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Questions: Knowledge of how extreme drought events induce plant dieback and, eventually, plant mortality, may improve our forecasting of ecosystem change according to future climate projections, especially in Mediterranean drylands. In them, shrublands are the main vegetation communities in transition areas from a subhumid to semi-arid climate. This study analyzed differences in plant dieback after an unusual drought in 2014 and identified their main underlying factors in relation to three groups of explanatory variables: water availability, soil properties and vegetation structure attributes. Location: Four Mediterranean shrublands along a climatic gradient in SE Spain. Methods: At each experimental field site, we sampled a pool of vegetation structure characteristics, soil depth and soil surface properties, and we also determined water availability by continuously monitoring soil moisture and the microclimate conditions. Results: The climatic analysis showed that there was an extreme drought event in 2014, which was below the first percentile of the driest years. Under such conditions, vegetation dieback occurred at all the study sites. However, plant dieback differed between sites and plant biotypes. Subshrubs were the main affected biotype, with diebacks close to 60% at the driest sites, and up to 40% dieback for shrubs depending on their vertical development. Relative extractable water and bare soil surface cover were the best explanatory variables of plant community dieback but changed between plant biotypes. Vegetation structure variables related to plant vertical development (leaf area index [LAI], plant height, phytovolume) were significant explanatory variables of plant dieback in shrubs, subshrubs and grasses. Consecutive dry days fitted the best model to explain subshrub dieback. Conclusions: We found that rainfall pattern rather than total annual rainfall was the climatic factor that best determined water availability for plants in Mediterranean drylands. These results also pointed out the relevance of plant structure and soil properties for explaining ecosystem responses to extreme drought. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through Projects HYDROMED (PID2019-111332RB-C21) and INERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22), and through the IMAGINA projects (PROMETEU/2019/110) and (APOSTD20/2019–-7956) from the Generalitat Valenciana and the European Social Fund. AMR was supported by the scholarship FPU-UA (2015) from the University of Alicante.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:34:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 The bark (all tissues outside the cambium) is a morphologically diverse and functionally important part of the stem. Outer bark (periderm) has a protective function, and inner bark (secondary phloem) is involved in the long-distance transport. In savannas, the relationship between bark structure, life form and habitat is controversial. We studied the morphology and anatomy of bark of Melastomataceae species with different habits growing at different sites in the Brazilian Cerrado (a neotropical savanna), from well-drained to temporarily or permanently waterlogged soils. Bark samples were processed by standard anatomical techniques. Regarding the outer bark, the species studied are grouped into two main categories: with a single periderm (with nonstratified or stratified phelem) and with multiple periderms, that is, with a rhytidome. Although a formal test has not been carried out in this work to assess the existence of a correlation between the microscopic structure of the periderm and the habit and growth distribution of plants, there seems to be no correlation for most of the species studied here, except for a subshrub species inhabiting waterlogged soils. Sclerified cells, calcium oxalate crystals, and phenolic content are abundant through the secondary phloem. Microscopic bark features are useful to distinguish species. 2021 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas UFES - Universidade Federal Do Espírito Santo Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Ciência Florestal Solos e Ambiente UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, CP 237 Departamento de Botânica UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências, CP 510 Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Ciência Florestal Solos e Ambiente UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, CP 237 Departamento de Botânica UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências, CP 510

For many species, facilitation can result in transient species coexistence, but subsequent competition can limit long-term coexistence. Adaptive phenotypic variation in response to increased competition following facilitation, however, could be a means of prolonging coexistence, although this hypothesis remains largely unexplored. Resprouting shrubs following fire in Mediterranean heathlands facilitate seedling establishment and growth of subshrub species such as the carnivorous plant Drosophyllum lusitanicum. Nevertheless, shrub canopies interfere with prey capture by established D. lusitanicum plants, potentially reducing fitness with increasing time since fire. At three heathland sites in southwestern Spain, we examined the relationship between stem morphology and shrub canopy cover to determine whether D. lusitanicum exhibited vertical or horizontal elongation to avoid shade or interference with prey capture. We also quantified individual performance responses (e.g., survival, growth, flower production) as a function of stem morphology and size of D. lusitanicum plants and shrub canopy cover. Adult plants of D. lusitanicum showed greater vertical elongation with increasing shrub canopy cover. Small adult plants showed an increased likelihood of flowering with increasing shrub canopy cover. The number of flowers produced by flowering plants decreased with vertical elongation when shrub cover was low. We illustrate how coexistence of foundational shrubs and D. lusitanicum could be maintained by a combination of facilitation of D. lusitanicum seedlings and small adults by shrubs and adaptive changes in stem morphology in established individuals to avoid shrub interference, allowing the replenishment of a fire-regulated, persistent seed bank.

In the mixed C3/C4 grassland of the southern Great Plains, United States, the invasive woody legume, honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), affects grass production and composition differently beneath the canopy (subcanopy) than in spaces between trees (intercanopy) due in part to the dominant presence of C3 Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha) beneath the mesquite canopy and soil enrichment from N-fixation by mesquite. This arrangement, unlike most Prosopis systems worldwide that have C4 grass or C3 subshrub understories, uniquely affects grass production spatially and seasonally during mesquite expansion and possibly after anthropogenic removal of mesquite. We compared herbaceous and soil N responses in subcanopy and intercanopy microsites during the first 2 yr following a root-killing herbicide mesquite treatment. Perennial grass (PGR) and total herbaceous (THB) production were greater in treated than untreated intercanopy and subcanopy microsites at 1-yr post treatment, with Texas wintergrass comprising the largest portion of PGR. In yr 2, PGR production declined in both treated microsites with no differences between treatments. However, THB production remained greater in treated than untreated microsites due mainly to increased annual forb production that supplanted PGR production from yr 1. Increased annual forb production in treated microsites in yr 2 was likely due to high rainfall in the fall of yr 1 that stimulated forb seed germination, increased light from the loss of shading by mesquite, and soil inorganic N that increased from yr 1 to yr 2. Pretreatment spatial heterogeneity of herbaceous composition and soil N, caused by mesquite, affected post-treatment patterns of herbaceous production. The unexpected replacement of PGR by annual forbs in yr 2 revealed that grass forage production following brush control can deviate markedly from predicted models under certain conditions.

