An Asphodelus ramosus dominated plant community in Montenegro

Our phytosociological study in Montenegro (Ćemovsko polje) deals with the syntaxonomy of arid grasslands in the Adriatic region and, in particular, different interpretations of plant communities dominated by Asphodelus ramosus. The main aims of this study were to contribute to knowledge of the composition of dry grasslands dominated by Asphodelus ramosus in Montenegro and to compare instances of Asphodelus ramosus dominated vegetation along the Adriatic. Our vegetation dataset included 82 phytosociological relevés: 17 from our recent field work and 72 relevés of South European Asphodelus ramosus communities. Ordination analysis (NMDS) was used for comparison of Asphodelus ramosus dominated communities in the Adriatic region. The Asphodelus ramosus community from Montenegro was classified into Bromo erecti-Chrysopogonetum grylli. The analysis revealed two distinct vegetation groups: grassland communities of the vegetation class Festuco-Brometea from Montenegro, Croatia and Albania, and edge vegetation of the new class Charybdido pancratii-Asphodeletea ramosi from Italy. Comparison with similar vegetation types shows high similarity with associations on the eastern Adriatic coast, where they are treated as grassland communities belonging to the alliance Chrysopogono grylli-Koelerion splendentis, order Scorzoneretalia villosae, class Festuco-Brometea.

Vegetation of the natural monument “Urochishche Kuzilinka” and its surroundings (Orel region)

The article describes the calciphytic steppe communities located in the territory of the natural monument “Urochische Kuzilinka” and its surroundings (Orel region). The communities were assigned to the association Onosmato simplicissimae–Salvietum nutantis Averinova ass. nov. That unit was included in the sub-union Bupleuro falcati–Gypsophilenion altissimae Averinova 2005 (union Festucion valesiacae Klika 1931, order Festucetalia valesiacae Soó 1947, class Festuco–Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947) on the basis of a diagnostic species analysis. The new association was characterized. Results of the ordination analysis of leading environmental factors for the described communities are provided.

Sustainability analysis of ornamental plants farming in Makassar

This study aims to analyze the sustainability index of each dimension of ecology, economy, social, and technology as well as identify sensitive attributes that determine the sustainability of ornamental plant farming in Makassar. The rapid appraisal for program modified from rapid appraisal for fisheries program using the multidimensional scaling (MDS) method was used as the analytical instrument. MDS ordination analysis results showed the sustainability index value of each dimension, namely ecology (37.30), economic (40.90), social (31.74), and technology (34.33) were categorized as less sustainable with an average index value of all dimensions was 36.07. The leverage analysis visualizes that 9 out of 17 attributes has shown to be sensitive attributes that affect the business sustainability of ornamental plant in Makassar, namely frequency of crop waste management, water sources, utilization of plant waste, market scale, profitability, business land status, company registration certificate, use of modern technology, and frequency of environmentally friendly technology usage. Government should provide special business zones for ornamental plant so that all ornamental plant farmer in Makassar can be grouped into one zone. Furthermore, it can increase gross regional domestic product, employment opportunities, and opening up opportunities of other industrial sectors growth.

Spatiotemporal Assembly of Bacterial and Fungal Communities of Seed-Seedling-Adult in Rice

Seeds harbor not only genetic information about plants but also microbial communities affecting plants’ vigor. Knowledge on the movement and formation of seed microbial communities during plant development remains insufficient. Here, we address this knowledge gap by investigating endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of seeds, seedlings, and adult rice plants. We found that seed coats act as microbial niches for seed bacterial and fungal communities. The presence or absence of the seed coat affected taxonomic composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities associated with seeds and seedlings. Ordination analysis showed that niche differentiation between above- and belowground compartments leads to compositional differences in endophytic bacterial and fungal communities originating from seeds. Longitudinal tracking of the composition of microbial communities from field-grown rice revealed that bacterial and fungal communities originating from seeds persist in the leaf, stem, and root endospheres throughout the life cycle. Our study provides ecological insights into the assembly of the initial endophytic microbial communities of plants from seeds.

Floristics, phytosociology and biogeography of capitinga vegetation in a white sand habitat in the Chapada Diamantina Mountains, Brazil

Capitinga is poorly studied vegetation growing on small, scattered islands of fine, white sand surrounded by the latosol forests on the eastern flank of the Chapada Diamantina Mountains in northeastern Brazil. Our study characterized capitinga vegetation, its environmental features, and compared its flora with the vegetation mosaic within the Espinhaço and Chapada Diamantina ranges. Floristic data was collected from 1999-2006, and phytosociological surveys were undertaken in 2004-2005 and 2016-2017 within fifteen 50 x 2 m plots (100 m2 each, 1500 m2 in total). Multivariate grouping and ordination analysis were used to examine the floristic affinities of capitinga vegetation. Sixty different species from 36 families were recorded overall, while a total of 4945 individuals distributed among 25 families and 33 species were recorded in the plots. The richest families were Fabaceae (7) and Apocynaceae (5), while the most abundant families were Arecaceae (61.5% of all individuals) and Velloziaceae (18.4%), represented by Syagrus harleyi and Vellozia dasypus respectively. Capitinga represents a distinct habitat conditioned by edaphic features, and its flora is unlike other vegetations in the Espinhaço or Chapada Diamantina ranges, with several locally endemic species.

Ruderal vegetation in Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine) – the class of Robinietea

The present paper studies the ruderal vegetation of the class of Robinietea in Kryvyi Rih. We present the spontaneous woody vegetation of parks and other artificial plantations. Urban landscapes remain unstudied phytosociologically despite the highly diverse habitat niches. We have carried out the comparisons of communities from other regions of Ukraine and adjacent territories. In total, four associations and one derivate community, belonging to three alliances, were identified and categorized as follows: Chelidonio-Acerion negundi (synanthropic tree communities with Acer negundo), Chelidonio majoris-Robinion pseudoacaciae (artificial and spontaneous plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia), Geo-Acerion platanoidis (artificial plantations of broad-leaved tree species). The ordination analysis indicates ecological differentiation of syntaxa investigated in Kryvyi Rih. The most important of them are soil aeration (Ae), the cryo-climate (Cr) and nitrogen content in soil (Nt). Critical revision of the class Robinietea syntaxonomy demands further current research.