Search

Calamagrostis nagarum, previously considered to be a poorly known species, has been reassessed taxonomically. It is a member of C. lahulensis-C. scabrescens complex and may be segregated by morphological characters such as the presence of pilose hairs on adaxial surface of leaf blades, spreading panicle branches, filiform awn and nerve prolongation of lemma. Besides, the micromorphology of adaxial surface of leaf blades, dorsal surface of glume and lemma differentiates Calamagrostis nagarum from its allies, C. lahulensis and C. scabrescens. It is known from Nagaland and Uttarakhand, India, and Bhutan. In this study, we have provided an emended description of the species, a discussion of its habitat and distribution, and taxonomic notes along with field photographs and photo plates for its correct identification. In addition, we also lectotypify the names C. lahulensis and C. scabrescens.

Fungi of genus Epichloë (Ascomycota, Clavicipitaceae) are common endophytic symbionts of Poaceae, including wild and agronomically important cool-season grass species (subfam. Poöideae). Here, we examined the genetic diversity of Epichloë from three European species of Brachypodium (B. sylvaticum, B. pinnatum and B. phoenicoides) and three species of Calamagrostis (C. arundinacea, C. purpurea and C. villosa), using DNA sequences of tubB and tefA genes. In addition, microsatellite markers were obtained from a larger set of isolates from B. sylvaticum sampled across Europe. Based on phylogenetic analyses the isolates from Brachypodium hosts were placed in three different subclades within the Epichloë typhina complex (ETC) but did not strictly group according to host grass species, suggesting that the host does not always select for particular endophyte genotypes. Analysis of microsatellite markers confirmed the presence of genetically distinct lineages of Epichloësylvatica on B. sylvaticum, which appeared to be tied to different modes of reproduction (sexual or asexual). Among isolates from Calamagrostis hosts, two subclades were detected which were placed outside ETC. These endophyte lineages are recognized as distinct species for which we propose the names E. calamagrostidis Leuchtm. & Schardl, sp. nov. and E. ftanensis Leuchtm. & A.D. Treindl, sp. nov. This study extends knowledge of the phylogeny and evolutionary diversification of Epichloë endophytes that are symbionts of wild Brachypodium and Calamagrostis host grasses.

The comprehensive analytic review reflects the characteristics of the virus-associated oxidative stress, and shows the need for antioxidant drug support for sanogenesis at acute respiratory viral infections. There are described the data on the antiviral activity and antioxidant protective effect of bioflavonoids of wild grasses Calamagrostis epigeios L. and Deschampsia caespitosa L. as the components of medicinal product Immunоflazidum. There are demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of Immunоflazidum as a drug of choice for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections.

Calamagrostis nandadeviensis, a new species of Calamagrostis (Poaceae: Agrostidinae) from India (Valley of Flowers National Park of Uttarakhand and Rohtang Pass of Himachal Pradesh) is described and illustrated. C. nandadeviensis is morphologically allied to C. lahulensis and C. scabrescens but differs from them in having deeply bifid palea and fused lodicules. Data on distribution, habitat, biotic association are presented along with an illustration and comparative photo plate.

Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth subsp. capensis (Stapf) Tzvelev — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMDF, HZ; 1 700– 3 300 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Timau Track, Alt. 3 249 m, 20 Jan. 2015, SAJIT 002750 (HIB). Reference: Bussmann (1994)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 36, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp."]}

E Calamagrostis hedbergii Melderis — Habit: Herb. Habitat: HZ, AZ; 3 400–4 400 m. Distribution: IIIc. Voucher: Teleki Valley, Alt. 4 265 m, 15 Nov. 1985, Stephenson 382 (EA). References: Clayton (1970), Young & Peacock (1985), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 36, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Clayton, W. D. (1970) Gramineae (Part 1). In: Milne-Readhead, E. & Polhill, R. M. (Eds.) Flora of Tropical East Africa. Crown Agents, London, 176 pp.","Young, T. P. & Peacock, M. M. (1985) Vegetative key to the alpine vascular plants of Mount Kenya. Journal of the East Africa National History Society & National Museum 75 (185): 1 - 9. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1365 - 2028.2004.00514. x","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

The unresolved name Calamagrostis vinealis Steudel (Poaceae, Agrostidinae) is lectotypified and its taxonomic identity is discussed based on the discovery of Baumgarten’s collection at the P herbarium (P02142817), based on which this name was assigned. This collection appears to be a mixed gathering of Calamagrostis epigejos (left-hand specimen) and C. arundinacea (right-hand specimen). Here, the left-hand specimen is designated and labeled as lectotype of the name Calamagrostis vinealis, and in consequence, C. vinealis is a later heterotypic synonym of C. epigejos.

