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The art of drying plants has a long tradition. It was already known in the Middle Ages as a form of documenting flora. It began to develop more intensively in Europe in the 16th century. This method of documenting plant collections quickly gained recognition among scientists. Its role and importance has changed throughout historical periods. The current study presents a short history and resources of Polish and European herbaria against the background of world data. It primarily focuses on indicating their contemporary importance in research in plant taxonomy and geography, as well as on the current situation of herbaria and problems identified using the example of Polish herbaria.

The art of drying plants has a long tradition. It was already known in the Middle Ages as a form of documenting flora. It began to develop more intensively in Europe in the 16th century. This method of documenting plant collections quickly gained recognition among scientists. Its role and importance has changed throughout historical periods. The current study presents a short history and resources of Polish and European herbaria against the background of world data. It primarily focuses on indicating their contemporary importance in research in plant taxonomy and geography, as well as on the current situation of herbaria and problems identified using the example of Polish herbaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: There have been few long-term studies of the flora, phenology, and ecology of specific reserves in the species-rich flora of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Aims: This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods: The study used botanical collection on repeat surveys, herbarium studies, granite outcrop surveys and comparative phytogeographic analyses from maps on the Western Australian Herbarium's Florabase. Key results: Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 26% of those known in the Albany local government area. Possibly as many as 950–1000 taxa will be found in the future. The herbarium collections are the second largest of any conservation reserve in the Albany area. Flowering was most evident in spring and least in autumn. Three declared rare species and 20 conservation priority species were identified, as were short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Conclusions: The flora is dominated by species predominantly from wetter forest regions. Consequently, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is correctly placed within the Bibbulmun Botanical Province. Several hypotheses of OCBIL theory (which addresses old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes) were supported, with increased local endemism, ancient clades, and reduced rates of natural hybridisation identified for the granite inselberg OCBIL Maardjitup Gurlin/Mt Gardner. Implications: Long term studies are invaluable for plant inventory. Continuing the minimal use of prescribed burning is advocated from plant data, in support of approaches to help conserve threatened animals. This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Intensive field work by many collectors was involved. Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 3 declared rare species, 20 conservation priority species and various short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Continued avoidance of prescribed burning is advocated. This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-one species in 22 families of mosses are reported as new records for the island of Palawan, the Philippines. Two of these, Acroporium downii (Dixon) Broth. and Trichosteleum pseudomammosum M. Fleisch., are also reported here as new to the Philippine moss flora. A re-examination of the floristic affinity of the moss flora of Palawan revealed that: 1) it has high similarity and close floristic affinity with Mindoro rather than Luzon; 2) the islands of Mindoro, Palawan, and Mindanao have close floristic affinities with Sulawesi and the Nusa Tenggara Islands, roughly corresponding to the area of Wallacea; 3) Luzon Island, as a whole, has a closer floristic affinity with Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo; and 4) inferences on the distribution of Clastobryum caudatum (Sande Lac.) M. Fleisch. and Meteorium crispifolium Herzog provide additional information on the role of Palawan as a refugium for a past, xeric flora in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrasses are representatives of the families Cymodoceaceae, Posidoniaceae, Zosteraceae, Hydrocharitaceae (Monocotylendoneae - Alismatales), adapted to growing in seawaters and all their important life circle events are taking place under the water including pollination and distribution of diasporas. Seagrasses are widespread in the littoral areas of the World Ocean, except for Antarctica, and play an important ecosystem role. Due to the insufficiently studied history of dispersal and formation of modern seagrasses habitats, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis of representatives of the families Cymodoceaceae (Amphibolis, Halodule, Syringodium, Cymodocea, and Thalassodendron), Posidoniaceae (Posidonia), Zosteraceae (Zostera, and Phyllospadix), and Hydrocharitaceae (Enhalus, Halophila, and Thalassia). The cladograms constructed based on molecular data analysis of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA and ribulose–1,5–bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit genes are used as the basis for reconstructing the history of dispersal of the studied taxa. It is found that the main stages of dispersal of selected groups of seagrasses took place in the Late Cretaceous period. The main track of historical distribution is largely predetermined by the modern ranges of almost all genera of seagrasses, stretches from the southwestern waters of eastern Gondwana to the northwestern waters of the Eurasian part of Laurasia. The main route of movement of diasporas and seagrasses populations was the Tethys water area, which was modified in the Late Mesozoic and early Cenozoic. It was revealed that the main method of dispersal of seagrasses was long-distance dispersal, which is confirmed by both molecular genetic data and very fast (on a geological time scale) processes of penetration into new water areas, and analysis of the features of dissemination of modern representatives. An alternative vicar scenario was proposed only for the reconstruction of the formation of the Posidonia range.

