scholarly journals Biodiversity conservation in cities: Defining habitat analogs for plant species of conservation interest

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Itani ◽  
M. Al Zein ◽  
N. Nasralla ◽  
S. N. Talhouk
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Habitat Diversity ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Stepwise Method

AbstractUrban plant habitats have become primary drivers of species interactions. They consist of managed vegetation and spontaneous assemblages of native, naturalized, ornamental garden escapes, and invasive species. Our objective was to define urban habitat analogs for a plant species of conservation interest, Matthiola crassifolia, which has persisted in varying abundance in the Mediterranean city of Beirut.We adopted a stepwise method that integrates two vegetation assessments, floristics, and physiognomy. We placed seventy-eight quadrats (1m x 1m) in 12 study sites following a deliberate biased method to capture habitat diversity. In every quadrat, we performed taxonomic identification and recorded life form of each species. We pooled species that shared the same life form into categories and estimated area cover for each of these life forms. We performed TWINSPAN analysis on floristic data to identify species positively associated with M. crassifolia, and on life forms, to determine plant assemblages that promote optimal M. crassifolia representation. We then combined findings from both analyses to generate a description of urban habitat analogs suitable for M. crassifolia.The results revealed that urban habitat analogs favorable to M. crassifolia include green spaces dominated by palms, low-lying succulents, or by shrubs with scale-like leaves. On the other hand, spaces dominated by turf grass, canopy trees, or vegetation that produces significant litter were not favorable to M. crassifolia’s persistence. Based on these findings, we generated a plant palette of native and non-native species to design urban habitat analogs favorable to the persistence of M. crassifolia.Synthesis and applicationsThe application of this method can inform planting designs that yield suitable habitats for plants of conservation interest. It can also guide landscape management plans that seek to create or modify green spaces to optimize growing conditions for species of conservation interest. Depending on sites, and based on the information generated by the stepwise method, designers and managers may decide to exclude life forms of native or non-native species that do not support the growth of a species of conservation interest, or they may create an artificial habitat that is conducive to its persistence.

scholarly journals The influence of warming and biotic interactions on the potential for range expansion of native and nonnative species

AoB Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betsy von Holle ◽  
Sören E Weber ◽  
David M Nickerson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Enemy Release ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Soil Pathogens ◽  
Microbe Interactions

Abstract Plant species ranges are expected to shift in response to climate change, however, it is unclear how species interactions will affect range shifts. Because of the potential for enemy release of invasive nonnative plant species from species-specific soil pathogens, invasive plants may be able to shift ranges more readily than native plant species. Additionally, changing climatic conditions may alter soil microbial functioning, affecting plant–microbe interactions. We evaluated the effects of site, plant–soil microbe interactions, altered climate, and their interactions on the growth and germination of three congeneric shrub species, two native to southern and central Florida (Eugenia foetida and E. axillaris), and one nonnative invasive from south America (E. uniflora). We measured germination and biomass for these plant species in growth chambers grown under live and sterile soils from two sites within their current range, and one site in their expected range, simulating current (2010) and predicted future (2050) spring growing season temperatures in the new range. Soil microbes (microscopic bacteria, fungi, viruses and other organisms) had a net negative effect on the invasive plant, E. uniflora, across all sites and temperature treatments. This negative response to soil microbes suggests that E. uniflora’s invasive success and potential for range expansion are due to other contributing factors, e.g. higher germination and growth relative to native Eugenia. The effect of soil microbes on the native species depended on the geographic provenance of the microbes, and this may influence range expansion of these native species.

scholarly journals Thinking outside the park: recommendations for camera trapping mammal communities in the urban matrix

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Herrera ◽  
Sophie M Moore ◽  
D T Tyler Flockhart ◽  
William J McShea ◽  
Michael V Cove
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Urban Wildlife ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Occupancy Models ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Urban Matrix

