scholarly journals Xeric grasslands of the inner-alpine dry valleys of Austria – new insights into syntaxonomy, diversity and ecology

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 133-157
Author(s):  
Martin Magnes ◽  
Wolfgang Willner ◽  
Monika Janišová ◽  
Helmut Mayrhofer ◽  
Elías Afif Khouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Unsupervised Classification ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Dry Valleys ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Brachypodium Pinnatum ◽  
Alpine Valleys

Aims: We studied the syntaxonomic position, biodiversity, ecological features, nature conservation value and current status of dry grasslands investigated by Josias Braun-Blanquet more than 60 years ago. Study area: Inner-alpine valleys of Austria. Methods: We sampled 67 plots of 10 m2, following the standardized EDGG methodology. We subjected our plots to an unsupervised classification with the modified TWINSPAN algorithm and interpreted the branches of the dendrogram syntaxonomically. Biodiversity, structural and ecological characteristics of the resulting vegetation units at association and order level were compared by ANOVAs. Results: All the examined grasslands belong to the class Festuco-Brometea. From ten distinguished clusters, we could assign four clusters to validly published associations, while the remaining six clusters were named tentatively. We classified them into three orders: Stipo-Festucetalia pallentis (Armerio elongatae-Potentilletum arenariae, Phleo phleoidis-Pulsatilletum nigricantis, Medicago minima-Melica ciliata community, Koelerio pyramidatae-Teucrietum montani), Festucetalia valesiacae (Sempervivum tectorum-Festuca valesiaca community); Brachypodietalia pinnati (Astragalo onobrychidis-Brometum erecti, Agrostis capillaris-Avenula adsurgens community, Anthericum ramosum-Brachypodium pinnatum community, Ranunculus bulbosus-Festuca rubra community, Carduus defloratus-Brachypodium pinnatum community). Conclusions: The ten distinguished dry grassland communities of the Austrian inner-alpine valleys differ in their ecological affinities as well as their vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen diversity. We point out their high nature conservation importance, as each of them presents a unique habitat of high value. Taxonomic reference: Names of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens follow Fischer et al. (2008), Frahm and Frey (2004) and Nimis et al. (2018), respectively. Syntaxonomic reference: Names of orders and classes follow Mucina et al. (2016), references for associations and alliances are given in the text. Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance; DCA: detrended correspondence analyses; EDGG: Eurasian Dry Grassland Group; EIV: ecological indicator value; FL: Fließ; GR: Griffen; GU: Gulsen; KA: Kaunerberg; LA: Laudegg castle in Ladis; MA: Marin; NM: Neumarkt in der Steiermark; OM: Obermauern; PÖ: Pöls; PU: Puxer Loch; TWINSPAN = Two-way indicator species analysis; ZS: Zinizachspitze.

scholarly journals Analysis of trophic structure of forest flora in the Oril River valley

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
B. A. Baranovsky ◽  
I. A. Ivanko ◽  
A. V. Kotovych ◽  
L. A. Karmyzova ◽  
N. O. Roschina
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Black Locust ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Salix Alba ◽  
Common Oak

