scholarly journals Different temporal trends in vascular plant and bryophyte communities along elevational gradients over four decades of warming

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Becker Scarpitta ◽  
Diane Auberson Lavoie ◽  
Raphael Aussenac ◽  
Mark Vellend
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Warming Trend ◽  
Local Diversity ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Despite many studies showing biodiversity responses to warming, the generality of such responses across taxonomic groups remains unclear. Very few studies have tested for evidence of bryophyte community responses to warming, even though bryophytes are major contributors to diversity and functioning in many ecosystems. Here we report an empirical study comparing long-term change of bryophyte and vascular plant communities in two sites with contrasting long-term warming trends, using “legacy” botanical records as a baseline for comparison with contemporary resurveys. We hypothesized that ecological changes would be greater in sites with a stronger warming trend, and that vascular plant communities, with narrower climatic niches, would be more sensitive than bryophyte communities to climate warming. For each taxonomic group in each site, we quantified the magnitude of changes in species’ distributions along the elevation gradient, species richness, and community composition. We found contrasted temporal changes in bryophyte vs. vascular plant communities, which only partially supported the warming hypothesis. In the area with a stronger warming trend, we found a significant increase of local diversity and beta-diversity for vascular plants, but not for bryophytes. Presence absence data did not provide sufficient power to detect elevational shifts in species distributions. The patterns observed for bryophytes are in accordance with recent literature showing that local diversity can remain unchanged despite strong changes in composition. Regardless of whether one taxon is systematically more or less sensitive to environmental change than another, our results suggest that vascular plants cannot be used as a surrogate for bryophytes in terms of predicting the nature and magnitude of responses to warming. Thus, to assess overall biodiversity responses to global change, abundance data from different taxonomic groups and different community properties need to be synthesized.

scholarly journals Different temporal trends in vascular plant and bryophytes communities along elevational gradients over four decades of warming

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Becker-Scarpitta ◽  
Diane Auberson-Lavoie ◽  
Mark Vellend
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Ecological Communities

Abstract1: Despite many studies showing biodiversity responses to warming, the generality of such responses across taxa remains unclear. Very few studies have tested for evidence of bryophyte community responses to warming, despite the fact that bryophytes are major contributors to diversity in many ecosystems, playing a central role in ecosystem functions. Understanding variation among taxa in their responses to warming is crucial for identifying priorities in conservation.2: We report an empirical study comparing long-term change of bryophyte and vascular plant communities in two sites with contrasting long-term warming trends. To assess long-term responses of ecological communities to warming, we used “legacy” botanical records as a baseline for comparison with contemporary resurveys.We hypothesized that ecological changes would be greater in sites with a stronger warming trends, and that vascular plant communities would be more sensitive than bryophyte communities to climate warming. For each taxon in each site, we quantified the magnitude of changes in species’ distributions along the elevation gradient, species richness, and community composition.3: Temporal changes in vascular plant communities were consistent with the warming hypothesis, but this was not the case for bryophytes. We also did not find clear support for the hypothesis that vascular plants would show greater sensitivity than bryophytes to warming, with results depending on the metric of community change. As predicted for sites with a strong warming trend, we found a significant upward shift in the distributions of vascular plants but not bryophytes.Synthesis: Our results are in accordance with recent literature showing that local diversity can remain unchanged despite strong changes in composition. Regardless of whether one taxon is systematically more or less sensitive to environmental change than another, our results suggest that vascular plants cannot be used as a surrogate for bryophytes in terms of predicting the nature and magnitude of responses to warming. In sites that experienced the same environmental changes, we found that communities of bryophytes and vascular plants did not predictably change in the same ways. Thus, to assess overall biodiversity responses to global change, data from different taxonomical groups and community properties need to be synthesized.

