The dynamics of systematic structure floral complexes on the old fields during secondary succession

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
M. P. Olijnyk ◽  
V. I. Parpan
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Old Fields ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Lower Rank ◽  
Higher Rank ◽  
Systematic Structure ◽  
Average Index

The national plan of actions concerning the natural environmental protection in Ukraine in 2011–2015 presupposes the average reduce of the arable lands by 5–10 % with the help of withdrawal from the intense farming, preserving of the degradation and inefficient agriculture lands, with a purpose of the natural carcass elements extension (forests, meadows, pastures) and the rationalization of the agro-landscapes structure. It is known that the fitocenoses play a deciding role in the system of environmental preservation actions, its upgrade and improvement. According to the data of the Department of State Land Cadastre of State Land Agency of Ukraine of 01.01.2013 277.2 thousands hectares of land were excluded from the category of arable land and transferred to the old field land class consisting 0,5 % of the general area of Ukraine that is transforming under the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes. These changes in the structure and dynamics of the main landscape parameters and the danger of losing a significant part of biodiversity determine the relevance of the investigating systematic structure of the old-field species-composition at different stages of secondary succession. The research was made in 2010–2013 with the help of route and stationary methods on the calculation ground: 2×2 m for the grassy vegetation, 10×10 m for the tree and bush vegetation. The plots were chosen on different stages of the secondary succession, which most fully reflect the representatives of the flora complexes and enclose the whole spectrum of the main abiotic factors of its forming: I – old-fields, which were not processed for 1–3 years, II – old-fields, which were not processed for 4–7 years, III – old-fields, which were not processed for 8–13 years, IV – old-fields, which were not processed for 14–22 years. Taxonomic composition is given according to the field studies and basing on the collected herbarium material. Systematic spectrum (leading, middle and final) was defined using an average index of saturation (H) of higher rank taxa with lower rank taxa. To the middle part there belonged the amount of lower rank taxa equal to the average index of saturation of higher rank taxa ± 50 % of its value: H ± 0.5 × H. To compare the degree of species composition similarity there was used the Jaccard similarity coefficient (Kj). The similarity degree of floral complexes according to the systematic structure was defined using modified Bravais-Pearson coefficient of correlation (r). Taxonomic composition of the old-field land floral complexes of Prydnistrovske Podillia showed that it numbered 413 species belonging to 238 genera and 64 families. The old field floral complexes of the studied territory are characterized by the dominance by the amount of species and genera of few families, the taxonomic spectrum of which comprises 264 species (63,9 %) and 150 genera (62,9 %). In the genera spectrum of floral complexes prevails monotype fraction – 204 genera (85,7 %) uniting 253 species (61,3 %). The role of absolute indices of the floristic abundance (amount of species, kinships and families) have a natural tendency to extension, which is a result of the change in soil and climatic as well as the cenotic conditions in the process of demutation of the flora cover in the old-fields. The analysis of the floral wealth, systematic diversity and taxonomic composition indicate the dynamic process of flora-genesis at the old field lands and the largest similarity of floras of the 3rd and the 4th degrees of secondary succession as a result of stabilization of ecological conditions. The least similar are the floral complexes of the 1st and the 4th degrees of syngenesis. Besides the general systematic structure of the flora complexes of the old-fields, the determination of the species abundance of the biotopic old-plough lands still remains urgent. Based on the principles of the heterogeneity and change of the vegetation depending on the dynamics indices of the environment, dimensionally (discretely), as well as timely (successively) on the territory of the research, we found out and described the species abundance of 10 biotypes. The analysis of biotopes species composition similarity shows that most of them are characterized by low degree similarity. Our further researches will be connected with the peculiarities of the ecological succession at old field lands. The ecological analysis of floral complexes was based on the study of O. L. Belgard about ecomorphs.

