Search

The impact of solid pollution on phytodiversity was studied in the minor bed of the M'filou River in Brazzaville, Congo. Anthropogenic disturbances strongly influence the biodiversity of ecosystems, but they can adapt to these changes. The floristic assessment was based on three surveys of 80 m2 each. The basic data were collected using the phytosociological method, supplemented by an itinerant inventory. Solid waste was quantified in the plots. The most represented species are Commelina cf. latifolia, Echinochloa pyramidalis, and Eleusine indica. The flora is characterised by pantropical taxa and therophytes, indicating the adaptive and azonal nature of the vegetation. The prevalence of nitrophytes suggests a high level of nitrates, of which there are various origins. The flora and waste are not highly diverse, are relatively homogeneous, and vary from site to site. The correlation between flora and waste is weak for most taxa, except for plastics. The use of the M'filou urban river as a dumping ground for household and market garden waste has led to significant changes in the flora, depending on the type of pollutants generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytodiversity, representing the totality of plant species in a given habitat or territory, plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance, perpetuating the floristic structure of plant communities and producing phytomass, food for consumers and a source of useful materials for the development of human civilizations. Our research was conducted in the ROSCI0093 site in the period 2011-2024. The aim of the investigations was to assess the diversity of plants in the Peri area, respectively to highlight the flora (elaboration of a floristic list, phytocenological surveys). The results can be used to understand the dynamics of the local ecosystem, to highlight potential threats diminishing phytodiversity, to develop conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ukrainian Polissia is a distinctive region in terms of biodiversity, with a significant number of northern and boreal species and communities, as well as Central European species in the Western Polissia. The research region stretches from west to east for 750 km, and from north to south for 120–150 km. In the northeast direction, its territory gradually narrows to 50–80 km and constitutes a significant part of the important ecological corridor of Eastern Europe. Background. The natural conditions of the Ukrainian Polissia are favorable for the formation of coniferous, broadleaf and mixed forests, which are zonal communities here. The widespread distribution of fluvioglacial sediments causes the predominance of sandy sod-podzolic soils and associated pine forests. The high groundwater table and the low surface area contribute to the development of eutrophic peat bogs. All this leads to the formation of a diverse vegetation cover, which contributes to the representativeness and significant preservation of floristic and coenotic diversity. One of the key roles in the protection of rare species of phytodiversity in the Polissia region of Ukraine belongs to multifunctional protected areas, including the category of “regional landscape parks”. They cover more than 200 species of vascular plants of the Polissia region, with diffe­rent conservation statuses – from the international level of protection to the regional one. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using conventional field (route-based, geobotanical descriptions of key areas) and desk methods. The species names are given according to the International Plant Names Index, and their belonging to the protected categories is based on the conservation criteria and protection levels accor­ding to the regulatory documents. Results and Discussion. The materials of the research of phytodiversity of five regional landscape parks (Prypiat-Stokhid, Nadsluchanskyi, Ptashynyy Rai, Mizhrichenskyi, Yalivshchyna), in particular rare species, are presented, as evidenced by their diversity, including a number of glacial relics, endemics and borderline species located at the southern or eastern border of the distribution area. Conclusions. The study has revealed that the rare vascular plant flora of the Polissia regional landscape parks is represented by 56 species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 145 species under regional protection of three oblasts of the Polissia region, nine species from Appendix I of the Bern Convention, four species from Appendix II of CITES, and three species included in the European Red List. Two RLPs are the most sozologically representative in the study area: Nadsluchansky (six species of international protection statuses, 30 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 107 species of regional protection level) and Mizhrichynsky (14 species with international protection statuses, 28 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 51 species of regional protection level), which is determined by the peculiarity of natural conditions, habitat diversity and area of the territories. regional landscape parks as a category of nature reserve fund of regional status within the Polissia region of Ukraine cover most of the representative habitats, which include a corresponding number of rare species of different levels of protection, namely: forest (87 species), herbaceous (85 species), marsh (36 species) and aquatic (30 species) habitats.