The vegetation and its environments in Maine peatlands

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1785-1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis S. Anderson ◽  
Ronald B. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Forward Selection ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Peat Pore Water ◽  
Minimum Number

This study is based on relevés from 96 peatlands representing the typologic, environmental, and geographic variation of Maine peatlands, and on peat pore-water chemistry at a representative set of 51 of these peatlands. We give optima and tolerances of pH, Ca, P, NO3-N, NH4-N, and influence of upper on lower vegetational strata for the 73 most common vascular plant species, excluding sedges, which are presented elsewhere. The program TWINSPAN differentiated 30 plant communities. Environments of the first seven TWINSPAN divisions differed largely by Ca, pH, P, NH4, Fe, microrelief, substrate depth, degree of humification, and climate. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) with forward selection entered pH, P, Na, Fe, Ca, Mg, and percent H2O as the minimum number of variables which best explains species variation. A CCA of the lower strata vascular plants demonstrated the importance of the upper strata (percent overstory) on species' distributions. Gradients of pH–alkalinity and percent overstory are primary in determining Maine's peatland vegetation. Other important gradients are percent H2O in upper peat, concentrations of lithic elements (P, Fe, Mn, Al, and Si) in pore water, and climate. Although these gradients partially covary, some of the variation in species' distributions can be attributed to independent aspects of individual gradients. Species richness across the range of peatland types is related to pH–alkalinity for vascular plants, and to percent H2O, microrelief, and percent overstory for bryophytes. Key words: plant communities, Maine, multivariate statistical analysis, peatlands, mires, vegetation.

In memory of Vera Antonovna Martynenko (1936-2018)

2018 ◽  
pp. 149-154
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Ussr Academy ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Komi Republic ◽  
Great Contribution ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Natural Flora

Vera Antonovna Martynenko (17.02.1936–06.01.2018) — famous specialist in the field of studying vascular plant flora and vegetation of the Far North, the Honored worker of the Komi Republic (2006), The Komi Republic State Scientific Award winner (2000). She was born in the town Likhoslavl of the Kali­nin (Tver) region. In 1959, Vera Antonovna graduated from the faculty of soil and biology of the Leningrad State University and then moved to the Komi Branch of USSR Academy of Science (Syktyvkar). From 1969 to 1973 she passed correspondence postgraduate courses of the Komi Branch of USSR Academy of ­Science. In 1974, she received the degree of candidate of biology (PhD) by the theme «Comparative analysis of the boreal flora at the Northeast European USSR» in the Botanical Institute (St. Petersburg). In 1996, Vera Antonovna received the degree of doctor of biology in the Institute of plant and animal ecology (Ekaterinburg) «Flora of the northern and mid subzones of the taiga of the European North-East». The study and conservation of species and coenotical diversity of the plant world, namely the vascular plants flora of the Komi Republic and revealing its transformation under the anthropogenic influence, was in the field of V. A. Martynenko’ scientific interests. She made great contribution to the study of the Komi Republic meadow flora and the pool of medi­cinal plants. She performed inventorying and mapping the meadows of several agricultural enterprises of the Republic, revealed the species composition and places for harvesting medicinal plants and studied their productivity in the natural flora of the boreal zone. The results of her long-term studies were used for making the NPA system and the Red Book of the Komi Republic (1998 and 2009). Vera Antonovna participated in the research of the influence of placer gold mining and oil development on the natural ecosystems of the North, and developed the method of long-term monitoring of plant cover. Results of these works are of high practical value. V. A. Martynenko is an author and coauthor of more than 130 scientific publications. The most important jnes are «Flora of Northeast European USSR» (1974, 1976, and 1977), «Floristic composition of fodder lands of the Northeast Europe» (1989), «The forests of the Komi Republic» (1999), «Forestry of forest resources of the Komi Republic» (2000), «The list of flora of the Yugyd va national park» (2003), «The guide for vascular plants of the Syktyvkar and its vicinities» (2005), «Vascular plants of the Komi Republic» (2008), and «Resources of the natural flora of the Komi Republic» (2014). She also was an author of «Encyclopedia of the Komi Republic» (1997, 1999, and 2000), «Historical and cultural atlas of the Komi Republic» (1997), «Atlas of the Komi Republic» (2001, 2011). V. A. Martynenko made a great contribution to the development of the botanical investigations in the North. Since 1982, during more than 10 years, she was the head of the Department of the Institute of Biology. Three Ph. D. theses have been completed under her leadership. Many years, she worked actively in the Dissertation Council of the Institute of biology Komi Scientific Centre UrB RAS.  The death of Vera Antonovna Martynenko is a heavy and irretrievable loss for the staff of the Institute of Biology. The memory of Vera Antonovna will live in her numerous scientific works, the hearts of students and colleagues.

scholarly journals Where we Come from and where to Go: Six Decades of Botanical Studies in the Mediterranean Wetlands, with Sardinia (Italy) as a Case Study

