Article
Zoology
Vladimir Diaz, Luis Mamani, Alessandro Catenazzi
Summary: This article describes a newly discovered frog species, Phrynopus sancristobali, which is an endemic species in the Cordillera de los Andes region of southeastern Peru. Through molecular and morphological data, the unique characteristics of this species and its geographic distribution were identified. The discovery confirms the high levels of endemism and biodiversity in the moist puna grasslands and montane forests of the high Andes of Peru.
Article
Forestry
Jose Zevallos, Waldo Lavado-Casimiro
Summary: This study analyzes the potential distributions of biomes in Peru under climate change and predicts future biome distributions. The results show that most biomes will remain stable, but vulnerable ecosystems like glaciers and swamps will experience significant area losses. This highlights the importance of generating public policies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate effects on biomes.
Article
Forestry
Gyuil Han, Eunju Cheong, Wangeun Park, Sechang Kim
Summary: The research demonstrates that the grassland formation and grazing activities in Daegwallyeong have had adverse effects on plant species and the ecosystem, resulting in a decrease in plant diversity, threats to rare plant species, and severe damage to the ground condition. After forest floor removal and grazing, vegetation types and composition changed, with the disappearance of some rare plant species.
Article
Zoology
Misshell D. Ubalde-Mamani, Roberto C. Gutierrez, Juan C. Chaparro, Alvaro J. Aguilar-Kirigin, Jose Cerdena, Wilson Huanca-Mamani, Stefanny Cardenas-Ninasivincha, Ana Lazo-Rivera, Cristian S. Abdala
Summary: The study describes a newly discovered species of Liolaemus inhabiting the dry Puna of the RPSCC in southwestern Peru, above 4,500 meters. This new species is differentiated from its closest congeners by a combination of morphological and molecular characters.
AMPHIBIAN & REPTILE CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xi Lin, Hongbin Zhao, Shengwei Zhang, Ruishen Li, Xiaoyuan Li, Shuai Wang
Summary: This study conducted a 5-year experiment in Inner Mongolian grasslands and found that precipitation and grazing prohibition had significant effects on vegetation diversity and biomass. Increasing precipitation resulted in an increase in certain plant species, while grazing prohibition and increased precipitation significantly increased biomass and species richness. The percentage of Amaryllidaceae decreased under grazing prohibition, especially in the presence of altered precipitation.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Mycology
Kerstin Voigt, Timothy Y. James, Paul M. Kirk, Andre L. C. M. de A. Santiago, Bruce Waldman, Gareth W. Griffith, Minjie Fu, Renate Radek, Jurgen F. H. Strassert, Christian Wurzbacher, Gustavo Henrique Jeronimo, David R. Simmons, Kensuke Seto, Eleni Gentekaki, Vedprakash G. Hurdeal, Kevin D. Hyde, Thuong T. T. Nguyen, Hyang Burm Lee
Summary: The increasing number of new fungal species described from all over the world and the use of genetics to define taxa have dramatically changed the classification system of early-diverging fungi. However, the classification and phylogeny of basal fungi are still unresolved. This article reviews the recent taxonomy of basal fungi, re-evaluates the relationships among early-diverging lineages of fungal phyla, and discusses species concepts in several fungal phyla.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olga V. Gagarinova, Irina A. Belozertseva, Irina B. Vorobyeva, Natalia V. Vlasova, Natalia V. Emelyanova, Andrei A. Sorokovoi
Summary: The paper presents the results of complex geoecological, hydrochemical, and water-ecological studies of the mouth area of tributaries and shores of Lake Baikal. It shows that there is dynamic interaction between the mouth area of tributaries and the receiving water body, and chemical and biological accumulation and exchange processes directly affect the state of Lake Baikal's water resources. The research results indicate that pollutant accumulation on geological barriers and surface waters, along with anthropogenic activities, may exacerbate the degradation of the mouth area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carmelo Maximiliano-Cordova, M. Luisa Martinez, Rodolfo Silva, Patrick A. Hesp, Roger Guevara, Rosario Landgrave
Summary: Storms impact coastal dunes and beaches, but nature-based defenses have emerged to protect human assets sustainably. Coastal dunes act as natural buffers to mitigate erosion, with their resistance depending on the biogeomorphological feedback between plants and dunes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Isau Huamantupa-Chuquimaco, Yohny Luz Martinez Trujillo, Edilberto Orosco Ucamayta
Summary: This study assessed the potential for ecotourism and cultural-archaeological attributes in the valley of Cusco, Peru by studying the plant diversity along 10 traditionally visited natural routes. The results showed that the valley has rich plant diversity, with Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae being the most diverse families. Route 2 had the highest alpha diversity, and the total estimated species diversity for the valley was around 570. The integrative analysis identified several routes with great ecotourism potential. These findings present significant opportunities for tourism and highlight the need for conservation efforts in the area.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vanessa Correa da Rosa, Margareth Copertino
Summary: This study examined the diversity and spatiotemporal variability of epiphytic diatom communities in impacted and non-impacted estuarine meadows. It found that impacted meadows had dominant species and lower richness and diversity compared to non-impacted meadows. Nutrient concentration and salinity were the main factors influencing the structure of the epiphytic community, with temperature and salinity having site-dependent effects.
