A checklist of vascular plants and uses of some species for livelihood-making in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

The Setiu Wetlands, a unique area with nine interconnected habitats, comprises a considerable fraction of the total Peninsular Malaysia’s wetland flora. Although botanical collecting in the area has been active in the past 10 years, only a few studies dealing with the wetland flora have been published. Thus, a detailed checklist of this area is urgently needed to ensure the continuity of its inter-relating flora and fauna, as well as the livelihood of the local people. In this work we conducted a survey of the vascular plant flora of Setiu Wetlands and investigated the most important plants used by the local communities. Our checklist accounts for 406 taxa from 277 genera and 106 families, including 24 (6%) species of ferns and lycophytes, three gymnosperms, 257 (64%) dicotyledons and 122 (30%) monocotyledons. This comprehensive plant checklist will be a primary reference for the management of the newly gazetted Setiu Wetlands State Park covering more than 400 hectares of lands and water bodies.

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Carbon for nutrient exchange between Lycopodiella inundata and Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes is unresponsive to high atmospheric CO2

Mycorrhiza ◽

10.1007/s00572-021-01033-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Grace A. Hoysted ◽

Jill Kowal ◽

Silvia Pressel ◽

Jeffrey G. Duckett ◽

Martin I. Bidartondo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Plants ◽

Fine Root ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Root Endophyte ◽

Isotope Tracers ◽

The Past ◽

Fungal Associates ◽

Endophyte Fungi

AbstractNon-vascular plants associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) and Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophyte’ (MFRE) fungi derive greater benefits from their fungal associates under higher atmospheric [CO2] (a[CO2]) than ambient; however, nothing is known about how changes in a[CO2] affect MFRE function in vascular plants. We measured movement of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) between the lycophyte Lycopodiella inundata and Mucoromycotina fine root endophyte fungi using 33P-orthophosphate, 15 N-ammonium chloride and 14CO2 isotope tracers under ambient and elevated a[CO2] concentrations of 440 and 800 ppm, respectively. Transfers of 33P and 15 N from MFRE to plants were unaffected by changes in a[CO2]. There was a slight increase in C transfer from plants to MFRE under elevated a[CO2]. Our results demonstrate that the exchange of C-for-nutrients between a vascular plant and Mucoromycotina FRE is largely unaffected by changes in a[CO2]. Unravelling the role of MFRE in host plant nutrition and potential C-for-N trade changes between symbionts under different abiotic conditions is imperative to further our understanding of the past, present and future roles of plant-fungal symbioses in ecosystems.

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Volunteering for otter conservation in Nepal: communicating with local communities

Journal of Wetlands Ecology ◽

10.3126/jowe.v2020i0.31624 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sanjan Thapa ◽

Tejab Pun ◽

Dipendra Adhikari

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

National Park ◽

Local Communities ◽

Local People ◽

Population Declines ◽

Eurasian Otter ◽

The Past ◽

Hydropower Dams ◽

Conservation Awareness ◽

The Way

Amongst three species of otters, the Asian Small-clawed Otter has not been recorded since Hodgson (1839). Since 1991, the Eurasian Otter has neither been photographed nor sighted in the country. Recently, the Smooth-coated Otter has been reported only from Bardia National Park and its west. In this chaotic situation, a volunteer project was initiated for otter conservation in Nepal three years ago. 1000 copies of an otter conservation awareness poster were printed in 2017 and a second set of posters in 2019. Posters were distributed to local communities while communicating with the local people along the way and during stays. Thus far, we have conducted awareness activities at selected sites in nine districts and four protected areas. Over three years, we have talked with more than 2000 local people about otters and disseminated more than 1300 posters. At all sites, local communities responded that they had not seen otters for 20 to 30 years or more and for the last 10 years, even in protected areas. However, there are hopes that the last scarce individuals or populations of otters remain at very few sites. Overfishing, river poisoning and pollution, hydropower dams and station construction, and sand and pebble extraction from rivers, are the major causes for depletion of otters in these areas. In the past, trapping by Tibetans for otter pelts and by nomads from the plains of Nepal and India were major causes for population declines. In conclusion, we convey a conservation message that humans must learn to co-exist with otters if the species are to survive.

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Horse ranching increases biodiversity in a foothills parkland prairie in northern Kananaskis Country, western Alberta

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v129i1.1663 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 129 (1) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Paul M. Catling ◽

Brenda Kostiuk ◽

Don Thompson

Keyword(s):

Vascular Plants ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Late Summer ◽

Wiener Index ◽

The Other ◽

Feral Horses ◽

The Past ◽

Rough Fescue ◽

Animal Habitat ◽

Equus Ferus Caballus

Vascular plant biodiversity was evaluated in two adjacent sections of a continuous prairie glade. One section has been subject to moderate grazing by feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) in late summer and fall for the past 25 years, while the other has been protected. From 28 June to 2 July 2009, we recorded cover for all vascular plants present in ten 1-m2 quadrats along five transects in each section. We calculated biodiversity measures, including species richness, evenness, and Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s diversity indexes. Horse grazing did not affect richness but significantly increased evenness. Grazing increased the Shannon-Wiener index, but did not affect the Simpson’s index. Cover and frequency values for most species differed significantly between the two sites. Mountain Rough Fescue (Festuca campestris Rydberg) dominated the non-grazed site but several shorter grasses and different forbs dominated the grazed site. The plant community in the grazed areas can be seen as an earlier seral stage of the fescue community with a different contingent of plant species. Light grazing in part of the prairie glade increased overall plant diversity so that it provided more diverse animal habitat.

