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The North African sengi (Petrosaltator rozeti syn. Elephantulus rozeti) is a small mammal endemic to the Maghreb area, and is one of the least studied mammals in North Africa. Little is known about its status, habitat preference, and distribution across large areas of its range. This work provides a detailed geographical and ecological distribution of the species in Tunisia based on 200 surveyed sites throughout the country with 103 positive occurrence records. We also used species distribution modelling to assess the habitat suitability of the species. P. rozeti showed a heterogeneous bioclimatic niche, with a presence in the semi-arid, arid and Saharan bioclimatic zones. But the species’ distribution seems to be limited to the main mountain ranges of Tunisia. This was also confirmed by habitat suitability modeling where the elevation was the most informative predictor variable. Our work also show some first recorded ecological traits, confirms the rock-dwelling specialist nature of the species and debate its endemism to mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of selected habitat conditions, as well as spatiotemporal variability of the number and selected traits of individuals of the species Arum alpinum were carried out in 2020–2021 in the foothills of the Western Carpathians. The investigations were conducted in permanent patches located in the Golesz nature reserve (Patch I), near the village of Markowce (Patch II), in the Kozigarb nature reserve (Patch III), and near the village of Żółków (Patch IV). Patches I and III were established in a Tilio cordatae–Carpinetum betuli oak–hornbeam forest with undergrowth dominated by low-growth vegetation with narrow leaves, whereas Patches II and IV were established in a Populetum albae riparian forest with undergrowth dominated by broad-leaved species. The most abundant population of A. alpinum was noted in Patch I, but substantial numbers of both vegetative and reproductive individuals were also present in Patches II and IV. The occurrence of temporal variability of individual traits increased from its lowest level in Patch IV, through Patches I and II, to its highest level in Patch III. The significant positive correlation in all populations between length of petioles and blade dimensions, as well as between length of generative stems and infructescence traits confirmed previous findings. Moreover, we showed that A. alpinum was not closely affiliated with a specific forest community. Significant shading and moist nutrient-rich soils are suitable for this species, while dry soils and excessive insolation may limit the flowering and fruiting of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Himalayan species conservation faces major challenges due to unprecedented climate change. Alpine Rhododendrons are crucial components of Himalaya, yet their vulnerability to climate change remains poorly understood. This study examines niche shifting of Rhododendron campanulatum, a keystone species of alpine treeline, under different climate change scenarios using ensemble models. The study presents extensive use of four machine learning models and three global circulation models for niche modelling. Models achieved True Skill Statistic ≥0.8, Area Under Curve ≥0.9, Cohen’s Kappa ≥0.7, and overall accuracy of ≥0.9. Results showed distribution of R. campanulatum is governed by annual temperature range, minimum temperature of coldest month and precipitation of warmest quarter. Analyses revealed niche contraction and expansion of a 3–5%. Contractions are particularly evident at lower treeline boundaries. Both upward and downward shifts are anticipated under future climatic scenarios.

