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Determining the geophyte flora is of principal significance, not only for the conservation of plant diversity but also for its economic impact. Many geophytes hold economic value, serving as food sources, medicinal plants, and ornamental species. This paper presents the first comprehensive study of monocot geophytes in Isfahan province, Iran, focusing on their composition and species diversity. The study exposed a total of 187 taxa (including species and subspecies), covering 61 genera and 15 families among monocotyledonous geophytes in Isfahan province. Remarkable families comprise Poaceae (44 taxa; 23.52%), Amaryllidaceae (35 taxa; 18.72%), Liliaceae (27 taxa; 14.43%), Iridaceae and Asparagaceae (17 taxa; 9.09%). Moreover, the research identified that 66 species (35.29% of all taxa) belong to the Irano-Turanian region (monoregional), ten species (5.35%) are pluriregional, 14 species (7.48%) exhibit cosmopolitan distribution, while 97 taxa (51.87%) are shared across the Irano-Turanian region and other floristic regions. The study also determined 25 taxa as endemic to Iran, creating 13.36% of all monocotyledonous geophytes in Isfahan province. The conclusions highlight the critical need for the application of effective conservation strategies to conservation these valuable geophyte species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national botanic garden is not only a primary means of global ex situ conservation but also a key indicator of biodiversity conservation capacity in a country. To understand the contributions of national botanic gardens from around the world to plant diversity conservation, we generated a long time-series dataset to investigate the spatiotemporal development of national botanic gardens and then explored their functional expansion from 1593 to 2023. The results showed that the development of national botanic gardens was driven by the development demands of human society and could be divided into three stages, i.e., the initial exploration stage of early botanic gardens (1593–1765), the colonial development stage of modern botanic gardens (1765–1945), and the rapid development stage of modern botanic gardens (1945–2023). The first national botanic garden was established in Western Europe, followed by other national botanic gardens being established in the rest of the world. The functions of national botanic gardens evolved from the collection of medicinal and plant resources to multiple purposes, including scientific research, plant diversity conservation, education, and dissemination of knowledge. Contemporary national botanical gardens have played a crucial role in plant diversity conservation and scientific research on the response and adaptation of plant diversity to global change. Future development and management of national botanic gardens will play a crucial role in achieving future targets of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which meets the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Introduction: Climate change and mono-afforestation or mono-reforestation have continuously caused a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services on forest plantations. Key plant functional traits in forests or plantations may affect ecosystem functions after forest management practices. Plant clonality, a key functional trait, frequently links to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and affects the biodiversity--ecosystem functioning relationship. However, little is known about how plant clonality affects ecosystem functions and services of plantations after forest management. Methods: We conducted a field experiment to discuss the diversity and proportion of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and ecosystem service functions and their relationships under 10 years of close-to-nature (CTN) management, artificial gap management, and control (i.e., without management) in the three stages of C. Lanceolata plantations. Results: Our results showed that CTN and gap management modes significantly facilitated diversity of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and parameters of ecosystem service functions in C. lanceolata plantations. Moreover, CTN management promoted plant community diversity, soil water conservation, and carbon storage the most in the earlier stand stages. Diversity of clonal plants was significantly positively correlated with ecosystem service functions after forest management. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that forest gap or CTN management indirectly positively affected ecosystem service functions through increasing diversity of clonal woody plants and plant diversity of the communities. Conclusion: Our results indicate a highly positive effect of gap or CTN management on diversity and proportion of clonal plants and on plant diversity of the communities, which link to improvements in ecosystem service functions (i.e., water and soil conservation and carbon storage). The link between forest management, diversity, and ecosystem functions suggests that key functional traits or plant functional groups should be considered to underline the mechanism of traits--ecosystem functioning relationships and the restoration of degraded plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity is vital for effective ecosystem functioning and represent a part of biodiversity and ecosystem research. Parasitic fungi that grow on plants have reshaped the biosphere and caused the deaths of millions of people since the beginning of agriculture. Nowadays, interest for biodiversity conservation is intensified by concern about the conservation of genetic resources, destruction of forest, extinction of species and the effects of global warming. There are more than 70,000 species of fungi described by mycologists and over 90% of them are classified within Phylum Basidiomycota and Phylum Ascomycota. Understanding relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions is very important in the context of global plant diversity loss. This paper presents some parasitic micromycetes identified on some estival plants from different areas of Iasi County. In our fieldwork made in the spring of 2023 were indentified some parasitic micromycetes to species as: Corydalis solida L. Clairv., Scilla bifolia L., Anemone ranunculoides, Ranunculus ficaria L. and Fritillaria meleagrioides Patrin ex Schult. & Schult. f.. Identified parasitic micromycetes during the observations that have been made were differentiated according to the disease they cause on plants. Thus, the main diseases identified are represented by: rusts, smuts and downy mildew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Guihaia is the property of Guihaia Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Commagene Journal of Biology is the property of Adiyaman Scientific Research Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Societal Impact Statement: Global