scholarly journals Environmental regionalization and endemic plant distribution in the Maghreb

2022 ◽  
Vol 194 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Walas ◽  
Asma Taib
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Northwest Africa ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality

AbstractClustering methods based on environmental variables are useful in the planning of conservation strategies for species and ecosystems. However, there is a lack of work on the regionalization of the vast space of North Africa and the distribution of plant species. The current lists of endemic plants are focused mostly on an occurrence at the country level and not on regions with different conditions. The aim of this work was to lay out an environmental scheme for northwest Africa and to collect data about the occurrence of endemic plants in this area. Clustering with 12 of 33 tested environmental rasters was performed to divide the Maghreb into environmental clusters. Then, a list of 1618 endemic plant taxa (1243 species and 375 subspecies) was prepared and their distribution in estimated environmental clusters was examined. Eleven clusters with different conditions were estimated. The main drivers of regionalization were temperature amplitude, precipitation seasonality, and precipitation of the warmest quarter. According to the occurrence of endemic plants, northwest Africa may be divided into three zones: Atlas, Mediterranean (two environmental clusters), and southern zone (eight environmental clusters). The presented results provide a good basis for understanding the spatial patterns of the Maghreb, including its environment and species diversity. A designed list of endemic plant species together with environmental data may facilitate the planning of future research in north Africa and arranging methods of biodiversity protection.

scholarly journals Potential ecosystem service delivery by endemic plants in New Zealand vineyards: successes and prospects

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Shields ◽  
Jean-Marie Tompkins ◽  
David J Saville ◽  
Colin D Meurk ◽  
Stephen Wratten
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Vineyards worldwide occupy over 7 million hectares and are typically virtual monocultures, with high and costly inputs of water and agro-chemicals. Understanding and enhancing ecosystem services can reduce inputs and their costs and help satisfy market demands for evidence of more sustainable practices. In this New Zealand work, low-growing, endemic plant species were evaluated for their potential benefits as Service Providing Units (SPUs) or Ecosystem Service Providers (ESPs). The services provided were weed suppression, conservation of beneficial invertebrates, soil moisture retention and microbial activity. The potential Ecosystem Dis-services (EDS) from the selected plant species by hosting the larvae of a key vine moth pest, the light-brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), was also quantified. Questionnaires were used to evaluate winegrowers’ perceptions of the value of and problems associated with such endemic plant species in their vineyards. Growth and survival rates of the 14 plant species, in eight families, were evaluated, with Leptinella dioica (Asteraceae) and Acaena inermis ‘purpurea’ (Rosaceae) having the highest growth rates in terms of area covered and the highest survival rate after 12 months. All 14 plant species suppressed weeds, with Leptinella squalida, Geranium sessiliforum (Geraniaceae), Hebe chathamica (Plantaginaceae), Scleranthus uniflorus (Caryophyllaceae) and L. dioica, each reducing weed cover by > 95%. Plant species also differed in the diversity of arthropod taxa that they supported, with the Shannon Wiener diversity index (H') for these arthropods ranging from 0 to 1.3. G. sessiliforum and Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Polygonaceae) had the highest invertebrate diversity. Density of spiders was correlated with arthropod diversity and G. sessiliflorum and H. chathamica had the highest densities of these arthropods. Several plant species led to higher soil moisture content than in control plots. The best performing species in this context were A. inermis ‘purpurea’ and Lobelia angulata (Lobeliaceae). Soil beneath all plant species had a higher microbial activity than in control plots, with L. dioica being highest in this respect. Survival proportion to the adult stage of the moth pest, E. postvittana, on all plant species was poor (<0.3). When judged by a ranking combining multiple criteria, the most promising plant species were (in decreasing order) G. sessiliflorum, A. inermis ‘purpurea’, H. chathamica, M. axillaris, L. dioica, L. angulata, L. squalida and S. uniflorus. Winegrowers surveyed said that they probably would deploy endemic plants around their vines. This research demonstrates that enhancing plant diversity in vineyards can deliver SPUs, harbour ESPs and therefore deliver ES. The data also shows that growers are willing to follow these protocols, with appropriate advice founded on sound research.

