Article
Plant Sciences
Terezija Ciringer, Carmen Martin, Nina Sajna, Mitja Kaligaric, Jana Ambrozic-Dolinsek
IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-PLANT
(2018)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nina Sajna, Mirjana Sipek, Jelka Sustar-Vozlic, Mitja Kaligaric
ACTA BOTANICA CROATICA
(2019)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirjana Sipek, Aleksandra Percin, Zeljka Zgorelec, Nina Sajna
Summary: The study found that in native habitats, environmental conditions for Glechoma hederacea cover a wide range of light and soil moisture gradients. Plants in nutrient-rich, shaded habitats had the highest cover, indicating shade tolerance. Despite being a drier, sunnier habitat, plants from the forest understory showed strong similarities in traits to plants from the forest edge.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nina Sajna, Kaja Perkovic, Igor Pausic
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eva Horvat, Nina Sajna
Summary: This study investigates the novel interaction between the North American honey locust tree and an Asian monophagous seed beetle, showing that the beetle can promote germination of the tree's seeds, leading to increased diversity in the population. This novel interaction can occasionally act as mutual facilitation, aiding in the coexistence and invasion success of both species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirjana Sipek, Eva Horvat, Nina Sajna
Summary: This article reports the first records of Megabruchidius seed beetles in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania, and confirms the coexistence of these species in some locations. M. dorsalis was found to be more widespread and abundant.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Mirjana Sipek, Eva Horvat, Ivana Vitasovic Kosic, Nina Sajna
Summary: This study focuses on fragments of Illyrian oak-hornbeam forest in NE Slovenia and investigates the presence of two invasive species, Prunus serotina and Impatiens parviflora. By analyzing vegetation surveys, environmental data, and human impact, the study identifies the characteristics of the forest patches that explain the presence of each species. The findings can be applied to assess habitat invasibility and develop management plans.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirjana Sipek, Lado Kutnar, Aleksander Marinsek, Nina Sajna
Summary: Fragmentation poses a major threat to biodiversity, as forest specialists lose suitable habitats while alien species find opportunities in open forest areas. Fragmentation negatively affects overall plant richness and diversity of native and ancient forest indicator plants, but has a positive effect on alien plants. Large and diverse forest ecosystems are susceptible to biological invasions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nina Sajna, Tina Urek, Primoz Kusar, Mirjana Sipek
Summary: Thermally abnormal waters provide safe havens for alien invasive plants requiring warmer conditions. A literature review identified at least 55 alien aquatic plant taxa from 21 families in Europe's thermally abnormal waters. Submerged or rooted macrophytes dominate, with six taxa listed as quarantine pests. Pistia stratiotes, found in seven European countries, had its presence primarily in recent years. In studying a thermally abnormal stream, we found that P. stratiotes was able to survive harsh winters. The temperature for optimum biomass was 28.8 +/- 3.5 degrees C, with air temperatures having a higher influence on photosynthetic efficiency than water temperatures. The presence of these thermophile alien plants, mostly due to deliberate introductions, poses an invasion risk for further deliberate, accidental, or spontaneous spread, particularly for free-floating macrophytes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirjana Sipek, Eva Horvat, Nina Sajna
Summary: The presence of Ophraella communa on Ambrosia artemiisifolia was recorded for the first time in the north-eastern part of Slovenia in 2022. Adult beetles and other larval stages were found near the cities of Celje and Maribor. One case of predation of O. communa larvae by Zicrona caerulea was also observed.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Mirjana Sipek, Tim Ravnjak, Nina Sajna
Summary: The main drivers of species composition in temperate deciduous forests are environmental conditions, stand age and site history, disturbance regime, and management. This study compared plant species diversity and composition in late successional and ancient forests on a small river island. The results showed differences between the forests in the abundance and species composition of the understorey.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antun Jelincic, Nina Sajna, Zeljka Zgorelec, Aleksandra Percin
Summary: This study investigated the effects of bracken invasion on soil chemistry and its implications on soil processes, bracken nutrition, and plant composition. The results showed that bracken invasion led to increased soil phosphorus and organic carbon concentrations, as well as increased C:N, C:S, and N:S ratios, while decreasing iron and cobalt concentrations. Bracken pinnae were rich in phosphorus, while its rhizomes were rich in potassium. Bracken invasion increased soil phosphorus availability and limited nitrogen availability for other species, giving bracken a competitive advantage.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eva Horvat, Nina Sajna
Summary: Megabruchidius dorsalis, an alien species first found in Europe in Italy in 1989, has since been recorded in many European countries. It develops inside the seeds of ornamental trees and was first confirmed in Croatia in 2020. This study also provides a temporal distribution map of M. dorsalis and another species, M. tonkineus, in Europe.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirjana Sipek, Nina Sajna
MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nina Sajna
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2019)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jeffrey M. Schell, Deborah S. Goodwin, Rebecca H. Volk, Amy N. S. Siuda
Summary: Understanding the environmental tolerances and growth rates of different species of macroalgae is crucial for predicting their spatial and temporal dynamics. This study found that different morphotypes of Sargassum exhibited varying responses to temperature and salinity conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Erika Valzauez-Delfin, Carmen Galindo-De Santiago, Arely Paredes-Chi, Ameyalli Rios-Vazquez, Ana Benavides-Lahnstein, Kaysara Khatun, Juliet Brodie
Summary: Massive strandings of seaweed on the eastern coasts of the Yucat ' an peninsula, Mexico have become a major socioecological problem. A citizen science initiative, Big Seaweed Search Mexico (BSS-Mx), was developed to monitor temporal changes in the biomass stranded. The results represent baseline information that should be considered to develop management strategies and marine conservation actions according to each region.
