Applied Vegetation Science最新文献

{"title":"Vegetation Shifts in Boreal Ombrotrophic Peatlands Following Road Construction","authors":"Ariane Bouffard,&nbsp;Marie Larocque,&nbsp;Mathieu Vaillancourt,&nbsp;Michelle Garneau,&nbsp;Monique Poulin","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70095","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Boreal ombrotrophic peatlands provide essential ecosystem services but are increasingly intersected by permanent roads. Roads can modify hydrology and water chemistry, but their impacts on plant communities remain poorly documented. The study compared plant communities near roads with those in undisturbed areas to estimate the extent of road impacts and identify the species, plant groups, and road-altered environmental variables best explaining vegetation changes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fourteen ombrotrophic peatlands, crossed by roads, perpendicular to groundwater flow, in Minganie and Lower North Shore regions, Quebec, Canada.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Peatlands were surveyed along transects perpendicular to the road with vegetation plots (1 m²) sampled at systematic distances up to 100 m on both sides of the road. Plant cover and environmental variables were measured. Redundancy analysis (RDA), indicator species analysis, and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate vegetation responses and identify disturbance-associated species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Vegetation-composition shifted within approximately 25 m of the road, and up to 75 m for certain species. <i>Sphagnum</i> mosses and lichens declined sharply near roads, whereas deciduous shrubs increased. Species richness decreased within 5–10 m of the road, mainly due to the loss of ombrotrophic species. Peat water pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were elevated near roads, especially downgradient. Mineral enrichment, likely from runoff and groundwater seepage of granular construction materials and road maintenance salts, appeared to be the main driver of vegetation change.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Permanent roads transform ombrotrophic peatland ecology by altering nutrient and mineral availability, reducing specialized taxa, and promoting shrub-dominated vegetation. These changes may weaken their long-term carbon-sequestration capacity. Mitigation should focus on reducing mineral inputs and stabilizing road embankments with native vegetation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70095","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149258464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation Diversity of Trampled Habitats in the Transcaucasian Region: Comparison of Classifications","authors":"Zdenka Preislerová,&nbsp;Pavel Novák,&nbsp;Deana Láníková","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70093","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Aims&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Trampled vegetation in Europe has traditionally been classified based on expert judgement, often relying on a limited number of relevés from relatively small areas and without the use of statistical analyses that would enable a robust delimitation of higher syntaxonomic units. As a consequence, numerous units have been described, despite the relatively small pool of diagnostic species characteristic of trampled vegetation. In the phytosociologically understudied region of Transcaucasia, we aimed to (1) compare the classification of trampled vegetation based on expert knowledge of European vegetation with results obtained from numerical classification, (2) describe the diversity of trampled vegetation and (3) identify the main environmental factors shaping species composition.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Location&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Armenia, Georgia.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Expert-based classification of the Transcaucasian dataset was compared with two unsupervised numerical hierarchical classifications, using alluvial diagrams to interpret cluster stability and sources of inconsistency. The degree of agreement between the expert-based and numerical classifications was quantified using the Adjusted Rand Index (ARI), Normalised Mutual Information (NMI) and Cramér's V measures. Numerical classification with the highest congruence of similarity measures with expert-based classification was selected for interpretation. Descriptions of species composition and ecological characteristics of particular vegetation types are provided.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Expert-based classification distinguished 16 groups of vegetation types, whereas numerical classifications yielded 12 and 14 ecologically meaningful vegetation groups. Classification agreement was overall high. Each classification consistently reproduced, apart from common trampled vegetation types, also locally unparalleled stands, which were interpreted as a new association at the community level. Numerical classifications failed to distinguish rare vegetation types in the dataset, which were recognised by expert judgement. Altitude, distribution of precipitation together with disturbance frequency caused differentiation of trampled communities in Transcaucasia.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;This study brings the first insights into the diversity of trampled vegetation in the underexplored region of Transcaucasia. St","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70093","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149258465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Semi-Natural Grasslands as Important Soil Carbon Reservoirs: Environmental Drivers of Topsoil Carbon Stocks Across Temperate Grassland Habitat Types","authors":"Elvi Liiv,&nbsp;Triin Reitalu,&nbsp;Aveliina Helm","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70091","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Aims&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Semi-natural grasslands have been part of European landscapes for millennia, and their persistence and high biodiversity depend on continued low-intensity management. However, carbon assessments often aggregate semi-natural and cultivated grasslands despite their contrasting land-use histories, management and soil conditions. We quantified soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks across semi-natural and cultivated grassland habitat types in northeastern Europe and identified environmental variables associated with variation in SOC stocks.