Biodiversity is important for maintaining of forest ecosystems functioning and in their resistance to anthropo-climatic challenges. Assessment of species diversity and species ecomorphic analysis is the basis for determining their current status, rational use and protection. At the end of the nineteenth century, Belgard A. L. (1950) in his system of ectomorphs using terminology presented by Dekandol (1956) and Warming (1903), had proposed a «trophomorph» category that reflected species relation to soil richness. Analysis of trophomorphs reflects diversity of soil conditions in different biotopes within forest ecosystems. The article gives an analysis on vascular plant trophomorphs distribution in various forest biotopes of Oril river valley. Flora and vegetation surveys in forests of Oril river valley were carried out by A. L. Belgard and T. F. Kirichenko since the 30s of the 20th century. The latest data on forest vegetation state within the Oril river valley were given in the works of Y. Gamulja and V. Manyuk. Generalized bioecological analysis of flora Oril river valley was represented in the monograph of B. Baranovsky, V. Maniuk, I. Ivanko, L. Karmyzova «Flora analysis of the Oril National Park». As is known, edaphic conditions of plant habitats in a first place are determined by soil fertility depending on the plant nutrients availability. Soddy-forest soil on sandy terrace of Oril river valley has a relatively low content of humus and total nitrogen: 2 and 0.04 %. Under these conditions, pine phytocenoses were ocсurred that represented exclusively by artificial plantings. Soils in the depressed area of Oril river floodplain are much richer in humus and nitrogen content (10 and 0.37 %). Here, arboreal and shrubby vegetation is represented by communities with common oak. On the second terrace of Oril river valley, forest vegetation is represented by artificial pine forests. Microcenoses with black locust, amorpha and willow occurred on elevated areas of sandy terrace (arena). In the depressed area of the arena, microcenoses with aspen and birch, aspen, Tatarian maple, amorpha, black locust were occurred additionally to pine communities. In the Oril floodplain, native arboreal and shrubby vegetation is represented mainly by communities with common oak. In depressed areas of the floodplain, microcenoses with white poplar, black poplar, aspen, Tatarian maple, amorpha, willow (Salix alba, S. fragilis), osiery (Salix cinerea, S. triandra),  and alder are fragmentarily occurred. In conditions of elevated areas of the floodplain, 196 vascular plants species were found, and 105 species in depressed areas. On the second terrace, 38 plant species grow on the elevated areas, and 54 species on the depressed ones. Flora includes 45 adventive plant species. In depressed floodplain areas, oligotrophs are represented by 7 species, mesotrophs by 126 species, megatrophs by 50 species, and in elevated areas: 7, 126 and 25 species, respectively. In depressed areas of arena oligotrophs are represented by 4 species, mesotrophs by 29 species, and megatrophs by 11, elevated areas: 7 and 21 species respectively, and megatrophs were absent.

Poa pratensis L., current status of the longest-established non-native vascular plant in the Antarctic

Polar Biology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1473-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis R. Pertierra ◽  
Francisco Lara ◽  
Javier Benayas ◽  
Kevin A. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Antarctic

Dry grasslands in Wood Buffalo National Park: reply

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 918-921
Author(s):  
A G Schwarz ◽  
Ross W Wein
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Dry Grasslands ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Stipa Comata ◽  
Wood Buffalo National Park ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Special Protection

In examining dry grassland areas of Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), we used vascular plant indicators commonly found in the grassland landscapes in the southern and central parts of the Prairie Provinces. With distance northward the landscapes become increasingly tree-dominated and the dry grasslands have fewer dry grassland indicator species (about 40 in the area of WBNP) and become smaller in size (about 1 ha in WBNP). Key species are Stipa comata Trin & Rupr., Stipa curtiseta (A.S. Hitchc.) Barkworth, and Stipa columbiana Macoun on the drier sites. Paleontological records and historical documents suggest that these remnant dry grasslands must expand during decades of drought and must contract during decades of higher summer rainfall. We hypothesize that fires might enhance dry grassland expansion by stressing and killing trees and shrubs. Southern dry grassland vascular plant species represent over 7% of the total in WBNP. It is reasonable to hypothesize that these represent special ecotypes that deserve special protection through prescribed burning.Key words: remnant grasslands, Stipa spp., climate change.

scholarly journals Regional typology of spring vegetation in Parc Ela (Grisons, Switzerland)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 257-274
Author(s):  
Hallie Seiler ◽  
Daniel Küry ◽  
Regula Billeter ◽  
Jürgen Dengler
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Water Conductivity ◽  
Regional Survey

Aims: The spring habitats of Central Europe are insular biotopes of high ecological value. Although subject to severe exploitation pressures, they do not yet have a comprehensive protection status in Switzerland. Contributing to this challenge is the controversy involved with their syntaxonomic classification. In the context of the development of a regional conservation strategy and the establishment of a national inventory of Swiss springs, we carried out a regional survey of spring vegetation and aimed to translate this into a classification system. Study area: Montane and subalpine zones of Parc Ela (Grisons, Switzerland). Methods: We selected 20 springs to cover different regions, elevations and bedrock types within the park. In each of them we recorded complete vascular plant and bryophyte composition as well as a range of environmental variables in three 1-m² plots that were placed to reflect the heterogeneity within the spring. After running an unsupervised classification with modified TWINSPAN, the distinguished vegetation units were characterized in terms of diagnostic species, species richness and environmental variables and placed within the syntaxonomic system. Results: Species richness was high (total species 264, mean 21.7 species in 1 m2). The two most important environmental gradients of the ordination were elevation/water conductivity and insolation/water pH/soil reaction EIV. We distinguished seven communities within two main groups. Conclusions: All unshaded springs, including those over siliceous bedrock, could be assigned to a broadly defined Cratoneurion. The petrifying springs were not strongly distinguishable floristically from other base-rich springs. The forest springs, although often not clearly differentiated from their unshaded counterparts, could be provisionally divided into the alliances Caricion remotae and Lycopodo europaei-Cratoneurion commutati. As there is a certain threat to these habitats in the park due to anthropogenic influence, protection measures are recommended, most importantly the appropriate management of alpine pastures. Taxonomic reference: Juillerat et al. (2017) for vascular plants, Meier et al. (2013) for bryophytes. Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance; DCA = detrended correspondence analysis; EIV = ecological indicator value; FOEN = Federal Office of the Environment (Switzerland); NCHO = Ordinance on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage; SD = standard deviation; TWINSPAN = Two Way Indicator Species Analysis; WPA = Federal Act on the Protection of Waters.