Abstract Urbanization is increasing globally, fragmenting habitats and prompting human–wildlife conflict. Urban wildlife research is concurrently expanding, but sampling methods are often biased towards large and intact habitats in public green spaces, neglecting the far more abundant, but degraded, habitats in the urban matrix. Here, we introduce the Five P’s of Urban Ecology—Partnerships, Planning, Placements, Public participation and Processing—as a path to overcoming the logistical barriers often associated with camera-trapping in the urban matrix. Though the Five P’s can be applied to a variety of urban sampling methods, we showcase the camera-trapping efforts of the DC Cat Count project in Washington, DC, as a case study. We compared occupancy models for eight urban mammal species using broad categorizations of land cover and local land use to determine drivers of mammal occurrence within the urban matrix as compared with urban habitat patches. Many native species maintained a strong association with large, semi-natural green spaces, but occupancy was not limited to these locations, and in some cases, the use of private yards and the built environment were not notably different. Furthermore, some species exhibited higher occupancy probabilities in developed areas over green spaces. Though seemingly intuitive, we offer advice on how to greatly reduce habitat-biased sampling methods in urban wildlife research and illustrate the importance of doing so to ensure accurate results that support the formation of effective urban planning and policy.

scholarly journals Patterns in the alien flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a comparison of Asteraceae and Fabaceae

2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-389
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Bordbar ◽  
Pierre Meerts
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Trait Divergence ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Alien Flora ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Background and aims – This work provides the first pattern analysis of the alien flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo), using Asteraceae and Fabaceae as a case study. Methods – Based on herbarium collections, existing databases, and literature data, a database of 38 alien species of Asteraceae and 79 alien species of Fabaceae has been assembled. Patterns in the introduction pathway, phylogeny, life form, morpho-functional traits, geographic origin, and occurrence in D.R. Congo are explored. Key results – America is the main source continent in both families, but Asia is also an important donor of Fabaceae. Taxonomic spectrum discrepancies between the alien and the native flora reflect the continent of origin. Sixty-six percent of alien Asteraceae have been accidentally introduced, most of which being annual weeds of disturbed soil. In contrast, 90% of alien Fabaceae have been deliberately introduced for forestry, agriculture, or environmental purposes, most of which being phanerophytes. Traits were compared between pairs of congeneric alien and native species. For Asteraceae, a sharp discrepancy was found in the life form spectrum (aliens: mostly therophytes; natives: phanerophytes). For Fabaceae, alien species had larger leaves and larger pods compared to their native congeners. The number of specimens in collections was positively correlated with the time since the date of first collection for both families. The Guineo-Congolian region has the highest number of alien Fabaceae, while alien Asteraceae are overrepresented in the Zambezian region.Conclusions – Contrasting patterns between alien Asteraceae and Fabaceae in the flora of D.R. Congo in terms of life forms, trait divergence compared to the native flora, and occurrence, reflect the divergent biological attributes and relations to humans of the two families. The striking discrepancies between the two families call for analyses of patterns of alien flora at family level and warn against global generalisations.

Interactions between Callitris above-ground biomass, species density and plant form in north-eastern New South Wales

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Species Density ◽  
Above Ground Biomass ◽  
Ground Biomass ◽  
Local Species Richness ◽  
Reserve Network ◽  
Cypress Pine

Dense Callitris endlicheri (Parl.) F.M.Bailey (black cypress pine) and C. glaucophylla Joy Thomps. & L.A.S.Johnson (white cypress pine) stands are often viewed as problematic and thinning is often encouraged from a biodiversity perspective. In the present investigation, canonical correspondence analyses (CCAs) of 997 survey sites were undertaken within the public and private reserve network that contains a variety of above-ground biomass (AGB) of C. endlicheri and C. glaucophylla (as measured by diameter at breast height (DBH) and dispersion) and the evenness of the species distribution was undertaken. This was done to further dissect the effect of Callitris AGB on species density (richness per quadrat) of native and introduced species and on broad life-form groupings. Other landscape features such as altitude, physiography, drainage and soil depth were also included in analyses. C. endlicheri and C. glaucophylla grow in different biophysical locations in most instances and this was reflected in the results of the study. No level of AGB or clumping of C. endlicheri was found to affect species density of native or introduced taxa or the distribution of life-forms. Increasing AGB of C. glaucophylla had a positive effect on native species density. The species density of introduced taxa was also increased with an increase in C. glaucophylla AGB. The distribution of life-forms was significantly affected by an increase in Callitris AGB with a decrease in trees, shrubby taxa and hemi-parasites, although herbaceous species had a concomitant increase in number. There is no reason to thin dense Callitris stands to increase local species richness. However, because the distribution of life-form types is significantly affected by C. glaucophylla, there is a need to understand what is occurring in species replacements and what landscape mosaic of structural types is required for this species. It is likely that dense stands of Callitris are important, along with a variety of stand densities so as to maintain the highest regional diversity.

