Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Vivienne P. Groner, Jessica J. Williams, Richard G. Pearson
Summary: Biodiversity plays a crucial role in providing ecosystem services, but the contribution of rare and endangered species (RES) to these services is unclear. A systematic review found a lack of quantitative research on the role of RES in agricultural production, which is a major driver of biodiversity change. Further research is urgently needed to inform conservation and agricultural policies.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Ieva Mezaka, Dace Kavina, Laura Kalane, Arta Kronberga
Summary: In this study, protocols for seed disinfection, in vitro multiplication and rooting, and ex vitro and field adaptation of the endangered medicinal plant Eryngium maritimum L. were developed. By optimizing the length and temperature of disinfectants, a lower contamination rate and high germination rate were achieved. Nitrogen content reduction and plant growth regulator addition enhanced axillary bud proliferation and rooting. Adjusting potting media and pot size affected survival and growth ex vitro. This research provides a suitable foundation for scaling up the production of E. maritimum through micropropagation.
Review
Plant Sciences
Mauricio Moreno-Camarena, Maria Pilar Ortega-Larrocea
Summary: The Irapeana section of the valuable orchid genus Cypripedium, consisting of three distinct Mesoamerican species, has experienced a significant reduction in habitat. Predicting potential distributions based on environmental parameters allows for the identification of suitable habitats. Ex situ conservation strategies, such as asymbiotic and symbiotic propagation, depend on the culture media used for seedling development. Mycorrhizal isolates play a crucial role in the compatibility and further development of germinated seeds. The genus Cypripedium poses challenges for ex situ conservation, highlighting the need for in situ conservation to preserve and protect this species to avoid extinction.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue Xu, Runguo Zang
Summary: Rare and endangered plant species (REPs) in China are at high risk of extinction, but there is a lack of comprehensive and up-to-date review on their conservation. This paper collected studies and achievements on REPs conservation, including surveys, in situ and ex situ conservation, reintroduction, propagation, legislation, public participation, and progress in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. Despite advancements in policies, protection systems, research, education, and international collaborations, conservation efficiency is hindered by the conflict between economic growth and biodiversity conservation in China. More work should be done on investigation, observation, advanced technologies, and application-oriented research to meet biodiversity goals.
Article
Horticulture
Ai-Hua Wang, Xiao-Ling Yu, Yan-Yan Liu, Shu-Gang Chen, Fa-Guo Wang
Summary: The study found that Manglietia crassipes seeds had low natural germination rate, but the use of gibberellic acid (GA3) could break seed dormancy and significantly improve germination characteristics.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hyeong Bin Park, Jiae An, Kee-Hwa Bae, Seung Hyo Hong, Hwan Joon Park, Seongjun Kim, Chang Woo Lee, Byoung-Doo Lee, Ju Hyoung Baek, Nam Young Kim, Jung Eun Hwang
Summary: This study aimed to develop an effective in vitro propagation system for C. guttatum to aid in its conservation. The results of this study show that sterilization, appropriate light, and optimal NAA concentrations are beneficial for seed germination.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ling Hu, Xin-Gui Le, Shi-Shun Zhou, Can-Yu Zhang, Yun-Hong Tan, Qiang Ren, Hong-Hu Meng, Yupeng Cun, Jie Li
Summary: Trigonobalanus doichangensis, a rare and endangered species, exhibits high genetic diversity among populations, despite moderate genetic differentiation. Habitat destruction and excessive exploitation have caused low gene flow and differences in morphological traits. In situ conservation and artificial seedlings are recommended, with priority given to the ML and XSBN populations.