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Differentiation of new coenomorph in context of the Belgard’s ecomorph system development

Ecology and Noospherology ◽

10.15421/031703 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (1-2) ◽

pp. 28-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. A. Baranovski

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Plant Species ◽

Vascular Plants ◽

Deciduous Forest ◽

System Development ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Tabular Form ◽

Ecological Scales ◽

The One ◽

Different Levels

Nowadays, bioecological characteristics of species are the basis for flora and vegetation studying on the different levels. Bioecological characteristics of species is required in process of flora studying on the different levels such as biotopes or phytocenoses, floras of particular areas (floras of ecologically homogeneous habitats), and floras of certain territories. Ramensky scale is the one of first detailed ecological scales on plant species ordination in relation to various environmental factors; it developed in 1938 (Ramensky, 1971). A little later (1941), Pogrebnyak’s scale of forest stands was proposed. Ellenberg’s system developed in 1950 (Ellenberg, 1979) and Tsyganov’s system (Tsyganov, 1975) are best known as the systems of ecological scales on vascular plant species; these systems represent of habitat detection by ecotopic ecomorphs of plant species (phytoindication). Basically, the system proposed by Alexander Lyutsianovich Belgard was the one of first system of plant species that identiified ectomorphs in relation to environmental factors. As early as 1950, Belgard developed the tabulated system of ecomorphs using the Latin ecomorphs abbreviation; he also used the terminology proposed in the late 19th century by Dekandol (1956) and Warming (1903), as well as terminology of other authors. The article analyzes the features of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs on vascular plants. It has certain significance and advantages over other systems of ecomorphs. The use of abbreviated Latin names of ecomorphs in tabular form enables the use shortened form of ones. In the working scheme of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs relation of species to environmental factors are represented in the abbreviated Latin alphabetic version (Belgard, 1950). Combined into table, the ecomorphic analysis of plant species within association (ecological certification of species), biotope or area site (water area) gives an explicit pattern on ecological structure of flora within surveyed community, biotope or landscape, and on environmental conditions. Development and application by Belgrard the cenomorphs as «species’ adaptation to phytocenosis as a whole» were completely new in the development of systems of ecomorphs and, in this connection, different coenomorphs were distinguished. Like any concept, the system of ecomorphs by Belgard has the possibility and necessity to be developed and added. Long-time researches and analysis of literature sources allow to propose a new coenomorph in the context of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs development: silvomargoant (species of forest margin, from the Latin words margo – edge, boundary (Dvoretsky, 1976), margo – margin, ad margins silvarum – along the deciduous forest margins). As an example of ecomorphic characterization of species according to the system of ecomorphs by Belgard (when the abbreviated Latin ecomorph names are used in tabular form and the proposed cenomorph is used), it was given the part of the table on vascular plants ecomorphs in the National Nature Park «Orelsky» (Baranovsky et al). The Belgard’s system of ecomorphs is particularly convenient and can be successfully applied to data processing in the ecological analysis of the flora on wide areas with significant species richness, and the proposed ecomorph will be another necessary element in the Belgard’s system of ecomorphs.

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In memory of Vera Antonovna Martynenko (1936-2018)

Vegetation of Russia ◽

10.31111/vegrus/2018.32.149 ◽

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.

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Additions and clarifications to the flora of “Castel” nature reserve (the Southern Coast of the Crimea)

Plant Biology and Horticulture: theory, innovation ◽

10.36305/2019-3-152-112-127 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 112-127

Author(s):

L. E. Ryff

Keyword(s):

Vascular Plants ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Field Research ◽

Southern Coast ◽

Crimean Peninsula ◽

Annotated List ◽

The Crimea ◽

Protected Natural Area ◽

Biological Flora

The aim of the work is to supplement and clarify the annotated list of vascular plants of “Castel” nature reserve on the Southern coast of the Crimea. Methods. The work is based on the results of long standing field research, which was carried out by the traditional route-reconnaissance method, analysis of YALT herbarium materials and data from literary and Internet sources. Arealogical and biomorphological characteristics of species are given according to "Biological Flora of the Crimea" by V.N. Golubev, biotope coding according to EUNIS habitat classification. The nomenclature of taxa corresponds to the " Spontaneuos flora of the Crimean peninsula" by A.V. Yena and to international databases Euro+Med PlantBase, The Plant List, Catalog of Life. Results. An additional annotated list of vascular plants of “Castel” nature reserve has been compiled, including 152 species, subspecies and cultivars from 97 genera of 38 families, of which 53 genera and 11 families have also not been cited for this territory before. Arealogical, biomorphological, biotopic and sozological characteristics of the taxa are given. As a result of a critical analysis of the list previously published by E.S. Krainyuk, four species were redefined, two species were proposed to be excluded from the flora of the specially protected natural area, several taxa are considered doubtful. Conclusions. The list of vascular plant taxa in “Castel” nature reserve has been supplemented with 11 families, 53 genera, and 152 species, subspecies, and cultivars; several species from the previously compiled list have been proposed to be excluded or considered doubtful. Thus, the flora of the protected area includes at least 425 species from 68 families. For the first time, the biotopic characteristic of the flora of the reserve was established.