The study results of hoofed animals impact on vegetation in aviaries of different size of the Volyn Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting are presented. The reaserch sites are laid in forest stand, which belonged (before the construction of the aviary and the arrangement of the feeding area) to one taxonomic department that determines their forestry-taxonomic identity what allows to apply the method of comparative ecology. The impact of hunting hoofed animals on forest vegetation was studied in aviaries and forest stands of Gubynsky, Karasynsky and Muravyshchansky forestry units, which are part of the structure of state enterprises "Volodymyr-Volynske forestry", "Manevytsia forestry" and "Kivertsy forestry", respectively. In oak stands of the aviary of Gubinsky forestry for breeding Sus scrofa, which has been operating since 2010, as of 2017, a twofold decrease in the species composition of vascular plants was observed. Outside the enclosure, 2 times more viable self-seeding and undergrowth of Populus tremula, Ulmus scabra – 8 times, and Sambucus nigra – more than 2 times were recorded. The coefficient of similarity between the grass cover inside and outside the enclosure is insignificant - 9.5%. Within the enclosure, a slight change in the sanitary condition category of such tree species as Salix caprea, Betula pendula, Populus tremula, Quercus robur was registered. As a result of exposure of wild boar within the enclosure, the sanitary condition of Carpinus betulus trees has changed to significantly weakened compared to healthy outside the enclosure. As of 2017, the grass cover restoration was registered in the aviary of Karasinsky forestry for breeding Sus scrofa, which operated from 2004 to 2010. In aviary conditions the dominant herbs are Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-ideaea, Calamagrostis epigeios, Pteridium aquilinum and Pleurozium schreberi. The projective cover is dominated by Vaccinium myrtillus, Calamagrostis epigeios and Pleurozium schreberi, their total abundance is 41%. The coefficient of similarity of grasses in the pine-birch stand of the aviary and outside it is 61.5%. Within the aviary of Muravyshchansky forestry, where Bison bonasus, Cervuselaphus, Sus scrofa are kept, the areas of intensive influence of hoofed animals on forest vegetation are feeding grounds. Self-seeding, undergrowth and undergrowth were not found in pine-birch stands within the existing feeding site. Crops and weeds that are not typical for forest stands have been found in the vegetation within the feeding site. A total of seven grass species were identified, including a cultivated plant (Avena sativa) and two weeds (Calysteria sepium, Chenopodium album). Cultivated plants enter the forest environment together with the fodder they feed hoofed animals. It was found out that with the cessation of animal feeding, the composition of tree species and undergrowth species on the feeding site was restored and is identical to the vegetation outside it. Four years after the cessation of feeding of hunting animals, grain crops and weeds fall out of the grass cover of the former feeding ground and the forest environment is restored. There are 25 species of herbs registered here. The most common are Festuca ovina, Hieracium pilosella, Vaccinium myrtillus and Calysteria sepium. Hylocomium splendens (12%) and Vaccinium myrtillus (8%) predominate in the projective cover. Coefficient of similarity of the grass cover is 26.7%. The sanitary condition of wood species on the functioning feeding site has not changed significantly.

Calamagrostis hongii, a new species of Calamagrostis (Poaceae) from southwestern China (S Chongqing, W Guizhou, Sichuan, SE Xizang, Yunnan), is here described and illustrated. It is similar to C. arundinacea and C. effusiflora in spikelet traits, but can be distinguished by its moderately or densely scabrous upper leaf surface with ribs covered by short, stiff, prickle hairs, and glabrous leaf sheaths, blades and collars. Nomenclature Deyeuxia zhongdianensis lacks Latin description or diagnosis and is an unavailable nomen nudum (naked name).

Successions in old fields were studied on the example of the Starobilski steppes within Luhansk Oblast (Ukraine), region located in the basin of the left tributaries of the Siversky Donets, in the southern spurs of the Central Russian Upland. Stationary surveys were conducted in the Striltsivsky Steppe affiliate of the Luhansk Nature Reserve, with 269 ha of old fields (26% of the area) in its territory. Geobotanical releves were performed in 26 plots of abandoned fields, constant monitoring surveys were carried out in 15–27 year-old abandoned fields in the territory of the Reserve and 5–15 year-old abandoned fields in the territory of its buffer zone. In total, the itinerary and detailed surveys were conducted for about 50 plots of abandoned fields. The restoration of the steppe communities was seen only in the plots where grazing and/or mowing took place, which prevented the formation of dense litter and distribution of woody species. The long domination of rhizome grasses (Elytrigia repens) were characteristic in conditions of moderate-level disturbance (in the reserve), transition to the domination of bunchgrasses (Festuca valesiaca) was seen at the age of around 25 years, during the transitional period (20–25 years) communities with unstable structure formed, comprising E. repens, F. valesiaca and forbs (Achillea pannonica and Fragaria viridis). Duration of the stage of segetal and ruderal species in the sites under low effect was 10 years, the communities of unstable structure formed at the age of 5–10 years. In the conditions of stable moderate and high effect of grazing (high disturbance), we observed formation of bunchgrass communities at the age of 15 years. In the unused plots, we saw formation of phytocoenoses of shrubs at different stages of succession, starting from 10 years. The most abundant group of such kind comprised thickets of Ulmus pumila (with E. repens and Poa angustifolia in the herbaceous layer) and Prunus stepposa. The peculiarity of contemporary processes in the abandoned fields related to exacerbation of the vegetation’s anthropogenic transformation is distribution of alien tree species from plantations, the most aggressive of which are Ulmus pumila, Fraxinus lanceolata, Acer negundo, Elaeagnus angustifolia. The peculiarity of the succession processes in the region of studies was the domination of species of broad ecological spectrum, characteristic for abandoned fields of northern forest-steppe regions (Bromopsis inermis, Calamagrostis epigeios, Poa angustifolia, Fragaria viridis) and southern steppe regions (Bromus sguarrosus, Anisantha tectorum, Achillea pannonica, Artemisia austriaca), certain communities form dependent on the climatic conditions and type of land use in the period of succession in particular plots.

