoring site of the Alps revisited: accelerated increase in plant species richness on Piz Linard summit since 1835

Background: High-altitude ecosystems in the Alps have experienced severe environmental changes over the past decades, such as strong warming and increasing numbers of visitors and grazers. Few studies have followed the effects of such changes on the alpine flora over a period longer than a few decades. The summit of Piz Linard (3410 m, south-eastern Switzerland) is the oldest site in the Alps whose flora has been recorded, on average every 20 years since the Little Ice Age (1835).

Aims: We re-surveyed the summit flora of Piz Linard to trace its floristic changes and identify their patterns and possible drivers.

Methods: We mapped each species' highest location, distribution and abundance in the uppermost 30 m of the Piz Linard summit in 2011, and compared species composition and species’ altitudinal distribution over time.

Results: Species richness increased at an accelerated rate since 1992 and rose from 12 to 16 species since the previous record in 2003. Most already present species increased in abundance and colonised new areas of the summit, while new arrivals mainly established at sites with already high species richness. Species appeared after 1992 differed from species already present previously by having had lower maximum altitudes elsewhere in south-eastern Switzerland.

Conclusions: Temporal and spatial patterns of colonisations and former altitudinal ranges of species all point to climate warming as the principal driver of floristic change on Piz Linard.     

La Flora Delle Gole di Popoli (Pescara)

Abstract

Flora of Popoli's gorges (Central Italy). — The results of floristic research developed from 1967 to 1969 at the Popoli's gorges (province of Pescara, in Abruzzo, Central Italy) are reported. Short accounts on the geographic position, on the geology and climate of the gorges are given, together with the floristic index of 696 entities, 4 of which are new for Abruzzo. For each species the biological and the phytogeographical categories are indicated; and for the whole of the flora the biological spectrum. This shows that this flora is a submediterranean one, with altitude influences. Critical remarks are developed about the taxonomy and distribution in the region of Abruzzo of several species wich looked particularly significant to the author.     

Community assembly after long-term fragmentation: a case study of tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna,south-west China

Background: Tropical rainforests represent the most species-rich and at the same time the most fragmented terrestrial biome on Earth. Fragmentation of tropical rainforests is having wide-ranging consequences for the maintenance of local species diversity and community assembly patterns.

Aims: To examine floristic changes and changes in community phylogenetic structure in the forest fragment over the past five decades.

Methods: A new taxonomic diversity algorithm (within-family diversity) was developed to assess floristic changes in the forest fragment. Community phylogenetic structure was then compared before and after fragmentation.

Results: Taxonomic diversity changed greatly among families, with changes occurring randomly across the phylogeny. The forest fragment had higher phylogenetic diversity, higher mean pair-wise phylogenetic distance, but lower mean nearest-neighbour distance. The community phylogenetic structure has changed significantly from clustering to dispersion.

Conclusions: High species turnover occurred in the forest fragment. While shade-tolerant species have been lost, and ruderal and alien species have been added, overall phylogenetic diversity has increased with species being more phylogenetically distant. Competitive exclusion, which was related to the relatively drier conditions in the forest after fragmentation, led the plant community phylogenetic structure to be more dispersed.     

青藏高原东南部察隅河流域种子植物区系研究

在野外植被调查、标本采集和资料查询整理的基础上,汇总了察隅河流域种子植物名录,并对流域内植物物种的组成、优势科属、区系地理成分及性质进行分析。运用R语言在属水平上与其周边16个地区的植物区系进行聚类及主成分分析,探讨察隅河流域种子植物区系与其他区系之间的关系。结果表明：(1)察隅河流域共含种子植物138科、689属、2 771种(含变种),其中裸植子物4科12属56种,被子植物134科677属2 715种,被子植物中双子叶植物112科531属2 270种占绝对优势。(2)区内地理成分联系广泛,科的区系划分除世界分布类型外,热带分布型53科(55.21%),温带分布型43科(44.79%);属的区系划分中所有类型均有分布,温带分布型396属(62.07%),热带分布型230属(36.05%);属的分布型与科相比具有更明显的温带性质;植物种类丰富度高但特有成分低,无特有科,仅含12特有属。(3)流域内植被垂直地带性分布较为明显,保留了较多古老孑遗植物,如裸子植物的西藏红豆杉(Taxus wallichiana)、察隅冷杉(Abies chayuensis)和云南松(Pinus yunnanensis)等;由于青藏高原的上升运动,成为杜鹃花属(Rhododendron)、虎耳草属(Saxifraga)、龙胆属(Gentiana)和报春花属(Primula)等新生高山植物区系成分分化繁衍的摇篮。(4)察隅河植物区系属喜马拉雅山南侧热带成分向温带成分过渡的区系性质,与珠峰自然保护区植物区系更为相似。     