Abstract Research on species richness patterns and the advanced elevational Rapoport rule (ERR) has been widespread in recent years; however, there is a lack of such research for the temperate mountainous regions in northeast Asia. Here, we collected plant species from the Seorak Mountain in northeast Asia through field surveys. The species were divided into 11 groups according to the life‐form types and phytogeography affinities of each species. The ERR was evaluated using Steven's method and by examining the species richness patterns of each group. The species richness patterns revealed a positive multimodal pattern along the elevation gradient, but phytogeography affinities (increasing trend) and life‐form analysis (unimodal) exhibited different patterns. The elevation gradients (1,350 m for the mean elevation–range relationships), which are affected by the boundary effect and different life forms, did not consistently support the ERR. However, herbs as well as rare, endemic, and red list species showed consistent support for the ERR, which could be attributed to the influence by phytogeography affinities. Therefore, the results from Seorak Mountain showed that the ERR was not consistent for different plant life forms in the same area; however, phytogeography affinities could support and explain ERR.

Background and aims – During the 1970s, a comprehensive survey of moist forest areas across Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands was carried out, from Nyanga in the north to Chirinda Forest in the south. All tree stems 8 cm diameter or greater in both canopy and sub-canopy layers were measured in 176 quarter-hectare plots, and plots were then classified into 12 altitude-related forest types. The aim of the present study is to categorise the woody species recorded in these plots in terms of their chorological status. The findings are compared to similar analyses from moist forests across Malawi.Material and methods – All tree species recorded during the initial survey were listed and placed into 12 described chorological (phytogeographical) categories based on their continental distribution. Their occurrence across the 12 previously described forest types is given. Key results and conclusions – A total of 211 tree species was recorded from 176 plots. Most species (86, or 40.8%) are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, while 48 species (22.7%) are Guineo-Congolian linking, 31 (14.7%) are Eastern endemic or near-endemics, and 16 (7.6%) are sub-Afromontane endemics or near-endemics. The remainder comprise African linking and Zambezian species. This shows that species of the moist forests of eastern Zimbabwe form a complex phytogeographical mix. While Afromontane species dominate at high altitudes, Guineo-Congolian and Eastern species become more common at lower altitudes. In terms of proportions of chorological categories, results were found to be similar to those from forest studies in Malawi.

Saudi Arabia diverse landforms include saltmarshes, sand dunes, desert plains, desert pavements, ancient lava fields, and mountains. Climate is influenced by winter Polar and summer Tropical Continental air masses. Tropical Maritime air affects southwestern regions during summer. Climate depends also on location and altitude with hot humid coastal areas, hot dry deserts, hyper-arid desert pavements and lava fields, and temperate mountainous regions. Climate exhibits spatiotemporal patterns reflecting north-south gradients of temperature, rainfall, evapotranspiration, and aridity. Vast latitudinal range and steep altitudinal gradient create temperature variations, affect rainfall seasonality and distribution, and influence dry season duration. Distribution of plant communities and species reflects multitudinous interactions between climate and plant traits, physiology, and chorology. Species exhibiting C3 photosynthesis inhabit cool northern regions and temperate southwestern mountains, species with C4 photosynthesis inhabit hot low-lying regions, and arido-active succulents with crassulacean acid metabolism dominate hyper-arid desert pavements and lava fields. Plant distribution also relates to species chorology with Euro-Siberian, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean chorotypes dominating cool northern regions and temperate southwestern mountains, while Saharo-Sindian, Sudano-Zambezian, and Tropical chorotypes dominating hot southern regions. Plant communities and species occurring in different habitats are described in relation to their traits, physiology, and chorology. Nature reserves and phytodiversity hotspots are considered with special reference to endemic, rare, endangered, and invasive species. An environmental perspective is also given in relation to anthropogenic pressures and positive directives of Saudi Vision 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on species richness patterns and the advanced elevational Rapoport rule (ERR) has been widespread in recent years; however, there is a lack of such research for the temperate mountainous regions in northeast Asia. Here, we collected plant species from the Seorak Mountain in northeast Asia through field surveys. The species were divided into 11 groups according to the life‐form types and phytogeography affinities of each species. The ERR was evaluated using Steven's method and by examining the species richness patterns of each group. The species richness patterns revealed a positive multimodal pattern along the elevation gradient, but phytogeography affinities (increasing trend) and life‐form analysis (unimodal) exhibited different patterns. The elevation gradients (1,350 m for the mean elevation–range relationships), which are affected by the boundary effect and different life forms, did not consistently support the ERR. However, herbs as well as rare, endemic, and red list species showed consistent support for the ERR, which could be attributed to the influence by phytogeography affinities. Therefore, the results from Seorak Mountain showed that the ERR was not consistent for different plant life forms in the same area; however, phytogeography affinities could support and explain ERR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, the phytogeography and history of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume and F. japonica Maxim.) forests are re‐examined in light of recent phytogeographical and palaeobotanical research advances. I explain the floristics and the climatic and geological contrasts between Japanese beech forests on the Sea of Japan side and the Pacific side of the Japanese archipelago. We also review recent studies on the origin of dwarf evergreen shrub species occurring