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Detailed knowledge of the periglacial flora is essential to assess the vegetation dynamics in deglaciated regions of northern and north eastern Europe, previously covered by the ice sheet of the Late Weichselian Glaciation. Therefore, the territory of Belarus, which stretches in the periglacial zone of the Last Glaciation and the most part of which was free of ice during the Last Glacial maximum, is off particular importance in analysing the postglacial floral establishment and the subsequent vegetation dynamics in this part of the continent. In this study, results of palaeobotanical (pollen and plant macrofossil), lithological (measurements of magnetic susceptibility, MS) and isotopic (14C) investigations were obtained to fill the existing gap in reconstructing the peculiarities of the terrestrial and aquatic vegetation dynamics throughout the Lateglacial - Early Holocene period in the central Belarus. The investigated sediment profile, comprising organically enriched gyttja at 13,400–13,100 cal yr BP, carbon enriched and sandy gyttja at 13,100–9700 cal yr BP and unconsolidated mud after 9500 cal yr BP, provides clear evidence proving the flourishing of a pine-birch predominated forest with occasional spruce stands during the Allerod in area. Three occasions of change in the vegetation structure were noted within the Younger Dryas, i.e. 12,900–12,700 cal yr BP, 12,200–12,000 cal yr BP and 11,900–11,700 cal yr BP, suggesting negative climatic excursion taken place in area and facilitating flourishing of a Picea-predominating forest that culminated at about 12,300 and 12,000 cal yr BP. Pollen record suggests the Early Holocene vegetation shifts occurring at about 11,300–11,200 cal yr BP, 10,800–10,600 cal yr BP and 10,300–10,100 cal yr BP evidence the general response to the global-scale climatic events i.e. Preborael Oscillation or “10,2 ka” while fluctuations triggered by local or regional-scale climatic events have been identified as well. About 10,800–10,700 cal yr BP, formation of the forest with an increasing representation of thermophilous taxa (Ulmus, Tilia, Quercus) started in area.

This study presents the results of multi-proxy investigations of mid-to late-Holocene vegetation dynamics and land-use history associated with the Petresiūnai archaeological site, north-east Lithuania. Identified vegetation changes are discussed in the context of both natural and anthropogenic factors determined within the site and its surroundings. The initial stages of colonisation and the subsequent land-use dynamics are discussed by applying the results of biostratigraphical and archaeological-historical data. To explore these issues, a lacustrine sediment core obtained from the stand-scale sedimentary basin was studied using a microbotanical (pollen and microcharcoal) survey and 14 C and magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements. Associations between proxies were statistically tested. In addition, archaeological excavations were conducted within the area of the Petresiūnai hill fort. The results obtained show the presence of a heavily forested landscape with broad-leaved deciduous trees dominating the taxa existed in the area until approximately 4800-4700 cal BC. Low magnitude fire activity mainly caused by the natural factors was recorded. The expansion of spruce and the gradual decrease in thermophilous taxa suggests a local-scale climatic reversal started prior to the general decline of the HTM (Holocene Thermal Maximum). The decay of broad-leaved taxa followed by the pronounced culmination of Picea -dominated forest (2100-1500 cal BC) confirms the general re-organisation of the forest structure in the area. A small-scale vegetation stress, accompanied by an increase in fire interference suggestive of episodic Neolithic-Bronze Age human activity, was noted in the area at approximately 2800-2200 cal BC, 1800 cal BC and 1500 cal BC. Biostratigraphical and sedimentological data suggest agriculture practices and animal husbandry were introduced and the landscape was increasingly utilised between 1300 and 1000 cal BC, which preceded the archaeological record of the Petresiūnai hill fort by a few hundred years. However, as indicated by pollen data, pastoral farming predominated the local economy until approximately 400 AD. The establishment of regular cultivation practices, including crop rotation, and the formation of permanent fields with introduction of winter cereals began in the surroundings of Petresiūnai by the 6th - 7th c. AD. At that time, the secondary open Betula -dominant vegetation successions flourished in the area. A highly diversified landscape with large agriculture fields, open grounds, meadows and pastures culminated in the area between 1000 and 1300 AD. After this period, the intensity of the human-induced vegetation changes apparently decreased, which confirms re-organisation of the settlement pattern and land-use in this area.