production of bananas, among the top 10 food crops worldwide, is under threat. Increasing the use of germplasm conserved in genebanks is crucial. However, the lack of or difficult access to genetic diversity information limits the efficient utilization of these valuable resources. Here, we present a digital catalog of high‐density markers for banana germplasm conserved at the international banana collection. By facilitating access to subsets of genetic diversity information, the catalog has potential to maximize conservation and use of climate‐ready varieties and to optimize breeding strategies. The catalog is extendable with data from any banana collection and the software is easily deployable in other crop genebanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The international conservation of biological diversity is addressed under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and goals for the next decade will be discussed at the next Conference of the Parties. One issue under negotiation in the CBD is Digital Sequence Information (DSI), which has created tension between parties calling for preserving open access to DSI who also note its importance in addressing biodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and those parties calling for fair and equitable benefit sharing from DSI. This article introduces scientists to the current debate and political process on DSI within the CBD. Summary: Most biologists take open access to sequence data for granted. This open system, while a hallmark of innovation and collaboration for the scientific community, is being called into question as some parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) assert that this access undermines their sovereign rights over their genetic resources and corresponding benefit sharing. The governance of sequence data and potentially other types of biological data, known in international policy circles as "Digital Sequence Information" (DSI), a placeholder term invented by negotiators, could be dramatically altered and ultimately change the way scientific research and publishing on sequence data is conducted. Many sequence‐using scientists are unfamiliar with the international political processes around DSI even though it could lead to irreversible decisions that might have significant impacts on research. This paper bridges that gap by providing an overview of the ongoing political process with a focus on the most recent studies on DSI commissioned by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and what these studies forecast about the political debate. With this information in hand, the scientific community can hopefully better engage with the political process and proactively promote evidence‐based decisions or even solutions that can bridge the demand for benefit sharing with the scientific need for open access to DSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination and seedling recruitment are among the most critical stages for plant population persistence and development, which may be influenced by habitat fragmentation and resulting microhabitat changes. We conducted laboratory and field experiments using seeds of Camptotheca acuminata, a rare, endemic, and endangered species in China, to investigate the effects of temperature change and water availability on seed viability and germination. The seeds were sensitive to high temperature and water stress. Germination percentages > 60% occurred only between 20–35 °C and water potentials > − 0.6 MPa. Heating at 75 °C and above for 30 min, continuous heating at 40 °C for 20 days, or desiccation following 120 h imbibition killed nearly all seeds. These seed traits made none of the five microhabitats investigated suitable for regeneration. In the understory plot, most seeds germinated, but the resultant seedlings survived only a short time, depending on reserve food supply from the seeds. Sensitivity to high temperature and water stress inhibited germination in the other plots and most seeds died in the hydration-dehydration cycles. We concluded that efficient natural regeneration could occur only in very special habitats: cool, with stable moist soil but ample sunlight, most likely in suitable gaps in continuous forests. In addition to habitat loss and over-exploitation, difficulties in natural seed germination and seedling recruitment are primary reasons for the current status of C. acuminata. For population recovery of C. acuminata, understory microhabitat protection and artificial support for germination and seedling recruitment are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributional range of Quercus garryana, its naming, botanical features and geographical variants are briefly described. A short discussion of the historical utilization of Garry oak as a timber species, its habitats and ecology, including a listing of common pests and diseases is presented. The prominence of cultivated and wild stands of Garry oak, as well as the significant historical role of Garry oak acorns as an aboriginal food plant and trade item, and the relationship between historical meadow management, biodiversity and conservation in Garry oak ecosystems is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the mountain areas people's dependent on plants for their sustenance especially for medicine and value of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare practises provides clues to latest areas of research in biodiversity conservation. However, information on the uses of plants for medicine is deficient from interior areas of Himalaya. Himachal Pradesh has a rich heritage of medicinal plants. Inspite of this, acute jaundice and viral hepatitis diseases are highly prevalent nowadays among the residents of the state. Total 57 plant families are used for the treatment of liver ailments. The majority of the medicinal plants belongs to the family Asteraceae followed by Berbridaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Gentianaceae, respectively. The present study aimed to review and highlight the available ethnomedicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh for the treatment of the liver disorders. The over-exploitation, habitat degradation and changing environmental conditions may lead to the extinction within few years. Therefore, regular monitoring of population habitats, development of conventional protocol, and establishment of species in-situ conditions and replication of this approach in other parts of Indian Himalayan region have been recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which examined the improvement in soil properties and vegetation diversity by planting of the succulent tree, Portulacaria afra, also known as spekboom, in degraded South African thicket biome. Topics discussed include the effects of domestic animal grazing on soil and vegetation, soil penetration resistance, resistivity and water repellency, species richness and density of trees and shrubs and gravitmeric soil moisture.