along the Sea of Japan. The old scenario that these dwarf evergreen shrub species diverged directly from counterpart species occurring on the Pacific coast of Japan is no longer supported. We propose more intricate speciation processes, including phylogenetic relations to extant Chinese species and inter‐species hybridization. We also review the results of recent palaeobotanical studies of forests on the Japanese islands in the Quaternary. The long persistence of beech forests through glacial/interglacial cycles of the Quaternary—with repeated spread and contraction of the geographical range—is confirmed. In addition, we briefly explain the phytosociological classification system of the Japanese beech forest and the geographical ranges of each vegetation type. We review studies of the geographic distribution of F. crenata and F. japonica at the population level, highlighting the need for further ecological and genetic studies of population dynamics near the range limits to understand historic migration processes better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been widely documented that the complex structure of forest ecosystems supports considerable bryophyte species and functional diversity. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution and ecological and phytogeographical features of bryophytes across a gradient of temperate forest types on Mt. Papuk. This is the largest and highest mountain in the lowland, Pannonian part of Croatia, with high geological diversity and various temperate forests covering 95% of the mountain. According to the predominant tree species (oak vs. beech), geological bedrock (calcareous vs. siliceous) and soil reaction (alkaline vs. acidic), 21 study plots were classified into four distinct forest types. In all, 184 bryophyte species (35 liverworts and 149 mosses) were recorded. Although the forest types investigated did not differ significantly with respect to species richness, each was characterized by a considerable number of diagnostic bryophyte species. According to our results, one of the main ecological factors determining the variability of the forest bryophyte composition was geological bedrock and the associated soil reaction. Basiphilous forests developed on carbonate bedrock harbored more thermophilous and nitrophilous bryophytes and were characterized by southern-temperate and Mediterranean–Atlantic biogeographic elements. In contrast, acidophilous forests growing on silicate bedrock were characterized by wide-boreal and boreo-arctic–montane elements, i.e., bryophytes indicating cooler habitats and nitrogen-deficient soils. Based on the results, we hypothesized that the main latitudinal biogeographic distinction between southern and northern biogeographic elements is driven more by geological substrate than by the main tree species in forest communities. The present study confirmed previous findings that bryophytes are good and specific habitat indicators and show associations with different forest types, which can help to understand the complexity, ecological microconditions and biogeographic characteristics of forest communities.

This study addresses the complex taxonomy and distribution of the genus Portulaca L. (Portulacaceae) within the Balkans, focusing on the often-debated species composition and distribution patterns in the P. oleracea aggregate. Our research aims to resolve this ambiguity by addressing two key questions: 1) Which Portulaca taxa are present in the Balkans, and 2) What is the current distribution of these taxa here? To achieve this, we conducted literature reviews, seed collection, species identification using micromorphological characteristics, and distribution analysis. Our findings reveal the presence of four distinct species in the Balkans: P. oleracea agg., P. grandiflora, P. pilosa and P. umbraticola. Additionally, within the P. oleracea complex, twelve microspecies have been identified, primarily differentiated based on seed micromorphology. Besides, five species (P. daninii, P. granulato-stellulata, P. rausii, P. sardoa, and P. trituberculata) have been documented in Montenegro, and one species (P. nitida) – in Slovenia for the first time. This study provides a valuable contribution to the botanical knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula, offering the recommendations for future studies of the P. oleracea complex for the solution of the taxonomic puzzle in this aggregate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature affects plant growth and geographical distribution. Cold stress occurs when temperatures fall below the physiologically optimal range for plants, causing permanent and irreversible damage to plant growth, development, and production. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that play an important role in plant growth and various stress responses. Recent studies have shown that low temperatures affect BR biosynthesis in many plant species and that BR signaling is involved in the regulation of plant tolerance to low temperatures, both in the CBF-dependent and CBF-independent pathways. These two regulatory pathways correspond to transient and acclimation responses of low temperature, respectively. The crosstalk between BRs and other hormones is a significant factor in low-temperature tolerance. We provide an overview of recent developments in our knowledge of BRs' function in plant responses to cold stress and how they interact with other plant hormones in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fagaceae family is currently widespread throughout tropical and temperate regions of South America and the Northern Hemisphere, especially East Asia, and has likely been so since the Eocene, according to fossil records. In China, Fagaceae fossils are rare in the lowest latitudes of South China. Here, we describe 12 species in 5 genera of Fagaceae (i.e., Berryophyllum, Castaneophyllum, Quercus, Castanopsis, and Lithocarpus) based on leaf morphology and trichomes. These fossils are recovered from the Changchang Formation of Changchang Basin, Hainan Island, South China, indicating that Fagaceae has been distributed in the tropical low latitudes since the Eocene. Given that our fossils are closely related to the tropical and subtropical extant species, we speculate that Fagaceae lineages have likely diverged since the Eocene and that each extant lineage, such as Quercus sect. Cyclobalanopsis, became highly differentiated no later than middle Eocene. Based on the current living conditions of the extant species, we further speculate that the climate of Hainan Island was warm and wet during the middle Eocene, suitable for the growth and differentiation of the family.