scholarly journals Sozological peculiarities of the flora of the Desna Plateau (Ukraine)

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-45
Author(s):  
L. V. Koval ◽  
L. M. Horshkova ◽  
L. O. Kuzmenko ◽  
O. M. Mehem ◽  
L. V. Burchak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Central Russian Upland ◽  
Northern Border ◽  
Cypripedium Calceolus ◽  
Reserve Fund ◽  
Pulsatilla Patens

According to the goals and objectives of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for 2011–2020 studying and monitoring the rare component of regional floras is highly relevant. This article presents the results of a nature conservation study of the flora of the Desna Plateau (Кrolevets’ and Hlukhiv geobotanic region), situated in the northeast part of Ukraine at the border line of two geomorphological regions (the Central Russian Upland and the Polesia-Dnipro lowland) and of two physical-geographical zones (Novhorod-Sivers`ke Polesia and the Sums`ky forest-steppe. In the orographic aspect, the territory is made up of the western spurs of the Central Russian Upland with the dissectioned forms of the relief. The studied area consists of about 4000 km2. Field route studies aimed at compiling floral lists, geobotanical description and herbarizing were conducted in the period 2002–2016. Separate sites of nature conservation interest were re-examined in different seasonal periods. The basis of the annotated summary of the rare species of vascular plant flora is made up by the materials of original research, as well as herbarium (KW) and literary reviews. The complex floristic analysis of the rare component of the regional flora was carried out in cameral conditions, which made it possible to identify the systematic, geographical, ecological, phytocenological and nature conservation structures of the rare species of vascular plant flora in the investigated area. According to the data received, the total number of species of vascular plants endangered by anthropogenic impact is composed of 85 species belonging to 32 families, 54 genera. Among the families, the following predominate: Orchidaceae (14 genera), Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae (8 genera in each), Iridaceae (5), Aspidiaceae, Cyperaceae (4 genera in each). Among the genera, the following predominate – Carex (4 species); Dryopteris, Orchis, Iris, Jurinea – 3 species in each. It was concluded that among the rare species there are plant species of different physical and geographical zones and this corresponds to the ecotone location of the region. Among species at the edge of their range, 14 are on the extreme northern border of their typical range (Linum flavum L., Carex rhizina Blytt ex Lindb., Centaurea ruthenica Lam., Trinia multicaulis Schishk, Aster amellus L., Galatella linosyris (L.) Rchb. f., Stipa tirsa Steven), 7 species are found on the southern border of their range (Cypripedium calceolus L., Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum L., Parnassia palustris L., Lycopodium annotinum L., 4 species (Anemone nemorosa L., Salix myrsinifolia Salisb., Galanthus nivalis L., Gladiolus imbricatus L. are found on the eastern border of their distribution. The nature conservation structure includes 4 species from the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Dracocephalum ruyschiana L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill s.l., Salvinia natans L., Ostericum palustre (Bess) Bess); 3 species from the supplement to the CITES Convention (Adonis vernalis L., Cypripedium calceolus L., Orchis militaris L.), 27 species from the Red Book of Ukraine (Lilium martagon L., Allium ursinum L., Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich, Stipa pennata L.), 49 species from Sumy region rare species list (Clematis recta L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., Eremogone saxatilis (L.) Ikonn., Drosera rotundifolia L., Pedicularis kaufmannii Pinzg., Carex limosa L., C. umbrosa Host.). In addition, we suggest including into this list Sanquisorba officinalis L., Briza media L., Beckmania eruciformis (L.) Host., Melica nutans L., Coronilla varia L., Salvia nutans L., Scilla siberica Haw., Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv., Valeriana officinalis L., Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medic., Menyanthes trifoliata L., Hesperis matronalis L., Naumburgia thyrsiflora (L.) Rchb., Thalictrum aquilegifolium L., T. minus L., Verbascum nigrum L., Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. It was found that among the rare species of the region mesophytes predominate and they are confined to meadow and forest habitats. To a lesser extent, xeromesophytes and xerophytes of meadow-steppe, as well as hygrophytes and hydrophytes of shoreline and water habitats are represented. The nature reserve fund of the region was analyzed according to the methodology of assessing the nature reserves by botanical value priority criteria. To optimize the region's nature reserve fund, a rationale for creating a landscape reserve of local significance “Zvenyhorods'ky” with a total area of 2,000 hectares was compiled, giving it the status of a regional biodiversity centre.