Epiphytic (including hemiepiphytes) diversity in three timber species in the southwestern Amazon, Brazil

Forestry managers have been searching for ways to reduce the impacts of logging on Amazonian biodiversity, but some basic factors are still not considered in native forestry operations, among them the diversity of epiphytes associated with the logged trees. Our goals in this study were to determine the floristic composition, quantify the species richness, and characterize the species diversity of the vascular epiphytic community present in three timber tree species in Acre State, Brazil. We collected and identified all epiphytes in 30 randomly selected trees ≥35 cm DBH of each of three important timber species, Tabebuia serratifolia, Manilkara inundata and Couratari macrosperma. We also documented the epiphyte diversity in 120 randomly selected trees ≥35 cm DBH of 56 other species to determine whether the three timber species have different epiphyte diversity than the tree community at large. The epiphyte samples in the three timber species showed 77 species, 13 of which were new records for the flora of Acre state. The epiphyte community in the randomly selected trees presented a total of 56 species. The timber species phorophytes hosted on average three times more epiphyte species per tree than the other 120 randomly selected trees. These results show that a substantial portion of local floristic richness can be lost during logging activity due if not properly managed by rescuing epiphytes after felling the trees. Although these epiphytes could contribute positively to forestry sustainability due to their ornamental value, increasing the economic yield per hectare, there are no local initiatives for economic use of epiphytes.     

Bryophytes of Kédougou (Eastern Senegal), with a key to the Fissidens of Senegal

The bryophyte flora of the Sahelian region of sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by a low species richness, but is also extremely poorly documented. We present here the results of a floristic survey in Kedougou (eastern Senegal), which yielded 22 species. Two liverworts and 15 moss species are new to the country, so that the bryophyte flora of Senegal now includes a total of 4 liverwort and 34 moss species. An identification key is provided for Fissidens, which, with eight species, is the richest moss genus of the country.     

Effects of deferring grazing on the floristic diversity of Stipa tenacissima Loefl. ex L. rangelands in central Algerian steppe

The present work aims to study the effect of deferring grazing on the floristic diversity of Stipa tenacissima Loefl. ex L. rangelands in the central Algerian steppe in two different bioclimatic stages, namely semi‐arid and arid. This work is part of a perspective to know the floristic characteristics of an area excluded from grazing and an unrestricted rangeland, in two different environments in order to highlight the factors that are conceivably responsible for the diversification of flora in the steppe ecosystems. In the present study, a number of 96 floristic surveys were performed during the spring season of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The methodology adopted is a subjective sampling. The minimum area retained is 100 m² defined by the method of Braun Blanquet and de Bolos (1957, Annales Estacion Experimental de Aula Dei, 5, 266). This method has been used to study the floristic diversity represented by the floristic richness, Shannon index, the equitability, the biological and the phytochoric type. The climatic correction according to the altitudinal gradient was applied to determine the bioclimatic stage. The results from the surveys indicate that the rangelands at the studied sites contain 109 species, 27 families and 63 genera out of which 79 species and 22 families are in the semi‐arid bioclimatic stage. A two‐way analysis of variance was employed to examine the effect of the bioclimatic stage and the pasture land put at rest. Variance analysis of the diversity indices showed that the bioclimatic stage has a significant impact on the floristic richness and flora diversity of the S. tenacissima steppe (p ≤ 0.01) with a 5% threshold; on the other hand, the protection of these ecosystems does not have a remarkable influence on the floristic diversity (p > 0.05). In recent years, climatic disturbances have resulted in changes in vegetation, even in rested areas located between the study localities.     