Wetlands ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Cuena-Lombraña ◽  
Mauro Fois ◽  
Annalena Cogoni ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Evolutionary Strategies ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Water Saturated

AbstractPlants are key elements of wetlands due to their evolutionary strategies for coping with life in a water-saturated environment, providing the basis for supporting nearly all wetland biota and habitat structure for other taxonomic groups. Sardinia, the second largest island of the Mediterranean Basin, hosts a great variety of wetlands, of which 16 are included in eight Ramsar sites. The 119 hydro- and hygrophilous vascular plant taxa from Sardinia represent the 42.6% and 37.9% of the number estimated for Italy and Europe, respectively. Moreover, around 30% of Sardinia’s bryological flora, which is made up of 498 taxa, is present in temporary ponds. An overview at regional scale considering algae is not available, to our knowledge, even though several specific studies have contributed to their knowledge. In order to find the most investigated research themes and wetland types, identify knowledge gaps and suggest recommendations for further research, we present a first attempt to outline the work that has been hitherto done on plants in lentic habitats in Sardinia. Three plant groups (algae, bryophytes and vascular plants), and five research themes (conservation, ecology, inventory, palaeobotany and taxonomy) were considered. After a literature review, we retained 202 papers published from 1960 to 2019. We found that studies on vascular plants, as plant group, were disproportionately more numerous, and inventories and ecology were the most investigated research themes. Although efforts have recently been made to fill these long-lasting gaps, there is a need for updating the existing information through innovative methods and integrative approaches.

Plant community and diversity change due to localized permafrost dynamics in bogs of western Canada

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 983-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W Beilman
Keyword(s):  
Multidimensional Scaling ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Metric Multidimensional Scaling

Localized permafrost formation and melt at the southern limit of permafrost has a large effect on boreal bog plant community structure and diversity in continental western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations show that non-permafrost-affected bogs, areas currently underlain by permafrost (frost mounds), and areas of permafrost degradation (internal lawns) have distinct plant communities. Bryophytes respond more strongly than vascular plants to lengthened environmental gradients in the bogs studied. Seventy-two vascular plant and bryophyte species were found, with mean alpha diversity (species richness) similar in bogs and internal lawns (22.6 and 22.1) and lowest on frost mounds (15.6). Beta diversity (species turnover between landforms) is greater for bryophytes (4.22) than vascular plants (2.54). Comparisons within internal lawns show highly variable height above water table, community composition, and species diversity in wet communities and reduced variability as peat accumulates and converges on dry surfaces dominated by Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr. Overall, localized permafrost dynamics increase bog plant diversity by 47% by introduction of unique dry, shaded (frost mound) and wet, open (internal lawn) conditions absent from non-permafrost-affected bogs, making localized permafrost bogs one of the most bryologically diverse peatland types in western Canada.Key words: peatlands, bryophytes, plant communities, non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination, permafrost, climate change.

Vascular plant communities of a polar oasis at Alexandra Fiord (79° N), Ellesmere Island, Canada

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1126-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Muc ◽  
B. Freedman ◽  
J. Svoboda
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
Community Types

A cluster analysis was used to apportion 136 stands in a High Arctic lowland among six vascular plant community types. These communities are described on the basis of the average prominence values of vascular species and the total cover of macroalgae, bryophytes, lichens, and vascular plants within the designated clusters of stands. The relationships among the community types was explored by a detrended correspondence analysis. The ordination of stands showed considerable floristic overlap among the most widespread plant communities on the lowland. This largely reflects the microtopographic heterogeneity of the sites, the relatively depauperate flora of the High Arctic, and the considerable ecological amplitude of the most prominent vascular plant species.

Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Little Qualicum River estuary, British Columbia

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1447-1460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil K. Dawe ◽  
Eric R. White
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Juncus Balticus ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Channel Edge

Nine vascular plant communities were determined and mapped from data gathered on the Little Qualicum River estuary, Vancouver Island, B.C., during the period May to September 1978. Those communities comprised 51 species of vascular plants; however, only 10 species occurred with constancies of 20% or greater. Carex lyngbyei, Potentilla pacifica, Juncus balticus, and Agrostis sp. dominated vegetation. Major factors affecting the distribution of the vegetation within the estuary appeared to be site elevation, soil type and texture, and inundating water salinity. Aerial production was dominated by that of the Carex – channel edge community which had a peak aboveground biomass of 1693 g dry weight∙m−2.