Due to the scarcity of reliable palaeoecological and climatic proxy records from the Eastern Baltic covering the Holocene, there has been increased interest for multi-proxy studies in the region to detect local to regional environmental changes. The Cepkeliai wetland complex, SE Lithuania, provides an uninterrupted Holocene sediment sequence, which is used here to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental history in the southern part of the Eastern Baltic. High-resolution lithological (LOI, magnetic susceptibility), palaeobotanical (pollen, plant macrofossil, tree rings), isotopic (14C) and geochemical data were employed to reconstruct the peculiarities of vegetation and hydroclimate dynamics, as well as to discuss results in a local to regional context. Temporal lags of environmental reactions to Holocene climatic warming were recorded both in lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical data, thus confirming regional significance of this phenomenon. A deep meso- to eutrophic basin – influenced by high surface runoff and surrounded by early boreal forest – existed at the site until about 11,300 cal BP. Thereafter, immigration of thermophylous taxa such as Ulmus (since 10,700–10,800 cal BP), Corylus (since 10,400–10,300 cal BP), Tilia and Quercus (after 9500 cal BP) as well as changes in the limnic environment point to an amelioration of the environmental situation, i.e. to a predominance of a warm and dry climatic regime. Instability of palaeobotanical and lithological records suggests that environmental anomalies of the Early Holocene occurred at about 11,200–11,000 cal BP, 10,600–10,300 cal BP, and 8200-7800 cal BP. These anomalies are thus contemporaneous with the pronounced climatic shifts (i.e. dry and cool intervals) known at the continental scale. An expansion of Picea was facilitated by the 8200-7800 cal BP climatic shift whereas early establishment of Alnus glutinosa suggests an onset of a wet interval (10,200 cal BP) which was previously unknown in the area. The stepwise lowering of the water table noted at about 7300–7200 and 6600–6700 cal BP, with the termination of the lake-phase and change to telmatic environment after 6100 cal BP, proves the positive reaction of the site to the dry climatic reversals of the Middle Holocene. Following the decay of the broad-leaved thermophilous forest after 4500 cal BP, a cold climatic reversal favored the formation of a diverse mosaic-like vegetation which was then replaced by homogenous Pinus-Picea vegetation after 3400 cal BP. The climatic and site-specific factors have been playing a leading role in the development of the site whereas signals of human interference remain negligible.

Even though plants represent an essential part of our lives offering exploitational, supporting and cultural services, we know very little about the biology of the rarest and most threatened plant species, and even less about their conservation status. Rapid changes in the environment and climate, today more pronounced than ever, affect their fitness and distribution causing rapid species declines, sometimes even before they had been discovered. Despite the high goals set by conservationists to protect native plants from further degradation and extinction, the initiatives for the conservation of threatened species in Europe are scattered and have not yielded the desired results. The main aim of this Action is to improve plant conservation in Europe through the establishment of a network of scientists and other stakeholders who deal with different aspects of plant conservation, from plant taxonomy, ecology, conservation genetics, conservation physiology and reproductive biology to protected area's managers, not forgetting social scientists, who are crucial when dealing with the general public., COST Action ConservePlants CA18201 "An integrated approach to conservation of threatened plants for the 21st Century", 1 SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGICAL EXCELLENCE 1.1 SOUNDNESS OF THE CHALLENGE 1.1.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART 1.