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Many mountain woodlands across the globe have undergone anthropogenic degradation with negative implications for the ecological and socioeconomic systems dependent on them. Montane willows are arctic‐alpine species of high nature conservation concern within the altitudinal treeline. Scotland has been pioneering the restoration of montane willow scrub for three decades following widespread loss linked particularly to overgrazing by sheep and deer since the eighteenth century. In the 1990s, the total area of montane willows throughout the country was less than 10 ha, with most remaining populations highly fragmented, in rapid decline, and restricted to inaccessible cliffs. Subsequently, montane willow scrub restoration has been part of an overall 2659 ha area managed for the recovery of mountain woodlands in Scotland. By May 2023, 396,868 montane willows were planted in projects encompassing large‐scale habitat creation, relict population reinforcement by genetic rescue, fencing, and landscape‐scale management for low‐density deer populations. This review summarizes restoration methods and outcomes with case study examples to promote conservation evidence and research on plant growth and survival, planting sites, associated biodiversity, molecular ecology, genomics, and long‐term population sustainability. With the potential for montane scrub restoration to be widely expanded, improved connectivity to revive a treeline mosaic shaped by regeneration will tackle biodiversity loss and help mitigate climate change impacts on a national scale. However, caution must be applied to creating definitions of distinct habitats for restoration that are based on non‐natural or ecologically degraded systems. These experiences are particularly relevant to montane and circumpolar regions with strongly modified landscape histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow Buntings provisioning their nestlings in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland flew up to 520 m to forage in localized habitats. Invertebrates on snow patch margins in two habitats were exploited, but those trapped on the snow surface were not. The birds' use of habitats on snow margins was probably related to weather conditions. There was little evidence of specialization in food resources available on snow patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel lichen species occurring on rocks was collected from three different localities within Deosai National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses of the nrDNA ITS and nuLSU regions revealed that it clustered within the genus Anamylopsora. Further chemical and morpho-anatomical analyses confirmed its uniqueness, and it is described here as a new species under the name A. pakistanica. The distinguishing characters are: an irregularly squamulose appressed thallus on rocks without rhizines; an epinecral layer up to 25 μm thick; ascospores that are hyaline, simple, thick-walled with a smooth surface; septate paraphyses with a pigmented apical cell in a gel-like matrix; globose to subglobose pycnidia with hyaline and bacilliform pycnidiospores. In particular, the species is distinguished from other members of the genus by morpho-anatomical features including the coloration of the thalli, the presence of a thick lower cortex (up to 100 μm), and the presence of simple, thick-walled ascospores. Specimens were found at altitudes up to 4587 m, the highest elevation yet reported for Anamylopsora. A key and comparison to all existing species of the genus Anamylopsora is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative contribution of bryophytes to plant diversity, primary productivity, and ecosystem functioning increases towards colder climates. Bryophytes respond to environmental changes at the species level, but because bryophyte species are relatively difficult to identify, they are often lumped into one functional group. Consequently, bryophyte function remains poorly resolved. Here, we explore how higher resolution of bryophyte functional diversity can be encouraged and implemented in tundra ecological studies. We briefly review previous bryophyte functional classifications and the roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems and their susceptibility to environmental change. Based on shoot morphology and colony organization, we then propose twelve easily distinguishable bryophyte functional groups. To illustrate how bryophyte functional groups can help elucidate variation in bryophyte effects and responses, we compiled existing data on water holding capacity, a key bryophyte trait. Although plant functional groups can mask potentially high interspecific and intraspecific variability, we found better separation of bryophyte functional group means compared with previous grouping systems regarding water holding capacity. This suggests that our bryophyte functional groups truly represent variation in the functional roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems. Lastly, we provide recommendations to improve the monitoring of bryophyte community changes in tundra study sites.