One pillar of sustainable agriculture is grassland resilient and resistant to climate perturbation and capable of attaining multiple services. Novel or exotic and, so far, minor or underutilised plant species may become increasingly important against this background and exploration of such plant species seems of importance to maintain grassland functioning. We chose a set of 21 dicotyledonous plant species from seven botanical families. The set included 10 legumes, of which four were, so far, not used in temperate climate grassland and are named exotic henceforward. The other species are named minor as they are mostly not in widespread use. We evaluated different plant functions including herbage accumulation, herbage quality and functional traits in a pilot study under semi‐controlled conditions under increased temperatures compared to ambient conditions. The factor species had a significant influence (p <.001, F‐test) on all target variables, including the leaf dry matter content, the herbage biomass and the protein contents. All studied species had a high concentration of organic matter in the dry‐matter, had low concentrations of neutral detergent fibre and reached relatively large protein concentrations. In addition, fibre‐bound protein concentration was low resulting in pre‐caecal digestible protein concentrations that meet the nutritional requirements of horses. In contrast, protein concentrations were often too low for intensive livestock feeding. Since no fertiliser N was applied, non‐legumes accumulated on average 29% less herbage than legumes. The exotic legumes accumulated the highest herbage biomass on average while the minor legumes produced on average 22% less. Of the exotic legumes, Bituminaria bituminosa and Hedysarum coronarium were within the upper quartile for herbage accumulation. Plant functional traits of several species were in similar ranges showing potential for mixture design to follow traits rather than species. The study may pave the way for informed breeding of distinct plant species on the basis of relevant traits in order to improve herbage provision in the future under ongoing climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornamental horticulture, a global practice, has significantly contributed to the proliferation of plant invasions on a worldwide scale. The European landscape, perpetually influenced by evolving horticultural trends, has witnessed the introduction of plants from diverse continents. The horticultural industry actively promotes ornamental species that exhibit characteristics traits conducive to their success, such as rapid growth, low maintenance requirements, resilience to local climatic conditions, and resistance to pests and pathogens. However, all these characteristics also ensure their success outside the gardens, so the number of alien plants escaping cultivation in native ecosystems increases from year to year. This study explores the evidence underscoring the fundamental importance of ornamental horticulture in introducing and promoting alien plant species, ultimately leading to their escape into natural ecosystems. In the context of Romania, a comprehensive analysis revealed that 264 ornamental taxa have escaped cultivation, and 30 of them have become invasive. Notably, six taxa, including Ailanthus altissima, Asclepias syriaca, Humulus scandens, Impatiens glandulifera, Ludwigia peploides, and Myriophyllum aquaticum, are of concern to the European Union, warranting special measures for population control and mitigation. This paper seeks to raise awareness about the urgent need for implementing international and European codes of conduct and codes of practice specifically addressing horticulture, ornamental plants, and the management of invasive alien species. The information provided highlights the crucial role of regulatory frameworks in mitigating the unintentional ecological impact of ornamental horticulture. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to preserve biodiversity and uphold ecological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vamanapuram River Basin (VRB) is home to a diverse range of plant species, including 152 distinct species from 50 botanical families. Poaceae, Leguminosae, Araceae, and Aseraceae are the most abundant, with 13 species. Euphorbiaceae, Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, and Rubiaceae also contribute to the biodiversity hotspots. The VRB's vegetation profile is characterized by a dynamic interplay of plant forms and ecological niches, with 74 herbs, 30 shrubs, 12 grasses, 1 liana, and 35 towering trees. The Poaceae family thrives in this environment due to hydrological factors. The sampling sites P6 and P5 exhibit high relative frequency and density, with key species like Macaranga peltata, Ficus hispida, and Swietenia macrophylla. Diversity indices like the Shannon-Wiener diversity index reaffirm the VRB's tropical forest character. Beta-diversity patterns reveal unique plant species distribution dynamics among different panchayaths, emphasizing their ecological complexities. The study emphasizes the demand for specialized management and conservation techniques in this environmentally active region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of Quercus rubra on the plant diversity of native forests of Ukraine has been investigated. The plant communities of artificial plantations dominated by northern red oak have such general features as poor species composition, with projective coverage values of other species not exceeding 5%, and a simplified vertical structure of the tree layers. In natural forest plant communities with the participation of Q. rubra, there are no rare and typical nemoral dominant species, which results in disruption of consortial relations in ecosystems. Such changes are due to the biological and ecological peculiarities of this species, in particular, its dense crown, abundant biomass of leaves, which reduces lighting, and allelopathic properties; all those factors affect the physical and chemical characteristics of biotopes. Quercus rubra artificial plantations are more adaptive to changes of natural conditions and are able to withstand harsher winters and lack of precipitation. The ecological amplitude of this species is wide, and even with an increase in the average annual temperature by 3 °C most of the ecological indicators do not go beyond the optimum zone of the species, except for the soil moisture and thermal regime. The amplitudes of main indicators of ecological factors of temperate forests and Q. rubra artificial plantations overlap. The dominance of Q. rubra reduces the quality of ecosystem services of native forests. The high competitive advantages of Q. rubra are the reason for the impossibility of natural restoration of the typical broad-leaved or coniferous forests on those land plots where they were replaced by artificial plantations of northern red oak or its tree layers were formed as the results of the spontaneous distribution of this species. In the successions, the communities with the participation of northern red oak are potentially able to replace the native forest phytocoenoses.

A classification of Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) forests from Dagestan (Eastern Caucasus) using the Braun-Blanquet method has been developed. Three new associations were described: Ranunculo buhsei–Quercetum macrantherae ass. nov., Betonico macrantherae–Quercetum macrantherae ass. nov. and Calamagrostio arundnaceae–Quercetum macrantherae ass. nov. These communities are characterized by the leading role of sub-Mediterranean thermophilous species and Euro-Siberian meadow-steppe meso-xerophytes which allowed them to be assigned to the class Quercetea pubescentis Doing-Kraft ex Scamoni et Passarge 1959. The results of the study of ecological and plant-geographical properties of described communities revealed their unique feature – the presence of a large group of endemic subalpine Caucasian species. The combination of these ecologically contrasting species groups indicates moderately dry and continental climate of the oak (Q. macranthera) forests range in Dagestan and occurring them in the buffer zone between forest, steppe and alpine belts at altitudes of 1400–2100 m. Similar important ecological and floristic features are not typical for other forests of the class Quercetea pubescentis in Europe and Asia Minor. This made it possible to justify a new order Astrantio maximae–Quercetalia macrantherae ord. nov. containing a single alliance Astrantio maximae–Quercion macrantherae all. nov. Diagnostic species of the order and alliance are: Quercus macranthera, Astrantia maxima, Alchemilla sericata, Anthemis melanoloma, Betonica macrantha, Bupleurum polyphyllum, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Carum meifolium, Chaerophyllum aureum, Cephalaria gigantea, Centaurea salicifolia, Cicerbita racemosa, Erysimum armeniacum, Geranium sylvaticum, Heracleum asperum, Iris colchica, Lathyrus cyaneus, Lilium monadelphum, Medicago glutinosa, Primula macrocalyx, Viburnum lantana, Poa longifolia, Polygonatum verticillatum, Ranunculus buhsei, Rubus saxatilis, Primula ruprechtii, Psephellus dealbatus, P. daghestanicus, Pyrethrum leptophyllum, Pedicularis chroorrhyncha, Sedum oppositifolium, Trifolium canescens, Vicia grossheimii, Vincetoxicum funebre.

The information is summarized and an annotated summary of vascular plants of the flora in the Northern Steppe Dnipro Region is represented based on the materials of previous works and on our own more than 40-years research. Bioecological characteristics of the flora species within the studied region were compiled according to the Belgard ecomorph system. For the first time, the paper presented hemerobia of species for the flora in the Northern Steppe Dnipro Region. The current occurrence categories of the plant species in the studied regional flora were given, which allows us to compare changes in their abundance within a territory studied. The occurrence categories and species hemerobicity were established. Rare and endangered vascular plant species were identified using the Red Book of Dnipropetrovsk region, the Red Book of Ukraine, and the European and World Red Lists. Adventive and invasive flora species were noted. A number of vascular plant species new for the region, not previously observed, have been identified. The major families in the studied flora were: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Scrophullariaceae, Ranunculaceae, Apiaceae, Boraginaceae. As a result of the study, the vascular plant flora in the Northern Steppe Dnipro Region was found to be characterized by significant systematic and bioecological diversity, and a high degree of rarity. It consists of 1,895 species, including 432 rare ones. At the same time, it was characterized by a fairly high degree of adventization, which indicates the modernization of the flora. A significant number of ruderal species, or species that are prone to ruderalization (619 species), and a large number of adventive species (357 species) indicates a significant anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover in the region. The paper presents a summary of the vascular plant flora with bioecological characteristics of the species. A detailed analysis of the flora will be presented in a further separate publication.