Temporal variation of pollination classes in a tropical Venezuelan plain: the importance of habitats and life forms

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Pollination of a total of 155 plant species was evaluated monthly in relation to flowering phenology, habitats, and life forms in the Venezuelan Central Plain. The relationships between flowering phenology and pollinating agent classes and their abundance were evaluated. The total number of pollinating agent classes was significantly correlated with the number of plant species for habitats and life forms, and at the community level. The number of pollinating agent classes did not change statistically with respect to flowering phenology for life form, habitats, and overall community, but the number of pollinting agent classes increased from the dry season to the rainy season for overall community and habitats, except for forest. The abundance of pollinating agents was significantly affected by flowering time. A cluster analysis revealed that the abundance of pollinating agent classes differed throughout the year, separating the dry and rainy seasons. Two trends were found in the temporal pattern of the nine pollinating agents: (1) nonseasonal, in which flowering of bat- and bird-pollinated species did not change drastically throughout the year; and (2) seasonal, in which the number of bee-, butterfly-, fly-, wasp-, moth-, beetle-, and wind-pollinated species changed throughout the year, increasing from the dry to the rainy season at the community level. The number of pollinating bees, butterflies, flies, and wasps peaked during the dry season for trees and shrubs, and therefore for forest. The number of moth-pollinated species increased from the mid-dry season to the rainy season, with a peak during the dry–rainy transition period. Beetle- and wind-pollinated species are phenologically concentrated in the rainy season: beetle-pollinated species were mainly in the forest and forest–savanna transition, and wind-pollinated species were associated with herbaceous species in savanna and disturbed areas. The distribution of pollinating agents was affected by seasonality in habitats and life forms. Therefore, life form may be considered a proximate element, reducing interference in the pollination process at the community level.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF ETHNOBOTANICAL PLANTS USED BY THE MALAMUTHANS TRIBAL COMMUNITY IN THE MEDAPPARA FOREST, WESTERN GHATS OF KERALA

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-44
Author(s):  
Anjana P.R ◽  
Paulsamy S
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Ethnic Community ◽  
Tribal Community

Medappara forest of Kerala was surveyed to list out the ethnobotanical plants used by Malamuthans tribal community. Totally 250 plants belonging to 86 families were reported to be present in the study area, in which Fabaceae family was the dominant one contributed 25 species followed by the families, Euphorbiaceae (16 species), Asteraceae (13 species) and Acanthaceae with 12 species and the distribution of species in the study area includes various life-forms viz., trees (81 species), shrubs (53 species), herbs (78 species), climbers (35 species) and epiphytics (3 species) habits respectively. Of the 250 plant species, 237 (95%) were recognized as medicinally important and also cures 127 types of ailments. Of the 250 plant species encounted at all life-form levels. Sixteen ailment categories were classified, among them a higher number of 110 species were prescribed by the Malamuthan ethnic community for Gastro Intestinal Ailment (GIA).

scholarly journals Characteristics of water and wetland plants of the water reservoirs in the UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin, Poland

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Dąbrowska
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Water Reservoirs ◽  
Small Reservoirs ◽  
Ecological Characteristics ◽  
Forage Plants