Alpine lichen-dominated communities in Alberta and the Yukon

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (20) ◽  
pp. 2148-2170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne G. See ◽  
L. C. Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Reciprocal Averaging ◽  
Floristic Similarity ◽  
North Central

Alpine lichen-dominated vegetation is described with emphasis upon floristic composition, quantitative structure, and distribution of lichen communities. Macrolichens and vascular plants were quantitatively sampled using stratified random quadrats (10 cm × 40 cm) in 40 stands (30 m × 5 m) in west-central Alberta and north central Yukon Territory. Comparable acid and basic substrates, and glaciated and unglaciated sites were sampled in each region. Bray-Curtis and reciprocal averaging ordinations were used to analyze vegetation data. For both macrolichens and vascular plants, floristic similarity is greater within each region than on equivalent substrates in different regions. Three alpine macrolichen communities are described in each region which exhibit pronounced regional differences. Cetraria tilesii and Thamnolia subuliformis characterize driest sites in both regions, while Cetraria cucullata indicates mesic habitats. Cladonia spp. dominate acidic Yukon sites; Stereocaulon alpinum and Peltigera aphthosa characterize equivalent Alberta habitats. Vascular plant communities are dominated by Dryas integrifolia and D. octopetala in Alberta and Yukon areas, respectively, with dwarf willow and heath in acidic, mesic sites. Distribution of alpine communities of macrolichens and corresponding vascular plants is more strongly correlated with substate pH and moisture, than with glaciation history. Comparison with other northern studies suggests that these macrolichen communities may be found throughout the Canadian Cordillera where equivalent habitats are present.

Phytophthora and vascular plant species distributions along a steep elevation gradient

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihsanul Khaliq ◽  
Treena I. Burgess ◽  
Giles E. St. J. Hardy ◽  
Diane White ◽  
Keith L. McDougall
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Vascular Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Distributions

scholarly journals Checklist of vascular plants for Wind River Indian Reservation (USA) high-elevation basins: ecological drivers of community assemblages

2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-311
Author(s):  
Colleen Friday ◽  
John Derek Scasta
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Indian Reservation ◽  
Elymus Trachycaulus ◽  
The Us

Background and aims – Native American reservations in the United States provide biodiversity critical for conservation and ecosystem functions. Unfortunately, botanical inventories are less common for reservations than other land jurisdictions. Such ecological importance and needs are apparent for the Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR), the 7th largest reservation in the US (>890,000 ha) that is shared by the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho.Material and methods – A botanical study for two WRIR high-elevation basins (Saint Lawrence Basin (SLB) and Paradise Basin (PB)) to (1) reconcile a 1960 plant list, and (2) quantify plant communities ecologically was conducted. In 2017, 106 monitoring sites were established to quantify species presence. Across basins, 231 total vascular plant taxa (221 to species and 10 to genus) were identified, or > 3× more plant species than noted in the 1960 list. In SLB, 222 plant taxa (213 to species and 9 to genus) were identified and in PB 98 plant taxa (90 to species and 8 to genus) were identified. In 2018, sites were re-sampled to quantify species abundance, soil pH, organic matter, soil nutrients, CEC, salts, and texture. Key results – Slope and elevation explained species distributions in the topography ordination and soil organic matter, pH, texture, P, and K explained species distributions in the soil ordination. Eleven exotic species, and one rare endemic species were documented with implications for empowering tribal management. Using a classification approach followed by an indicator species analysis and fidelity (Phi) assessment, we identified 14 unique plant communities and related these to 6 alliances and 7 associations across 6 macrogroups from the US National Vegetation Classification database. These indicator species of communities included sedges (Carex aquatilus), grasses (Pseudoroegneria spicata, Elymus elymoides, Achnatherum lettermanii, Elymus trachycaulus subsp. trachycaulus, Poa glauca subsp. rupicola), forbs (Polygonum bistortoides, Balsamorhiza incana, Castilleja flava), shrubs (Artemisia tridentata, Betula glandulosa, Dasiphora fruticosa subsp. floribunda) and trees (Pinus contorta).Conclusion – The plant taxa, plant communities, and ecological drivers documented in this study will enhance tribal and federal monitoring of these high-elevation WRIR basins.

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