This study explores the rich diversity of Algeria, with a particular focus on the Sidi Bel Abbès region, which is renowned for its floristic richness, its ecological diversity and its phytodiversity. Our research aims to identify and map orchids, which face challenges due to both climate constraints and increasing anthropozoogenic activities impacting their habitats. Between 2015 and 2022, we carried out an extensive orchid inventory, resulting in the observation, identification, and geolocation of 25 species belonging to 4 genera in the study area. Among the orchids, Ophrys species were the most prevalent, with a total of 17 species, including one hybrid, followed by Anacamptis and Orchis, each comprising three species. Himantoglossum was the least represented with only two species recorded. Detailed characterizations and ecological data were established for each species to acquire comprehensive understanding of their habitats and distributions. While some taxa demonstrated widespread distribution across the Sidi Bel Abbès region, others exhibited highly localized occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study documents the Angiosperm species biodiversity of Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary (SWLS), Gujarat, India in terms of taxonomic categories and looks into the threat by exotic plant invasions towards conservation. There are 983 taxa pertaining to 522 genera from 105 families documented in the sanctuary out of 1,265 field numbers assigned. There are ten threatened taxa and nine endemic taxa. The flora of the sanctuary is more evolved with the phylogenetically advanced clades such as Super Rosids (38.96%) and Super Asterids (35.20%). The Monocots almost constitute one fourth (24.31%) whereas the primitive Basal Angiosperms, Magnoliids and Monocots combined are less than 2%. The Fabaceae are the most dominant family, followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Cyperaceae. The top five dominant genera in the sanctuary are Ipomoea, Indigofera, Crotalaria, Cyperus and Alysicarpus. The rich taxonomic diversity of the sanctuary emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to safeguard this unique landscape with its endemics. Efforts are needed to selectively remove or control the dominant invasive weeds which are largely therophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The geographic distribution of plant diversity matches the gradient of habitat heterogeneity from lowlands to mountain regions. However, little is known about how much this relationship is conserved across scales.Using the World Checklist of Vascular Plants and high‐resolution biodiversity maps developed by species distribution models, we investigated the associations between species richness and habitat heterogeneity at the scales of Eurasia and the Hengduan Mountains (HDM) in China.Habitat heterogeneity explains seed plant species richness across Eurasia, but the plant species richness of 41/97 HDM families is even higher than expected from fitted statistical relationships. A habitat heterogeneity index combining growing degree days, site water balance, and bedrock type performs better than heterogeneity based on single variables in explaining species richness. In the HDM, the association between heterogeneity and species richness is stronger at larger scales.Our findings suggest that high environmental heterogeneity provides suitable conditions for the diversification of lineages in the HDM. Nevertheless, habitat heterogeneity alone cannot fully explain the distribution of species richness in the HDM, especially in the western HDM, and complementary mechanisms, such as the complex geological history of the region, may have contributed to shaping this exceptional biodiversity hotspot. This article is part of the Special Collection 'Global plant diversity and distribution'. See https://www.newphytologist.org/global-plant-diversity for more details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dataset represents a comprehensive collection of occurrence records concerning the genus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) in the Ukrainian Carpathians and adjacent territories. It is based primarily on the results of critical revision of the main herbarium collections of the Carpathian region (i.e. LW, LWS, LWKS, KRA, KRAM, CHER, KW, UU and KWHU). Besides this, the dataset contains the data parsed (and taxonomically revised) from the published materials and other available sources (e.g. Karel Domin's Card Index).In total, 2,280 occurrence records of the genus Aconitum representatives distributed in the Ukrainian Carpathians were published.