Calamagrostis neglecta (Ehrh.) Gaertner et al. (1799: 94). Arundo neglecta Ehrhart (1791b: 137). Deyeuxia neglecta (Ehrh.) Kunth (1829: 76). Type:��� SWEDEN. ���Upsaliae���, [1773���1775], F. Ehrhart [F.Ehrhart, Calamariae, Gramina et Tripetaloideae no. 118] (lectotype LE00009481, designated by Tzvelev & Probatova (2019: 223); isolectotypes BM001134133, LINN-HS 138-13-2, W0026796). = Calamagrostis stricta (Timm) Koeler (1802: 105). Arundo stricta Timm (1795: 235). Type:��� GERMANY. [Malchin], ��� Arundo stricta mihi��� (lectotype LE00009488, designated by Tzvelev & Probatova (2019: 223))., Published as part of Sennikov, Alexander N., 2022, Reaffirming the legitimate status of Calamagrostis neglecta (Poaceae), pp. 85-87 in Phytotaxa 531 (1) on page 86, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.531.1.9, http://zenodo.org/record/5843587, {"references":["Gaertner, P. G., Meyer, B. & Scherber, J. (1799) Oekonomisch-technische Flora der Wetterau, vol. 1. P. H. Guilhauman, Frankfurt am Main, 531 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 13680","Ehrhart, F. (1791 b) Bestimmung einiger Krauter und Graser. In: Ehrhart, F., Beitrage zur Naturkunde, vol. 6. C. Ritscher, Hannover & Osnabruck, pp. 131 - 147. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 44806","Kunth, C. (1829) Revision des Graminees, vol. 1 (5). Gide fils, Paris, pp. 65 - 80.","Tzvelev, N. N. & Probatova, N. S. (2019) Grasses of the USSR. KMK Scientific Press, Moscow, 646 pp. [In Russian]","Koeler, G. L. (1802) Descriptio graminum in Gallia et Germania tam sponte nascentium quam humana industria copiosius provenientium. Varrentrapp & Wenner, Frankfurt am Main, 384 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 15586","Timm, J. C. (1795) Fortsetzung der vorlaufigen Nachlese zur Meklenburgischen Flore. Magazin fur die Naturkunde und Oekonomie Meklenburgs 2: 222 - 276."]}

To investigate the evolutionary relationships and biogeographical history among the species of Calamagrostis and other members of subtribes Agrostidinae, Calothecinae, Echinopogoninae, and Paramochloinae, we generated a phylogeny based on DNA sequences from one nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and three plastid regions (rpl32-trnL spacer, rps16-trnK spacer, and rps16 intron). Based on our phylogeny, we identified seven species groups (clades) within Calamagrostis: the Meridionalis group comprises two species from Central and South America, the Americana group comprises species from North America, the Deyeuxia and Epigeios groups comprise species from Eurasia, the Orientalis group comprises species from East Asia, the Purpurea group comprises species from Eurasia and North America, and the Calamagrostis group comprises species from Eurasia and North America. We hypothesize that Calamagrostis originated in North America with the primary split of the Meridionalis group, followed by split between the autochthonous Americana group and two future Eurasian branches encompassing all the remaining groups, which possibly dispersed into Eurasia independently. The molecular data suggest that hybridization and genomic introgression played a prominent role in the evolutionary history of Calamagrostis. We propose a new genus, Condilorachia, segregated from Trisetum s.l., with three species from South America for which we propose new combinations: Condilorachia bulbosa, Condilorachia brasiliensis, and Condilorachia juergensii; a new combination in Greeneochloa, Greeneochloa expansa; and the subsumption of Dichelachne into Pentapogon with 20 new combinations: Pentapogon avenoides, Pentapogon brassii, Pentapogon chaseianus, Pentapogon crinita, Pentapogon densus, Pentapogon frigidus, Pentapogon gunnianus, Pentapogon hirtella, Pentapogon inaequiglumis, Pentapogon lautumia, Pentapogon micrantha, Pentapogon parva, Pentapogon quadrisetus, Pentapogon rara, Pentapogon robusta, Pentapogon scaberulus, Pentapogon sclerophyllus, Pentapogon suizanensis, Pentapogon sieberiana, and Pentapogon validus. We provide a diagnosis, description, and a key to the species of Condilorachia.