Biodiversity managements are always hot topics in China that harbors so much hyper-biodiversity. However, biodiversity loss is continuing as economic growth is accelerating during recent decades. Questions that need to be addressed with regard to the conflict between biodiversity conservation and economic growth are: how much conservation effort is required and what measures are necessary to reconcile conflicts. Here we evaluate the phenomenon and conservation status of representative of the rare plants with important economic values in tropical China. They are facing the danger of extinction, even are disappearing as they are discovered. This topic enables us to propose conservation measures to resolve the dilemma that continued biodiversity loss is linked closely with economic growth. A combination of ex situ conservation, in situ conservation and in-depth surveys, is necessary to protect biodiversity in the tropical China. Insights gained from current conflict will permit a greater understanding of the rare plants with significant evolutionary and ecological roles but which are threatened by economic development, thus enabling the relevant departments to develop and implement appropriate conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the plant response to habitat fragmentation, 18 interdune lowlands with different sizes in active sand dunes of Horqin Sand Land were selected, and the interdune lowland was considered as fragmented habitat patch. In our study, the effect of patch size on plant distribution pattern was explored and different protocols of species diversity conservation were proposed. Our results showed different plant sensitivities to habitat fragmentation: type I, species are restricted by patch area and distributed regularly in fragments; type II, species are not restricted by patch area, and their distribution is irregular in fragments; type III, species mainly distributed in large fragments; type IV, species mainly distributed in small fragments; type V, species mainly distributed in middle-sized fragments. Exploring the effects of fragmentation habitat size on plant species diversity and its distribution pattern will provide theoretical basis for plant diversity conservation in semi-arid sand dunes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Climate change and mono-afforestation or mono-reforestation have continuously caused a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services on forest plantations. Key plant functional traits in forests or plantations may affect ecosystem functions after forest management practices. Plant clonality, a key functional trait, frequently links to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and affects the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship. However, little is known about how plant clonality affects ecosystem functions and services of plantations after forest management., Methods: We conducted a field experiment to discuss the diversity and proportion of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and ecosystem service functions and their relationships under 10 years of close-to-nature (CTN) management, artificial gap management, and control (i.e., without management) in the three stages of C. Lanceolata plantations., Results: Our results showed that CTN and gap management modes significantly facilitated diversity of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and parameters of ecosystem service functions in C. lanceolata plantations. Moreover, CTN management promoted plant community diversity, soil water conservation, and carbon storage the most in the earlier stand stages. Diversity of clonal plants was significantly positively correlated with ecosystem service functions after forest management. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that forest gap or CTN management indirectly positively affected ecosystem service functions through increasing diversity of clonal woody plants and plant diversity of the communities., Conclusion: Our results indicate a highly positive effect of gap or CTN management on diversity and proportion of clonal plants and on plant diversity of the communities, which link to improvements in ecosystem service functions (i.e., water and soil conservation and carbon storage). The link between forest management, diversity, and ecosystem functions suggests that key functional traits or plant functional groups should be considered to underline the mechanism of traits-ecosystem functioning relationships and the restoration of degraded plantations., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Song, Xu, Yuan, Xu, Yao and Chen.)