The morphological characters of three Cassia javanica L. (Fabaceae Lindl.) subspecies (Cassia javanica subsp. javanica, Cassia javanica subsp. agnes and Cassia javanica subsp. renigera) were analysed to determine their diagnostic value. These three subspecies have pink flowers and, thus, can be easily confused. Leaf, stem and flower characters were analysed to identify reliable differences between subspecies. The main focus was on the structure of stipules, variations in the appearance of sepals (red in Cassia javanica subsp. javanica), petals (white in Cassia javanica subsp. renigera) and ovary features. It was found that the subspecies of Cassia javanica can best be distinguished by characters of leaflets, shoot hairiness, type of stipules, characters of peduncles, colour of bracts, sepals and petals. As the variation in the diagnostic characters is rather difficult to assess from the description, the characters of the three subspecies were illustrated by photographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Petropavlovsk estuary landscape reserve and its surroundings are subject to significant anthropogenic influence as a result of human activity. That is why the analysis of phytodiversity is important in order to get an idea of the level of transformation of the territory of the reserve. In the course of the work, an ecomorphological analysis of flora was carried out and anthropogenic influence on phytocenoses was revealed. A list of plants with bio-ecological certification, which were discovered during research, was compiled. Three points were chosen for research. During the work, 16 descriptions were made at these points, with different projective cover by vegetation twice during the growing season. The flora is characterized by a small variety of species - 94 higher vascular plants belonging to 33 families. Astracaea, Poacaea, and Rosacaea are among the main families with the greatest abundance of species. Hemicryptophytes predominate among climate morphs, and species that are partially lightdemanding among ecomorphs. Biomorphs are characterized by the dominance of polycarps (perennial plants). Hygromesophyte and xerophyte species predominate in the hygrospectrum of the flora. Species with medium moisture conditions make up 16%. The share of xerophytes in conditions of moderate moisture is 7%. Species that show wide tolerance to moisture conditions make up 2%. Among trophomorphs, mesotrophic species completely dominate. The coenomorphic structure is mainly represented by typical types of bows. In all descriptions there is a ruderal fraction, as well as species that partially or facultatively belong to this group. Due to the obvious anthropogenic influence (fouling which is a consequence of recreational and economic activities plowing, livestock grazing, there are signs of technogenic load), plant associations are poorly developed. The total fraction of adventitious species is 29%, of which 14% of species form a stable fraction in the investigated phytocenoses. There are two species, that are considered to be quarantined. Tree and shrub vegetation is very poorly developed and makes up less than 5% of the entire flora and is in a state of degression. The research area needs further observations of the state of transformational changes in vegetation that are occurring at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only targeted and sustainable management will preserve extensively managed grasslands, one of Europe's most species-rich habitats. Traditionally, largely abandoned irrigation might prove a sustainable management strategy, but the understanding of the interactions among irrigation, soil properties and plant species are low for a generally humid ecoregion. We aimed at advancing our understanding of plant ecology by disentangling plant community responses to traditional lowland meadow irrigation from traditionally low fertilization rates. We studied plant composition and diversity jointly with the underlying links to soil properties (Corg, total N, water holding capacity and mesofaunal activity) and soil nutrients (Nmin, P, K, Mg and B). In a field study, we compared 13 long-term traditionally irrigated and 13 non-irrigated (17 fertilized and 9 non-fertilized) meadows. We surveyed plant diversity, composition and soil nutrients as well as soil properties for 1 year assuming low annual variation. Irrigation and fertilization led to differences in soil properties and soil nutrients without impact on sheer plant species diversity but on plant species composition. Finer grain sizes due to siltation increased water holding capacity and nutrient storage. Hence, resource-acquisitive graminoid species had advantages in irrigated meadows. Thus, irrigation is not only a mean to preserve biodiversity of extensively used meadows of Central Europe but may prove a tool to differentiate between plant functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first inventory of alien species in the Republic of Mordovia was conducted in 2000. The article provides information on changes in the species composition, as well as the taxonomic and typological structures of the region's alien flora that have occurred for 20 years. The enrichment of the flora in new species was revealed. Enrichment of flora with new species was recorded, mainly due to species escaped from the cultural plantings. The role of the transport routes in the dispersal of alien species has increased. Among natural habitats, fragments of meadow steppe, water bodies, and swamps were relatively stable in the colonization of new alien species. The analysis of the lists of species in 2000 and 2020 was carried out for changes in the degree of naturalization by species. The corresponding examples of views are given in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rare arable plant cover can reduce the total number of aphids. • Cereal aphids decreased through predation of active hunting spiders. • Direct effects of rare arable plants only on active hunting spiders. In agricultural landscapes, arable plants are negatively affected by management intensification. These species can fulfill various ecosystem functions, such as biological pest control, by supporting predators. The ecosystem functions of common plant species are widely known. By contrast, the contribution of rare arable plants (RAPs) to biocontrol in cereal fields remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of RAPs on biocontrol potential. We compared cropped plots with and without sowing of rare and threatened arable plant species and investigated the effects on cereal aphids and their antagonistic predators, active hunting, and web-building spiders, as well as carnivorous/omnivorous carabids. We counted the total number of aphids on cereal shoots and trapped ground-dwelling arthropods on an experimental field and on 10 agricultural farms in the vicinity of Munich, Germany, in 2018 and 2019. The effects of the presence of RAPs were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models, whereas cover of RAPs was analyzed using structural equation models. Linear models revealed that the presence of RAPs did not significantly affect the aphid density and the activity densities of spiders and carabids. Structural equation models revealed direct negative effects of RAP cover on aphid density. However, no indirect effects via the predators of aphids were detected. Direct negative effects of active hunting spiders on aphids were determined, but not of the other potential predators. Our results suggest that RAPs may impact aphid infestation, however, the activity density of spiders and carabids were unsuitable indicators for such interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recreational potential of the Karaganda region, namely the geosystems of the Karkaraly low mountains, is extremely rich and has all the opportunities for the development of most types of tourism activities, from educational, associated with visiting cultural and historical sites to adventurous and other types of tourism and ecological tourism. This is the relevance of the development of the recreational potential of this territory. The purpose of this article is to popularize the ecological route presented in the work, as well as recommendations for the development of ecological tourism in the Karaganda region on the example of geosystems of the Karkaraly low mountains. The article provides for a brief description of ecotourism, a description of the study subject and the most attractive places that were noted as a result of expeditionary research. The presented eco-route can serve as a tool for attracting tourists and promoting tourism in the Karkaraly Mountains. Field, descriptive and cartographic methods were used in the research. Based on stock materials, the most optimal route was identified, a map of the study area and a map-scheme of a two-day ecological route were developed using the ArcGis program. The ecological route is adapted for different ages, and can also be followed on foot. Conclusions were drawn on the prospects for the development of ecotourism in specially protected natural areas (SPNA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed the phytodiversity, vegetation structure and regeneration of the tropical forest in Pranahita wildlife sanctuary, Telangana state, India. The phytosociological study was conducted in the wildlife sanctuary during 2006-2008, laying 42 sampling plots each of 1.68 ha. The sampling intensity was 0.02 and the method used was stratified random sampling. The vegetation in the sanctuary is primarily Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest. The tree density (GBH > 10 cm) was 273 individuals per ha. The total basal area estimated was 23.47m2/ha-1. The values of different diversity indices calculated are Shannon-Weiner index [H'] 4.27, Simpson index [d] 0.91 and Margalef's 4.75 which are of use for change detection studies. The species richness and dominance were found to be relatively less and naturally the heterogeneity index (H') was higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern conditions, when clear-cut main felling prevails in the forestry practices in Ukraine, studies of restorative successions of vegetation at all age stages of growth and development of plantations should become the scientific basis for the development of effective measures for sustainable forest management. The studies on the renewal of common oak plantations after clear cutting in fresh and damp loams of the Western and Central Polissya of Ukraine showed that during the first three years dynamic variegated plant groups with remnants of forest species and a significant participation of light-loving ruderal and meadow species are formed on cutting areas. Taking into account the predominance of clearcutting method of final felling in Ukraine, the study of regenerative successions in subsequent growth periods should become a scientific basis for the development of measures for sustainable forestry. Summarizing the results of research on the reproduction of oak stands after clear cutting it was found that within 1-3 years on the cutting areas dynamic, variegated plant communities formed with remnants of forest species and a significant participation of light-loving ruderal and meadow species. The main limiting factor in the restoration of phytodiversity at this stage is the absence of crowns at the stand. After the closure of the crowns (approximately at the age of 10), the floristic composition and coenotic structure of phytocenoses are almost restored, and elements of the synusial structure appear in 20-year-old coenoses. Beginning from the age of 40, plant species included in the Red Book of Ukraine have been restored in the forest cultures of common oak. In particular - Lilium martagon L., and from the age of 60 – Epipactis helleborine L. and Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich. In the future, there is a complete restoration of both the floristic composition and the cenotic structure of phytocenoses. The similarity of the floristic composition of the herb-dwarf shrub layer of 120-year-old oak stands with 1-10-year-old plant groups is low (Sørensen-Chekanovsky index from 0.27 to 0.44). On the other hand, a high species similarity of the floristic composition of the herb-dwarf shrub layer of 40-year-old oak crops with all age categories was observed. The values of the species similarity index were: 0.72 – at the age of 10 years, 0.79 – at the age of 20, 0.73 – at the age of 60, 0.85 – at 80 years old and 0.79 – at 100 years old. In subclimax 120-year-old phytocenoses, the herb-dwarf shrub layer consisted mainly of forest species – by 88.0%, as an admixture there were meadow (8.0% of the species composition) and bog (4.0%) species. After clear felling and the creation of forest plantations in 1-year-old groupings, the share of forest species was 32.9%, light-loving meadow and ruderal species – 25.7% each, and forest species – 8.9%. In 20-year-old cenoses, there is a general tendency towards an increase in the share of forest species in the grass-dwarf shrub layer from 66.0% at 10 years of age to 77.5% at 20 years of age and a decrease in the participation of species of other ecological-cenotic groups. From the age of 40, ruderal species disappear from the floristic composition of the herb-dwarf shrub layer of forest stand, and starting from the age of 60, the participation in the floristic composition of all ecological-cenotic groups stabilizes. In particular, the share of forest species is at the level of 85-89%. The herbaceous-shrub layer of groups of all age categories is dominated by herbaceous perennials, their participation is maximum in maternal, 120-year-old, phytocenoses – 96,0%.