Old-field vegetation of the central part of the museum-preserve «The Kulikovo Field» (Tula region)

2015 ◽  
pp. 3-25
Author(s):  
E. O. Golovina
Keyword(s):  
Cichorium Intybus ◽  
Old Fields ◽  
Conyza Canadensis ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Melilotus Officinalis ◽  
Carduus Acanthoides ◽  
Lactuca Serriola ◽  
Elytrigia Repens ◽  
Stellarietea Mediae ◽  
Poa Angustifolia

The museum-preserve «The Kulikovo Field» is situated in the northern part of the Central Russian Upland within the forest-steppe zone near its northern border. There are a lot of abandoned fields, most of them left fallow since 1990–2000 years; the exact age of the old fields is unknown. Using the Braun-Blanquet approach as well as the method of K. Kopecký and S. Hejný (Kopecký, Hejný, 1974; Kopecký, 1992), the classification of the old-field vegetation of the central part of the museum-preserve was carried out. One derivate community, 2 basal communities (one of them with two variants), 3 communities and one association with three variants have been identified. The derivate community Conyza canadensis­ [Artemisietea vulgaris/Stellarietea mediae] is dominated by annual and biennial ruderal species: Conyza canadensis, Lactuca serriola and Carduus acanthoides. The association Convolvulo arvensis–Elytrigietum repentis is heterogeneous both in its floristic and subdominant composition and it can be divided into 3 variants. The variant typica represents monodominant communities where Elytrigia repens prevails. The variant Lactuca serriola is characterized by high constancy of Conyza canadensis, Lactuca serriola and some other ruderal plants and it represents coenoses dominated by Elytrigia repens with subdominants such as Lactuca serriola, Senecio jacobaea and Pilosella spp., mainly P. bauhini. The variant Cichorium intybus is dominated by Elytrigia repens with a subdominant Cichorium intybus; some mesophilous meadow species are often present. Variants Melilotus officinalis and Sonchus arvensis of the basal communityElytrigia repens–Cichorium intybus [Artemisietea vulgaris] are dominated by Cichorium intybus, Poa angustifolia and Elytrigia repens, the first of them also by Melilotus officinalis, Artemisia absinthium, and the second by Carduus acanthoides and Calamagrostis epigeios. Unlike the foregoing syntaxa the basal community Elytrigia repens–Cichorium intybus [Artemisietea vulgaris] is characterized by relative high constancy of some species pertaining to the order Galietalia veri, namely Fragaria viridis, Galium verum, Potentilla argentea. These species and also Poa angustifolia are the first steppificated meadow plants that appear in the old field communities under investigation. The community Pilosella bauhini [Onopordion acanthii] is dominated by Pilosella spp., mainly by P. bauhini that sometimes replaced by some ruderal plants, e. g. Achillea nobilis or Cichorium intybus. The peculiarity of this community is the low constancy and abundance of Elytrigia repens. The species of the orders Galietalia veri and Arrhenatheretalia play much noticeable role in the other syntaxa mentioned below, so these syntaxa are between the natural and synanthropic vegetation. The community Leucanthemum vulgare–Galium mollugo [Onopordion acanthii/Molinio-Arrhenatheretea] is distinguished by high abundance and constancy of some mesophilous and xeromesophilous meadow plants (Leucanthemum vulgare, Galium mollugo, Phleum pratense etc.). The community Artemisia marschalliana [Onopordion acanthii/Galietalia veri] is dominated mostly by Leontodon hispidus and Pilosella spp.; its peculiarity is a relatively high constancy of species common in the local steppificated meadows. The basal community Poa angustifolia [Galietalia veri/Artemisietea vulgaris] represents monodominant communities where Poa angustifolia prevails. Annual, biennial and some perennial ruderal species are rare in this variant, unlike most of the syntaxa mentioned above. The common feature of the last three syntaxa is subdominance of Fragaria viridis. It is known that the floristic composition of communities is changed during an old-field succession: the percentage of annual and biennial species declines and that of species pertaining to the classes of natural vegetation increases (Bonet, Pausas, 2007; Yamalov et al., 2008; Pankratova, Gannibal, 2009). Using the life-form and phytosociological spectrum of the syntaxa analysis an attempt to evaluate succession status of the described communities was made (tab. 9, 10). Based upon the results of this analysis, it is possible to suggest that the derivate community Conyza canadensis [Artemisietea vulgaris/Stellarietea mediae] is the earliest stage one can find in the investigated old fields. The variants Lactuca serriola and typica of the association Convolvulo arvensis–Elytrigietum repentis and the community Pilosella bauhini [Onopordion acanthii] are the next in the series. It seems that Pilosella spp. (P. bauhini and probably some other species of this genus) outcompete the pioneer species of initial stages, like Elytrigia repens, in some cases. The basal community Poa angustifolia [Galietalia veri / Artemisietea vulgaris] seems to be the most advanced stage: the percentage of annuals and biennials is minimal, and that of species pertaining to the syntaxa of natural vegetation of the high ranks, especially to the order Galietalia veri, increases greatly. Species richness of the communities is minimal at the most early stage, which is the peculiarity of the old-field vegetation (Pankratova, Gannibal, 2009; Ovcharova, Yamalov, 2013). Similar phenomenon was also noticed at the succession stages where strong dominant (Elytrigia repens or Poa angustifolia) pre­vails, regardless of how much advanced these stages are, the fact mentioned earlier (Prach, 1985). Species richness attains maximum at those stages of succession where the communities are polydominant and contain both early- and late-successional species, that was also previously described (Meiners et al., 2007).