Identification of refugia from climate change is increasingly considered important for biodiversity conservation, but the distribution of putative refugia may vary across alternative climate scenarios, impeding conservation decision‐making. Based on 117 plant species representative of ecoregions within south‐eastern Australia, we provide a case study identifying in situ refugia across a spectrum of plausible future climates. We define in situ refugia as areas that currently contain populations of the target species, and are projected to remain climatically suitable in the future. Refugia were identified across scenarios describing futures that are, relative to 1990–2009, warmer and wetter, warmer/drier, hotter/wetter, and hotter with little precipitation change. Despite substantial variation in the spatial extent and longevity of climate refugia across species, ecoregions and climate scenarios, clear patterns emerged. By 2070, refugia for species in 1) deserts and xeric shrublands; 2) mediterranean forests, woodlands and shrublands; and 3) temperate and tropical grasslands are likely to be least extensive under a hotter/wetter future. Conversely, wetter conditions may lead to broader refugia for species in temperate forests. We identified areas of congruence where high richness refugia (refugia for ≥ 50% of representative species) were projected to occur irrespective of the climate scenario. These regions therefore appear robust to uncertainty about climate change, presenting clear targets for conservation attention. Our approach provides valuable information for decision‐makers, enabling them to identify and visualise the spatial arrangement of refugia under contrasting scenarios of environmental change. This reveals management options in the context of climate uncertainty and facilitates informed prioritisation of conservation resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnobotanical knowledge plays a significant role in plant diversity conservation and the curing of various ailments in remote rural areas of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). A total of 53 plant species from 27 families have been documented from the Byans valley and are used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. Valley inhabitants have maintained a symbiotic relationship between natural resources and their cultural belief system by developing sacred forests/groves which conserve the region's plant diversity pool. Information on sacred natural sites and traditional beliefs was documented in order to understand the environmental and conservationist implications of these rules and practices. The study provides comprehensive information about eroding traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation practices. This study could be a pilot to strengthen the conservation practices and sustainable utilization of frequently used bioresources by understanding the traditional knowledge system and conservation ethics of tribal communities in the Himalayan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The drivers of extraordinary species diversity and endemism in biodiversity hotspots remain elusive. To identify such drivers, it is necessary to understand the origin of allopatric cryptic diversity that formed as an important part of the biodiversity in low‐latitude montane areas. Here, we test hypotheses regarding the patterns and processes that underlie the diversity of Asian shrew‐like moles (Uropsilus, Uropsilinae, Talpidae), which exhibit strikingly high cryptic diversity. Specifically, we test the hypotheses that niche conservatism and complex topography explain the largely cryptic diversification of these small montane mammals. Location: The mountains of Southwest China (MSC), which are a biodiversity hotspot, and adjacent areas. Materials and methods: A total of 186 specimens that include all seven species of Uropsilus were collected from key geographical areas of the MSC. One mitochondrial and six nuclear genes were sequenced for phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses. We reconstructed the phylogeny and delimited species boundaries within Uropsilus using multiple methods. We also tested the hypothesis of phylogenetic niche conservatism and examined the effect of topography on genetic divergence. Furthermore, we implemented a hierarchical examination of spatial‐temporal dynamics in our study system. Results: Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses discovered vastly more cryptic diversity than had been identified in morphology‐based taxonomy. Significant niche similarity between sibling phylogroups was detected and the genetic structure of Uropsilus accorded well with the topography of the MSC. Relatively stable biogeographical diffusion and demography, as well as in situ persistence during the last glacial cycle, were detected. Main conclusions: Our analysis indicates that much genetic diversification has occurred without evident niche divergence; hence topographical diversity has provided strongly geographical isolation and ecological gradients which reinforce niche conservatism for sedentary organisms. Cryptic species, as the consequence of a lack of variability in the traits, is attributed to stabilizing selection by the optimal ecological and/or climatic envelopes over evolutionary time‐scales. Our findings indicate that global biodiversity in certain areas could be underestimated. Analyses of other biological systems can determine the universality of niche conservatism in the MSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Trade‐offs are often required for an optimal and sustainable supply of competing services from forests. A study was conducted in northwest China to explore a practical trade‐off approach, for promoting the rehabilitation of service‐degraded plantation, focusing on the two main competing services of timber production and understory plant diversity conservation (expressed by understory