We studied the sites of Lomelosia graminifolia on its newly discovered, northeasternmost locality in the Alps, at the Sravnik ravine in the Trenta Valley. Individual specimens or smaller groups grow in the ravine itself or on the sunny slopes nearby at 520 to 810 m a.s.l. on gravelly and rocky sites with shallow initial soils. The communities in which it occurs can be classified into two associations. The stands on scree slopes were classified into the association Stipetum calamagrostis. The stands on gravelly grasslands were compared with similar, previously described communities in the Southern and Southeastern Alps. In view of obvious floristic and ecological differences between them we described a new association – Aquilegio einseleanae-Caricetum mucronatae. Key words: phytosociology, synsystematics, Lomelosia graminifolia, Stipetum calamagrostis, Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Slovenia Izvleček Preučili smo rastišča vrste Lomelosia graminifolia na njenem novo odkritem najbolj severovzhodnem nahajališču v Alpah, v grapi Sravnik v dolini Trente. Tam posamezni primerki ali manjše skupine rastejo v sami grapi ali na prisojnih pobočjih ob njej na nadmorski višini od 520 m do 810 m na gruščnatih in skalnatih rastiščih s plitvimi inicialnimi tlemi. Združbe, v katerih uspeva, lahko uvrstimo v dve asociaciji. Sestoje na meliščih smo uvrstili v asociacijo Stipetum calamagrostis. Sestoje na gruščnatih traviščih smo primerjali s podobnimi že opisanimi združbami v Južnih in Jugovzhodnih Alpah in na podlagi očitnih florističnih in ekoloških razlik med njimi opisali novo asociacijo Aquilegio einseleanae-Caricetum mucronatae. Ključne besede: fitocenologija, sinsistematika, Lomelosia graminifolia, Stipetum calamagrostis, Julijske Alpe, Triglavski narodni park, Slovenija

The process of natural remediation of oil- and soil-contaminated raised bogs reclaimed 14–16 years ago in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug–Yugra (KHMAO–Yugra) is analyzed. Revegetation is generally successful, although mesophytic grasses sown during reclamation almost completely disappeared in the grass stand. There is a gradual desalination of peat soil in salt-contaminated areas; it is accompanied by a succession change of halophytic (hemihalophytic) vegetation by communities that dominated by Calamagrostis epigeios, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Phragmites australis; a certain contribution is also made by sphagnum, green mosses, and liverworts. A characteristic feature of these habitats is the colonizing by a number of rare protected species (Heterogemma laxa, Thelypteris palustris, and Triglochin maritimum). In oil-contaminated bogs, hydrocarbons often enter from the underlying peat soil horizons during revegetation, resulting in the formation of a surface crust. Under these conditions, grass–sedge–cotton-grass and other communities are replaced by grass stands of Eriophorum angustifolium and some other species with strong root systems. A certain role in the overgrowth of crusted surfaces is also played by mosses (Sphagnum riparium, Warnstorfia fluitans, etc.). Unsuccessful restoration is observed in hollows with restricted runoff for salt-contaminated bogs and in most significantly drained segments for oil-contaminated ones.

La Reserva de Producción de Fauna de Chimborazo (RPFCH) es una de las áreas protegidas más importantes del Ecuador cuyo objetivo fundamental es la preservación de la fauna y la flora altoandina, este trabajo se efectuó con el propósito de monitorear el Herbazal del páramo que es una de las ocho formación vegetales que posee la reserva para evaluar los cambios que sufre este ecosistema altimontano debido al cambio climático, se utilizó 128 ortofotos de toda el área de estudio y con la ayuda del software Arc Gis 10.1 se geo proceso todo lo referente a la cartografía, para el análisis estadístico se utilizó las fórmulas del Manual de Ordenación de Montes de Andalucía donde se definió el número de unidades muestrales, se trabajó con un 5 % de error y 95 % de certeza se utilizó parcelas óptimas donde el tamaño de la muestra aproximado para estimar p con un límite de B para el error de estimación, para inventariar la flora se utilizó la metodología GLORIA mediante el levantamiento de cuatro cuadrantes de 1 m2 x 1 m2 en 10 parcelas donde se estableció la riqueza, abundancia, dominancia e IVIE cuyos resultados se tabularon el software PAST 4.0, el esfuerzo de muestreo se validó con la ayuda del software Eco Sim se precisó que las familias Poaceae, Asteraceae y Apiaceae son las más dominantes, alfa diversidad indicó un valor de 0,95 para el índice de Simpson y para Shannon Wiener de 3,31 valores altos para diversidad biológica, un valor de 0,67 % en la similaridad florística (beta) debido a la gran presencia de Calamagrostis intermedia, el Análisis de correspondencia determinó dos nichos ecológicos con 23 especies sumando un 51,05 % del total de individuos muestreados indicando que estos son los más susceptibles a desaparecer por el calentamiento global.

Background Alpine alder vegetation acts upon the nearby grass and dwarf shrub vegetation by the nitrogen supply from the symbiotic bacteria Frankia alni of Alnus viridis. This has been studied in two transects concerning plant distribution, plant diversity, nitrate concentration in soil and photosynthetic performance of specific marker plants. Results Away from the alder stand, a band of some meters was dominated by Calamagrostis varia which then was followed by alpine dwarf shrub vegetation. Nitrate in the soil showed a concentration decrease away from the alder stand leading to values near the detection limit in the dwarf shrub zone. Within these three zones, plant species were distributed according to their N-index, given in the ecological literature. Three dominant species, Calamagrostis varia, Rhododendron ferrugineum and Vaccinium myrtillus were examined at sites of different N-availability in the horizontal transect for their photosynthetic performance, by measuring the prompt fluorescence, the OJIP named polyphasic rise of chlorophyll-a fluorescence. All three plant species showed signs of stress in the fluorescence rise kinetics at decreased nitrate availability. These are similar to other known stress effects such as faster reduction of the primary acceptor or an electron supply limitation on the donor site of photosystem II. Conclusion Prompt chlorophyll-a fluorescence data of the examined leaves in a natural vegetation system showed the effects of a decrease in the essential nutrient nitrogen and in a manner parallel to changes in plant diversity. The selected marker plants behaved differently towards decreasing nitrogen concentrations in soil.

