Contributions of Quaternary botany to modern ecology and biogeography

Plant Ecology & Diversity, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 12(3-4), P. 189 - 385

Published: May 4, 2019

Quaternary (last 2.6 million years) botany involves studying plant megafossils (e.g. tree stumps), macrofossils seeds, leaves), and microfossils pollen, spores) preserved in peat bogs lake sediments. Although have been studied since the late eighteenth century, today is largely dominated by pollen analysis.Quaternary analysis just over 100 years old. It started primarily as a geological tool for correlation, relative dating, climate reconstruction. In 1950 major advance occurred with publication Knut Fægri Johs Iversen of their Text-book Modern Pollen Analysis which provided foundations botanical ecological past dynamics biota biotic systems. The development radiocarbon dating 1950s freed from being dating. As result these developments, became valuable implement long-term ecology biogeography.Selected contributions that has made to biogeography are reviewed. They fall into four general parts: (1) aspects interglacial glacial stages such location nature glacial-stage refugia soil glaciated unglaciated areas; (2) responses environmental change (spreading, extinction, persistence, adaptation); (3) topics potential niches, vegetation, forest dynamics; (4) its application human impact tropical systems, conservation changing world, island palaeoecology, plant–animal interactions, biodiversity patterns time.The future briefly discussed 10 suggestions presented help strengthen it links biogeography. much contribute when used conjunction new approaches ancient-DNA, molecular biomarkers, multi-proxy palaeoecology.

Language: Английский

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European forests under global climate change: Review of tree growth processes, crises and management strategies

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 332, P. 117353 - 117353

Published: Jan. 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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GrassPlot – a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

Phytocoenologia, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 48(3), P. 331 - 347

Published: May 24, 2018

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003).GrassPlot collects plot records (relevés) from grasslands other open habitats Palaearctic biogeographic realm.It focuses on precisely delimited plots eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001; ... 1,000 m²) nested-plot series with at least four different sizes.The usage regulated through bylaws that intend to balance interests data contributors users.The current version (v.1.00) contains for approximately 170,000 2,800 series.The key components are richness metadata.However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data.About 14,000 have near-complete terricolous bryophytes lichens addition vascular plants.At present, 36 countries throughout Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients major grassland types.GrassPlot its multi-scale multi-taxon focus complements larger international databases, such as European Vegetation Archive (EVA) global "sPlot".Its main aim facilitate studies scale-and taxon-dependency biodiversity patterns drivers along macroecological gradients.GrassPlot dynamic will expand new collection coordinated elected Coordinating Board.We invite researchers suitable join GrassPlot.Researchers project ideas addressable welcome submit proposals Governing Board.

Language: Английский

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A Systematic Review of the Impact of Invasive Alien Plants on Forest Regeneration in European Temperate Forests

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Sept. 3, 2020

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the major threats to global and local biodiversity. In forest ecosystems, caused by IAS include hybridization, transmission diseases competition. This review sets out analyse impact plant on regeneration, which we consider be key stages in tree ecology for survival ecosystems future. The focus study is directly relevant practitioners, managers conservation management forests. With this systematic review, aim provide an overview 48 research studies reporting and/or European temperate We followed a multi-step protocol compiling publications literature with nine search queries producing total 3,825 hits. After several reduction rounds, ended up grand papers. identified 53 vascular having negative influence regeneration Central total, 21 reported impacted 24 studies. results synthesis show that five mechanisms affect success native species: competition resources, chemical physical structural indirect through interaction other species. our measures have been recommended application at different biological invasions. associated costs required resources under-reported or not accessible reviewing scientific literature. can thus conclude it very import improve links between science practical management. expect will direction invasive aimed protecting biodiversity ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Location-level processes drive the establishment of alien bird populations worldwide

Nature, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 571(7763), P. 103 - 106

Published: June 19, 2019

Language: Английский

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The European Forest Plant Species List (EuForPlant): Concept and applications

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(3)