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE CHALLENGE (MAIN AIM) 1.2 PROGRESS BEYOND THE STATE-OF-THE-ART 1.2.1 APPROACH TO THE CHALLENGE AND PROGRESS BEYOND THE STATE-OF-THE-ART 1.2.2 OBJECTIVES 1.2.2.1 Research Coordination Objectives 1.2.2.2 Capacity-building Objectives 2 NETWORKING EXCELLENCE 2.1 ADDED VALUE OF NETWORKING IN S&T EXCELLENCE 2.1.1 ADDED VALUE IN RELATION TO EXISTING EFFORTS AT EUROPEAN AND/OR INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 2.2 ADDED VALUE OF NETWORKING IN IMPACT 2.2.1 SECURING THE CRITICAL MASS AND EXPERTISE 2.2.2 INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS 2.2.3 MUTUAL BENEFITS OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF SECONDARY PROPOSERS FROM NEAR NEIGHBOUR OR INTERNATIONAL PARTNER COUNTRIES OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS 3 IMPACT 3.1 IMPACT TO SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND COMPETITIVENESS, AND POTENTIAL FOR INNOVATION/BREAKTHROUGHS 3.1.1 SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND/OR SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS (INCLUDING POTENTIAL INNOVATIONS AND/OR BREAKTHROUGHS) 3.2 MEASURES TO MAXIMISE IMPACT 3.2.1 KNOWLEDGE CREATION, TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3.2.2 PLAN FOR DISSEMINATION AND/OR EXPLOITATION AND DIALOGUE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR POLICY 4 IMPLEMENTATION 4.1 COHERENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WORK PLAN 4.1.1 DESCRIPTION OF WORKING GROUPS, TASKS AND ACTIVITIES 4.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF DELIVERABLES AND TIME FRAME 4.1.3 RISK ANALYSIS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS Funding program References

Aim The EUNIS Habitat Classification is a widely used reference framework for European habitat types (habitats), but it lacks formal definitions of individual habitats that would enable their unequivocal identification. Our goal was to develop a tool for assigning vegetation-plot records to the habitats of the EUNIS system, use it to classify a European vegetation-plot database, and compile statistically-derived characteristic species combinations and distribution maps for these habitats. Location Europe. Methods We developed the classification expert system EUNIS-ESy, which contains definitions of individual EUNIS habitats based on their species composition and geographic location. Each habitat was formally defined as a formula in a computer language combining algebraic and set-theoretic concepts with formal logical operators. We applied this expert system to classify 1,261,373 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and other databases. Then we determined diagnostic, constant and dominant species for each habitat by calculating species-to-habitat fidelity and constancy (occurrence frequency) in the classified data set. Finally, we mapped the plot locations for each habitat. Results Formal definitions were developed for 199 habitats at Level 3 of the EUNIS hierarchy, including 25 coastal, 18 wetland, 55 grassland, 43 shrubland, 46 forest and 12 man-made habitats. The expert system classified 1,125,121 vegetation plots to these habitat groups and 73,188 to other habitats, while 63,064 plots remained unclassified or were classified to more than one habitat. Data on each habitat were summarized in factsheets containing habitat description, distribution map, corresponding syntaxa and characteristic species combination. Conclusions EUNIS habitats were characterized for the first time in terms of their species composition and distribution, based on a classification of a European database of vegetation plots using the newly developed electronic expert system EUNIS-ESy. The data provided and the expert system have considerable potential for future use in European nature conservation planning, monitoring and assessment. The previous versions of the expert system and related reports were produced within a contract from the European Environment Agency to Wageningen Environmental Research and Masaryk University. The opinions expressed are those of the contractor and do not represent the Agency's official position. EVA data management and preparation of this paper were supported by the Czech Science Foundation (project no. 19-28491X to MC, LT, IK, TP, CM, JDa, MH, PN, DZ, GB, AJ, AKu, ZL and DV). IB and JAC were supported by the Basque Government (project no. T936-16). TB, ET, and LK were supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (TB and ET project no. AAAA-A18-118052590019-7; LK project no. AAAA-A19-119012490096-2).

