Search

In the publication “Typifications, new combinations and new synonyms in Indian Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)” by Singh, R. K. et al. (2021), the authors used pseudoscientific theoretical background, utilized material collected by other persons without citing the source of data in support of their claims, and made serious errors in the determination and delimitation of Impatiens taxa occuring in Himalayas and adjacent areas. They proposed new combinations and statuses without sufficient field and literature studies and failed to show convincing evidences in their treatments. Their documentation lacks important details, like authorship of the published pictures, locations and dates of pictures, or measurements of plant parts; the whole documentation has geographically biased gaps – in case of Western Himalayan or Sikkimese taxa, there is almost no original illustrative material. Finally, they falsely claimed extensive field studies in Western Himalaya. This paper reinstates 19 species and 1 variety synonymised by Singh et al. (2021) with scientific evidences based on illustrations from types and colour photographs from fresh collections.

Augmented description of Impatiens glauca based on observations of living material is given, as well as description of a new spurless variety. Global distribution, ecology, photographs and conservation status are also provided in detail. Abortive inflorescences are illustrated for first time.

The present study is the first-ever attempt to generate information on the potential present and future distribution of Impatiens capensis (orange balsam) under various climate change scenarios. Moreover, the differences in bioclimatic preferences of native and non-native populations were evaluated.Global.Angiosperms.A database of I. capensis localities was compiled based on the public database - the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), herbarium specimens, and a field survey in Poland. The initial dataset was verified, and each record was assigned to one of two groups - native (3664 records from North America) or non-native (750 records from Europe and the western part of North America). The analyses involved bioclimatic variables in 2.5 arc-minutes of interpolated climate surface downloaded from WorldClim v. 2.1. MaxEnt version 3.3.2 was used to conduct the ecological niche modeling based on presence-only observations of I. capensis. Forecasts of the future distribution of the climatic niches of the studied species in 2080-2100 were made based on climate projections developed by the CNRM/CERFACS modeling and Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC-6).Distribution models created for "present time" showed slightly broader potential geographical ranges of both native and invasive populations of orange balsam. On the other hand, some areas (e.g. NW Poland, SW Finland), settled by the species, are far outside the modeled climate niche, which indicates a much greater adaptation potential of I. capensis. In addition, the models have shown that climate change will shift the native range of orange balsam to the north and the range of its European populations to the northwest. Moreover, while the coverage of niches suitable for I. capensis in America will extend due to climate change, the European populations will face 31-95 % habitat loss.

Impatiens scullyi Hook.f. is reported here as a new record for India as well as for the western Himalaya from Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. To facilitate its identification, detailed description along with colour images are provided here.

All available data on the distribution ofImpatiens glanduliferaRoyle in Siberia was analyzed. The species appeared in Siberia as an unpretentious ornamental plant around the middle of the 20th century. Cases of withdrawal from culture have been recorded since the 1970s and 1980s; mass naturalization began at the end of the 20th century. Currently, the species is common in many regions of Siberia, but the most active in the Altai Territory, the Altai Republic, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Tomsk and Irkutsk Regions. It is common in anthropogenic habitats; it can also often be found in suburban forests, ravines, along the banks of water bodies. It shows tolerance to habitat conditions, but is especially active in areas with a close occurrence of groundwater on humus-rich soils. The species richness ofI. glanduliferacommunities is from 10-15 to 40 species. In total, about 100 species of vascular plants were recorded inI. glanduliferacommunities in Siberia

This study aimed to analyze the seed coat structure of nine species from the genus Impatiens from Northeast India. A review of the available literature showed a scarcity of data on seed sizes and shapes, as well as a complete lack of information on the ultrastructure of seeds from five taxa of Impatiens determined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Photographs of the surface structure of seeds from the analyzed species were taken using an SEM and, from these, we measured the length and width of the seeds. The results showed differences in the seed ultrastructure and metric traits within the studied taxa. Based on the ornamentation of the epidermal cells, we distinguished three morphological types: protrusive, granulate, and reticulate. The seeds of the investigated species had ellipsoid, subellipsoid, or subspheroid shapes. Their lengths and widths ranged from 1.2 to 3.6 mm and 0.7 to 2.1 mm, respectively. The results of the study showed that the ultrastructures of Impatiens seeds are different among taxa and for some species can be used as a diagnostic character for their identification.

