Academic literature on the topic 'Grassland flora'

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the flora and vegetation of the grasslands of Northeastern Ukraine and to analyse how the steppe vegetation responds to grazing or its abandonment. We studied two gully systems in the east of the Kharkiv Region: the Regional Landscape Park “The Velykyi Burluk-Steppe” (steppe grasslands on chernozem soils; 10 sites) and the National Nature Park “Dvorichanskyi” (steppe grasslands on chalky outcrops; 5 sites). Long-term monitoring data exist for both these sites starting in 1991, shortly after grazing intensity reduced. We recorded the major grassland plant communities (reflecting their successional status) as well as their dominant species. Tree and scrub encroachment increased after management ceased. We conclude that (i) heterogeneous grazing (including ungrazed patches) in space and time is necessary in order to preserve grassland biodiversity in our study system; (ii) erosion of chalky outcrops (natural erosion as well as driven by cattle grazing) is a key factor promoting the richness of cretaceous species in steppe grassland.

The aim of the investigation was to study the flora of grasslands within the Zachodniowo?y?ska Dolina Bugu Special Area of Conservation and to identify the types of habitats with the highest concentration of grassland species. In the years 2011-2012, floristic analyses covered the slopes of the valley of the Bug river, balks and places of shallow bedrock deposition, roadsides, as well as railway and earthwork sites. One hundred and fifty eight plant species belonging to 37 families were found. Though considered extinct in Polish flora, Dianthus collinus subsp. glabriusculus was discovered. Close to half of the recorded species (47%) were grassland taxa and 15% rare and/or protected plants, which make the studied area particularly valuable for the conservation of biodiversity. The fewest grassland plants occurred on habitats that are under the influence of agriculture, where the dominance of nitrophilous and herbicide resistant plant species was observed.

The effect of ongoing forest invasion on floristic composition of subtropical montane grasslands was considered by examining vascular plant species frequencies across 13 adjoining areas of grassland, invaded grassland (eucalypt forest <50 years old) and eucalypt forest (>50 years old) on the Bunya Mountains in subtropical eastern Australia. Tree invasion of grasslands over the last 50 years has had substantial facilitative or antagonistic net impacts on populations of many plant species. Increases in species frequency, indicating net facilitation, generally appear to occur earlier in forest development than do decreases in frequency, indicative of net antagonism. Although more than 20% of the flora showed substantial association with either grassland or forest, the dominant ground-stratum species in each habitat were quite similar and very few grassland species were not recorded in grassy forests. Forb species composition appears to change more rapidly after tree invasion than grass species composition. Relatively few forbs preferred forest to grassland, whereas shrubs, trees or lianes were substantially more frequent in forests. Replacement of grasslands by grassy forests would reduce landscape diversity and impact on other values in the Bunya Mountains. However, this study suggests that most, if not all, vascular plants that currently occur on the grasslands will persist in the area provided the grassy character of the eucalypt forests is maintained.

Abstract This report summarizes the activities and achievements of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) from July 2019 to December 2020. During this period, Covid-19 allowed only one live event, the 14th EDGG Field Workshop to the alpine vegetation of Switzerland, organised ad hoc as a replacement for the cancelled Field Workshop in the Ukrainian steppes. The cancelled Eurasian Grassland Conference in Spain found a partial replacement in “Talk Grasslands!”, a series of online talks during winter 2020/2021. EDGG’s own diamond open access periodical, Palaearctic Grasslands, is a novel combination of scientific journal, photo magazine and member newsletter. With five issues during the reporting time it contributed much to EDGG’s attractiveness. EDGG edited four Special Features in international journals (Tuexenia, Hacquetia, Flora) and contributed 13 chapters on grasslands and shrublands of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm to the Encyclopedia of the world’s biomes. EDGG’s vegetation-plot database GrassPlot with multi-scale and multi-taxon diversity data of grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic is now integrated into the EDGG website with the GrassPlot Diversity Explorer.

Bekol savannah is places of reproduction for banteng (Bos javanicus d` Alton), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L), large deer (Cervus timorensis) and green peafowl (Pavo mutiacus) and for conservation of species, habitat and genetic. In sector recreation and tourism, Bekol Savannah is object for eco-tourism, that is very attractive for local tourist or foreign and to see biodiversity of flora and fauna. Set of problems are wildlife population very low result presence Acacia nilotica (L) Willd. ex Del in savannah. This plant competitive with wildlife feeding grasslands result to descent plant diversity and biomass. The conclusion of the grassland dispersal at plant of A. nilotica (L) Willd. ex Del. in Bekol savannah Baluran National Park are: (1) The grassland dispersal at plant of A. nilotica (L) Willd. ex. Del.plot 1×1 m2 have 24 species`s with importance value of wildlife feeding grasslands = 40.49%, (2). The grassland dispersal at plant of A. nilotica (L) Willd. ex Del.plot 1x1 m2 (distance of plots 1 m from center point of stem) have 27 species`s with importance value of wildlife feeding = 29.30% and (3). Productivity wildlife feeding grasslands only of to fill 8.93% from wildlife in savannah if be found plant of A. nilotica (L) Willd. ex Del.

Seasonal variation in seed bank size and species composition of five selected habitat types within the Tembe Elephant Park. South Africa, was investigated. At three-month intervals, soil samples were randomly collected from five different habitat types: a, Licuati forest; b, Licuati thicket; c, a bare or sparsely vegetated zone surrounding the forest edge, referred to as the forest/grassland ecotone; d, grassland; and e, open woodland. Most species in the seed bank flora were either grasses, sedges, or forbs, with hardly any evidence of woody species. The Licuati forest and thicket soils produced the lowest seed densities in all seasons. Licuati forest and grassland seed banks showed a two-fold seasonal variation in size, those of the Licuati thicket and woodland a three-fold variation in size, whereas the forest/grassland ecotone maintained a relatively large seed bank all year round. The woodland seed bank had the highest species richness, whereas the Licuati forest and thicket soils were poor in species. Generally, it was found that the greatest correspondence in species composition was between the Licuati forest and thicket, as well as the forest/grassland ecotone and grassland seed bank floras.

