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Herein, we explored the ecologic niches of generalist and specialist species within the subalpine vegetation zone, a habitat of Abies sp. distributed throughout South Korea and China. We included Abies sp. habitats in inland areas of South Korea and parts of the Manchurian region of China. Rhododendron schlippenbachii Maxim., Acer pseudosieboldianum (Pax) Kom., Picea jezoensis (Siebold & Zucc.) Carrière, Betula ermanii Cham., Acer komarovii Pojark., Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., Betula davurica Pall., Betula costata Trautv., Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb, and Sorbus commixta Hedl. were selected as generalist species. Betula chinensis Maxim., Betula platyphylla var. japonica (Miq.) H. Hara, Euonymus pauciflorus Maxim., Salix maximowiczii Kom., Cornus walteri F.T. Wangerin, Carpinus laxiflora (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume, Populus davidiana Dode, Philadelphus tenuifolius Rupr. & Maxim., Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don ex G. Don, and Larix olgensis var. koreana (Nakai) Nakai were selected as specialist species. NMS ordination analysis showed that specialist, generalist, and other plant species distribution correlated with basal area at breast height, stand density, and species diversity index. Generalist species could be grouped based on Quercus sp., Betula sp., and Acer sp. niche spaces. Specialist species shared ecological niches with plant species found in the limestone zone, sedimentary rock zone, and valley area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions The Northern Hemisphere harbours the greatest diversity of temperate plants on Earth, with East Asia having the highest species richness compared with North America and Europe. When and how this uneven diversification pattern emerged remains unclear. Here, we use a conifer genus that forms extensive forests in the Northern Hemisphere to explore a fundamental question in ecology and evolution: what processes underlie temperate biodiversity through time and space?The Northern Hemisphere.Abies.To reconstruct a well‐supported framework for estimating diversification rate, we performed phylogenetic analyses using concatenation and coalescent methods based on 58 fir taxa and 56 nuclear single‐copy genes. Niche evolution was explored using species occurrence data and environmental factors based on the l1ou model. Multiple regression was carried out to identify correlations between species richness and environmental variables at global and regional scales, to evaluate factors of species diversity preference, and potentially to explain the evolutionary history of firs.We identified East Asia as having the highest species diversity and speciation rate. Two clade‐specific niche shifts corresponding with the distribution of firs were detected, one in the Himalaya‐Hengduan Mountains (c. 12.2 Ma) and the other in the Mexican highlands (c. 14.3 Ma), but none in the Euro‐Mediterranean region. Fir species richness increased with cool temperatures both globally and regionally. Seasonal precipitation showed significant positive correlation to species richness on a global scale and in North America and the Euro‐Mediterranean region. Soil factors showed significant trends and moderate correlations with species richness in the Himalaya‐Hengduan Mountains and Mexican highlands.Our results indicate that modern firs prefer cool climates with seasonal rainfall. East Asian firs experienced niche shifts with the Himalayan orogeny in the Middle Miocene. Novel heterogeneous habitats due to changes in topography and the establishment of a monsoon climate, accompanied by niche shift, can account for the high speciation of firs in East Asia. A similar process is found in the Mexican highland firs. In contrast, cold–dry continental climate in North America since the late Paleogene and the lack of seasonal rainfall and relatively stable topography in the Euro‐Mediterranean region are the main limiting factors for fir diversification. Our study rejects the ‘clade age’ hypothesis but supports the hypothesis that niche shift related to high diversification rate triggered by environmental heterogeneity underlies the uneven species diversity of the Northern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Abies is widely distributed across the world and is of high importance for forestry. Since chloroplasts are usually uniparentally inherited, they are an important tool for specific scientific issues like gene flow, parentage, migration and, in general, evolutionary analysis. Established genetic markers for organelles in conifers are rather limited to RFLP markers, which are more labour and time intensive, compared with SSR markers. Using QUIAGEN CLC Workbench 23.03, we aligned two chloroplast genomes from different Abies species (NCBI accessions: NC_039581, NC_042778, NC_039582, NC_042410, NC_035067, NC_062889, NC_042775, NC_057314, NC_041464, MH706706, MH047653 and MH510244) to identify potential SSR candidates. Further selection and development of forward and reverse primers was performed using the NCBI Primer Blast Server application. In this article, we introduce a remarkably polymorphic SSR marker set for various Abies species, which can be useful for other conifer genera, such as Cedrus, Pinus, Pseudotsuga or Picea. In total, 17 cpSSRs showed reliable amplification and polymorphisms in A. grandis with a total of 68 haplotypes detected. All 17 cpSSRs amplified in the tested Abies spp. In the other tested species, except for Taxus baccata, at least one primer was polymorphic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abies is an important genus of the family Pinaceae, with about 50 species found in the highlands of Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North and Central America. The principal aim of the present work was to investigate the chemical content and biological potential of the resin and cone from Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana and Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, respectively. The flavonoid and phenolic contents of the resin and cones were evaluated using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Additionally, the essential oil and fatty acid compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), respectively. Cytotoxicity of the extracts and essential oils were screened against certain cancer cell lines, namely, human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PC3), human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549), human pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1), human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231), and normal human lung fibroblast cell line (CCD-34-LU), with MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay. According to the MTT results, hexane extracts of both cone (CH) and resin (RH), ethanol-water (CEW), dichloromethane (CD), and acetone (CA) extracts of the cone mostly inflict cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line. Antiviral activities of Abies nordmanniana subsp. extracts at doses of 5 µg/g and 10 µg/g were also evaluated in ovo for their virucidal activity against avian coronavirus. Abies nordmanniana subsp. extracts exhibited concentration-dependent antiviral activity on specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs. Significantly, cone acetone extract (CA), cone ethanol extract (CE), and cone dichloromethane extract (CD) of Abies nordmanniana subsp. exhibited strong inhibition of the virus at a concentration of 10 µg/g. The most potent virucidal activity was observed with ethanol-water extract of conifer form (CEW). According to these results, it was proved that Abies nordmanniana species could be a potential, sustainable, and renewable drug source, especially considering the impressive antiviral and significant cytotoxic activity potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reemergence and sister broods (second broods) are commonly observed in bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), particularly in species with male-initiated polygyny and female-initiated monogyny. Polygraphus proximus Blandford, a male-initiated monogynous bark beetle, is a quarantine species in the EU, which has been introduced from east Asia into both Siberia and central European Russia, causing mortality of trees across large areas of Abies sibirica forests. To clear whether P. proximus females reemerge to lay additional broods (sister broods), we observed the reproduction of reemerged females under laboratory conditions. We prepared 25 females reproducing in galleries collected by peeling the infested logs and 25 females reemerged from such logs. These females were put into the tubes vertically attached onto the surfaces of logs. Consequently, approximately 40% of both the reproducing females in galleries and the reemerged females bored into the logs and established sister broods without repeated mating. Moreover, 21% of these reproducing females established sister broods again using the same procedures, suggesting that the females can establish sister broods more than once. Our results indicated that the fecundity of P. proximus is higher than previously assumed, suggesting that its population levels can rapidly increase in weakened or dead trees, ultimately leading to the ability to attack healthy trees during the epidemic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) had long been considered a species endemic to Greece. Its presence in Albania was considered doubtful, reports either referring to planted trees or to A. x borisii-regis, a hybrid between A. alba and A. cephalonica. Recent evaluation confirmed that both A. cephalonica and A. x orisii-regis occur in southern Albania; thus the former is no longer a Greek endemic. The new localities in Albania are provided and the name A. cephalonica is neotypified from a specimen deposited at the Institute of Dendrology, Kórnik, Poland (KOR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although climate change-related concerns have long been raised regarding the sudden dieback of Korean fir (Abies koreana), the event's etiology and subsequent ecosystem processes must be explained. Our study aims to clarify the continuity or transience of mass mortality events within the coarse woody debris (CWD) structure and, if transient, to identify the climatic conditions (1974–2021) that could be responsible for the massive dying phenomena in Korean fir populations. On average, precipitation during the non-growing season (November–April as winter) constituted 18.5% relative to the growth period; in the winter of 1999, it was 4.8% due to an abnormal drought event. The dead stems occurred evenly across all size classes. In the CWD structure, the density and biomass of the dead fir individuals peaked in decay classes II or III. The size distribution of the retained fir was inverse-J shaped across the entire altitudinal range. The abnormal winter drought event, causing root damage by soil frost and heaving, may be one of the factors that increased Korean fir mortality across the entire stem size range. Despite transient cohort senescence, the retained Korean fir individuals transmitted drought-resistant traits into the regional pool following the drought event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) from conifer species are a potential source of biopesticides due to their various bioactive effects against pest insects. Since the harmful activity of pest insects often relies on their ability to fly, the disruption of wing morphology due to the use of essential oils (EOs) could be significant. This study investigated changes in wing shape and size in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster after exposure to EOs derived from selected conifers species. Drosophila larvae were treated with a diet containing 3% EOs from 6 Pinus and 3 Abies species. After completing their life cycle, the wings of adults were dissected and analyzed using the geometric morphometrics method. Changes in Drosophila wing morphology were observed. The potential effect of the major compounds of the tested EOs on wing morphology is discussed. We believe that this study lays the foundation for further evaluation of Abies and Pinus EOs in targeted toxicological studies against pest insects by focusing on the potential of EOs to disrupt pest activities that depend on wing morphology.