vegetation species number [UVSN]). To describe the stand structure parameter variation with age and tree density, the logistic growth model and power function were coupled and fit with field data from 82 plots of larch (Larix principis‐rupprechetii Mayr) plantation within the estimated age range of 12–33 years. The UVSN variation with canopy density and tree density were also quantified. These models and relations developed can serve as a tool for estimating trade‐offs. The results showed that with rising tree density, the single tree timber volume decreased but the stand timber volume increased. The UVSN increased until its maximum, at the canopy density range of 0.6–0.7, and then decreased quickly. A proper tree density corresponding to the optimal canopy density of around 0.7 should be kept for maintaining higher UVSN and adequate timber production. In case of the larch plantation studied, optimal tree densities were found around 2,600, 2,000, 1,600, 1,250, and 1,000 trees/ha for the ages of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years, respectively. Although only two main services were considered, the trade‐off approach developed here can be a reference for future studies to guide the rehabilitation and multifunctional management of service‐degraded plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is receiving an increased attention in biodiversity policy. This exploratory study analyses biodiversity-oriented corporate practices and stakeholders’ involvement in their implementation based on a content analysis of 34 business commitment plans endorsed as contributions to the French National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). A trans-sectoral typology of practices emerged from this analysis. This typology categorizes, on one hand, CSR practices that directly mitigate biodiversity loss, and on the other hand, procedural activities supporting a better integration of biodiversity issues. External stakeholders were found to be involved in more than two thirds of the CSR actions and played different roles depending if they belonged to the territorial system, the value chain or the institutional system the company. The article concludes with a number of implications for policy-makers as well as business managers and opens research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper continues the publication of newly obtained results from a continuing taxonomic investigation of the genus Aspidistra in mainland southeast Asia. It includes descriptions and illustrations of seven taxa discovered in China and Vietnam, A. deflexa Aver., Tillich & V.T. Pham, A. heterocarpa Aver., Tillich & V. T. Pham var. heterocarpa, A. heterocarpa Aver., Tillich & V. T. Pham var. echinata Aver., Tillich & T.A. Le, A. nigra Aver., Tillich & K. S. Nguyen, A. sessiliflora Aver. & Tillich, A. sinuata Aver. & Tillich and A. tonkinensis (Gagnep.) F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang var. compacta Aver. & Tillich. Specific taxonomic status is proposed for A. vietnamensis (Aver. & Tillich) Aver & Tillich. described at first as a variety of A. elatior Blume. The name A. connata Tillich is accepted as a synonym of A. subrotata Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. One species, A. hainanensis W. Y. Chun & F. C. How is reported as new for the flora of Vietnam, and another one, A. semiaperta Aver. & Tillich as new for the flora of Laos. New or updated data on ecology, phenology, tentative relationships, distribution and conservation status are reported for all mentioned taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

İstanbul is one of the fast growing and historical cities in the world, and has many old cemeteries which have belonged to various empires. This study includes the first floristic and plant use results from one of these historical cemeteries (the Aşiyan Cemetery). Vascular plants were collected from the cemetery in order to elaborate plant diversity. A total of 280 plant species was identified from an area of 29.1 decares. 139 of them are spontaneously wild growing taxa in the cemetery and the rest are cultivated on the graves. While the ratio of the area of the cemetery to the area of İstanbul is 0.1%, the cemetery includes 5.5% of the native plants of İstanbul. The steep sloped and stony parts of the cemetery have a native macchia vegetation consisting of Quercus coccifera L. , Laurus nobilis L. , Pistacia terebinthus L. , Phillyrea latifolia L. , Jasminum fruticans L. , Rhamnus alaternus L. , Ephedra foeminea Forssk. , Osyris alba L. One of the most important results is the determination of the natural distribution of Rhamnus alaternus , Clematis flammula L. and Ephedra foeminea . This area is a refuge for these three species and the first native record area for R.alaternus in İstanbul. As a conclusion, in spite of covering a small area, the Aşiyan Cemetery has a rich native and horticultural flora, and it is a refuge for three rare species, therefore the cemetery has an important role in urban plant diversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, depopulation and abandonment of traditional practices in the mountainous areas have affected the land use and land cover inducing the modification of the landscape mosaic. These processes have consequently facilitated the forest expansion, sometimes altering the floristic composition of the original vegetation in forests and other wooded lands. Forest expansion processes modified the structure, the stand density and the regeneration capacity of forests, thus altering the ecosystems’ functionality and resilience. These processes can be considered as a form of landscape degradation, which represents an emerging and common issue in the Mediterranean mountainous ecosystems. This study presents an overview of the main landscape dynamics occurring in the last two decades in the “Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo Alto Molise” Man and Biosphere