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Location&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Estonia, northeastern Europe.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;We measured SOC stocks in the topsoil (0–10 cm) at 227 sites representing 12 semi-natural grassland habitat types occurring in Estonia that are listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, together with dry and wet cultivated grasslands. Linear regression models were used to assess associations between topsoil SOC stocks and vegetation structure, management, soil characteristics and climatic variables.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;SOC stocks in the upper 10 cm of soil ranged among grassland types from 21.7 ± 8.3 to 50.3 ± 14.3 t C/ha (mean ± SD). Dry cultivated grasslands had the lowest SOC stocks and significantly lower values than most semi-natural grassland types. Wet cultivated grasslands on drained, peat-influenced hydromorphic soils had intermediate SOC stocks. Among semi-natural grassland types, calcareous alvar grasslands had the highest SOC stocks, whereas mesic grasslands had the lowest. Annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality were negatively associated with SOC stocks, while moss cover and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were positively associated with SOC stocks. In grasslands on alluvial and coastal soils, grazed sites had higher SOC stocks than unmanaged sites.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Topsoil SOC stocks varied markedly among Natura 2000 semi-natural grassland habitat types and between cultivated grassland types, reflecting the combined influence of soil characteristics, climate, vegetation structure and management. These findings highlight semi-natural grasslands as important long-term carbon reservoirs. Land-use policies should account for habitat type and soil hydrology and prioritise the protection of carbon-rich semi-natural grasslands.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 &lt;/","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70091","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149205857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disturbance-Associated Plant Communities in Africa's Largest Alpine Ecosystem: Evidence for Long-Term Anthropogenic Influence","authors":"Mekbib Fekadu,&nbsp;Tobias Bromm,&nbsp;Lars Opgenoorth,&nbsp;Graciela Gil-Romera,&nbsp;Philipp Kurth,&nbsp;Binyam Tesfaw Hailu,&nbsp;Mandy Watson,&nbsp;Thomas Nauss,&nbsp;Sebsebe Demissew,&nbsp;Zerihun Woldu,&nbsp;Bruno Glaser,&nbsp;Wolfgang Zech,&nbsp;Georg Miehe","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70092","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Questions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Africa's largest alpine ecosystem is perceived as relatively pristine; nonetheless, it contains numerous pastoral settlements and some of the world's oldest evidence of human presence in an alpine ecosystem. This study aims to address (i) demarcation of settlement vegetation and boundary delineation, (ii) investigation of settlement indicator plants, (iii) species composition of settlement vegetation, and (iv) since when the time of human footprint amplified by pastoralism.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Location&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Bale Mountains National Park, South-eastern Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Vegetation records were collected from 84 plots in 14 pastoral settlement sites along an altitudinal gradient at regular distances between 0 and 1600 m. Vegetation boundaries were detected using Moving Split Window methods, and indicator species were identified using relevant sources. Diversity indices were calculated and a piecewise structural equation modeling was applied to assess relationships among species richness, distance, and elevation. Onset of pastoralism investigated using mammal-derived molecular markers trapped in sediments.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;The Moving Split Window revealed a distinct assemblage of plant species confined to settlement areas, extending up to 200 m. Of the 92 plant species surveyed, 12 settlement indicator plant species were identified, including both endemic and disturbance-associated taxa. Three disturbance-associated taxa with broad Eurasian distributions were strongly associated with settlement habitats. Structural equation models showed species richness increased with diversity but declined slightly with elevation; distance from settlements had a minor positive effect. In contrast, vegetation cover increased significantly with distance. Biomarker data revealed two distinct phases of elevated herbivore presence: early phase from approximately 17–13 ka BP, followed by a substantial decline until around 6.5 ka BP, after which herbivore activity resumes and steadily increases alongside grazing-indicator sporo-pollen types.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Human settlements have a significant edge effect and alter the surrounding native vegetation. Settlement-associated indicator species are consistent with long-standing human impacts, suggesting a potentially human-facilitated floristic legacy since th","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70092","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149125850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecology of Abandonment: Meadow Field Layer Vegetation After a Century of Overgrowth","authors":"Per Milberg,&nbsp;Markus Franzén,&nbsp;Victor Johansson","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70090","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Wooded meadows are species-rich seminatural grasslands historically maintained by haymaking and selective retention of scattered trees, but have largely been abandoned or afforested across northern Europe. We describe how the field layer changed over a century after abandonment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Southern Sweden.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We quantified century-scale changes in field-layer vegetation (1921–2024) in permanent plots within a wooded meadow, protected in 1923 and left to undergo natural succession without management. One cohort of six plots was established in 1921 and another with 22 in 1937.