Euro plus Med-Checklist Notulae, 11

This is the eleventh of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Anacardiaceae, Asparagaceae (incl. Hyacinthaceae), Bignoniaceae, Cactaceae, Compositae, Cruciferae, Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Gramineae, Labiatae, Leguminosae, Orobanchaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Staphyleaceae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Bidens, Campsis, Centaurea, Cyperus, Drymocallis, Engem, Hoffmannseggia, Hypopitys, Lavandula, Lithraea, Melilotus, Nicotiana, Olimarabidopsis, Opuntia, Orobanche, Phelipanche, Phragmites, Rumex, Salvia, Schinus, Staphylea, and a new combination in Drimia.Peer reviewe

Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 13

This is the thirteenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Amaryllidaceae (incl. Alliaceae), Apocynaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Gramineae, Hydrocharitaceae, Iridaceae, Labiatae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Orobanchaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae, Pittosporaceae, Primulaceae (incl. Myrsinaceae), Ranunculaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Allium, Anthemis, Atriplex, Centaurea, Chasmanthe, Chenopodium, Delphinium, Digitaria, Elodea, Erigeron, Eucalyptus, Hypecoum, Leptorhabdos, Luffa, Malvaviscus, Melia, Melica, Momordica, Nerium, Oxalis, Pastinaca, Phelipanche, Physalis, Pittosporum, Salvia, Scorzoneroides, Sedum, Sesleria, Silene, Spartina, Stipa, Tulipa and Ziziphus, new combinations in Cyanus, Lysimachia, Rhaponticoides and Thliphthisa, and the reassessment of a replacement name in Sempervivum

The distribution of biodiversity richness in the tropics

We compare the numbers of vascular plant species in the three major tropical areas. The Afrotropical Region (Africa south of the Sahara Desert plus Madagascar), roughly equal in size to the Latin American Region (Mexico southward), has only 56,451 recorded species (about 170 being added annually), as compared with 118,308 recorded species (about 750 being added annually) in Latin America. Southeast Asia, only a quarter the size of the other two tropical areas, has approximately 50,000 recorded species, with an average of 364 being added annually. Thus, Tropical Asia is likely to be proportionately richest in plant diversity, and for biodiversity in general, for its size. In the animal groups we reviewed, the patterns of species diversity were mostly similar except for mammals and butterflies. Judged from these relationships, Latin America may be home to at least a third of global biodiversity

Primer atlas polínico de las islas de São Tomé y Príncipe y principales aplicaciones ecológicas¿

São Tomé y Príncipe es un estado insular del Golfo de Guinea con una rica biota endémica, resultante de procesos de diversificación in situ y aislamiento con respecto al continente. Las islas han sido objeto de importantes expediciones naturalistas, en las que los trabajos sobre la flora son de destacable magnitud, sin embargo, hasta el momento, no existen estudios palinológicos significativos. El polen presenta una gran diversidad morfológica que puede revelar información sobre la composición de las formaciones vegetales, tanto presentes como pasadas, que caracterizan los distintos ecosistemas. En este estudio se emplea material de herbario con el fin de caracterizar la morfología de los granos de polen de las especies más importantes del bosque montano. Para ello, se han procesado muestras de 62 especies, empleando un método de acetólisis modificada, de las cuales 51 especies (26 familias y 49 géneros) conforman el atlas. Esta representación abarca en torno al 20% de la flora endémica de las islas, en las que predomina la representación de la familia Rubiaceae. Las muestras, que fueron fotografiadas y descritas, se estudiaron mediante el empleo de microscopía óptica. Las imágenes resultantes se organizan en un total de 10 láminas, que además se acompañan de 51 descripciones, incluyendo, por primera vez, las características morfológicas de 20 especies endémicas del archipiélago. Las aplicaciones ecológicas de este trabajo, especialmente en el ámbito de la paleoecología, permitirán esclarecer interrogantes acerca de la composición de las formaciones vegetales y la afección de las perturbaciones antrópicas en las islas. Palabras clave: São Tomé y Príncipe, Atlas, Rubiaceae, Palinología, Paleoecología.São Tomé and Príncipe is an State-Island in the Gulf of Guinea with abundant endemic biota, product of in situ diversification and isolation from the mainland. The islands have been the subject of important naturalist expeditions, and studies on the flora are of remarkable magnitude. However, no significant palynological studies have been carried out. Pollen shows remarcable morphological diversity and can reveal information about the composition of plant formations, that characterize the different ecosystems in the present and in the past. In this research, herbarium material is studied to characterize the morphology of the pollen grains of montane forest´s species. To achieve this, samples of 62 species were processed using a modified acetolysis method, of which 51 species (26 families and 49 genera) make up the atlas. This representation covers around 20% of the endemic flora of the islands, in which the representation of the Rubiaceae family predominates. Samples were photographed and described using light microscopy. Resulting images are organized in a total of 10 plates, that are also accompanied by 51 descriptions, including, for the first time, morphological characteristics of 20 endemic species of the archipelago. The ecological applications of this work, especially in the field of palaeoecology, will clarify questions about the composition of plant communities and the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the islands. Keywords: São Tomé and Príncipe, Atlas, Rubiaceae, Palinology, Paleoecology