Baishanzu area in Qingyuan, Zhejiang Province, which is famous for the discovery of Abies beshanzuensis, has the most typical mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and complete vertical zones of mountain ecosystems in China, and this provides good natural conditions for paleoclimatic reconstruction using surface soil and airborne pollen data. Based on the pollen spectra of nine surface soil pollen samples collected at 300-1,700 m altitude, the relationship between vegetation and surface soil pollen in this area was preliminarily studied. The results show that surface soil pollen in this area can be divided into three assemblage zones from top to bottom according to altitude and ratios of coniferous pollen/broad-leaved pollen and arboreal pollen/non-arboreal pollen, which correspond to the evergreen deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest and temperate coniferous forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest and warm coniferous forest, secondary forest, and farmland (caused by human interference) zones. The surface pollen assemblages were dominated by the evergreen coniferous tree species Pinus, with an average pollen content of 67.5%. The pollen of Castanopsis (6.2%), Quercus (3.4%), Betula (1.4%), and Corylus (1.4%) is common. In contrast, Cyclobalanopsis, Liquidambar, Symplocos, Tsuga, Oleaceae, and Ericaceae had lower contents. Herbaceous plants are dominated by Poaceae (11.2%), including Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, etc. The spore content of fern vegetation was high, mainly Hicriopteris (38.2%) and Polypodiaceae (7.4%). Pinus pollen appeared in all samples, with the highest average content. With increasing altitude, the mean percentage gradually increased from 54.8% to 77.3%, and it is an overly represented pollen with a low sedimentation rate that is easily preserved and transported to the area. Abies pollen is only observed in the samples under the A. beshanzuensis tree at an altitude of 1,700 m. Its percentage is lower than 1%, which may be related to low pollen yield and the relatively narrow distribution range of A. beshanzuensis in this area. In addition, the pollen diversity analysis results based on Simpson's index show that human interference factors prevent the surface soil pollen at lower altitudes in this area from reflecting the regional zonal vegetation. With decreasing altitude, the deciduous component of arboreal pollen in the pollen assemblage increased from 13.2% in Zone I to 40.9% in Zone III. Zone III shows a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest zone caused by human factors. The content of the evergreen component in zone I is high, which is related to the high humidity at higher altitudes. This study selects Baishanzu National Park to study the surface soil pollen and preliminarily discusses the characteristics of the surface soil pollen assemblage and its relationship with vegetation, which provide research materials and the basis for Quaternary paleovegetation and paleoclimate reconstructions in the Baishanzu area, Qingyuan County, China. However, due to a lack of surface soil samples and modern vegetation investigation data, the reliability of the research results is affected. In future research, sampling and density quadrat surveys of surface sampling sites will be increased to cover as many vegetation zones as possible.

To elucidate the reasons for the differences Fir species (Abies. Mill.) damage by four-eyed fir bark beetle (Polygraphus proximus Blandford), we studied the structure of fir bark in sections Balsamea, Momi, Abies, Grandis from the collections of the Tsitsin Main botanical garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the bark, the features of the structure of the outer bark tissues (periderm and rhytidome) and the inner bark, which consisted of the cortex and secondary phloem, were studied. Species of fir, the outer bark of which are formed by periderms including layers of spongy and stony (lignified) phellem (phellem of Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla Maxim.), Nikko fir (A. homolepis Siebold & Zucc.), Nordmann fir (A. nordmanniana (Steven) Spach)), as well as species that early formed a rhytidome (Nordmann fir), are practically not colonized by the P. proximus. The cork of fir species, the phellem of which is represented by the same type of suberinized cells, and having a small thickness (species from section Balsamea), is more attractive for invasion by the P. proximus. The relationship between damage by the P. proximus and the structural features and the ratio of the components of the outer and middle layers of the inner bark, where the degree of sclerification is the main factor, is noted. The least attractive for P. proximus are the fir species that have a high degree of sclerification of the outer and middle layers of the inner bark. The degree of constitutional resistance to P. proximus increases with an increase in the degree of accretion and size of sclereid groups, the uniformity and density of their distribution. The most vulnerable are firs with a low degree of sclerification of the outer and middle layers and/or an uneven and loose distribution of sclereid groups, and firs with an increased and high content of mucilage cells (Siberian fir (A. sibirica Ledeb.)). An inverse relationship was noted between the degree of sclerification and the content of mucilage cells. A clear relationship between P. proximus and the content of calcium oxalate crystals, as well as the characteristics of the resinous system, has not been established.

