Hacquetia

Soil pH as a strong driver of plant species distribution in alpine-nival ecotone of the Central Caucasus

2024-06-04T12:33:14+02:00

Soil pH can be a strong driver of species distributions in general, however, its role in alpine-nival ecotone is little known. We compared the composition of plant species of two locations located 25km apart from each other, one near Mt. Kazbegi and another near Mt. Gudauri (Georgia). These locations have similar abiotic environments but significantly different soil pH levels. The sampled communities were located at 3000 m a.s.l., which in the Central Caucasus corresponds to the alpine-nival ecotone. North- versus south-facing slopes were sampled with a standardized stratified-random design. Soil samples were collected from the same vegetation sampling plots. The analysis of climate data from available databases showed that these two locations were climatically similar but distinguishable in soil pH values. In total, 74 species were recorded, of which the relatively frequent 33 species (those with a frequency of occurrence ≥10) were used for multivariate statistical analyses. The floristic similarity between the locations was low. Axis 1, which was primarily linked to soil pH and, to a lesser extent, vegetation cover, accounted for nearly all the variation in the Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) ordination. Our results suggest that soil pH is a key factor in community assembly in the alpine-nival ecotone of the Central Caucasus.

Diversity and botanical characterization of polyfloral honey from Bosnia and Herzegovina

2025-03-18T08:36:28+01:00

As part of the research, 50 polyfloral honey samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) were collected and analyzed. The study aimed to determine the botanical specificity and degree of diversity of polyfloral honey originating from B&H. Melisopalynological preparations were prepared and interpreted by the Regulation on Methods for the Control of Honey and Other Bee Products of Bosnia and Herzegovina and methods proposed by the ICBB. Melissopalynological analysis revealed 15,000 pollen grains from 50 polyfloral honey samples and from 24 plant families. The most prominent number of pollen grains was from Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae. Through the analysis of micromorphological characteristics, 51 different pollen types were identified. The Shannon-Weaver (H) index value of the analyzed samples were from 1.65 to 2.72, while the Shannon uniformity index (J') was from 0.7 to 1. Each analyzed palynological profile represents a unique combination of pollen from honey plants and reflects the floristic diversity of the apiflora B&H.

Phytosociological Patterns Along a Soil Nutrient Gradient in Sacred Groves of Haryana

2025-04-25T06:59:32+02:00

Sacred groves (SGs) are patches of natural vegetation traditionally protected by local communities for religious, cultural, or spiritual reasons. This study evaluated the phytodiversity and soil nutrient profile of four SGs in semi-arid Western Haryana, outside the protected area network. Quadrat sampling recorded floristic composition, species richness, dominance, evenness, and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′). Soil parameters included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (BD), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic carbon (OC). Tree, shrub, and herb density was highest in Bidola SG, while basal area was greater in Sultanpur (19.77 m²/ha) and Dhingsara (15.51 m²/ha) than in Makrana Johra (7.69) and Bidola (4.49). Dominant species were Acacia tortilis (Bidola), Salvadora oleoides (Sultanpur), and invasive Prosopis juliflora (Dhingsara). H′ ranged 0.61–3.26 for trees, 0.05–0.58 for shrubs, 0.39–0.88 for herbs, and 0.32–4.59 for climbers. Soils showed highest EC, N, P, K, and OC in Makrana Johra, maximum BD in Dhingsara, and highest pH in Bidola. Findings highlight that SGs of Western Haryana sustain notable biodiversity and soil fertility, but agricultural expansion threatens their integrity, requiring urgent conservation and community–scientist collaboration.

Holotypes of three Turczaninow’s species names in Malvaceae s. str. rediscovered at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW), with nomenclatural comments

2025-08-06T14:17:45+02:00

Turczaninow published in the mid-19^th century at least 58 binomials (species-rank names) in Malvaceae sensu stricto. In their nomenclatural overview of Turczaninow’s names in Malvaceae, Fryxell and Krapovickas (in 1990) reported several supposed holotypes of some names as “not located”. Here we report the re-discovery of three holotypes of species-rank names published by Turczaninow in Malvaceae, viz. Malva mathewsii (now considered a synonym of Fuertesimalva peruviana), M. scorpioides (a synonym of Fuertesimalva chilensis), and Sphaeralcea galeottii (a synonym of Phymosia umbellata), discuss the current taxonomic status of these names, and provide several miscellaneous nomenclatural comments on some other names of taxa of that family. We confirm our earlier conclusion that holotypes (if applicable) of names published by Turczaninow in his Animadversiones… series are normally deposited in the Turczaninow Memorial Collection (KW-TURCZ, now at the National Herbarium of Ukraine, KW), if not indicated otherwise in the protologue. We also report an additional isoneotype of the name Sphaeroma floribunda (now Phymosia floribunda) discovered at KW and comment on some previous type designation in view of our newly discovered holotypes. Digital images of four type specimens (three holotypes and one isoneotype) are provided. Further digitization tasks at KW are emphasized, especially in view of the current wartime threats.