A new method to determine the diet of pygmy hippopotamus in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

This research was funded by “Fond des donations” of the University of Neuchâtel and the “Willy Müller Award” of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire.Diet determination of endangered species is an essential element in defining successful conservation strategies and optimising captive breeding programmes. In this study, we developed a new diet identification system, derived from standard faecal analysis, to determine the diet of an elusive and endangered herbivore, the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). We collected faecal samples from 10 free-ranging individuals covering a combined home range area of about 50 km2 in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. In subsequent laboratory analyses, we extracted a large number of leaf epidermis fragments from spatially separated faecal samples and compared them with a reference plant database. Using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) of epidermis fragments combined with direct visual inspection, we identified the most frequently consumed plant species, which revealed that pygmy hippopotami qualified as intermediate feeders. Their diet was based on at least seven species of monocotyledonae, dicotyledonae and fern groups, with a preference for a small number of other plant species. We evaluate the merit of our method and discuss our findings for developing effective conservation and captive breeding strategies in an endangered species with a wild population of less than 2500 adult individuals.PostprintPeer reviewe

14,000 years of climatic and anthropogenic change in the Afromontane forest of São Tomé Island, Gulf of Guinea

São Tomé (Gulf of Guinea, Central Africa) is a 854 km2 tropical island that had a pivotal role in early European colonial expansion through the Atlantic between the 15th and 16th centuries. Historical sources suggest that native vegetation has been heavily impacted since human arrival (1470 CE) due to monoculture economies and the introduction of mammals and plants, some of which now have established wild populations. The Afromontane forest of São Tomé, located above 800 m.a.sl., is particularly rich in endemic plant species and has remained relatively unaffected by direct human impacts. Here, we explore how environmental change influenced this forest through the study of a sedimentary sequence from the volcanic crater of Lagoa Amélia (1340 m a.s.l.), a palustrine system located at the boundary between submontane (800–1400 m a.s.l.) and mist forest (above 1400 m a.s.l.). We used fossil pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, sedimentology and charcoal to determine forest dynamics from the Late Pleistocene to the present. From 14,000 to 12,500 cal yr BP the forest was dominated by taxa from higher altitudes, adapted to cooler and drier climates (e.g. Afrocarpus mannii trees and Psychotria nubicola). After 12,500 cal yr BP, a potential uphill migration was identified by an increase in taxa like the trees Symphonia globulifera and Craterispermum cerinanthum. From 11,200 cal yr BP through the rest of the Holocene taxa from lower altitudes became dominant (e.g. Prunus africana, Polyscias, and Sabicea), except at c. 8500 cal yr BP when rapid cooling led to forest opening. Charcoal showed that fires were frequent during the Late Pleistocene (14,000 to 11,200 cal yr BP), becoming rare during the Holocene until anthropogenic fires started at c. 220 cal yr BP. Other recent anthropogenic impacts detected in Lagoa Amélia included the appearance of pollen of introduced plant species (e.g., Cestrum), and the increase in pollen of economically important species (Elaeis guineensis, Zea mays) and in fungal spores related to introduced herbivores. Our results reveal that climate changed the altitudinal distribution of the Afromontane forest in São Tomé during the Late Pleistocene, as observed on the African continent, and that this ecosystem was also strongly impacted by human arrival, through fire, farming, and introduced species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perceived nutrition benefits and socio-demographic factors affecting consumption of forest foods in eastern and southern Cameroon

