The successful solution of many aspects of palaeofloristic reconstruction is traditionally based on materials from palynomorphological and palaeopalynological studies. This paper summarizes an analysis of the palynofloral species composition from Allerød–Holocene deposits in 21 sections of the modern Lviv region. The analytical processing and generalization of the obtained palaeofloristic data enabled the identification of pollen and spores from 21 rare plant species in the fossil palynoflora. The species vary in conservation status within the extant flora. Currently, 15 of them occur in the plain part of the Lviv region. The remaining 6 are present only in the high mountains of the Ukrainian Eastern Carpathians.
In this study we examined data on COVID-19 patients recorded in 2020 at the Hakim Sadanne Hospital in the Biskra, Algeria and applied various tests: statistical, epidemiological, etc. In addition, we conducted interviews with herbalists and an ethnobotanical on-line survey of medicinal plants used during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 2108 cases of this disease, including 931 deaths, were analysed to link various factors, such as air temperature, age, and sex, with mortality rate. Our results demonstrate that the appearance of symptoms of infection was often associated with pre-existing chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, cardiovascular heart disease, and high blood pressure. As for medicinal plants, Melissa officinalis and Zingiber officinale were the most used during the pandemic, whereas Eucalyptus globulus and Syzygium aromaticum had 100% fidelity levels. In conclusion, primarily the above-mentioned chronic diseases were associated with reduced immunity to COVID-19. Furthermore, traditional medicine has been an accommodating alternative to conventional medical treatment of COVID-19 within Biskra region.
Remote sensing has allowed us to analyse changes in land use over 42 years in a steppe zone located in south-western Algeria, covering most of Naâma Province (wilaya) and the western part of El Bayadh Province. The main economic activity is pastoralism there. The society faces many challenges, including complex social and environmental interactions, climatic factors, and anthropogenic actions that cause major degradation of the natural ecosystems, leading to desertification and erosion. Our spatio-temporal study of plant cover dynamics was conducted using 4-period Landsat scenes (1977-1987, 1987-1998, 1998-2008, and 2008-2019). The soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) images were classified into 3 classes to detect changes in land cover. The results show varying degradation of steppe vegetation, as the plant cover decreased from 4.37% in 1977 to only 0.20% in 1987, followed by an increase to 8.80% in 1998, a decline to 1.05% in 2008, and a rise to 3.89% in 2019. Restoration measures should be taken in the areas classified as sensitive to desertification by using remote sensing.
Argemone ochroleuca Sweet, Brit. Fl. Gard. Ser.1 3(2): pl. 242 (1828) of the family Papaveraceae is reported here for the first time from Libya. This species is native to Mexico. Flowering specimens of A. ochroleuca were collected from the region Ariggiba (26°35’11.8”N 13°29’24.8”E), 110 km southwest of the city of Sabha, which lies about 700 km south of Tripoli. It is presented with updated nomenclature, taxonomic description, geographical distribution, key to genera, location in Libya, and colour photographs taken in the field. The voucher specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department (ULT), University of Tripoli, Libya.
A botanical exploration carried out in Samtse District (south-western Bhutan) in 2019 led to a discovery of the rare perennial herb Hemiorchis pantlingii. It was found in shaded areas within a subtropical plantation forest of Shorea robusta Gaertn. at an elevation of 386 m. This species differs from H. rhodorrhachis in lateral staminodes, with apex ± truncate, yellow to orange-yellow, but also labellum mid-region distinctly raised with a single broad keel, and apical projection – a single blunt lobe. The plant is assessed as near threatened (NT) under the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.
During over 170 years (1854-2024) of botanical explorations in the Djurdjura massif (northern Algeria), several publications were devoted to its flora but never summarized until now. Our study, based on an extensive literature review, aimed to highlight the potential temporal floristic changes and to provide a useful tool for further floristic and taxonomic studies. We created a checklist of historical data (1854-1965) and compared it to current data (1988-2024) on the flora of Djurdjura, to compile finally a comprehensive checklist of the vascular plant species growing in the massif. We found that about 47 floristic studies were carried out in the massif, providing information on 1351 plant species (about 30% of the Algerian flora). Concerning the temporal change, 360 species (26.6% of the total) were newly added after 1988, whereas 269 species (20%) have not been recorded for 60 or more years. The comparative checklist confirms the status of the Djurdjura massif as a centre of floristic diversity and endemism in Algeria. The list can serve as a basis for an inventory of missing species of the Djurdjura massif, targeting the species of high conservation priority.
