How do heterogeneity in vegetation types and post-fire age-classes contribute to plant diversity at the landscape scale?

2015 ◽  
Vol 346 ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.S. Cohn ◽  
J. Di Stefano ◽  
F. Christie ◽  
G. Cheers ◽  
A. York
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Age Classes

scholarly journals Plant diversity of the Pantanal wetland

2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (1 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pott ◽  
AKM Oliveira ◽  
GA Damasceno-Junior ◽  
JSV Silva
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Characteristic Species ◽  
Brazilian Pantanal ◽  
Pantanal Wetland ◽  
Seasonal Forests

This is a review of current studies in diversity of the flora and main vegetation types in the Brazilian Pantanal. The flora of this wetland, nearly 2,000 species, constitutes a pool of elements of wide distribution and from more or less adjacent phytogeographic provinces, such as Cerrado, dry seasonal forests, Chaco, Amazonia and Atlantic Forest. The most numerous group includes wide-distribution species, mainly herbs, while the second contingent comes from the Cerrado. Endemic plants are rare, numbering only seven. The vegetation of the sedimentary floodplain is a mosaic of aquatics, floodable grasslands, riparian forests, savannas (cerrados), cerrado woodlands, dry forests, and a large area of mono-dominant savannas, and pioneer woodlands. The main vegetation types are briefly described with their characteristic species, and their estimated areas are given according to the latest mapping.

scholarly journals The Cuito catchment of the Okavango system: a vascular plant checklist for the Angolan headwaters

PhytoKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 1-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Goyder ◽  
Nigel Barker ◽  
Stoffel P. Bester ◽  
Arnold Frisby ◽  
Matt Janks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
River System ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
System A ◽  
Peat Deposits ◽  
First Time

This paper aims to provide a baseline for conservation planning by documenting patterns of plant diversity and vegetation in the upper catchment of the Cuito River. 417 species are recorded from this region. Nine of these are species potentially new to science. Ten species are newly recorded from Angola, with an additional species only recorded previously within Angola from the northern enclave of Cabinda. The 108 new provincial records for Moxico clearly indicate the lack of collections from Angola’s largest province. We note the existence of extensive peat deposits in the Cuito river system for the first time and suggest that one of Barbosa’s vegetation types in the area needs to be reassessed.

Active management promotes plant diversity in lowland forests: A landscape-scale experiment with two types of clearings

2019 ◽  
Vol 448 ◽  
pp. 94-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojtěch Lanta ◽  
Ondřej Mudrák ◽  
Pierre Liancourt ◽  
Michael Bartoš ◽  
Zuzana Chlumská ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Lowland Forests ◽  
Scale Experiment

Avian responses to the diversity and configuration of fire age classes and vegetation types across a rainfall gradient

2014 ◽  
Vol 318 ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Sitters ◽  
Fiona J. Christie ◽  
Julian Di Stefano ◽  
Matthew Swan ◽  
Trent Penman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Rainfall Gradient

scholarly journals The Biodiversity Promotion Areas: effectiveness of agricultural direct payments on plant diversity conservation in the semi-natural grasslands of the Southern Swiss Alps

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 4155-4172
Author(s):  
Simone Ravetto Enri ◽  
Emiliano Nucera ◽  
Michele Lonati ◽  
Pier Francesco Alberto ◽  
Massimiliano Probo
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Natural Grasslands ◽  
Meadow Species

Abstract An agro-environmental payment for the management of the so-called ‘Biodiversity Promotion Areas’ (BPA) has been used to accomplish biodiversity conservation goals in Switzerland. These areas have been managed according to specific limitations on mowing dates and fertilizers. We assessed the regional-scale effectiveness of BPA implementation within Ticino Canton by answering the following questions: (i) is plant species diversity higher in BPA than in conventionally managed grasslands (CMG)? (ii) which are the differences between BPA and CMG in terms of climatic, topographical, ecological, and vegetation variables? (iii) which vegetation types, functional groups, and plant species are specifically related to BPA? A total of 242 vegetation surveys (64 in BPA and 178 in CMG, respectively) was carried out in 55 farms and the main climatic and topographic features were assessed. Differences in terms of plant diversity, ecological indicator and pastoral values, species functional groups, vegetation types, and indicator species between BPA and CMG were assessed. The BPA harboured a higher plant diversity. They were located in steeper areas, at higher elevations, and characterised by lower soil nutrient content, mowing tolerance, and pastoral value than CMG. Dry meadow species number and cover were higher in BPA, while nutrient-rich meadow species number was higher in CMG. The species associated to BPA belonged to a wider range of functional groups and 38% of them belonged to the national list for biodiversity promotion in agriculture, whereas no species associated to CMG belonged to that list. Thus, our results confirmed the effectiveness of BPA for biodiversity conservation for the Southern Swiss Alps.

