An unexpected new record of the Mediterranean orchid, Ophrys bertolonii (Orchidaceae) in Central Europe

Biologia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Molnár V ◽  
András Máté ◽  
Gábor Sramkó
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
New Record ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Permanent Establishment ◽  
Adriatic Coast ◽  
Northward Expansion ◽  
Mediterranean Plant

AbstractOne flowering specimen of Ophrys bertolonii (s. str.) — a plant with a Circum-Adriatic distribution and hitherto unknown in other regions — was found on 7th May 2010 in the vicinity of Kunadacs (Central Hungary; N 47°00′ E 19°17′). The nearest known populations of this Mediterranean plant inhabit the Adriatic coast (ca. 450 km away) in Croatia, therefore this new occurrence represents a significant long distance dispersal event. The circumstances of the occurrence argue against introduction, but we can not decide now whether this new appearance is temporary or permanent. The permanent establishment of this strictly entomophilous plant requires the presence of its specific pollinator in the close neighbourhood of the habitat. However, no pollination was observed on the three flowers of the plant until 9th May, and one day later the stem had disappeared most likely due to grazing. Whatever the long-term fate of the plant is, this discovery represents a significant long distance (jump) dispersal event, and testifies to the dispersal ability of Ophrys species. Additionally, the appearance of a mature Adriatic plant in Central Europe fits well into the currently observed, climate change driven northward expansion of European orchids, therefore this finding most likely reflects a growing Mediterranean-like climatic influence in the region.

An Attempt to Predict Which Amazonian Tree Species May be Threatened by Logging Activities

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana M. Z. Martini ◽  
Nelson de A. Rosa ◽  
Christopher Uhl
Keyword(s):  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Logging Impacts ◽  
Ecological Parameters ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
First World

The impacts of logging on Amazonian ecosystems has been the focus of considerable attention both within and outside of Amazonia. However, the impacts of logging on individual timber species has not been at all adequately investigated. Logging affects timber species by: (1) removing mature individuals that are important sources of seeds; (2) damaging seedlings and saplings (i.e future generations of canopy adults); and (3) creating conditions that favour fire by opening the canopy and leaving slash as fuel on the forest floor.In this study we summarize information on the ecological characteristics of 305 timber species in Brazilian Amazonia. We identify seven ecological parameters that are useful in evaluating a species' ability to resist the negative impacts of logging. These characteristics are: (1) effective long-distance dispersal ability; (2) abundance of saplings in forest regeneration; (3) rapid growth; (4) ability to resprout; (5) capacity to withstand fire; (6) broad geographic distribution; and (7) high density of adults. We hypothesize thai species with characteristics opposed to these parameters and subjected to intense logging pressure will have difficulty in maintaining their populations in logging regions.We use a simple scoring system to rank species with regard to their hypothesized ability to withstand logging impacts. Among the species that are potentially susceptible to logging impacts are Euxylophora paraensis (‘Pau Amarelo’) and Swietenia macrophylla (American Mahogany). The sawn lumber from these two species goes principally to European and North American buyers, revealing a direct link between First World consumption and possible biodiversity impoverishment in the Brazilian rain-forest. These two species, and others that might experience population reductions as a result of logging, merit special study.

Seed dispersal by rodents in a lowland forest in central Panama

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 403-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W. Dittel ◽  
Thomas D. Lambert ◽  
Gregory H. Adler
Keyword(s):  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Fruit Availability ◽  
Astrocaryum Standleyanum ◽  
Central Panama ◽  
Rodent Abundance

Abstract:We studied the removal of seeds of three species of large-seeded tree (Astrocaryum standleyanum, Attalea butyracea and Dipteryx oleifera) from three different heights within six study plots in a lowland forest in central Panama. Fresh fruits with intact seeds fitted with industrial sewing bobbins were placed within semi-permeable exclosures. Removed seeds were tracked to deposition sites, and seed fate was determined. Removals were likely perpetrated by two small rodents, the strictly terrestrial Proechimys semispinosus and the scansorial Sciurus granatensis, because they were the most abundant small rodents in the study site during the study period and were of sufficient size to remove large seeds. Rodent abundance and fruit availability were estimated by conducting censuses. Nine microhabitat variables were measured at each deposition site to determine if these two rodents were preferentially depositing seeds in sites with certain characteristics or were randomly depositing seeds. During the study, rodents handled 98 seeds, 85 of which were not predated upon and could potentially germinate. Removal rates were not influenced by rodent abundance or fruit availability. Seeds were most frequently moved <3 m and deposited with the fruit eaten and the seed intact. However, some seeds did experience relatively long-distance dispersal (>10 m). Rodents preferentially deposited seeds in locations with large logs (>10 cm diameter), dense herbaceous cover, and an intact canopy. The number of large logs was different from random locations. Despite not being able to determine long-term fate (greater than c. 1 y), we show that these small rodents are not primarily seed predators and may in fact be important mutualists by dispersing seeds relatively long distances to favourable germination sites.

scholarly journals Seed-Dispersal Ability of the Invasive Perennial Vines Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio DiTommaso ◽  
Courtney A. Stokes ◽  
Stéphane Cordeau ◽  
Lindsey R. Milbrath ◽  
Thomas H. Whitlow
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Settling Rate ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Vincetoxicum Rossicum ◽  
Release Height ◽  
Source Populations

AbstractBlack swallowwort [Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench] and pale swallowwort [Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barb.] are perennial vines of European origin that invade natural areas and perennial cropping systems in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Both species reproduce via wind-dispersed seeds in the form of achenes with comas, but little is known about the extent of dispersal of these seeds. We studied the relationship of seed release height (0.75 m, 2 m), wind speed at the time of release, seed mass, and settling rate on distance traveled. Vincetoxicum nigrum and V. rossicum seeds traveled up to 72.1 and 79.6 m, respectively. Seeds of both species released from 2 m traveled greater distances than seeds released from 0.75 m, which fell within 20 m of the release point. Release height was the most important factor influencing long-distance dispersal events. Wind speed also strongly interacted with release height for long-distance dispersal of V. nigrum. Vincetoxicum nigrum seed mass was greater and settling rates faster than for V. rossicum. Increasing seed mass generally increased settling rate, which in turn decreased distance traveled, except in V. rossicum, for which longer distance–dispersing seeds had a faster settling rate. Our findings suggest that management efforts focus on reducing the presence of these two vines, especially if there is potential for them to climb up taller vegetation such as trees. Seeds released from these greater heights are more likely to travel far from source populations and initiate new populations. Preventing seed production in small, nonclimbing patches will also help suppress the expansion of these two vines, as seeds can still disperse up to 20 m away from parent plants.

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