SEASONAL SPECTRAL SEPARABILITY OF SELECTED GRASSES: CASE STUDY FROM THE KRKONOŠE MTS. TUNDRA ECOSYSTEM

This paper focuses on spectral separability of closed alpine grasslands dominated with Nardus stricta and competitive grasses Calamagrostis villosa and Molinia caerulea in the relict arctic-alpine tundra located in the Krkonoše Mountains National Park, Czech Republic. The spectral data were acquired and compared at three levels: spectra of a single layer of leaves measured with the ASD FieldSpec4 Wide-Res spectroradiometer coupled with a contact probe in a laboratory (leaf level), canopy spectra measured in a field with the same spectroradiometer using the fiber optic cable with a pistol grip (canopy level), and hyperspectral image data acquired by Nano-Hyperspec® fastened to the DJI Matrice 600 Pro drone (image level). All the measurements were repeated three times during the 2019 vegetation season – in June, July and August. Using the methods of analysis of variance and Welch's (unpaired) t-test, it was proven that there were differences in the results for all three spectra sources. But in general, for each combination of species and each data source a suitable date and intervals of the spectral bands for species separation exist. The most suitable term for data acquisition in order to differentiate all the species is July. At the leaf level, the best species separability was observed in the near-infrared and shortwave infrared spectral ranges. At the canopy and image levels, the visible bands are of higher importance for discriminating the species.

Expected Changes to Alpine Pastures in Extent and Composition under Future Climate Conditions

As the basis of livestock feeding and related performances, pastures evolution and dynamics need to be carefully monitored and assessed, particularly in the Alps where the effects of land abandonment are further amplified by climate change. As such, increases in temperature associated with changes in precipitation patterns and quantity are leading to modifications of grassland extent and composition with consequences on the pastoral systems. This study applied a machine learning approach (Random Forest) and GIS techniques to map the suitability of seven pasture macro types most representative of the Italian Alps and simulated the impact of climate change on their dynamics according to two future scenarios (RCP4.5, 8.5), two time-slices (2011–2040, 2041–2070), and three RCMs (Aladin, CMCC, ICTP). Results indicated that (i) the methodology was robust to map the current suitability of pasture macro types (mean accuracy classification = 98.7%), so as to predict the expected alterations due to climate change; (ii) future climate will likely reduce current extend of suitable pasture (−30% on average) and composition, especially for most niche ecosystems (i.e., pastures dominated by Carex firma and Festuca gr. Rubra); (iii) areas suited to hardier but less palatable pastures (i.e., dominated by Nardus stricta and xeric species) will expand over the Alps in the near future. These impacts will likely determine risks for biodiversity loss and decreases of pastoral values for livestock feeding, both pivotal aspects for maintaining the viability and profitability of the Alpine pastoral system as a whole.

Види рослин і лишайників Кий-острова в Гербарії Національного лісотехнічного університету України (LWFU)

Кий-острів, що розташований в Онезькій затоці Білого моря (географічні координати 64°00′ п. ш., 37°53′ с. д.) – це виступ гранітної плити, яка залягає на незначній глибині і виходить на поверхню моря у вигляді скель. Геоморфологічні та кліматичні особливості острова, близькість до Північного полярного кола та Арктичної області, зумовили формування на ньому своєрідних природних комплексів, де переважають соснові ліси. Виконані в липні 1984 р. серії описів лісових біоценозів острова дали змогу встановити як основні типи цих лісів (сосняк лишайниковый скальный, сосняк лишайниковый каменистый, сосняк лишайниковый багульниково-вересковый на вершинах сельг [Kucherov, Zverev, 2012; Rupestrian landscapes…, 2008; Rysin, 1975]), так і відповідні їм типи асоціацій (Pinetum cladinosum petraeum, Myrtillus-Calluna-Cladina-Typ, Pinetum uliginosi-vaccinioso-ledosum). Наведений перелік домінантних видів рослин і лишайників нижніх ярусів лісових біоценозів демонструє наявність у їх складі характерних представників бореальної та гіпоарктичної флори. Найбільша частина з них – це класичні бореальні види: Andromeda polifolia L., Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench, Ledum palustre L., Linnaea borealis L., Nardus stricta L. та інші. На другій позиції знаходяться гіпоарктичні види, серед яких Betula nana L., Rubus arcticus L., Rubus chamaemorus L., Cornus suecica L. На поверхнях скель високу частку складають представники відділу Lichenomycota – характерні елементи північних та південних лишайникових тундр, а саме: Cladonia stellaris (Opiz) Pouzar & Vězda, Cladonia sylvatica (L.) Hoffm., Cladonia rangiferina (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg., Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach., Peltigera aphthosa (L.) Willd. Зібраний гербарний матеріал (45 зразків 16-ти таксонів) достатньою мірою відображає найбільш характерні риси біоти скельних сосняків Кий-острова та являє собою єдину колекцію видів з північної тайги європейської частини Росії в Гербарії Національного лісотехнічного університету України, який офіційно зареєстрований в міжнародних базах даних під акронімом LWFU.