Tropical Andean glaciers are retreating rapidly, with possible consequences for trophic structure and ecosystem processes in high Andean meltwater streams. Here, we measured the environmental characteristics, quantified pools of particulate organic matter (POM) and periphyton (Chl. a), sampled benthic macroinvertebrates, determined functional feeding groups (FFG), and performed mesh bag decomposition experiments with Calamagrostis grass detritus at 17 stream sites along a gradient of glacial influence (GI) with 0–23% glacier cover in the catchment at 4050–4200 m a.s.l. in the Andes of Ecuador. POM was unrelated to GI while Chl. a. showed a weak (non-significant) negative relationship to GI. The macrofauna abundance decreased while taxon richness and the number of FFGs per site showed a hump-shaped relationship with increasing GI. Taxa with an opportunistic and generalist feeding mode generally dominated benthic assemblages and were related to high GI levels and low Chl. a. Only shredders were negatively related to GI, but unrelated to POM. Decomposition rates were comparable to those found in temperate alpine streams, and for both fine (0.0010–0.0065; median 0.0028 d−1) and coarse (0.0019–0.0088; median 0.0048 d−1) mesh bags, peaked at intermediate GI values, while the difference between bag types was small and almost constant along the GI gradient. This indicates an overall minor effect of macroinvertebrate shredders compared to that of microbes, in particular at high GI. It also suggests that the relatively high average temperature of these high-altitude equatorial streams (7–10 °C) does not produce higher decomposition rates than those in comparable but colder streams at temperate latitudes. The results suggest that, at the lower end of glacier cover, tropical glacier loss will not change the dominant microbial role in detritus decomposition, but that part of the physical abrasion could be partially replaced by biological shredding.

Due to warming, changes in microclimatic temperatures have shifted plant community structure and dynamics in tundra and alpine regions. The directionality and magnitude of these changes are less known for tropical alpine ecosystems. To understand the likely trajectory of these shifts in the Andes, we conducted a warming experiment in the northern Andes—using open-top chambers (OTC). In this study, we ask (1) how do OTCs affect air and soil temperatures in microclimates of tropical alpine regions, year-round and during the dry season? (2) What are the effects of 7 years of warming on (a) the aboveground biomass (AGB) and (b) the plant taxonomic and growth form diversity? We installed five monitoring blocks in 2012 at ca. 4,200 m asl with 20 OTCs and 50 control plots randomly distributed within each block. We measured AGB, plant community diversity, and growth form diversity between 2014 and 2019. After 7 years of warming, we found significant increases in mean monthly (+0.24°C), daily (+0.16°C), and night air temperatures (+0.33°C) inside the OTCs, and the OTCs intensified microclimatic conditions during the dry season. Additionally, OTCs attenuated extreme temperatures—particularly in the soil—and the number of freezing events. AGB significantly increased in OTCs, and by 2019, it was 27% higher in OTCs than in control. These changes were driven mainly by a progressive increment of tussock grasses such as Calamagrostis intermedia, typical of lower elevations. The increase of tussocks led to a significant decrease in species diversity and evenness inside OTCs, but not in species richness after accounting by sampling time. Furthermore, cushions and herbs decreased inside OTCs. Our results show that experimental warming using OTCs in equatorial regions leads to decreased daily thermal amplitude and night temperatures rather than the level of increase in mean temperatures observed in temperate regions. The increase of tussocks and decrease in diversity of species and growth forms due to prolonged modifications in microclimatic temperature might be a step toward shrub-dominated ecosystems. Further research on this topic would help understand shifts in growth form dominance and the direction and rate of change of the system.