Checklist of the Bryophytes of Bogotá, D. C., Colombia

2024-10-03T12:54:26+02:00

In Colombia, ecosystems such as the páramos and high Andean forests are characterized by their high diversity of bryophytes. These include mosses, liverworts and hornworts. They lack complex tissues, which contribute to their relatively small size and their ability to grow on various substrates, even in nutrient-poor or polluted environments such as cities. Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is known for its plentiful water resources and cold climate. It also encompasses one of the world's largest paramo ecosystems. This study compiles specimen distribution data from databases and herbaria, refining the nomenclature to produce a list of 450 bryophyte taxa reported within Bogotá. Of these, 279 are mosses, 167 are liverworts and, for the first time, four species of hornwort have been reported. This study highlights Bogotá’s significance as a refuge for important Neotropical bryophyte diversity.

New community of sycamore maple in northwestern Slovenia (Aconito paniculati-Aceretum pseudoplatanii ass. nov.)

2025-03-16T18:03:04+01:00

We compared and analyzed a large number of relevés of montane-subalpine maple forests in northwestern and western Slovenia, and classified most of them into the association Lamio orvalae-Aceretum pseudoplatani. Several relevés from the Julian Alps, which we made on debris slopes (talus) and rockfall at elevations between 940 m and 1540 m, stood out and we classified them into the new association Aconito paniculati-Aceretum pseudoplatani (suballiance Lamio orvalae-Acerenion pseudoplatani, alliance Tilio-Acerion). In terms of species composition (but not in terms of its sites), its stands highly resemble the stands of the upper montane-subalpine beech-maple association Aconito paniculati-Fagetum sylvatica (suballiance Saxifrago rotundifolii-Fagenion sylvaticae, alliance Aremonio-Fagion). The stands of both plant communities may be syndynamically connected. The article also discusses pioneer sycamore maple stands on former fields, pastures or hay meadows in the foothills of the southern Julian Alps and the Trnovo Forest Plateau, which are classified into the (for the time being) provisionally described new association Senecio fuchsii-Aceretum pseudoplatani nom. prov.

The genus Carex (Cyperaceae) in Slovenia

2025-05-29T12:22:23+02:00

This paper presents an update of the knowledge about the genus Carex in Slovenia, based on field investigations, herbarium revisions in LJU and LJS, as well as an analysis of literature data. Currently, there are 87 Carex species known in Slovenia, including two introduced ones. The occurrence of another six taxa is considered doubtful. Particular attention has been paid to hybrids, which appear quite often in the genus Carex. Currently, there are 20 Carex hybrids known in Slovenia, while another one is doubtful. In this paper, an overview of 35 rare native Carex species in Slovenia and all 20 hybrids is given. For all these taxa a distribution map is provided.

On a new Molinia caerulea grassland association in the Central Apennines (Italy)

2025-05-01T06:59:44+02:00

Molinia caerulea meadows represent a well-known Natura 2000 Habitat with a large potential distribution area in Europe. As for Italy, at present they were recognized only in its Northern and Southern part. The present study analyzes for the first time a new Molinia caerulea plant community found in a karst montane plateau of Central Italy. Its floristic-sociological characteristics allow the authors to propose the new association Centaureo jaceae-Molinietum caeruleae, with two subassociation (-typicum and -caricetosum hostianae, along with one variant. Despite of these Purple moorgrass meadows show some affinities with some Western Balkan plant associations belonging to Trifolio-Hordeetalia, the study suggests that the new association should be better referred to the Molinietalia caeruleae order.

An update to the non-native species of Salvia L. (Nepetoideae, Lamiaceae) for Tunisia with a first record of S. hispanica L.

2025-08-06T14:10:39+02:00

The present paper reports the first records of spontaneous micropopulations of Salvia hispanica in Tunisia. This finding constitutes the second official record of the taxon to the African continent and the expansion of its distribution range to the southern Mediterranean (North Africa). Morphological description, flowering-fruiting periods, together with information on local distribution and habitat traits as well as original photographs are here provided. Moreover, new distributional records of two more non-native Salvia are here reported for the first time as a result of extensive botanical surveys undertaken during the last two decades. A key to non-native species of the genus Salvia reported for Tunisia is also proposed.