Land use/cover and land degradation across the Eurasian steppe: Dynamics, patterns and driving factors

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 909, P. 168593 - 168593

Published: Nov. 14, 2023

Language: Английский

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Key conservation actions for European steppes in the context of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Sustainability Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Central European forest–steppe: An ecosystem shaped by climate, topography and disturbances

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(6), P. 1006 - 1020

Published: April 19, 2022

Abstract The occurrence and origin of dry grasslands their rich biota in the moderately humid Central‐European climate have fascinated scientists for over a century. Modern palaeoecological phylogeographical data support earlier hypotheses that these are late Pleistocene relicts can therefore be considered part Eurasian forest–steppe biome. However, it is still unclear which factors fostered maintenance steppe patches Central Europe throughout Holocene. Here, we provide an overview main hypotheses, stress, respectively, effects climate, edaphic conditions disturbances. We then develop general conceptual framework on how three interact to form mosaics. thereby emphasize role topography as crucial control patterns at landscape scale. Topography related several mechanistic drivers influence vegetation processes, such near‐surface microclimate soil formation. Consequently, topographic variation allows both forest occur beyond macroclimatic niche, favouring development To illustrate our framework, demonstrate interactive effect macroclimate 108 selected European sites. Although developed focusing current distribution forest–steppe, suggest contributes understanding similar transitions between temperate biomes past well elsewhere world.

Language: Английский

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Congruent evolutionary responses of European steppe biota to late Quaternary climate change

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: April 8, 2022

Quaternary climatic oscillations had a large impact on European biogeography. Alternation of cold and warm stages caused recurrent glaciations, massive vegetation shifts, large-scale range alterations in many species. The Eurasian steppe biome its grasslands are noteworthy example; they underwent climate-driven, contractions during expansions stages. Here, we evaluate the these late demography several phylogenetically distant plant insect species, typical steppes. We compare three explicit demographic hypotheses by applying an approach combining convolutional neural networks with approximate Bayesian computation. identified congruent responses stage expansion contraction across all but also species-specific effects. history biota reflects major paleoecological turning points emphasizes role climate as driving force underlying patterns genetic variance level.

Language: Английский

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From Western Asia to the Mediterranean Basin: Diversification of the Widespread Euphorbia nicaeensis Alliance (Euphorbiaceae)

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: June 23, 2022

The Mediterranean Basin is an important biodiversity hotspot and one of the richest areas in world terms plant diversity. Its flora parallels several aspects that Eurasian steppes adjacent Irano-Turanian floristic region. Euphorbia nicaeensis alliance spans this immense area from western to Central Asia. Using array complementary methods, ranging phylogenomic phylogenetic data through relative genome size (RGS) estimation morphometry, we explored relationships biogeographic connections among taxa group. We identified main evolutionary lineages, which mostly correspond described taxa. However, despite use highly resolving Restriction Site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing data, lineages remain ambiguous. This likely due hybridisation, lineage sorting triggered by rapid range expansion, polyploidisation. cryptic diversity Mediterranean, also correlated with RGS and, partly, also, morphological divergence, rendering description a new species necessary. Biogeographic analyses suggest Western Asia source for colonisation group highlight contribution region high Basin. diversification E. was vicariance isolated Pleistocene refugia, adaptation divergent ecological conditions, lesser extent,

Language: Английский

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Disentangling relationships in Euphorbia agraria s.l. (Euphorbiaceae) in south‐east Europe: One or two species?

Taxon, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 6, 2025

Abstract We explored the diversification of south‐eastern and eastern European Euphorbia agraria s.l. applying molecular (amplified fragment length polymorphism [AFLP] fingerprinting sequencing nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer [ITS]), cytogenetic (relative genome size [RGS] estimations) morphometric methods. The AFLP data, to a lesser extent ITS sequences, inferred two main phylogenetic lineages corresponding Balkan‐Pontic E. central Balkan subhastata ; their closest relatives are tommasiniana endemic north‐westernmost Peninsula salicifolia , which is more widespread in Peninsula. Genetic divergence reflected morphological ecological differentiation, rendering recognition – previously segregated as variety at species level, resulting revised taxonomic treatment. thrives grasslands ruderal places that lowlands adjacent Pontic region; continuity habitat probably confers weak genetic differentiation within this species. On other hand, grows screes open forests river gorges separated by mountain ridges, leading pronounced inter‐population differentiation. RGS data revealed di‐ tetraploid populations both combination with results suggest recurrent autopolyploidisation. Our support hotspot diversity indicate future biodiversity research part Europe should focus on central, southern were largely neglected previous studies.