Soils and relief relationships in subalpine grasslands in the Central Pyrenees (NE, Spain)

<p>On two accumulation levels, separated by an unevenness up to 2 m, two contrasted plant communities can be differentiated in subalpine stage of the Pyrenees: the dense tussock-forming grass <em>Nardus stricta</em>, at the upper level (L1), and the open chalk grasslands at the lower level (L2). In order to confirm the soil-relief-grasslands relationships, we analyzed and compared soil pedogenesis and properties in both accumulation levels. In addition, we classify the soils following WRB and ST systems and we discuss the finesse of both taxonomies in these high mountain environments. The work has been carried out at 1900 masl, in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (PNOMP), in the summer grasslands site of La Estiva (Fanlo, Central Pyrenees, NE Spain). Five soil pits were studied in every accumulation level (L1 and L2) for a side-by-side comparison.</p><p>            The study of soils in the two levels of accumulation reveals a series of differences in their genesis, properties and soil classification. The accumulation of organic matter and lixiviation are the dominant edafogenetic processes in L1, to which we must add the rejuvenation by gully erosion in L2. Soils at L1 and L2 shared many physical properties as a fine granulometry, with a homogeneous particle-size distribution with depth. In both levels, the soils lack carbonates, even though limestones are the parental material. The soils in L1 have a greater thickness and, thus, a higher water holding capacity than in L2. In relation to chemical properties, soils in L1 have a significantly lower pH, a lower base saturation, and lower available calcium content than in L2, reflecting a more intense leaching process, consistent with a longer period of slope stability. Over L1 with <em>Nardus</em> mat-grasslands, the main soil is classified as Orthoeutric Cambisols (Clayic, Humic), and the soil over L2, with chalk-grasslands, as Hypereutric Leptosols (Loamic, Ochric). Soil taxonomy System (USDA), giving more weight to the temperature regime, classify both soils as Haplocryept, at the level of great group, separating them at the subgroup level as Typic Haplocryept (L1) and Lithic Haplocryept (L2), according to the depth at which limestone appears (lithic contact). Definitely, the microtopograhy and geomorphologic context, is linked to the pedodiversity, which goes hand in hand with plant diversity in this subalpine environment.</p>

Heat waves and droughts strongly impact productivity and ecosystem functioning in an abandoned subalpine grassland

<p>Climate and land-use changes have major impacts on global biodiversity and carbon cycle of ecosystems. Severe heat waves and droughts, already experienced by the European Alps, e.g. in 2015 and 2018, are expected to further increase in the near future.</p><p>In the last decades, land-use changes have led to the abandonment of several mountain grasslands and pastures, so that in Europe a net conversion of grasslands to forest is currently occurring. However, the consequences of alpine grassland abandonment on the ecosystem responses to climate extremes are still largely unknown. Understanding climate change impacts and feedbacks of alpine and subalpine grasslands is essential, because they are ecologically sensitive ecosystems, and they constitute an important C sink and hotspots of biodiversity.</p><p>In this work we aim at understanding the effects of heat waves and drought on the relative productivity of grasses and forbs and consequently on ecosystem functioning in an abandoned subalpine grassland located in the Western Italian Alps (Aosta Valley) at 2100 m asl. We took advantage of a 10-years natural experiment in which we analysed biomass production, LAI and Net Ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> Exchange. Vegetation of the study area is characterized by a dominance of the grass Nardus stricta, and by Arnica montana, Trifolium alpinum, Geum montanum and several other forb species typical of alpine and subalpine grasslands.</p><p>In the period 2009-2019, primary production as represented by biomass and leaf area index (LAI) gradually decreased with important drops in 2015 and 2018, which were characterised by extreme climatic conditions.</p><p>Considering the functional type response to extremes, the LAI peak of grasses, which appeared always the dominant portion of the total LAI, showed significantly lower values in 2015 and 2018 compared to long-term. On the other hand, LAI peak values of forbs showed higher variability among plots and years. The clear decrease of the LAI of grasses (mainly represented by Nardus stricta) contributed significantly to the decrease of the total biomass production and to the NEE reduction. The response of Nardus stricta to heat waves and drought is very clear and influences ecosystem functioning and consequently vegetation dynamics, modifying the relative productivity of grasses and forbs. As an example, in the years 2015 and 2018 an evident phenological response was observed in Arnica montana, with an exceptional number of inflorescences.</p><p>In conclusion, we found that heat waves and droughts have the potential to influence the natural vegetation dynamics following abandonment and contribute to the reduction of plant biomass production with consequences on the net ecosystem C exchange and species competition in mountain grasslands.</p>