scholarly journals Impacts of Land-Use Changes on Vegetation and Ecosystem Functioning: Old-Field Secondary Succession

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 990
Author(s):  
Javier Pérez-Hernández ◽  
Rosario G. Gavilán
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Dispersal Limitation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Old Field

The study of ecological succession to determine how plant communities re-assemble after a natural or anthropogenic disturbance has always been an important topic in ecology. The understanding of these processes forms part of the new theories of community assembly and species coexistence, and is attracting attention in a context of expanding human impacts. Specifically, new successional studies provide answers to different mechanisms of community assemblage, and aim to define the importance of deterministic or stochastic processes in the succession dynamic. Biotic limits, which depend directly on biodiversity (i.e., species competition), and abiotic filtering, which depends on the environment, become particularly important when they are exceeded, making the succession process more complicated to reach the previous disturbance stage. Plant functional traits (PFTs) are used in secondary succession studies to establish differences between abandonment stages or to compare types of vegetation or flora, and are more closely related to the functioning of plant communities. Dispersal limitation is a PFT considered an important process from a stochastic point of view because it is related to the establishing of plants. Related to it the soil seed bank plays an important role in secondary succession because it is essential for ecosystem functioning. Soil compounds and microbial community are important variables to take into account when studying any succession stage. Chronosequence is the best way to study the whole process at different time scales. Finally, our objective in this review is to show how past studies and new insights are being incorporated into the basis of classic succession. To further explore this subject we have chosen old-field recovery as an example of how a number of different plant communities, including annual and perennial grasslands and shrublands, play an important role in secondary succession.

scholarly journals Diversity of Algae and Cyanobacteria and Bioindication Characteristics of the Alpine Lake Nesamovyte (Eastern Carpathians, Ukraine) from 100 Years Ago to the Present

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Petro M. Tsarenko ◽  
Olena P. Bilous ◽  
Olha M. Kryvosheia-Zakharova ◽  
Halyna H. Lilitska ◽  
Sophia Barinova
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Alpine Lake ◽  
Algal Flora ◽  
Ecological Analysis ◽  
Modern Species ◽  
Eastern Carpathians ◽  
Infraspecific Taxa

The species diversity and changes in the structural dynamics of the algal flora from the alpine lake Nesamovyte has been studied for 100 years. During the period of investigations, 234 species (245 infraspecific taxa) were revealed to cover more than 70% of the modern species composition of the studied lake. The modern biodiversity of algae is characterized by an increase in the number of widespread forms, a change from the baseline “montane” complex in comparison to the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the Nesamovyte Lake still has a unique algae composition that is typical for high-mountainous European lakes. The presence of a different complex of conventionally arctic species of algae, in particular, diatoms is discussed. Structural changes in the taxonomic composition of the algal flora of the lake as well as in the complex of the leading genera, species and their diversity are revealed. An ecological analysis of the algal species composition of the lake showed vulnerability and degradation to the ecosystem of the lake. On this basis, the issue regarding the question of protection and preservation of the algae significance and uniqueness of the flora of algae in the Nesamovyte Lake are discussed.