There has been a recent flurry of field guides to grassy ecosystems in southeastern Australia, and all the publications have been excellent. This attractive field guide is no exception. It is a spiral-bound A-sized booklet, ideal for the glovebox or the backpack. It is easy to use for both the novice and expert, with colour coding separating sections on grasses, rushes and sedges, lilies, orchids, forbs, ferns, shrubs and trees. Within each life form section entries are alphabetical for grasses and sedges, but generally species are grouped together based on the colour of their flowers. And an excellent addition is the inclusion of weeds ? many interested users will be very pleased to sort out which species are native or not ? often a challenge in grasslands! The text is informative and uses non-technical language. It is most helpful to have notes on similar species and how to tell the difference. Large colour symbols clearly indicate if a species is annual, exotic, noxious or threatened. Brief management notes are also very practical and informative. A short glossary and explanation of terms also makes this a useful guide, especially for beginners. A brief but adequate introduction outlines the conservation plight of native grasslands, and gives information on threatened plant species and plant communities, grassland animals and management of grassy ecosystems. This is an excellent publication, very comprehensive, great value and useable throughout southeastern Australia. Every time I have had my copy in the field a landowner has grabbed it, and then several of their mates ring up for a copy too.

Fire has a major influence on the structure and composition of temperate grasslands and woodlands. We investigated whether the impacts of fire exclusion on a temperate grassland plant community varied according to the scale of investigation and soil texture. Ten sites with known fire histories were selected along a soil texture gradient in south-eastern Australia. Floristics and ground layer attributes were investigated at small (0.25 m2) and large (100 m2) spatial scales in regularly burnt and unburnt grasslands. Fire exclusion over a 10 year period led to declines in native species diversity, richness and cover at both spatial scales and in most cases effects were consistent regardless of soil texture. However, the richness of native plant species at small scales and the cover of native plants at large scales were most negatively influenced by fire exclusion on fine textured soils. Conversely, at large scales, exotic plant richness and cover were only weakly increased by fire exclusion. Responses of eight common species were modelled and in seven of these, fire exclusion was a strong predictor of occurrence, although both positive and negative responses were observed. These results reiterate the importance of frequent fire as a management tool in temperate grasslands, but also shed light on how sites may require specific fire management regimes depending on the underlying soil texture.

An ongoing decrease in habitat and species diversity is occurring in many areas across Europe, including in grasslands in mountain areas, calling for adapted biodiversity management and measures. In this context, we carried out 79 interviews with grassland farmers in five alpine mountain regions in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. We analyzed farmers’ perceptions about the functions and services of their grasslands, how they qualify “good” grasslands, which grassland management practices have changed over the last 10 years, and proposals to increase species diversity on the farm. They related them primarily to cultural ecosystem services, secondly to provisioning services, and thirdly to regulating and supporting services. Good pastures or meadows were mostly related to composition, quality of forage and productivity, structural criteria, and certain characteristics of soils and topography. The measures for increasing biodiversity that were most frequently proposed were upgrading of forest edges, planting hedges or fruit trees, less or late grassland cutting, reduction or omission of fertilization, and more general extensification of farm productions. Factors hindering the implementation of these measures were mainly increased workload, insufficient time, and a lack of financial means or support to cover additional costs for biodiversity management. These factors have to be taken specifically into account for future policies for enhanced biodiversity management of grasslands, also beyond mountainous areas. Overall, we found that farmers have good but varying knowledge about biodiversity management of their grasslands, but also different perspectives on how to improve it. Here, local initiatives that bring together farmers and flora or fauna specialists to exchange knowledge could be designed and used in participatory pilot schemes to enhance the implementation of improved biodiversity management.

Abstract The diversity of early spring vascular flora was studied in the Sub-Pannonic steppic grassland in the village of Bilje, north eastern Croatia. In all, 109 plant taxa within 35 families were found. The highest number of taxa belongs to the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae. Specific habitat conditions, characterized by moderately wet and moderately acidic soil with intermediate fertility and the effects of the continental climate favour the development of different plant life forms. Out of the total recorded plant taxa, hemicryptophytes make up 59.6%, followed by therophytes (22.0%) and geophytes (13.8%). Chorological analysis shows that the most numerous are plants of Eurasian (33.9%), Pontic-Central-Asian (21.1%) and Central European (21.1%) floral elements. According to their status in the Red List, three critically endangered (CR), one vulnerable (VU) and three nearly threatened (NT) plant species were found. Altogether, the steppe-like grassland in Bilje is a unique habitat rich in valuable plants of the Croatian flora, including the critically endangered Doronicum hungaricum, therefore it is of great importance to preserve it. Important management tools include mowing and controlling the spreading of cultivated and invasive plant species.