With a widespread distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere and 11 genera, Pinaceae is the largest family of Gymnosperms in the world. Essential oils are an important chemotaxonomic marker for the species of this family, although the degree of chemical and biological investigation has not been the same for all genera. Essential oils from Abies and Cedrus (from the abietoid clade) or Pinus and Picea (from the pinoid clade) have been more extensively investigated with respect to their chemical composition and biological or pharmacological properties, including their antioxidant effects. Instead, essential oils from the other genera of the family have been less explored in this respect or even have not been investigated at all. This is a narrative review looking into the knowledge acquired up to date, the variability and limitations of the current methods used to estimate antioxidant effects, and multiple comparisons between EOs obtained from different genera, species, and plant parts, as well as potential applications and future directions of research and utilization of essential oils derived from Pinaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiorinia externa Ferris, elongate hemlock scale, was inadvertently introduced to North America from Japan. This insect is particularly problematic on hemlock, Tsuga spp., though it has been reported in association with several other conifers. The evidence that other conifers might be hosts, capable of supporting growing populations of the insect, has not been previously reviewed. Our review confirms that F. externa is an oligophagous pest of members of Pinaceae. Although species of Cupressaceae and Taxaceae have been reported as hosts of F. externa, they seem unable to support population growth of this pest. Evidence of the tree-killing potential of the insect, even on suitable hosts, is remarkably scant. The degree of pest risk posed by F. externa with respect to tree mortality in areas beyond the geographic range of hemlock seems modest, but uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Model simulation results suggest that forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California will tend to increase in density and basal area in the absence of fire over the next century, and that climate change will favor increases in drought-tolerant species. Context: Climate change is projected to intensify the natural summer drought period for Mediterranean-climate forests. Such changes may increase tree mortality, change species interactions and composition, and impact ecosystem services. Aims: To parameterize SORTIE-ND, an individual-based, spatially explicit forest model, for forests in the Sierra Nevada, and to model forest responses to climate change. Methods: We use 3 downscaled GCM projections (RCP 8.5) to project forest dynamics for 7 sites at different elevations. Results: Basal area and stem density tended to increase in the absence of fire. Climate change effects differed by species, with more drought-tolerant species such as Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi A.Murray bis) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii Newb.) exhibiting increases in basal area and/or density. Conclusion: Increasing forest density may favor carbon sequestration but could increase the risk of high-severity fires. Future analyses should include improved parameterization of reproduction and interactions of disturbance with climate effects.

Mistletoes is an important biotic pest that needs to be studied in terms of its wide distribution in forest areas, its potential damage and predictability of adverse effects of climate change. In this study, the incidence and infection status of white mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. abietis (Wiesb.) Abromeit.) in fir trees were investigated. The study was conducted in pure Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani (Asch. & Sint. ex Boiss.) Coode & Cullen) forests spread within the borders of Bolu Forest Regional Directorate, Aladağlar Forest District Directorate, Kökez Forest State Enterprise. In the study, firstly, the incidence of mistletoe in fir trees was determined in 159 circular experimental plots determined with systematically. The incidence and infection status of mistletoe in tree crown structure were also observed and evaluated for mistletoe detected trees. “The Six-Class Dwarf Mistletoe Rating System” was taken into account in determining the incidence and infection status of white mistletoe and the degree of mistletoe infection. According to the study results, it was determined that mistletoe was found at the highest rates in forest areas below 1100 m altitude on the basis of sampling plots and tree level. Also, it was found that the incidence of mistletoe increased with the aid of the increase by diameter classes. The average mistletoe incidence rate for total of 4696 measured fir trees was found to be 22.64%. Also, the average mistletoe infection rate was found to be 2,42 as moderate level for 1063 infected fir trees. Mistletoe infection in three different crown parts of the tree was the lowest for the lower crown part and the highest for the upper crown part. The incidence of mistletoe in tree crowns showed significant differences in terms of diameter classes (𝜒2 = 1171.631, df = 3, p = 0.000). It was determined that the degree of mistletoe infection increased with increasing diameter values, and it was highest for trees located at low elevations and southern aspects. The decrease in the presence of mistletoe on trees due to the increase with altitude (𝜒2 = 83.570, sd=2, p= 0.000) was similarly found to be a negative relationship between the mean mistletoe infection degree and altitude (r = -0.416; p

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

Key message: This study identified 10 fir populations that may be hybridogenous. The immediate activities on conservation of these polymorphic fir populations should be supported as hybrids may be ecologically and economically superior to the parent species. This is the first report on morpho-anatomical differentiation of both lower-rank and upper-rank needles in Abies alba, A. x borisii-regis, and A. cephalonica, using 18 native populations from almost the entire assumed hybrid zone in the Balkan Peninsula. The 35 morpho-anatomical characteristics were analyzed biometrically, and 18 with the application of multivariate statistical analysis. Clinal pattern in distribution of morpho-anatomical variation over the broader transition zone between the putative parent species was observed. Furthermore, the results of the biometric analyses justify the validity of this method for differentiating between the eastern A. alba lineage and A. cephalonica, for both needle types. Thus, the results of this study show clear differences between A. alba and A. cephalonica, but unstable characteristics of A. x borisii-regis. This finding supports the hypothesis that A. x borisii-regis is an unstabilized taxon produced by recent hybridization and introgression between A. alba and A. cephalonica. Based on the multivariate statistical analysis, 10 of the studied fir populations may be hybridogenous within a wider geographical area (southwestern and southern Bulgaria, southernmost North Macedonia and almost the entire Greece). The obtained results did not indicate a hybrid status for two fir populations from Peloponnese and one from the Cephalonia Island (pure A. cephalonica populations), which partly agrees with the recent molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coldmix® is a commercially available Eucalyptus aetheroleum and, Abies aetheroleum blend for medicinal applications. In this present study, the in vitro antiviral potential of Coldmix®, and its major constituents 1,8-cineole and α-pinene were evaluated by using the in vitro ACE2 enzyme inhibition assay as well as the direct contact test against SARS-CoV-2. The observed ACE2 enzyme inhibitory activity of Coldmix®, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene were 72%, 88%, and 80%, respectively; whereas in the direct contact test in the vapor phase, the destruction of the virus was 79.9% within 5 min and 93.2% in the 30th min, respectively. In a similar Coldmix® vapor phase setup using the in vitro cytotoxicity cell assay, E6 VERO healthy cells were experimentally not affected by toxicity. According to the promising initial antiviral results of Coldmix® and the individually tested constituents, detailed further in vivo evaluation using different virus classes is suggested.