Climate change is driving many mountain plant species to higher elevations and northern plant species to higher latitudes. However, various biotic or abiotic constraints may restrict any range shift, and one relevant factor for migration to higher elevations could be species’ ability to tolerate high UVdoses. Flavonoids are engaged in photoprotection, but also serve multiple ecological roles. We compared plant optical leaf trait responses of a large set of taxa growing in two botanical gardens (French Alps and southern Finland), considering potential constraints imposed by the relatedness of taxa and the legacy of climatic conditions at plants’ original collection sites. The segregation of optically measured leaf traits along the phylogeny was studied using a published mega-tree GBOTB.extended.tre for vascular plants as a backbone. For a subset of taxa, we investigated the relationship between climatic conditions (namely solar radiation, temperature and precipitation at a coarse scale) at the plants’ original collection site and current trait values. Upon testing the phylogenetic signal (Pagel’s l), we found a significant difference but intermediate lambda values overall for flavonol or flavone index (Iflav) and anthocyanin index (Iant), indicating that phylogenetic relatedness alone failed to explain the changes in trait values under a Brownian motion model of trait evolution. The local analysis (local indicator of phylogenetic association) indicated mostly positive autocorrelations for Iflav i.e. similarities in optically measured leaf traits, often among species from the same genus. We found significant relationships between climatic variables and leaf chlorophyll index (Ichl), but not Iflav, particularly for annual solar radiation. Changes in plants’ Iflav across microhabitats differing in UV irradiance and predominately high Fv/Fm indicated that most plants studied had sufficient flexibility in photoprotection,conferred by Iflav, to acclimate to contemporary UV irradiances in their environment. While not explaining the mechanisms behind observed trait values, our findings do suggest that some high-elevation taxa display similar leaf flavonoid accumulation responses. These may be phylogenetically constrained and hence moderate plants’ capacity to adjust to new combinations of environmental conditions resulting from climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is driving many mountain plant species to higher elevations and northern plant species to higher latitudes. However, various biotic or abiotic constraints may restrict any range shift, and one relevant factor for migration to higher elevations could be species’ ability to tolerate high UV-doses. Flavonoids are engaged in photoprotection, but also serve multiple ecological roles. We compared plant optical leaf trait responses of a large set of taxa growing in two botanical gardens (French Alps and southern Finland), considering potential constraints imposed by the relatedness of taxa and the legacy of climatic conditions at plants’ original collection sites. The segregation of optically measured leaf traits along the phylogeny was studied using a published mega-tree GBOTB.extended.tre for vascular plants as a backbone. For a subset of taxa, we investigated the relationship between climatic conditions (namely solar radiation, temperature and precipitation at a coarse scale) at the plants’ original collection site and current trait values. Upon testing the phylogenetic signal (Pagel’s λ), we found a significant difference but intermediate lambda values overall for flavonol or flavone index (Iflav) and anthocyanin index (Iant), indicating that phylogenetic relatedness alone failed to explain the changes in trait values under a Brownian motion model of trait evolution. The local analysis (local indicator of phylogenetic association) indicated mostly positive autocorrelations for Iflav i.e. similarities in optically measured leaf traits, often among species from the same genus. We found significant relationships between climatic variables and leaf chlorophyll index (Ichl), but not Iflav, particularly for annual solar radiation. Changes in plants’ Iflav across microhabitats differing in UV irradiance and predominately high Fv/Fm indicated that most plants studied had sufficient flexibility in photoprotection, conferred by Iflav, to acclimate to contemporary UV irradiances in their environment. While not explaining the mechanisms behind observed trait values, our findings do suggest that some high-elevation taxa display similar leaf flavonoid accumulation responses. These may be phylogenetically constrained and hence moderate plants’ capacity to adjust to new combinations of environmental conditions resulting from climate change.

Background and Aims: Elevation gradients provide 'natural experiments' for investigating plant climate change responses, advantageous for the study of protected species and life forms for which transplantation experiments are illegal or unfeasible, such as chasmophytes with perennial rhizomes pervading rock fissures. Elevational climatic differences impact mountain plant reproductive traits (pollen and seed quality, sexual vs. vegetative investment) and pollinator community composition; we investigated the reproductive ecology of a model chasmophyte, Campanula raineri Perp. (Campanulaceae), throughout its current elevational/climatic range to understand where sub-optimal conditions jeopardise survival. We hypothesised that: 1) reproductive fitness measures are positively correlated with elevation, indicative of the relationship between fitness and climate; 