不同地区人初乳中细菌多样性研究

初乳中的微生物在婴儿生长发育过程中具有多种有益作用。【目的】本研究分析了影响初乳微生物组成的多个因素,为后续探讨人初乳菌群的相关研究提供新思路。【方法】通过PacBio SMRT测序技术对37份采集自湖北恩施地区人初乳样本中细菌16S rRNA基因序列进行测序,并结合公共数据库中已公布的来自内蒙古、海南、广西、河北、黑龙江和江苏等地区的62份人初乳中微生物组数据,探究不同地区人初乳中菌群组成与结构特点。【结果】99份人初乳样本共注释到345个属,937个种,其中乳酸乳球菌(Lactococcuslactis)、Ralstoniainsidiosa、溶血孪生球菌(Gemella haemolysans)等是人初乳中的优势菌种。基于jaccard距离的主坐标分析(principal coordinate analysis, PCoA)显示,不同地区之间的人初乳菌群呈现显著分离趋势。同时比较影响初乳微生物组成因素的R2大小发现：地区>婴儿喂养方式>妊娠期健康状态>分娩方式>胎次。【结论】本研究通过比较多个因素对人初乳中细菌菌群的影响,发现不同地区是影响人初乳微生物组成...     

The urban vascular flora of Palermo (Sicily,Italy)

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive inventory of the urban vascular flora of the town of Palermo. The data were gathered from extensive field collections, from specimens kept in different herbaria, and publications of the last 30?years. The floristic catalogue includes all the vascular plants that occur spontaneously within the urban area. Thirteen taxa are endemic to Sicily and one of these, Clinopodium raimondoi, is exclusive to Palermo’s area. The inventory comprises 1052 taxa belonging to 119 families and 225 genera, and contains 170 taxa non-native to the Italian flora.     

贡嘎山石松类和蕨类植物的多样性与海拔分布（附表）

贡嘎山是横断山脉海拔最高的一座大山,是研究山地植物多样性和海拔分布的理想地区。为了探讨贡嘎山地区石松类和蕨类植物多样性组成及海拔分布特点,该研究基于野外考察、标本采集鉴定及文献考证,对贡嘎山地区石松类和蕨类植物进行统计和分析。结果表明:(1)贡嘎山地区有石松类植物3科4属25种,蕨类植物有23科56属291种。(2)主要的珍稀濒危植物有6种,分别是高寒水韭(Iso tes hypsophila)、松叶蕨(Psilotum nudum)、桫椤(Alsophila spinulosa)、小叶中国蕨(Aleuritopteris albofusca)、玉龙蕨(Polystichum glaciale)和扇蕨(Lepisorus palmatopedatus)。(3)优势科为鳞毛蕨科(Dryopteridaceae)75种、水龙骨科(Polypodiaceae)56种、凤尾蕨科(Pteridaceae)54种和蹄盖蕨科(Athyriaceae)37种;优势属为耳蕨属(Polystichum)45种、鳞毛蕨属(Dryopteris)24种、蹄盖蕨属(Athyrium)24种和瓦韦属(Lepisorus)19种。(4)区系以温带成分为主,有286种(93.77%)。随着海拔的上升,石松类和蕨类的物种多样性逐渐增加,2000~3000 m海拔段的物种多样性最高,为20科46属192种,3000 m以上物种多样性逐渐下降,4500 m以上仅分布有4种蕨类植物。此外,该研究还发现,随着海拔的升高,中国-喜马拉雅成分逐渐增加。     

New costapalmate palm leaves from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi,China, and their biogeographic and palaeoclimatic implications

New palm leaves from the Oligocene Ningming Formation are placed into the morphogenus Sabalites because of their costapalmate leaf shape. Four taxa are described on the basis of leaf compressions with cuticular structure. S. guanxiensis sp. nov. is characterised by hypostomatic leaf blades with a stout costa and a symmetrical base. Sabalites cf. asymmetricus has amphistomatic leaf blades with a long, delicate costa and an asymmetrical base. Sabalites sp. 1 has amphistomatic leaf blades with a long, massive costa and wide segments. Sabalites sp. 2 is characterized by hypostomatic leaf blades with a prominent costa and an asymmetrical base. The four new palm taxa expand our understanding of the floristic elements and features of the Oligocene Ningming flora. Together with the other three palm taxa that were previously reported from the Ningming Formation, our material indicates that the Oligocene Ningming flora had a rich diversity of costapalmate palms. The relatively high species diversity of palms and other plants corroborate that the Oligocene Ningming flora represents a warm and humid climate.     

Contexts,developing ideas and emerging issues in the conservation management of the RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve

Summary

Native pinewoods are fragmentary in extent and floristic integrity. In maintaining and extending these remnants, managers should recognise the diversity of potential communities and the unique mix of species in their flora. At the RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve management aims to develop a self sustaining forest of natural character over the potential woodland area. A present-natural forest provides one model for the attributes and processes, which this forest should contain. Habitat management experiments have recently commenced investigating ways of increasing blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus in forest areas, and increasing tree regeneration at the forest edge. The possible wider role of management intervention in pinewoods is discussed.     