We investigated the impact of a colony of great cormorants on the vegetation of the old growth L. forest on the Curonian Spit peninsula, Lithuania. We studied the characteristics and rates of plant cover changes under varying length and intensity of bird influence. Plant species numbers, as well as the coverage of plants with different ecological requirements, varied according to the period of bird influence, but the resulting vegetation also depended upon the stand elevation above sea level. In our study, the initial increase in plant species richness at the start of bird nesting was not obvious and was of a transient character, due to the weak invasion of non-forest species and the rapid decline of forest plants. The colony area showed obvious and rapid vegetation changes during the investigation period. According to the calculated colony expansion rates, after 6â7 years of impact from birds the tree layer decreased by about four fold; the shrub layer decreased by about two fold; the field layer decreased by about 15 fold; and the dwarf shrub and bottom layers disappeared. The coverage by oligotrophic species decreased by more than four fold, while the coverage by eutrophic species increased by more than 60 fold. After 9â10 years of ornithogenic impact, all the trees were dead, and the protected coniferous forest ecosystem, with its characteristic plant species, had ceased to exist as such.Pinus sylvestris

Biurrun, Idoia/0000-0002-1454-0433; Rojo, Maria Pilar Rodriguez/0000-0001-5449-9386; Ermakov, Nikolai/0000-0001-7550-990X; De Sanctis, Michele/0000-0002-7280-6199; Svenning, Jens-Christian/0000-0002-3415-0862; Virtanen, Risto/0000-0002-8295-8217; Agrillo, Emiliano/0000-0003-2346-8346; Onyshchenko, Viktor/0000-0001-9079-7241; Marceno, Corrado/0000-0003-4361-5200; Willner, Wolfgang/0000-0003-1591-8386; Fernandez-Gonzalez, Federico/0000-0003-1234-4065; Jansen, Florian/0000-0002-0331-5185; Swacha, Grzegorz/0000-0002-6380-2954; Dengler, Jurgen/0000-0003-3221-660X; Guarino, Riccardo/0000-0003-0106-9416; Sopotlieva, Desislava/0000-0002-9281-7039; Venanzoni, Roberto/0000-0002-7768-0468; Chytry, Milan/0000-0002-8122-3075; Kuzemko, Anna/0000-0002-9425-2756; Danihelka, Jiri/0000-0002-2640-7867; Kuzemko, Anna/0000-0002-9425-2756; Venanzoni, Roberto/0000-0002-7768-0468; Gavilan, Rosario G./0000-0002-1022-445X; Jansen, Florian/0000-0002-0331-5185; Wohlgemuth, Thomas/0000-0002-4623-0894; Svenning, Jens-Christian/0000-0002-3415-0862; Sibik, Jozef/0000-0002-5949-862X; Casella, Laura/0000-0003-2550-3010; Lenoir, Jonathan/0000-0003-0638-9582; Attorre, Fabio/0000-0002-7744-2195; Kacki, Zygmunt/0000-0002-2241-1631; Jandt, Ute/0000-0002-3177-3669; Carni, Andraz/0000-0002-8909-4298; Jirousek, Martin/0000-0002-4293-478X; GARCIA-MIJANGOS, ITZIAR/0000-0002-6642-7782; Campos, Juan Antonio/0000-0001-5992-2753; Fanelli, Giuliano/0000-0002-3143-1212; Haveman, Rense/0000-0001-9127-4549; Acic, Svetlana/0000-0001-6553-3797; De Bie, Els/0000-0001-7679-743X; Font, Xavier/0000-0002-7253-8905; Moeslund, Jesper Erenskjold/0000-0001-8591-7149; Martynenko, Vasiliy/0000-0002-9071-3789; Jimenez-Alfaro, Borja/0000-0001-6601-9597; Ejrnaes, Rasmus/0000-0003-2538-8606; Carlon Ruiz, Luis/0000-0003-3442-8710; Angelini, Pierangela/0000-0002-5321-9757; Silc, Urban/0000-0002-3052-699X; Landucci, Flavia/0000-0002-6848-0384; Ewald, Jorg/0000-0002-2758-9324; Dziuba, Tetiana/0000-0001-8621-0890 WOS: 000368074600018 The European Vegetation Archive (EVA) is a centralized database of European vegetation plots developed by the IAVS Working Group European Vegetation Survey. It has been in development since 2012 and first made available for use in research projects in 2014. It stores copies of national and regional vegetation-plot databases on a single software platform. Data storage in EVA does not affect on-going independent development of the contributing databases, which remain the property of the data contributors. EVA uses a prototype of the database management software TURBOVEG 3 developed for joint management of multiple databases that use different species lists. This is facilitated by the SynBioSys Taxon Database, a system of taxon names and concepts used in the individual European databases and their corresponding names on a unified list of European flora. TURBOVEG 3 also includes procedures for handling data requests, selections and provisions according to the approved EVA Data Property and Governance Rules. By 30 June 2015, 61 databases from all European regions have joined EVA, contributing in total 1 027 376 vegetation plots, 82% of them with geographic coordinates, from 57 countries. EVA provides a unique data source for large-scale analyses of European vegetation diversity both for fundamental research and nature conservation applications. Updated information on EVA is available online at http://euroveg.org/eva-database. Czech Science Foundation (Centre of Excellence PLADIAS) [14-36079G] Our major thanks go to thousands of European vegetation scientists of several generations who collected the original vegetation-plot data in the field, published them or made their unpublished data available to others, and to those who spent myriad hours digitizing data and managing the contributing databases. EVA data management has been partly funded by the Czech Science Foundation (Centre of Excellence PLADIAS, 14-36079G).