Article
Ecology
Viktoria Kosmalla, Kara Keimer, David Schuerenkamp, Oliver Lojek, Nils Goseberg
Summary: This study investigates the erosion resistance of salt marsh soils influenced by grazing conditions using a novel shear resistance measuring device called DiCoastar. The results show that an increase in grazing intensity leads to an increase in shear strength, but a significant reduction in vegetation cover and plant diversity, potentially increasing the erosion potential of salt marshes and reducing dike stability.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Naveed Alam, Eve Bohnett, Muhammad Zafar, Hassan Sher, Bilal Ahmad, Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Zahid Ullah, Ahmad Ali, Shujaul Mulk Khan, Kashmala Syed
Summary: Effective forest conservation and management requires considering ecological factors and the susceptibility of different tree species to human activities. A phytosociological survey was conducted to assess the significance of Pakistan's tropical dry deciduous forests in relation to ecological variables and anthropogenic threats. The study revealed 140 species of woody plants belonging to 52 families, with the Dodonaea viscosa-Acacia modesta-Dulbergia sissoo community being the most dominant. Altitude, precipitation, and temperature were identified as key factors influencing the distribution and composition of these forests. Immediate management intervention and a conservation strategy are recommended for areas with high levels of human threats, along with effective management of grazing and fuelwood collection.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Yang, Jun Pei, Yan-peng Cai, Yu-jun Yi
Summary: This study investigated the impact of human activities such as reservoir construction, logging, grazing, and aerial seeding on the vegetation dynamics in the Longkaikou Reservoir area in southwestern China. The findings predicted changes in the spatial distribution of Dodonaea viscosa and Pinus yunnanensis under different soil moisture conditions, suggesting potential measures like aerial seeding to accelerate vegetation restoration. The complex relationships between vegetation and human impacts were highlighted, providing a scientific basis for vegetation restoration and ecological security in hot and arid valleys.
JOURNAL OF MOUNTAIN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Diego L. Salariato, Christian Zanotti, Fernando O. Zuloaga
Summary: Biodiversity loss due to climate change is a critical environmental problem. In this study, the impact of climate change on threatened endemic plants in Argentina was analyzed using different modeling techniques and climate projections. The results showed a significant decline in species richness and highlighted the need for urgent conservation policies and strategies for the vascular flora of Argentina.
Article
Anthropology
Christina A. Conlee
Summary: Coastal-highland relationships were crucial in the development, expansion, and collapse of ancient societies in Nasca, Peru, involving the exchange of goods, sharing of ideas, migration, and political dominance.
LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Michael Kessler, Juergen Kluge
Summary: This review examines the response of ferns to climate change. It finds that the elevational distributions of ferns are influenced by various factors, including geographical constraints, habitat availability, physiological processes, and biotic interactions. Therefore, the reactions of ferns to climate change are likely to be specific to the species and context.
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniela Aros-Mualin, Jaume Flexas, Florian Galbier, Michael Kessler
Summary: Marsileaceae is a unique family of semi-aquatic ferns with different adaptive strategies to water stress. Our study found no circadian regulation in Pilularia globulifera, while Regnellidium diphyllum and two Marsilea species showed apparent rhythms in stomatal conductance and intrinsic water-use efficiency. Moreover, only Marsilea species exhibited light-independent leaf movement.
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hong Qian, Michael Kessler, Yi Jin
Summary: The composition of fern assemblages along the Himalayan elevational gradient in Nepal shows strong signatures of evolutionary processes. Variables related to temperature and climatic extremes tend to play a more important role than precipitation- and seasonality-related variables in driving fern phylogenetic structure.