Published: May 1, 2022

Abstract Question When evaluating forests in terms of their biodiversity, distinctiveness and naturalness, the affinity constituent species to is a crucial parameter. Here we ask what extent are vascular plant associated with forests, does species’ vary between European regions? Location Temperate boreal forest biome Northwestern Central Europe. Methods We compiled EuForPlant, new extensive list 24 regions spread across 13 countries using vegetation databases expert knowledge. Species were region‐specifically classified into four categories reflecting degree habitats: 1.1, interiors; 1.2, edges openings; 2.1, that can be found as well open vegetation; 2.2, partly forest, but mainly vegetation. An additional “O” category was distinguished, covering typical for non‐forest Results EuForPlant comprises 1,726 species, including 1,437 herb‐layer 159 shrubs, 107 trees, 19 lianas 4 epiphytic parasites. Across regions, generalist (with 450 777 2.1 respectively) significantly outnumbered specialist 250 137 1.1 respectively). Even though shifting among relatively low (on average, 17.5%), about one‐third (especially 1.2 2.2) swapped at least one study regions. Conclusions The proposed used widely science global change ecology related biodiversity community dynamics. Shifting emphasizes importance continental‐scale regional specificity.

Language: Английский

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Forest Biodiversity in Europe

From science to policy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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Threats, biodiversity drivers and restoration in temperate floodplain forests related to spatial scales

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 854, P. 158743 - 158743

Published: Sept. 13, 2022

Floodplain forests offer a diversity of habitats and resources for very wide range plant animal species. They also many benefits to humankind are considered essential the mitigation effects climate change. Nevertheless, throughout world they suffering most intense anthropogenic pressures so are, all ecosystems, among endangered. Here, we bring together synthesise existing ecological understanding mechanisms underlying high heterogeneity temperate floodplain threatening their biological value due habitat homogenisation. depend on periodic disturbances under which evolved, including fluvial dynamics, traditional management practices activities herbivores. However, have been heavily degraded by change, invasion exotic species, river-flow regulation, landscape fragmentation, eutrophication cessation management. We can now observe two general trends in forests: (1) Due intensive exploitation, more open thus prone spread competitive invasive exotics (2) management, along with modified hydrological conditions, composed species later successional stages (i.e., shade-tolerant mesic) while light-demanding quickly vanishing. Restoration brought about contrasting results when restoration floodplains natural states has problematic. This is likely because interplay between various artificial processes not previously taken into proper consideration. would like draw attention fact that projects or preservation forest ecosystems should combine watercourses other important threats acting at different scales (spread watersheds inappropriate management).

Language: Английский

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Seed dispersal distance classes and dispersal modes for the European flora

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(9), P. 1485 - 1494

Published: June 2, 2023

Abstract Motivation Although dispersal ability is one of the key features determining spatial dynamics plant populations and structure communities, it also traits for which we still lack data most species. We compiled a comprehensive dataset seed distance classes predominant modes European vascular plants. Our can be used in functional biogeography, dynamic vegetation modelling ecological studies at local to continental scales. Main Types Variables Contained Species were classified into seven ordered with similar distances estimated based on mode, morphology units (diaspores or propagules), life form, height, mass, habitat known by humans. evaluated our results comparing them calculated using ‘dispeRsal’ function R. Spatial Location Europe. Time Period Present. Major Taxa Level Measurement The contains information mode 10,327 frequent locally dominant Software Format Data are available .csv format.

Language: Английский

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Diversity and distribution of Raunkiær's life forms in European vegetation

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Aims The Raunkiær's system classifies vascular plants into life forms based on the position of renewal buds during periods unfavourable for plant growth. Despite importance ecological research, a study exploring diversity and distribution continental scale is missing. We aim to (i) map in European vegetation (ii) test effects bioclimatic variables while controlling habitat‐specific responses. Location Europe. Methods used data 8883 species recorded 546,501 plots different habitats (forest, grassland, scrub wetland). For each plot, we calculated: proportion form richness evenness forms. mapped these plot‐level metrics averaged across 50 km × grid cells modelled their response variables. Results Hemicryptophytes were most widespread form, especially temperate zone Central Conversely, therophyte chamaephyte more common Mediterranean as well dry regions. Moreover, chamaephytes also boreal arctic zones. Higher proportions phanerophytes found Mediterranean. Overall, higher was at lower latitudes showed spatially heterogeneous patterns. Habitat type main discriminator responses analysed, but several moisture‐related predictors still marked effect therophytes chamaephytes. Conclusions Our maps can be tool future biogeographic macro‐ecological research scale. conditions are key regulating forms, with concomitant consequences functional global environmental changes.

Language: Английский

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