Article
Forestry
Mabel Grace V. Bitayan, Starleene S. Cervantes, Jones T. Napaldet
Summary: The study documents the morpho-anatomical characteristics of Rhododendron subsessile Rendle, an endangered plant species in the Cordillera Central Range, Philippines. It provides valuable baseline information for conservation measures by describing the species' morphology, anatomy, and unique characteristics such as the biseriate upper epidermis of the leaf.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gerald S. Pullman, Kylie Bucalo, Ron O. Determann, Jennifer M. Cruse-Sanders
Summary: Rhus michauxii, a perennial rhizomatous shrub native to the southeastern United States, is currently listed as threatened due to habitat conversion and low reproduction. Methods such as seed cryopreservation, in vitro germination, and micropropagation have been developed to increase the population and safeguard the species, meeting goals within the recovery plan for R. michauxii.
Article
Ecology
Friederike C. Bolam, Jorge Ahumada, H. Resit Akcakaya, Thomas M. Brooks, Wendy Elliott, Sean Hoban, Louise Mair, David Mallon, Philip J. K. McGowan, Domitilla Raimondo, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Dilys Roe, Mary B. Seddon, Xiaoli Shen, Simon N. Stuart, James E. M. Watson, Stuart H. M. Butchart
Summary: Preventing human-induced extinctions requires policy commitments to implement targeted recovery actions for threatened species, in addition to comprehensive efforts to mitigate threats to species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Business, Finance
Diane-Laure Arjalies, Delphine Gibassier
Summary: The current biodiversity loss is severe, and financialization is suggested as a solution. However, this article argues that it is almost impossible to financialize nature, based on a case study and interviews. The implications for financialization and conservation literature, as well as the role of accounting, are discussed.
CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Rui Hu, Yajing Liu, Jiaxin Zhang, Hua Xing, Sha Jiang, Yu Liu
Summary: Disordered germination is observed in the plant species Abies beshanzuensis, which has a very small population and poor seed germination. This study explores the response of seed germination to rising temperature and identifies the mycorrhizal type of this species. The results show that cold stratification and fluctuating temperature conditions can improve seed germination, and the species is confirmed to have a symbiotic relationship with ectomycorrhizal fungi. The findings highlight the necessity of incorporating auxiliary seed treatment into population recovery programs for better conservation of the species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yujia Liao, Xiaotong Song, Yanhui Ye, Jiqi Gu, Ruihong Wang, Zhuogabayong, Dongping Zhao, Xiaoming Shao
Summary: Climate change has a significant impact on the geographic distribution of the endangered bryophyte species Encalypta buxbaumioidea, and the current protected areas network is insufficient.
Article
Forestry
Xiongsheng Liu, Yufei Xiao, Yaming Ling, Nanyan Liao, Renjie Wang, Yong Wang, Huizi Liang, Juan Li, Fengfan Chen
Summary: The research reveals that there are no significant differences in seed morphology between different populations of Hopea chinensis in southern China, but there are significant differences in calyx lobe morphology and seed germination. The weight of the seeds affects their germination and growth, with seeds smaller than 0.5 g unable to germinate, while seeds larger than 2.0 g have the highest germination rate and fastest seedling growth. H. chinensis seeds are recalcitrant, sensitive to natural dehydration, and seeds dehydrated for more than 8 days will result in seed death. The seeds of H. chinensis require a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, good water retention, and aeration for germination, but they are not tolerant of drought, salinity, or flooding.