Language: Английский

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European steppes and forest-steppes

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 173 - 185

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Integrative taxonomy reveals cryptic diversity within the Euphorbia nicaeensis alliance (Euphorbiaceae) in the central Balkan Peninsula

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: April 14, 2025

The Eurasian steppes are the second-largest continuous biome on Earth. Euphorbia glareosa , a member of nicaeensis alliance, is widespread species in macroclimatically defined zonal Pontic and westerly southerly adjacent extrazonal steppe outposts determined by local climatic, topographic, edaphic conditions. In steppes, particular within Anatolian, Danubian, Thracian, Pannonian grasslands, it more or less continuously distributed, but with several disjunct occurrences central Balkan Peninsula, which renowned for its high biodiversity. Several (infra)specific taxa have been recognised E. s.l., relationships among them remain elusive. We applied an integrative approach ranging from cytogenetics (relative genome size ploidy estimation, chromosome counting) morphometrics to phylogenetics (internal ribosomal transcribed spacer sequencing amplified length polymorphism fingerprinting), geographic focus eastern Peninsula. inferred multiple polyploidisations group complex phylogenetic patterns. uncovered cryptic lineages where description two new species, diploid balcanica tetraploid skopjensis was necessary. addition, we revealed diversity, partly related polyploidisations, populations likely pertaining different species. Finally, main phylogeographic split between (1) Pannonian, populations, (2) easternmost Balkan, Pontic, Anatolian populations. Our results thus highlight outstanding conservation value European that not just outpost steppes. also point remarkable biodiversity Peninsula need further in-depth studies this hotspot.

Language: Английский

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Plant speciation in the face of recurrent climate changes in the Alps

Alpine Botany, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 132(1), P. 21 - 28

Published: July 29, 2021

Abstract The main, continuous mountain range of the European Alpine System (i.e., Alps) hosts a diversified pool species whose evolution has long been investigated. legacy past climate changes on distribution high-elevation plants as well taxa differentially adapted to mosaic edaphic conditions surmised ecotypes calcareous, siliceous, serpentine bedrocks) and origin new are here discussed based available evidence from endemic across Alps. integration main spatial ecological patterns within among supports speciation driven by isolation in glacial refugia where plant populations survived during cold phases hindered intense gene flow along expansion pathways warm phases. Despite genetic differentiation matching environmental heterogeneity, processes underlying dynamics ranges likely promoted recurrent homogenization incipient divergence generally completion (except for cases hybrid speciation). Even selective pressures toxic bedrocks such seemingly fail support speciation. Accordingly, typical scenarios whereby local adaptation heterogeneity initiates long-term reduction may rarely be at stable Although consistent with neutral reproductive yielded limited diversification, mechanisms heterogeneous landscapes Alps remain insufficiently known. Necessary advances reliably understand biodiversity identify possible museums or cradles variation face discussed.

Language: Английский

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Scale-dependent patterns and drivers of vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen diversity in dry grasslands of the Swiss inneralpine valleys

Alpine Botany, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 132(2), P. 195 - 209

Published: June 22, 2022

Abstract The inner-alpine dry valleys of the Swiss Alps are characterized by subcontinental climate, leading to many peculiarities in grassland species composition. Despite their well-known uniqueness, comprehensive studies on biodiversity patterns grasslands these were still missing. To close this gap, we sampled 161 10-m 2 vegetation plots Rhône, Rhine and Inn valleys, recording vascular plants, terricolous bryophyte lichen species, as well environmental data. Additionally, tested scale-dependence drivers using 34 nested-plot series with seven grain sizes (0.0001–100 m ). We analysed effects related productivity/stress, disturbance within-plot heterogeneity richness. Mean richness ranged from 2.3 0.0001 58.8 100 . For all taxa combined, most relevant at size 10 southing (negative), litter mean annual precipitation (unimodal), gravel cover inclination (unimodal) (unimodal). plants pattern was similar, while differed opposite relationship negative influences herb layer height, grazing mowing. explained variance multiple regression model increased size, very low values for smallest two sizes. While had high importance fiver larger sizes, pH particularly important intermediate largest findings emphasize taxonomic group vegetation, consistent ecological theory. Differences diversity–environment relationships among three groups can partly be asymmetric competition that leads diversity where do vice versa. relatively alpha compared similar communities other parts Palaearctic remains puzzling, especially because stands often large well-preserved.

Language: Английский

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