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniela Aros-Mualin, Carmela Rosaria Guadagno, Daniele Silvestro, Michael Kessler
Summary: This study investigated the circadian regulation in gas exchange of lycophytes and ferns. It was found that except for two semi-aquatic species, there were no rhythms detected in stomatal conductance for lycophytes and ferns under constant light. These findings reveal the fundamentally different mechanisms of gas exchange regulation in lycophytes and ferns compared to angiosperms.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Hui Shang, Zhi-Qing Xue, Zhen-Long Liang, Michael Kessler, Rossarin Pollawatn, Ngan Thi Lu, Yu-Feng Gu, Xue-Ping Fan, Yun-Hong Tan, Liang Zhang, Xin-Mao Zhou, Xia Wan, Li-Bing Zhang
Summary: Based on an expanded taxon sampling and six molecular markers, a new phylogeny is reconstructed for the fern genus Didymochlaena. The study reveals the differentiation of Didymochlaena into a New World clade and an Old World clade, with further subdivisions into an African clade and an Asian-Pacific clade. It also recognizes 22 species in the genus, highlighting the diversity and evolution of this important fern lineage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hong Qian, Michael Kessler, Jian Zhang, Yi Jin, Meichen Jiang
Summary: This study fills a critical knowledge gap by examining the relationships between the phylogenetic structure of ferns and climatic factors. The findings show that temperature-related variables explain more variation in phylogenetic structure than precipitation-related variables, and climate extremes have a stronger relationship than climate seasonality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hermann F. Jungkunst, Felix Heitkamp, Sebastian Doetterl, Steven P. Sylvester, Mitsy D. P. V. Sylvester, Vanessa Vetter, Shafique Maqsood, Thorsten Zeppenfeld, Michael Kessler, Sabine Fiedler
Summary: Soils contain more carbon than the atmosphere, so it's important to understand how to stabilize it. A study in the High Andes compared grazed and pristine soils and found that pastoralism increased soil carbon persistence. Pastures had higher mineral associated organic carbon, but there were also acidification and cation losses due to human-induced weathering.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Karola Maul, Yu-Mei Wei, Eka Aditya Putri Iskandar, Sahut Chantanaorrapint, Boon-Chuan Ho, Dietmar Quandt, Michael Kessler
Summary: The study of elevational gradients provides insights into the factors and mechanisms influencing species richness distribution. This study aims to fill the gap in our understanding by compiling a comprehensive dataset of liverwort elevational patterns from diverse mountain ranges worldwide. The findings show a prevalence of hump-shaped richness patterns in liverworts, with species richness peaking at mid-elevation and decreasing towards higher and lower elevations. Relative elevation and climatic factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, play significant roles in shaping liverwort diversity patterns along elevational gradients.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thais Guillen-Otero, Soon-Jae Lee, Cheng-Wei Chen, Peter Szoevenyi, Michael Kessler
Summary: Detailed studies of fungi associated with lycophytes and ferns provide crucial insights into the early evolution of land plants. Most investigations have relied on visual root inspection, but this research establishes and evaluates a metabarcoding protocol to analyze fungal communities using two primer pairs. The results demonstrate the reliability of the ITS-based approach for analyzing fungal communities and suggest the 18S approach is more suitable for studying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcio R. Pie, Fernanda S. Caron, Thom Dallimore, Helena Einzmann, Peter Hietz, Michael Kessler, Flavio Nunes Ramos, Joao Pedro Costa Elias, Holger Kreft, Thorsten Kroemer, Maria Judith Carmona Higuita, Daniel Zuleta, Giesta Machado, Andre Luis de Gasper, Gerhard Zotz, Glenda Mendieta Leiva, Derio Antonio Jimenez-Lopez, Alex Fernando Mendes, Pedro Brancalion, Sara Mortara, Christopher Thomas Blum, Mariana Victoria Irume, Nayely Martinez-Melendez Nayely, Ana Maria Benavides, Carlos Renato Boelter, Sven Batke
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms driving community assembly, especially in commensal communities, has been a long-standing focus in ecological research. This study investigated the relationship between the evolutionary distinctiveness of host species and the phylogenetic diversity of their associated epiphyte species using a large-scale dataset. The results suggest that the determinants of epiphyte colonization success might be unrelated to the evolutionary history of host species, indicating the involvement of other host characteristics. This study sheds light on the limited understanding of the phylogenetic determinants of epiphyte communities.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lucas Erickson Nascimento da Costa, Rafael de Paiva Farias, Michael Kessler, Iva Carneiro Leao Barros
Summary: Environmental filters, competition, and phylogenetic relationships are important factors in determining plant functional patterns. This study analyzed leaf trait convergence and divergence in co-occurring tropical fern species, and the impact of local environmental conditions on functional patterns.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Judith Carmona-Higuita, Glenda Mendieta-Leiva, Jorge Antonio Gomez-Diaz, Fabricio Villalobos, Flavio Nunes Ramos, Joao Pedro Costa Elias, Derio Antonio Jimenez-Lopez, Alejandro Zuluaga, Bruce Holst, Michael Kessler, Guido Mathieu, Alexander Zizka, Gerhard Zotz, Thorsten Kromer
Summary: Vascular epiphytes significantly contribute to the biodiversity in the Neotropical realm, but many of these species are found in threatened ecosystems. Our study found that nearly 60% of the assessed epiphyte species are threatened, with the highest concentration of threatened species in Central America, the northern Andes, and the Atlantic Forest. This highlights the vulnerability of epiphytes and the urgent need for conservation actions.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas Vieira Lima, Alexandre Salino, Michael Kessler, Germinal Rouhan, Weston L. Testo, Caio Suzart Argolo, Thais Elias Almeida
Summary: In this study, we investigated the monophyly of genera in the Gleicheniaceae family using extended sampling and genomic data. The results confirmed the monophyly of most genera, except for Sticherus. We also found that while most Gleicheniaceae genera originated during the Mesozoic, some genera showed diversification in the Neogene and Quaternary periods. Our findings suggest the importance of reticulation and polyploidy in this diversification process, and identify Rouxopteris and Stromatopteris as evolutionary relics.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Stefan Abrahamczyk, Michael Kessler, Tobias Roth, Nico Heer
Summary: The increase in local plant species richness in Switzerland is mainly driven by wind-pollinated and generalist insect-pollinated, self-compatible species, while species with complex flowers and self-incompatible reproductive systems benefit less.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)