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Phytoliths bodies are of amorphous silica (SiO2.nH20) produced during the vegetative cycle and plant death after the production can be incorporated into the soil/sediment, and may remain there for extended periods of time. For an analysis consistent fitolítica is necessary to compare the sets of phytoliths found in soil and the collections of references phytoliths extracted from existing plants. The problem is there is no reference collection available for the Southwest region of Paraná and in Brazil, so there is no possibility of comparisons difficult paleoenvironmental reconstructions through this proxy. In order to minimize the lack of information on the production of phytoliths by vegetation of Brazil was made a reference collection of phytoliths from phytophysionomies Mixed Ombrophylous Forest and grassland, both located in the Southwest of Paraná State. This collection consists of 30 families, 57 genera and 75 species. In the floristic survey of FOM Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae Pteridaceae families have greater representation of species. The vegetation of the grassland had a high representation of Poaceae, Asterceae, Cyperaceae, and Lauraceae. It was found that the production of Late Gray (fraction that contains the phytoliths) decrease of herbaceous to woody phytophysionomies in both. Only two (Araucaria angustifolia and Rapanea gardneriana) of 71 species analyzed did not produce identifiable phytoliths in the leaves. The production of phytoliths in different strata varied in similar proportions in the FOM and the field, especially in stratum A, because the presence of grass species that contributed to high amount of morphotypes short-cells (bilobate, cross and saddle, rondel and conical) in two forest types. While the layers B, C, D and redundancy Epiphytes presented to each other for producing morphotypes blocky, tabular, globular, cylindric and irregular cells by species. The production of phytoliths in the FOM morphological differ in quantity significantly from conjuto produced by species of the grassland, since grasses produce more biomineralizations than eudicotyledonous. The analysis fitolítica the first 40 cm of soil under the FOM revealed a change in vegetation type, evolving from a opened vegetation to more closed forest (current). It was possible to deduce that this change has occurred as a result of past human action. Similar trend was found in the soil analysis of the grassland, that is, moved from grassland to grassland clean of this dirty again to grassland clean, change occurred due to the abandonment of the field and return of site anthropogenic activities. The degradation of two morphotypes differed in physiognomy. The morphotypes found in soil under the FOM showed the lowest degradation compared to the grassland. The set of two soils revealed significant patterns that differentiate the two forest types, showing that different vegetation units can be discriminated by the signatures phytolitic produced by them. These results reinforce the utility of using phytoliths as significant indicators to distinguish vegetation units dominated by field and/or forest, even in a short period of time, thus demonstrating the potential of phytoliths analysis for paleoecological reconstruction in southern Brazil.
Fitólitos são corpos de sílica amorfa (SiO2.nH20), produzidos ao longo do ciclo vegetativo das plantas e após a morte das produtoras podem ser incorporados ao solo/sedimentos, podendo permanecer ali por longos períodos de tempo. Para uma análise fitolítica consistente é necessária a comparação entre os conjuntos de fitólitos encontrados no solo e as coleções de referências de fitólitos extraídos de plantas atuais. O problema consiste em não haver coleção de referência disponível para a região Sudoeste do Paraná e do Brasil, logo, não existem possibilidades de comparações, dificultando a reconstrução paleoambiental por meio deste proxy. Visando minimizar a carência de informações sobre a produção de fitólitos pela vegetação do Brasil foi elaborada uma coleção de referência de fitólitos da fitofisionomias Floresta Ombrófila Mista e do Campo, ambas localizadas no Sudoeste do Estado do Paraná. Esta coleção é composta por 30 famílias, 57 gêneros e 75 espécies. No levantamento florístico da FOM as famílias Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Poaceae, Pteridaceae e Fabaceae apresentam maior representatividade de espécies. A vegetação do Campo apresentou elevada representatividade de espécies de Poaceae, Asterceae, Cyperaceae e Lauraceae. Constatou-se que a produção de Cinza Final (fração que contém os fitólitos) diminuem do estratos herbáceo para o arbóreo nas duas fitofisionomias. Somente duas (Araucaria angustifolia e Rapanea gardneriana) das 71 espécies analisadas não produziram fitólitos identificáveis nas folhas. A produção de fitólitos nos diferentes estratos variou em proporções similares na FOM e no Campo, principalmente no estrato A, devido presença de espécies de gramíneas que contribuiram com elevada quantidade de morfotipos short-cells (bilobate, cross e saddle, rondel e conical) nas duas fitofisionomias. Enquanto que os estratos B, C, D e Epífitas apresentaram redundância entre si pela produção de morfotipos blocky, tabular, globular, cylindric, irregular cells pelas espécies. A produção morfológica de fitólitos na FOM diferiu em quantidade, significativamente em relação ao conjuto produzido pelas espécies do Campo, pois as gramíneas produzem mais biomineralizações do que as eudicotiledôneas. A análise fitolítica dos primeiros 40 cm de solo sob a FOM revelou mudança no tipo de vegetação, evoluindo de uma vegetação mais aberta para floresta mais fechada (atual). Foi possível elocubrar que esta mudança tenha ocorrido em decorrência da ação antrópica passada. Tendência similar foi encontrada na análise do solo do Campo, isto é, passou de Campo limpo para Campo sujo e deste, novamente para Campo limpo, mudança ocorrida devido ao abandono da área e retorno das atividades antrópicas locais. A degradação dos morfotipos diferenciou nas duas fitofisionomia. Os morfotipos encontrados no solo sob a FOM apresentaram menor índice de degradação se comparado ao do Campo. O conjunto dos dois solos revelaram padrões significativos que diferenciam as duas fitofisionomias, mostrando que diferentes unidades de vegetação podem ser discriminadas pelas assinaturas fitolíticas por elas produzidas. Estes resultados reforçam a utilidade de usar fitólitos como indicadores significativos para diferenciar unidades de vegetação dominada por Campo e/ou Floresta, mesmo em curto período de tempo, demonstrando assim, o potencial da análise de fitólitos para a reconstrução paleoecológica na região Sul do Brasil.

Livestock management influences the extent to which grazing lands provide resources for native species. We compared how livestock species ? sheep or cattle ? affected floral resources and bee and butterfly communities in low-diversity, post-Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pastures managed with patch-burning. We sampled bees and butterflies three times per season 2017-2019 and counted flowering stems within 1 m of transects. Pastures grazed by sheep had significantly fewer flowers and significantly lower floral richness than cattle pastures. Native bees were three to sixteen times more abundant in cattle pastures compared to sheep. Butterfly communities were similar between grazing treatments, because agricultural-tolerant, habitat generalists comprised the majority of the butterfly community. Grassland-obligate butterflies comprised only 2% of observations. The dearth of grassland-obligate butterfly species and low native bee abundances suggest that post-CRP fields, especially those grazed by sheep, do not provide abundant and diverse floral resources for native bees and imperiled butterfly species.