Scientists and society are increasingly becoming aware of loss of insect biodiversity and biomass. The level of biodiversity determines the efficiency of ecological communities to capture essential resources, produce biomass, decompose and recycle nutrients. Relationships between plant and insect diversity can be modified by changes in insect abundance. This study determined the associations between microclimate and diversity of forest plants on overall insect abundance and abundances of different insect orders in the canopy of temperate deciduous forests dominated by Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech; Fagaceae) in Central Germany. Following model selection, a linear mixed model was used to analyse the associations between abiotic factors (air temperature and relative humidity) as well as biotic factors (species richness and cover for the ground, shrub and tree layer) and insect abundance and abundances of insect orders. Within similar strength of evidence, best models were chosen as those with a single explanatory parameter. Significant associations were recorded between abundances of Lepidoptera and Neuroptera and relative air humidity, insect abundance and species richness in the shrub layer, and between abundances of Diptera and Psocoptera and percentage cover of shrubs. Trends in associations were detected between the abundance of Hemiptera and species richness recorded in the shrub layer, and between the abundance of Thysanoptera and the species richness in the ground layer. No significant associations with single explanatory parameters were recorded for the abundances of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. Phytodiversity, especially that in the shrub layer, were more often associated with the abundances of insect orders than microclimatic factors. The potential importance of the association between shrub layer parameters and the abundance of insects might be based on the shrub layer combining the associations with the ground layer (bottom-up processes) and canopy layer (environmental conditions). In addition, associations between phytodiversity and abundance of insects seem to vary most for Coleoptera and Hymenoptera in which there are markedly different functional groups.

The plant diversity of damp meadows and mires occurring in the Greek part of Rhodopi Mountain Range, at an elevation of above 1000 m, was investigated. The vascular flora of the investigated area consists of 340 taxa, which belong to 175 genera and 58 families. Seven taxa of vascular plants were recorded for the first time for the floristic region of North-East Greece. The most species-rich families are Poaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Juncaceae, whereas 20 families contribute with only one taxon. The most species-rich genera are Carex, Juncus and Ranunculus, and 103 genera have only one taxon. Most of them are hemicryptophytes (203 taxa), followed by therophytes (51 taxa), geophytes (45 taxa), phanerophytes (27 taxa) and chamaephytes (14 taxa). The high percentage of hemicryptophytes reflects the continental character of the flora. The majority of the taxa (228 taxa) are Widespread (76 taxa Europaean-SW Asian, 53 taxa Euro-Siberian, 37 taxa European etc.), followed by the Mediterranean unit with 57 taxa (24 taxa Mediterranean, 22 taxa Mediterranean-European, etc.) and the Balkan unit with 53 taxa (31 taxa Balkan, 17 taxa Balkan-Anatolian, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Leontodonto pyrenaicae-Nardetum strictae (Nardetalia) is a regional plant community in the oreal zone of the Black Forest, and it is a priority habitat within the Fauna-Flora-Habitat directive of the European Union (*6230). The association is restricted to the highest summits in the middle and southern part of this mountain range (about 1100-1470 m a.s.l.). There are concerns - as for all Mat-grass swards in Central Europe - about potential changes in plant composition due to eutrophication and climate change. Therefore, in 2021, we resurveyed 50 plots of the Leontodonto-Nardetum that had been sampled in 1977/78 (semi-permanent plots). We analysed the 2 × 50 relevés by means of ordinations (DCA) and compiled a presence table. The relevés are of four different types, which are characterised by management practices and altitude/sun exposure: type 1, ungrazed northern slopes in the Feldberg area; type 2, almost ungrazed southern slopes in the Feldberg area; type 3, cattle-grazed summit areas; and type 4, cattle-grazed areas at lower altitudes. We compared important parameters for both time windows, i.e. phytodiversity, target-species ratio (TSR), cover of layers and dominant species, and Ellenberg indicator values (EIV). The possible differences were checked by means of the paired Wilcoxon test. It was evident that the number of Red-listed species and target species was still high, but the TSR decreased in type 4. Compared to our previous investigations in the montane Festuco-Genistelletum sagittalis in the Black Forest, we obtained similar results for some types of the Leontodonto-Nardetum, regarding the number and cover of species, typical for stands of fertilized pastures, and detected a significant increase in types 3 and 4. The same was true for the EIVs for nutrients (grazed types 3, 4, but not in the ungrazed types 1, 2); the increases were lower than in the Festuco-Genistelletum. In other studies there is generally a trend towards an increase of Agrostis capillaris cover in Mat-grass swards, while this was only the case in type 4 of the Leontodonto-Nardetum. In the ungrazed types (1, 2) there were no increases of nutrient indicators, but of pleurocarpous mosses (e.g., Pleurozium schreberi), and Vaccinium myrtillus increased in type 1, as did oreal tall-growing grasses and forbs. Possible indications for floristic changes due to climate change and how to protect the Leontodonto-Nardetum stands through adapted management strategies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhadrak district of Odisha, India harbors many water bodies, varying in shape and size, which remain underwater during the rainy season and provide a good habitat to various plant taxa. To assess the status and distribution of aquatic flora, trips were conducted in the intensive study area. A total of 167 plant species were recorded, of which 38 species of hydrophytes (including three pteridophytes) were found in aquatic habitat and 129 species in moist habitat. The most represented plant families were Poaceae (28 sp.) and Cyperaceae (19 sp.). Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart) Griseb., Alternanthera sessilis (L.)R.Br. ex DC., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Commelina benghalensis L., Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. Descr., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Eichhornia crassipes Solms, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle., Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Heine., Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., Ipomoea carnea Jacq., Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A.DC., Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara, Nymphaea pubescens Willd., Oxalis corniculata L., Pistia stratiotes L., and Typha angustata Bory. & Chaub. were the most common species in all the habitats. Therophytes with 41.9% (70 species) were the highest life form followed by Hydrophytes (22.7%) and Chamaephyte (15%). The status of flora, management and its ecosystem services has been discussed in the paper. In order to conserve the aquatic biodiversity in this region, some strategies and measures are suggested including strengthening scientific research and biodiversity education in the local people, balancing economic development and ecological conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the influence of anthropogenic activities on the phytodiversity of Kaélé hills, particularly those of Lara, Boboyo and Midjivin, in the Mayo-Kani Division, Far North Region of Cameroon. The aim is to assess the effects of the exploitation of the natural resources of these hills on the ligneous plants in order to contribute to their sustainable management. Two methods were used for this study: floristic inventories and ethnobotanical survey. The inventory design consisted of three blocks (hills) which are main treatments, the hillsides which are secondary treatments and the plots which are the replications. The species were inventoried in plots of 40 x 30 m each arranged from the bottom to the top of each hill on each of the two slopes and separated by 10 m of intervals (down-up and left-right). For the ethnobotanical survey, interviews were carried out with 385 people in order to assess the importance of the resources of these hills and the activities carried out there. 2495 woody individuals were inventoried, distributed in 35 species, 29 genera and 19 families over all the three hills. The main signs of disturbances recorded are marks of cutting, bark harvesting and pruning. The anthropization index is most noticeable on species on Lara hill such as Terminalia brownii (105 individuals), Grewia bicolor (88 individuals), Ficus abutilifolia (72 individuals). On Boboyo hill, the anthropization index is most noticeable on species such as Terminalia brownii (60 individuals), Grewia bicolor (73 individuals), Ficus abutilifolia (64 individuals), and on Midjivin hill, they are Terminalia brownii (74 individuals), Ficus abutilifolia (72 individuals) and Grewia bicolor (57 individuals). The species used in the local pharmacopoeia in order of appreciation by exploiters are: Terminalia brownii (19.9%), Azadirachta indica (17.97%), Anogeissus leiocarpus (16.14%) and Croton pseudopulchellus (13.76%). Eleven species are used in crafts, amongst which the most used are Terminalia brownii (93.77%) and Grewia bicolor (83.83%). This work has shown that the floristic diversity of the Kaélé hills is under anthropogenic pressure, thus leading to the disappearance of several plant species and the fragmentation of the natural habitat of biodiversity.

