scholarly journals Wykorzystanie zdjęć fitosocjologicznych w najnowszych badaniach środowiska przyrodniczego = The use of phytosociological relevés in recent studies of the natural environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-339
Author(s):  
Anna Kowalska ◽  
Jacek Wolski ◽  
Andrzej Norbert Affek ◽  
Edyta Regulska ◽  
Ewa Roo-Zielińska

The aim of this work was to review the latest literature in terms of the use of phytosociological relevés (vegetation plots) in research on the natural environment. The systematic review included 321 articles published in 2010‑2021 in the most renowned journals (indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection with a score ≥100 according to the 2021 list of journals of the Poland’s Ministry of Education and Science). The research questions were: in which fields of science and practice, for what purposes and on what spatial scales the phytosociological relevés are currently used. After initial review, the articles were divided into 10 thematic groups: 1) classification of plant communities, 2) methodological studies, 3) relationship between vegetation and other elements of the environment, 4) occurrence of invasive plant species, 5) indicative role of vegetation, 6) plant communities as habitats for animals, 7) human footprint on vegetation, 8) long-term vegetation changes, 9) combining phytosociological methods with remote sensing methods, 10) social studies. The results showed that phytosociological relevés, as the method to investigate vegetation developed in the first decades of the 20th century, are still widely used in many regions of the world. The most numerous thematic group comprised articles that show how habitat conditions impact the distribution and diversity of plant species and their communities, while the least numerous – studies combining natural and social research. The vast majority of research was dedicated to environmental problems, although social and economic aspects were also present. These were both theoretical and methodological works, as well as detailed studies, which resulted in the formation of recommendations and practical guidelines for nature protection or spatial planning. Recently, relevés have been rarely used solely to distinguish and characterise plant communities, as originally intended by those who invented this method. However, thanks to modern statistical and computer tools, more and more attempts are being made to create automatic classifications with the use of artificial intelligence, e.g. neural networks. The geographic scope was usually restricted to one country (local and regional – 241 articles) or to two or more bordering countries (47). Continental (19) and global (7) studies are less common and studies within Europe prevail. It is because the discussed method was developed and is best known in Europe (Franco-Swiss Phytosociological School), and its dissemination throughout the world is only an evidence of its universality and efficiency. The recent larger-scale studies became possible mainly due to the development of transnational vegetation databases, e.g. the widely utilised European Vegetation Database – EVA.

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Piekarczyk

AbstractWith increasing intensity of agricultural crop production increases the need to obtain information about environmental conditions in which this production takes place. Remote sensing methods, including satellite images, airborne photographs and ground-based spectral measurements can greatly simplify the monitoring of crop development and decision-making to optimize inputs on agricultural production and reduce its harmful effects on the environment. One of the earliest uses of remote sensing in agriculture is crop identification and their acreage estimation. Satellite data acquired for this purpose are necessary to ensure food security and the proper functioning of agricultural markets at national and global scales. Due to strong relationship between plant bio-physical parameters and the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected (in certain ranges of the spectrum) from plants and then registered by sensors it is possible to predict crop yields. Other applications of remote sensing are intensively developed in the framework of so-called precision agriculture, in small spatial scales including individual fields. Data from ground-based measurements as well as from airborne or satellite images are used to develop yield and soil maps which can be used to determine the doses of irrigation and fertilization and to take decisions on the use of pesticides.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmytro Iakushenko ◽  
Olena Borysova

Abstract The paper presents the results of the first syntaxonomical survey of the submerged plant communities belonging to the class of Charetea Fukarek ex Krausch 1964 in Ukraine based on the interpretation of about 80 published and unpublished phytosociological relevEs. Fourteen associations of two alliances and one order are characterized briefly. The diversity of charophyte communities in Ukraine is also described in brief. A preliminary prodromus of charophyte communities in Ukraine is given. Associations of Charetum intermediae (Corillion 1957) Fija≥kowski 1960, Charetum rudis Dπmbska 1966, Nitelletumgracilis Corillion 1957 are indicated for Ukraine for the first time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Douglas ◽  
Caiyun Zhang

The seasonal snowpack plays a critical role in Arctic and boreal hydrologic and ecologic processes. Though snow depth can be different from one season to another there are repeated relationships between ecotype and snowpack depth. Alterations to the seasonal snowpack, which plays a critical role in regulating wintertime soil thermal conditions, have major ramifications for near-surface permafrost. Therefore, relationships between vegetation and snowpack depth are critical for identifying how present and projected future changes in winter season processes or land cover will affect permafrost. Vegetation and snow cover areal extent can be assessed rapidly over large spatial scales with remote sensing methods, however, measuring snow depth remotely has proven difficult. This makes snow depth–vegetation relationships a potential means of assessing snowpack characteristics. In this study, we combined airborne hyperspectral and LiDAR data with machine learning methods to characterize relationships between ecotype and the end of winter snowpack depth. Our results show hyperspectral measurements account for two thirds or more of the variance in the relationship between ecotype and snow depth. An ensemble analysis of model outputs using hyperspectral and LiDAR measurements yields the strongest relationships between ecotype and snow depth. Our results can be applied across the boreal biome to model the coupling effects between vegetation and snowpack depth.