(Cartografia morfopedológica e de ocupação das terras como subsídio à avaliação ecológica: o caso dos campos de planalto em Itararé, SP). Duas abordagens cartográficas pouco utilizadas no Brasil, morfopedológica e de ocupação das terras, foram aplicadas como parte de um projeto de análise florística, fitogeográfica, ecológica e de conservação dos remanescentes de campos de planalto, na porção sul do município de Itararé, São Paulo (escala 1:50.000). As duas abordagens traduzem em termos ecológicos a paisagem. A carta morfopedológica mapeia unidades cuja evolução, estrutura e problemática sejam correlacionadas, correspondendo a interações específicas entre o material, o modelado, a morfogênese e a pedogênese sob condições climáticas precisas; a carta de ocupação das terras mapeia uma combinação entre as formações vegetais e a influência humana em um território. Ambas as abordagens têm um potencial pouco explorado na gestão da paisagem e no ordenamento territorial no Brasil. (Análise florística e fitogeográfica dos campos de Itararé, São Paulo). A região de Itararé, no sudoeste do estado de São Paulo, junto à divisa do estado do Paraná, possui uma considerável diversidade climática, geológica, pedológica, florística e paisagística, onde ainda podem ser encontrados remanescentes significativos e bem preservados de campos de planalto, uma formação singular e pouco conhecida no estado de São Paulo. Como um primeiro passo para estudar a ecologia dos campos de planalto de Itararé e subsidiar um plano para sua conservação, a flora dos campos foi analisada. Um intensivo levantamento possibilitou a preparação de uma lista florística com 1.000 espécies em 120 famílias, dentre as quais 23 espécies são novas ocorrências para o estado de São Paulo, 71 são consideradas espécies vulneráveis e 22 em perigo, segundo a lista de plantas ameaçadas do estado de São Paulo. As oito famílias que mais contribuem para a riqueza de espécies são: Asteraceae (17,8 %); Poaceae (9,7 %); Fabaceae (7,0 %); Myrtaceae (4,1 %); Cyperaceae (3,9 %); Melastomataceae (3,9 %); Rubiaceae (3,2 %) e Apocynaceae (2,9 %). Uma análise de agrupamento foi efetuda para avaliar o posicionamento fitogeográfico dos campos de planalto de Itararé entre 47 listas florísticas disponíveis para localidades das regiões Sul e Sudeste e dos estados da Bahia, Goiás e Distrito Federal. Uma análise de correspondência canônica indicou as variáveis isotermalidade, sazonalidade térmica e precipitação do mês mais úmido como as mais correlacionadas com a distribuição das espécies dos campos. (Estrutura dos campos e suas relações com o ambiente em Itararé, SP). A estrutura ecológica dos campos na região sul de Itararé, sudoeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, foi estudada em uma área de 32.697 ha. Esses fragmentos de campo ainda estão relativamente preservados. O objetivo deste trabalho é diferenciar os tipos de campos existentes na região de Itararé e caracterizar suas relações com variáveis ecológicas. Foi empregada a estratégia de amostragem estratificada aleatória. O critério de estratificação da paisagem foi produzido por meio da interseção do mapa morfopedológico com zonas de influência microclimáticas. A composição florística e sua abundância/cobertura, junto com descritores sobre o meio físico e a estrutura da vegetação, foram obtidos em 115 levantamentos distribuídos pelas unidades de amostragem. Através da aplicação de métodos de estatística multivariada (análise de agrupamentos, de espécies indicadoras e ordenações) foram identificados 4 tipos de campos com suas respectivas espécies indicadoras. O gradiente mais importante presente na matriz de dados está relacionado com o fator umidade.
Two cartographic approaches little used in Brazil, morphopedologic and land occupation, have been applied as part of a project to analyze the flora, phytogeography, ecology and conservation of grassland fragments of the southern portion of the Itararé county in São Paulo State. Both approaches translate the landscape in ecological terms. The morphopedologic theme maps units whose evolution, structure and problematic are correlated, corresponding to specific interactions between the material, the relief, morphogenesis and pedogenesis under precise climatic conditions. The land occupation theme maps the combination between the plant formations and the human influence in a territory. Both approaches have a potential little explored in landscape management and in land zoning in Brazil. ¶ (Floristic and phytogeography of the grasslands of Itararé, São Paulo). The region of Itararé, in southwestern of São Paulo state, at the border with the state of the Paraná, has a considerable climatic, geologic, pedologic, floristic and landscape diversity, where it\'s possible to find significative and well preserved grassland fragments, a singular and little known vegetation type in state of São Paulo. As a first step to study the ecology of the Itararé grasslands and to underpin a conservation plan, the flora of the fields was analyzed. An intensive survey made possible to prepare a floristic list with 1.000 species in 120 families, amongst them 23 new records for the State of São Paulo, 71 vulnerable and 22 endangered species according the Red List of São Paulo State. The eight families with major contributions to the species richness are: Asteraceae (17,8 %); Poaceae (9,7 %); Fabaceae (7,0 %); Myrtaceae (4,1 %); Cyperaceae (3,9 %); Melastomataceae (3,9 %); Rubiaceae (3,2 %) and Apocynaceae (2,9 %). A cluster analysis was performed to evaluate the phytogeographic position of the Itararé grasslands among 47 floristic lists available for South and Southeastern Brazil, as well for the states of Bahia, Goiás and Federal District. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated the climatic variables isothermality, temperature seasonality and precipitation of wettest month as the most correlated with species distribution of grasslands.¶ (Grasslands structure and relations with environment in Itararé, SP). The ecological structure of the grassland in the South region of Itararé, located in southwest of São Paulo state, Brazil, was studied over an area of 32.697 ha. These grassland fragments are still relatively well preserved. The goal of this paper is to distinguish the types of grassland present in the Itararé region and to characterize their relationship with ecological variables. A stratified random sampling strategy was used and the landscape stratification criterion was produced by an intersection of the morphopedologic map with a microclimatic zones layer. Species composition and cover/abundance, together with structural and abiotic parameters were recorded in 115 relevés distributed throughout the sampling units. By the application of multivariate statistical analysis methods - such as cluster analysis, indicator species analyses, and ordination techniques - four grasslands vegetation types were identified with its diagnostic species. The most important ecological gradient present in the data matrix is related with humidity.