First mature fruit description of Pietrosia laevitomentosa (Asteraceae) and its implications to the taxonomic position of the genus Pietrosia

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anca Manole
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Mature Fruit ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Eastern Carpathians ◽  
Endemic Plant Species ◽  
First Time ◽  
Species Ecology

For the first time we describe the morphology and anatomy of mature achenes bearing fertile seeds of Pietrosia laevitomentosa, an endemic plant species in the Eastern Carpathians. The new diagnostic features of the genus Pietrosia justify its taxonomic recognition as separate from Andryala; those are the achene size (between 2.5 and 4.3 mm long), the deciduous pappus, the single-rimmed achene apex, the elongate exocarpic cells, the complete ring of mesocarpic sclerenchyma (up to 11-layered), and the number and localization of the vascular bundles (5 bundles, in the small ribs). Furthermore, our data may also serve to reconsider the species ecology and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Potential ecosystem service delivery by endemic plants in New Zealand vineyards: successes and prospects

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Shields ◽  
Jean-Marie Tompkins ◽  
David J Saville ◽  
Colin D Meurk ◽  
Stephen Wratten
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Vineyards worldwide occupy over 7 million hectares and are typically virtual monocultures, with high and costly inputs of water and agro-chemicals. Understanding and enhancing ecosystem services can reduce inputs and their costs and help satisfy market demands for evidence of more sustainable practices. In this New Zealand work, low-growing, endemic plant species were evaluated for their potential benefits as Service Providing Units (SPUs) or Ecosystem Service Providers (ESPs). The services provided were weed suppression, conservation of beneficial invertebrates, soil moisture retention and microbial activity. The potential Ecosystem Dis-services (EDS) from the selected plant species by hosting the larvae of a key vine moth pest, the light-brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), was also quantified. Questionnaires were used to evaluate winegrowers’ perceptions of the value of and problems associated with such endemic plant species in their vineyards. Growth and survival rates of the 14 plant species, in eight families, were evaluated, with Leptinella dioica (Asteraceae) and Acaena inermis ‘purpurea’ (Rosaceae) having the highest growth rates in terms of area covered and the highest survival rate after 12 months. All 14 plant species suppressed weeds, with Leptinella squalida, Geranium sessiliforum (Geraniaceae), Hebe chathamica (Plantaginaceae), Scleranthus uniflorus (Caryophyllaceae) and L. dioica, each reducing weed cover by > 95%. Plant species also differed in the diversity of arthropod taxa that they supported, with the Shannon Wiener diversity index (H') for these arthropods ranging from 0 to 1.3. G. sessiliforum and Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Polygonaceae) had the highest invertebrate diversity. Density of spiders was correlated with arthropod diversity and G. sessiliflorum and H. chathamica had the highest densities of these arthropods. Several plant species led to higher soil moisture content than in control plots. The best performing species in this context were A. inermis ‘purpurea’ and Lobelia angulata (Lobeliaceae). Soil beneath all plant species had a higher microbial activity than in control plots, with L. dioica being highest in this respect. Survival proportion to the adult stage of the moth pest, E. postvittana, on all plant species was poor (<0.3). When judged by a ranking combining multiple criteria, the most promising plant species were (in decreasing order) G. sessiliflorum, A. inermis ‘purpurea’, H. chathamica, M. axillaris, L. dioica, L. angulata, L. squalida and S. uniflorus. Winegrowers surveyed said that they probably would deploy endemic plants around their vines. This research demonstrates that enhancing plant diversity in vineyards can deliver SPUs, harbour ESPs and therefore deliver ES. The data also shows that growers are willing to follow these protocols, with appropriate advice founded on sound research.

scholarly journals Potential ecosystem service delivery by endemic plants in New Zealand vineyards: successes and prospects

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan W. Shields ◽  
Jean-Marie Tompkins ◽  
David J. Saville ◽  
Colin D. Meurk ◽  
Stephen Wratten
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Vineyards worldwide occupy over 7 million hectares and are typically virtual monocultures, with high and costly inputs of water and agro-chemicals. Understanding and enhancing ecosystem services can reduce inputs and their costs and help satisfy market demands for evidence of more sustainable practices. In this New Zealand work, low-growing, endemic plant species were evaluated for their potential benefits as Service Providing Units (SPUs) or Ecosystem Service Providers (ESPs). The services provided were weed suppression, conservation of beneficial invertebrates, soil moisture retention and microbial activity. The potential Ecosystem Dis-services (EDS) from the selected plant species by hosting the larvae of a key vine moth pest, the light-brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), was also quantified. Questionnaires were used to evaluate winegrowers’ perceptions of the value of and problems associated with such endemic plant species in their vineyards. Growth and survival rates of the 14 plant species, in eight families, were evaluated, withLeptinella dioica(Asteraceae) andAcaena inermis‘purpurea’ (Rosaceae) having the highest growth rates in terms of area covered and the highest survival rate after 12 months. All 14 plant species suppressed weeds, withLeptinella squalida, Geranium sessiliforum(Geraniaceae),Hebe chathamica(Plantaginaceae),Scleranthus uniflorus(Caryophyllaceae) andL. dioica, each reducing weed cover by >95%. Plant species also differed in the diversity of arthropods that they supported, with the Shannon Wiener diversity index (H′) for these taxa ranging from 0 to 1.3.G. sessiliforumandMuehlenbeckia axillaris(Polygonaceae) had the highest invertebrate diversity. Density of spiders was correlated with arthropod diversity andG. sessiliflorumandH. chathamicahad the highest densities of these arthropods. Several plant species associated with higher soil moisture content than in control plots. The best performing species in this context wereA. inermis‘purpurea’ andLobelia angulata(Lobeliaceae). Soil beneath all plant species had a higher microbial activity than in control plots, withL. dioicabeing highest in this respect. Survival proportion to the adult stage of the moth pest,E. postvittana, on all plant species was poor (<0.3). When judged by a ranking combining multiple criteria, the most promising plant species were (in decreasing order)G. sessiliflorum, A. inermis‘purpurea’,H. chathamica, M. axillaris, L. dioica, L. angulata, L. squalidaandS. uniflorus. Winegrowers surveyed said that they probably would deploy endemic plants around their vines. This research demonstrates that enhancing plant diversity in vineyards can deliver SPUs, harbour ESPs and therefore deliver ES. The data also shows that growers are willing to follow these protocols, with appropriate advice founded on sound research.