Drepanocladus turgescens is a calciphilic arctic-alpine moss species that is highly endangered in central Europe. Lowland populations are at risk of extinction, while high alpine populations have a favourable conservation status. We studied ten high-altitude populations of D. turgescens in Vanoise national park, French Alps, at the south-western margin of its range. The microtopography, substrate depth, vascular plant and bryophyte species cover, and water physico-chemical properties were sampled in the field. Sexuality and branching were studied in the laboratory. In the high alpine area, the moss either thrives on a sparsely vegetated, mineral percolating substrate where female gametangia are regularly produced on mostly unbranched stems or on peaty substrate, where individuals are sterile and tend to branch out. Competition is suggested as the main driver of the species’ occurrences. We found neither male gametangia nor any sporophytes, a situation typical for most of the Alps. The high-altitude populations of D. turgescens likely episodically recruit following exceptional sporophyte production in the Alps, and by vegetative fragmentation. Management actions removing competitors may benefit the persistence of the moss in sites where the peat layer exceeds 20 cm deep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arctic and alpine, high latitude and high elevation environments are one of the most stressful environments for species to inhabit. This harshness manifests itself in lower species richness in comparison to more southern vegetation zones (Francis & Currie, 2003). Furthermore, the climatic oscillations—past and predicted—have the most dramatic effect on these ecosystems. For example, in regions of continental ice sheets—the northernmost part of Western Europe and North America—the Arctic species assemblages are no older than a few thousands of years, which is a relatively short period from an evolutionary perspective. Although similar environments may have existed further south during the Ice Age, allowing some preadaptation for the Arctic species, the current habitat is a unique combination of environmental factors such as the climate, soil, bedrock, and photoperiod. Hence, understanding the evolutionary forces shaping Arctic‐alpine species will be important for predicting these vulnerable environments' population viability and adaptive potential in the future. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Nowak et al. (Molecular Ecology Resources) present extensive genome‐wide resources for an Arctic‐alpine plant Draba nivalis. This adds a valuable new member into the cabbage family models for evolutionary genetics and adaptation studies, to accompany e.g., Arabidopsis (Nature Genetics, 43, 476; Nature, 408, 796), Arabis (Nature Plants, 1, 14023) and Capsella (Nature Genetics, 45, 831). A whole new avenue will open up for molecular ecological studies not only for D. nivalis, but the whole large Draba genus with its diverse ecological and evolutionary characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient addition experiments initiated in 1980 on the Keen of Hamar, Shetland Isles, have produced a unique dataset of long-term vegetation response to amendments of major plant growth nutrients (N, P, NP, NPK and NPKCa). Previous studies have reported the notable impact of phosphorus on the 'serpentine debris' community, and the negligible effect of nitrogen. However, a survey in 2010 provided our first indication that the experimentally-induced phosphorus effect was weakening and this was consolidated by further surveys of vegetation cover and community composition. This community shift might have been different had the local climate acted synergistically with phosphorus additions: in the last few years of the study the Shetland Isles experienced particularly low spring rainfall – the dry spell may have been a well-timed environmental filter driving community recovery rather than a permanent change of state to heathland on an organic soil. The longevity of our investigation is a unique opportunity to explore vegetation response to the key drivers of global environmental change, namely climate change, eutrophication as a result of agricultural intensification, and the potential for invasion of species as new resource-rich niches become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Cold‐adapted species had their largest distribution areas during glacial periods, whereas the subsequent interglacials led to retreats of these taxa into mountain ranges and more northern regions, but existing data are not sufficient for generalizing these range dynamics. To improve our knowledge of the different phylogeographical patterns existing for cold‐adapted species, we examined two closely related butterfly species of the genus Boloria with alpine disjunct and arctic–alpine distribution respectively. Location: Europe: High mountain areas and Scandinavia. Taxa: Boloria pales and B. napaea. Methods: We sequenced two mitochondrial (COI, ND1/trRNA/16S region) and two nuclear genes (wingless and EF‐1α) for 182 B. pales specimens from 37 localities and 60 B. napaea specimens from 12 localities representing the whole distribution area of both species in Europe. We used existing and known calibration points to date the age of the relevant splits. Results: While nuclear DNA showed no genetic structures, the mitochondrial loci revealed 91 haplotypes belonging to three well‐differenced genetic lineages: (a) all samples of B. napaea from the Alps and Scandinavia, (b) the samples of B. pales from the Alps, Carpathians, High Tatra, Pirin Mountains, Dinaric Alps in Montenegro and the Apennines and (c) all samples of B. pales from the Pyrenees. The time estimates for the splits between these three groups range from 1.3 to 0.84 million years ago (mya). The further within‐groups differentiations are not older than 0.32 mya, but reveal a subtle pattern among and within mountain ranges. Main conclusions: Allopatry during the mid‐Pleistocene has led to differentiation into three major genetic groups, each of which possibly representing a separate species today. Especially within the today widespread mountain group (i.e. the pales sensu stricto group), repeated expansion out of their Alpine centre and a number of different peri‐Alpine glacial distribution