Plot sizes used for phytosociological sampling of European vegetation

Abstract. In European phytosociology, variable plot sizes are traditionally used for sampling different vegetation types. This practice may generate problems in current vegetation or habitat survey projects based on large data sets, which include relevés made by many authors at different times. In order to determine the extent of variation in plot sizes used in European phytosociology, we collected a data set of 41 174 relevés with an indication of plot size, published in six major European journals focusing on phytosociology from 1970 to 2000. As an additional data set, we took 27 365 relevés from the Czech National Phytosociological Database. From each data set, we calculated basic statistical figures for plot sizes used to sample vegetation of various phytosociological classes. The results show that in Europe the traditionally used size of vegetation plots is roughly proportional to vegetation height; however, there is a large variation in plot size, both within and among vegetation classes. The effect of variable plot sizes on vegetation analysis and classification is not sufficiently known, but use of standardized plot sizes would be desirable in future projects of vegetation or habitat survey. Based on our analysis, we suggest four plot sizes as possible standards. They are 4 m² for sampling aquatic vegetation and low‐grown herbaceous vegetation, 16 m² for most grassland, heathland and other herbaceous or low‐scrub vegetation types, 50 m² for scrub, and 200 m² for woodlands. It has been pointed out that in some situations, sampling in either small or large plots may result in assignment of relevés to different phytosociological classes or habitat types. Therefore defining vegetation and habitat types as scale‐dependent concepts is needed.     

我国进境检疫性菌物名录亟待修订完善

中华人民共和国现行进境检疫性菌物名录中共有130种。近年来由于菌物分类研究的快速发展,许多检疫性菌物的分类地位已经发生变化。本文对我国进境检疫性菌物名录中的名称与国际公认的分类体系和现用名进行了初步的比较和分析,进一步以茎点霉属和轮枝菌属为例说明分类系统的变化对菌物名称的影响。另外,名录中很多汉语学名的使用也不符合规范。我国进境检疫性菌物名录亟需修订。     

中国农业植物病原菌物常见种属名录

植物病原菌物是造成植物病害的主要病原物,可对生态安全、粮食安全、生物多样性造成重要威胁和灾害.近年来,菌物分类学的研究逐步深入,大量新分类单元被描述、高阶分类系统被修订和完善.在墨尔本和深圳两届国际植物学大会上,对《国际藻类、菌物和植物命名法规》中涉及菌物的部分做出了重大调整以实现"一菌一名".上述研究进展和改变对植物...     

The anArchive taxonomic Checklist for Italian botanical data banking and vegetation analysis: Theoretical basis and advantages

In recent years, research in botany was increasingly related with the use of large data-sets and data banks, in order to address emerging issues such as the severe risk of species, habitats and biodiversity loss. In this frame, the anArchive taxonomic Checklist, an online synonymized list of botanical species names, developed to support the botanical data banking and vegetation analysis, is presented and discussed here. The benefits deriving from such a supervised and referenced tool are emphasized. They include the possibility to keep track of old and new species names, pointing out the latest reviewed accepted scientific name and its synonyms, and harmonizing different taxonomic points of view. Furthermore, the list is open access and expert qualified customers can collaborate to its improvement. The basic unit of the taxonomic Checklist is an object including the taxon name at specific or, when present, infraspecific level; the taxonomic frame stops at the level of family and ranks higher than genus are not treated hierarchically. Some technical features, the main taxonomic references and the current state of the art are reported.     

A Provisional List of Common Names for Australian Butterflies

A provisional list of common names for the known species of Australian butterflies is presented, and the advantages of producing such a set of standard common names discussed. the criteria and methodology on which the names are based are detailed and instances in which terms should be avoided itemised. All previously used names are reviewed and current or traditional names considered; where possible, traditional names were given highest priority. Group names have been standardised at the higher taxonomic levels (i.e. genus, tribe, subfamily etc.). Problems faced in compiling the list are discussed and comments on the suitability of the proposed names invited.     

Understanding properly the `potential natural vegetation' concept

This is a response to critical comments concerning the inappropriate use of the potential natural vegetation (PNV) concept made in a recent contribution to the Commentary section of this journal. We consider that the PNV concept has been misinterpreted. PNV has been used extensively in several European countries since the mid‐1950s and was never intended to be used to make a prediction of what vegetation would dominate in an area if human influence were removed. PNV maps express hypothetical assumptions of what corresponds to dominant or natural vegetation in each area. Remnants of the vegetation of the past provided by palaeopalynology and other disciplines provide valuable information for interpreting modern vegetation, but natural changes and anthropogenic influences operating over the last millennia have to be taken into account. Annex I of the Habitats Directive provides a balanced list of habitat types for implementing conservation policies within the European Union.