The present study was conducted in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT), to assess the tree diversity and undertake phytosociological analysis in three major land use (LU) classes i.e. Forest, Agriculture and Scrub area. A total of 70, 50 and 50 sample plots of 0.1 ha were laid respectively in forests, scrub and agriculture LU classes. The study revealed that in forests possess a total 39 tree species belonging to 19 families and 31 genera, whereas, in scrub and agriculture lands a total of 9 tree species (8 families and 9 genera) and 60 tree species (26 families and 46 genera) were recorded respectively. Mallotus philippensis was the most dense tree species with 2.85 individuals per ha in forests followed by Pinus roxburghii 2.06 per hectare. In scrub and agriculture land Acacia modesta and Grewia optiva were found the densest species respectively. The value of Importance value index (IVI) was found highest for Pinus roxburhii (44.63) in forests, whereas, respective values were recorded highest for Syzygium cumini (82.64) and Grewia optiva (29.0) in scrub and agriculture lands. Flacourtia indica and Pinus roxburghii showed random distribution in forest and Syzygium cumini was also found to have random distribution in the scrub lands. Contiguous distribution was found for all tree species encountered in agriculture (LU) class. The diversity values of Shannon Wiener and Simpson indices showed highest tree diversity in agriculture lands with the values of 3.19 and 0.07 respectively followed by that in forests (2.47 and 0.14). Tree species richness was found high in agriculture area with Margalef’s (59.86) and Menhinick’s (1.80).

To access floristic composition and ecological characteristics, present study was carried out in moist temperate territories of district Bagh. The altitude of the study area varies between 1500 m and 3500 m. Vegetation of the area was mostly therophytic, hemicryptophytic, nanophanerophytic, nanophyllus and microphyllus. Based on IVI twelve plant stands were recognized and all of them were found to be heterogeneous. Environmental factors such as climate, soil condition etc. were studied in relation to vegetation structure. The soil of investigated area varied from heavy loam to clay and clay loam with pH of 5.83 - 7.31 while saturation% age differed from 43 – 62%. Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.8 - 0.21 ds/m, organic matter% age from 3.3 - 6.2, phosphorus from 9 - 21 ppm and potassium from 240 - 412 ppm. The highest recorded Simpson Diversity Index value was 15.67 while lowest was 6.30, species richness was high at an altitude of 2520 m i.e. 1.11 while lowest at 1926 m which was 0.71. Maturity index value lies in between 40.5 - 60.7 while equitability values ranged from 0.66 to 1.63. The present research would serve as baseline information for the future researchers in related fields