Author(s):  
P. S. Hnativ ◽  
I. Ja. Kaprus ◽  
P. R. Xirivs`kyj ◽  
О. D. Zynjuk ◽  
B. V. Krektun ◽  
...  

The tendencies in the development of the scientific-methodological and educational-methodical sphere related to the problems of deepening ecological knowledge, the ecologization of the spheres of productive and non-productive activities and education in particular, are analyzed. The world tendencies and main features of the current situation in environmental education in Ukraine are outlined. The necessity of entering the world standards of studying and assessing the state of the natural environment and the human environment is emphasized. The scheme of methodological structuring and improvement of the new in Ukraine, but well-established in European countries, the field of research and practical knowledge - environmental science – is presented. The environmental science is concerned with the study of all levels of the natural environment, from the cosmic to the intracellular, as well as all levels of the anthropic environment, from the technogenic to the productive, from the socio-cultural to the spiritual-aesthetic. A unique phenomenon of nature is the recognition of multi-level biotic – intra-ecosystem and intra-organismal environments. The subject matter of environmental science is constituted by the scientific foundations of the balanced coexistence of the medium-forming animate and inanimate natural systems and the human community, the methods of rational use of real-energy natural resources for the benefit of mankind without the destruction of the environment. The environmental science aims at the development and promotion of reasonable principles of coexistence of natural and social medium-forming systems in the environment in order to preserve the possibility of satisfying present and future generations of their material and non-material needs. As a system of knowledge, the science of the environment is filled with new information about the evolutionary unity of the material inanimate and living world, the role of science and spirituality in its understanding and preservation. Based on modern scientific and philosophical principles, the perception and importance of the biotic systems, biodiversity and eco-means of all levels is grounded. The environmental science studies the history of the emergence of the human population, its transformation into planetary geological force. Various spheres of human activity are considered, such as urbanization, social hygiene and health, agricultural production, food supply and threats typical of these activities. An inseparable part of education in environmental science is the knowledge of physical real-energy resources and the values of stability of inanimate medium-forming systems. Here, it is necessary to obtain geological knowledge, to study atmospheric phenomena, climate, water resources, natural disasters, as well as ways to control and protect them from pollution, destabilization or depletion. The current section of environmental science deals with the problems of civilization development and the latest achievements in such areas as renewable and safe energy, minimization and neutralization of solid and toxic waste, sustainable urbanization, non-destructive for environment and resources economics, balanced policies and legislation. Nonetheless important is active and optimistic promotion of the necessity to introduce principles of sustainable (eco-safety) development in all spheres of human activity, the formation of the mindset on the inevitability of transition to an economical way of life of an individual and civilization, the need to take an active civil position in society to preserve the environment. The list of priority disciplines for obtaining an education in the specialty of Environmental Protection Technologies is given. It is emphasized that the differentiation of the spheres of research and the study of general ecology and environmental science will allow us to streamline and improve the quality and pace of the ecologization of public consciousness. The implementation of above mentioned ideas will improve the results of environmental and nature protection activities, and will also contribute to the ongoing ecological research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilze Kokarēviča ◽  
Guntis Brūmelis ◽  
Raimonds Kasparinskis ◽  
Arta Rolava ◽  
Oļģerts Nikodemus ◽  
...  

Information on the long-term changes in plant communities that occur without human interference is limited, due to insufficient studies where vegetation can be resurveyed. In 1912, a strict nature protection reserve, with non-intervention management, was established on Moricsala Island in Latvia, located in the boreo–nemoral forest zone. Prior to establishment of the nature reserve, part of the island area was used for agriculture. The island is now covered almost entirely by forest dominated by Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Mill. on sandy soils. Resurvey was conducted in 2011 in 17 plots in which tree layers and the understory vegetation had been described in 1930. The plots were classified into two groups based on tree species composition in 1930 to determine changes in species composition. Differences in understory and tree canopy composition between these groups persisted over the period between the studies, in relation to soil factors and past stand history. Considerable turnover of species occurred, with a decrease of species typical of open habitats and replacement by species typical of nemoral (temperate deciduous) forest plant communities. In the past, Q. robur had likely established in open habitats created by agricultural land use or past fire but is presently not regenerating in the understory.


Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Kamila Reczyńska ◽  
Krzysztof Świerkosz

In the face of a rapidly changing global environment, detailed research into the actual role of protected areas (PAs) in preventing the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity became particularly important. Using 304 phytosociological relevés of oak forests from SW Poland, we monitored their state of preservation reflected by the share of synanthropes (Ws-c index) in relation to (i) duration of protection, (ii) status of protected area, (iii) main topographic factors, and (iv) bedrock type. We show that the Ws-c index of studied forests depends primarily on the habitat conditions, especially bedrock type, while both the duration and status of protection are not relevant. The most disturbed are forests developing on serpentine substrates regardless of whether they are protected or not. Within the rest of the investigated sites, the Ws-c index is significantly lower and does not meaningfully differ between protected and unprotected areas. On the one hand, our results suggest that the fact of establishing protection does not ensure a favourable state of conservation of forest communities. On the other hand, well-preserved forest communities can also be expected outside PAs what makes them an important target for nature protection in the future.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Prach ◽  
Jitka Klimešová ◽  
Jiří Košnar ◽  
Olexii Redčenko ◽  
Martin Hais

Abstract Vegetation was described in various spatial scales in the area of 37.8 km2 including distinguishing vegetation units, vegetation mapping, recording phytosociological relevés (53), and completing species lists of vascular plants (86), mosses (124) and lichens (40). Phytosociological relevés were elaborated using ordination methods DCA and CCA. The relevés formed clusters corresponding well to a priori assigned vegetation units. Slope and stoniness significantly influenced the vegetation pattern. Despite the high latitude (nearly 80° N), the vegetation is rather rich in species. Non-native species do not expand. The moss Bryum dichotomum is reported for the first time from Svalbard archipelago.


Biologia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anđelka Lasić ◽  
Nenad Jasprica

AbstractPlant communities were studied along two oligotrophic karstic rivers – Trebižat and Lištica – from 2007 to 2009. Based on 93 phytosociological relevés, using Braun–Blanquet methods, a total of 25 plant associations were recognised in the rivers and nearby surveyed area. These associations have been subordinated to 11 alliances, eight orders and six classes:


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocío Chaves ◽  
Pablo Ferrandis ◽  
Adrián Escudero ◽  
Arantzazu L. Luzuriaga

Abstract Background and AimsAlthough the role played by phylogeny in the assembly of plant communities remains as a priority to complete the theory of species coexistence, experimental evidence is lacking. It is still unclear to what extent phylogenetic diversity is a driver or a consequence of species assembly processes. We experimentally explored how phylogenetic diversity can drive the community level responses to drought conditions in annual plant communities. To this end, we manipulated the phylogenetic diversity of the species assemblages and the water availability in a common garden experiment with two treatments: average natural rainfall and drought.MethodsWe recorded plant survival and the numbers of flowering and fruiting plants per species in each assemblage. High phylogenetic diversity favored species coexistence over time with higher plant survival and more flowering and fruiting plants, especially under severe drought.Key Results. Our results demonstrate the existence of niche complementarity and the convergence of water economy strategies as major mechanisms for promoting species coexistence in plant assemblages in semiarid Mediterranean habitats.ConclusionsOur findings point to high phylogenetic diversity among neighboring plants as a plausible feature underpinning the recent “united we stand” framework, which states that diffuse positive interactions may promote mechanisms for the persistence of rare species in the community. We suggest that the large species number in the regional species pool may be the consequence of assembly processes occurring at small spatial scales, because the success of each species in terms of surviving and producing offspring was greater when the phylogenetic diversity was higher. Our study is a step forward to understand how phylogenetic relatedness is connected to the mechanisms determining the maintenance of biodiversity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-253
Author(s):  
Janina Skrzyczyńska ◽  
Zofia Rzymowska ◽  
Piotr Stachowicz

The research on the localities of <i>Avena strigosa</i> and on its increased occurrence in agricultural crops of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu was carried out in 1994-1998. The documentation of this research consists of 600 phytosociological relevés and the floristic records. The paper presents the composition and structure of the field plant communities where <i>Avena strigosa</i> was found. It occurs frequently on various soil types of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu. However, on the area examined it was found just in small numbers, covering up to 5% of the area, while in the eastern part of the area an increase in its occurrence was observed. In the area of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu <i>Avena strigosa</i> occurred in spring cereals in the communities of <i>Arnoserido</i>-<i>Scleranthetum</i> and <i>Vicietum tetraspermae</i> as well as in the poor field communities, with the character species of <i>Aperion spicae</i>-<i>venti</i> and <i>Panico</i>-<i>Setarion</i>. Additionally, <i>Avena strigosa</i> was also found in the field communities of root crops belonging to <i>Panico</i>-<i>Setarion</i> alliance; however, it was present there just in small numbers.


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