Do predaceous stoneflies and siltation affect the structure of stream insect communities colonizing enclosures?

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1519-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Peckarsky
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Composite Effect ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate Community

Experiments in Colorado and New York streams assessed the effects of predaceous stoneflies on benthic invertebrate community establishment in enclosures providing uncolonized habitat. Aspects of prey community structure measured were density, species richness, relative species abundance, and body size. Unexpected inorganic sediment deposition allowed evaluation of direct effects on Colorado stream benthos and indirect effects on predation. Predaceous perlids and perlodids consistently reduced the density and, therefore, rate of prey community establishment in enclosures. Although New York perlids disproportionately reduced densities of some prey species, Colorado stoneflies caused nonsignificant declines in individual prey species densities, the composite effect of which was a significant whole-community response. Predators did not affect prey species richness nor change the taxonomic composition (species additions or deletions) of communities colonizing enclosures. However, the relative abundance of prey taxa differed significantly between cages with and without predators. Most species showed no size differences between individuals colonizing enclosures with predators and those colonizing control enclosures, with a few interesting exceptions. The deposition of silt eliminated the predator effects on prey density, as well as directly causing significant reductions in many Colorado benthic populations. This result demonstrates that abiotic disturbances can periodically override the effects of predation on stream insect communities colonizing enclosures.

scholarly journals Effect of disturbance on plant species abundance and density distribution in tropical forest of Sunsari district, Eastern Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Tilak Prasad Gautam ◽  
Tej Narayan Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Shrub Species

The disappearance of global tropical forests due to deforestation and forest degradation has reduced the biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity. In these contexts, present study was carried out to understand the species composition and density in the undisturbed and disturbed stands of moist tropical forest located in Sunsari district of eastern Nepal. Study revealed that the forest disturbance has reduced the number of tree species by 33% and tree density by 50%. In contrary, both number and density of herb and shrub species have increased with forest disturbance.

scholarly journals The Diversification and Intensification of Crop Rotations under No-Till Promote Earthworm Abundance and Biomass

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 919
Author(s):  
María Pía Rodríguez ◽  
Anahí Domínguez ◽  
Melisa Moreira Ferroni ◽  
Luis Gabriel Wall ◽  
José Camilo Bedano
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Subtle Change ◽  
No Till ◽  
Novel Approach

The diversification and intensification of crop rotations (DICR) in no-till systems is a novel approach that aims to increase crop production, together with decreasing environmental impact. Our objective was to analyze the effect of different levels of DICR on the abundance, biomass, and species composition of earthworm communities in Argentinean Pampas. We studied three levels of DICR—typical rotation (TY), high intensification with grass (HG), and with legume (HL); along with three references—natural grassland (NG), pasture (PA), and an agricultural external reference (ER). The NG had the highest earthworm abundance. Among the DICR treatments, abundance and biomass were higher in HL than in HG and, in both, these were higher than in TY. The NG and PA had a distinctive taxonomic composition and higher species richness. Instead, the DICR treatments had a similar richness and species composition. Earthworm abundance and biomass were positively related to rotation intensity and legume proportion indices, carbon input, and particulate organic matter content. The application of DICR for four years, mainly with legumes, favors the development of earthworm populations. This means that a subtle change in management, as DICR, can have a positive impact on earthworms, and thus on earthworm-mediated ecosystem services, which are important for crop production.

scholarly journals Ecological studies of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera): Can sampling effort be reduced without losing essential taxonomic and ecological information?