In Argentina, the expansion of soybean production has forced the relocation of cattle to marginal sites for agriculture, such as the wetlands of the Parana River floodplain, constituting a threat to the vegetation of these ecosystems. In this context, the aims of this study were (1) to assess the effect of different resting/grazing periods on the composition, richness, diversity and dominance of functional groups of wetlands vegetation assemblages and (2) to analyze the influence of cattle exclusion on these parameters. For these purposes, three wetlands subjected to rotational grazing management included in different paddocks with different resting and grazing periods were selected. Exclosures were established in upland and lowland zones. Samples of vegetation cover were collected in these zones with quadrats of 4m2. Our results demonstrated that vegetation parameters did not differ as grazing and resting time period differed. Both the wetland with short resting/long grazing period as well as the wetland with long resting/short grazing period had lower diversity and richness in comparison with the wetland without cattle grazing. Grazing exclusion favoured the survival of species in upland zones, increasing total richness and diversity and the development of unpalatable non-forage and shrub/subshrub species. Exclosures would be beneficial to the ecological condition of the vegetation of the wetlands, allowing grazing-sensitive species to recover from grazing and trampling.

Most carnivorous plants show a conspicuous separation between flowers and leaf-traps, which has been interpreted as an adaptive response to minimize pollinator-prey conflicts which will reduce fitness. Here, we used the carnivorous subshrub Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Drosophyllaceae) to explore if and how carnivorous plants with minimal physical separation of flower and trap avoid or reduce a likely conflict of pollinator and prey. We carried out an extensive field survey in the Aljibe Mountains, at the European side of the Strait of Gibraltar, of pollinating and prey insects of D. lusitanicum. We also performed a detailed analysis of flower and leaf volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs, respectively) by direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) to ascertain whether this species shows different VOC/SVOC profiles in flowers and leaf-traps that might attract pollinators and prey, respectively. Our results show a low overlap between pollinator and prey groups as well as clear differences in the relative abundance of VOCs and SVOCs between flowers and leaf-traps. Coleopterans and hymenopterans were the most represented groups of floral visitors, whereas dipterans were the most diverse group of prey insects. Regarding VOCs and SVOCs, while aldehydes and carboxylic acids presented higher relative contents in leaf-traps, alkanes and plumbagin were the main VOC/SVOC compounds detected in flowers. We conclude that D. lusitanicum, despite its minimal flower-trap separation, does not seem to present a marked pollinator-prey conflict. Differences in the VOCs and SVOCs produced by flowers and leaf-traps may help explain the conspicuous differences between pollinator and prey guilds.

Global warming has led to changes in rainfall patterns in many regions and it has an increasing impact on the availability of water for plants, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. Seed germination is the most critical stage in the plant life cycle, it determines whether or not the population can successfully establish. Here, we assessed the seed germination characteristics of Seriphidium transiliense under six water potentials and four temperature regimes. S. transiliense seeds could germinate from 5/15°C to 20/30°C, while the optimum temperature regime was 10/20°C. As water potential decreased, the germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, vigour index, plumule length and radicle length increased and then decreased, while mean time to germinate decreased and then increased. The optimum condition for S. transiliense seed germination was -0.2 MPa at 10/20°C. Some seeds that failed to germinate under drought conditions were transferred to distilled water and recovered germination ability.

—Neptunia windleriana, a new polyploid species of the pantropical genus Neptunia, is described and illustrated. This plant is endemic to the state of Bahia, Brazil, and is found in areas of Caatinga near the São Francisco River. Among the species occurring in Brazil, it is most similar to N. plena, a widespread species, by having a gland on the petiole, but it differs mainly by the number of pairs of pinnae and leaflets, shape of the spike in bud, and the size of the peduncles. It is morphologically distinct from all other species of the genus by the combination of prostrate subshrub habit, smaller leaves, shorter petiole and shorter rachis length, few-flowered, globose spikes, 10 stamens, and glabrous ovary. The presence of monocrystals in the bundle sheath cells of the bracts of N. windleriana is recorded here for the first time for the genus, together with the chromosome number (2n = 56 vs. 2n = 28, ∼52, 54, 56, 72, 78 for three other species of the genus occurring in Brazil), it can be also used to identify the species. The epidermis of the stipules, leaflet, and bracts of N. windleriana is uniseriate, with paracytic stomata. The vascular system has collateral arrangement with the vascular bundles covered by a sheath, with or without isolated monocrystals. Our data support earlier hypotheses that Neptunia has a base number of x2 = 14 which seems to be a secondary basic number that originated from an ancestral stock with x1 = 7 and underwent karyotypic evolution by polyploidy. A key to the Brazilian species of Neptunia as well as anatomical, cytogenetic, taxonomic, and geographic distribution data, ilustrations and photos are provided.

The traditional medicine based on medicinal plants in the Kingdom of Arabia Saudia presents a strong relationship belonging to natural remedies, health, diet, and folk healing practice recognized by a specific culture. The aim of the current study is to carry out an ethnobotanical review on medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in the Kingdom of Arabia Saudia including information on plant species, used parts, preparation method as well as medical uses. Earlier published data in journals, textbooks, periodicals, websites, and databases written in pharmacological evidence of Suadi medicinal plants were based on gathering information. The present review work reported that 96 species belonging to 47 families have been used in Saudi Pharmacopeia. Amaranthaceae has the highest number of plant species (7) Followed by Asteraceae, Apocynaceae, and Fabaceae with 5 plant species in each. The inventoried plant species in the current work are frequently used for the treatment of various illnesses and to ensure the medication safety of Saudi people. The biological analysis of plant form used in Saudi natural remedies showed the dominance of herb and subshrub form with a percentage of 43% and 30% respectively. The most used preparation method of plant drugs, which used in Saudi Alternative medicine was decoction and infusion. The whole plant, leaves, seeds, and aerial parts were the most useful plant parts in natural preparation in Saudi traditional medicine with a percentage of 29%, 28%, 7%, and 5% respectively as reported in the present review work. The present review work gives big data about medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including data about plant species, used parts, preparation method as well as medical uses.