Review
Plant Sciences
Lee H. Dietterich, Suhey Ortiz Rosa, Bianca R. Charbonneau, S. Kyle McKay
Summary: Riverine macrophytes play crucial ecological roles in river ecosystems, but their growth models have received relatively limited attention compared to other aquatic or terrestrial plants. This systematic review reveals that current models often overlook important factors such as shading and the role of macrophytes in nutrient cycles. Future research should focus on exploring these factors and developing a conceptual framework to guide macrophyte growth modeling. Emphasizing modularity and accessibility is also important for improving efforts to model and manage riverine ecosystems.
Review
Plant Sciences
Alba Martin, Jordi Corbera, Oriol Cano, Catherine Preece, Josep Penuelas, Francesc Sabater, Marcos Fernandez-Martinez
Summary: Bryophytes can play a significant role in ecosystem processes and hold potential as bio-indicators for monitoring environmental pollution. This study examined the effects of NO3- pollution on the elemental composition of aquatic and semi-aquatic bryophytes and identified suitable species as bio-indicators. Higher NO3- concentrations were found in spring water from intense farming and urban areas, positively correlated with N content and delta N-15 isotope ratio in bryophytes. Apopellia endiviifolia and Oxyrrhynchium speciosum were highlighted as promising candidates for bio-indication of aquatic NO3- pollution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christine B. Rohal, Carrie Reinhardt Adams, Charles W. Martin, Sarah Tevlin, Laura K. Reynolds
Summary: This study investigated the seed production, seed banking, and germination cues of sub-tropical Vallisneria americana. It was found that the seeds of sub-tropical populations were dormant and could only germinate in the presence of organic material, light, or following scarification. Germination rate was enhanced by the presence of low-oxygen organic sediments and ethanol. These findings suggest a germination strategy focused on exploiting openings in existing vegetation following disturbance.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabiano Faga, Carlos Frederico Deluqui Gurgel
Summary: Climate change is altering the distribution of marine biota, including Sargassum species. Future changes in abiotic variables are predicted to cause shifts in the latitudinal range and suitability area of Sargassum species. These changes may have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ulo Mander, Martin Maddison, Alex C. Valach, Kaido Soosaar, Keit Kill, Kuno Kasak
Summary: Constructed wetlands treating runoff from agricultural catchments can reduce nutrient load of water, but they can also be significant sources of greenhouse gases, especially methane. This study assessed methane emission potentials and phosphorus removal efficiency in a 0.45 ha in-stream surface flow constructed wetland, and analyzed the temporal dynamics of methane emissions and phosphorus removal over a nearly 4-year period. The results showed a clear seasonal dynamic in phosphorus removal efficiency and an increasing trend in methane emissions over the years, with the majority of methane fluxes occurring during the warm period. Maintenance of the wetland and regular removal of aboveground vegetation can reduce methane emissions, and regular sediment removal is also necessary due to phosphorus saturation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Monsif El Madany, Mustapha Hassoun, Fatima El Aamri, Noureddine El Mtili
Summary: The non-indigenous brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae is invading and proliferating massively in the northwest of Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jessa May Malanguis, Tim Sierens, Ludwig Triest
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of movement ecology and dispersal mechanism in the dynamics and resilience of seagrass populations and ecosystems. The comparison of genetic diversity and fine-scaled structure of two co-occurring seagrass species reveals the significance of different survival strategies and reproductive modes. These findings have important implications for conservation efforts, suggesting the preservation of natural expansion and local seed recruitment for successful conservation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi-Huan Chen, Rui Zhang, Jun-Cai Xin, Zi-Han Qian, Shu-Jie Wang, Shang-Yan Qiu, Xue-Ge He, Chao Si
Summary: Nutrient availability and light intensity play important roles in the expansion of amphibious clonal plants from terrestrial to aquatic habitats. High nutrient levels and light conditions promote the growth of the apical portions and overall performance of the clones. Maintaining clonal integration can benefit the expansion of the plants by optimizing resource utilization. These findings have implications for predicting community dynamics and vegetation restoration in ecotones like wetlands.