A subtidal transect in Jervis Bay,New South Wales

Long-term variations in the intertidal algal flora of the entire rock platform at Plantation Point, Jervis Bay, are described by May (1981). The study now reported presents similar long-term changes in the flora of a subtidal region of the same headland, observed within the same period of time. This first detailed report of subtidal macroalgal communities in New South Wales describes a several-year study of the benthic communities along a transect in the upper sublittoral region of a rocky headland at Plantation Point, Jervis Bay. Eighty-nine species of algae were recorded, five of which were previously unrecorded for New South Wales. The area studied is dominated by the large brown algae Ecklonia radiata and Phyllospora comosa, large areas of which were cleared periodically by storms. Turf, shade and crustose coralline algal communities also were present. Storms, seasonal variation and longer term changes all affected the abundance and distribution of the algal species growing along the transect and hence the floristic composition of the area.     

A Molecular Survey of Ulva (Chlorophyta) in Temperate Australia Reveals Enhanced Levels of Cosmopolitanism

The green algal genus Ulva includes a speciose group of marine macroalgae inhabiting shallow seas worldwide. Although algal blooms in Asia highlight the opportunistic nature of several “nuisance” species, recent research clearly reveals important positive benefits of Ulva. Applied research requires accurate, reliable, and rapid identification, however, identification of Ulva spp. has met with con‐siderable difficulty. Consequently, many have turned to molecular markers to aid in taxonomy. Previous studies of plants and algae have relied heavily on ITS and rbcL. Recently, tufA has been presented as a suitable barcoding gene to facilitate species‐level identification of green macroalgae and it is used here to explore the diversity of Ulva spp. in temperate Australia. Ninety Ulva specimens collected from 38 sites across five states were sequenced for this gene region with exemplars from each genetic group also sequenced for rbcL to test for congruence. Collections of Australian Ulva spp. were compared to samples from Asia and North America and exhibited trends consistent with recent studies in terms of species relationships. Results support an overwhelmingly cosmopolitan flora in temperate Australia that contrasts with other Australasian surveys of Ulva that report a greater number of endemics and new species. Four new records, as well as numerous range extensions for taxa already known from the country, are documented. Evidence for three nonindigenous Ulva species in temperate Australia is discussed.     

9. The algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East

A survey of the freshwater algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East, is presented. During more than 70 years of investigations 1659 species (including varieties and forms 2276 taxa) belonging to 346 genera of different groups of algae have been recorded from this territory. The Primorsky Region is rich in habitats attractive to algae-rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The details of the distribution of algae in different types of waterbodies have been examined. The algal flora of the region is comparable to the areas, and its taxonomical structure is typical for Eurasia. From this territory some new species and varieties have been described — Achnanthes chankensis, Cymbella ventricosa var. hankensis, Surirella alisoviana, and others. The flora includes some rare species — Fragilaria magocsyi, Perone dimorpha, and Heterothrix monochloron, and some endemics of Asia — Navicula scutelloides var. baicalensis, N. globulifera var. nipponica, Gomphonema sphaerophorum, and Surirella tientsinensis.     

Plant Diversity in Hmong and Mien Homegardens in Northern Thailand

Plant Diversity in Hmong and Mien Homegardens in Northern Thailand. We surveyed 180 homegardens in three Hmong and three Mien villages in northern Thailand to study their floristic diversity and composition and to understand the impact of forced migration and ecological conditions for the development of the rich homegarden flora. We also looked at the role of culturally important species as carriers of cultural identity. We found 406 species: 341 (99 families) and 270 species (90 families) in Hmong and Mien homegardens, respectively. Five lowland villages had the richest homegarden flora, in part due to the presence of many widespread species. Twenty-two species were widespread in tropical countries and found in most Hmong and Mien homegardens, and 14 additional common species were shared between Hmong and Mien homegardens. Seventeen species were exclusive to Hmong homegardens and eight to Mien homegardens; these we have designated as culturally important species. The presence of culturally important species determines the homegardens’ characteristics and reflects the cultural identity related to plant uses of a group. Similarities in floristic composition of the two groups can be attributed to widespread and common species. Floristic variation and diversity in homegardens were strongly related to homegarden geographical location, personal preference, and cultural background of the owners.