scholarly journals Conservation Priority Plants in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-140
Author(s):  
Syamsul Hidayat ◽  
Esti Munawaroh
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Threatened Plant ◽  
Threatened Plant Species ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) has a fairly high biodiversity, including plant species which are categorized as threatened, protected and endemic plants in Sumatra. Information regarding the existence of these plant species is not yet widely available. The purpose of this study was to reveal the existence of threatened, protected and endemic plant species in BBSNP. The research was conducted by exploration methods in three BBSNP areas, namely Kubu Prahu (West Lampung Regency), Sukaraja Atas (Tanggamus Regency) and Rata Agung (Pesisir Barat Regency). A number of target species have been obtained, including 13 threatened plant species, 6 protected plant species, and 7 endemic Sumatran plant species. In addition, three plant species have been included in CITES Appendix 2. The results of the study can be used as a reference for future flora conservation efforts. Keywords: BBSNP, endemic plant, protected, threatened

scholarly journals Predicting the potential threat of Casuarina equisetifolia to three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe J. Hardman ◽  
Sophie Williams ◽  
Bryan Naqqi Manco ◽  
Martin A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Casuarina Equisetifolia ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Turks And Caicos Islands ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

AbstractInvasive species are one of the main threats to the loss of global biodiversity. Controlling such species requires a high input of effort and resources and therefore it is important to focus control on areas that will maximize gains for conservation. We present a spatial modelling approach that will help target control efforts. We used presence-only data to develop habitat suitability models for the invasive tree Casuarina equisetifolia and three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Substantial overlap was found between suitable areas for the endemics and C. equisetifolia. Evidence for the potential harm that C. equisetifolia could cause to native vegetation was assessed using paired areas with and without invasion. Areas with C. equisetifolia present had lower native plant species richness than areas where it was absent, which suggests a negative effect of invasion on the growth of native plants. No endemic plants were found in areas where C. equisetifolia was present. Based on the data collected we recommend that the three endemic species be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. By highlighting areas where the endemic plants are found and demonstrating a potential threat to these habitats, we provide a plan for the designation of six Important Plant Areas to promote conservation of these endemic species.

scholarly journals Conserving Endemic Plant Species in Oceanic Island’s Protected Areas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Mouga
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Rapid Speciation ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Limited Dispersal ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Oceanic islands are known for their high levels of plant diversity, due to disjunct geographical distribution that leads to speciation. The main factors contributing to genetic speciation includes the creation of a barrier within a previously widely distributed taxon and the limited dispersal of seeds, which favours genetic differentiation and, thus, fosters rapid speciation. Plant survival and population fitness vary according to environmental factors and to human interference. This chapter depicts the importance of oceanic islands as biodiversity hotspots, discusses the threats to which endemic plants on islands are exposed, namely climate change, invasive alien species, urbanisation, touristic activities, fire, changes in agriculture practices and collecting pressure. The best practices worldwide to protect endemic plant species in protected areas are also addressed, namely the implementation of prevention and mitigation actions, the programs executed to protect endemic species, and management plans to avoid future threats.