NEW REVIEW OF POACEAE OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION

Grasses one of the largest families of higher plants, including about 12000 species from 950 genera. The paper presents up-to-date information about the taxonomic composition, geographical distribution and habitat conditions of cereals in the South of the Middle Volga region (within the Penza, Samara and Ulyanovsk regions). studies of Grasses were conducted throughout the southern Middle Volga region, and herbarium collections stored in LE, MOSP, MW, PKM, PVB, etc. were also studied. Agrostology the South of the Middle Volga region are 72 genera (including 2 nothogenera) and 221 species (including 5 nothospecies). In the flora of the Southern Middle Volga region, 20 rare species of Grasses, of which 5 species are included in the Red book of the Russian Federation (2008): Koeleria sclerophylla, Stipa dasyphylla, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. zalesskii; 14 species – in the Red book of the Penza region (2013): Drymochloa sylvatica, Festuca wolgensis, Helictotrichon desertorum, Melica transsilvanica, Scolochloa festucacea, Stipa borysthenica, S. dasyphylla, S. lessingiana, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. sareptana, S. tirsa, S. zalesskii, Trisetum sibiricum; 18 species – in the Red book of the Samara region (2017): Avenula pubescens, Bromopsis benekenii, Catabrosella humilis, Cinna latifolia, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Drymochloa sylvatica, Elytrigia pruinifera, Helictotrichon schellianum, Koeleria sclerophylla, Pholiurus pannonicus, Poa saksonovii, Psathyrostachys juncea, Stipa dasyphylla, S. korshinskyi, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. tirsa, S. zalesskii; 18 species – in the Red book of the Ulyanovsk region (2015): Catabrosella humilis, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Drymochloa sylvatica, Festuca cretacea, F. wolgensis, Helictotrichon desertorum, Koeleria sclerophylla, Leymus ramosus, Nardus stricta, Psathyrostachys juncea, Stipa borysthenica, S. dasyphylla, S. korshinskyi, S. lessingiana, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. tirsa, S. zalesskii. Only Poa saksonovii is endemic to the South of the Middle Volga region; 5 types of Grasses are described from the study area: Festuca wolgensis, Koeleria sclerophylla, K. transvolgensis, Leymus paboanus, Poa saksonovii.

Impact of Renewed Cattle Grazing on Floristic Composition in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains

The aim of the study was to estimate changes in the floristic composition near Švýcárna lodge (1304 m a.s.l.), where cattle grazing after a long-term management cessation was introduced on a pasture area of 3.6 ha in 2012. The pasture was divided into two grazing sub-localities: P1 (Nar) with dominance of Nardus stricta and Avenella flexuosa and P2 (Des) with dominance of Deschampsia cespitosa. For grazing, Highland Cattle was used with a stocking rate up to 1 livestock unit per ha and year. The floristic composition was evaluated and statistically analyzed. After six years of restored grazing the overall species richness enhanced and a higher dominance of rare and endangered species was found. The dominance of some common species like Vaccinium myrtillus, and Calamagrostis villosa tended to decrease within a grazing period in favor of new species colonisation.

Handüzü Yaylasının Botanik Kompozisyonu Üzerine Bir Çalışma

In this study, which was carried out in 2018, some vegetation characteristics of Handüzü plateau which was connected to Güneysu district of Rize province was determined by using Lup method. Canopy cover and botanical composition ratios and pasture status class were investigated in the study. As a result of the study, 4 grasses, 4 legume and 33 other family plants were identified. The rate canopy covering of the research area was 82.40%, the rate of grasses in the botanical composition was 33.37%, the rate of the legumes was 5.75% and the ratio of the other families was 60.88%. The first three species, the most common found in pasture, respectively; Nardus stricta L. (27.00%), Carex atrata L. subsp. aterrima (Hoppe) Hartm. (11.10%) and Polygala alpestris Rchb. (8.50%). Pasture status was determined as weak with a value of 2.456% degree of pasture quality. It was concluded that especially controlled grazing and top-seeding, were applied together other methods of breeding.