This study describes the biomorphology of plants living under variable watering conditions. Its outcome expands the concept of a modular organization as a constructive and representative approach to comparative-morphological analysis and unraveling the ways of biomorph evolution. The structural organization of biomorphs growing in sites composed of gradients of humidification stability (from floodplain meadows to coasts, water cuts, and beaches) is examined on a base of systemic and complementary approaches. Model plant species—Solanum ulcamara, Thalictrum simplex, Lysimachia vulgaris, Lycopus europaeus, Stellaria palustris Persicaria amphibia, and Erysimum cheiranthoides—are studied. It is determined that acceleration in the vegetative and generative spheres entails the appearance of monocarps in the hygrophilic evolutional line. It is shown that the ontogenesis of individuals of seed and vegetative origin is reduced to a single fruiting, and the specificity of the shoot-formation model is preserved in plants of all the considered biotopes. Such a specific sign is identified as the internode elongation in the shoots located in the substrate, in the supersubstrate parts under flooding, in grass rags, or in dense grass under low light. Another sign is a sympodial growth by formation of the replacement shoots. On the model species, it is determined that plant adaptability is supported by the changes in individual structural elements of the monocarpic shoots; the structural and functional zonation of the monocarpic shoots determines the autonomization of the individual’s parts. Our results confirm the idea that the monocarpic shoot and the system formed on its basis belong to the category of axes of an herbaceous plant as part of an architectural unit (in terms of D. Barthelemy and Y. Caraglio). Our data make it possible to conclude that reservoir settlement with flowering plants is possible for long-shoot long-rhizome grasses and subshrub vines. Two evolutional directions are possible: (1) the emergence of monocarpic annuals and (2) the emergence of short-lived and annual plants of vegetative origin associated with the formation of acentric and clearly polycentric stolon-forming and root-shoot biomorphs.

Thottea aroangensis T.A. Le, D. Dien & Tagane (Aristolochiaceae) is described based on the specimen collected from the A Roang commune, A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province, central Vietnam. This species is characterized by subshrub habit 70–90 cm tall, inflorescence at base of stem close to ground level, campanulate and obscurely lobed perianth ca. 2.6 cm long, inside of perianth tube with creamy white patches, and 20 stamens in 2 whorls, by which combination it is clearly distinguished from the other species of Thottea in Vietnam and its surrounding countries. Morphological descriptions, photographs, a distribution map, vernacular name, and preliminary conservation status are provided for T. aroangensis.

—A new species of Bernardia with stellate trichomes from the Brazilian Cerrado is described and illustrated. Bernardia allemii is most similar to B. gardneri, but differs by its multi-stemmed, subshrub habit, broader leaf blades, tomentose old branches, staminate bracteoles that are usually reniform to flabellate, and larger sepals and bracts in the pistillate flowers. Photographs, a distribution map, information about the conservation status of the new species, and a key to the species with stellate trichomes in Brazil are also provided.

On the basis of biomorphological analysis of Solanum dulcamara, four ecobiomorphs of this plant are identified and described. They are a semi-woody vine, a subshrub with ascending shoots, a root sucker subshrub, and short-lived plants of vegetative origin. The structural units of individual plants, the sympodial shoot axes, are characterized by three variants of shoots: monocarpic renewals and sylleptic, vegetative sylleptic shoots with an incomplete cycle of development. The structural and functional organization of shoots and the development of sympodial axes in different ecobiomorphs, ensuring the ecological plasticity of S. dulcamara, are described.

Rangelands comprise a large component of the terrestrial land surface and provide critical ecosystem services, but they are degrading rapidly. Long-term rangeland monitoring with detailed, nonsubjective, quantitative observations can be expensive and difficult to maintain over time. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide an alternative means to gather unbiased and consistent datasets with similar details to field-based monitoring data. Comparing summer 2017 UAV images with long-term plot measurements, we demonstrate that rangeland vegetation cover changes can be accurately quantified and estimate an increase in total absolute shrub/subshrub cover from 34% in 1935 to > 80% in 2017 in central Arizona. We recommend UAV image-based rangeland monitoring for land managers interested in a few specific and dominant species, such as the foundation species, indicator species, or invasive species that require targeted monitoring. Land managers can identify and continuously monitor trends in rangeland condition, health, and degradation related to specific land use policies and management strategies.

—A new species of Erythroxylum (Erythroxylum niziae) from west-central Brazil is presented here. Descriptions, illustrations, a map of geographic distribution, and morphological comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided. The novelty differs from its congeners by its subshrub habit 12 to 16 cm in height, firmly chartaceous to coriaceous leaves (8.8‐12.7 × 4.3‐7.9 cm), and single flowers produced per node along the distal portion of the main branch. A key is provided to differentiate the new species from others occurring in Parque Nacional de Brasília.

Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke is a subshrub of the Malvaceae family with various medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antibacteria...

Global warming and changes in precipitation patterns can critically influence the structure and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We conducted two independent but complementary experiments (one with warming and precipitation manipulation (+ or – 30%) and another with selective plant removal) in a semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau, northwestern China, to assess how warming and altered precipitation affect plant community. Our results showed that warming and altered precipitation affected community aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) through impacting soil moisture. Results of the removal experiment showed competitive relationships among dominant grasses, the dominant subshrub and nondominant species, which played a more important role than soil moisture in the response of plant community to warming and altered precipitation. Precipitation addition intensified the competition but primarily benefited the dominant subshrub. Warming and precipitation reduction enhanced water stresses but increased ANPP of the dominant subshrub and grasses, indicating that plant tolerance to drought critically meditated the community responses. These findings suggest that specie competitivity for water resources as well as tolerance to environmental stresses may dominate the responses of plant communities on the Loess Plateaus to future climate change factors.