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pooled species richness across the two plot systems declined by about 70% over the study period, from a mean of 89 species in the initial surveys to 26 species in 2024, with the steepest losses occurring early in succession. Ordination analyses showed that this decline was driven by directional compositional change associated with canopy closure, with grassland specialists (<i>Trifolium pratense</i>, <i>Rhinanthus minor</i>) showing strongly negative ordination scores (&lt; −0.7); light-demanding species had 2.7 times higher odds of local extinction per unit increase in light index. The main winners were not classic shade-tolerant understorey herbs, but spring geophytes (<i>Anemone nemorosa</i>, <i>Convallaria majalis</i>) that complete their annual life cycle before canopy leaf-out, suggesting that vernal phenology and temporal niche partitioning underpin survival under closed deciduous canopies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Meadow abandonment triggers a rapid loss of grassland species, while few forest specialists colonise despite a century of succession. The understorey remains species-poor, dominated by spring geophytes that escape shade through early phenology rather than tolerating it. Such century-scale unmanaged trajectories are rare, essential for understanding successional dynamics, and merit protection from intervention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70090","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149125851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Controls of Rainforest Tree Communities: Climate Change Implications for the Gondwana Rainforests","authors":"Melinda J. Laidlaw","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70088","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Questions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;A 15-year study of the Gondwana Rainforest tree community along a transect between 300 and 1100 m elevation was established to answer: (i) What changes have occurred in the community along the elevational transect, including compositional turnover; (ii) What are the environmental controls of these patterns, and have these changed during the study; and (iii) What predictions can be made about the future of the Gondwana Rainforests, and what are the implications for their management and World Heritage status.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Location&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Upland subtropical and temperate rainforests of the Tweed Caldera section of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area (WHA), southeastern Queensland.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Species richness, Shannon diversity, evenness, stem counts, size class distributions and basal area are summarised for 20 plots for up to four surveys. Multivariate analyses are used to examine shifts in tree community composition and their associated environmental drivers. Existing compositional dissimilarity mapping and climate projections help to extrapolate the trajectory for tree communities in the Gondwana Rainforests.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Unexpected and persistent recruitment patterns were found in rainforest tree communities along the transect over 15 years. At high elevations, tree communities are recruiting in situ, with the understorey community closely resembling that of the canopy. This pattern is significantly linked with precipitation and moisture variables. At mid-to-low elevations (≤ 700 m asl), the community of understorey recruits differed significantly from the composition of the established canopy in both 2006 and 2021, regardless of elevation. This pattern is significantly associated with temperature and radiation variables. The pattern of compositional dissimilarity in the tree community along the IBISCA transect is consistent with modelled turnover projections for 2030 and supports modelling that this pattern will continue under projected climate change scenarios, perhaps towards modelled turnover projections for 2070.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;The environmental controls of rainforest floristics in this study are dependent on the elevation of observation. High-elevation tree communities (≥ 900 m) continue to be associated with low moisture stress driven by precipitation and significant cloud water inputs, whereas mid-to-low elevation tree communities (≤ 700 m) continue to be associat","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149047852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Satellite-Based Mapping of South Manchurian Mixed Forests Highlights Critical Conservation Needs","authors":"Violetta D. Dzizyurova,&nbsp;Sergey V. Dudov,&nbsp;Kirill A. Korznikov,&nbsp;Tatyana Ya. Petrenko,&nbsp;Mikhail Yu. Grishchenko,&nbsp;Pavel V. Krestov","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70087","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Questions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;South Manchurian mixed forests (SMMFs) are among the most species-rich forest ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere's cold-temperate zone. Across their range, native SMMFs have been largely replaced by secondary forests and other human-modified vegetation. They continue to face significant threats from climate change, mismanagement, and anthropogenic pressures. Effective conservation requires a precise quantitative evaluation of the remaining SMMF area coupled with an estimation of their potential distribution. This study aims to assess the current area of SMMFs, evaluate their potential distribution, and analyze changes over time.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Location&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Northeastern China, the southern Russian Far East, and the Korean Peninsula.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;We mapped SMMFs using multi-temporal satellite data. Specifically, we employed the Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) analysis-ready Landsat time-series for two reference years: 2001 and 2021. For classification, we applied a bagged regression tree algorithm. We trained the classifier on a dataset derived from field relevés and published literature records. For accuracy assessment and area estimation, we used a stratified sampling design based on the resulting maps. To estimate the potential distribution area of the SMMFs, we performed habitat suitability modeling, employing two machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The models were built using two independent, verified presence/absence point datasets. Predictors included topographic variables (elevation, slope, aspect) and key bioclimatic variables, including warmth and continentality indices, alongside a proxy for precipitation.