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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 ◽

10.1007/s13157-021-01464-z ◽

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.

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Ethnohistorical Archaeology and the Mythscape of the Naga in the Chiang Saen Basin, Thailand

TRaNS Trans -Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia ◽

10.1017/trn.2021.3 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Piyawit Moonkham

Keyword(s):

Social Space ◽

Local Communities ◽

Building Construction ◽

Local People ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Historical Period ◽

The People ◽

Divine Retribution ◽

The Town

Abstract There is a northern Thai story that tells how the naga—a mythical serpent—came and destroyed the town known as Yonok (c. thirteenth century) after its ruler became immoral. Despite this divine retribution, the people of the town chose to rebuild it. Many archaeological sites indicate resettlement during this early historical period. Although many temple sites were constructed in accordance with the Buddhist cosmology, the building patterns vary from location to location and illustrate what this paper calls ‘nonconventional patterns,’ distinct from Theravada Buddhist concepts. These nonconventional patterns of temples seem to have been widely practiced in many early historical settlements, e.g., Yonok (what is now Wiang Nong Lom). Many local written documents and practices today reflect the influence of the naga myth on building construction. This paper will demonstrate that local communities in the Chiang Saen basin not only believe in the naga myth but have also applied the myth as a tool to interact with the surrounding landscapes. The myth is seen as a crucial, communicated element used by the local people to modify and construct physical landscapes, meaning Theravada Buddhist cosmology alone cannot explain the nonconventional patterns. As such, comprehending the role of the naga myth enables us to understand how local people, past and present, have perceived the myth as a source of knowledge to convey their communal spaces within larger cosmological concepts in order to maintain local customs and legitimise their social space.

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The flora of Cunningham Inlet, Somerset Island, Nunavut: history, analysis, and new collections of vascular plants, mosses, lichens, and algae

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v129i1.1664 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 129 (1) ◽

pp. 24 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Paul C. Sokoloff

Keyword(s):

Vascular Plants ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

North Coast ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Comprehensive Account ◽

The North ◽

National Herbarium ◽

History Analysis ◽

Somerset Island ◽

First Time

New collections of vascular plants, bryophytes, lichen, and algae are reported for Cunningham Inlet on the north coast of Somerset Island, Nunavut. This list of 48 species of vascular plants, 13 bryophytes, 10 lichens, and five algae includes 136 specimens collected in 2013 and 39 previously unreported specimens from the National Herbarium of Canada at the Canadian Museum of Nature (CAN), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Vascular Plant Herbarium (DAO), and University of Alberta (ALTA). Ten vascular plants from previous collecting in 1958 are re-reported here to give a comprehensive account of the vascular plant flora of the region. Two vascular plants are recorded for the first time for Somerset Island: Smooth Draba (Draba glabella Pursh) and Edlund’s Fescue (Festuca edlundiae S. G. Aiken, Consaul & Lefkovitch).

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Return of the megaherbs: plant colonisation of derelict ANARE station buildings on sub-Antarctic Heard Island

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s0032247404003614 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 235-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Whinam ◽

P.M. Selkirk ◽

A.J. Downing ◽

Bruce Hull

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Vascular Plants ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Water Tank ◽

Moss Species ◽

Left Behind ◽

Plant Colonisation ◽

Vascular Plant Species ◽

Heard Island ◽

Antarctic Research

Buildings were constructed and artefacts left behind on sub-Antarctic Heard Island, associated with Antarctic research expeditions since 1926. Both bryophytes and vascular plants are colonising many parts of the now derelict buildings. On these structures and artefacts, the authors recorded four species of vascular plants out of the 11 that occur on Heard Island and nine species of mosses out of the 37 recorded from Heard Island. The vascular plant species most frequently recorded colonising structures and artefacts was Pringlea antiscorbutica (288 occurrences), with the area colonised varying from 0.3 cm2 to 430.0 cm2. Muelleriella crassifolia was the moss species that was most frequently recorded (14 occurrences), colonising areas from 2.1 cm2 to 12.9 cm2. The highest number of bryophyte species (seven) was recorded on the stone and cement of the ‘water tank.’ Pringlea antiscorbutica, Poa cookii, Azorella selago, Muelleriella crassifolia, Bryum dichotomum, Dicranoweisia brevipes and Schistidium apocarpum are all expected to continue to colonise the ANARE ruins, as well as areas that have become available since building removal and also possibly areas bared by further deglaciation.

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