It has been widely documented that the complex structure of forest ecosystems supports considerable bryophyte species and functional diversity. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution and ecological and phytogeographical features of bryophytes across a gradient of temperate forest types on Mt. Papuk. This is the largest and highest mountain in the lowland, Pannonian part of Croatia, with high geological diversity and various temperate forests covering 95% of the mountain. According to the predominant tree species (oak vs. beech), geological bedrock (calcareous vs. siliceous) and soil reaction (alkaline vs. acidic), 21 study plots were classified into four distinct forest types. In all, 184 bryophyte species (35 liverworts and 149 mosses) were recorded. Although the forest types investigated did not differ significantly with respect to species richness, each was characterized by a considerable number of diagnostic bryophyte species. According to our results, one of the main ecological factors determining the variability of the forest bryophyte composition was geological bedrock and the associated soil reaction. Basiphilous forests developed on carbonate bedrock harbored more thermophilous and nitrophilous bryophytes and were characterized by southern-temperate and Mediterranean–Atlantic biogeographic elements. In contrast, acidophilous forests growing on silicate bedrock were characterized by wide-boreal and boreo-arctic–montane elements, i.e., bryophytes indicating cooler habitats and nitrogen-deficient soils. Based on the results, we hypothesized that the main latitudinal biogeographic distinction between southern and northern biogeographic elements is driven more by geological substrate than by the main tree species in forest communities. The present study confirmed previous findings that bryophytes are good and specific habitat indicators and show associations with different forest types, which can help to understand the complexity, ecological microconditions and biogeographic characteristics of forest communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective – to elucidate of life way, contribution to foundation and development of phytogeography, plant introduction and conservation of phytodiversity eminent German geographer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. Material and methods. Analysis of Humboldt’s scientific works and publications about his life and scientific works and publications about his life and scientific activities is made. Results. Achievements of Alexander von Humboldt in development of natural sciences are regarded. The scientific activities as founder of physical geography, comparable climatology and phytogeography are characterized. Importance of Humboldt’s phytogeographical concepts for plant introduction and conservation of plant diversity are underlined. Conclusion. Written in first half of XIX century scientific works of Alexander von Humboldt are actual in our time. These works are modern in interpretation of many phytogeographical problems.

Anatomical characters of Cenozoic pine seed cones are known mainly from North American fossils, while data on cone anatomy of Cenozoic species from Asia remain scarce. To date, only one seed cone of Pinus from the Miocene of eastern China has been studied using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). A new fossil-species, Pinus prehwangshanensis sp. nov., of mummified seed cones from the upper Pleistocene of South China is described using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-CT. The new fossil-species combines a mosaic of seed cone morphological and anatomical characters observed in the group of closely related East Asian extant species of subgenus Pinus, section Pinus, subsection Pinus, comprising Pinus taiwanensis, Pinus hwangshanensis, Pinus luchuensis, Pinus thunbergii, and Pinus densiflora. The data obtained indicate that the characteristic anatomical features of this group were formed no later than the end of the Pleistocene. Based on the external seed cone morphology, the East Asian pine fossils confirm the existence of floristic exchange between continental Asia and the Japan archipelago prior to the formation of the Sea of Japan and later, in the middle Miocene to the late Pliocene, when the connection between the Japanese islands and Eurasian continent became re-established. Pollen grains associated with the new fossil-species are similar to those of some extant pine species related to P. thunbergii. A taxonomic and ecological analysis of the Pleistocene plant taxa from the Maoming Basin suggests that the regional climate was a humid subtropical monsoon with hot wet summers and cool dry winters, similar to the present-day climate of northeastern Vietnam.