Article
Forestry
Shiferaw Alem Munie, Hana Habrova, Katerina Houskova, Lukas Karas
Summary: This study focused on breaking the seed dormancy of Dracaena steudneri Schweinf. Ex Engl. seeds using different presowing treatments. However, the results showed that the treatments did not improve the germination rates of the seeds. More research on the seed ecophysiology of this species is recommended.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fabrizio Buldrini, Giovanna Pezzi, Martina Barbero, Alessandro Alessandrini, Lucia Amadei, Sebastiano Andreatta, Nicola Maria Giuseppe Ardenghi, Stefano Armiraglio, Simonetta Bagella, Rossano Bolpagni, Ilaria Bonini, Daniela Bouvet, Lisa Brancaleoni, Giuseppe Brundu, Massimo Buccheri, Gabriella Buffa, Simona Ceschin, Alessandro Chiarucci, Annalena Cogoni, Gianniantonio Domina, Luigi Forte, Riccardo Guarino, Leonardo Gubellini, Laura Guglielmone, Nicole Hofmann, Mauro Iberite, Lorenzo Lastrucci, Fernando Lucchese, Rossella Marcucci, Giacomo Mei, Umberto Mossetti, Juri Nascimbene, Nicodemo Giuseppe Passalacqua, Simonetta Peccenini, Filippo Prosser, Giovanni Repetto, Gabriele Rinaldi, Enrico Romani, Leonardo Rosati, Annalisa Santangelo, Anna Scoppola, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Maria Tavano, Fulvio Tomsich Caruso, Roberta Vangelisti, Roberto Venanzoni, Marisa Vidali, Thomas Wilhalm, Francesco Zonca, Carla Lambertini
Summary: We analysed the invasion history of two North American macrophytes (Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii) in Italy, through an accurate census of all available herbarium and field records, dating between 1850 and 2019, and a rich literature collection describing the initial introduction and naturalisation phase that supports the results obtained by the occurrence records. The study found that both species had multiple invasion phases, with Elodea canadensis arriving before 1866 and experiencing two invasion phases, while E. nuttallii arrived in the 1970s and is still ongoing. Botanical gardens and fish farming played a crucial role in the dispersal and naturalisation of both species. The study also highlighted the importance of the River Po as a dispersal barrier and strategic monitoring site to prevent further invasion.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marta Puglisi, Giovanni Spampinato, Maria Privitera
Summary: This paper presents a bryosociological study on the gypsophilous bryophyte communities in the Mediterranean area and central Europe. The study focuses on the Tortula revolvens, which is the only bryophyte that strictly grows on gypsum. Four distinct associations were identified through cluster analysis, belonging to the class Psoretea decipientis. These associations show variations in ecological requirements and floristic composition. The distribution models of Tortula revolvens are influenced by factors such as ecological requirements, gypsum outcrop type, and topographic location, resulting in three distinct distribution patterns.
Article
Forestry
Opender Surmal, Bikarma Singh, Carmelo Maria Musarella
Summary: This study assessed the plant assemblages in coniferous forests of the Himalayas for the first time and analyzed their species diversity, growth forms, and phenological behaviors. The results showed that the forests in the Himalayan regions are degrading at a faster rate, with a shift in species' phenological behavior due to anthropogenic factors leading to climate change. Conservation measures are needed to protect indigenous species.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dauro Mattia Zocchi, Camilla Bondioli, Seyed Hamzeh Hosseini, Mohamed Djamel Miara, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Datis Mohammadi, Ajmal Khan Manduzai, Kovan Dilawer Issa, Naji Sulaiman, Chadi Khatib, Hiwa M. M. Ahmed, Tola Abdulsattar Faraj, Hawraz Ibrahim M. Amin, Faiq H. S. Hussain, Abdullah Faiz, Antonella Pasqualone, Frits Heinrich, Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco, Andrea Pieroni
Summary: This article ethnographically documents the traditional knowledge of acorn-based bread, including ingredients, preparation techniques, and consumption practices. The study highlights differences in ingredients, preparation techniques, and baking methods of acorn-based bread in different cultural and geographical regions. The research suggests that acorn-based bread has been mainly used as a famine food in the past two centuries. The rediscovery of acorn-based products and traditional knowledge could contribute to the sustainable development of rural regions in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Central Asia, and enhance local community resilience and food security.
Article
Environmental Studies
Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Gianmarco Tavilla, Agostino Sorgona, Ana Cano-Ortiz, Ricardo Quinto Canas, Giovanni Spampinato
Summary: Human activities and climate change are causing habitat loss and threatening the survival of many species, including endemic ones. This study used species distribution models to analyze the potential, current, and future distribution range of an endemic plant species in southern Italy. The results showed a decrease in suitable habitat for the species in both future scenarios, indicating the need for conservation efforts in identifying priority areas for conservation and reintroduction.