2) C. raineri, like other campanulas, is pollinated mainly by Hymenoptera; 3) potential pollinators shift with elevation., Methods: We measured pollen and seed quality, seed production, the relative investment in sexual vs. vegetative structures and vegetative (Grime's CSR) strategies at different elevations. Potential pollinators were assessed by combining molecular and morphological identification., Key Results: Whereas CSR strategies were not linked to elevation, pollen and seed quality were positively correlated, as was seed production per fruit (Hypothesis 1 is supported). The main pollinators of C. raineri were Apidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae (Hymenoptera) and Syrphidae (Diptera), probably complemented by a range of occasional pollinators and visitors (Hypothesis 2 partially supported). Potential pollinator communities showed a taxonomic shift towards Diptera with elevation (particularly Anthomyiidae and Muscidae) and away from Hymenoptera (Hypothesis 3 was supported)., Conclusions: Pollinator availability is maintained at all elevations by taxon replacement. However, reduced pollen quality and seed production at lower elevations suggest an impact of climate change on reproduction (especially <1200 m a.s.l., where seed germination was limited). Aside from guiding targeted conservation actions for C. raineri, our results highlight problems that may be common to mountain chasmophytes worldwide., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Simple Summary: Extreme weather events and climate change can alter organismal development and, in turn, affect species survival, community composition, and ecosystem processes and services. We examined the performance of butterfly larvae of five montane Erebia species from the Swiss Alps under three thermal scenarios: at, above, or below those at the elevation where their mother originated. We found evidence of better larval performance in temperature treatments associated with low and middle elevations and a decreased performance at temperature treatments associated with higher elevations. In contrast, larvae performed poorly in thermal treatments that differed strongly from maternal conditions. The inclusion of additional life history stages in future studies could further advance the understanding of factors affecting thermal tolerance in cold-adapted Erebia butterflies. Climate change alters organismal performance via shifts in temperature. However, we know little about the relative fitness impacts of climate variability and how cold-adapted ectotherms mediate these effects. Here, we advance the field of climate change biology by directly testing for species performance, considering the effects of different thermal environments at the first developmental stage of larvae. We conducted our experiments in climatic chambers (2019–2020) using five cold-adapted butterflies of the genus Erebia (Erebia aethiops, Erebia cassioides, Erebia manto, Erebia tyndarus, Erebia nivalis). Larvae were reared indoors and were treated with higher and lower temperatures than those of their mothers' origins. Overall, we found evidence of better performance at warmer temperatures and a decreased performance at lower temperatures, and larvae were able to tolerate small temperature changes from mother's origin. Warmer conditions, however, were unfavorable for E. nivalis, indicative of its limited elevational range and its poor ability to mediate a variety of thermal conditions. Further, larvae generally performed poorly where there was a large difference in thermal regimen from that of their maternal origin. Future efforts should include additional life history stages and focus on a more mechanistic understanding of species thermal tolerance. Such studies could increase the realism of predicted responses to climate change and could account for asynchronous changes in species development, which will alter community composition and ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming is predicted to result in changes to phenology, behaviour and abundance as well as poleward shifts or upslope displacements of the distribution of species. However, climate‐warming induced changes in distribution patterns have rarely been studied in ground‐dwelling arthropods.We investigated changes in the upper elevational limit and relative abundance of 11 millipede species by repeating historical surveys from 1917 to 1919 in five valleys in the Swiss National Park (Eastern Alps) in 2018–2019.We found that the upper elevational limit for 10 out of 11 millipede species has risen, on average, by 161 m in 100 years, accompanying a 1.5 °C rise in mean annual temperature in the investigation area. The 10 millipede species differed in upslope expansion of their distribution with the shift ranging from 50 m to 363 m.The relative abundances of species (percentage of individuals sampled for each of the 11 millipede species) were very similar in 1917–1919 and 2018–2019. Only three species showed a change in frequency >6% over 100 years: two species had reduced abundances by 13.7% and 12.5% in the recent survey, while one species increased in abundance by 12.2%.We provide evidence showing that soil‐dwelling millipede species with low dispersal ability have raised their upper distribution limit to higher elevation between the surveys done in 1917–1919 and 2018–2019. This upslope shift in distribution is most probably due to the significant increase in temperature recorded in the investigation area in past decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstrated negative effects of increased temperatures on