Pollen analysis of a marine core collected in the Gulf of S. Eufemia (Tyrrhenian Calabria, Italy) allowed reconstructing the regional changes in vegetation and land use over the last 5000 years. Pollen diagram zonation through Constrained Cluster Analysis highlighted three compositional zones whose boundaries mark the major changes that affected the vegetation structure. A dense forest cover with a few signs of human activities characterized the wide pollen source area from 5055 to 2700 BP (Zone 1). In this period, the Pre-Protohistoric communities were mainly concentrated on the Tropea Promontory where they had a significant local impact. Minor forest rarefactions at 5000–4800 BP, ca. 4400–4000 BP, ca. 3450–3150 BP were correlated to phases of climatic shifts toward aridity. From 2700 to 2000 BP (Zone 2a), a longer and more incisive period of forest decline was connected to a time of aridity that favored the intense activities of an increasing anthropogenic pressure. Indeed, important urban centers developed in the area during the Greek and Roman colonization. Diffuse deforestation and cultivation occurred from 790 BP (Zone 3), enhancing soil erosion and fluvial discharge as testified by the sudden increase in sedimentation rates. This disruption of the slope morphodynamics was connected to the collapse of territorial management following the end of the Western Roman Empire. Compositional Data Analysis, applied to a simplified pollen dataset, highlighted both a negative correlation between Abies and Fagus and a close similarity between the AP/NAP curve and the Axis 1 scores of the Relative Variation Biplot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researching the beneficial health properties of wood byproducts can prevent wastage by turning them into valuable resources. In this study, the virucidal activity of two extracts from Abies sachalinensis byproducts, ASE1, and ASE2, against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was investigated. ASE1 is rich in monoterpenoid volatile compounds, whereas ASE2 contains nonvolatile polyphenols. SARS-CoV-2 solutions were mixed with ASE1 or ASE2, and viral titer reduction was evaluated. At their original acidic pH, ASE2 showed stronger virucidal activity than ASE1. The virucidal activity of ASE2 was also significantly enhanced when pH was increased to neutral or basic, which was not the case for ASE1. At a neutral pH, ASE2 induced statistically significant viral titer reduction in 1 min. HCl and NaOH solutions, which had a pH close to that of acidic and basic ASE2 test mixtures, respectively, exhibited no virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2. Among the SARS-CoV-2 variants, Omicron showed the highest vulnerability to ASE2. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and electron microscopic analysis revealed that neutral ASE2 interacts with SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and moderately disrupts the SARS-CoV-2 genome and viral envelope. These findings reveal the virucidal potential of ASE2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

High‐severity wildfires create pulses of snags that serve a variety of functions as they decompose over time. Snag‐related benefits (and hazards) are often linked to specific decomposition stages, but snag decomposition rates and pathways are not well understood in many forest types. We examined temporal patterns of snag decomposition, wildlife cavity creation, and surface woody fuel dynamics in dry coniferous forests of the interior Pacific Northwest region of North America by sampling 159 forest stands within a 39‐year chronosequence of stand‐replacing wildfires in dry coniferous forests dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas‐fir. We found that most snags broke or fell during the first 15 years after wildfire; small‐diameter snags mostly broke off at or near ground level, while many large‐diameter snags initially broke off above a height of 2 m and then remained standing for an extended period. Ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine snags fell earlier than Douglas‐fir and true fir snags of comparable diameter classes. Wildlife cavities were most common in stands surveyed 8–20 years after fire and in snags with broken tops but were not limited to large diameter snags. Cavity snag diameters ranged from 17 to 98 cm, with 64% of cavity snags having diameters between 30 and 60 cm and 22% of cavity snags having diameters >60 cm. Surface woody fuels increased as snags broke and fell, reaching maximum levels in all size classes 15–20 years after fire. The percentage of large diameter rotten woody fuels increased steadily beginning about 15 years after fire, with implications for fuel management and subsequent wildfire behavior and severity. Our study supports the proposition that fire‐killed snags represent a transient resource pulse in which the relative contribution of snags to different ecological functions varies with snag diameter, species, time since fire, and landscape position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preference–performance hypothesis (PPH) predicts that female insects maximize their fitness by ovipositing on hosts where their offspring perform the best. The preference–performance relationships in bark beetles are complex because before offspring development can occur in the phloem, adult bark beetles must first successfully invade host trees, and then construct galleries beneath the bark. Therefore, a positive correlation between host preference and successful colonization is necessary for the PPH in bark beetles to hold (i.e., the preference–colonization hypothesis in bark beetles). In this study, through field choice experiments, I investigated the successful colonization of the bark beetle, Polygraphus proximus, within four allopatrically distributed Abies species across a distinct biogeographic boundary in Japan. The results of this study showed that the biogeographic boundary did not limit the successful colonization by P. proximus. I observed that successful colonization was low in A. firma, despite it being an exotic species in the study sites and the most preferred at the study sites, indicating a mismatch between preference and colonization success. Additionally, I observed that A. sachalinensis had a high colonization success rate, even though it was the least preferred species at the study sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is a keystone conifer of European montane forest ecosystems that has experienced large fluctuations in population size during during the Quaternary and, more recently, due to land-use change. To forecast the species' future distribution and survival, it is important to investigate the genetic basis of adaptation to environmental change, notably to extreme events. For this purpose, we here provide a first draft genome assembly and annotation of the silver fir genome, established through a community-based initiative. DNA obtained from haploid megagametophyte and diploid needle tissue was used to construct and sequence Illumina paired-end and mate-pair libraries, respectively, to high depth. The assembled A. alba genome sequence accounted for over 37 million scaffolds corresponding to 18.16 Gb, with a scaffold N50 of 14,051 bp. Despite the fragmented nature of the assembly, a total of 50,757 full-length genes were functionally annotated in the nuclear genome. The chloroplast genome was also assembled into a single scaffold (120,908 bp) that shows a high collinearity with both the A. koreana and A. sibirica complete chloroplast genomes. This first genome assembly of silver fir is an important genomic resource that is now publicly available in support of a new generation of research. By genome-enabling this important conifer, this resource will open the gate for new research and more precise genetic monitoring of European silver fir forests.