ObjectiveIn the past, the zokor, which lived in northern China, caused great harm to agriculture and forestry production due to its large and sophisticated diet. Since the rat lives underground for most of its life, researchers know little about its dietary habits. Further understanding of its diet in the field is of important meaning for developing green and sustainable control strategies for the rat.MethodsLongde County in Liupan Mountain area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was selected as the interest area to capture zokor and investigate the species of habitat plants.We selected chloroplast trnL gene and eukaryotic internal transcription spacer 1 (ITS 1) primers to amplify DNA from the gastric contents of zokor,and then sequenced on Illumina Miseq PE300 platform.ResultsThe gastric contents of Eospalax smithii (n=16) and E.cansus(n=9) were analyzed by operational taxonomic units (OTU) clustering and amplicon sequence variants(ASVs).The OTU clustering method obtained 2,995 OTUs, and the ASV method obtained 4,657 ASVs. The ASV method was better than the OTU clustering method, and the ASV method was adopted in the subsequent analysis. The food list of 32 families, 80 genera and 154 species was obtained by ASV method after the error was removed. The food composition of zokor was evaluated by relative abundance(%RA) method and frequency of occurrence(%ROO) method. At the Family level, it was found that zokor mainly fed on Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Pinaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, etc. At the Genus level, they are mainlyEchinops, Littledalea,Artemisia,Picea, Cirsium, Elymus and so on. The diet alpha diversity of E.cansus was slightly higher than that of E.smithii (P > 0.05). The correlation coefficient between Sobs index of alpha diversity and body weight of zokor was −0.382 (P = 0.059). The diet beta diversity proved that most zokors (22/25) clustered together, with low heterogeneity. They fed positively on Calamagrostis, Cirsium, Echinops, Medicago, Sanguisorba and Taraxacum. We found that zokor mainly fed on the roots of perennial herbs(PH), which were rich in water, carbohydrate, fat and protein, which provided an important energy source for its survival.ConclusionHigh-throughput sequencing(HTS) based DNA metabarcoding technology has well revealed the diet of zokor, which are generalist.

The present investigation proposes to study the ecosystem services linked to water and floristic diversity in the Igualata paramo of the Hualcanga region; 5 sampling plots of 25 m2 were installed, with 4 subplots of 1 m2. 30 samples of terrestrial vascular plants were obtained, identifying 17 botanical families, 26 genera, and 27 species, and 1 lichen and 1 moss of unidentified family and genus. It was determined that the species that stands out with the highest importance value index was Lachemilia orgiculata with 44.06%, because the species was found in 4 of the 5 study plots. In second place we have Calamagrostis intermedia species with 8.21%, while the species Vicea sp. was the species with the lowest importance value index of 0.50%, being the species with the lowest number of individuals. The Rosaceae family presented the highest index with 39.61%. The Poaceae and Asteraceae families also present dominance in this ecosystem with values of 9.63% and 5.79%, respectively. According to the Shannon index, plots P2 and P4 were those with high diversity, which corroborates with what was obtained in the Simpson index; the Sorensen index showed us that plots P4 and P5 are very similar, plots P1 and P3 are fairly similar, and the remaining plots are dissimilar, which indicated that vegetation can be found in certain areas of the investigation. The water flow supplying the resident families of the region was found to be 8.12 L/s, and its ecological flow is of 0.83 L/s, having a flow that satisfies the needs of the inhabitants. Keywords: caudal, ecological flow, ecosystem paramo, ecosystem services, floristic diverity, indices of diversity. Resumen La presente investigación propone: estudiar los servicios ecosistémicos ligados al agua y diversidad florística en el páramo del Igualata regional Hualcanga; se instalaron cinco parcelas de muestreo de 25 m2 con 4 sub parcelas de 1 m2, se obtuvo 30 muestras de plantas vasculares terrestres, identificando 17 familias botánicas, 26 géneros y 27 especies, además se colectó 1 liquen y 1 musgo de familia, género y especie no identificado. Se determinó que la especie que sobresale con mayor índice de valor de importancia fue Lachemilia orgiculata con un 44,06%, esto se debe a que la especie se encontraba en 4 de las 5 parcelas de estudio, en segundo lugar, tenemos a Calamagrostis intermedia especie con 8,21%, mientras que la especie Vicea sp. fue la que menor índice de valor de importancia presentó con un 0,50% esto se debe a que fue la especie con menor cantidad de individuos. La familia Rosaceae presentó el mayor índice con 39,61%, las familias Poaceae, y Asteraceae presentan una dominancia en este ecosistema con valores de 9,63% 5,79%, respectivamente. De acuerdo al índice de Shannon las parcelas 2 y 4 son las que poseen diversidad alta que se corrobora con lo obtenido en el índice de Simpson; en el índice de Sorensen nos muestra que las parcelas P4 vs P5 son muy similares las parcelas P1 y P3 son medianamente similares y las parcelas restantes son disimiles lo que indica que la vegetación se puede encontrar en ciertas zonas de la investigación. El caudal que posee la Regional es de 8,12 L/s, abasteciendo a las familias y su caudal ecológico es de 0,83 L/s teniendo un caudal que satisface las necesidades de los pobladores. Palabras clave: caudal, caudal ecológico, diversidad florística, ecosistema páramo, índices de diversidad, servicios ecosistémicos.