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O Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB), inserido na Serra da Mantiqueira, é a menor unidade de conservação do Estado de Minas Gerais com predomínio dos campos rupestres, sendo considerado uma área prioritária para conservação da flora do Estado. Durante a estação chuvosa, formam-se as áreas úmidas, campos úmidos e lagoa temporária, que compreendem uma flora singular, com espécies adaptadas aos solos ricos em matéria orgânica e com grande amplitude hídrica. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi conhecer a riqueza, diversidade, composição, estrutura e distribuição da vegetação associada às áreas úmidas do PEIB. Os resultados são apresentados em dois capítulos. Para o levantamento florístico foram realizadas expedições mensais de abril de 2015 a agosto de 2016. Foram encontradas 81 espécies nos campos úmidos, em sua maioria endêmicas do Brasil, incluídas em 55 gêneros e 21 famílias. Na lagoa temporária foram encontradas 27 espécies, grande parte com ampla distribuição geográfica, pertencentes a 23 gêneros e 11 famílias, sendo uma espécie nova para a ciência e considerada microendêmica. Em ambas as áreas a forma de vida predominante foi hemicriptófita. A composição florística mostrou uma grande importância para conservação com a presença de doze espécies endêmicas de Minas Gerais e cerca de 22% da riqueza específica presente em alguma categoria de ameaça de extinção. Para verificar a diversidade florística e compreender os padrões de distribuição da comunidade vegetal na lagoa temporária (Lagoa Seca) foram realizadas coletas fitossociológicas em novembro de 2015 e fevereiro, abril e junho de 2016. Foram amostrados 24 táxons: quatro briófitas e 20 angiospermas. As espécies anfíbias obtiveram maior predominância, seguida das emergentes. Juncus microcephalus (44,7) e Nymphoides indica (25,5) alcançaram os dois maiores VI’s na comunidade. A diversidade para a área de estudo como um todo foi considerada baixa (H’=1,83) em relação a outros estudos em áreas úmidas, enquanto a equitabilidade foi considerada alta (J=0,88). Não foi possível agrupar espécies preferenciais a ambientes úmidos ou ambientes secos, espacialmente e temporalmente. A umidade do solo medida não possui correlações significativas com as riquezas, sugerindo que a submersão das espécies tenha maior efeito como barreira de colonização.
The Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB) is a smaller conservation unit in the state of Minas Gerais with campos rupestres as its main vegetation, being considered a priority area for conservation of the state's flora. Wetlands are formed during the rainy season, and are known as moist grasslands and seasonal pond, comprising a singular flora, with species adapted to organic matter richness of the soil and a great flooding amplitude. The main aim of the study was to know the richness, diversity, composition, structure and distribution of the vegetation of PEIB wetlands. The results are presented in two chapters. For the floristic survey, monthly expeditions were carried out from April 2015 to August 2016. At the moist grasslands were found 81 species, most endemics of Brazil, included in 55 genera and 21 families. At the Lagoa Seca 27 species were found, most with wild distribution, distributed in 23 genera and 11 families. In both wetlands, the hemicryptophytes were the most predominant Raunkiaer's life form. Floristics results showed a great importance for conservation with 22% of species in some threatness category, twelve species endemic to Minas Gerais state and a new Cyperaceae taxa. For the verification of the floristic diversity and for understanding the distribution patterns of plants community at the seasonal pond (Lagoa Seca) phytosociological collections were carried out in November 2015 and February, April and June 2016. Were found 24 species: 4 bryophytes and 20 angiosperms, with predominance of amphibian species, followed by the emergent ones. Juncus microcephalus (44.7) and Nymphoides indica (25.5) reached the two largest VI’s in the community. The values of diversity (H') did not vary temporally or spatially in the area. The diversity for the study area was considered low (H’= 1.83) in relation to other studies in wetlands, as equitability was considered high (J = 0.88). It has not been possible to observe a zonation of preferred species in wet or dry environments, both spatially and temporally. The measured soil moisture does not present a significant correlation with species richness, suggesting that the submersion could have a greater effect as a barrier of colonization.

Le processus d’urbanisation conduit à un ensemble de transformations et perturbations qui peuvent avoir des conséquences sur la flore spontanée. Ce travail de thèse porte sur les communautés végétales des espaces herbacés ordinaires distribués au sein 3 aires urbaines de l’ouest de la France : Angers, Nantes et la Roche-sur-Yon. A travers deux approches, taxonomique et fonctionnelle, l’objectif est d’analyser les variations de diversités et de composition floristiques le long de gradients paysagers (notamment d’urbanisation et de connectivité des habitats). Ces milieux apparaissent diversifiés, tout en ne présentant qu’un faible nombre d’espèces exotiques. Le gradient urbain-rural structure les communautés, établissant notamment de fortes distinctions dans leurs compositions spécifiques, et ce, malgré l’absence de variations en terme de richesse et d’homogénéisation. Ces distinctions sont en lien avec des traits relatifs à leurs exigences écologiques (habitat, pH, humidité, lumière)et au niveau de perturbation plus élevé en ville. Ces relations varient malgré tout selon que l’on considère l’abondance locale ou régionale des espèces suggérant que d’autres mécanismes viennent s’ajouter à ces processus de filtre. La mesure in situ de trois traits fonctionnels (hauteur, SLA et phénologie) montre également l’importance de ce processus de filtre sur les espèces à un niveau intraspécifique. L’ensemble des résultats montre la façon dont ces espèces communes s’assemblent au regard des processus écologiques à l’oeuvre dans des environnements urbains, et permet d’ouvrir des perspect
The process of urbanisation leads to a series of transformations and disturbances that may have consequences for wild plant communities. This thesis presents a study of the plant communities of ordinary grasslands distributed among three cities of western France: Angers, Nantes and La Roche-sur-Yon. Using both taxonomical and functional approaches, the aim is to analyse the variation in plant diversity and composition along landscape gradients, in particular those of urbanisation and habitat connectivity. Such grassland habitats appear to be diverse, despite a low number of exotic species. The urban-rural gradient structures such communities, in particular by strongly modifying species composition; and this despite an absence of variation in species richness or of homogenisation. These modifications in community structure are linked to traits for ecological requirements (for habitat, pH, humidity or light)or for adaptation to higher levels of disturbance in towns. These relationships vary according to species’ local or regional abundance, suggesting that other mecanisms accompany the filtering process. Taking into account three functional traits (height, SLA and phenology) measured in situ shows that the filtering process also has consequences at intraspecific level. Taken together, the results show how common species are assembled in response to ecological processes operating in urban environments and open up new perspectives and applications for the integration of grassland plant communities into biodiversity conservation objectives in urban areas