Phytosociological affiliation of Annex II species Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica in comparison with two related Tephroseris species with overlapping distribution

Biologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarína Hegedüšová ◽  
Iveta Škodová ◽  
Monika Janišová ◽  
Judita Kochjarová
Keyword(s):  
Related Species ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Indicator Values ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Phytosociological Relevés ◽  
Ecological Indicator Values

AbstractThe phytosociological affiliation of Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica, species of European importance, was studied in relation to two closely related species of the genus Tephroseris which have overlapping distribution within the Western Carpathian Mts: T. intergrifolia and T. crispa. The main aim was to compare plant communities inhabited by the three taxa, to assess the major environmental gradients responsible for variation in their distribution and to estimate ecological indicator values for Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica. T. longifolia subsp. moravica was recorded in nine localities in the Slovakia and Czech Republic where it occurs in very specific site conditions of ecotone habitats. Its phytosociological affiliation is restricted to grasslands of the alliances Bromion erecti and Arrhenatherion elatioris and to the ecotone vegetation between these grasslands and beech forests. T. integrifolia occurs most frequently in the Diantho lumnitzeri-Seslerion, Bromion erecti and Quercion pubescenti-petraeae alliances. T. crispa occurs predominantly in communities of the Calthion palustris alliance and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae, Mulgedio-Aconitetea and Montio-Cardaminetea classes. The major gradient responsible for variation in species composition of communities inhabited by the studied taxa was associated with moisture and nutrient content. The vascular plant-based ecological indicator values for Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica calculated from phytosociological relevés with its occurrence were set for light — 6, temperature — 5, continentality — 4, moisture — 5, soil reaction — 6 and nutrients — 5. We conclude that the studied taxon has intermediate relationship to the most of the studied factors in comparison with two related species, T. crispa and T. integrifolia.

Global wetland inventory - current status and future priorities

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Finlayson ◽  
N. C. Davidson ◽  
A. G. Spiers ◽  
N. J. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Current Status ◽  
General Description ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Artificial Wetlands ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Wetland Resource ◽  
Wetland Inventory ◽  
And Storage

This assessment is based on reviews of the extent of wetland inventory in seven regions of the world. A key conclusion is that little is still known about the extent and condition of the global wetland resource. It was not possible to make reliable overall estimates of the size of the wetland resource globally or regionally. Previous estimates range from 5.3 to 9.7 million km2 but present analyses now suggest a tentative minimum of 12.8 km2. Recommendations focus on the need for national inventory programmes and the inclusion of basic information on the location and extent of each wetland and its major ecological features as a forerunner to collecting further management-oriented information. Thus, the following core data should be collected: area and boundary, location, geomorphic setting, general description, soil characteristics, water regime, water quality, and biotic characteristics. Further, the development of standardized methods for data collection, collation and storage are called for. These should address the use of remotely sensed data and storage of information in electronic formats, including Geographic Information Systems and recording key information in a meta-database. Habitats of priority for future inventory are seagrasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and coastal flats, mangroves, arid-zone wetlands, peatlands, rivers and streams, and artificial wetlands.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal heterogeneity of riparian soil morphology in a restored floodplain

