Flora最新文献

{"title":"A method for the identification and evaluation of Glycyrrhiza germplasm based on DNA barcodes and leaf micromorphology","authors":"Zhenzhu Du , Wenbin Xu , Yuxia Wang , Zhancang Ma , Ping Yan , Gang Huang , Hongbin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152680","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152680","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Large-scale artificial cultivation of medicinal <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> plants is imperative due to the short supply and the dramatic decline in wild populations. Xinjiang is the main <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> production area of China, but the quality of cultivated <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> plants is low due to the mixed cultivation of multiple seeds of unknown origins. To explore the identification method and efficient cultivation of elite <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> germplasms in Xinjiang, China, in this study, the differences in leaf micromorphological characteristics and main active ingredients of 6 <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species and 2 hybrids in Xinjiang were clarified, and then identification on the basis of DNA barcode was conducted. The results showed that: (1) The combination of nuclear gene ITS2, chloroplast nucleic acid sequences trnH-psbA and trnV-ndhC could accurately identify <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species and hybrids, and the calculation of genetic distance could preliminarily determine the maternal species of hybrids. ITS2 and trnH-psbA results indicated that maternal parent of hybrid I was <em>Glycyrrhiza inflata</em>. The ITS2 and trnV-ndhC results showed that the maternal parent of hybrid II was either <em>Glycyrrhiza uralensis</em> or <em>Glycyrrhiza aspera</em>. (2) Seventeen leaf micromorphological traits were utilized to compare and differentiate the tested <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species. Traits such as glandular trichome density (GTDe), shape (GTS), diameter (GTDi), and wax layer ornamentation (WLo) exhibited significant interspecific variations. Specifically, <em>G. prostrata</em> lacked glandular trichomes entirely, <em>G. aspera</em> displayed the lowest GTDe, the glandular trichomes of <em>G. inflata</em> were partially scaly, while those of <em>G. uralensis</em> were cylindrical with a notably larger diameter compared to <em>G. glabra</em> and <em>G. glabra</em> var. <em>glandulosa</em>. The upper epidermis granules of <em>G. glabra</em> var. <em>glandulosa</em> were less abundant and their surfaces smoother than in other tested <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species. Cluster analysis based on 11 micromorphological traits with absolute weight values exceeding 0.7 in the first four principal components, including GTDi, revealed that all tested <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species clustered into a single category. Hybrid types showed close affinity to <em>G. uralensis</em> and <em>G. inflata</em>, findings consistent with DNA barcode results. (3) The comprehensive evaluation of germplasms in Xinjiang found that <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra</em> was superior to other germplasms (<em>Glycyrrhiza glabra</em> > <em>G. glabra</em> var. <em>Glandulosa</em> > <em>G. uralensis</em> > <em>G. inflata</em> > <em>G. aspera</em> > hybrid <em>I</em> > <em>G. prostrata</em> > hybrid II), indicating that the hybridization reduced the medicinal value of <em>Glycyrrhiza</em> species. This study is of great significance for the identification of <em>Glycyrr","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"324 ","pages":"Article 152680"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphoanatomy, ontogeny and histochemistry of internal mucilage-secreting structures in the bracts and flowers of three genera of Bromeliaceae","authors":"Tiago Augusto Rodrigues Pereira ,&nbsp;Eliza Louback ,&nbsp;Vanessa de Carvalho Harthman ,&nbsp;Hugo Humberto de Araújo ,&nbsp;Renata Maria Strozi Alves Meira ,&nbsp;Luzimar Campos da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of mucilaginous secretion in peduncles and inflorescences has been associated with certain species in the tribe Vrieseeae, within the genera <em>Alcantarea, Vriesea</em>, and <em>Werauhia</em>. Given the diversity of secretory structures and their ecological and functional significance, our objective was to describe the structures responsible for the secretions found in flowers and bracts of 16 species from the tribe Vrieseeae distributed across the three genera mentioned above, and to address questions regarding the type of structures and the chemical nature of the secretion, as well as their functional role. Samples of bracts, floral buds, and open flowers were analyzed at various developmental stages through anatomical and histochemical analyses using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We documented and described two types of internal secretory structures that produce hydrophilic and mucilaginous secretions: secretory ducts in flowers and mucilage-secreting tissue in bracts. The presence of secretory structures varied in different regions depending on the species, being found in flowers (receptacle base and sepals) and floral and peduncle bracts. The mucilaginous secretion could play a protective role against desiccation, pathogens, and insects, similar to the function of colleter secretions. Furthermore, the mucilage stored in flowers may act as a polysaccharide reserve, aiding in the survival of these species under environmental stress, for example. The results obtained are relevant for expanding our understanding of secretory structures in Bromeliaceae, as well as for the conservation of