avian reproductive success suggest a mechanism by which climate change may impact species persistence. High temperatures can result in reduced parental care and reduced nestling condition in passerines with dependent young, resulting in lowered fledging success and population recruitment. We examined provisioning rate and nestling condition in a South African mountain endemic, the Cape rockjumper Chaetops frenatus, whose population declines correlate with warming habitat. Our aim was to determine whether rockjumper reproductive success could be affected by high air temperatures. We set up video cameras on nests at three nestling age classes (≤ 7 days old; 8–12 days old; ≥ 13 days old) for 8 hours on 37 separate days. We successfully collected full‐day footage on 25 of the 37 days (four days with predation, eight with equipment failure). Nestlings were weighed at the beginning and end of each film day, barring the four days with mid‐day predation (n = 65 nestling measures from 33 of the 37 days). Average mass gain across all nestlings per nest was positively correlated with provisioning rate (0.78 g provisions−1 hr−1, CI: 0.26–1.30), and provisioning rate decreased at increasing temperatures (−0.08 provisions hr−1 °C−1, CI: −0.15 to −0.01). Daily change in mass of individual nestlings was negatively correlated with air temperatures above a significant temperature threshold (22.4°C; −0.30 g °C−1, CI: −0.40 to −0.19). This suggests nestling energy requirements were not being met on higher temperature days – perhaps because nestling energy and water demands for thermoregulation are elevated and provisioning rate is not correspondingly maintained or increased. These results suggest that higher temperatures negatively affect nestling mass gain. While in our study this did not directly affect fledging rates, it may affect post‐fledging survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change alters organismal performance via shifts in temperature. However, we know little about the relative fitness impacts of climate variability and how cold-adapted ectotherms mediate these effects. Here, we advance the field of climate change biology by directly testing for species performance, considering the effects of different thermal environments at the first developmental stage of larvae. We conducted our experiments in climatic chambers (2019–2020) using five cold-adapted butterflies of the genus Erebia (Erebia aethiops, Erebia cassioides, Erebia manto, Erebia tyndarus, Erebia nivalis). Larvae were reared indoors and were treated with higher and lower temperatures than those of their mothers’ origins. Overall, we found evidence of better performance at warmer temperatures and a decreased performance at lower temperatures, and larvae were able to tolerate small temperature changes from mother’s origin. Warmer conditions, however, were unfavorable for E. nivalis, indicative of its limited elevational range and its poor ability to mediate a variety of thermal conditions. Further, larvae generally performed poorly where there was a large difference in thermal regimen from that of their maternal origin. Future efforts should include additional life history stages and focus on a more mechanistic understanding of species thermal tolerance. Such studies could increase the realism of predicted responses to climate change and could account for asynchronous changes in species development, which will alter community composition and ecosystem functioning.

Two new localities of Meum athamanticum Jacq. are reported from Poland: from the Pojezierze Sejneńskie lakeland in the Suwałki region and from the Beskid Mały Mts in the Western Carpathians. The current distribution of M. athamanticum in Poland is presented. The origin of the plants at the newly discovered localities is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains, representing storehouses of biodiversity, endemism and threatened species, are biodiversity hotspots of great conservation importance. However, increasing evidence indicates that mountain species throughout the world are responding to climate change, past or contemporary, by shifting their geographic distributions and patterns of genetic diversity, potentially affecting their adaptive capacity and increasing risk of extinction.Using the iconic high‐elevation frog Nanorana parkeri as indicator, we showed how spatial analyses of climatic stability combined with genetic data allow unravelling amphibian responses to past and future climate changes on 'the roof of the world'—the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau.We found that areas along the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley were climatically more stable relative to other regions, apparently serving as a large climatic refugium during Quaternary glaciations, but that these areas will likely be affected by future climate change. As populations closer to Quaternary refugia usually had higher genetic diversity, current genetic diversity can be explained in the largest part by distance to historically stable areas, outweighing other historical and contemporary factors. Along with the dynamics of suitable range, a fluctuating habitat fragmentation supported the pattern of historical changes in genetic diversity (Ne) over time.Our results emphasize strong relationships between amphibian genetic diversity, past range dynamics and where to preserve suitable habitats in the face of future climate changes. More generally, our findings highlighted a central role of refugia during Quaternary climatic fluctuations, and how isolation from refugia may have modulated