areas have produced the subtle genetic structure observed over the late Pleistocene. The two other groups also show substructures, but to a lesser degree, hence, calling for a less disrupted distribution pattern during the late Pleistocene. However, the arctic populations of B. napaea are not derived from the same source as the Alpine ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaf is an essential unit for measures of plant ecological traits. Yet, measures of plant chemical traits are often achieved by merging several leaves, masking potential foliar variation within and among plant individuals. This is also the case with cost‐effective measures derived using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The calibration models developed for converting NIRS spectral information to chemical traits are typically based on spectra from merged and milled leaves. In this study, we ask whether such calibration models can be applied to spectra derived from whole leaves, providing measures of chemical traits of single leaves.We sampled cohorts of single leaves from different biogeographic regions, growth forms, species and phenological stages to include variation in leaf and chemical traits. For each cohort, we first sampled NIRS spectra from each whole, single leaf, including leaf sizes down to Ø 4 mm (the minimum area of our NIRS application). Next, we merged, milled and tableted the leaves and sampled spectra from the cohort as a tablet. We applied arctic–alpine calibration models to all spectra and derived chemical traits. Finally, we evaluated the performance of the models in predicting chemical traits of whole, single leaves by comparing the traits derived at the level of leaves to that of the tablets.We found that the arctic–alpine calibration models can successfully be applied to single, whole leaves for measures of nitrogen (R2 = 0.88, RMSE = 0.824), phosphorus (R2 = 0.65, RMSE = 0.081) and carbon (R2 = 0.78, RMSE = 2.199) content. For silicon content, we found the method acceptable when applied to silicon‐rich growth forms (R2 = 0.67, RMSE = 0.677). We found a considerable variation in chemical trait values among leaves within the cohorts.This time‐ and cost‐efficient NIRS application provides non‐destructive measures of a set of chemical traits in single, whole leaves, including leaves of small sizes. The application can facilitate research into the scales of variability of chemical traits and include intra‐individual variation. Potential trade‐offs among chemical traits and other traits within the leaf unit can be identified and be related to ecological processes. In sum, this NIRS application can facilitate further ecological understanding of the role of leaf chemical traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inocybe (Inocybaceae) is one of the most diverse ectomycorrhizal genera in arctic and alpine habitats where the primary hosts are Salix, Betula, and Dryas. Subgenus Inocybe is common in these habitats and typically characterized by the presence of thick-walled pleurocystidia. Here, we focus on species that have angular or nodulose spores. Historically, over 30 taxa from this group have been reported from arctic and alpine habitats. Many names have been synonymized, whereas molecular analysis has revealed new species. Nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) sequence data of 26 type specimens in this group now allow for further taxonomic clarification and comparison across continents of disjunct populations. Here, we compare ITS sequence data and the D1–D2 portion of nuc 28S rDNA (28S) from Rocky Mountain specimens with those of types and European reference material. We report 10 species from the Rocky Mountain alpine zone, all of which are conspecific with known European boreal, montane, or alpine species, and four are described as new; all have intercontinental distributions. Nodulose-spored Inocybe taxa that occur in the Rocky Mountain alpine zone include I. alpinomarginata, sp. nov., I. arctica, I. giacomi, I. leonina, I. murina, sp. nov., I. occulta, I. paragiacomi, sp. nov., I. phaeocystidiosa, I. purpureobadia, and I. subgiacomi, sp. nov. Remarkably, these species occur at elevations up to 4000 m and at latitudes as low as 36°N, hundreds of miles from the Arctic, the European alpine, and original type localities. Distributions are explained in part by host distributions and historical glaciation patterns. A key and full descriptions for Rocky mountain species are provided to promote species recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basidiolichens are generally poorly researched because of the very small number of species and their restriction to special niches. Lichenomphalia basidiolichens grow in considerable quantities in arctic and alpine habitats but they are inadequately studied in these habitats in Mediterranean areas. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we identified the different symbionts of L. meridionalis , collected in localities in Spain at altitudes ranging from 533 to 2200 m above sea level. The present study provides the first molecular data available for L. meridionalis. We found that a microindel of six bp within the nrITS2 could help to discriminate L. meridionalis from other species of the genus. Molecular analyses revealed the existence of two different green algal strains, both belonging to Coccomyxa subellipsoidea , a species shared with other Lichenomphalia lichens. Notably, the two chlorobiont strains associated with L. meridionalis were differentially distributed according to altitude, and samples having one of the two strains consistently also included cyanobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is crucial for plant productivity and survival as a