Thesis (MScConsEcol) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the findings of a survey to investigate the attitudes and behaviour of private landholders towards the conservation of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld, a highly endangered grassy-shrubland of the Cape Floral Region (CFR) lowlands, now 94% transformed. Personal interviews were conducted with 36 farmers in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, by administering a questionnaire. The following aspects were quantitatively described using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS): Renosterveld management and utilisation behaviour, perceived value of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; landholder knowledge of its conservation importance and willingness to conserve it. Attitudes towards incentives for conservation; conservancies; and the provincial conservation authorities were also investigated. Willingness to conserve was explored further using SPSS cross-tabulation analyses. It was found that farmers who were more willing to conserve were younger, did not necessarily have a better education, and owned larger farms (> 500 ha) with a greater amount of remnant renosterveld (> 300 ha) than farmers less willing to conserve. Attitudes towards Overberg Coastal Renosterveld were largely negative, due to certain associated plants and animals which are problems for farmers, and because it is not economically advantageous to retain it. However, provision of incentives (of which assistance with fencing and land management was most attractive) and increased extension support will provide practical positive inducements for conservation. There is also a need for more landholder education regarding the scarcity of coastal renosterveld to prevent transformation of remaining fragments. The second component of the study aimed to construct a user-friendly index to measure the conservation attitudes of landholders towards conserving Overberg Coastal Renosterveld. An interative item analysis was executed on the data, using Spearman Rank Order correlations and Cronbach's Alpha. Results yielded an index with two dimensions and a Cronbach Alpha co-efficient of 0.67. The dimensions or components of conservation attitude towards renosterveld included: (i) a landholders' perception of the perceived benefit of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; and (ii) their willingness to conserve it. The mean conservation attitude score was 0.6 (± 0.03), indicating that landholder attitudes were generally sympathetic towards renosterveld conservation. This suggests that while many landholders do not place a high value on Overberg Coastal Renosterveld due to its low agricultural value, their willingness to conserve it is in some cases higher than expected, which possibly explains the above-average mean conservation attitude score. An analysis of variance showed that the following variables were significantly, positively correlated with conservation attitude: (i) area of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; (ii) landholder environmental group membership status; (iii) presence of ecotourism activities on the property; and (iv) how long the property had been in the owner's family. The intended application of the index is that index scores (amenable for use in a Geographical Information System database) can assist conservation practitioners in deciding where resources should be allocated, on the assumption that high-scoring individuals are more likely to want to take part in conservation initiatives.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif beskryf die bevindings van 'n opname waarin die houdings en gedrag van private grondeienaars ten opsigte van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld ondersoek word. Altesaam 94% van die oorspronklike renosterveld, 'n hoogs bedreigde, grasagtige struikveld in die laaglande van die Kaapse Planteryk (KPR) , is reeds getransformeer en verander. Persoonlike onderhoude is met 36 boere in die Overbergstreek van die Wes-Kaap gevoer en 'n vraelys is aan hulle gestel. Die "Statistical Package for Social Scientists" (SPSS) is gebruik om die volgende aspekte kwantitatief te beskryf: die bestuur en benutting van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld; die waarde wat toegeskryf word aan hierdie renosterveld; asook grondeienaars se kennis oor die bewaringsbelang van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld en hul bereidwilligheid om dit te bewaar. Houdings jeens aansporingsmiddele om bewaring te bevorder, bewareas en die provinsiale bewaringsowerhede is ook ondersoek. Private grondeienaars se bereidwilligheid om betrokke te raak by bewaringswerk is verder ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van die SPSS-kruistabelleringsanalise. In vergelyking met boere wat nie bewaring ondersteun nie, is gevind dat die meer bewaringsgesinde boere jonger is, nie noodwendig 'n beter opvoeding het nie, en groter plase (>500 ha) besit waarop meer brokkies oorblywende Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld (>300 ha) gevind word. Grondeienaars se houding jeens Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld was grootliks negatief. Dit is as gevolg van sekere verwante plante en diere wat deur boere as probleme ervaar word, en omdat dit nie ekonomies lewensvatbaar is om renosterveld te behou nie. Die beskikbaarheidstelling van aansporingsmiddele (waarvan hulpverlening met omheinings en grondbestuur die aantreklikste was), en 'n toename in landbou-voorligting is egter praktiese en positiewe dryfvere wat bewaring kan bevorder. Daar is ook 'n behoefte vir meer opvoeding van grondeienaars oor aspekte soos die skaarsheid van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld, sodat die verdere transformasie van oorblywende fragmente voorkom kan word. Die tweede gedeelte van die studie was daarop gemik om 'n gebruikersvriendelike indeks te ontwikkel waarmee die bewaringsgesindheid van grondeienaars teenoor die bewaring van renosterveld gemeet kan word. Deur gebruik te maak van Spearman se rangorde-korrelasies en Cronbach se Alpha is die data aan 'n herhalende item-analise onderwerp. Die resultate het 'n indeks met twee dimensies en 'n Cronbach Alpha-koëffisiënt van 0.67 gelewer. Die dimensies of komponente van bewaringsgesindheid jeens renosterveld het onder meer ingesluit: i) 'n grondeienaar se opvatting oor die moontlike voordeel van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld en ii) sy/haar bereidwilligheid om dit bewaar. Die gemiddelde telling vir bewaringsgesindheid was 0.6 (± 0.03), wat in die algemeen 'n simpatieke houding jeens die bewaring van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld onder grondeienaars aandui. Hiervolgens blyk dit dat alhoewel heelwat grondeienaars weens die lae landbouwaarde van renosterveld nie 'n hoë waarde op hierdie plantegroeitipe plaas nie, hulle bereidwilligheid om dit te bewaar soms verwagtinge oortref. Dit is dalk 'n moontlike verklaring vir die bogemiddelde gemiddelde bewaringsgesindheidtelling. 'n Variansie-analise het 'n noemenswaardige, positiewe korrelasie met bewaringsgesindheid ten opsigte van die volgende veranderlikes getoon: i) area van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld; ii) die grondeienaar se moontlike lidmaatskap van 'n bewaringsgroep; iii) die teenwoordigheid van ekotoerisme-bedrywighede op die eiendom; en iv) die tydperk wat die eiendom al in besit van die grondeienaar se familie is. Die voorgestelde gebruik van die indeks is toepaslik omdat die indeks-tellings (wat vir gebruik in 'n Geografiese Inligtingstelsel databasis aangepas kan word) bewaringslui kan help met besluite random die toekenning van hulpbronne. Die aanname is dat individuele grondeienaars wie hoë tellings aangeteken het, met alle waarskynlikheid meer geredelik aan bewaringsinisiatiewe sal wil deelneem.