scholarly journals Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): community structure, foraging, and social interactions

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Price ◽  
William K. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Second Year

Our ability to prevent extinction in declining populations often depends on effective management of habitats that are disturbed through wildfire, logging, agriculture, or development. In these disturbed landscapes, the juxtaposition of multiple habitat types can be especially important to fledglings and young birds, which may leave breeding grounds in human-altered habitat for different habitats nearby that provide increased foraging opportunities, reduced competition, and higher protection from predators. In this study, we evaluated the importance of three habitat types to two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi), a synanthropic songbird endemic to Andros, The Bahamas. First, we determined the avian species composition and relative abundance of I. northropi among three major vegetation types on Andros: Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) forest, coppice (broadleaf dry forest), and anthropogenic areas, dominated by nonnative vegetation (farmland and developed land). We then compared the foraging strategies and social interactions of two age classes of adult Bahama Orioles in relation to differential habitat use. Bird surveys late in the Bahama Oriole’s breeding season indicated the number of avian species and Bahama Oriole density were highest in coppice. Some bird species occurring in the coppice and pine forest were never observed in agricultural or residential areas, and may be at risk if human disturbance of pine forest and coppice increases, as is occurring at a rapid pace on Andros. During the breeding season, second-year (SY) adult Bahama Orioles foraged in all vegetation types, whereas after-second-year (ASY) adults were observed foraging only in anthropogenic areas, where the species nested largely in introduced coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Additionally, SY adults foraging in anthropogenic areas were often observed with an ASY adult, suggesting divergent habitat use for younger, unpaired birds. Other aspects of foraging (vegetation features, food-gleaning behavior, and food items) were similar for the two age classes. Older Bahama Orioles exhibited relatively higher rates of social interactions (intraspecific and interspecific pooled) in anthropogenic areas, and won more interaction outcomes compared to younger adults. Our findings concur with those of other studies indicating dry broadleaf forest is vitally important to migrating, wintering, and resident birds, including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which appears to depend heavily on this vegetation type during certain life stages.

A review of plant diversity, vegetation, and phytogeography of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in the Irano-Turanian region (northeastern Iran–southern Turkmenistan)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
FARSHID MEMARIANI ◽  
VAJIHE ZARRINPOUR ◽  
HOSSEIN AKHANI
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Vegetation History ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Infraspecific Taxa ◽  
Desert Steppes ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Cliff Vegetation ◽  
Kopet Dagh

The Khorassan-Kopet Dagh (KK) floristic province is located in the northeastern parts of Iran and partly in southern Turkmenistan. The area is a transition zone and a corridor connecting different provinces of the Irano-Turanian region and also Hyrcanian montane forests of the Euro-Siberian region. The unique combination of Irano-Turanian species and also presence of a local center of endemism are evidence of a separate biogeographic entity. The complicated topography, high habitat heterogeneity and vegetation history are reasons for the development of diverse vegetation types. In order to achieve up-to-date information on the plant diversity and distribution patterns, a database was prepared using all floristic records from the area defined as KK. A total of 2576 species/infraspecific taxa belonging to 702 genera and 112 families of vascular plants have been reported from the area, 2498 of which occur within Iran. Altogether, 28 different distribution patterns are recognized among five major phytogeographical groups, including widespread, tri-regional, bi-regional, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian patterns. Irano-Turanian elements, which make up the core flora of KK, are subdivided further into 14 distribution patterns. A significant number of species, i.e. 356 species (13.8%), are endemic to the area. The flora of KK is highly influenced by central Irano-Turanian elements. The main vegetation types of the area include Juniperus woodlands, Pistacia vera woodlands, some isolated enclaves of Hyrcanian forests and scrub, cliff vegetation, mountain steppe communities, semi-desert steppes, loess and marl vegetation, halophytic vegetation, aquatic and hygrophilous communities, and ruderal/invasive plant communities. There are several major threats to the ecosystems and biodiversity of the area. The areas presently protected do not cover all of the vegetation types, and therefore many threatened species are not safe.