Abstract High‐severity wildfires create pulses of snags that serve a variety of functions as they decompose over time. Snag‐related benefits (and hazards) are often linked to specific decomposition stages, but snag decomposition rates and pathways are not well understood in many forest types. We examined temporal patterns of snag decomposition, wildlife cavity creation, and surface woody fuel dynamics in dry coniferous forests of the interior Pacific Northwest region of North America by sampling 159 forest stands within a 39‐year chronosequence of stand‐replacing wildfires in dry coniferous forests dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas‐fir. We found that most snags broke or fell during the first 15 years after wildfire; small‐diameter snags mostly broke off at or near ground level, while many large‐diameter snags initially broke off above a height of 2 m and then remained standing for an extended period. Ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine snags fell earlier than Douglas‐fir and true fir snags of comparable diameter classes. Wildlife cavities were most common in stands surveyed 8–20 years after fire and in snags with broken tops but were not limited to large diameter snags. Cavity snag diameters ranged from 17 to 98 cm, with 64% of cavity snags having diameters between 30 and 60 cm and 22% of cavity snags having diameters >60 cm. Surface woody fuels increased as snags broke and fell, reaching maximum levels in all size classes 15–20 years after fire. The percentage of large diameter rotten woody fuels increased steadily beginning about 15 years after fire, with implications for fuel management and subsequent wildfire behavior and severity. Our study supports the proposition that fire‐killed snags represent a transient resource pulse in which the relative contribution of snags to different ecological functions varies with snag diameter, species, time since fire, and landscape position.

The article presents the results of the search for microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci with tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexanucleotide tandem repeat motifs in the draft de novo assembly of the Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) genome and the development of convenient relatively highly and moderately polymorphic markers that can be easily genotyped even by simple gel electrophoresis. In total, 64 pairs of oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for 32 detected microsatellite loci were designed and tested. Based on the testing results, 10 most promising polymorphic loci were selected and genotyped in eight natural populations of Siberian fir. Homologous microsatellite loci in the genome of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were also identified by mapping Siberian fir contigs, containing SSR loci to the European silver fir genome assembly. A multiplex panel of 14 universal microsatellite loci was developed and genotyped in samples from four natural populations of A. alba and a small sample of eight Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach) trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivores affect plants via direct consumption, but also indirectly via changes in the vegetation. These indirect effects may only manifest after decades of exposure and, as a result, their impact is rarely accounted for. To better understand the direct and indirect impacts of a large herbivore, moose (Alces alces), on forests, we measured tree growth in areas that were both subjected to and excluded from herbivory for over 80 years. Growth data were gathered from five tree species, ranging from low to high palatability. We found that at small sizes, Betula papyrifera, a preferred species, benefited from herbivore exclusion. However, larger individuals grew more when exposed to herbivory, a response we attribute to lower competition in heavily browsed conditions. Populus tremuloides, a highly preferred tree, did not show any differences between levels of herbivory. Abies balsamea, a preferred winter browsed, was only marginally affected by browsing at smaller sizes. The two non-preferred species, Picea glauca and Picea mariana, did not show differential growth between herbivory levels. We conclude that herbivores can impact forests through both direct and indirect effects, that these effects are size specific, and that effects vary among species in ways not always predicted by consumption patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a widespread distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere and 11 genera, Pinaceae is the largest family of Gymnosperms in the world. Essential oils are an important chemotaxonomic marker for the species of this family, although the degree of chemical and biological investigation has not been the same for all genera. Essential oils from Abies and Cedrus (from the abietoid clade) or Pinus and Picea (from the pinoid clade) have been more extensively investigated with respect to their chemical composition and biological or pharmacological properties, including their antioxidant effects. Instead, essential oils from the other genera of the family have been less explored in this respect or even have not been investigated at all. This is a narrative review looking into the knowledge acquired up to date, the variability and limitations of the current methods used to estimate antioxidant effects, and multiple comparisons between EOs obtained from different genera, species, and plant parts, as well as potential applications and future directions of research and utilization of essential oils derived from Pinaceae species.

Main conclusionSynechocystis (a cyanobacterium) was employed as an alternative host for the production of plant essential oil constituents. β-Phellandrene synthase (PHLS) genes from different plants, when expressed in Synechocystis, enabled synthesis of variable monoterpene hydrocarbon blends, converting Synechocystis into a cell factory that photosynthesized and released useful products. Monoterpene synthases are secondary metabolism enzymes that catalyze the generation of essential oil constituents in terrestrial plants. Essential oils, including monoterpene hydrocarbons, are of interest for their commercial application and value. Therefore, heterologous expression of monoterpene synthases for high-capacity essential oil production in photosynthetic microorganism transformants is of current interest. In the present work, the cyanobacterium Synechocystsis PCC 6803 was employed as an alternative host for the production of plant essential oil constituents. As a case study, β-phellandrene synthase (PHLS) genes from different plants were heterologously expressed in Synechocystis. Genomic integration of individual PHLS-encoding sequences endowed Synechocystis with constitutive monoterpene hydrocarbons generation, occurring concomitant with photosynthesis and cell growth. Specifically, the β-phellandrene synthase from Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Pinus banksiana (pine), Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) and Abies grandis (grand fir) were active in Synechocystis transformants but, instead of a single product, they generated a blend of terpene hydrocarbons comprising β-phellandrene, α-phellandrene, β-myrcene, β-pinene, and δ-carene with variable percentage ratios ranging from  90% in different product combinations and proportions. Our results suggested that PHLS enzyme conformation and function depends on the cytosolic environment in which they reside, with the biochemical properties of the latter causing catalytic deviations from the products naturally observed in the corresponding gene-encoding plants, giving rise to the terpene hydrocarbon blends described in this work. These findings may have commercial application in the generation of designer essential oil blends and will further assist the development of heterologous cyanobacterial platforms for the generation of desired monoterpene hydrocarbon products.