Impatiens capensis is an annual plant native to eastern North America that is currently spreading across Europe. In Poland, due to this plant’s rapid spread in the secondary range and high competitiveness in relation to native species, it is considered a locally invasive species. The microstructure of seeds is an important tool for solving various taxonomic problems and also provides data useful for determining the impact of various environmental factors on the phenotypic variability of species. This issue is particularly important in regard to invasive species which occupy a wide range of habitats in the invaded range. There are few reports on seed size and thus far no descriptions of the seed ultrastructure of I. capensis in the analyzed literature. We present new data on the seed morphology of I. capensis growing in different habitats and conditions in the secondary range of the species. The studied populations differed significantly in each of the investigated traits (seed length, width, circumference, area, roundness, and mass). Our findings showed that anthropogenic disturbances in habitats and some soil parameters (presence of carbonates, potassium, loose sand, and moisture) were statistically significant with various seed sizes and morphology in the studied populations of I. capensis. Moreover, our studies showed maximum seed length (5.74 mm) and width (3.21 mm) exceeding those values given in the available literature. For the first time, we also provide a detailed SEM study of the ultrastructure of the seed coat of I. capensis. There are two types of epidermal cells on the seeds: (a) between the ribs (elongated with straight anticlinal walls, slightly concave outer periclinal walls, and micropapillate secondary sculpture on the edges with anticyclic walls), and (b) on the ribs (isodiametric cells with straight anticlinal walls and concave outer periclinal walls). Unlike the variability of size and weight of seeds, the coat ornamentation has turned out to be a steady feature within the studied secondary range of I. capensis.

Many studies show the significant impact of direct and indirect human activity on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests. The increase in the number of invasive species, changes caused by climate change, or eutrophication of habitats resulting from air pollution can irrevocably affect biodiversity, species composition, or species interactions. Many of these effects cannot be seen in commercial forests due to the significant impact of direct human use of the forest and the high degree of transformation of forest ecosystems. In this work, we ask: how have forest communities changed over the past 70 years? What was the reason for these changes? To answer the above questions, we conducted research on repeated observations in the core area of the Białowieża National Park, which is characterized by one of the highest degrees of naturalness in Europe, where ecological processes have occurred without direct human intervention since the last glaciation. Studies have shown directional changes in species composition and biotic homogenization of three forest communities. Directional changes were found to be associated with both eutrophication of habitats as well as with changes in humidity and temperature. However, the observed changes in species composition were opposite to the hypotheses based on the observed global change. In contrast, changes in the species composition of the stand and the ability to shade and buffer the temperature and humidity under the canopy caused changes in the species composition of forest communities. In the mixed deciduous forest, homogenization occurred along with the simultaneous change of species composition of forest communities. This was caused by an increase in fertility caused by increased nitrogen deposition and changes in environmental conditions prevailing under the canopy of trees, which, however, were caused by changes in the species composition of the stand.

Impatiens acuminata Benth. ex Hook.f. & Thomson, endemic to Meghalaya in North-Eastern India, is lectotypified here. The species was collected/observed only five times in the 20th century. A detailed description and photographic illustrations based on live plant material is provided for its easy identification along with its comparison to closely related species I. parkinsonii C. E. C. Fisch. Geographical distribution, conservation status and horticultural potentials of the species are also discussed.

Impatiens tatoensis Gogoi & W.Adamowski, a new species from Northeast India with affinities to I. spirifera Hook.f. & Thomson is described and illustrated. We provide a lectotypification for the name I. spirifera Hook.f. & Thomson as well as a description and illustrations of the species.

Impatiens zironiana, a new species of Impatiens from Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India is described and illustrated. Detailed descriptions, distribution and ecology along with colour photographs are provided.

Due to the relevance of protected areas to the conservation of native biota, the magnitude of invasions and threats posed by alien plants are currently important issues for the preservation of these areas. The paper summarises data on invasive alien plant species presence in the most valuable protected areas in Poland, i.e. national parks (NPs). We investigated the distribution of invasive alien plant species and management attempts concerning those species. We analysed data obtained from 23 national parks originating from published and unpublished sources. Invasive plants were present in all protected areas analysed, from two to 42 species in a particular national park, and 68 in total. The most widely distributed species were: Impatiens parviflora (present in 19 NPs), I. glandulifera (17), Solidago gigantea (17), Reynoutria japonica (17), and Robinia pseudoacacia (16). The conducted analyses showed that the number of invasive species decreased with the higher altitude (asl) of the national park. The most often managed species were Impatiens glandulifera (being removed in seven NPs), I. parviflora (six), Padus serotina (four) and Quercus rubra (four). In the majority of NPs, control activities are limited to small areas and singular species, thus having an incidental character. Only in five objects (Białowieża NP, Biebrza NP, Kampinos NP, Tuchola NP, Wigry NP), management has been focused on several species. We conclude that a lack of comprehensive management of invasive plant species in the majority of national parks currently limits the effectiveness of IAS (invasive alien species) eradication. Exchange of expertise among protected areas, documenting best practice examples, synthesising lessons learnt in IAS management, as well as the development of minimum standards for invasive plants surveillance and management are pivotal.

The paper presents a list of 23 new records of Solidago ×niederederi, a spontaneous hybrid between the North American S. canadensis and the European S. virgaurea. The list includes 8 records from Austria, 3 records from Italy and 12 records from Poland. An increase in the number of hybrid localities over the last 10 years in Europe is pointed out and discussed.

