Rubus aetnicus Cupani ex Weston and R. canescens DC. (Rosaceae): an analysis

Beek (2016) argued that Rubus aetnicus Cupani ex Weston was the correct name of the taxon that was then called R. canescens DC., and which was previously known as R. tomentosus Borkh. Moreover, R. canescens was stated to be not identical with R. aetnicus, but rather a form of R. × collinus DC. Matzke-Hajek (2016) raised objections to both statements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to thoroughly analyse both names and support this analysis with field work at the type localities and by DNA data. Despite the correspondence at the investigated conservative DNA loci, the investigation showed that the two species are morphologically different and must be conceived as separate taxa. According to the rules of the ICN, R. aetnicus, as the earliest available legitimate name, must be accepted as the correct name for R. tomentosus auct. non Borkh. There is no reason not to use the name R. aetnicus, which has not been commonly used until now. It is unambiguous, while any other name could cause confusion if it would be conserved. Other scientific names clarified in this study are R. aetnaeus Tornab. (= R. ulmifolius Schott), R. aetnensis Tornab. (= R. aetnicus) and R. argenteus Gmel

A treasure lost : the Portocarrero collection of scientific instruments and interest in the sciences in hospitaller Malta

One of the little-known treasures acquired by the Order of St John during the eighteenth century and brought over to Malta consisted of a collection of scientific and mathematical instruments. This impressive collection, which was added to during the succeeding years, eventually vanished without a trace. Further evidence of scientific pursuits in areas such as aerostatics, astronomy, climatic observations and natural history confirm a growing local interest in the various sciences, itself reflecting contemporary developments in Europe.peer-reviewe

Le Piante endemiche della Sardegna: 129

Si descrive il Berberis aetnensis, arbusto caducifoglio spinoso a ramificazione contorta, diffuso nelle alte montagne della Sardegna e della Corsica

Old School Catalog 1877-78, Annual Catalog

https://scholar.valpo.edu/oldschoolcatalogs/1073/thumbnail.jp

Notes on the status and the current spread of Viburnum tinus L. (Viburnaceae) in Sicily (Italy)

The authors carried out a multi-disciplinary research in order to clarify the native status of Viburnum tinus in Sicily and update the knowledge about its current regional distribution. With this purpose, a large amount of scientific papers on forestry, botany and palaeo- and archaeobotany was consulted; more useful data issued from papers focused on local historical gardens, from archives and from herbarium specimens. The available data suggest that most of the extant nuclei may issue from the recent colonization of plants introduced just few centuries ago. Although the status of the stands found in some warm and humid sites in the surroundings of the city of Palermo and on the Sicani Mountain Range remains uncertain, with no doubt the majority of the other populations, including the seven new ones mentioned for the first time in this paper, issue from the recent spread of this species in several coastal and inland areas, a process which has been facilitated by its efficient seed dispersal strategy and its massive use as an ornamental plant in the green areas of the island

Alucinógenos y chamanismo en la tribu Harakmbet.

Sin resume

Production and turnover of organic matter in three southern European Fagus sylvatica L. Stands