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 4337-4367
Author(s):  
B. Fournier ◽  
C. Guenat ◽  
G. Bullinger-Weber ◽  
E. A. D. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Temporal Heterogeneity ◽  
Soil Morphology ◽  
Soil Diversity ◽  
Braided Rivers ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract. Floodplains have been intensively altered in industrialized countries, but are now increasingly being restored and it is therefore important to assess the effect of these restoration projects on the aquatic and terrestrial components of ecosystems. Soils are a functionally crucial component of terrestrial ecosystems but are generally overlooked in floodplain restoration assessment. We studied the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of soil morphology in a restored (riverbed widening) river reach along River Thur (Switzerland) using three criteria (soil diversity, dynamism and typicality) and their associated indicators. We hypothesized that these criteria would correctly discriminate the post-restoration changes in soil morphology within the study site, and that these changes correspond to patterns of vascular plant diversity. Soil diversity and dynamism increased five years after the restoration, but typical soils of braided rivers were still missing. Soil typicality and dynamism correlated to vegetation changes. These results suggest a limited success of the project in agreement with evaluations carried out at the same site using other, more resource demanding methods (e.g. soil fauna, fish, ecosystem functioning). Soil morphology provides structural and functional information on floodplain ecosystems and allows predicting broad changes in plant diversity. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity of soil morphology represents a cost-efficient ecological indicator that could easily be integrated into rapid assessment protocols of floodplain and river restoration projects.

scholarly journals The Status of Floristic Analysis of Mt. Pangasugan, Leyte, Philippines – a Conservation Priority Area Classified as “Extremely High Critical”

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Gerhard Langenberger ◽  
Beatriz Belonias
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Priority Area ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
The Status ◽  
Specimen Processing

the island of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas takes a central position between the Philippine main islands of Luzon and Mindanao. It is characterized by the Leyte cordillera, which is part of the Philippine fault line. Within the Leyte cordillera, Mt. Pangasugan takes an exceptional role since it provides a catena from lowland forest remnants on its foothills to mossy forest on its summit at 1158 m a.s.l.. recently, Mt. Pangasugan has been identified as conservation priority area classified as of ‘extremely high critical’ level. Mt. Pangasugan has been the focus of comprehensive botanical studies within the last few years. We present the current status of the floristic assessment of the mountain and introduce the Visayas state University Herbarium, located at the foot of Mt. Pangasugan, where the majority of collected specimens are deposited. At present, the Herbarium houses c. 6100 specimens, 3000 of them originating from the primary forest of Mt. Pangasugan. based on the present status of specimen processing and identification they represent 115 families, and 418 genera of Angiosperms, 2 families, 2 genera, and 3 species of Gymnosperms, 27 families and 64 genera of Pteridophytes, and 3 classes, 38 genera and 51 species of bryophytes. the number of vascular plant species represented in the VsU Herbarium can safely be estimated at c. 800-1000. Given the small overall sampling area intensively studied so far these figures can be assumed as representing just a fraction of the total floristic richness of the area.

scholarly journals Succession dynamics of vegetation in the Slovak Karst Biosphere Reserve Landscape (Western Carpathians)

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-31
Author(s):  
Ivan Vološčuk ◽  
Eva Uhliarová ◽  
Peter Sabo ◽  
Martina Škodová ◽  
Juaj Švajda
Keyword(s):  
Species Abundance ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Grassland Vegetation ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Brachypodium Pinnatum ◽  
Calamagrostis Epigejos ◽  
European Method ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Abstract The paper presents results acquired by an ecological analysis of vegetation succession on the field of the Slovak Karst in south-east Slovakia over the past 25 years. The data were collected on permanent research plots etsablished in 1983−1985 on the Plešivská Plateau (part of the Slovak Karst National Park and Biosphere Reserve). Changes in mesic and dry grassland vegetation of permanent field plots were evaluated in the same way both times according to the Central European method. Due to cessation of non-forest vegetationmanagement the majority, permanent plots isgradually overgrownby woody plants. Succession of vegetation runs faster on karst plateaux where the trees and shrubs invasion is accompanied by overgrowing of grassland vegetation with Brachypodium pinnatum and Calamagrostis epigejos, which are completly change their species composition. On the steep limestone slopes and karst rocky fields of the lower altitudes the secondary succession is ongoing slower and is subjected mainly to accumulation of soil. Succession of herb layer is firstly reflected in changes of species abundance and later in exchanges of dominant species and plant communities. It was also evaluated succession in two forest habitats. In the community Fagetum typicum was evaluated succession after the artificial spruce wind calamity.

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