Water sources used for plant identification coupled with stable isotopes are essential to improving the understanding of eco-hydrological processes and ecological management in water-limited ecosystems. Many approaches associated with stable isotopes have been used to determine plant water source apportionment. However, inter-comparisons of different methods are still limited, especially for Bayesian mixing models. In this study, we tested linear mixing models (IsoSource) and Bayesian models (SIAR, MixSIR and MixSIAR) to identify sources of water absorbed by Vitex negundo and Sophora viciifolia (shrubs) and Artemisia gmelinii (subshrub) during the growing season in the semiarid Loess Plateau. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the predicted plant water source fractions using only stable hydrogen isotope (δ2H) and only stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) with the IsoSource model. No significant difference was found in plant water source apportionment by the three Bayesian mixing models combined with δ2H and δ18O except for individual months. The SIAR and MixSIAR models detected no pronounced seasonal variations in plant water uptake, while the MixSIR model did detect seasonal variations. Overall, the SIAR and MixSIAR models exhibited relatively better water source apportionment performances than that of the MixSIR model. This discrepancy may be attributed to the difference in the post distribution simulation algorithm. This study provides critical insights into choosing a suitable method for identifying plant water source apportionment in arid and semiarid regions.

Sinningia reitzii (Hoehne) L. E. Skog (Gesneriaceae) is a subshrub native to Brazil, where it is distributed in two disjunctive populations around the 26°S and 23°S parallels. In this work, tubers of plants from the wild population growing at the 26°S parallel (Santa Catarina state) yielded two new naphthoquinones, 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-a-dunnione and 8-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxya-dunnione. Three known compounds were also isolated: 6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-a-dunnione, 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-adunnione, and 6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2-O-methyldunniol. The naphthoquinones 6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2-O-methyldunniol, 6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-a-dunnione, and 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-a-dunnione displayed antioxidant activity in the ORAC-FL method, with values of relative trolox equivalent in the range of 1.39-4.83 mmol g-1.

The structure of 24 species of Thymus and 12 species of Scutellaria was studied using the architectural approach. For the first time, an architectural unit was described, it is a branched sympodial axis. The architectural unit consists of sympodial axes n+1 order, formation shoots, branching shoots, ephemerous shoots. The wide distribution of species and development of species in contrasting habitat conditions is due to the diversity of sympodial axes and shoots that are part of the architectural unit. Depending on the type of branching and the spatial position of sympodial axes, six modifications of architectural unit were identified. It is established that the structure of mature individuals are formed due to the repetition one of the same modification of architectural unit or a combination different modifications of architectural unit. Each of the variants of the combination determines the type of life form (dwarf shrub or dwarf subshrub) and biomorph (monocentric, dense polycentric, sparse polycentric) and depends on the conditions of the ecotope. The identified modifications of the architectural unit and the variants of their combination determine the strategy for the development of dwarf shrubs and dwarf subshrubs in the development of Northern and Central Asia.

Seed dormancy is a trait that has evolved to maximize germination when environmental conditions are optimal for successful recruitment of new individuals into a population. Physical dormancy is one such trait common in legumes and release from this condition is often associated with disturbance events, such as fire. Changes to the specific conditions (e.g., climate, fire regimes) that release seeds from dormancy can have negative effects on populations, especially of rare species. Therefore, understanding the species-specific requirements needed to release seeds from dormancy and induce germination provides insight into ecological processes, effects of changing environmental conditions, and potential conservation actions. Amorpha georgiana (Fabaceae) is a rare subshrub with indehiscent fruits (pods) found in fire-maintained longleaf pine habitats in the southeastern United States. The germination ecology of this species is largely unknown. The goals of this study were to determine the presence of physically dormant seed in A. georgiana and then, through a series of laboratory-based experiments, resolve the fire related factors that effectively overcome dormancy and promote germination. The seeds of A. georgiana exhibit physical dormancy and show significantly higher germination after brief exposure to hot water (94 °C) compared to all other temperatures and treatments assessed. Regardless of treatment, seeds have low germination when retained in their pods, but the pod is not the cause of physical dormancy. We found enclosure within an indehiscent pod and exposure to pyrogenic temperatures (> 80 °C) both affect dormancy release and germination of A. georgiana. The 3.5-fold increase in germination at pyrogenic temperatures suggests the response is highly fire-adapted and fits the definition of obligate pyrogenic dormancy release. While season of fire exposure was not significant in our study, we did find consistent negative effects on the germination response. Our results suggest pulses of heat from periodic growing season fires are likely necessary to promote recruitment and maintain populations of this rare species.

Convergence is commonly caused by environmental filtering, severe climatic conditions and local disturbance. The basic aim of the present study was to understand the pattern of leaf traits across diverse desert plant species in a common garden, in addition to determining the effect of plant life forms (PLF), such as herb, shrub and subshrub, phylogeny and soil properties on leaf traits. Six leaf traits, namely carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), &delta, 13C and leaf water potential (LWP) of 37 dominant desert plant species were investigated and analyzed. The C, N, K and &delta, 13C concentrations in leaves of shrubs were found higher than herbs and subshrubs, however, P and LWP levels were higher in the leaves of subshrubs following herbs and shrubs. Moreover, leaf C showed a significant positive correlation with N and a negative correlation with &delta, 13C. Leaf N exhibited a positive correlation with P. The relationship between soil and plant macro-elements was found generally insignificant but soil C and N exhibited a significant positive correlation with leaf P. Taxonomy showed a stronger effect on leaf C, N, P and &delta, 13C than soil properties, explaining &gt, 50% of the total variability. C3 plants showed higher leaf C, N, P, K and LWP concentration than C4 plants, whereas C4 plants had higher &delta, 13C than C3 plants. Legumes exhibited higher leaf C, N, K and LWP than nonlegumes, while nonlegumes had higher P and &delta, 13C concentration than legumes. In all the species, significant phylogenetic signals (PS) were detected for C and N and nonsignificant PS for the rest of the leaf traits. In addition, these phylogenetic signals were found lower (K-value &lt, 1), and the maximum K-value was noted for C (K = 0.35). The plants of common garden evolved and adapted themselves for their survival in the arid environment and showed convergent variations in their leaf traits. However, these variations were not phylogenetics-specific. Furthermore, marks of convergence found in leaf traits of the study area were most likely due to the environmental factors.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:08:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-07-01 G-fibers have been widely studied in tension wood, but few studies are available on aerial and underground organs of shrub and subshrub, specially comparing those organs of the same plant. The goal of this study is to compare the general pattern of G-fibers distribution, and the structure and histochemistry of G-fibers walls between aerial and underground organs in 19 Eriosema taxa occurring in the tropical savanna, locally called cerrado. The samples were processed according to standard techniques in plant anatomy and histochemistry. G-fibers occurred throughout the vegetative body and were exclusively extraxylary in organs with primary growth and extraxylary and xylary in organs with incipient secondary growth. G-fibers were more abundant and had a thicker G-layer in the underground organs. In all the organs analyzed, the G-fibers were identified by the presence of a non-lignified internal translucent layer (G-layer) sometimes occupying the entire lumen of the fiber. The abundance and wide occurrence of G-fibers in the vegetative axis of Eriosema plants may represent an adaptive mechanism and may explain why plants that belong to this genus are able to survive in adverse Cerrado conditions. We suggest that the conditions of the Cerrado environment may stimulate the differentiation of gelatinous fibers in these plants. In addition, the ecophysiological significance of the G-fibers, we emphasize their taxonomic value as a unifying character of the Eriosema genus. UNESP – São Paulo State University IBB – Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (Botany) UNESP – São Paulo State University IBB – Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Department of Botany, PO Box 510 UNESP – São Paulo State University IBB – Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (Botany) UNESP – São Paulo State University IBB – Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Department of Botany, PO Box 510

