Uruguayan Grasslands: A Threatened Natural Asset

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(2)

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

ABSTRACT Grasslands are often mis‐defined, mainly due to the legacy of colonial narratives in several regions, which have described them as deforested, unproductive or wastelands. They been largely ignored global conservation and protection policies, leading increased exploitation. Although there is much accumulated evidence on ecosystem services that grasslands provide, Uruguay, this still neglected parts society for most sustainability policies. Twenty percent Uruguayan replaced by other land uses (crops forestry) recent decades. Nevertheless, large areas natural remain their preservation crucial. The aim work was show value through a brief review history multiple assets (i.e., biodiversity, services, cultural identity economic activities). We also outline some advances public policy initiatives, but emphasise such policies critically underdeveloped terms conservation, threatening existence Uruguay future generations.

Language: Английский

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Community-level foliar stable carbon isotope is dominantly influenced by leaf functional traits in dry Inner Mongolia steppes

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: April 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Patterns of grass (Poaceae) species distribution and richness across India

Published: May 7, 2025

Abstract Tropical grassy biomes (TGBs) cover a substantial portion of Earth’s land surface area and support rich diversity fauna flora. Yet, despite their importance for biodiversity human livelihoods, the TGBs South Asia, including India, have historically been undervalued, as result, understudied. Here, we address this gap with first subcontinental-scale analyses grass species richness distribution across Indian region. Using data on occurrences collated from multiple regional floras, describe families, functional groups Poaecea region, variation function climate geomorphology. India hosts >1100 species, comprising ∼10% global richness. Over half these were perennial C4 grasses, Panicoideae being most speciose subfamily in country. Consistent patterns observed globally, PACMAD clade consisting both C3 was more warmer regions, while subfamilies BEP clade, Pooideae Bambusoideae, abundant cooler regions Both total greatest districts high moisture availability, wetter low precipitation seasonality supported greater Our results spotlight previously unrecognized areas arid semi-arid North-West Deccan Peninsula call conservation attention to neglected that are outside known hotspots protected areas.

Language: Английский

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Classification of montane grasslands in central Argentina

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Abstract Question We address the following questions: (1) which are main plant communities in montane grasslands central Argentina; (2) do those differ terms of floristic composition, endemisms, chorotypes and life forms; (3) major environmental variables (climatic, topographic edaphic) associated with heterogeneity vegetation? Location Pampean Mountains (Sierras Pampeanas), Córdoba Province, Argentina, an area ca. 37,000 km 2 . Methods The survey was based on a data set comprising 746 relevés 822 vascular species, collected accordance Braun‐Blanquet sampling method. were classified using hierarchical ISOmetric feature mapping Partitioning Around Medoids, ordinated through isometric (ISOPAM). related to ISOPAM ordination. Results classification identified two clusters, five vegetation types 17 communities, distributed across different elevations. There notable differences diagnostic average percentages endemic forms among various communities. primary gradient grassland found be elevation climatic variables. Conclusions study provides valuable insights into Sierras Pampeanas Argentina. It presents comprehensive region's grasslands, including tall tussock humid stony scattered shrubs trees. Each recognized unit is distinguished by species distinct composition. Our findings emphasize significant division between at higher elevation, abundant Andean Piedmont shrubby lower elevations, characterized prevalence Chacoan other Neotropical species. Grassland regions remains poorly studied, requiring additional research determine syntaxonomic position this vegetation.

Language: Английский

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Community-level foliar stable carbon isotope is more influenced by leaf functional traits under drought conditions

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

The carbon isotope composition of leaf tissue is an excellent indicator a plant's intrinsic water use efficiency, providing crucial insights into vegetation dynamics under global climate change. However, in arid and semiarid grassland ecosystems, the factors driving variations community foliar δ¹³C values across different steppe types extent to which they can be used monitor changes productivity remain unclear. Based on community-weighted mean (foliar δ¹³C_CWM) meadow steppe, typical desert are distributed from east west as resources decrease Inner Mongolia grasslands, our study examines impacts regulatory pathways means functional traits (LFT_CWM) environmental δ¹³C_CWM aboveground productivity. Our results show that predominantly influenced by areas but areas. Aboveground Mongolian grasslands primarily temperature, findings for understanding how plants drive processes ecosystems determining responses changes.

Language: Английский

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