Plant Conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot

While the Caribbean is a recognized “biodiversity hotspot”, plant conservation has not received adequate attention; particularly, given the high levels of endemism in many plant groups. Besides establishing protected areas, there needs to be a sustained effort to study the taxonomy, systematics and ecology of the flora. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown high levels of endemism and conservation studies indicate a large propotion of the flora is threatened with extinction. Eight recommendations are given for plant conservation in the region.     

Plant Biodiversity in China: Richly Varied, Endangered, and in Need of Conservation

China is among the world's richest countries in terms of plant biodiversity. Besides the abundant flora, containing some 33,000 vascular plants (30,000 angiosperms, 250 gymnosperms, and 2600 pteridophytes), there is extraordinary ecosystem diversity, as well as a large pool of both wild and cultivated germplasms. China is also considered one of the main centers of origin and diversification for seed plants on Earth, and is especially profuse in phylogenetically primitive taxa and/or paleoendemics due to the refuge role glaciation played during the Quaternary period. The collision with the Indian subcontinent significantly enriched Chinese flora and led to the formation of many neoendemisms. However, flora distribution remains uneven, and some local floristic hotspots are found across China, such as Yunnan, Sichuan and Taiwan. Unfortunately, this biodiversity faces enormous threats, which have increased substantially over the last 50 years. The combined effects of habitat destruction and/or fragmentation, environmental contamination, over-exploitation of natural resources, and to a lesser extent, introduction of exotic species, have caused irreparable damage to China's plant biodiversity. Burgeoning economic and population growth have also contributed to this deterioration. It is believed that up to 5000 flora species are currently endangered in China, with some taxa having already become extinct. Although in recent years government authorities have made some efforts to preserve biodiversity, much work remains to be done. While China has established an extensive network of nature reserves and protected areas, encompassing more than 16% of the total land area, insufficient budgetary and staffing commitments are common limitations in their management structures. Ex-situ conservation is also deficient, primarily because the botanical gardens are not representative of several local floras, nor are they often of adequate size or representative of endangered species. The lack of effective and efficient environmental legislation and education are also problems that continue to accelerate the loss of plant biodiversity in China.     

长江中游(以湖北湖南为主)的植物生物多样性及其保护对策

在对植物调查研究的基础上,对长江中游(湖北、湖南为主)的植物区系、植被、生物多样性保护及保护对策进行了系统的论述。根据两省土著种子植物名录统计,本区共有202科1476属7037种(包括种下等级),其中裸子植物7科30属64种;被子植物196科1445属6973种。以鄂湘为代表的华中区分布类型复杂、物种丰富、起源古老,而且特有的科、属、种多,特有度高。北温带木本植物属高度集中,体现了长江中游具有古第三纪．泛北极植物区系的代表性。拥有众多的东亚特有属、东亚．北美间断分布属和中国特有属,它们既是本地植物区系的特色,也代表了中国植物区系的核心。本地中山以亮叶水青冈(Fagus lucida)为主的阔叶林系第三纪．泛北中生落叶阔叶林的后裔。在植被区划上,本区属于常绿阔叶林区域,包括北亚热带常绿阔叶．落叶阔叶混交林地带及中亚热带常绿阔叶林两个植被地带。后者分为北部典型常绿阔叶林亚地带,南部含华南植物区系成分的常绿阔叶林亚地带。本区主要的自然植被类型(以原生类型为主)有171个类型(相当于群系formations)。从生物多样性保护的三个层次上(物种、群落、景观)对保护现状、特点、保护方针和策略等进行了探讨并提出了建议。     

湖北后河国家级自然保护区生物多样性及其保护对策 II.生物多样性保护现状、威胁及其对策

湖北后河自然保护区拥有丰富的生物多样性,为中国生物多样性三大关键地区之一的川东-湘鄂西关键地区的重要组成部分。但所处的贫困山区少数民族县长期以来以森工产业为其县域经济的主要支柱,长期的木材采伐和狩猎习俗曾对该保护区的生物多样性带来了严重破坏。自然保护区的建立使其生物多样性逐渐得到了有效保护,特别是升为国家级自然保护区后,生物多样性保护进入了一个新阶段。但该保护区的生物多样性依然面临多种威胁,保护区自身科学研究力量的薄弱和保护区面积相对较小,限制着该区域生物多样性的进一步研究和保护。进一步扩充保护区面积、引进科研力量并提升自身人员科研素质、协调并增强区内外社区共管是该区生物多样性得到进一步保护和恢复的当务之急。     