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:24:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-04-01 Ruellia capotyra is described as a new species of Acanthaceae from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, occurring in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. This species was discovered during fieldwork in a natural forested area, and further details regarding its ecology and broader geographical distribution were clarified through the study of existing herbarium collections. Ruellia capotyra is a subshrub characterized by long-petiolate leaves, long-pedunculate, axillary, and compound dichasia, and rose-colored, long, and curved corollas. It differs from other species of Ruellia by its quadrangular, glabrescent branches and rachises, the absence of bracteoles, calyces with subulate, unequal lobes, and sparse, long-glandular trichomes. The new species is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and comments regarding its geographical distribution, phenology, and taxonomy are presented. Ruellia capotyra is compared with other species previously described in the genus and its infrageneric position is discussed. One of these species is Ruellia subsessilis, for which a lectotype is here designated and its authority corrected. An informal IUCN conservation assessment of the new species indicated that it should be considered as a threatened species, further highlighting the conservation significance of the Atlantic Forest as a whole. Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Departamento de Botânica, BR-465, km 7 Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências, Av. 24 A, 1515 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Natural History University of Colorado UCB 334 Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências, Av. 24 A, 1515

Thymus jenisseensis is endemic to Southern Siberia. The structure of Thymus jenisseensis were studied with the use of an architectural approach. The architectural unit consist of branched compound skeletal axis of the 1st and 2nd order, and is repeated many times in the structure of adults. As a result of studying the architectural units of individuals growing in different sites of a coenopopulation, in the upper border of the forest belt (Tsagan-Shibetu, Republic of Tuva), differences were identified. An architectural unit consisting of branched orthotropic or ascending basisympodially accreting compound skeletal axes develops on a site of a dry riverbed; an architectural unit consisting of branched orthotropic or ascending acrosympodially accreting compound skeletal axes develops on a site of high-altitude steppe on a plain. The diversity of compound skeletal axes in the structure of architectural units contributes to the formation of two biomorphs (dwarf subshrub and dwarf shrub), changes in the vitality and duration of development of T. jenisseensis individuals. The identified features of architecture are morphological mechanisms of adaptation of the species to living conditions.

The development of individuals of the endemic Scutellaria mongolica in the shrubbed meadow steppe and steppe meadow in the Kemerovo region was studied. It was established that the species forms an implicit polycentric dwarf subshrub life form with xylorhizomes. In adulthood, individuals form a clump, which includes three variants of xylorhizomes, differing in the time of occurrence, the origin and type of formation shoots. In the young generative state, epigeogenic xylorhisomes of two variants develop, and in the mature generative state, hypo-epigeogenic xylorhisomes develop. In different habitats, multivariance of the development of adult individuals is observed. On a plain habitats in a steppe meadow, xylorhizomes branch in the third year, they are short, very thickened, and their life expectancy reaches 16 years. On the steep slopes in the shrubbed meadow steppe, xylorhizomes branch in the first year of their occurrence, they are long, slightly thickened, and their life expectancy is from 4 to 8 years. It was shown that the difference in the formation of xylorhisomes is one of the mechanisms for the sustainable existence of the species in different ecologo-phytocenotic conditions.

The results are obtained which expand understanding of the semi-woody plant structure. Ontomorphogenesis and life form of Ziziphora interrupta Juz., growing in Tajikistan, were studied. It was established that the ontogenesis of individuals is simple, incomplete, its duration is at least 14-16 years. The multivariance of ontogenesis is revealed, expressed in the rates of development and omissions of ontogenetic states. The description of the formation shoot showed that the individual is characterized by a basisympodial growth and the formation of the life form of a dwarf subshrub.

The paper demonstrates S. dulcamara ecobiomorphs: a long rhizome semi-woody liana (LSL), a long rhizome subshrub with ascending shoots (LSAS), a root sucker subshrub and a shortlived plants of vegetative origin; and ontobiomorphs: a taproot upright subshrub (TUS), a subshrub with a mixed root system (SMRS), LSL, and LSAS. Possible stages and modes are suggested of Solanum biomorph transformation: 1. TUS, as a result of prolongation on the shoot (adventitious roots) and shoot system level (two or more replacement shoots), deviations on individual plant level (shoot lodging), transforms into SMRS; 2. SMRS, through the plant’s ontogenesis abbreviation (fragmentation), prolongation (epigeogenum rhizome), and deviation (stem twisting), transforms into LSL. Further LSL habit transformations can occur in xerophylous and hygrophylous biomorph evolution lines. On dry soil, as a result of prolongation (adventitious buds on roots), a root sucker subshrub appears. A hygrophyle line is possible in case of prolongations on the shoot level (metamere number increase within a shoot, dicyclic shoots), of the individual plant abbreviations (shortened life-time of sympodial axes, early fragmentation) and end with a short-lived plants of vegetative origin. Possibly, mien changes in S. dulcamara ontogenesis show possible stages in Solanum life forms transformation, from tree forms to LSL.