amphibian genetic diversity across the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of spatial distribution and population parameters are important elements for the conservation of spatially restricted and rare species. We evaluated the spatial distribution, demographic parameters, and mobility of Drucina championi Godman and Salvin, 1881, a highly localized butterfly in mountain habitats of Southern Chiapas, Mexico. We generated potential distribution maps for the species, by relating 19 layers (Worldclim) and data of occurrence arising from field surveys and entomological collections' records. Intensive field sampling was conducted at the Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve, to delimit the elevation distribution, abundance, and detailed aspects on population demographic parameters regarding mobility, age, and sex data, as well as observations on adult behavior. A vegetation characterization and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis were used to relate the abundance values of the butterfly and habitat characteristics. Our results show that the potential distribution of D. championi is restricted to the northernmost area of the Central American pine-oak forests and the Central American mountain forests, comprising a total of 14,151 km2. It inhabits cloud forest habitats, ranging from 1,919 to 2,788 m a.s.l. (for a total elevation range of 869 m). Our assessment on the population status of this threatened butterfly suggests fairly good dispersal abilities of local populations but a limited immigration rate from surrounding populations. This research provides a rare case study of spatiotemporal dynamics of a threatened Neotropical butterfly, emphasizing the importance of using ecological information to provide management recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gentiana lutea L. subsp. lutea is a geophyte that occurs in the central-southern European mountains. We investigated its germination ecophysiology with the main aim of evaluating seed germination behaviour under controlled and natural conditions. Seeds from four natural sites were tested for germination requirements under a range of different temperatures, and by comparing the results with those obtained under both cold stratification at 5 °C and treatment with GA3. We simultaneously carried out germination tests at each collecting site, and soil temperatures were recorded. Our results indicate that germination under controlled conditions is limited by high temperatures (25 °C), below which GA3 has a remarkable effect on germination percentages. Cold stratification did not have an influence on the germination response, thus suggesting that a temperature of 5 °C is not sufficient to break seed dormancy; this result was supported by soil temperatures. Gentiana lutea created a short-term persistent seed bank, and seeds mainly germinated in their first year. The germination under controlled conditions was similar in all accessions, while different responses were found in the field, where a potential influence of the aspect was observed. These findings underscore the importance of understanding germination behaviour in the field to define the real thermal requirements of a taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean mountain ranges harbour highly endemic biota in islandlike habitats. Their topographic diversity offered the opportunity for mountain species to persist in refugial areas during episodes of major climatic change. We investigate the role of Quaternary climatic oscillations in shaping the demographic history and distribution ranges in the spider Harpactocrates ravastellus, endemic to the Pyrenees. Gene trees and multispecies coalescent analyses on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences unveiled two distinct lineages with a hybrid zone around the northwestern area of the Catalan Pyrenees. The lineages were further supported by morphological differences. Climatic niche-based species distribution models ( SDMs) identified two lowland refugia at the western and eastern extremes of the mountain range, which would suggest secondary contact following postglacial expansion of populations from both refugia. Neutrality test and approximate Bayesian computation ( ABC) analyses indicated that several local populations underwent severe bottlenecks followed by population expansions, which in combination with the deep population differentiation provided evidence for population survival during glacial periods in microrefugia across the mountain range, in addition to the main Atlantic and Mediterranean (western and eastern) refugia. This study sheds light on the complexities of Quaternary climatic oscillations in building up genetic diversity and local endemicity in the southern Europe mountain ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Taxonomic analysis provides a basic understanding for taxon identification and contributes to preliminary information for several branches of applied biology, while studies on reproductive strategies and plant fitness are essential to interpret population status and dynamics. Aims:We tested the reliability of diagnostic characters for identification and to characterise sexual resource allocation, the breeding system and seed predation among subspecies ofGentiana lutea. Methods:We analysed morphological characters in 70 herbarium specimens. In five natural populations we counted pollen and ovule numbers, assessed reproductive output after pollination treatments and evaluated pre-dispersal predation. Results:Taxonomic traits previously indicated as diagnostic were not