Reserve, located in Central Italy. The results here obtained deeply describe the main effects induced by forest cover changes, such as those related to the crown coverage dynamics-biodiversity linkages, offering a valuable contribution to improve the management and planning in these situations widely replicable to similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Conservation Biology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Crop wild relatives (CWR) have recently received significant attention due to their value as plant genetic resources and their contribution to world food security. We present a prioritized checklist of CWR in Spain in which the criteria of crossability with crops of economic importance, endemicity and threat status have been taken into account. First, we selected a list of genera corresponding to the most relevant crops for Spain and at the international level. These crops were classified into use categories (Food, Forage & Fodder, Ornamental, and Industrial & Other uses) depending on their main use. The wild plant species native to Spain belonging to these genera were then listed. After evaluation by national experts in plant breeding, the resulting checklist contained 929 species. Further selection based on crossability, endemicity and threat status led to the generation of the Prioritized Spanish Checklist of crop wild relatives containing 578 species. Thirty-two percent of these species belong to the Forage & Fodder use category, 28% to the Ornamental category, 24% to the Food category and 16% to the Industrial & Other uses category. Thirty-five percent of the prioritized species are endemic to Spain, and over one-fourth are classified under some category of threat according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Endemicity and threat status rates in the Prioritized Spanish Checklist of CWR were higher than those found in the prioritized CWR inventories of other countries. A ex situ assessment reporting number of accessions showed that 70% of the prioritized Spanish CWR have accessions preserved in genebanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports Impatiens cyclosepala Hook. f. ex W.W. Sm. as a new addition for India from Arunachal Pradesh. The species was, till to-date, known only from more than a 100 years old collection from NW Yunnan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a spatially explicit procedure for mapping and assessing coastal plant diversity value in the context of biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning. Our objective was to devise a replicable and easy to understand methodology framework, which can represent an expedient tool for coastal management and decision making at spatial scales between 1:25,000 and 1:50,000. For this purpose, we adopted a small number of key descriptors that refer to easily quantifiable information on species and habitats: plant species richness, species of conservation value, floristic consistency, habitat diversity, and habitats of conservation interest under the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. We built an expedient sampling strategy that combines systematic sampling by grid cells of fixed size with stratification per habitat type, and apply a plain equal weighting scoring system for assessing overall plant diversity. All floristic and habitat data were entered into a spatial database built within a GIS environment and referred to a 1 × 1 square km spatial grid overlaid on two selected test sites in southern Sardinia (Italy). The descriptors we chose were successful surrogates of plant diversity, as they were able to represent the known conservation importance of both test sites and of specific areas within them, both individually and in combination. In particular, our results show that integrating indicators at different levels of biodiversity enabled to represent aspects with marked differences in distribution as well as to compensate possible biases in data collection, as habitat data are more easily available than floristic information and spatially continuous even in less accessible areas. Being based on well-known criteria and policies, and on data that are most widely and consistently available, our assessment procedure proved effective and easily transferable, and provides a spatial reference framework for systematically evaluating and monitoring coastal plant diversity at national level and across the Mediterranean Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance–adaptation hypothesis argues that taxa with more individuals and faster generation times will have more evolutionary ‘experiments’ allowing expansion into, and diversification within, novel habitats. Thus, as older taxa have produced more individuals over time, and smaller taxa have higher population sizes and faster generation times, the Latitudinal Diversity Gradients (LDGs) of these clades should show shallower slopes. We describe the LDGs for archaea, bacteria, fungi, invertebrates and trees from six North American forests. For three focal groups – bacteria, ants, and trees – older taxa had shallower LDG slopes than the more recent, terminal taxa. Across 12 orders of magnitude of body mass, LDG slopes were steeper in larger taxa. The slopes of LDGs vary systematically with body size and clade age, underscoring the non‐canonical nature of LDGs. The steepest LDG slopes were found for the largest organisms while the smallest, from bacteria to small litter‐soil invertebrates, have shallower‐ to zero‐slope LDGs. If tropical niche conservatism is the failure of clades to adapt to, and diversify in temperate habitats, then the steep LDGs of chordates and plants likely arise from the decreased ability of clades with large individuals to adapt to the multiple challenges of extra‐tropical life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Grasslands / Forrajes Tropicales is the property of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)