Exclusion of large grazers from rangelands that evolved with significant grazing pressure can alter natural processes and may have legacy effects by changing magnitude or direction of community responses to subsequent disturbance. Three moderately grazed pastures were paired with 12-ha areas with 15 yr of livestock exclusion. Six treatments were assigned to each in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of fire (fall fire or no fire) and grazing utilization (0%, 50%, or 75% biomass removal) to determine grazing history effects on rangeland response to subsequent disturbance. Livestock exclusion increased C3 perennial grass (1 232 vs. 980 ± 50 kg ⋅ ha-1) and forbs (173 vs. 62 ± 19 kg ⋅ ha-1) and reduced C4 perennial grass (36 vs. 180 ± 25 kg ⋅ ha-1) with no effect on total current-year biomass. Diversity was greater in pastures than exclosures (H’ = 1.5400 vs. 1.3823 ± 0.0431). Every biomass, cover, and diversity measure, except subshrub biomass, was affected by fire, grazing utilization, or both. Contrary to expectations, grazing history only interacted with fire effects for old standing dead material and interactions with grazing utilization were limited to old dead, bare ground, richness and dominance. Fire by grazing utilization interaction was limited to bare ground. Fire reduced annual grass (64 vs. 137 ± 29 kg ⋅ ha-1), forbs (84 vs. 133 ± 29 kg ⋅ ha-1), and diversity (H’ = 1.3260 vs. 1.5005 ± 0.0537) with no difference in total current-year biomass (1 557 vs. 1 594 ± 66 kg ⋅ ha-1). Grazing to 75% utilization reduced total current-year biomass (1 467 vs. 1 656 ± 66 kg ⋅ ha-1) and dominance (0.4824 vs. 0.5584 ± 0.0279). Grazing history affected starting points for most variables, but changes caused by grazing utilization or fire were similar between pastures and exclosures, indicating management decisions can be made based on independent knowledge of grazing or fire effects.

The variety of life forms and the structure of individuals and ontomorphogenesis of T. extremus, T. indigirkensis, T. brevipetiolatus, and T. pavlovii under the conditions of Yakutia have been studied. It has been established that the formation of two life forms and three types of biomorphs is characteristic for the species: a monocentric vegetatively immobile dwarf subshrub (T. extremus), an implicitly polycentric vegetatively semimobile dwarf subshrub and dwarf shrub (T. indigirkensis and T. brevipetiolatus respectively), and an obviously polycentric vegetatively mobile dwarf subshrub (T. pavlovii). The basis of the adult shrub is a monopodially sympodially growing compound skeletal axis which differs in individuals of Thymus by the method of growth and position in space. An analysis of the development of species in Yakutia allowed us to identify common and specific features. Common features for the species are the predominance of the dwarf subshrub living form and its morphological plasticity, a small variety and shortening of the morphogenesis phases, a shallow rejuvenation of the ramets, a prolonged monopodial growth of shoots (up to 10 years), and the predominance of rosette shoots in the structure of the individual. Differences are revealed depending on the conditions of specific habitats of species. When T. extremus grows on a flat surface and high sludge, a dense primary shrub is formed. In the free areas of the substrate with stepwise depressions of the microrelief, the primary shrub T. extremus is loose. In T. brevipetiolatus, which grows in the steppe on the hillside, the structure of the individual is formed only by rosette shoots, their prolonged monopodial growth is maintained due to the preservation (for 1–2 years) of dry leaves. For T. pavlovii growing on a mossy substrate, this is the characteristic lodging of shoots, their intensive rooting and strengthening of vegetative mobility, and a reduction in the duration of ontogenesis of individuals due to the rapid decay of maternal structures. The revealed features of Thymus development are the mechanisms of morphological adaptation, which provide species survival in different environmental conditions of Yakutia.

Usable space for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) has declined significantly over the past 3 decades in Texas because non-native grasses have replaced native vegetation. We hypothesized that burning patches in pastures dominated by buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) and Old World bluestems (Bothriochloa spp. and Dichanthium spp.) followed by livestock grazing would increase limiting habitat attributes, thereby increasing usable space and bobwhite demographic parameters and population densities. Our study was conducted during 2009–2011 in LaSalle County, Texas on a ranch dominated by non-native grasses. Our experimental design was composed of 2 blocks with two 240-ha pastures, one control (graze only), and one treatment (patch-burn and graze) in each. We estimated grass standing crop in grazing exclosures (June–September) and habitat attributes along transects (October) 2009–2011. Bobwhites were captured and monitored via radiotelemetry 2–3 times/wk during March–November. Means of vegetation metrics important to bobwhites such as bare ground, traversibility, and forb and subshrub cover were similar between control and treatment units in post-treatment years. However, grass standing crop tended to be lower in treatment (June and August 2010 and September 2011–110.5 ± 26.2 g/m2) compared with control units (June and August 2010 and September 2011–145.5 ± 58.6 g/m2). Plant species richness was also greater (21%) in treatment (4.6 ± 0.4/0.1 m2) compared with control units (3.8 ± 0.4/0.1 m2) during the last year of the study (P ≥ 0.057). Patch heterogeneity was increased in treatment units. There was an increase in bobwhite densities in treatment units, although demographic metrics remained similar between treatment and controls. Patch burning and grazing is a viable tool for managing monotypic non-native grasslands for bobwhites in semiarid environments.