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulie SHIMANO ◽  
Mylena CARDOSO ◽  
Leandro JUEN
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Taxonomic Resolution ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Genus Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Group A ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance ◽  
Laboratory Time

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the potential for the reduction of sampling effort in studies of ephemeropteran nymphs in Brazilian Amazon streams, Pará State, Brazil, without the loss of ecological information (species composition, abundance, and richness), and the congruence of different levels of taxonomic resolution (morphospecies, genus, family and functional group). Test groups of 15, 10 and five subsamples were selected from the 20 subsamples collected per stream (40 streams sampled), and were compared in terms of their species richness and abundance (ANOVA), and composition (Procrustes). Taxonomic resolution was also analyzed in Procrustes. Species abundance (F(3, 156) = 25.426; p < 0.001) and richness (F(3, 156) = 13.866, p < 0.001) varied significantly among sample groups, while the results of the 15-S group were statistically similar, in both cases, to those of the 20-S group. A similar pattern was found for species composition. The genus-level taxonomic resolution produced results 99% similar to those found for the species-level data. The results indicate that the reduction in sampling effort from 20 to 15 subsamples per site and a genus-level taxonomic resolution would not affect the reliability of analyses significantly. A reduction of five samples per site would result in a decrease of effort in the field and the amount of material to be processed, reducing laboratory time. In addition to a reduction in the time and resources needed to identify specimens, the adoption of a genus-level taxonomic resolution could help minimize errors of under- or over-estimation in the processing of the results.

Convergence and divergence in a long-term old-field succession: the importance of spatial scale and species abundance

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1101-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-peng Li ◽  
Marc W. Cadotte ◽  
Scott J. Meiners ◽  
Zhichao Pu ◽  
Tadashi Fukami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Convergence And Divergence ◽  
Old Field Succession

scholarly journals Topsoil Transfer from Natural Renosterveld to Degraded Old Fields Facilitates Native Vegetation Recovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheunesu Ruwanza
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Recovery ◽  
Old Fields ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Nurse Plants ◽  
Natural Site ◽  
Restoration Technique ◽  
Analysis Of Similarity ◽  
Soil Transfer ◽  
Degraded Ecosystems

The transfer of soils from intact vegetation communities to degraded ecosystems is seen as a promising restoration tool aimed at facilitating vegetation recovery. This study examined how topsoil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields improves vegetation diversity, cover, and composition. Transferred topsoil were overlaid on 30 quadrats, each measuring 1 m2, in May 2009. Eight years following the initial soil transfer, vegetation diversity in the soil transfer site showed an increase towards the natural site compared to the old field site where no soil transfer was administered. Both species richness and cover for trees and shrubs in the soil transfer site increased towards the natural site, though this was not the case for herbs and grasses. One-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant (R = 0.55) separation in community composition between sites. The study concludes that soil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields is a promising restoration technique because it increases species diversity and cover and facilitates vegetation recovery. A significant restoration implication of this study is that soil transfer introduces key renosterveld native tree and shrub species that can facilitate successful restoration and act as restoration foci or nurse plants.

scholarly journals The Edge Effect on Plant Diversity and Soil Properties in Abandoned Fields Targeted for Ecological Restoration

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheunesu Ruwanza
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Edge Effect ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Old Fields ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Measurements

Changes in biotic and abiotic factors may create opportunities for biodiversity recovery in abandoned agricultural fields. This study examined the natural/old field edge effect on plant diversity and soil properties at Lapalala Wilderness in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Detailed vegetation surveys and soil measurements were conducted in three old fields that share a natural/old field road edge boundary. On each site, three transects, each with four plots (10 × 10 m), located 10 m into the natural area and 10, 30 and 50 m into the old field from the edge, were setup. Plant diversity and composition measurements were conducted on each plot. Soil moisture and total N, C and P were measured at the center of each plot. Results indicate that abundance of some woody species was significantly (P < 0.001) higher close to the edge than far into the old fields. However, this was not the case for herbs and grasses which did not increase with edge proximity. All measured soil properties were significantly (P < 0.001) higher close to the edge than far into the old fields. The study concludes that both vegetation and soil properties are influenced by proximity to the edge.

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