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

A key uncertainty of empirical models of post‐fire tree mortality is understanding the drivers of elevated post‐fire mortality several years following fire, known as delayed mortality. Delayed mortality can represent a substantial fraction of mortality, particularly for large trees that are a conservation focus in western US coniferous forests. Current post‐fire tree mortality models have undergone limited evaluation of how injury level and time since fire interact to influence model accuracy and predictor variable importance. Less severe injuries potentially serve as an indicator for vulnerability to additional stressors such as bark beetle attack or moisture stress. We used a collection of 164,293 individual tree records to examine post‐fire tree mortality in eight western USA conifers: Abies concolor, Abies grandis, Calocedrus decurrens, Larix occidentalis, Pinus contorta, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. We evaluated the importance of fire injury predictors on discriminating between surviving trees versus immediate and delayed post‐fire mortality. We fit balanced random forest models for each species using cumulative tree mortality from 1 to 5‐years post‐fire. We compared these results to multi‐class random forest models using first‐year mortality, 2–5‐year mortality, and survival 5‐years post‐fire as a response variable. Crown volume scorched, diameter at breast height, and relative bark char height, were used as predictor variables. The cumulative mortality models all predicted trees that died within 1‐year of fire with high accuracy but failed to predict 2–5‐year mortality. The multi‐class models were an improvement but had lower accuracy for predicting 2–5‐year mortality. Multi‐class model accuracies ranged from 85% to 95% across all species for predicting 1‐year post‐fire mortality, 42%–71% for predicting 2–5‐year mortality, and 64%–85% for predicting trees that lived past 5‐years. Our study highlights the differences in tree species tolerance to fire injury and suggests that including second‐order predictors such as beetle attack or climatic water stress before and after fire will be critical to improve accuracy and better understand the mechanisms and patterns of fire‐caused tree death. Random forest models have potential for management applications such as post‐fire harvesting and simulating future stand dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization is a process of great importance in the ecology and evolution of plants. However, identifying hybrids is not an easy task, especially in cases of sympatry. Such cases are the Abies taxa in Greece; Silver fir (A. alba), Greek fir (A. cephalonica) and King Boris fir (A. × borisii-regis). The latter has been characterized as a hybrid between the first two species as its morphological traits are either a combination of the parental ones or intermediate. Besides the morphological traits, A. × borisii-regis has so far been identified only at the population level, with biochemical and DNA markers. Here, we describe the identification of A. × borisii-regis at the individual level by employing a species-specific marker in the cpDNA and another in mtDNA, taking advantage of their uniparental inheritance mode from the paternal and the maternal parent, respectively. In addition, based on these markers, essential information emerges on the distribution and the mtDNA diversity of the Abies taxa in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of sapling banks to the coexistence of species with different shade tolerance under the "wave regeneration" regime has not been researched extensively. This study first assessed spatial and temporal variations in the relative dominance of two Abies species, Abies veitchii and Abies mariesii, with different shade tolerance in a wave‐regenerated forest. Second, we present the age structure and its spatial variation in young Abies stands (sapling stage) to exhibit the prevalence and variability of regeneration from sapling banks (defined as trees established 10 years before canopy opening). The relative dominance of A. mariesii, the more shade‐tolerant species, compared to that of A. veitchii, did not change over a period of 10 years, irrespective of stand developmental stages, indicating the importance of initial dominance in determining the local species composition. The tree ages at the sapling stage were significantly higher for A. mariesii than for A. veitchii. Approximately, 30% of all trees were likely to arise from a sapling bank, and 86% of them were A. mariesii. Age structure significantly varied between 5 × 5 m quadrats; some quadrats were dominated by A. mariesii originating from sapling banks, while others were dominated by A. veitchii that were established at the time of canopy opening. These results indicate that regeneration from sapling banks contributes to the dominance of A. mariesii and that the spatial variation in the abundance of trees originating from sapling banks is essential for the coexistence of A. mariesii with A. veitchii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fir engraver, Scolytus ventralis, is a bark beetle that infests true firs (Abies) in western North America. The beetle is known to carry a symbiotic fungus, Trichosporium symbioticum, in pit mycangia located on the heads of adult beetles. We investigated whether this fungus is associated with the beetle across its geographic range and the frequency of its occurrence with egg galleries, larvae, pupae and adult beetles in two major tree hosts. We also used morphology and DNA sequencing to determine the correct taxonomic placement of the fungus. We found the fungus is consistently associated with the beetle across its range and in all life stages. We also determined the fungus resides in the Ascomycota order Ophiostomatales and re-designated it as Ophiostoma symbioticum (Wright) Six nov. comb. We suggest O. symbioticum may be a nutritional mutualist with S. ventralis and that future studies should investigate this possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Cinara (Cinara) todocola (Inouye, 1936) is newly recorded on needle fir (Abies holophylla) and Korean fir (Abies koreana) (Pinaceae) in South Korea. This marks the first recorded instance worldwide of this species damaging the Korean fir, an endangered Christmas tree. We provide detailed life photos and descriptions of all available morphs of this species to facilitate rapid species identification, including redescriptions of the poorly known apterous viviparous female and alate viviparous female, as well as descriptions of the hitherto unknown morphs of the parthenogenetic and sexual generation (fundatrix, oviparous female, and male). This species exhibits strong host specificity across various fir trees, and its life cycle is holocyclic, with the colony size doubling twice per year (in June and September) in South Korea. For the first time, we conducted scanning electron microscopy research to elucidate the gross morphology and sensilla of representatives of this species. Additionally, climate niche modeling was applied to assess and predict the global invasion risk of this species, revealing that C. todocola has the potential to invade in specific regions of East Asia, Europe, and North America., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The elemental dynamics and interactions within deadwood profoundly influence carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Recent studies have investigated macronutrient cycling during deadwood decay of specific plants, yet the dynamics and interactions of micronutrients, trace elements, and the elementome across species and decay stages remain unexplored. Here, we investigated the elementome and their coupling relationships across five decay stages of downed deadwood (DDW) from four dominant species (Hippophae rhamnoides, Populus purdomii, Abies fabri, and Picea brachytyla) along the Hailuogou Glacier primary successional chronosequence. Element coupling was evaluated following the framework of mean correlation of all elements in absolute value and null modeling. We observed species-specific elementome differentiation during DDW decay, with interspecific distances greater in the initial and later decay stages and lower in the intermediate stage. Notably, shrub H. rhamnoides exhibited distinct initial elementomes and remained robust multi-element coupling throughout decay. Conversely, element couplings for tree species declined with decay, particularly for P. purdomii and A. fabri, reaching decoupling from Stage III. Non-essential elements of Al, V, and Ti remained robust coupling, while key nutrients of N, P, and Ca decoupled as decay progressed. The individual element coupling was