碩士
國立中興大學
農藝學系所
105
Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze), a hobby crop, is a special crop. In recent years, in order to pursue the better quality of tea, tea farmers in Taiwan have gradually cultivated tea plants in the high altitude areas; however, which might result in a serious damage to the soil and water conservation. In addition, the government encourages farmers to use the fallow fields for the past few years. Therefore, the feasibility of planting tea plants in the fallow fields, especially in the level ground instead of high altitude area was estimated in this study. An artificial shading was used to reduce the light intensity in the organic tea garden. It was obvious that the shading treatment significantly improved the survival rate of tea plant for all four varieties, including Jinxuan, Hongyu, Hongyun and Chin-Shin Oolong. However, the shading treatment did not change plant height, the representative branch length, as well as the number of branch, curled leaf, immature leaves, mature leaf, and bud. In addition, the analysis of several major compositions showed that the contents of both chlorophyll and theanine were increased by shading. Also, the amount of caffeine in tea leaves increased with the shading extent, and the shading effect on the large-leaf variety is stronger than on the small-leaf variety. After high shading treatment, the polyphenol content significantly decreased. In this study, the results showed that the contents of epicatechin (EC), gallocatechin (GC) and epicatechin gallate (ECG) were all decreased by shading strength, while the content of other catechins did not change as expectation. In this study, a mechanical weeding was used to control the weed growth of grassland. After continuous mechanical weeding for one years, the total coverage of plants maintained at 84% or more. In addition, the grass plants were increased significantly and broad-leaf plants were reduced significantly within three months; however, the sedge plants were not affected significantly by this mechanical weeding might due to the limited population of this kind of plants.

Native temperate grasslands are Australia’s most threatened ecosystems. Grasslands have been eliminated from across much of their former extent and continue to be threatened by urban expansion, agricultural intensification, weed invasion and the uncertain impacts of climate change. Research, however, is showing us new ways to manage grasslands, and techniques for restoration are advancing. The importance of ongoing stewardship also means it is vital to develop new strategies to encourage a broader cross-section of society to understand and appreciate native grasslands and their ecology. Land of Sweeping Plains synthesises the scientific literature in a readily accessible manner and includes a wealth of practical experience held by policy makers, farmers, community activists and on-ground grassland managers. It aims to provide all involved in grassland management and restoration with the technical information necessary to conserve and enhance native grasslands. For readers without the responsibility of management, such as students and those interested in biodiversity conservation, it provides a detailed understanding of native grassland ecology, management challenges and solutions and, importantly, inspiration to engage with this critically endangered ecosystem. Practical, easy to read and richly illustrated, this book brings together the grassland knowledge of experts in ethnobotany, ecology, monitoring, planning, environmental psychology, community engagement, flora and fauna management, environmental restoration, agronomy, landscape architecture and urban design.

Grasslands can be surprisingly diverse and contain many charismatic flora and fauna. Plant species are often combined into functional groups. Three major conceptual models: competitors-stress tolerants-ruderals (CSR); the leaf traits, plant height, seed mass (LHS); and R*, used to classify grassland species are described by the author. There are three distinct groups of mammalian herbivores based on the ways that herbivores harbor cellulose degrading microbes: hindgut fermentation, foregut fermentation, and foregut fermentation with rumination. Grasslands have a smaller number of bird species than forested systems, and the bird species that are endemic to grasslands tend to be specialized to open habitat (e.g., large flightless birds). Abundant insects can gathered into feeding groups. Single-celled organisms are important in grassland nutrient cycling and as mutualists and pathogens and are extremely abundant in soil. Soil pH is a strong predictor of bacterial diversity (as in plants), with diversity higher in neutral than in acidic soils.

The Hunter Region, between the Hawkesbury and Manning rivers in eastern New South Wales, hosts a rich diversity of vegetation, with many species found nowhere else. Spanning an area from the coast to the tablelands and slopes, its rainforests, wet and dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, heathlands, grasslands and swamps are known for their beauty and ecological significance. Flora of the Hunter Region describes 54 endemic trees and large shrubs, combining art and science in a manner rarely seen in botanical identification guides. Species accounts provide information on distribution, habitat, flowering, key diagnostic features and conservation status, along with complete taxonomic descriptions. Each account includes stunning botanical illustrations produced by graduates of the University of Newcastle's Bachelor of Natural History Illustration program. The illustrations depict key diagnostic features and allow complete identification of each species. This publication will be a valuable resource for those interested in the plants of the region, including researchers, environmental consultants, horticulturalists and gardeners, bush walkers, herbaria, and others involved in land management.

The Shola grasslands are tropical montane forests found in the high altitudes of Western Ghats separated by rolling grasslands. These unique ecosystems act as the home for many of the floral and faunal endemic species and also serve as the water reservoir for the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The grassland let the rainwater to flow through the sholas into the stream and provide water to the region throughout the year. The region once covered with tropical montane forest and grassland was transformed into a land of plantation over the centuries. As the grasslands are easy to clear off, tea estates, coffee estates and timber plantations were established by the British and later by the Indian forest department to satisfy the various need of the growing economy. Majority of this region are being replaced by the invasive tree species and agricultural plantations. This led to the loss of major proportion of the shola forest and grassland. Many developmental works have been carried out in the region and these developmental activities results in the gradual disappearance of the ecosystem. These ecosystem need to be conserved and hence, identifying the knowledge gap and application of current state of knowledge is necessary.