fundamental resource, but water conditions can also cause physiological stress and mechanical disturbance to vegetation. However, these different influences of water on vegetation patterns have not been evaluated simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate the importance of three water aspects (spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture and fluvial disturbance) for three ecologically and evolutionary distinct taxonomical groups (vascular plants, mosses and lichens) in Fennoscandian mountain tundra. Fine‐scale plant occurrence data for 271 species were collected from 378 × 1 m2 plots sampled over broad environmental gradients (water, temperature, radiation, soil pH, cryogenic processes and the dominant allelopathic plant species). While controlling all other key environmental variables, water in its different aspects proved to be a crucial environmental driver, acting on individual species and on community characteristics. The inclusion of the water variables significantly improved our models. In this high‐latitude system, the importance of spatial variability of water exceeds the importance of temperature for the fine‐scale distribution of species from the three taxonomical groups. We found differing responses to the three water variables between and within the taxonomical groups. Water as a resource was the most important water‐related variable in species distribution models across all taxonomical groups. Both water resource and disturbance were strongly related to vascular plant species richness, whereas for moss species richness, water resources had the highest influence. For lichen species richness, water disturbance was the most influential water‐related variable. These findings demonstrate that water variables are not only independent properties of tundra hydrology, but also that water is truly a multifaceted driver of vegetation patterns at high‐latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous taxa of Hebeloma have been reported in association with Salix, Dryas, and Betula in arctic-alpine habitats. However, species are notoriously difficult to delineate because morphological features overlap, and previously there was little reliable molecular data available. Recent progress in ITS-sequencing within the genus, coupled with an extensive database of parametrically described collections, now allows comparisons between species and their distributions. Here we report 16 species of Hebeloma from the Rocky Mountain alpine zone from some of the lowest latitudes (latitude 36°-45°N) and highest elevations (3000-4000 m) for arctic-alpine fungi in the northern hemisphere. Twelve of these species have been reported from arcticalpine habitats in Europe and Greenland and are now molecularly confirmed from the Middle and Southern Rockies, greatly expanding their distribution. These are: Hebeloma alpinum, H. aurantioumbrinum, H. dunense, H. hiemale, H. marginatulum, H. mesophaeum, H. nigellum, H. oreophilum, H. subconcolor, H. spetsbergense, H. vaccinum, and H. velutipes. Hebeloma hygrophilum is known from subalpine habitats in Europe, but was never recorded in arctic-alpine ecology. Three species recorded from the Rockies, but as yet not reported from Europe, are H. alpinicola, H. avellaneum, and H. excedens. The last two have never previously been reported from an arctic-alpine habitat. For all three of these species, the holotypes have been studied morphologically and molecularly, and have been incorporated into the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Assisted colonisation, one form of species translocation, has been proposed as a tool for helping species to track suitable conditions in a changing climate. There are considerable practical challenges associated with it, including predicting where to place translocated individuals. This problem may be particularly big for small and immobile species, where small‐scale microenvironmental conditions de‐couple them from environmental conditions as projected in large‐scale climate models. To investigate this problem, we developed a survey‐based model to predict the occurrence of our target species, the fruticose terricolous arctic‐alpine lichen, Flavocetraria nivalis, within the Cairngorm Mountains. We then undertook an experimental translocation of this species. A second model, using variables that were significant in the survey‐based model, was only fair at predicting the initial pattern of survival at the recipient site. However, model fit of the translocation survival model improved over time as the distribution of surviving individuals more accurately reflected the distribution of suitable environmental conditions. In addition, model predictive power increased with the addition of data on microclimatic conditions at recipient plots. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that, for species which respond strongly to local environmental conditions, are immobile and, to some extent, decoupled from larger scale climates, it may be difficult to build a priori accurate predictive models of habitat suitability. In these cases, a combination of modelling and expert judgement, along with the movement of substantial numbers of transplants, may be the appropriate options for maximising the success of assisted colonisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactarius (Russulales) is an important component of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in cold-dominated contiguous arctic and disjunct alpine habitats where it associates primarily with Betula, Dryas and Salix. However, little is known of this genus in the central and southern Rocky Mountain alpine zone (3000-3900 m) of North America. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) and the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2) partial sequences in conjunction with detailed morphological examination confirm at least six species occurring above treeline. Most have intercontinental distributions in North America and Eurasia according to molecular comparison with type material and collections from Europe, Fennoscandia, Svalbard and Alaska. Rocky Mountain collections of L. lanceolatus (subgenus Russularia), along with the type from Alaska are paraphyletic with respect to L. aurantiacus and North American taxa L. luculentus and L. luculentus v. laetus. Rocky Mountain collections of L. nanus, L. glyciosmus, L. repraesentaneus and L. salicis-reticulatae (subgenus Piperites) all form clades with European material from type localities and other arctic-alpine habitats. The arctic-alpine L. pseudouvidus/L. brunneoviolaceus group appears to be a complex containing additional taxa. North American material originally described as part of this group is well-separated phylogenetically and is described here as L. pallidomarginatus sp. nov. Lactarius lanceolatus, L. nanus and L. salicis-reticulatae appear largely restricted to arctic-alpine habitats with Salix. Lactarius glyciosmus and L. repraesentaneus occur in arctic-alpine, subalpine and boreal habitats with Betula and also Picea and possibly Salix for the latter. Species distributions are hypothesized to be shaped by host ranges, glaciation and long distance dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alectoria is a genus of fruticose lichen characterised by the presence of usnic acid and conspicuous raised pseudocyphellae. This genus is particularly diverse and abundant in montane, boreal, and Arctic regions of North America. Because intermediate forms have been reported for several species of Alectoria on the continent, it has been suggested that these species were initially delimited based on the extremes of morphological gradients. Here, we use the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of two nuclear genes, ITS and Mcm7, with 48 representatives of 9 taxa to examine the delineation of 5 taxa that have been previously shown to be related to, or confused with, A. sarmentosa: A. fallacina, A. imshaugii, A. sarmentosa var. sorediosa, A. sarmentosa subsp. vexillifera, and A. vancouverensis. Alectoria fallacina was found to be well-supported and distantly related to A. sarmentosa. Conversely, the other four taxa were recovered as a single monophyletic group with little internal structure, which did not support the presently defined morphological species. A provisional taxonomic treatment is proposed pending more detailed study at the population level. Alectoria sarmentosa var. sorediosa is recognized at the species level, which necessitates the new combination: A. sorediosa. An updated key to the North American species of Alectoria is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oribatid mite species,Ceratozetes spitsbergensisThor, 1934, was first discovered on Spitsbergen island of the Svalbard Archipelago, in 1932. Later, it was also found in other locations of the Arctic and in Mongolia. In 2014, this species was recorded in Austria from soil samples collected from the nival zone of the central Eastern Alps. A total of 388 specimens were found exclusively at an elevation of 3300 m above sea level. This is the first finding in continental Europe and the global pattern indicates an Arcto-Alpine disjunct distribution ofC. spitsbergensis. Possible mechanisms leading to this mosaic distribution are discussed. Climate change scenarios predict significant temperature changes which might affect high mountain ecosystems and might lead to local extinction of this highly specialized oribatid mite species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Many arctic-alpine species have vast geographic ranges, but these may encompass substantial gaps whose origins are poorly understood. Here we address the phylogeographic history of Silene acaulis, a perennial cushion plant with a circumpolar distribution except for a large gap in Siberia. METHODS: We assessed genetic variation in a range-wide sample of 103 populations using plastid DNA (pDNA) sequences and AFLPs (amplified fragment length polymorphisms). We constructed a haplotype network and performed Bayesian phylogenetic analyses based on plastid sequences. We visualized AFLP patterns using principal coordinate analysis, identified genetic groups using the program structure, and estimated genetic diversity and rarity indices by geographic region. KEY RESULTS: The history of the main pDNA lineages was estimated to span several glaciations. AFLP data revealed a distinct division between Beringia/North America and Europe/East Greenland. These two regions shared only one of 17 pDNA haplotypes. Populations on opposite sides of the Siberian range gap (Ural Mountains and Chukotka) were genetically distinct and appear to have resulted from postglacial leading-edge colonizations. We inferred two refugia in North America (Beringia and the southern Rocky Mountains) and two in Europe (central-southern Europe and northern Europe/East Greenland). Patterns in the East Atlantic region suggested transoceanic long-distance dispersal events. CONCLUSIONS: Silene acaulis has a highly dynamic history characterized by vicariance, regional extinction, and recolonization, with persistence in at least four refugia. Long-distance dispersal explains patterns across the Atlantic Ocean, but we found no evidence of dispersal across the Siberian range gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During recent decades large changes in vegetation biomass have been observed in arctic and alpine areas. While these temporal trends have been clearly linked to