Pharmacological Uses of the Plants Belonging to the Genus Commiphora

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subbiah Latha ◽  
Palanisamy Selvamani ◽  
Thangavelu Prabha
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pharmacological Properties ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Indigenous Uses ◽  
Available Information

: Natural products have a unique place in the healthcare industry. The genus Commiphora emerged as a potential medicinal with huge benefits as evidenced through its use in various traditional and modern systems of medicine. Therefore, we aimed to prepare a concise review on the pharmacological activities and the indigenous uses of various plant species belonging to the genus Commiphora along with the structural information of various active botanical ingredients present in these plants based on the published literatures and scientific reports. To collect the various published literatures on Commiphora in various journals; to study and classify the available information on the pharmacological uses and chemical constituents; and to present the gathered information as a precise review to serve as a potential reference for future research. Pharmacological and phytochemical data on Commiphora plant species were collected from various journals, books, reference materials, websites including scientific databases, etc for compilation. This review article describes the various pharmacological properties of plants of Commiphora species viz., Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory, Anti-atherogenic, Antibacterial, Anti-coagulant, Anti-dicrocoeliasis, Anti-epileptic, Anti-fascioliasis, Anti-fungal, Anti-heterophyidiasis, Anti-hyper cholesterolemic, Anti-hyperlipidemic, Anti-hypothyroidism, Anti-obesity, Anti-osteoarthritic, Anti-osteoclastogenesis, Anti-oxidant, Anti-parasitic, Anti-pyretic, Anti-schistosomiasis, Anti-septic, Anti-thrombotic, Anti-ulcer, Cardioprotective, COX enzyme inhibitory, Cytotoxic /Anti-carcinogenic/Anti-cancer, DNA cleavage, Hypotensive, Inhibits lipid peroxidation, Inhibits NO and NO synthase production, Insecticidal, Local anesthetic, Molluscicidal, Smooth muscle relaxant, Tick repellent activities along with toxicity studies. Furthermore, the review also included various secondary metabolites isolated from various species of Commiphora genus along with their chemical structures serve as a ready resource for researchers. We conclude that the plant species belonging to the genus Commiphora possesses abundant pharmacological properties with a huge treasure of diverse secondary metabolites within themselves. This review indicates the necessity of further in-depth research, pre-clinical and clinical studies with Commiphora genus which may help to detect the unidentified potential of the Commiphora plant species.

scholarly journals Islands in the desert: environmental distribution modelling of endemic flora reveals the extent of Pleistocene tropical relict vegetation in southern Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S Borrell ◽  
Ghudaina Al Issaey ◽  
Darach A Lupton ◽  
Thomas Starnes ◽  
Abdulrahman Al Hinai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Southern Arabia ◽  
Endemic Flora

AbstractBackground and AimsSouthern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism.MethodsDistribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night-time fog and cloud cover, were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models using presence/absence data were built and tuned for each species, and spatial overlap was examined.Key ResultsA region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the southern monsoon. Despite this, the relative importance of environmental variables was highly differentiated among species, suggesting that characteristic variables such as coastal fog are not major cross-species predictors at this scale.ConclusionsThe co-occurrence of a high number of endemic study species within a narrow monsoon-influenced region is indicative of a refugium with low climate change velocity. Combined with climate analysis, our findings provide strong evidence for a southern Arabian Pleistocene refugium in Oman’s Central Desert. We suggest that this refugium has acted as an isolated temperate and mesic island in the desert, resulting in the evolution of these narrow-range endemic flora. Based on the composition of species, this system may represent the northernmost remnant of a continuous belt of mesic vegetation formerly ranging from Africa to Asia, with close links to the flora of East Africa. This has significant implications for future conservation of endemic plants in an arid biodiversity hotspot.

scholarly journals Effect of Soil Diversity on Forest Plant Species Abundance: A Case Study from Central-European Highlands

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 534
Author(s):  
Pavel Samec ◽  
Jiří Volánek ◽  
Miloš Kučera ◽  
Pavel Cudlín
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Soil Diversity ◽  
Abiotic Environment ◽  
Soil Group ◽  
Biogeographical Regions ◽  
Forest Distribution

Plant distribution is most closely associated with the abiotic environment. The abiotic environment affects plant species’ abundancy unevenly. The asymmetry is further deviated by human interventions. Contrarily, soil properties preserve environmental influences from the anthropogenic perturbations. The study examined the supra-regional similarities of soil effects on plant species’ abundance in temperate forests to determine: (i) spatial relationships between soil property and forest-plant diversity among geographical regions; (ii) whether the spatial dependencies among compared forest-diversity components are influenced by natural forest representation. The spatial dependence was assessed using geographically weighted regression (GWR) of soil properties and plant species abundance from forest stands among 91 biogeographical regions in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). Regional soil properties and plant species abundance were acquired from 7550 national forest inventory plots positioned in a 4 × 4 km grid. The effect of natural forests was assessed using linear regression between the sums of squared GWR residues and protected forest distribution in the regions. Total diversity of forest plants is significantly dependent on soil-group representation. The soil-group effect is more significant than that of bedrock bodies, most of all in biogeographical regions with protected forest representation >50%. Effects of soil chemical properties were not affected by protected forest distribution. Spatial dependency analysis separated biogeographical regions of optimal forest plant diversity from those where inadequate forest-ecosystem diversity should be increased alongside soil diversity.

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