Grazing by large native ungulates and semiaridity are the two main forces that have had a large infuence in shaping the current-day structure of the shortgrass steppe ecosystem (Milchunas et al., 1988). With the uplift of the Rocky Mountain chain during the Miocene (approximately one million years ago), forests of the Great Plains were gradually replaced by grasslands (Axelrod, 1985). Large grazing and browsing animals inhabited the Great Plains during the middle to late Pleistocene, as did grasses of the genera Stipa, Agropyron, Oryzopsis, and Elymus (Axelrod, 1985; Stebbins, 1981). Bison occurred both east and west of the Rockies during the Wisconsin glacial period in the latter part of the Pleistocene (Wilson, 1978). During the early Holocene, approximately 10,000 years ago, bison and grasses of the genera Bouteloua, Buchloë, Andropogon or Schizachyrium, and Sorghastrum concomitantly increased throughout the Great Plains (Stebbins, 1981), but bison did not proliferate west of the continental divide (Mack and Thompson, 1982; Van Vuren, 1987). The natural shift in fauna from horses, pronghorn, and camels to bison and wild sheep from Eurasia is thought to have favored the spread of shortgrasses such as Bouteloua and Buchloë (Stebbins, 1981). Furthermore, grassland flora east and west of the Rocky Mountains probably had separate origins (Leopold and Denton, 1987). The shortgrass steppe is unique from other North American semiarid ecosystems in having bison play an important role. Bison did not proliferate west of the Rocky Mountains as they did on the Great Plains to the east. This is due in part to a lack of coincidence in timing of bison lactation and the phenological development of C3 grasses in the more Mediterranean–like climate west of the Rockies, in contrast to the mix of C3 and C4 grasses and pattern of spring–summer precipitation on the Great Plains (Mack and Thompson, 1982). Other explanations for the low numbers of bison west of the Rocky Mountains include physiographic barriers restricting immigration (Kingston, 1932), low p rotein content of forage (Daubenmire, 1985; Johnson, 1951), heavy snowfall as a cause of mortality (Daubenmire, 1985), and low aboveground primary production coupled with disjunct suitable habitat (Van Vuren, 1987). Bison a lso did not prosper in the southwestern United States, nor did a large herbivore fauna develop in South America (Stebbins, 1981).

South America’s shape, size, and geographic position, now and in the past, have acted to influence the development of diverse coverings of land surfaces with plants of different sizes, adaptations, and origins. Underlying geologic structures have been exposed to weathering regimes, thereby resulting in a multiplicity of landforms, soil types, and ecological zones. The most notable large-scale features are the Andes, which curl along the western margin of the continent, and the broad swath of the Amazon lowlands in the equatorial zone. However, there are also extensive, more ancient mountain systems in the Brazilian Shield of east-central Brazil and the Guiana Shield in northern South America. The interplay of environmental factors has given rise to a panoply of vegetation types, from coastal mangroves to interior swamplands, savannas, and other grasslands, deserts, shrublands, and a wide array of dry to moist and lowland to highland forest types. The narrower southern half of South America is also complex vegetationally because of the compression of more vegetation types into a smaller area and the diverse climatic regimes associated with subtropical and temperate middle latitudes. Alexander von Humboldt began to outline the major features of the physical geography of South America in his extensive writings that followed his travels in the early nineteenth century (von Humboldt, 1815–1832). For example, he first documented the profound influences of contemporary and historical geologic processes such as earthquakes and volcanoes, how vegetation in mountainous areas changes as elevation influences the distributions of plant species, and the effect of sea surface temperatures on atmospheric circulation and uplift and their impacts on precipitation and air temperatures (Botting, 1973; Faak and Biermann, 1986). His initial insights, in combination with modern observations (Hueck and Seibert, 1972; Cabrera and Willink, 1973; Davis et al., 1997; Lentz, 2000), still serve to frame our synthesis of the major vegetation formations of South America. In this chapter, we relate vegetation formations to spatial gradients of soil moisture and elevation in the context of broad climatic and topographic patterns.

This book is about the light side of ecology, the non-forested open ecosystems of the world. More than a quarter of the world’s land area is dominated by open, non-forested ecosystems in climates which can support closed forests. They are particularly common in the tropics, making up grasslands and savannas, but also occur in other climate zones. Open ecosystems have been widely attributed to human deforestation. While deforestation is widespread and increasing in many regions, open ecosystems include ancient vegetation, in species, with traits divergent from closed forests. Using Cape fynbos, the world’s richest temperate flora, as an example, the ideas and explanations for these anomalously low biomass systems are introduced. The aim of this book is explained as introducing a wider readership to the still poorly known biology of open ecosystems on the light side. The structure and content of chapters is outlined.

The aim of this work is to present the diversity of flora in terms of ecological requirements. The research was conducted in the area of two urban parks in the area of two cities in southern Poland: Bedzin and Czeladz. These parks were established in different historical periods, and were planned (and are managed) differently. The results of the investigation have shown that the occurrence of 192 vascular species has been observed in the Gora Zamkowa (Castle Hill) Park, while in the Grabek park, 334 such species are known to exist. Such disparity is the result of the occurrence of micro-habitats and of the differences between the ways the two parks are managed. It is also due to these parks’ different functions. In the first case, the park area is protected by law. In the latter case, human activity has created a new ecological niche for organisms with a high degree of ecological tolerance. Based on the ecological values, the following groups of plants were distinguished: saxi-frages grasslands, xerothermic grasslands, beech forests, alder forests and artificial planted trees. Analysis has shown that ur-ban parks are potential places for growth various type of vegetation and also for increasing biodiversity, and can constitute particularly important hotspots for biodiversity in the cityscape, even if their primary role is recreational. As the study shows, the environment of a highly urbanized and industrialized region can also have a positive influence on ecological and floristic diversity.