Calamagrostis nandadeviensis P. Agnihotri & D. Prasad, sp. nov. (Figs. 1,2,3,4) Diagnosis:— Calamagrostis nandadeviensis differs from C. lahulensis by its ligules 6.1–7.8 mm long (vs. 1.0– 5.1 mm long), panicle effuse (vs. congested), callus hairs 1.0– 2.6 mm long (vs. 0.8–1.2 mm long) and, from Calamagrostis scabrescens by its short, weakly geniculate awn, hardly exerted from spikelets and 2.6–4.5 mm long (vs. long, geniculate, exerted from spikelet and 4.5–7.7 mm long), however, differs from them by having palea apically deeply cleft (vs. almost entire) and lodicules fused in lower half (vs. not fused). Type:— INDIA. Uttarakhand, Chamoli, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Valley of Flowers National Park, 30.705541N, 79.602266E, 3438 m, 23 August 2019, P. Agnihotri, D. Prasad, S. Jaiswal & R. Yadav 326632 (holotype LWG! isotype BSD!). Perennial, woody root stocks, sub-densely tufted grass, 50–60 cm tall. Culms erect, 40–55 cm long, innovation intravaginal, geniculate, scabrous, 2–3 nodes below the panicle. Node glabrous, compressed. Leaf sheath splitoverlapping, closed, scabrid on vein; lower leaf sheaths papery; upper leaf sheaths 15–16 cm long. Leaf blade 8.0–15 × 0.3–0.5 cm, lanceolate-linear, flat or involute, scaberulous on adaxial and abaxial surface; apex acuminate; margin scabrid. Ligules 6.1–7.8 mm long, membranous, abaxial surface scabrous, adaxial surface glabrous. Inflorescence a panicle, 7.0–12 × 1.5–2.0 cm, lanceolate, effuse, open, branched; lower branches in whorls of 2–7, ascending, 2–3 cm long, scabrid. Rachis slender, scabrous. Spikelet 5.2–6.0 × 1.2–1.5 mm, pedicellate, lanceolate, laterally compressed, bearing 1-floret and bare rachilla extension, disarticulating above the glume, purple; glumes subequal, floret hermaphrodite. Pedicel shorter than spikelet, scabrous. Lower glume 5.2–6.0 × 1.1–1.2 mm, 1-keeled, 1-nerved, narrowly lanceolate, navicular, purple, scaberulous; apex acuminate; margin scabrid on upper half; keel scabrid. Upper glume 5.0–5.8 × 1.1–1.3 mm, 1-keeled, 3-nerved, narrowly lanceolate, navicular, purple; apex acuminate; margin ciliate on upper half; keel scabrid. Callus hairs 1.0– 2.6 mm long, shorter than half of the lemma. Lemma 3.8–4.9 × 1.3–1.7 mm, 5-nerved, elliptic, navicular, scabrous on upper 3/4 th, 2–4 toothed, awned; apex acute, hyaline, lateral mucro 0.4–0.7 mm long; margin membranous. Awns 2.6–4.5 mm long, slender, scabrous, inserted nearly at middle of lemma. Rachilla 1.5–2.1 mm long; penicillate hairs 2.3–3.2 mm long. Palea 3.1–3.7 mm, 2-keeled, lanceolate, hyaline, deeply bifid; apex acute; ratio of palea to lemma 0.76–0.82 mm. Stamens 3; anther 1.7–2.1 mm long. Lodicules-2, fused on lower half, ovate, apex truncate, 0.6–0.8 × 0.23–0.24 mm. Flowering and fruiting:— July to September. Distribution, habitat and biotic association:— Calamagrostis nandadeviensis is known from two localities, the type locality, Valley of Flowers National Park, one of the core zones of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, and in alpine meadows around the Rohtang Pass (Fig. 3). In both the localities, C. nandadeviensis was found growing associated with Briza media Linnaeus (1753: 70), Bromus catharictus Vahl (1791: 22), Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus (1753: 71), Festuca ovina Linnaeus (1753: 73) and Poa alpina Linnaeus (1753: 67) at an elevation ranging from 3400 m to 3700 m in alpine meadows. The Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand is well known for plant diversity and endemism. About 28 species of grasses have been reported in this region (Bisht et al. 2018). On the other hand, Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass situated on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas at about 51 km from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. It demarcates Kullu valley from Lahaul Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh. These regions are characterized by large range of alpine meadows, an open habitat in which grass and non-woody plants are predominately present. As the Valley of Flowers National Park is a protected area, so vegetation of this place is intact from external anthropogenic pressure whereas, Rohtang Pass is an unprotected area, open for tourists and local people, which render its vegetation threatened. Plants growing in this region face anthropogenic threats cause due to overgrazing by animals, increased tourism, etc., and hence the plant diversity is at a risk of extinction in the future. Etymology:— The species is named after its type locality Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Taxonomic notes and remarks:— Calamagrostis nandadeviensis is closely allied to C. lahulensis and C. scabrescens, distributed in Himalayan Region and, often similar to C. nagarum (Bor) G. Singh (1984: 94), known only from north-east India (Bor 1960, Kellogg et al. 2020) and two other species known only from China and Myanmar, C. himalaica (Liou ex Chen) Paszko (2015: 142) and C. nyinghchinesis (P. C. Kuo & S. L. Lu) Paszko (2016: 