Members of the genus Chondrus are well-known from temperate and cold waters. Chondrus ocellatus Holmes was reported from Hawai'i Island (19° N latitude) in 1999 as a new record based on vegetative and tetrasporangial characteristics. The first specimens were collected by Setchell in 1900 in Hilo, HI. The presence of a Chondrus species in the subtropics has been a phycological enigma for over 100 years. We addressed the question of species identity and biogeographic affinities of the Hawaiian Chondrus with fresh cystocarpic material, DNA samples, and phylogenetic analyses. Analysis and comparison of five genes (nuclear: EF2; plastid: psbA, rbcL, and 23S/UPA; mitochondrial: COI) from Hawaiian Chondrus and holotype and topotype material of 10 of the 11 accepted Chondrus species indicate that Hawaiian specimens are C. retortus Matsumoto et Shimada. However, unlike type material, the Hawaiian specimens are commonly pinnulate, vary significantly in secondary medullary filament density, and have mature cystocarps filling the entire medullary space. This study shows the value of using multi-gene loci and comparing multiple sequences of several species to confirm taxonomic conclusions. Our findings suggest that C. retortus may have immigrated via rafting on natural floating material or on ships' hulls. Solving this old puzzle adds new insight into Hawaiian phytogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stictidaceae is characterised by a wide geographic distribution and diverse ecological roles. It has recently been the focus of taxonomic research in China. In this study, we describe two new asexual Stictidaceae species that we presume to be saprobes: Glomerobolus poacearum and Ostropomyces yunnanensis. The specimens were collected from decaying stems of unidentified herbaceous and Poaceae hosts in the Yunnan Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve, China. Our approach combines morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, utilising LSU, ITS, mtSSU and rpb2 markers. Glomerobolus poacearum sp. nov., was collected on decayed aquatic grass stems. In our phylogeny, it forms a well-supported clade with G. gelineus, the type of the genus. The species differs from G. gelineus in having comparatively smaller hyphoma, lobes and ballistic propagules that are spherical or fan-shaped when swollen. The discovery of Glomerobolus poacearum on Poaceae species within China are new observations of plant associates and geographical distribution in the genus. Ostropomyces yunnanensis sp. nov., was collected on a stem of a herbaceous plant. In our phylogenetic analysis, it forms a well-supported clade with G. gelineus, the type species of the genus and is characterised by the production of conidiomata with forcible discharge. Ostropomyces yunnanensis is distinguishable from the asexual morph of O. pruinosellus by possessing larger pycnidial conidiomata, which feature multiple locules of conical or irregular shapes and by having larger conidia that are 0–4-septate. These taxonomic contributions enrich our understanding of the diversity, evolutionary relationships and ecological interactions within Stictidaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projections of spatial biodiversity dynamics under climate warming are often based on models including only climate variables, and when non-climatic factors (e.g. soil) are included, data are often at much coarser spatial resolutions than those experienced by plants. Field studies along elevation gradients permit the gathering of detailed soil data, while still covering a wide climatic gradient. Here, an intensive field survey of four spring forest herbs along an elevation gradient showed that soil properties had substantial impacts on the occurrence/abundance of all species, and that soil effects were more pronounced at higher elevations. For Trillium erectum and Claytonia caroliniana, very infrequent occurrences at high elevation were strongly associated with rare microsites with high pH or nutrients. In a seven-year transplant experiment with T. erectum, we found that individuals grew to much smaller sizes at high than low elevation, suggesting that environmental factors rather than dispersal limitation constrain the species' upper range limit, despite substantial warming in recent decades. Our study demonstrates that soil factors interact strongly with climate to determine plant range limits along climatic gradients. Unsuitable soils for plants at high elevations or latitudes may represent an important constraint on future plant migration and biodiversity change. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diospyros barteri was recorded for the first time from Dodja, a sacred forest in the Commune of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. We provide a detailed description, illustration, habitat, ecology, flowering period, and population size of this species. These occurrences fill a gap in the distribution of the species in the Dahomey-Gap territory. Our new records show the importance of botanical surveys in sacred forests which are hotspots of biodiversity in the country. However, sacred forests are unfortunately poorly maintained and managed and are difficult to access because they serve as central sites for ceremonies of local divinities in vodun celebrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]