北京松山国家级自然保护区兰科植物多样性及其保护评价

选取北京松山国家级自然保护区开展兰科植物多样性调查和分析,评估其保护现状。松山共有兰科植物12属18种,其中北方盔花兰为北京新记录种。在生活型方面,以地生兰为主,计14种（77．78％）,腐生兰4种（22．22％）;在分布区类型方面,属的区系成分以北温带分布为主（6属,5000％）,兼有旧世界温带分布（3属,25．00％）、世界分布（2属,16．67％）和旧世界热带分布（1属,8．33％）;种的区系成分以东亚分布为主（9种,50．00％）,兼有旧世界温带分布（5种,27．78％）和北温带分布（4种,22．22％）。松山兰科植物集中分布于北沟和小海坨山。通过综合分析松山兰科植物保护现状,提出生境评估、种群动态监测、建立迁地保护资源圃和加大宣传等都是切实加强兰科植物保护工作的可行措施。     

Linking Trees on Farms with Biodiversity Conservation in Subsistence Farming Systems in Nepal

The Kingdom of Nepal extends 800 km east to west along the southern slopes of the Himalayas. Because of its biogeographical position, Nepal contains biological elements of both the Indo-Malayan and Palaearctic realms. Beside the trees in forest ecosystems, a large number of tree species are maintained on farms as part of subsistence farming systems. The role of these trees in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production and the importance of traditional farming systems for the conservation of crop diversity have been well documented. However, the status of farm trees and their role in biodiversity conservation are poorly documented. This paper presents a case study of two villages in the western middle hills of Nepal. It highlights the role of traditional agroforestry practices for the conservation of tree diversity and argues that farms can be considered biodiversity reservoirs. Farm trees help to reduce pressure on community and government forests and create a favorable environment for many plant and animal species. Farm trees also provide social functions in that households with many farm trees no longer exercise their communal rights to extract grass products from community forests, which in turn benefits poor and disadvantaged households. The paper discusses possibilities to improve the role of farm trees in biodiversity conservation. It argues for the development of mechanisms such as tax exemptions and conservation credits that provide benefits to rural communities as compensation for their local and global environmental services including biodiversity conservation.     

野生植物种质资源的保存利用与iFlora

对植物种质资源的保护和可持续利用是人类生存和发展的根基。虽然植物种质资源的收集和保存工作在全球范围内已经取得了阶段性的进展,但植物物种本身复杂的生物学特性、相关信息的不完整性以及收集保存利用过程中专业人才的缺乏,在一定程度上制约了野生植物种质资源的保存和利用。本文以中国野生植物多样性的保护现状为例,探讨了野生植物种质资源收集保存过程中面临的问题,以及iFlora计划的提出和实施对解决这些问题提供的可能解决方案。通过iFlora的实施,将极大地促进和推动我国乃至全球范围内的野生植物多样性保护和利用。作为iFlora的重要元素之一,植物DNA条形码的运用已经逐渐成熟,本文介绍了其在苔藓植物剪叶苔属,以及种子植物榕属、马先蒿属、蒟蒻薯属、红豆杉属和栝楼属中的应用。     

Caribbean Island Asteraceae: Systematics, Molecules, and Conservation on a Biodiversity Hotspot

The Caribbean Islands are one of the ten insular biodiversity hotspots that are defined based on endemicity, massive habitat loss and vulnerability to extinction. Asteraceae genera endemic to islands have provided well known examples of plant radiation worldwide and illustrate the importance of these insular systems for evolutionary and conservation studies. A review of known patterns of taxonomic diversity and molecular cladistics is provided for Asteraceae genera and species endemic in the Caribbean Island biodiversity hotspot. We found that when compared with other island systems worldwide the Caribbean Islands have the highest number of endemic genera (41), have endemic genera in the highest number of tribes, and harbor the only Asteraceae tribe endemic to an island system, the Feddeeae which is restricted to Cuba. These unique patterns identify the Caribbean Islands as the most important insular area of endemism for this major plant family. Molecular cladistic studies are limited to only seven species in seven endemic genera and six endemic species in five non-endemic genera. These few studies are however relevant as: (1) they confirm the tribal status of the Feddeeae, (2) suggest colonization events from the highlands of Cuba toward low elevation and geologically recent areas of the Bahamas and South Florida, (3) provide evidence for biogeographical links to remote regions of the Pacific Basin, and (4) identify sister relationships with continental taxa, mostly from North America.