negatively correlated with their enrichment levels, with lower coupling observed for anthropogenically enriched metals. Our results reveal the importance of plant species in elementome differentiation and element coupling during deadwood decay, while atmospheric heavy metal deposition mediates individual element coupling, underscoring species-specific deadwood management strategies and monitoring of heavy metal deposition to optimize forest ecosystem functions and stability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abies species are known to have various bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities. In the manuscript, their bioactive components and anticancer activities of four unexamined Abies in Anatolia (Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica, Abies nordmanniana subsp. nordmanniana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani) were investigated. The principal component analysis and drug likeness properties of the specific bioactive compounds were conducted on our datas. The results showed that solvent polarity affected the phytochemical composition of extracts and thus their anticancer activity. Gentisic acid, catechin, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and eicosene were identified as major components. The principal component analysis of the specific bioactive compounds results indicated that the compounds are able to have an effective anticancer activity against HeLa an C6 cells. At the same time, the drug likeness properties results showed that these compounds have a potential drug properties. Also, docking result demonstrated that oleic acid, stearic acid, catechin, palmitic acid and eicosene can perform a strong synergistic effect against Cyclooxygenase-2 activity. Hovewer, oleic acid had the best binding poses against six targets. According to the findings, this four Abies species could be considered for further phytopharmaceutical researchs. [Display omitted] • The four Abies species from Turkey were researched. • GC–MS and HPLC-TOF/MS were used to determine phytochemicals of the extracts. • Abies ssp.'s anticancer effects against C6 and Hela cells were evaluated. • Molecular dockings showed interactions of anticancer effects and phytochemicals. • Abies ssp. could be considered for further pharmaceutical researchs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constant rise in the global temperature and unpredictable shifts in precipitation patterns are two of the main effects of climate change. Therefore, there is an increasing amount of interest in the identification of tree species, provenances and genotypes capable of withstanding more arid conditions and tolerating drought stress. In the present review, we focus our attention on generally more susceptible conifers and describe the different strategies that plants adopt to respond to drought stress. We describe the main approaches taken in studies of conifer adaptations to low water availability, the advantages and limitations of each, and the main results obtained with each of these approaches in the recent years. Then we discuss how the increasing amount of morphological, physiological and genetic data may find practical applications in forest management, and in particular in next-generation breeding programs. Finally, we provide some recommendations for future research. In particular, we suggest extending future studies to a broader selection of species and genera, increasing the number of studies on adult plants, in particular those on gene expression, and distinguishing between the different types of drought stress that a tree can withstand during its life cycle. The integration of data coming from different disciplines and approaches will be a key factor to increasing our knowledge about a trait as complex as drought resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycles of bark beetles are intimately linked to their host species. Therefore, bark beetle species are expected to show traits that vary among host species and across geographic ranges. The taxonomic proximity of host tree species can also influence host selection. Abies species (Pinaceae) native to Japan are genetically classified into three phylogenetic groups. Their natural distributions are separated by a distinct biogeographic boundary in Japan (i.e., the Tsugaru Strait, also referred to as Blakiston's Line). Therefore, I investigated the host preference of Polygraphus proximus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) within four allopatrically distributed Abies species across north and south of the Tsugaru Strait through field surveys and field choice experiments. Abies sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Mast. is the only species native to Hokkaido, north of the Tsugaru Strait. Field observations and field host‐choice bioassays showed that A. sachalinensis was less severely attacked by P. proximus than was Abies veitchii Lindl. on both sides of the Tsugaru Strait. The beetles also preferred to attack Abies firma Siebold & Zucc. – which belongs to a genetically distinct group (i.e., section Momi) from that of A. veitchii and A. sachalinensis (i.e., section Balsamea) – over A. sachalinensis in both Hokkaido and Honshu. Although Abies homolepis Siebold & Zucc. also belongs to the section Momi, A. firma and A. veitchii had more attacks than A. homolepis. The results provide evidence that P. proximus does not show specialization across the various parts of their geographic range where the host species are different, and there is no positive correlation between taxonomic proximity and host preference for P. proximus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a much later inception of somatic embryogenesis (SE) propagation protocols for gymnosperms than for angiosperm species, SE is becoming increasingly important due to its applications for commercial forestry. For many conifers, there are however still major bottlenecks in the SE plant production process limiting the use of SE for forestry operations, Christmas tree production and research projects. In the present case study, the effects on plant growth from different cultural factors applied during the SE developmental process were studied in two conifer species of high value for Christmas tree production. Seven clones of Abies nordmanniana and two clones of Abies bornmuelleriana were included in the study. Accumulated effects from cultural treatments were recorded from the start of germination of mature embryos of different quality scores through development into plants in the third growing period. Experimental factors of the cultural treatments included were: germination temperature, germination time, light conditions, survival ex vitro and traits for plant growth and vitality. The results reveal that most of the studied experimental factors influenced plant growth during the first three years however their relative importance was different. Plant survival rate at end of the nursery stage was strongly impacted by germination temperature (p<0.001), initial embryo score (p=0.007), clone (p<0.001) and to a lesser extend week of germination (p=0.017). This case-study highlights and quantifies the strong interrelation between the developmental steps of somatic embryogenesis and show the importance of considering all cultural steps when optimizing SE plant production protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological features of plants, which were the basis of taxonomic solutions in the past, are now sometimes less appreciated due to the intensive development of genetic methods. The present review looks at the results of the research on the taxonomy of plants carried out by the team led by A. Boratyński. The team characterized the taxonomic and geographical differentiation of some species of the genera Abies , Juniperus , Pinus , Cupressus , Cedrus , as well as several others. Many of these studies were carried out in the Mediterranean area due to its importance for biodiversity. The results allowed unravelling taxonomic ambiguities, emphasizing the importance of geographic barriers in shaping variability, e.g., the Strait of Gibraltar or the Aegean Sea, and highlighting the role of mountain ranges as refuges, e.g., the Taurus and Anti-Taurus Mountains. All of the results obtained with biometrics were confirmed by genetic methods by different authors. Detailed research allowed the publication of a new name, Juniperus thurifera subsp. africana (Maire) Romo & Boratyński, stat. nov., and restoration of species status for the dubious taxon Juniperus canariensis . The review shows that relying on the research of a large number of correctly sampled populations and correctly selected differentiated characteristics of plants allows the generation of reliable results.