changing climatic conditions, the drivers of local spatial variation in biomass are still relatively poorly understood. Thus, we examine the effects of abiotic conditions (topography, soil properties and geomorphological processes) on aboveground vascular plant biomass to understand the determinants of contemporary fine-scale heterogeneity in this variable. We also compare the results from clip-harvested biomass samples to three non-destructive biomass estimates: vegetation cover, height and volume. To investigate the local drivers of biomass we analysed an extensive dataset of 960 1-m2 cells in arctic-alpine tundra using spatially explicit generalized estimation equations to conduct variation partitioning. The abiotic environment had a clear impact on the distribution of biomass (variance explained 32.89%). Soil properties were most strongly related to aboveground biomass (independent effect in variation partitioning 7.03% and combined effect including joined effects 19.6%). Topography had only little influence after soil and geomorphology were taken into account (independent effect 2.23%, combined effect 18.73%), implying that topography affects biomass only indirectly. Of the non-destructive biomass estimates, the results for vegetation volume were most similar to those for biomass samples. Thus, we recommend utilizing vegetation volume as a cost-efficient and robust biomass estimate in arctic-alpine areas. Our results indicate that the fine-scale environmental variation has to be taken into account more carefully when modelling vegetation biomass, especially under changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study presents the native flora of Mountain Panachaikon (N.W. Peloponnese, Greece), after extensive field work (from ~700 to 1900 m) and critical literature review. Results: The vascular native flora of Mt. Panachaikon comprises 757 taxa, 95 of which are Greek endemics, 79 are Balkan endemics, while 229 taxa are reported here for the first time. The known distribution of the Greek endemics Alyssum montanum subsp. montanum var. graecum, Carum heldreichii, Cirsium heldreichii, Genista milii, Minuartia eurytanica and Seseli parnassicum is expanded, being reported for the first time for the floristic region of Peloponnese, and the number of the known populations of the Near Threatened Gymnospermium altaicum subsp. peloponnesiacum is increased. Conclusions: The study area appears to have the second highest endemism and the highest one in W. Greece, compared with other mountains of N. Peloponnese and Sterea Ellada, while 22.10% of the endemics are protected and/or evaluated as Near Threatened to Endangered. It also exhibits a rather high proportion of Balkan endemics, in relation to its geographic location, and some genuine arctic-alpine taxa. These indicate that Mt. Panachaikon can be rendered as a plant diversity hotspot in the Peloponnese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that many plants now found in the arctic originated from ancestors that occurred at high altitudes in the southern mountains of the Northern Hemisphere during the Tertiary. However, this hypothesis has rarely been tested using a molecular phylogenetic approach. Here, we present a fossil-calibrated molecular phylogeny of Lagotis, an arctic-alpine genus with the greatest diversity in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and Central Asian mountains, based on five chloroplast (matK, psbA-trnH, rpslô, trnG-S, trnL-F) and nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA markers. Within this framework, we infer the ancestral area and biogeographic history of the genus. Four major clades (A-D) within Lagotis were recovered with strong support, which largely correspond to the previous classification of the genus. Within clade A, Lagotis species from QTP were distributed among several subclades, and L. integrifolia from Central Asia was sister to L. glauca and L. minor from the arctic and subarctic region. The Bayesian molecular dating and the ancestral area reconstruction analyses suggested that Lagotis could have originated in the QTP in the Miocene (Tertiary), and that the genus radiated from the Miocene to Pleistocene. The diversification of Lagotis probably took place predominantly in the QTP and it subsequently spread to the Central Asian high-lands, followed by northward migration into the arctic. Our results support the hypothesis that the "Central Asiatic Highland Corridor" as an important route for the migration of the flora between the arctic and QTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a study to understand the role of hybridization in the evolution of the section Niveae for the Potentilla family of flowering plants. It notes that researchers tested two hybridization hypotheses that included a proposed a potential hybrid for Potentilla nivea and Potentilla arenosa, and between Potentilla arenosa and Potentilla vahliana sensu lato. The study infers the efficacy of morphometric studies in confirming the taxonomic potential of the hybrids.

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that Saxifraga sect. Trachyphyllum as currently circumscribed is polyphyletic, with the designated type, S. aspera, falling outside of the more speciose clade. Several other lines of morphological, geographic, and ecological evidence also distinguish the two distantly related groups from one another. In combination, these data necessitate the circumscription of a new section, S. sect. Bronchiales, which is described herein. The section is hypothesized to have arisen in the southern Rocky Mountains of North America, followed by northwestward expansion across Beringia and diversification among refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]