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Resumen  Las Islas del Caribe son uno de los diez “punto calientes” insulares de biodiversidad, los cuales vienen definidos por sus niveles de endemicidad, masiva pérdida de habitat y vulnerabilidad y extinción. Asteráceas endémicas de islas han proporcionado ejemplos muy bien conocidos de radiación vegetal a nivel mundial, éstos ilustran la importancia de los sistemas insulares en estudios evolutivos y de conservación. Se presenta una revisión de las pautas de diversidad taxonómica y de cladismo molecular en Asteráceas de las Islas del Caribe. Hemos encontrado que comparadas con otros sistemas insulares, las Islas del Caribe tienen el mayor número de géneros endémicos (41), tienen géneros endémicos en el mayor número de tribus y poseen la única tribu de la familia endémica en islas, Feddeeae es endémica de Cuba. Estas pautas de diversidad exclusivas de las Islas del Caribe hacen que éstas sean el área de endemismos insulares más importante para las Asteráceas. Estudios de cladismo molecular se limitan solamente a siete especies en siete géneros endémicos y a seis especies en cinco géneros no endémicos. Este reducido número de estudios son de todas formas relevantes debido a que: (1) confirman el estatus a nivel de tribu de Feddeeae, (2) sugieren una ruta de colonización desde zonas altas de Cuba hacia áreas de baja elevación de las Bahamas y el sur de la Florida, (3) proporcionan evidencia de conexiones biogeográficas con regions remotas del Océano Pacífico, y (4) identifican relaciones de hermandad con táxones continentales, principalmente de América del Norte.

     

Household Differentiation and On-farm Conservation of Biodiversity by Indigenous Households in Xishuangbanna, China

With diversification of field type among households in same eco-environment and social situation, even in the same ecosystem, merging household socio-economics with biodiversity initiative values to determine incentives and optimum strategy of on-farm conservation of biodiversity. Botany survey of agroecosystems at landscape level in Daka and Baka, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, as well as household differentiation of biodiversity in agroecosystem and on-farm conservation strategy merging household socio-economic characters were studied. There were 73 families 179 species distributed in 0.1 ha of different agroecosystems in Daka, and 70 families 166 species distributed in 0.08 ha different agroecosystems of Baka respectively. The cosmopolitan families, such as Gramineae and Compositae decreased the percentage of tropical families and subtropical families. Botany survey among 12 random selected households from Daka in 46 sampling plots of different agroecosystems showed significant differentiation of the species richness indices of natural biodiversity and agrobiodiversity as there were differences of cognition and utilization of plant species besides management practices among households. Dengrogram using the Ward method of hierarchical cluster analysis based on annual questionnaire interview of 60% household from 1998 to 2001 in Daka showed disparity among different households’ socio-economics which underpins management diversity. There were significant correlation coefficients between household socio-economics and species richness indices of different agroecosystems. Fallow size had significant positive correlation coefficients with species richness index of rubber plantation. By contraries, production input had negative correlation coefficients with species richness index of upland rice field. Meanwhile, cereal crop income had significant positive correlation coefficient with agro-species richness index of rubber plantation. By contraries, other income such as off-farm income had negative correlation coefficients with agro-species richness index of rubber plantation. Innovations of the expert farmer on agrobiodiversity on farm conservation were admiration.     

The Relationship Between Plant Use and Plant Diversity in the Bolivian Andes,with Special Reference to Medicinal Plant Use

This paper examines the relationship between plant use and plant diversity in 36 transects of 50 × 2 m² laid out in the surroundings of Apillapampa, a community of Quechua subsistence farmers in the Bolivian Andes. Use data were obtained through individual interviews with 13 local key participants and were organized in eight plant use categories. Regression slope analysis showed that for nearly all plant use categories the proportion of used species to available species decreased with increasing plant diversity in transects. Two main groups of plant use categories could be distinguished: diversity followers, for which the number of useful plant species in transects keeps abreast with increasing plant diversity (e.g. medicine) and diversity laggards, for which the number of useful plant species increases only moderately with increasing diversity (e.g., food). We hypothesize that the main difference between both groups is related to the human process of plant selection. In categories that are diversity followers, plants are partly selected and used in an immediacy context, whereby emic perception of efficacy may be of secondary importance. By contrast, plant use in categories of diversity laggards is strongly guided by emic perception of efficacy because plant use takes place in a context in which plants are generally not needed on a short notice.     