This study addresses the question of how changing the mowing regime influences the floristic composition and floristic diversity of grasses in an experimental lowland meadow. The study location is Bia?owie?a Forest, NE Poland. To achieve the aim we used phytosociological data from long-term studies in Bia?owie?a Forest on the course of secondary succession. The relationship between the biodiversity of grasses and type of mowing was determined using statistical analysis. Changes in the dominance and frequency of individual grass species have occurred during the last 28 years of observations. The analysis of floristic similarity demonstrated a turnover of species between the individual years of observation. Principal component analysis showed that the change in mowing method resulted in a change of the species composition, cover, and domination. However, differences in the intensity of disturbance level were rather small (one cut yearly by scythe, by sickle bar mower, and by trimmer), and changes in floristic composition were also moderate in most years. During the initial years (1984?1990), Dactylis glomerata, Agrostis gigantea, and Anthoxanthum odoratum dominated. After 1990, Arrhenatherum elatius and Holcus lanatus spread and took over, with Trisetum flavescens joining them later. Between 2008 and 2012 the cover of Dactylis glomerata increased more than two times. The reasons for the floristic transformations were changes in the management mode, e.g., the transition from mowing by scythe (medium disturbance) to mechanized mowing, first by sickle bar mower (strong disturbance) and then by trimmer (weak disturbance).

New localities of Arnoseris minima (L.) Schweigger et Koerte (Asteraceae) in the Podlasie region (NE Poland) are presented. The current distribution of the species was established on the basis of the authors’ floristic field studies, revised herbarium materials, published data, and unpublished sources. The collected data enabled us to revise the map of the species’ distribution in the Podlasie region and supplement it with another new 17 localities. The previously established geographic range of species in Poland can now be moved by about 30 km eastwards and 50 km northwards. The identification of new locations of A. minima on the border of its continuous geographical range becomes important in the context of the declining number of localities of this species recently observed across almost the whole of Europe.

In this paper, an updated map of the distribution of Solidago ×niederederi, a natural hybrid between S. canadensis and S. virgaurea, in Poland is presented using the ATPOL cartogram method. A compiled list of 55 localities of the hybrid within 40 cartogram units (10-km squares) is provided and its negative impact on S. virgaurea is highlighted.

The secondary succession pattern observed on an arable field abandoned since 1974 in Tilio-Carpinetum habitat is described and disscussed. Results obtained during 36 years of study confirm that succession on an abandoned field leads from a typical segetal community to the formation of a juvenile treestand composed of pioneer species. Our study supports the view that succession is a process which is largely dependent on the initial conditions and surrounding vegetation. The results indicate that some species can modify the course of this process, accelerating or slowing it down. Limitations of the method and prognosis of future vegetation development are also discussed.

For evolutionary and ecological analyses, genetic diversity at different scales needs to be studied in terms of biological properties, habitat, population size and population history. We surveyed Platanthera bifolia populations from six regions in northeastern Poland to determine the impact of the mating system and population history on genetic diversity. Based on variation at allozyme markers, genetic variation was relatively moderate (P = 22.3%, A = 1.48, H O = 0.083, F IS = −0.015) and similar to other Platanthera species. These parameters varied between populations (P = 13.3%–26.6%, A = 1.26–1.66, H O = 0.055–0.111, F IS = −0.262–0.147). The genetic diversity patterns were shaped by different proportions of facilitated selfing and/or outcrossing, resulting in positive and negative F IS values, respectively. No relationship between inbreeding coefficient and population size, however, and no impact of apomixis on the level of genetic diversity of P. bifolia were found. The relatively low level of genetic differentiation among the investigated regions (F CT = 0.002, P > 0.05) and among populations (F ST = 0.048, P < 0.001), and the lack of a significant relationship between genetic and geographical distance, are discussed in the context of possible scenaria of postglacial expansion.

In the area of the Bialowieza Forest (an extremely well-preserved forest complex in Central–Eastern Europe), despite the planted 49 conifer taxa, only jack pine and white pine show expansional tendencies. The reasons for this response can be grouped as follows: (1) climatic conditions, (2) biological properties of the plants, (3) late introduction of conifers for plantation and their small contribution among the planted species, (4) competition from the existing plant cover, and (5) the activity of herbivores and pathogens. Nomenclature: Jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb., white pine, Pinus strobus L. Additional index words: Cultivation, invasion, naturalization, Pinophyta.

Impatiens nagorum from Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaland, Northeast India, is described and illustrated. Detailed descriptions, distribution, and ecological information, along with colour photographs of the plant, as well as micromorphology of seeds and pollen grains under scanning electron microscope (SEM) are presented.

Impatiens yui S.H.Huang from NW Yunnan is treated as a synonym of I. uncipetala C.B.Clarke ex Hook.f., known from eastern Himalaya of Nepal, Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh. The species epithet of the latter is misleading because observations of living specimens do not support the hook-like shape for the appendage of the upper lateral petal. The name I. uncipetala C.B.Clarke ex Hook.f. is lectotypified herewith.