sufficient to discriminate among subspecies. The pollen number and pollen:ovule (P:O) ratio varied strongly among subspecies; self-pollinated flowers produced a significantly lower number of seeds than open-pollinated flowers. Retention of empty fruits and high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation were observed in every case. Conclusions:The variation of P:O ratios among subspecies suggests different efficiency in pollen transfer. The species is self-compatible, nevertheless all subspecies require pollen vectors to enhance cross pollination and viable seed production. Fruit retention may have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation, ensuring higher plant fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abies alba and Senecio rivularis - two of 44 mountain species reported from the Roztocze Highlands, SE Poland were objects of the study. Both species reach the north-eastern limits of their occurrence in this region. In case of Abies alba, the extent of its habitat niche and possibility of adaptation to alternative niches at the range limits were investigated in two areas of the Roztocze Highlands - the Roztocze National Park (RNP) and gorge sections of four river valleys (RV) of a mountainous character. In both landscapes, fir prefers mineral soils that are too leachy for deciduous species and even for spruce. In the RV sites, fir seems to have a much broader ecological scale and often colonizes organic soils with wet mixed coniferous forests with spruce, ash-alder, and bog alder forests. The studies on Senecio rivularis are an example of long-term ecological studies at the population level, conducted in the RNP since 1987, e.g., in terms of changes in the size structure of individuals compared to the changes in the surface area covered by this population. A nearly 3-fold increase in the area inhabited by the population was accompanied by changes in the spatial organisation of the population and individual size structure dynamics, which reflects the intensification of intra- and interspecific competition, and indicates condition changes in the population area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the year 2011 we identified in "Carei Plain" Nature 2000 site (ROSCI0020) 134 bird species, 28 of them being included in Annex 1 of Birds' Directive. Out of the total, 105 species are breeding birds in the protected area. Aquatic birds, semi-aquatic birds and raptors are in decline in the region. This can be the consequence of the drainage of almost all wetlands from the region, but could also be the result of the drought registered in the summer and fall of 2011. Even if in Carei Plain there are only a few natural forest fragments, the forest birds are well represented, occupying also atypical habitats, such as areas with reeds, shrubs and bushes on the edge of artificial reservoirs. As in the case of other groups, the bird fauna of Carei Plain also have some zoogeographical features. Thus, in the area we saw in summer Motacilla cinerea pairs with juvenile, a species which breeds in Romanian mountains. Also, in early November in the protected site were present both summer and winter visitors as Pernis apivorus and Buteo lagopus. Generally, the birds of Carei Plain show negative trends, being threatened by human activities. Their protection depends on stopping the damage of natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to optimize conservation policies for endangered plant species in North Africa and minimize the investment of the public resources we explore the capacity of a mountain plant species to persist locally in restricted natural areas. Palaeoecological studies have shown that plant species survived major global climate changes within refugia which offered suitable condition for their long term persistence. Our study aims at identifying potential mountains areas which may play the role of modern microrefugia for preserving locally endangered plant species. We analyzed the mountain ruggedness of an area in the North-East of the Middle Atlas mountains where a population of an endangered plant species, Cedrus atlantica , is isolated today around lake Tameda. In addition, we collected a sediment core in the lake to investigate the recent history of the species with the local environmental changes. We compared the terrain and fossil analyses with an area in the Rif mountains where the terrain rugosity is lighter than in the Middle Atlas and where Atlas cedar populations occur as well. Our results show that the Atlas cedar is better preserved in terrains with high rugosity because they offer a wider panel of suitable microclimates for the species persistence and they restrict the number of inhabitants as well which, de facto, reduces the anthropogenic disturbances. We have carried out this analysis at a very small scale (less than 40 km2). A more exhaustive analysis of the terrain rugosity over the Atlas and Rif mountains, combined with historical data, will help to identify more suitable refugial areas for preserving the species at a larger scale. Protecting these refugial areas over decades from any anthropogenic activity should be possible at a minimal cost and would represent an immediate response to the ongoing climate change for preserving endangered species. • Mountain landscapes with high rugosity are found to be more suitable for species persistence. • A potential future microrefugium for the Atlas cedar in the NE of the Middle Atlas is depicted. • The fossil record may help evaluating the local persistence of endangered plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]