Plant Conservation in the Future:New Challenges,New Opportunities

Throughout the world,plant diversity is being reduced rapidly by the extinction of species and of local differentiated populations.In presenting possible solutions to this very serious problem I will first briefly describe the factors that have led to the development of China’s wealth of biodiversity;then examine the causes of extinction,with an emphasis on the situation in China;and conclude with recommendations on how to most effectively conserve plants in this huge and botanically diverse country.     

Plant Conservation in the Future: New Challenges, New Opportunities

Throughout the world, plant diversity is being reduced rapidly by the extinction of species and of local differentiated populations. In presenting possible solutions to this very serious problem Ⅰ will first briefly describe the factors that have led to the development of China's wealth of biodivenity; then examine the causes of extinction,with an emphasis on the situation in China; and conclude with recommendations on how to most effectively conserve plants in this huge and botanically diverse country.     

Optimal Reproductive Strategy of Plants, with Special Reference to the Modes of Reproductive Resource Allocation

Abstract A growth model for reproductive energy allocation pattern and schedule is proposed. Assumptions are as follows: (1) the assimilation rate for an individual is given by a logistic curve of vegetative dry weight; (2) size variability is expressed by the parameter W of the logistic curve (asymptotic value of vegetative dry weight); (3) a plant controls allocation of the assimilate to vegetative and reproductive structures so as to maximize the reproductive energy investment at the end of the growth period. The models were analyzed in comparison with field and experimental observations and gave reasonable explanations for the reproductive allocation pattern of individuals which reflects ecological preferences and life history characteristics, such as environmental conditions of habitats (stable or changing), length of life span (annual, biennial or perennial) and growth form (erectophile or planophile). Decreasing RA (reproductive allocation) with individual size and delayed switchover time from vegetative to reproductive growth were found in plants which occur in stable environments and have a more or less fixed growth period; in those which occur in changing environments where growth period depends on individual size, RAs that remain constant or increase with variations in individual size and early switchover time were detected. Most perennials conform to the former case, but annuals and biennials conform to the latter case. Under extremely overcrowded conditions, planophiles, which are much more subject to crowding effect than erectophiles, tend to have increasing RA with increasing size, while erectophiles tend to have almost constant RA irrespective of size. These trends are discussed in the light of the life history characteristics and ecological distribution of plant species studied.     

河南省木本植物的多样性及其在园林中应用的前景

本文对河南省所产的106科308属1 240种木本植物进行了系统的分析和研究,发现河南省木本植物的物种多样性和生活型多样性丰富,生态学特性多样性和园林用途多样性齐全.文中界定了各类园林树木的判定标准,并根据此标准初步筛选出适宜于在城市园林中栽植的各类观赏树木85科219属641种、2亚种、24变种和1变型,从而为河南省及其邻近地区城市园林及各类风景园林的绿化在树种选择上提供了科学依据.文章最后对河南省野生园林树木资源的开发利用前景进行了展望,对其开发利用途径提出了建议.     

鄂尔多斯蒙古族敖包文化和植物崇拜文化对保育生物多样性的贡献

结合民族生态学、文化人类学和样方调查方法,通过调查、访谈、搜集资料研究分析,评价了鄂尔多斯蒙古族敖包文化和植物崇拜文化对保育生物多样性的贡献.蒙古族敖包是受游牧文化保育的历史悠久的、天然的、原始的自然保护区.在鄂尔多斯高原有8个敖包的蒙古名直接反映出优势植物群落特征.鄂尔多斯蒙古族植物崇拜文化包括崇拜使用祭祀活动的植物,崇拜形状奇异、苍劲挺拔的乔木和崇拜寺庙附近的树木等3个内容.蒙古族敖包文化和树木崇拜文化在保育生物多样性中起到积极作用,她是在运用现代科学方法和技术进行生物多样性保育中值得发掘、研究和借鉴的传统生态文化.     