Beryllium-7 (7Be), as a potentially powerful tracer, was widely used to document soil redistribution and identify sediment sources in recent decades, but the quantity and distribution of 7Be in vegetation, soil, sediment and runoff on the Loess Plateau have not been fully described. In this study, we measured 7Be in vegetation, soil, sediment and runoff on the northern Loess Plateau of China and analyzed its variations during the rainy season to assess the potential of the 7Be method for documenting soil redistribution and identifying sediment sources in a wide range of environments. The results indicated that vegetation, soil, and sediment samples showed higher levels and larger variations of 7Be activities during the rainy season. The drying plants showed 7Be mass activity that was more than three times higher than that of living and semi-decomposed plants. 7Be mass activity in plants and sediment was much higher than in the soil. 7Be activity in runoff water with a few submicron suspended particles varied slightly and was far lower than in plant, soil and sediment samples. The cumulative precipitation generally determined 7Be inventory held by plants and soil. An inverse relationship was found between the 7Be mass activity in sediment and the sediment amount. Globally, approximate 30% of the total 7Be was held by plants in both the herbaceous and subshrub plots. Approximate 10% of the total 7Be was lost with sediment from the bare plot. A very small proportion of 7Be (1.18%-3.20%) was lost with runoff, and the vast majority of 7Be was retained in the slope soil at the end of rainy season. Vegetation cover and soil erosion significantly affected the spatial distribution and variations of the 7Be inventory in soil, providing a necessary condition for the development of a 7Be method to document soil erosion on slopes with vegetation.

Seriphidium transiliense, or subshrub sagebrush, is one of the most important forage resources for livestock in many arid lands, but such resources have been threatened by overgrazing for a long time. A 2013 vegetation survey of an original sagebrush rangeland (2400 ha) in the Tianshan Mountains revealed that nearly half of the area once under sagebrush has been replaced by annual species. This is due to the continual and rapid increase in livestock numbers over the past 30 years. Three smaller sites with different grazing scenarios: no grazing (Site N), a decline (Site 1), and an increase (Site 2) in livestock numbers, were selected to monitor recent changes (from 2004 to 2013) in vegetation biomass and the degree of dominance by sagebrush. Supplanting happened at Site 2 but little occurred at Site 1. There were significant differences between Site 2 and Site 1 in standing biomass in Spring and Summer, but no significant differences in Summer between Site 1 and Site N. The supplanting of sagebrus...

This paper examines changes in broom snakeweed populations (Gutierrezia sarothrae [Pursh] Britt. & Rusby) from 1979 to 2014 at three prairie grassland sites in New Mexico. Data gathered each fall were used to study broom snakeweed population dynamics and to estimate the probability that the relatively short-lived subshrub will die off or invade blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K. Lag]) rangelands. Annual broom snakeweed standing crop data were used to categorize populations as None (

Shrub encroachment has been a key phenomenon in arid and semi-arid grasslands over the last century. However, little research has been dedicated to vegetation dynamics in the abandoned croplands, which are surrounded by shrub-encroached grasslands. In this study, several abandoned croplands in Ruanliang and Yingliang in the Ordos Plateau were selected, and the biomass, coverage, density, root pattern, and plant litter dynamics were studied. The results showed that: (1) The abandoned croplands in Ruanliang experienced three community types, including weeds community, the subshrub Artemisia ordosica community, and the perennial grass community, while the abandoned croplands in Yingliang experienced three community types, including weeds community, perennial Stipa bungeana with Artemisia frigida community, and S. bungeana community. (2) The important value for the annual or biennial grass in abandoned croplands in Ruanliang declined during the restoration process, for the perennial grass it increased, and for the subshrub it first increased and then went down to zero. In Yingliang abandoned croplands, however, the perennial grass remained dominant during the succession process. (3) The root of A. ordosica in Ruanliang abandoned croplands was mainly distributed in soil depths of 0–30 cm; the root of the perennial grass was mainly in the 0–20 cm range, and S. bungeana was found at soil depths of 0–5 cm. To restore to a natural vegetation state, about 20 years would be needed to recover the total biomass, and 10 years would be needed to restore the vegetation coverage in Ruanliang abandoned croplands. For Yingliang abandoned croplands, about 15 and 20 years would be needed to restore the total biomass and vegetation coverage, respectively, to a state of natural vegetation.

Non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV) is a vital component of terrestrial ecosystems and an important indicator of grassland degradation, therefore, it is of great significance to realize its accurate evaluation. Here, we analyzed spectral characteristics of NPV of different biomass types in undisturbed vegetation (herb, subshrub and shrub), and established relationship models among dead fuel index (DFI), cellulose absorption index (CAI) and fractional cover of NPV (fNPV) based on ground hyperspectral data; then, fNPV of four grassland types were evaluated based on the models. Our results showed that: (1) NPV reflectance exhibited similar change trends for herb, subshrub, shrub, and a mixed type, although there were significant differences among values, (2) DFI and CAI, CAI and fNPV, DFI and fNPV were significantly positively correlated (p

In terms of life form Salsola orientalis S.G. Gmel. is a semi-shrub; its height reaches 40–60 cm; in terms of ecology, it is a haloxerophyte, extremely resistant to salt stress, air, and soil droughts. Salsola orientalis is a highly nutritious forage plant containing up to 20% protein in the budding phase. High resistance to environmental stress and good forage value allow us to consider it as a promising plant – its introduction into culture allowed restoring the forage productivity of degraded pastures in the Central Asian desert. The features of growth and development of Salsola orientalis were studied for ecological and biological characteristics and the possibility of introducing it into culture. It was found that the laboratory germination of seeds of the wild-growing half-shrub Salsola orientalis was quite high – 20–60%; field germination was very low – 0.1–1.7%. The survival rate of seedlings in young plants depends on environmental conditions and plant density. Under conditions of the Central Asian desert the plants basically die in the first year, especially in the germination phase; in the second year we registered insignificant losses; in subsequent years the number of plants stabilized. Salsola orientalis was found to be a fast growing plant, forming a normal half-shrub in the first year of life. The high ecological stability of Salsola orientalis in combination with its deeply penetrating and powerfully developed root system ensures vigorous and rapid growth. Under conditions of the Central Asian desert Salsola orientalis yields 1.3–1.7 t/ha of dry fodder mass, which is 4–5 times higher than the fodder productivity of natural desert pastures.