17 pages, 5 figures, 7 tables.[EN] Above-ground biomass, litterfall and litter accumulation and decomposition at the soil surface were studied within three Mediterranean beech forests from Italy, France and Spain in order to better understand the recycling of elements associated with the turnover organic matter Above-ground tree biomass amounted to 131.9 Mg ha'^ at Etna (Italy), 134.2 Mg ha'' at Sierra de la Demanda (Spain) and 223.9 Mg ha'' at Mont Lozère (France). The highest amount of total litterfall was observed at Sierra de la Demanda (4.7 Mg ha-' year'), followed by the Mont Lozère (4.4 Mg ha' year' ) and Etna (3.9 Mg ha' year'). Total organic matter accumulated on the soil surface in the three beech forests amounted to 25.8 Mg ha'' at Mont Lozère, 14.4 Mg ha'' at Sierra de la Demanda and 12.6 Mg ha'' at Etna. The relative proportions of leaf litter versus total litter were nearly the same in the Etna and Sierra de la Demanda forests (72 - 70%), and close to these values for Mont Lozère (65%). All the studied Mediterranean Fagus sylvatica stands appeared very similar concerning the organic matter distribution and fluxes, even if local climate and soil differences can be noticed.[FR] Les biomasses aériennes, les retombées de litières, leur accumulation à la surface du sol et leur décomposition, ont été étudiées dans trois hêtraies méditerranéennes d'Italie, de France et d'Espagne, pour mieux connaître la restitution au sol des bioéléments par l'intermédiaire de la matière organique. Les biomasses aériennes s'élevaient respectivement à 131.9 Mg ha-1 dans la hêtraie de l'Etna (Italie), 134.2 Mg ha-1 dans celle de Sierra de la Demanda (Espagne) et à 223.9 Mg ha-1 au Mont Lozère (France). Les retombées de litière les plus fortes sont observées dans la hêtraie de la Sierra de la Demanda (4.7 Mg ha-1 an-1), suivie de celles du Mont Lozère (4.4 Mg ha-1 an-1) et de l'Etna (3.9 Mg ha-1 an-1). L'ensemble de la matière organique accumulée à la surface du sol des trois hêtraies était de 25.8 Mg ha-1 au Mont Lozère, 14.4 Mg ha-1 à Sierra de la Demanda et 12.6 Mg ha-1 dans l'Etna. Les proportions respectives de la fraction feuilles par rapport à la litière totale étaient proches dans les stations de l'Etna et de la Sierra de la Demanda (72 - 70%) et voisines de celle du Mont Lozère (65%). Toutes les forêts de Fagus sylvatica dans le climat Méditerranéen sont très similaires par rapport à la distribution et aux flux, malgré que les conditions de climat et de sol soient différentes.[ES] Se han estudiado la biomasa aérea, la caída, acumulación y descomposición de la hojarasca en tres ecosistemas forestales de hayedo en Italia, Francia y España en orden a conocer mejor el reciclado de elementos- biógenos asociados al reciclaje de materia orgánica. La biomasa aérea estimada es de 131.0 Mg ha-1 en Etna (Italia), 134.2 Mg ha-1 en la Sierra de la Demanda (España) y 223.9 Mg ha-1 en Mont Lozère (Francia). La mayor cantidad de caída de hojarasca se ha observado en la Sierra de la Demanda (4.7 Mg ha-1 año-1) seguida de Mont Lozère (4.4 Mg ha-1 año-1). La materia orgánica acumulada en la superficie del suelo en los tres ecosistemas forestales estudiados fue de 25.8 Mg ha-1 en Mont Lozère, 14.4 Mg ha-1 en la Sierra de la Demanda y 12.6 Mg ha-1 en Etna. El porcentaje relativo de las hojas con relación a la hojarasca total fue similar en las parcelas de Etna y Sierra de la Demanda (72-70%) y algo más bajo en Mont Lozère (65%). Los bosques de Fagus sylvatica estudiados reflejaron valores similares respecto a la distribución y flujos de materia orgánica, aunque se han evidenciado diferencias en cuanto a condiciones locales de clima y suelo.This project has been financed by C. E. and I. N. I. A. We thank the facilities given to us by the Environmental Service of J. C. L. in Burgos, Montpellier and Catania and in the same way to the ground staff who have collaborated in it.Peer reviewe

Approccio alla caratterizzazione di un lembo di bosco vetusto: il caso di Monte Egitto

An integrated approach to characterize an old growth forest patch; the Monte Egitto case study Old growth forests, i.e. forests which have achieved a remarkable age without or with a very limited disturbance, are nowadays subject of detailed studies in order to understand their characters and capacity of ecosystems services providing. In Sicily only few wooded areas are classified as old growth forest, following the heavy land use change toward agriculture during the centuries. This paper reports the results of a study carried out to characterize the vegetation of a little crater on the Mount Etna, where a residual open wood of Quercus congesta (an endemic oak of Southern Italy) survived the year 1651 lava flows surrounding the crater. About 35 years ago inside the crater some areas were planted with Calabrian Black Pine. As a consequence today there is a remarkable competition between trees of the two species. An integrated approach monitoring was adopted, taking into account both trees and understory (herbs, shrubs and tree regeneration) characters as well as bird fauna, in order to describe the current situation and monitor the effect of pine plantation thinning aimed at favouring oak regeneration and reducing pine-oak competition