Yeasts from Tierra Del Fuego Province (Argentina): Biodiversity,Characterization and Bioprospection of Hydrolytic Enzymes

Abstract

Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions are – with Polar Regions, mountains and the deep sea – the most extreme environments on Earth because of its low temperatures, dryness, high incidence of solar radiation and low nutrient availability. Nevertheless, microorganisms have successfully colonized these regions. In this study, culturable yeasts from soil samples collected from two different locations, a human-impacted area (Encerrada Bay) and a largely pristine and naturally vegetated area near Lago Escondido city (54°39′0″S, 67°46′48″W) from Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina were identified and characterized at different levels. They were characterized and classified as psychrotolerant and were considered as moderately halotolerant because of their ability to grow in the presence of 1.5?M of NaCl. Yeasts from phylum Ascomycota were affiliated to five genera: Candida, Yarrowia, Debaryomyces, Nadsonia, and Wickerhamiella, whereas from phylum Basidiomycota yeasts were affiliated to six genera: Naganishia, Rhodotorula, Leucosporidum, Tausonia, Cystofilobasidium, and Apiotrichum. Most of the yeasts demonstrated at least one extracellular enzymatic activity (mainly β-glucosidase, esterase, and protease activities). One isolate identified as Tausonia pullulans showed significant activity across the eight enzyme types tested. In light of these findings, Tierra del Fuego province could be considered as a cold environment with a potential source of cold-adapted yeasts producing industrially relevant cold-active enzymes.     

种质资源保存的战略问题和面临的挑战

植物种质资源保存,特别是种子库保存是各种迁地保护措施中最为经济有效的方法。通过对成千上万个物种的有效保存,种子库为减缓物种的灭绝和气候变化对生物多样性的影响发挥了特别关键的作用。本文较为详细地介绍了“中国西南野生生物种质资源库”的立项背景和最新进展,同时介绍了世界上其它几个主要的植物迁地保存设施,特别是英国皇家植物园的“千年种子库”。结合“全球植物保护策略”讨论了中国植物濒危状况,估计我国受威胁的物种比例达20—25％,甚至更高。本文还简要讨论了种子保存中的一些科学问题,包括超低温保存,并强调了植物分类学和种子生物学的学科建设在植物种质资源保护中的重要意义。     

西藏仲巴五彩沙漠放线菌资源勘探及生物活性筛选

【背景】细菌耐药性问题日益严峻,新抗生素的研发速度远远落后于临床需要,从特殊生境中挖掘微生物药物资源有望解决以上问题。【目的】勘探西藏仲巴五彩沙漠土壤放线菌多样性并进行生物活性筛选,为发现药用放线菌资源、开发新型抗生素奠定基础。【方法】采用8种分离培养基,通过平板稀释涂布法分离放线菌;根据分离菌株的16S r RNA基因序列同源性分析放线菌多样性;采用PCR技术对分离的放线菌菌株进行II型聚酮合酶(PKS-II)酮缩酶结构域KS、非核糖体多肽合成酶(NRPS)腺苷酸化结构域A、安莎类抗生素生物合成前体3-氨基-5-羟基-苯甲酸合酶(AHBA)保守区、黄素腺嘌呤二核苷酸卤化酶(Halo)保守区抗生素生物合成基因检测;对生物合成基因检测阳性的菌株进行液体发酵,发酵液经乙酸乙酯萃取、菌体经丙酮浸提,获得提取浓缩物样品进行抑菌活性和抗氧化活性筛选。【结果】从4份土样中分离纯化到231株放线菌,分布于7个属,其中链霉菌为优势菌属。68株放线菌的生物合成基因分析显示至少具有1种生物合成基因簇,其中6株同时具有4种生物合成基因簇;进一步的抑菌活性检测显示所有检测的菌株至少表现为对1株检定菌具有抑菌活性,其中8株具有广谱抗菌活性;抗氧化活性筛选结果为13株显示总抗氧化能力阳性,10株具有较好的羟自由基清除能力,3株显示较强的氧自由基清除能力。【结论】西藏仲巴五彩沙漠土壤中含有较丰富的放线菌药用资源,具有从中发现放线菌新菌种和开发新抗生素的潜力。