Despite a much later inception of somatic embryogenesis (SE) propagation protocols for gymnosperms than for angiosperm species, SE is becoming increasingly important due to its applications for commercial forestry. For many conifers, there are however still major bottlenecks in the SE plant production process limiting the use of SE for forestry operations, Christmas tree production and research projects. In the present case study, the effects on plant growth from different cultural factors applied during the SE developmental process were studied in two conifer species of high value for Christmas tree production. Seven clones of Abies nordmanniana and two clones of Abies bornmuelleriana were included in the study. Accumulated effects from cultural treatments were recorded from the start of germination of mature embryos of different quality scores through development into plants in the third growing period. Experimental factors of the cultural treatments included were: germination temperature, germination time, light conditions, survival ex vitro and traits for plant growth and vitality. The results reveal that most of the studied experimental factors influenced plant growth during the first three years however their relative importance was different. Plant survival rate at end of the nursery stage was strongly impacted by germination temperature (p

Researching the beneficial health properties of wood byproducts can prevent wastage by turning them into valuable resources. In this study, the virucidal activity of two extracts from Abies sachalinensis byproducts, ASE1, and ASE2, against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was investigated. ASE1 is rich in monoterpenoid volatile compounds, whereas ASE2 contains nonvolatile polyphenols. SARS-CoV-2 solutions were mixed with ASE1 or ASE2, and viral titer reduction was evaluated. At their original acidic pH, ASE2 showed stronger virucidal activity than ASE1. The virucidal activity of ASE2 was also significantly enhanced when pH was increased to neutral or basic, which was not the case for ASE1. At a neutral pH, ASE2 induced statistically significant viral titer reduction in 1 min. HCl and NaOH solutions, which had a pH close to that of acidic and basic ASE2 test mixtures, respectively, exhibited no virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2. Among the SARS-CoV-2 variants, Omicron showed the highest vulnerability to ASE2. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and electron microscopic analysis revealed that neutral ASE2 interacts with SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and moderately disrupts the SARS-CoV-2 genome and viral envelope. These findings reveal the virucidal potential of ASE2.

Forest structural complexity affects tree growth, species diversity, understory seedling density, wildlife habitat and fire behaviour. Thus, defining the structural complexity of forest ecosystems would play a crucial role in their management. The vertical structure in stands of shade-tolerant tree species can be described by using the distribution of tree diameters. In this study, the main objective was to determine and compare the diameter distribution patterns of managed and unmanaged Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani) forests in northern Turkey. Hierarchical clustering analysis was used to define the diameter distribution patterns. Three main diameter distribution patterns were examined in both managed and unmanaged forests. Two of the patterns in the managed forest did not possess the expected diameter structure of selection silviculture (i.e. reverse J-shape). The observed patterns in the unmanaged forest were mostly representative of the diameter structure of old-growth forests. Given the initial findings, it is likely that the small-scale disturbances created by selection methods may not be adequate to establish and recruit sufficient number of trees into small- diameter sizes in Kazdağı fir forests. The assessment of patterns of tree diameter distribution in these forests would create a basis for future research, aiming to enhance the structural complexity.

Soil arthropods (Arthropoda) in forest ecosystems play an important role as primary and secondary consumers in the process of litter fragmentation and decomposition. Amount, diversity, and community structure of arthropods in the soil ecosystem reacts very quickly to changes in habitat characteristics. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the seasonal changes, diversity, and effects of soil biological quality of soil-dwelling arthropods in Taurus Fir (Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière) ecosystem at different altitudes. The study was carried out in pure fir stands between 1600-1730 meters (3 different altitudes) in Berçin highland (Tomarza-Kayseri) forests. Sampling made from the litter using a cylinder core 10 cm diameter and height was performed in winter, spring, summer, and autumn seasons. The amount, diversity, trophic structure, and soil biological quality (QBS) values of arthropods were determined in seasonal and different altitudes. QBS abbreviations for soil biological quality based on arthropod (arthropoda; QBS-ar) and Collembola (Collembola; QBS-C) communities. As a result of the study, in the distribution of arthropods according to the seasons, the highest number of individuals was found in summer, and in the distribution depending on altitude, the highest number of individuals was found at an altitude of 1613 m. No statistical difference was found between elevations in terms of diversity index. Soil biological quality both QBS-ar and QBS-C value decrease along an elevation gradient. Identified Collembola species are new records for Kayseri/ Berçin Highland while Protaphorura microsellata species are new records for Turkey.

Climate change has significantly affected the subalpine ecosystems, leading to mass die-offs of the Korean fir tree, a key climate-sensitive species in these environments. Proactive analysis of the phenotypic responses of these trees to climate change or the establishment of preemptive strategies for trees to adapt to these environmental changes remains a challenge. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of climate change on the health of Korean fir (Abies koreana) in the subalpine ecosystem of Jirisan Mountain, South Korea. We integrated soil physicochemical analyses, microbial community dynamics, neutral community model, and network analyses to examine the relationships between tree health and microbial communities. Our findings revealed significant changes in soil chemical properties, including pH and nutrient concentrations, across the various health statuses of trees. Microbial community analysis demonstrated shifts in bacterial and fungal communities corresponding to the health continuum of the trees, with decreased diversity and altered composition in the declining trees. A remarkable increase in modularity of the microbial network and a clear transition from stochastic to deterministic microbial community assembly processes were observed as the trees progressed from a healthy to a dead stage. Two bacterial genera, Bradyrhizobium and Burkholderia, along with an unclassified fungal group from Basidiomycota, were identified as key microbial indicators of good tree health. This study highlighted the importance of microbial communities as bioindicators for assessing the health of subalpine ecosystem and its resilience to climate change, offering valuable insights into the conservation and management strategies for subalpine ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The use of correlation between tree-ring series as a proximity indicator in dendroprovenance analyses is often questioned. High correlations may occur between series at a great distance, but conversely, low correlations may occur between series that are close to each other. This discrepancy has prompted the exploration of alternative dendroprovenancing methods, but many of them have proven to be unreliable or impractical. In this study, approximately 12,000 geolocalised tree-ring series from the three main Alpine conifers-spruce, larch, and fir-were analysed to investigate the extent to which correlation analysis can be used as a dendroprovenance tool. The results clearly indicate a significant increase of correlation at low distance and validate the proposed correlation approach. The large dataset also made it possible to develop a simplified quantile regression model that could be used to estimate distance in kilometres based on correlation values between the tree-ring series. Spruce exhibited the most promising results, which is attributed in part to the extensive dataset available, while there were challenges with fir in accurately determining distances between sites. Finally, the study also evaluated the impact of altitude on distance estimation and showed how this environmental factor influences variations in dendroprovenance analyses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)