scholarly journals Plant diversity changes in a nature reserve: a probabilistic sampling method for quantitative assessments

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Chelli ◽  
Enrico Simonetti ◽  
Giandiego Campetella ◽  
Alessandro Chiarucci ◽  
Marco Cervellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sampling Design ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Probabilistic Sampling ◽  
Compositional Changes ◽  
Over Time

Species pool conservation is critical for the stability of ecosystem processes. However, climate and land use changes will likely affect biodiversity, and managers of protected areas are under increasing pressure to monitor native species diversity changes by approaches that are scientifically sound and comparable over time. Here we describe a plant diversity monitoring system in use since 2002 in the “Montagna di Torricchio” Nature Reserve (LTER_EU_IT_033), a Central Apennines representative area of 317 ha, most of which is under strict protection. The aim of this paper was to assess changes in plant species richness over time and to deduce the patterns of species assemblage. The monitoring system was based on a probabilistic sampling design representative of the different physiognomic vegetation types occurring in the Reserve. A total of 34 plots (10×10m) were sampled in 2002, 2003 and 2015, and their species presence/absence and relative coverage were estimated. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to test for plot-level and ecosystem-based changes in species richness along the study period. Temporal nestedness and temporal turnover metrics were used to assess patterns of species’ compositional changes. The results showed significantly different levels of species richness depending on the year, with the lowest value in 2003, probably linked to extreme drought events. Forest systems were comparatively stable, demonstrating the capacity to buffer interannual climate variability. Regarding compositional changes along the entire period (2002–2015), we found random patterns of both temporal nestedness and turnover, indicating stability in species composition. However, we also showed the contemporary occurrence of species loss and species replacement processes, considering the dry year 2003, a finding which should be further explored through fine-scale studies to unravel mechanisms of community assembly under drought. The use of a probabilistic sampling design representative of the different physiognomic vegetation types proved to be advantageous in monitoring the Nature Reserve vegetation and collecting reliable quantitative information. This data, in turn, provides the basis for improvements in management practices and proposed adaptation measures.

scholarly journals Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): Community structure, foraging, and social interactions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R Price ◽  
William K Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Second Year

Our ability to prevent extinction in declining populations often depends on effective management of habitats that are disturbed through wildfire, logging, agriculture, or development. In these disturbed landscapes, the juxtaposition of multiple habitat types can be especially important to fledglings and young birds, which may leave breeding grounds in human-altered habitat for different habitats nearby that provide increased foraging opportunities, reduced competition, and higher protection from predators. In this study, we sought to better understand the importance of habitat diversity to two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole ( Icterus northropi ), a synanthropic songbird endemic to Andros, The Bahamas. First, we determined the avian species composition and relative abundance of the oriole among three major vegetation types on Andros: Caribbean pine ( Pinus caribaea ) forest, coppice (broadleaf dry forest), and anthropogenic areas, dominated by nonnative vegetation (farmland and developed land). We then compared the foraging strategies and social interactions of two age classes of adult orioles in relation to differential habitat use. Bird surveys late in the oriole’s breeding season indicated avian s pecies richness and oriole density were highest in coppice. Some bird species occurring in the coppice and pine forest were never observed in agricultural or residential areas, and may be at risk if human disturbance of pine forest and coppice increases, as is occurring at a rapid pace on Andros. During the breeding season, second-year (SY) adult orioles foraged in all vegetation types, whereas after-second-year (ASY) adults were observed foraging only in anthropogenic areas, where the species nested largely in introduced coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera ). Additionally, SY adults foraging in anthropogenic areas were often observed with an ASY adult, suggesting divergent habitat use for younger, unpaired birds. Other aspects of foraging (vegetation features, food-gleaning behavior, and food items) were similar for the two age classes. Older orioles exhibited relatively higher rates of social interactions (intraspecific and interspecific pooled) in anthropogenic areas, and won more interaction outcomes compared to youngeradults. Our findings concur with those of other studies indicating dry broadleaf forest is vitally important to migrating, wintering, and resident birds, including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which appears to depend heavily on this vegetation type during certain life stages.

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