The aim of the study was to compile an inventory and determine the ecological characteristics of the spontaneous flora of the restored water reservoirs and their wet banks in the western part of Lublin in the years 1997–2013. The study objects are small reservoirs located at the UMCS Botanical Garden in the Czechówka River valley. These ponds are subjected to strong anthropogenic pressure. 68 plant species from 33 families and 58 genera were recorded in the flora of the ponds and their wet banks. An important feature of the described water bodies is the large proportion of native species (94% of the flora). Cryptophytes and hemicryptophytes as well as biological groups combining the features of hemicryptophytes and cryptophytes are the predominant life forms. Perennials account for 80% of the flora. The ponds and their wet banks are inhabited by 25 medicinal and 19 bee forage plants.

scholarly journals Floristic Composition and Biological Spectrum of Hazarnoe Forest of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2017 ◽  
pp. 29-44
Author(s):  
ASGHAR KHAN
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Size Spectrum ◽  
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Biological Spectrum

The plant species of Hazarnoe Forest of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were evaluated floristically from April 2016 to November 2017. Of the total 240 reported plant species, 38 were monocots, 196 dicots which belongs to 85 families and 188 genera respectively. Poaceae was the leading family contributed 20 species. Family Asteraceae contributed (14 spp.), Lamiaceae (13 spp.) while Papilionaceae and Solanaceae each with 10 species. Of the total plant taxa perennials were 161 species compared to annuals (73 spp.) and biennials (06 spp.). The dominant growth form was herbs that contributed (108 spp.) followed by trees (50spp.) and shrubs (45 spp.) respectively. Phanerophytes were the dominant life-form (92 spp.) whereas leaf size spectrum of microphyll was reported as abundant in the overall floristic. Phanerophytes and microphyll leaf size was the dominant life forms which show typical climate of subtropical region governing the area. Conclusion of study was that the vegetation of the area is under heavy biotic pressure and need proper conservation.

Life form and preference can drive spatial relationships among plant species in semi-arid rangelands of middle Iran

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Khojasteh ◽  
Mohammad Ali Zare Chahouki ◽  
Hossein Azarnivand ◽  
Zaal Kikvidze
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Spatial Relationships ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Arid Rangelands ◽  
Preferred Species ◽  
Semi Arid

The interaction among species is one of the most important factors influencing the distribution of plants in a given habitat. Vegetation of arid rangelands often appears patchy with many herbaceous species associated with shrub species. It was hypothesised that plant interactions among different life forms together with the effect of grazing preference generate this type of spatial distribution of plant species in the semi-arid rangelands of middle Iran. Spatial patterns and associations were quantitatively analysed using Hopkins’ index and Chi-square tests to establish links between spatial relationships, plant life forms and preference by grazers on the south foothills of the Taleghan ranges, Alborz Province. Data were collected from three geographical sites with different dominant species and clumped patterns of plant spatial distributions for these species were detected. These spatial patterns were probably generated by the interplay of life form-dependent facilitative interactions among plants and the grazing pressure on preferred species rather than due to their intrinsic characters. In the study sites, grass species were significantly more frequently observed in the vicinity of nurse species than in open areas. It was also found that plant-plant interactions may change in response to changes in environmental conditions, such as soil characters and the benefits achieved by the beneficiary species from being associated with nurse species. All preferred perennial species were spatially associated with shrub species (Astragalus gossypinus Fischer and Thymus kotschyanus Boiss & Hohen), while nurse species that just physically protect the beneficiary species from grazing (e.g. A. gossypinus) did not associate with non-preferred species (e.g. Stipa barbata Desf). Instead, these non-preferred species may positively aggregate with nurse plants showing other beneficial characteristics such as nitrogen fixation and improvement of soil conditions.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Rare Woody Plants Used in Greenery for Phytogeographic Region, Life Form and IUCN Categories

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
V. Novruzov ◽  
E. Iskender ◽  
T. Mammadov ◽  
R. Abbasov ◽  
F. Rustamova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Natural Flora

According to hazard categories (IUCN), 46 species from 35 genera were identified belonging to 24 families of rare tree and shrub plants common in the natural flora of Azerbaijan used for landscaping Absheron. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the NT category (almost endangered) includes 12 species, and the CR category (endangered) includes 8 species. The plant species studied in the article were also analyzed by phytogeographic region and life forms. The results of the study showed that in addition to landscaping, other measures for the protection of the studied plants are necessary.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document