Article
Environmental Studies
Saverio Sciandrello, Claudia Angiolini, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Maurizio Cutini, Jeremy Dumoulin, Mauro Fois, Antonio Gabellini, Matilde Gennai, Lorenzo Gianguzzi, Marco Landi, Pietro Minissale, Christophe Panaiotis, Marta Puglisi, Giovanni Spampinato, Gianmarco Tavilla, Valeria Tomaselli, Daniele Viciani, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo
Summary: This study presents a comparative analysis of riparian vegetation dominated by Alnus glutinosa in Italy and Tyrrhenian islands, based on literature data and unpublished releves. A total of 456 phytosociological releves were analyzed using clustering and ordination methods. The study identified 18 A. glutinosa-riparian wood communities, including two new associations and one new subassociation. The classification of the releves showed two main vegetation groups: Osmundo-Alnion alliance and Ligustro vulgaris-Alnion glutinosae alliance.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sajan Thakur, Ishwari Datt Rai, Bikarma Singh, Harish Chander Dutt, Carmelo Maria Musarella
Summary: Rare, endemic, and threatened species with small populations are highly vulnerable to extinction during climate change. This study aimed to predict suitable habitats for the threatened species Elwendia persica in the Indian Himalayan Region under current and future climatic scenarios. The study found that suitable habitats for the species occupied 1.12%, 2.37%, and 0.98% of the total study area in the current (2000) and future (2050 and 2070) climatic scenarios.
Article
Plant Sciences
Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Gianmarco Tavilla, Salvatore Cambria, Gina Maruca, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Giovanni Spampinato
Summary: The taxonomic doubts regarding the two endemic species of Pimpinella in Italy, P. anisoides and P. gussonei, were clarified through the analysis of their carpological characters. Fourteen morphological traits were identified and analyzed using 40 mericarps. The results highlight the significance of 10 morphological traits in distinguishing between the two species, including fruit size, mericarp length, and cross-section area.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastiano Sferlazza, Guglielmo Londi, Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca, Federico Guglielmo Maetzke, Salvatore Vinciguerra, Giovanni Spampinato
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of close-to-nature silvicultural practices in conserving and promoting regeneration dynamics of an old-growth white oak forest patch in Sicily. The results suggest that cautious close-to-nature silviculture practices can contribute to maintaining old-growth forest patches and promote oak seedling emergence without short-term detrimental impacts on biodiversity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Juan Francisco Mota, Fabian Martinez-Hernandez, Esteban Salmeron-Sanchez, Antonio Jesus Mendoza-Fernandez, Francisco Javier Perez-Garcia, M. Encarna Merlo
Summary: Spain is a leader in gypsum production, but gypsum quarries have a significant impact on the landscape and biodiversity. Restoring gypsum areas after mining is crucial for preventing biodiversity loss. Understanding vegetation's successional processes can assist in implementing restoration approaches.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francisco Lopez-de-Haro, Maria Martinez-Chico, Fabian Martinez-Hernandez, Javier Lopez-Tomas, Juan Francisco Mota
Summary: The biodiversity crisis is a pressing issue and arid and semi-arid environments play a crucial role in global biodiversity. However, these habitats are often undervalued and rejected, requiring educational and awareness strategies to improve attitudes towards them.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giovanni Spampinato, Valeria Tomaselli, Luigi Forte, Sandro Strumia, Adriano Stinca, Antonio Croce, Simonetta Fascetti, Leonardo Rosati, Romeo Di Pietro, Francesca Mantino, Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Carmelo Maria Musarella
Summary: The 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive is an important EU legal tool for nature conservation, listing phytosociology-based habitat types. This study presents and describes neglected habitat types in southern Italy, proposing 8 new types and 13 subtypes. Detailed information on ecology, distribution, species composition, threats, and conservation status is provided for each proposed new habitat type, along with distribution maps and phytosociological tables.
RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI
(2023)