Within the context of a floristic study of the endemic plants of South Western Ghats, Heptapleurum chandrasekharanii has been revisited. Here we revise its distribution, taxonomic description, and conservation status in light of this inventory. Our results suggest that the species should be classified as endangered. Colour photographs of the taxon are presented for easy identification in the field.
Morphology and types of the seed testa sculpture in the East African taxa of the genus Hypoxis were investigated. Studies have revealed that there are 9 types of the seed testa sculpture in the East Tropical Africa. Distribution of types of seed testa sculpture is unequal among the taxa studied. Some are wide spread and some confined to a single species or variety. Morphology of the seed testa sculpture is a useful taxonomic character for determination of taxa of the genus Hypoxis in the East Africa.
Assessing biodiversity through criteria and indicators has been suggested but rarely put into practice. Documenting and monitoring global biodiversity change is challenging due to limited or biased data and a lack of agreed obligations, but indicators play a key role in studying this problem. For the Western Himalayas we have developed the Forest Biodiversity Index (FBI), based on national forest inventory data. The FBI combines various indicators weighted by experts to assess overall forest biodiversity, including factors reflecting naturalness, vegetation structure, soil (erosion and depth), disturbance, and response. The weight of factors was determined using the group conversion method, considering experts’ opinions while giving justification for assigning a particular value. The sum of all weighted indicator values for 3549 forest inventory points gives us a map illustrating variation in biodiversity: from low to very high. Thus, the FBI is a comprehensive index, which can be used to communicate and provide a workable platform to detect and monitor any biodiversity change over a given period. The FBI in the Western Himalayas shows that more than 89% of the area is in high and very high biodiversity zones, with an accuracy of about 74.8% via validation.
Neophytic populations of Rumex longifolius (northern dock) in the Alps and the mountain ranges bordering Bohemia were investigated to compare the length-width ratio of the basal leaf blades, the shape and size of the valves (fruiting inner perianth segments), and the tendency to develop tubercles on the valves. Five populations from the Czech Republic (Krkonoše mountains and Mount Ještěd), Germany (Bavarian Forest), Austria (Arlberg Pass), and Switzerland (Engadin) were described by quantitative evaluation of specimens collected in 2014-2018 and their offspring cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Frankfurt am Main for 2 growing seasons. Results of this study indicate that the populations probably originated by discrete introduction events. The Engadin population shows features of introgression with Rumex crispus. Probably R. longifolius is native here, but there is indirect evidence only. The morphology of specimens from the upper Tyrolian Inn valley in the herbarium of the Natural History Museum Vienna suggests their origin from the Engadin, which should be confirmed statistically by further collections. The taxonomical significance of subsp. sourekii Kubát, described on the basis of a single character (leaf shape), is questioned because of the polymorphism of the species, and the correlation of leaf width with age and vigour, observed in the cultivation experiments. The morphological variability and ecological preferences of R. longifolius suggest its probable hybrid origin from R. aquaticus and R. crispus.
The Atlas pistachio tree (Pistacia atlantica) is a woody deciduous species from the family Anacardiaceae. It thrives in the steppe plains and Saharan Atlas of the Naâma region in south-western Algeria. This tree is well known in traditional Algerian medicine for its active phenolic compounds, particularly those found in its seeds and leaves. To promote its use, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted among herbalists and other knowledgeable individuals in the Naâma region, utilizing 100 questionnaires divided among 25 municipalities. The findings revealed that leaves (42%) and fruits (31%) are the most commonly utilized parts. The predominant preparation methods include decoction and grinding, but also other forms are popular, such as herbal tea or powder mixed with honey, dates, milk, or water. Administration is mainly oral, though external applications are also common, particularly for localized issues. The most frequently treated conditions include oral diseases, stomach ulcers, respiratory infections, Malta fever, and skin rashes, with values of fidelity index ranging from 2% to 14%. Most reported outcomes from these treatments are positive, indicating either cures or improvements. The frequency of use for this plant among the respondents is 100%, underscoring its significant cultural importance. The informant consensus exceeded 0.70, reflecting a robust therapeutic understanding of the plant. The global knowledge index regarding its uses is notably high, highlighting its essential role in the community for medicinal and other applications.