the family in nature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"324 ","pages":"Article 152679"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative study on the secondary xylem and phloem formation in three varieties of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (Fabaceae)","authors":"Meera Rami ,&nbsp;Rajaram V. Gurav ,&nbsp;Swaroopsingh Gaikwad ,&nbsp;Kishore S. Rajput","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The structure and composition of the main stem and the increase in stem diameter were compared histologically in <em>Mucuna pruriens</em> (L.) DC. var. <em>pruriens, M. pruriens</em> var. <em>hirsuta</em> (Wight &amp; Arn.) Wilmot-Dear and M<em>. pruriens</em> var. <em>utilis</em> (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck. Initially, all three varieties showed regular secondary growth like most eudicots, the vascular cambium divided bi-facially and deposited secondary xylem centripetally and phloem centrifugally. The secondary xylem showed typical anatomical features characteristic of the lianescent habit, such as the co-occurrence of dimorphic (narrow and wide) vessels and an abundance of thin-walled, nonlignified parenchyma cells. After a certain period of secondary growth, earlier formed axial parenchyma began to dedifferentiate into interxylary phloem in all three varieties investigated. The number of sieve elements increased gradually with the increase in age. However, the thick stems of <em>M. pruriens</em> var. <em>hirsuta</em> showed simultaneous differentiation of phloem on both centripetal and a centrifugal direction, which was exclusively observed in this variety. In thick stems, the formation of vascular cylinders external to the regular phloem (neoformed vascular cylinders) was observed in <em>M. pruriens</em> var. <em>hirsuta</em> (8 mm) and <em>M. pruriens</em> var. <em>pruriens</em> (14 mm). At the same time, they were found absent in <em>M. pruriens</em> var. <em>utilis</em> (10 mm). Ontogenetically, the initiation of these vascular cylinders was unique and it was initiated from the dilating phloem ray cells and pericyclic parenchyma cells. The vascular cylinders developed from the dilating ray cells were irregularly (tangentially or diagonally) oriented while cylinders originating from pericyclic parenchyma had regular polarity (phloem externally and xylem internally). The initiation of the interxylary phloem and the structure of the secondary xylem of both regular and neoformed external vascular cylinders are elucidated in detail.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"324 ","pages":"Article 152682"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon and nitrogen contents and isotopic composition among venezuelan plant communities, functional groups and successional stage","authors":"Nelson Ramírez,&nbsp;Ana Herrera,&nbsp;Herbert Briceño","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The main aim was to determine the diversity and differences in the leaf values of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and natural isotopic composition (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) among tropical species from 27 contrasting plant communities, functional groups and the successional status. The high variation in the leaf values of δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, %N, %C and C:N ratio are related to the high diversity of species, communities and functional groups. Significant results were as follow: δ¹⁵N and %N were negatively correlated with elevation and rainfall. The %C increased with elevation and rainfall. The hightest N content and δ¹⁵N were found in drier communities and the lowest values in the wettest areas following the leaf economics spectrum. The highest mean values of δ¹⁵N was found in annual herbs and the lowest in shrubs and trees. The mean values of δ¹⁵N were higher in disturbed than undisturbed habitats. The highest mean values of δ¹³C occurred in perennial herbs, succulent species, epiphytes and parasites and the lowest in trees, shrubs and vines. The %C was higher in trees and shrubs and lowest in herbaceous species, and higher for species in undisturbed compared to disturbed habitats. Some trends between plant families, physiology, and communities were recorded. The most important conclusions highlight that climate, composition of functional groups, plant families and ultimately the structure of the communities influence the isotopic composition and C and N contents of species. Functional groups contribute to understanding how life diversity in the tropics may reflect biogeochemistry diversity. Classification of communities based on the isotopic composition and C and N of leaves allows partially grouping certain communities according to some general characteristics such as life form composition and geographical areas. The taxonomic composition also partially influenced communities classification and only explains a fraction of the variation determined according to leaf biogeochemistry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152671"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extrafloral nectary plants in Brazilian biomes: Dominance of Cerrado and Fabaceae","authors":"Vanessa Dayane da Costa Barbosa ,&nbsp;Alexandra Bächtold ,&nbsp;Kleber Del-Claro ,&nbsp;Estevao Alves Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) have been described in almost 4500 plant species, but there are several gaps in our knowledge of their occurrence and distribution. Here, we investigated the distribution and richness of EFN˗plants in Brazilian biomes. Data were extracted from published literature, and our analysis included only EFN˗plants that interacted with ants. A total of 234 EFN˗plant species in 47 families were registered in the Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Pampa, and the Amazon. The