51), which are collectively recognized by similar length of spikelet, more or less scabrid glume and geniculate awns inserted nearly at the middle or above the middle of the dorsal surface of the lemma (Bor 1960, Noltie 2000, Lu & Philips 2006, Paszko 2014). C. nandadeviensis differs from C. lahulensis and C. scabrescens in circumscriptions of habit, leaf blade, ligule, panicle and spikelet (Table 1. Fig. 4.), whereas clearly distinguishable from C. nagarum by having leaf blade 8–15 cm long (vs. 15–30 cm long), ligule 6.1–7.8 mm long (vs. 1–2 mm long) and panicle 7–12 cm long, lanceolate (vs. 12–20 cm long, ovate) (Shukla 1996). However, C. himalaica is recognized by spikelet occasionally bearing 2- florets and awn 4.5–10 mm long, which is conspicuously exerted from spikelet (Paszko 2014) and C. nyinghchinesis by shorter length of anther, that is 0.7–1.1 mm long (Paszko 2016), therefore, C. nandadeviensis is clearly distinct from them. Additional specimens examined:— Calamagrostis nandadeviensis sp. nov. (paratype): INDIA. Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, Manali, on the way to Rohtang pass, near Maharishi Vedvyas temple, 32.359364N, 77.230075E, 3673 m, 5 August 2019, D. Prasad & R. Yadav 316275, (LWG!). Calamagrostis lahulensis: INDIA. Himachal Pradesh: Kullu, Manali, 10 km before Rohtang Pass, 32.35789N, 77.21695E, 3635 m, 5August 2019, D. Prasad & R. Yadav 316250, 326868, (LWG!); Marhi, 32.348869N, 77.223234E, 3372 m, 7 August 2019, D. Prasad & R. Yadav 326811, 326814 (LWG!). Calamagrostis scabrescens: INDIA. Jammu & Kashmir: Kashmir, Sonsal Nullah, Liddar Valley, 3962–4267 m, 31 July 1893, J.D. Hooker 13349, (DD!); Kashmir, Anantnag, Liddar Valley, 3350–3660 m, 22 July 1892, J.D. Hooker 12220 (DD!); Kashmir, Campus of University of Kashmir, 34.051208°N, 74.051208°E, 2662 m, 22 July 2019, S Tripathi, R Yadav & S Jaiswal 316841, (LWG!). Himachal Pradesh: Kullu, Manali, on the way to Marhi, 32.356538N, 77.222545E, 3528 m, 7 August 2019, D. Prasad, R. Yadav 314813, (LWG!). Uttarakhand: Chamoli, Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve, Valley of Flowers National Park, 30.712096N, 79.592776E, 3417 m, 23 August 2019, P. Agnihotri, D. Prasad, R. Yadav & S. Jaiswal 326763, 326762 (LWG!). Table 1. Comparison of morphological characters (states or ranges) of Calamagrostis lahulensis, C. scabrescens and C. nandadeviensis sp. nov., Published as part of Prasad, Dileshwar, Tripathi, Shailja, Jaiswal, Shubham, Yadav, Rekha & Agnihotri, Priyanka, 2021, Calamagrostis nandadeviensis (Poaceae, Agrostidinae), a new grass species from India, pp. 221-228 in Phytotaxa 505 (2) on pages 222-227, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.505.2.8, http://zenodo.org/record/5425451, {"references":["Linnaeus, C. (1753) Species plantarum, vols. 1 - 2. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae, Stockholm, 1200 pp.","Vahl, M. (1791) Symbolae botanicae, sive plantarum, tamearum, quasinitinere, imprimis orientali, collegit Petrus Forskal, quamaliarum, recentius detectarum, exactiores descriptiones, nec non observationes circa quasdam plantas dudum cognitas, Pars Secunda. Hauniae: Impensis Auctoris, excudebant Nicolaus Moller et filius Vol. 2. 105 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 57641","Bisht, M., Sekar, K. C., Kant, R., Ambrish, K., Singh, P. & Arya, D. (2018) Floristic diversity in Valley of Flowers National Park, Indian Himalayas. Phytotaxa 379 (1): 1 - 26. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 379.1.1","Singh, G. (1984) Nomenclatural notes on Asiatic Calamagrostis (Poaceae). Taxon 33: 94 - 95. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 1222039","Bor, N. L. (1960) Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan (excluding Bambuseae). Pergamon Press, London, 767 pp.","Kellogg, E. A., Abbott, J. R., Bawa, K. S., Gandhi, K. N., Kailash, B. R., Ganeshaiah, K. N., Shrestha, U. B. & Raven, P. (2020) Checklist of the grasses of India. PhytoKeys 163: 1 - 560. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / phytokeys. 163.38393","Paszko, B. (2015) The first record of the Sino-Himalayan species Deyeuxia himalaica in the Yunnan Province, SW China, and three new combinations in Calamagrostis (Poaceae, Agrostidinae). Polish Botanical Journal 60 (2): 141 - 145. https: // doi. org / 10.1515 / pbj- 2015 - 0029","Paszko, B. (2016) Calamagrostis nyingchiensis, a new combination for Deyeuxia nyingchiensis (Aoaceae: Agrostidinae), and its first record from Yunnan Province, SW China. Polish Botanical Journal 61 (1): 53 - 57. https: // doi. org / 10.1515 / pbj- 2016 - 0011","Noltie, H. J. (2000) Flora of Bhutan, 3 (2) - The Grasses of Bhutan. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh & Royal Government of Bhutan, Edinburgh, 883 pp.","Paszko, B. (2014) Deyeuxia himalaica (Poaceae, Agrostidinae): taxonomy and its first record from Myanmar. Phytotaxa 156: 285 - 290. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 156.5.4","Shukla, U. (1996) Grasses of North-Eastern India. A scientific publisher, Jodhpur, 404 pp."]}