African forests act as sources of both plant and animal foods that provide significant amounts of nutrients and healthy boosting bioactive compounds. This study investigated the relationship between knowledge, perceptions and socio-demographic attributes towards consumption of forest foods. A total of 279 females in charge of decision making with respect to food preparation, were randomly selected from 12 villages in southern and eastern Cameroon, and interviewed using researcher administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the socio demographic factors and perceptions affecting consumption of forest foods. Baillonella toxisperma (African pearwood) (98%), Irvingia gabonesis (bush mango) (81%) and Trichoscypha abut (Mvout) (70%) were identified as the most nutritious foods. Among the animal forest foods, bush meat (11%) and Imbrasia spp. (edible caterpillars) (10%) were identified as the most nutritious. Consumption of forest foods was higher among polygamous families and also positively related to length of stay in the forest area, as well as age of female respondents. Education had an inverse relationship with use of forest foods. Perception towards the nutritional value of forest foods were also found to positively influence consumption of forest foods. Since negative perceptions were found to influence consumption, there is need to invest in awareness campaigns to strengthen the current knowledge levels among the study population.Les for\ueats africaines sont des r\ue9servoirs d\u2019aliments v\ue9g\ue9taux et animaux fournissant des quantit\ue9s importantes de nutriments et compos\ue9s bioactifs stimulants naturels. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude analyse la relation entre les connaissances, les perceptions et les caract\ue9ristiques sociod\ue9mographiques de la consommation des aliments issus des for\ueats. Un total de 279 femmes responsables du choix et de la pr\ue9paration des aliments familiaux ont \ue9t\ue9 choisis au hasard dans 12 villages du Sud et de l\u2019Est du Cameroun, et interview\ue9 \ue0 l\u2019aide de questionnaires administr\ue9s par des chercheurs. L\u2019analyse de r\ue9gression multi-vari\ue9e a \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9e pour identifier les facteurs sociod\ue9mographiques et les perceptions qui affectent la consommation desdits aliments. Baillonella toxisperma (Moabi) (98%), Irvingia gabonesis (mangue sauvage) (81%) et Trichoscypha abut (Mvout) (70%) ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9s comme les aliments v\ue9g\ue9taux les plus nutritifs. Pour ce qui est des aliments forestiers d\u2019origine animale, la viande de brousse (11%) et Imbrasia spp. (chenilles comestibles) (10%) ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9s comme \ue9tant les plus nutritifs. La consommation des aliments issus des for\ueats \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9e parmi les familles polygames et positivement corr\ue9l\ue9e \ue0 la dur\ue9e de s\ue9jour dans la zone foresti\ue8re, ainsi qu\u2019\ue0 l\u2019\ue2ge des femmes interrog\ue9es. Le niveau d\u2019\ue9ducation avait une relation inverse avec l\u2019utilisation des aliments forestiers. La perception de leurs valeur nutritives avait \ue9galement une influence positive sur leur consommation. \uc9tant donn\ue9 que les pr\ue9jug\ue9s qui ont longtemps marqu\ue9s ces aliments influencent n\ue9gativement leur consommation, il est n\ue9cessaire de sensibiliser et de renforcer le niveau de connaissance des populations \ue9tudi\ue9e sur la valeur nutritive de ces produits

Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 15

This is the fifteenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Amaranthaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Cactaceae, Campanulaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Cyperaceae, Dipsacaceae, Leguminosae, Lentibulariaceae, Molluginaceae, Montiaceae, Onagraceae, Orobanchaceae, Pinaceae, Plantaginaceae, Polygalaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Umbelliferae and Violaceae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Acacia, Amaranthus, Bupleurum, Campanula, Carex, Claytonia, Dysphania, Epilobium, Erigeron, Galium, Gelasia, Hieracium, Lathyrus, Lomelosia, Lonicera, Mollugo, Nothoscordum, Opuntia, Orobanche, Picea, Plantago, Polycarpon, Polygala, Rubus, Scorzoneroides, Utricularia, Veronica, Vicia and Viola, and a correction to a previous notula for Trifolium pachycalyx in Greece