Cerrado was evaluated in 65 % of all publications and had the highest richness (92 species) and the most exclusive species compared to the other biomes. Fabaceae was the most speciose family and was dominant in all biomes (except in the Amazon). Only 13 of 234 plant species were observed in more than one biome. In a network analysis, <em>Qualea grandilflora, Turnera subulata</em> and <em>Plathymenia reticulata</em> were relatively more important than other species, as they connected biomes and increased the community's cohesion. Our understanding of EFN˗plants is limited because the Fabaceae and Cerrado were overrepresented. In addition, the high exclusivity of flora within biomes adds a regional factor to our understanding of ant–plant interactions. Our data of plants visited by ants were compared with descriptive checklists of EFN˗plants, and 127 species and 16 families of EFN˗plants unknown from checklists were identified. Conversely, checklists contain hundreds of EFN˗plants from which interactions with ants are unknown, indicating a great potential for studies of ant–plant interactions and mutualisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152668"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From herbarium specimens to contemporary surveys: Tracing the extinction dynamics and performance of endangered plant species in central Germany","authors":"Weronika A. Vörös ,&nbsp;Isabell Hensen ,&nbsp;Sabrina Träger ,&nbsp;Christoph Rosche ,&nbsp;Jochen Müller ,&nbsp;Christine Römermann ,&nbsp;Annett Baasch ,&nbsp;Marcus Lehnert","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Habitat loss and fragmentation, extensive land use, and climate change lead to an unprecedented amount of local extinctions in the Anthropocene. To protect endangered species, population ecological studies are essential to assess the current state of remnant populations. In addition, it is pertinent to investigate changes in the distribution of endangered species over time and space. Given the apparent lack of long-term studies, herbarium records are a valuable source for tracking these changes. In this study, we analyze three endangered plant species (<em>Antennaria dioica, Omphalodes scorpioides</em>, and <em>Viola pumila</em>), with different habitat preferences (dry grassland, riparian forest, and alluvial meadow, respectively) to examine their current status, and performance of the extant populations in central Germany. The analysis of herbarium specimens from the last 200 years indicates a dramatic decline in the occurrence area of all three species. Furthermore, most populations still found in central Germany are very small and strongly fragmented. Our results suggest that of several factors categorized into four groups (population size, climate, soil parameters, and vegetation parameters), the number of individuals or patches, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), soil depth, and percentage of bare soil exert the most pronounced influence on plant performance of the studied species. However, nature and strength of these correlations vary considerably across species. All this clearly shows an urgent need to prevent species extinction, underlining the imperative importance of species conservation, and the need for initiatives such as conservation breeding and reintroduction or reinforcement, which could lead to success even in small populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152664"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anatomical adaptations of plants within the Southern Brazil coastal sand dunes","authors":"Everton Richetti ,&nbsp;Ana Júlia Poletto ,&nbsp;Ana Claudia Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Fernanda Maria Cordeiro de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Makeli Garibotti Lusa","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal ecosystems play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services to society. Among these ecosystems, coastal dunes and Restinga vegetation stand out for their uniqueness and the diversity of species adapted to extreme environmental conditions. This study aims to investigate the adaptations of plants in these ecosystems, with a specific focus on leaf anatomy, to deepen our understanding of the adaptive strategies adopted by these species and to provide an overview of the most common strategies. To achieve this, we analyzed leaves from 47 prevalent species in herbaceous Restinga of Southern Brazil, across four different microhabitat conditions, employing microscopic techniques to address both qualitative and quantitative measurements to evaluate anatomical characteristics. The results yielded insights into the diversity of plant adaptations to different microhabitats. Key findings include the presence of thickened external periclinal walls, the height of epidermal cells, and a predominance of amphistomatous leaves. These characteristics suggest adaptations to minimize water loss through transpiration due to solar radiation protection against damage of radiation, and a better use of the light that arrives from all directions, reflected by the sand. Additionally, specialized water storage tissues such as the hydrenchyma, voluminous epidermal cells, and hypodermis were identified, indicating adaptations to environments with water restriction and high temperatures. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the adaptive strategies of plants in coastal ecosystems, providing insights for more specialized research approaches and the implementation of practical conservation and management measures in these ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152661"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hybrids of broad-leaved Potamogeton (Potamogetonaceae) are common in Siberia","authors":"Alexander A. Bobrov,&nbsp;Denis Yu. Efimov,&nbsp;Elena V. Chemeris,&nbsp;Lyudmila A. Efimova,&nbsp;Nikita P. Tikhomirov","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We have summarized the distribution of <em>Potamogeton</em> hybrids in Siberia based on extensive field and herbarium work. Four most common broad-leaved <em>Potamogeton</em> hybrids, <em>P</em>. × <em>angustifolius, P</em>. × <em>nitens, P</em>. × <em>salicifolius</em> and <em>P</em>. × <em>sparganiifolius</em>, and one very rare <em>P</em>. × <em>cognatus</em> occur in 178 localities, of which 108 are newly reported ones. Hybrids are mostly found in areas where both parental species are common and the research activity is high. Unlike Europe where both hybrid diversity and frequency of occurrence increase with latitude, in Siberia both diversity and frequency peak south of 60° N, which is the northern distribution limit for many <em>Potamogeton</em> species due to the more severe continental climate of Siberia. Habitat preferences of the hybrids depend on the dominant type of water bodies and the suitability of environmental conditions in the area. In the southern lowlands, most records of hybrids are made in rivers. At higher elevations (&gt;800 m a.s.l.) or at the northern and western distribution limits, <em>Potamogeton</em> hybrids were found in lakes or stagnant water bodies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breeding system and pollination of Dubautia menziesii (Asteraceae), a self-incompatible Hawaiian alpine shrub","authors":"Juan Francisco Guisado Chavez ,&nbsp;Paul Krushelnycky ,&nbsp;Kasey E. Barton ,&nbsp;Donald R. Drake","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Islands host unique biodiversity that faces threats from global change. Understanding plant reproduction is vital to conserve and restore island ecosystems, in turn ensuring stable population dynamics and preserving biodiversity. <em>Dubautia menziesii</em> (Asteraceae) is a common shrub endemic to the alpine and subalpine ecosystem of Haleakalā volcano on Maui. The purpose of this study is to: (i) characterize the breeding system of <em>D. menziesii</em>, (ii) identify its main pollinators, (iii) determine how plant isolation affects seed set and seed parasitism, and (iv) estimate the abundance of <em>D. menziesii</em> and its flower resources in the habitat. Hand pollination treatments were conducted to assess seed set and determine the breeding system. Flower-visiting insects were observed, to identify pollinators. The impact of isolation was assessed by analyzing seed set and seed predation at varying distances from the nearest flowering neighbor. Species abundance was estimated using belt transects and plotless sampling. <em>Dubautia menziesii</em> is self-incompatible and requires outcrossing to set seeds (66 % seed set for outcrossed flowers vs. 3 % for manually self-pollinated and bagged unmanipulated flowers). The most frequent flower visitors were endemic <em>Hylaeus</em> bees (44 %), and non-native honeybees (34 %), followed by <em>Nysius</em> spp. seed bugs (15.9 %). Isolation had no significant effect on either seed set or seed predation at 2 sites. The relative dominance of <em>D. menziesii</em> at high elevations on Haleakalā suggests it plays an important role in maintaining insect populations and may benefit other plants with which it shares floral visitors, such as the Haleakalā silversword.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152683"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional ecology of plant communities as a guide for vegetation management","authors":"Michele Dalle Fratte ,&nbsp;Rossano Bolpagni ,&nbsp;Simon Pierce ,&nbsp;Bruno E.L. Cerabolini","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant functional traits determine how individual plants cope with varying environmental conditions, and extensive literature supports their role in influencing ecosystem properties. The study of plant functional traits could help the prediction of species responses to disturbances and environmental change, thus providing invaluable knowledge to refine conservation strategies of species and vegetation. However, applications of functional ecology for vegetation management are still underrepresented.</div><div>The articles in this Special Issue of FLORA offer cutting-edge insights on the variation of plant traits and ecological strategies in response to environmental drivers, such as anthropogenic disturbance, climate and land use change. The results demonstrate how trait-based approaches can be used for the prediction of climate and land use change impacts on vulnerable sets of species or on biogeochemical cycles, reinforcing the concept that functional plant ecology can help identify the most effective procedures for vegetation management, such as the choice of mowing intensity in grasslands or planning vegetation recovery after wildfires.</div><div>Our knowledge of plant trait coordination at the community level is still undefined, especially concerning the integration of above- and belowground traits. This represents a missed opportunity for vegetation management, especially considering that a complete understanding of the dynamics of the entire ecosystem is crucial for complete understanding of ecosystem properties. Since plant functional traits can represent a straightforward tool for monitoring changes in ecosystem structure and functions, their use could support vegetation monitoring as required by different programs of nature conservation. It would be useful to embrace a perspective that integrates plant traits with systematic conservation planning, ensuring effective and sustainable conservation efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"323 ","pages":"Article 152627"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143430001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}