The present study was conducted in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT), to assess the tree diversity and undertake phytosociological analysis in three major land use (LU) classes i.e. Forest, Agriculture and Scrub area. A total of 70, 50 and 50 sample plots of 0.1 ha were laid respectively in forests, scrub and agriculture LU classes. The study revealed that in forests possess a total 39 tree species belonging to 19 families and 31 genera, whereas, in scrub and agriculture lands a total of 9 tree species (8 families and 9 genera) and 60 tree species (26 families and 46 genera) were recorded respectively. Mallotus philippensis was the most dense tree species with 2.85 individuals per ha in forests followed by Pinus roxburghii 2.06 per hectare. In scrub and agriculture land Acacia modesta and Grewia optiva were found the densest species respectively. The value of Importance value index (IVI) was found highest for Pinus roxburhii (44.63) in forests, whereas, respective values were recorded highest for Syzygium cumini (82.64) and Grewia optiva (29.0) in scrub and agriculture lands. Flacourtia indica and Pinus roxburghii showed random distribution in forest and Syzygium cumini was also found to have random distribution in the scrub lands. Contiguous distribution was found for all tree species encountered in agriculture (LU) class. The diversity values of Shannon Wiener and Simpson indices showed highest tree diversity in agriculture lands with the values of 3.19 and 0.07 respectively followed by that in forests (2.47 and 0.14). Tree species richness was found high in agriculture area with Margalef's (59.86) and Menhinick's (1.80). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article includes a brief botanical description of three new proposal objects of Ukrainian nature reserve fund - «Zhukivskyi» and «Buhayivskyi» local landscape reserves and «Kostochky» local botanical reserve. These territories are one of the most valuable natural vegetation areas within Poltava town territorial commune and their creation will protect the localities of six plant species ftom «The Red Data Book of Ukraine» (Colchicum versicolor Ker Gawl., Crocus reticulatus Steven ex Adam, Tu lipa quercetorum Klokov & Zoz, Stipa capillata L., Adonis vernalis L., Astragalus dasyanthus Pall.), 22 regionally rare vascular plant species within Poltava region (Veratrum nigrum L., Iris aphylla L., Bellevalia speciosa Woronow, Hyacinthella leucophaea (K. Koch) Schur, Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten., Scilla siberica Haw., Convallaria majalis L., Aegilops cylindrica Host, Aconitum lasiostomum Rchb. ex Besser, Clematis integrifolia L., Lathyrus pannonicus (Jacq.) Garcke, Oxytropis pilosa (L.) DC., Prunus avium (L.) L., P. fruticosa Pall., Rosa chrshanovskii Dubovik, Dianthus eugeniae Kleopow, Asyneuma canescens (Waldst. & Kit.) Griseb. & Schenk, Campanula persicifolia L., Aster bessarabicus Bernh. ex Rchb., Cota tinctoria (L.) J. Gay, Jurinea multiflora (L.) B. Fedtsch., Valeriana officinalis L.) and three rare associations of the steppe vegetation (Stipetum capillatae purum, Stipetum (capillatae) festucosum (valesiacae), S. koeleriosum (macranthae)) from the one formation included in «The Green Data Book of Ukraine». The location, area, main vegetation types, number of rare plants species and rare associations were indicated for all proposed reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the phytodiversity distribution in relation to altitudinal gradient in Salma Mountains, a naturally protected habitat in Ha’il region in the north of Saudi Arabia. Seventeen (17) sampling sites covering three altitudinal zones (i.e. valley, foot and top mountain) were randomly selected within the study area. Within each site and altitudinal zone, the floristic composition and the potential plant species of economic values were assessed and evaluated. A total number of 163 plant species belong to 101 genera and 41 families were identified in this study. Their economic values were also classified into forage (32%), edible (8.7%), medicinal (21.3%), ornamental (30.7%), weeds (18%) and rare species (14%). In addition, results obtained from different altitudinal zones of Salma Mountains, showed that 24 species were spread in the adjacent valley to the mountains, where 32 species spreading at the foot of the mountains and 40 found occupying the top of the mountains. The rest of species have been found to occupy larger geographical distribution in all altitudinal parts. Across the altitudinal gradients, species richness has been found to be consistent with a monotonically increasing pattern with a high richness at high altitudes. The current study suggests that such naturally protected ecosystem can provide a refuge for native plant species and serve as seed bank for a future restoration program in Ha’il region and other similar habitats in Saudi Arabia.

Field surveys were carried out to assess the phytodiversity, phenology, leaf size, leaf shape and life form of weed flora of village Sufaid Sung, Peshawar from March 2018 to June 2020. Overall, 95 plant species associated with 31 families have been recorded. Among them Poaceae (22 species), Asteraceae (10 species) followed by Amaranthaceae and Papilionaceae (6 species each), Brassicaceae and Polygonaceae (5 species each), Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae (4 species each), Chenopodiaceae and Convolvulaceae (3 species each), Apiaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Malvaceae and Verbenaceae (2 species each) were the dominant plant families, while the rest of 16 families contributed a single species each. The dominant life form was therophytes (76 species) followed by hemicryptophytes (11 species) and geophytes (8 species). Leaf size of the flora showed that the most dominant leaf size class was mesophyll (38 species) followed by macrophyll and microphyll (18 species each), nanopohyll (15 species), leptophyll (5 species) and a single aphyllous species. Sixty eight species had simple leaves while 26 species had dissected leaves. The findings of the study reflects a detailed phytodiversity and ecological features of the weeds that may be important as reference work for the future ecological, weed management and conservational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A floristic investigation was made during 2016 – 2018 to observe the tree diversity and their present status in the Jaldapara National Park (JNP) which is situated in the Duars region of West Bengal, India. A total of 294 species of trees belonging to 189 genera and 63 families, including 4 species of gymnosperms were recorded. Fabaceae (s.l.) with its 36 species has been appeared to be the dominant family. The tree community of JNP was found to be an excellent blend of wild as well as cultivated species of trees. All the four species of gymnosperms recorded are introduced to the park area. The present study highlights on different categories of threatened taxa which contributed about 43.53% of the recorded tree species. Different types of anthropogenic interferences, including NTFP (Non Timber Forest Product) collection and artificial forest-fire causing dangerous threats for the maintenance of its original vegetation and survival of numerous species in all the strata of the vegetation. Strict implementation of forest conservation related rules and the establishment of ex-situ Protected Area near the park may improve the situation.