Water is a vital compound that determines the life of all organisms, but is often deficient, especially in hyper-arid areas. The rapid development and expansion of modern irrigation systems in these areas has created favourable environments for many plant species adapted to extreme aridity. In this study, to compare plant diversity in the vicinity of 6 water towers in hyper-arid areas, at each site we conducted 5 floristic surveys on the basis of subjective sampling. The floristic data were analysed using biodiversity and statistical parameters. We recorded there 43 species of 22 families, with a good representation of the Poaceae (18.6%) and Asteraceae (14.0%). According to Raunkiaer’s classification, the plant cover is mainly composed of therophytes (41.8%), i.e. annual species that complete their development cycle within one growing season. The spectrum of various types of dispersal shows the dominance of flora by anemochorous species (70.7%). A chorological analysis of the vegetation in the area revealed the importance of the Saharo-Arabian element (41.9%), which confirms its adaptation to the environment of the hyper-arid zones of the Sahara. The analysis of abundance classes revealed the existence of 10 rare species (18.1%), 3 very rare species (4.9%), and one fairly rare species (1.3%). In conclusion, the environments surrounding water towers in hyper-arid areas require adequate management measures to preserve biodiversity in Saharan environments.
Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast., syn. Thuja articulata Vahl, is mainly confined to the south-western Mediterranean region and considered to be endemic to North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia). This tree species is experiencing a significant regression of its range, in some cases irreversible. Currently, it is classified as an Ibero-Mauritanianelement. Our objective was to study the dynamics of land cover and even the possibilities of rehabilitation of this species. The forest formation based on Tetraclinis articulata, represented in this study by the areas known as Oued Fergoug and Béni-Khenies forests, has been subject to both regressive and progressive dynamics. An analysis and mapping of the vegetation over 48 years (1975-1994-2022) revealed that the forest cover, with an initial surface area of 3680.47 ha (61.36%) deteriorated dramatically in 1994 as a result of repeated fires and the drought that prevailed then, to 122.65 ha (2.04%) – a truly alarming situation. However, in 1994-2022 this forest formation experienced a significant biological recovery, so that the estimated vegetation cover is now 4292.64 ha (71.56%), with the appearance of dense woodland in an area of 13.18 ha.
Digitization of natural collections has become very important among all other preservation tasks. One of the ways of non-destructive examination of herbarium specimens is the study of their scanned digital images or photocopies, which makes it possible to reduce mechanical and other influences on specimens. Reconsidering the importance of collections’ digitization became particularly relevant on 24 February 2022, with the start of the last Russian invasion and due to the destruction or severe damage of many of them in the occupied territories. There was concern about the need and urgency to preserve, at least virtually, the most valuable assets of the LW Herbarium of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Currently, the digitization process includes 2 collections from the 19th century: (1) the most complete of all existing herbaria of vascular plants from the Southern Carpathians and Transylvania, collected by Dr Ferdinand Schur – an Austrian pharmacist and botanist; and (2) collection of one of the first researchers of bryophytes in South Africa – Antoni Rehman, then Professor of Jan Kazimierz University in Lwów (now Lviv). Both collections contain many nomenclatural types. Out of 7633 herbarium sheets from F. Schur’s collection, more than 2700 have been digitized, and 380 representatives of the family Labiatae are published in volume I of the Atlas of his collection. The digitization of the South African mosses collected by A. Rehman began in 2023. So far, 584 packets have been digitized.
The Tindouf argan groves in the south-western Algerian Sahara, beside Sideroxylon spinosum L. [syn. Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] have a rich flora and fauna. This study was aimed to assess their species composition. During floristic surveys we recorded 79 plant species, 67 genera, and 31 families. Among them, the Brassicaceae and Fabaceae are the most represented families (12.7% and 11.4% of the flora, respectively), followed by the Asteraceae and Zygophyllaceae (8.9% each). The flora includes 18 rare species (23%) and 16 endemic taxa (20.3%). The Saharo-Sindian element dominates, accounting for 24.1%, compared with 11.4% for the Saharo-Mediterranean and the Mediterranean elements each. The argan tree grows in steppelike plant formations, including pastures, of which 67% are of the desert type. The flora is composed mostly of phanerophytes (19.3%), nanophanerophytes (11.6%), and chamaephytes (35.9%). The argan tree is present in various small facies, along wadi beds, on sandy, rocky, and gravelly substrates. We recorded 25 species of birds, 17 mammals, 9 reptiles, 1 amphibian, and 15 arthropods, mostly insects. Consequently, the remarkable biological richness found within the argan ecosystems of Tindouf in the Algerian Saharan context deserves the attention of international bodies concerned with nature conservation in order to protect it as a biosphere reserve.