Over the past 10 million years, tropical savanna environments have selected for small growth forms within woody plant lineages. The result has been the evolution of subshrubs (geoxyles), presumably as an adaptation to frequent fire. To evaluate the traits associated with the shift from tree to subshrub growth forms, we compared seed biomass, germination, survival, resprouting, biomass allocation, and photosynthesis between congeneric trees and subshrubs, and quantified phylogenetic conservatism. Despite large differences in adult morphology between trees and subshrub species, the differences are modest in seedlings, and most of the variation in traits was explained by genus, indicating considerable phylogenic conservatism. Regardless, tree seedlings invested more heavily in aboveground growth, compared to subshrubs, which is consistent with the adult strategy of savanna trees, which depend on a large resistant-fire stem. Subshrub seedlings also invest in greater non-structural carbohydrate reserves, likely as an adaptation to the high fire frequencies typical of tropical savannas. The modest differences as seedlings suggest that selective pressures during early development may not have contributed substantially to the evolution of the subshrub growth form and that the distinct allocation and life history must arise later in life. This is consistent with the interpretation that the subshrub growth form arose as a life-history strategy in which maturity is reached at a small stem size, allowing them to reproduce despite repeated fire-induced topkill. The convergent evolution of subshrubs within multiple tree lineages reaffirms the importance of fire in the origin and diversification of the flora of mesic savannas.

The taxonomy of Lactuca triquetra, a scoparious subshrub of localized distribution and uncertain generic placement, is assessed. The taxon was described in the early 19th century from Lebanon and more than 100 years later also discovered on Cyprus. Referring to new molecular phylogenetic results published elsewhere, morphological characters, in particular of the achenes, are reconsidered. It is inferred from the available evidence that the diploid species represents an orphan lineage, which diverged from its ancestors already in the Middle Miocene, when the Cichorieae subtribes Crepidinae and Lactucinae started diversifying. Both molecular and morphological data indicate that the species holds a position mediating between both subtribes. The taxonomic conclusion is drawn to place the species in a new genus of its own, Astartoseris. The taxon is illustrated and a comprehensive description, distribution map and brief ecological characterization are provided. Its threat status in both countries is ...

Species occurrence is subjected to the particular ecological constraints of each site where species that can become dominant exert strong influence on community structure and functioning. Given the harsh environmental conditions in alpine areas and the low number of woody species able to support them, we wanted to study the effect of the main abiotic (environmental conditions related to topographical situation and bedrock type) and biotic (functional type of the dominant species) factors on functional structure and processes of alpine subshrub communities. In 24 study sites, we collected aboveground biomass and raw litter. Biomass was sorted into functional groups (shrubs, graminoids, forbs, bryophytes, lichens), which, in turn, were separated into photosynthetic and structural compartments. We characterized community structure in terms of biomass allocation of functional groups, estimated leaf primary production and litter persistence, and performed analyses of variance for each of the factors considered. Our results showed that community structure is driven mainly by the functional type of the dominant species, although abiotic factors are also relevant. Production depends on abiotic conditions. It is constrained by low temperatures in northern exposures and by low water availability in permeable bedrock types. Litter decomposition depends on environmental conditions and the dominant species characteristics. It is limited by dry conditions in southern slopes and by the thick and N-poor leaves of evergreen subshrubs. In summary, the few alpine woody species able to build specific communities in the Pyrenees grow in particular topographical situations, where they become crucial drivers of ecosystem structure and functioning.

It has been proposed in separate studies that fire or frost were the critical selective agents in the evolution of subshrub geoxyles (SGs) in African subtropical grasslands. We attempt to resolve this controversy by examining the evolution of SGs among the entire genus Protea that is widespread throughout southern/central Africa. We show that SGs are not confined to grasslands but occur in a wide range of non-forest vegetation types, including mediterranean shrublands. SG proteas arose 1–11 million years ago but their multiple origins among other geoxyles, confounded by strong intraspecific variability among grassland species, makes it impossible to identify the ancestral growth form. We conclude that the evolutionary history of SG proteas has occurred under lightning-prone conditions that promoted fire and were essentially frost-free; exposure to frost has been limited to certain elevated locations in more recent times. This is supported by many SGs having pyrogenic flowering and lack of seed storage among grassland species., This work was supported by the Australian Research Council (DP120103389 and DP130013029).

Aims Fires play a crucial role mediating species interactions in the Mediterranean Basin, with one prominent example being the nursing effect of post-fire resprouting shrubs on tree recruits, which then outcompete their benefactors throughout succession. Yet, the community structuring role of resprouting shrubs as potential facilitators of post-fire recruiting subshrub species, which are commonly outcompeted in late post-fire stages, has been overlooked. The aims of this work were to investigate (i) whether proximity to resprouting shrubs increased the demographic performance of a fire-adapted carnivorous subshrub and (ii) whether mature shrubs negatively affected the performance of established plants through interference with prey capture. Methods To evaluate the facilitative effects of resprouting shrubs, we sowed seeds of Drosophyllum lusitanicum, a carnivorous, seeder pyrophyte, into two microhabitats in recently burned heathland patches defined by proximity to resprouting shrubs. We monitored key demographic rates of emerged seedlings for 2 years. To test for competitive effects of shrubs on plant performance at a later habitat regeneration stage, we placed greenhouse-reared, potted plants into distinct microhabitats in neighboring burned and unburned heathland patches and monitored prey capture. Both experiments were performed in the Aljibe Mountains at the Northern Strait of Gibraltar and were replicated in 2 years. Important Findings Resprouting shrubs significantly improved survival, juvenile size and flowering probability compared with open microhabitats, and had no significantly negative effects on the growth of recruits. Prey capture was significantly lower in unburned heathland patches compared with burned ones, thus partly explaining the decrease in survival of Drosophyllum individuals in mature heathlands. However, microhabitat did not affect prey capture. Our findings suggest that not only periodic fires, removing biomass in mature stands, but also resprouting neighbors, increasing establishment success after fire, may be important for the viability of early successional pyrophytes.