Stationary studies of the decline dynamics on the 21st Norway spruce forest stands in the Ukrainian Carpathians were conducted in 2010-2014. The analysis of the research results made it possible to assess the environmental impacts of their decline for the following forest types: wet European cedar pine – Norway spruce fairly poor, wet pure Norway spruce fairly fertile, wet Common beech – Silver fir – Norway spruce fairly fertile, wet Common beech – Norway spruce – Silver fir fairly fertile and wet Common beech – Norway spruce – Silver fir fertile. The as-sessment of the ecological effectiveness of the regional Norway spruce forests has been carried out in the context of solving urgent environmental problems: biodi-versity conservation, climate change mitigation, and improvement of the conditions for forest recreation. Dynamics of the plants’ diversity in the spruce forests declining were mainly (on the 91% of the objects) aimed at increasing of the plant species number– in average on 49%. By age groups, the smallest increase was in pole stands (23%), the biggest (86%) – in pre-mature and 42-46% – in the mature and over mature spruce stands. By declining stages, it has established a clear tendency to reduce the intensity of the growth of species number from the stage of initial declining to the stage of declining stabilization. The declining intensity was a key for determining of the dynamics of the plants’ diversity. The dynamics of the carbon storage in the declining spruce forests were mainly (on the 55% of objects) aimed at increasing too, but the average changes is -2.3%. Maximum changes in carbon stock were set in the following conditions: wet Common beech – Norway spruce – Silver fir fairly fertile– increasing on 3%; wet Common beech – Silver fir – Norway spruce fairly fertile– decreasing on 11%. By age groups, the carbon stock increased in the middle-age and pre-mature, but decreased in the mature and over mature spruce stands. By declining stages, the carbon stock changes were characterized by maximum (+ 0.2%) at the initial stage, minimum (-6.2) – at the stage of progressive declining and average values (-2.5%) – at the stage of declining stabilization. Holding and the intensity of sanitary felling determine the dynamics of carbon stocks. Changes in the volume of oxygen production in the declining spruce forests had the trend to decreasing on the 91% of objects – an average of 8.0%. By age group, these changes were not significant (from -6.2 to -9.2%), had trend to in-creasing the losses of oxygen production from middle-age, and pre-mature to ma-ture and over mature spruce stands. By declining stages, these changes were not significant too: at the initial stage was decreasing on 10%; within progressive de-clining – decreasing on 12%; at the declining stabilization stage – there were prac-tically no losses. It was explained by the maximum losses of organic matter on the initial and progressive declining stages. It is concluded that the ecological results of the Ukrainian Carpathians spruce forests’ decline for most of the indicators are positive (increase of phytodiversity, formation of stable mixed forest stands, increase of the carbon storage without sanitary cuttings), but for some indicators are negative (reduction of the carbon storagewith sanitary cuttings, deterioration of oxygen production efficiency).

The Antorun river is a flowing river situated at Onipanu village, along Ogbomoso-Iresaapa road, Nigeria. It was constructed primarily for irrigation purpose through the Nigerian-Canadian vegetation project and is under scrutiny for other purposes such as hydroelectric project, recreation, fishing and research. This study aimed at evaluating and documenting the species richness and diversity of the non-woody angiosperms along the reservoir.1m2 quadrats were placed randomly at both rainy and dry seasons to sample non-woody angiosperms along upper (site A), middle (sites B and C) and lower (site D) courses which extend to about 1 km. A total of 1526 non-woody individual plants belonging to 28 genera and 13 families were identified in the study area. 22 of the plants were medicinal while others were forage plants. The family Asteraceae had the highest number of individuals (878) representing 9 species, with Tridax procumbens being the most frequent (11.3%). The importance Value Index (IVI) of the species in the study ranged between 1.1 and 44. Sampling point B recorded the highest diversity with Simpson’s index of 0.822 and Shannon-Wienner’s index of 1.849. The upper course of the reservoir was richest while the lower course was the poorest in species diversity and the commonest plant species in the study area was Emilia sonchifolia. Some woody species present in the study area were also identified and recorded. Information about plant diversity in this study area is useful in evaluating the potential impact of proposed developmental activities on the environment.

Questions: To improve our knowledge on how environmental conditions determine the development of high‐value Calluna vulgaris heathland habitats, we studied the floristic and structural characteristics of heathland plant communities across North Germany and how they are influenced by edaphic, climatic and management factors. We ask how heathland development is related to these factors and what are the implications for conservation management and restoration. Location: North German Plain. Methods: We collected 350 relevés in 18 dry Calluna heathland areas. Plant communities were classified using Isopam, and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) determined effects of environmental conditions. Potential pathways of development and the nature conservation status of the communities were identified on a multifactorial basis. Results: We found nine floristically and structurally distinct heathland plant communities. Heathland vegetation showed distinct patterns along Calluna age development stages and environmental conditions. Soil conditions and related effects of long‐term site history and recent management turned out to be the predominant factors influencing species composition and diversity, resulting in three potential heathland succession pathways. Mosaic‐like communities with particularly high taxonomic diversity and conservation value occurred on early‐successional inland dunes or as regeneration stage growing on nutrient‐poor sandy soils without humus accumulation. Conclusions: The study reveals fundamental differences between historically farmed heathland in the oceanic Northwest and former military training areas mainly in northeastern Germany with consequences for restoration ecology. Present nature conservation criteria turned out to be insufficient in predicting habitat quality, as lichens are frequently disregarded. Our findings highlight the need for intense soil disturbance to maintain early‐stage soil conditions and a diverse Calluna growth‐phase composition, as these factors essentially determine species richness in lowland heaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guadalupe dam watershed (GDW) is located in the central-southern region of Mexico, in an area favored by the presence of phytodiversty and ecosystem services (ES), because two biogeographical regions converge here, it is peri-urban to Mexico City and it is still possible to find speakers from 14 Mexican ethnic languages, which favors the maintenance and generation of traditional ecological knowledge. This research documents the ES and the native and exotic phytodiversity that provides them. The GDW was divided into three zones to know the spatial distribution of phytodiversity and ES, considering population density and land use. Through field work in forest sampling sites, agricultural lands and gardens of rural and urban houses, as well as interviews with local stakeholders and literature review, it was possible to recognize the presence of 977 plants and 200 ES. The results on the phytodiversity show that in the natural zone (32% of the area), 694 plants were identified (424 native, 211 endemic and 59 exotic), in the rural area (31%) 331 plants were identified (114 native, 35 endemic and 182 exotic) and in the urban area (37%) 216 plants were identified (63 native, 19 endemic and 134 exotic). Similarly, the results on the ES show that the natural zone has 61 ES, classified into six categories and provided by 231 plants; the rural area had 166 ES, classified into eight categories and provided by 321 plants; the urban area had 45 ES, classified into seven categories and provided by 215 plants. This is the first study that shows the phytodiversity of a peri-urban watershed that contrasts plant richness and ES provision in a natural-rural-urban gradient, inside of and close to the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]