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;We estimated the total area of SMMFs in 2021 at 4145.4 (SE ±876.4) km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. The largest area of these forests is preserved in Russia (34.0%). North Korea, China, and South Korea account for 31.4%, 29.9%, and 4.7% of the total SMMF area, respectively. The areas potentially suitable for these forests are estimated at 28,642.5 (SE ±9094.5) km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. Globally, the mean sample-based estimate of current SMMF area represents only 20.2% of the estimated potential distribution area. Although severe historical declines in SMMF area have been documented, no significant changes have been detected over the past 20 years. Nowadays, SMMFs are highly fragmented and are largely confined to protected areas.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegapp: A Mobile Application for Vegetation Field Data Collection","authors":"Sebastian Schmidtlein,&nbsp;Michael Ewald,&nbsp;Anne Lewerentz,&nbsp;Johannes Antenor Senn","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70089","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Digital field data collection can streamline workflows, improve data quality and reduce transcription errors, yet few specialised tools are available that fully address the requirements of vegetation science. This report presents Vegapp, a mobile application for vegetation field data collection, publicly available for Android-based systems. The application supports the recording of layered vegetation data, individual-based inventories and aggregated species observations. A range of export options facilitate integration with vegetation databases, interoperability across devices and subsequent numerical analyses. Support of taxon views and data licensing options addresses barriers to data exchange.</p>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70089","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Lawns to Wastelands: Moss Diversity Patterns Across Urban Grasslands","authors":"Thomas Begoc,&nbsp;Audrey Muratet,&nbsp;Alejandro Sotillo,&nbsp;Thomas Reinhart,&nbsp;Laurent Hardion","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70086","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although urban vascular plant communities are increasingly understood, urban moss communities remain largely unknown. This study investigates grassland bryophyte community composition against various urban environmental gradients.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We sampled 58 grasslands, ranging from lawns to meadows and wastelands, in the metropolitan area of Strasbourg, France.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Moss communities were analyzed for species richness, frequencies, and the proportions of acrocarpous and pleurocarpous species in relation to landscape fragmentation, soil parameters, and management pressures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Urban bryophyte diversity increases with the sand percentage in the topsoil layer and decreases with nitrogen percentage, considered indicators of soil aridity and decreases with soil fertility, respectively, and particularly for acrocarpous species. The impact of vegetation management on mosses varies according to the practices involved, with higher diversity observed in wastelands and reduced richness in lawns. The ratio of acrocarpous species declines as the cover of vascular plants increases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Urban environments, including wastelands, should be more carefully considered in regional moss diversity inventories.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70086","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148784848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forest Responses to Fire Regime in the Humid Chaco of Paraguay","authors":"Cristina Vidal-Riveros,&nbsp;Pablo Souza-Alonso,&nbsp;Marie Ange Ngo Bieng","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70084","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Vegetation responses to fire regimes are increasingly relevant as fire frequency and intensity rise globally. This is particularly relevant in poorly studied, fire-prone regions such as the Gran Chaco (GC), where limited information on fire behavior is currently available. This study aimed to assess how different fire regimes affect plant functional traits, diversity and community assembly in the Humid Chaco forests.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study was conducted in the Humid Chaco of Paraguay, a subregion of the GC ecoregion characterized by seasonal subtropical forests and increasing fire occurrence.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thirty-one experimental plots of 0.1 ha (20 m × 50 m) were established in fragmented forest areas subjected to No Fire regimes (<i>n</i> = 12), Low (<i>n</i> = 12) and Medium (<i>n</i> = 8). Within these plots, data on species composition, vegetation structure and fire-adaptive traits were collected. Functional diversity indices—including functional richness, evenness, divergence and dispersion—and multivariate analysis were conducted to evaluate vegetation responses to fire.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Species' taxonomic composition and vegetation structure were similar across fire regimes, with dominance of Fabaceae and typical mesoxerophytic forest species. Evidence of increased resprouting was observed in individuals from fire-affected plots, indicating a functional response associated with fire occurrence. Although structural attributes of vegetation remained relatively consistent, functional dispersion was lower in the No Fire regime, indicating more homogeneous trait assemblages in fire-excluded areas.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fire regimes in the Humid Chaco are associated with subtle but consistent shifts in plant community functional composition, primarily affecting species dominance and trait syndromes rather than causing marked changes in taxonomic composition or structure. The findings underscore the importance of considering functional responses in fire ecology and highlight the potential role of forest patch preservation in maintaining landscape heterogeneity and moderating fire spread in this increasingly fire-prone landscape.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70084","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148533235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}