Influence of land use on structure and dynamics of populations of woody plants in savannas, West Africa

Savanna regions in West Africa are valuable cultural landscapes and provide a wide range of ecosystem services for human well-being and are frequently affected by human-induced disturbances. Aside from agricultural activities (crop production and animal husbandry), the harvesting of timber and non-timber forest products is crucial for household income, alimentation and medicinal purposes. Most indigenous woody species have undergone increasing anthropogenic pressure as social and economic conditions have changed dramatically during recent decades, resulting in further habitat fragmentation and increased disturbance severity. Human land use activities influence growth conditions for plants by altering various abiotic factors, such as light, nutrient availability and water supply. They are found to alter demographic parameters (e.g., germination, seedling and sapling growth, survival and mortality rates) of woody plant individuals and alter the structure and stability of populations. The degree of anthropogenic disturbance varies between land-cover types, distance to settlements, and protection status. In the context of land-use change, there is an urgent need to better understand and evaluate the impact of land-use on savanna vegetation, particularly on the population biology of common savanna woody species. A major conclusion to be drawn from this thesis is that land use influences savanna vegetation in a complex way and does not necessarily lead to a decline or loss of tree populations and species. It is rather that in a constantly changing landscape, as a result of human-induced disturbances, populations of ubiquitous and some common species can be stable over time. The abundance of some species tends to decline consistently, whereas others benefit from human disturbance. Moreover, the study provides an insight into the structure and dynamics of common, dominant and less dominant savanna woody plants in a communal and a protected area. There is a need for further basic studies to assess the impact of land use and ecological preferences of all species, including repeated density studies that look at survivorship and transition probabilities over a number of seasons as well as longterm in-situ experiments in settlement areas in order to better understand woody plant populations in settlement areas as the few remaining semi-natural sites are likely to decrease in the future. A challenge will be the development of strategies to protect species within a landscape under cultivation.Die Savannenökosysteme Westafrikas sind wie überall in den Tropen geprägt von einer kontinuierlichen, gräserdominierten Krautschicht und einer mehr oder weniger dicht ausgebildeten Baum- und Strauchschicht. Seit mehreren Jahrtausenden siedeln Menschen in den Savannengebieten Westafrikas und leben von der Vielfalt natürlicher Ressourcen und Produkte, die dieser Lebensraum bereithält. Infolge menschlicher Tätigkeit haben sich Struktur und Dynamik von Savannen stark verändert, so dass uns heute eine Landschaft begegnet, die stark von menschlicher Nutzung geprägt ist. Eine typische Form der Landnutzung in Westafrika ist die Landwechselwirtschaft, bei welcher der Ackernutzung eine langjährige Brachephase folgt. Es wird eine Vielzahl von Feldfrüchten angebaut, vor allem Mais, Hirse, Sorghum und Jams für den Eigenbedarf, sowie für den Verkauf bestimmte Kulturpflanzen (cash crops) wie Baumwolle, Erdnüsse und Cashew. Neben dem Ackerbau spielt die Haltung und Zucht von Rindern und kleinen Wiederkäuern wie Ziegen und Schafen eine bedeutende Rolle. Als Weideland dienen Brachen, nicht kultivierbare Standorte und abgeerntete Felder. Neben Ackerbau und Viehzucht ist die Verwendung von Wildpflanzen (sogenannte Nichtholzprodukte wie Blätter, Borke, Früchte und Wurzeln) in der Medizin, der täglichen Ernährung und im Haushalt fest in den traditionellen Lebensgewohnheiten verankert. Darüber hinaus bedeuten sie für viele Familien eine zusätzliche Einkommensquelle und dienen in Krisenzeiten, z.B. durch Ernteausfälle ausgelösten Hungerszeiten, als maßgebliche (finanzielle) Rücklage. Von der Vielzahl an nutzbaren Wildpflanzen liefern insbesondere Gehölze, sowohl Baum- als auch Straucharten, wertvolle Produkte. Aufgrund ihrer sozioökonomischen und kulturellen Bedeutung werden einige Baumarten bei der Rodung von Savannenflächen zu Ackerflächen ausgenommen. Dazu gehören der Shea-Butterbaum (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn), der Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), die Tamarinde (Tamarindus indica L.) und der Néré (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don). ..