Ex situ conservation methods provide immediate insurance against extinction of relict trees and shrubs in the wild. To be well-managed, the living collection should be well-studied in respect of the place of origin of the individuals, their taxonomic status, and genetic variation. Using 12 nuclear microsatellite loci, we analysed 22 shrubs of Juniperus sabina L. var. sabina (savin juniper), cultivated in the Kórnik Arboretum (Poland) and sourced from a Tertiary relict population in the Pieniny Mts. (Western Carpathians). We found 2 clonal pairs of individuals and a pair of full siblings. The genetic diversity parameters were rather low: NA = 2.5 alleles per locus, HO = 0.316, HE = 0.326, and the inbreeding coefficient was also very low (GIS = 0.03). The individuals formed 3 groups in the principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), but 2 of these groups were genetically close. The Bayesian clustering analysis revealed that the specimens belonged to 2 genetic groups. We recommend that the cultivation of J. sabina var. sabina should be carefully protected, as it represents remnants of the Tertiary genetic diversity of the species.
We report Polygala longifolia Poir. as a new record, confirming that it is a component of the flora of Bhutan. The specimen was observed thriving on dry slopes in Chir pine forest (27.36655°N, 91.58034°E, altitude 1760 m) in eastern Bhutan. In this report, a comprehensive overview of the species’ distribution is made. A detailed description of the specimen collected is provided, including phenological details.
We present new localities and verified published records of protected, rare, and threatened vascular plant species in the Mazovia region, mostly in the left-bank part of the Lower Bug Valley (Dolina Dolnego Bugu). Some localities are in the Wołomin Plain (Równina Wołomińska) and the Siedlce Plateau (Wysoczyzna Siedlecka). The analysed species occur in various natural and semi-natural habitats, such as xerothermic and sandy grasslands, floodplain meadows, wetlands, bogs, and forests. Data were collected during field research carried out in 2021-2023. In the left-bank part of the Lower Bug Valley, 45 species of protected plants were recorded, but also red-listed or regionally rare plants (90 species in total). They include 16 species are under strict protection, 29 under partial protection, and 35 species are rare in the region. Some of the localities described earlier by other authors were found again or verified. In the Lower Bug Valley, there are almost all plant associations known from Mazovia, including the extremely valuable boreal Sphagno girgensohnii-Piceetum, protected in the “Jegiel” reserve. There are also oak forests on the edge of the Siedlce Plateau. The valleys of the Bug and its tributaries are dominated by areas of cultivation, arable fields, meadows, and forests. Some species considered to be common in other regions are rare in the Bug river valley, e.g. Hepatica nobilis, Asarum europaeum, Isopyrum thalictroides. This is because their habitats are sparse or degraded. However, some other species, rare in other regions, are common in the study area, e.g. Allium angulosum, Euphorbia lucida, and Hierochloë odorata on floodplain meadows, Salvinia natans in oxbow lakes, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in pine forests and sandy grasslands. The only locality of Blechnum spicant in this part of Mazovia was found in this study. The species is characteristic of montane forests and fir-spruce forests. Two localities of Diphasiastrum tristachyum were recorded, in typical habitats of this species: heaths formed after forest fires.
In the current study, an extensive worldwide herbarium search, including over 1500 herbarium sheets of Scolochloa festucacea (Willd.) Lk., was performed to find specimens of S. marchica Düvel, Ristow & H. Scholz. The latter is a recently described new species, whose primary distribution was found to be limited to the Brandenburg region in Germany and the Wolin Island in Poland. As a result of the query, S. marchica was not identified in any regions other than those previously known. This indicates that it is a German-Polish endemic species, with a limited distribution range. Taking advantage of flow cytometry, we analysed for the first time the nuclear DNA content of both Scolochloa species and the obtained 2C values correlated exactly with their chromosome numbers. These data allowed us to put forward a hypothesis of evolution of S. marchica from S. festucacea. The new results, together with those previously published, confirmed that we deal with a distinct species. Taking into account recent records of this endemic species, it is currently known from 9 extant and 6 historical localities in Germany. Field search for the species in its only historical locality in Poland, on the Wolin Island, was unsuccessful. The critical revision of herbarium and literature records of S. festucacea from the territory of Poland allowed us to generate an updated distribution map of this declining species, which deserves special protection.
The current state and syntaxonomic structure of anthropogenic vegetation of the classes Galio-Urticetea and Bidentetea are revealed. The class Galio-Urticetea is represented by 3 phytosociological orders, 6 alliances, and 32 associations. The class Bidentetea unites 8 plant associations of 1 order and 2 alliances. The territorial differentiation of the studied plant communities is caused by the limiting factors: soil moisture and the changing hydrological regime. Thus the phytocoenoses of these classes are confined to the natural zones of Polissia and forest-steppe. Based on detrended correspondence analysis, the leading factors differentiating vegetation units were identified. Within the class Galio-Urticetea, they include the continentality of climate, precipitation regime, and concentration of mineral nitrogen in the soil. The factors of major significance for Bidentetea were soil moisture and the concentration of mineral nitrogen in the substrate.
