Search results for "Plant"
showing 10 items of 11944 documents
A fungal perspective on conservation biology
2014
Hitherto fungi have rarely been considered in conservation biology, but this is changing as the field moves from addressing single species issues to an integrative ecosystem-based approach. The current emphasis on biodiversity as a provider of ecosystem services throws the spotlight on the vast diversity of fungi, their crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems, and the benefits of considering fungi in concert with animals and plants. We reviewed the role of fungi in ecosystems and composed an overview of the current state of conservation of fungi. There are 5 areas in which fungi can be readily integrated into conservation: as providers of habitats and processes important for other organisms…
Corrigendum to “Soil fungal community composition does not alter along a latitudinal gradient through the maritime and sub-Antarctic” Fungal Ecology …
2012
Perennial polypores as indicators of annual and red-listed polypores
2009
Abstract Many polypores are specialized in their requirements for substrate and environment, and they have been suggested to indicate the continuity of coarse woody debris or naturalness of a forest stand. However, the use of polypores as indicators of conservation value is restricted by the temporally limited appearance of annual fruit bodies. We studied whether the species richness of perennial polypores (perennials) can be used to predict the species richness of annual or annual red-listed polypores (annuals). Our data included 1471 separate datasets (sample plots or larger inventoried areas) in different parts of Finland and Russian Karelia, ranging from the southern to northern boreal …
Pollination biology in Roepera (Zygophyllaceae): How flower structure and shape influence foraging activity
2019
The foraging behavior of bees is a complex phenomenon that depends on numerous physical features of flowers. Of particular importance are accessibility of floral rewards, floral proportions, symmetry and orientation. The flowers of Roepera are characterized by the presence of staminal scales (SS), which play an important role in nectar protection. We studied two species of Roepera with different symmetry and flower orientation, which are mainly visited by honeybees (Apis mellifera). We aimed to show how the foraging behavior of honey bees is affected by the function of SS, floral symmetry and orientation. The foraging behavior was documented by video photography. Handling time, access to ne…
A novel method to predict dark diversity using unconstrained ordination analysis
2019
[Questions] Species pools are the product of complex ecological and evolutionary mechanisms, operating over a range of spatial scales. Here, we focus on species absent from local sites but with the potential to establish within communities — known as dark diversity. Methods for estimating dark diversity are still being developed and need to be compared, as well as tested for the type, and amount, of reference data needed to calibrate these methods. [Location] South Bohemia (48°58′ N, 14°28′ E) and Železné Hory (49°52′ N, 15°34′ E), Czech Republic. [Method] We compared a widely accepted algorithm to estimate species pools (Beals smoothing index, based on species co-occurrence) against a nove…
Spring weed communities of rice agrocoenoses in central Nepal
2016
AbstractRice field weed communities occurring in central Nepal are presented in this study. The research was focussed on the classification of segetal plant communities occurring in paddy fields, which had been poorly investigated from a geobotanical standpoint. In all, 108 phytosociological relevés were sampled, using the Braun-Blanquet method. The analyses classified the vegetation into 9 communities, including 7 associations and one subassociation. Four new plant associations and one new subassociation were proposed: Elatinetum triandro-ambiguae, Mazo pumili-Lindernietum ciliatae, Mazo pumili-Lindernietum ciliatae caesulietosum axillaris, Rotaletum rotundifoliae and Ammanietum pygmeae. D…
‘False resupination’ in the flower-pairs of Thalia (Marantaceae)
2016
Abstract Resupination, i.e., the turn by 180°, arranges zygomorphic flowers in a suitable position for pollination. It is well-known from orchids, but also occurs in further angiosperm families. Within the genus Thalia L. (Marantaceae), T. dealbata has erect and T. geniculata pendulous inflorescences. Nevertheless, in both species the zygomorphic flower-pairs show the right position for pollination. Thus, resupination is expected in Marantaceae. To reconstruct spatial arrangement, flower development was investigated from meristem formation to anthesis. Early morphogenetic stages were analysed under the scanning electron microscope, late stages were documented by time-lapse records. Gravity …
Nectar robbing does not affect female reproductive success of an endangered Antirrhinum species, Plantaginaceae
2019
ABSTRACTBackground: Nectar robbers in many plant species affect female reproductive success, usually decreasing the amount of seed produced by plants, which can affect populations persistence.Aims:...
Annual cycle of starch content in rhizomes of the forest geophytes Anemone nemorosa and Aegopodium podagraria
1997
Summary Starch contents of rhizomes of Anemone nemorosa L. and Aegopodium podagraria L. were measured enzymatically. The results were compared to the developmental stage determined weekly. Minimum starch contents were measured few weeks after the begin of the growth period, then the starch contents increased during leaf expansion to reach its maximum immediately before the yellowing of the leaves. During the yellowing starch contents did not increase further due to rhizome growth. Anemone nemorosa had a higher starch content than Aegopodium podagraria. This can be explained in context of the different growth strategies of the plants. The first species follows the dominance strategy of growt…
New national and regional Annex I Habitat records: from #21 to #25
2021
New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats 3170*, 6110*, 91E0*, 9320, 9330 are reported in this contribution. Specifically, one new occurrence in Natura 2000 sites is presented and six new cells are added in the European Environment Agency 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Sardinia, Sicily and Umbria.