The modularity and sequential flower production in hermaphroditic plants enable them to modify sex allocation in response to biotic or abiotic environmental variation. To test three predictions derived from the relationship between sexual specialization and compatibility levels, we analyzed the breeding system (self-incompatibility) of Polygonatum verticillatum and the variation in sexual investment to stamens, ovules, pollen grains and P:O ratio among flowers at different positions of the inflorescence. Our results show that in self-compatible P. verticillatum sexual investment varies throughout the inflorescence with an increase in the number of pollen grains but does not show male specialization in top flowers, unlike other self-incompatible species of the genus previously studied. Comparative studies of the variation in floral sex allocation between taxonomically close species should contribute to a better interpretation of the relationships between sexual investment and the breeding system.

Two strict polar-alpine Umbilicaria species (U. aprina and U. virginis) are reported growing together in Los Peñones de San Francisco. Other localities known on the highest summits of the Alps and Pyrenees are considered. We discussed the meaning of these isolated populations as glacial relicts.

Temperate Deciduous Forests occur almost exclusively in the northern hemisphere and thrive under temperate climate with cold winter and warm-humid summer. They covered a continuous belt during most of the Tertiary across the continent Laurasia occupying a large area in higher latitudes. With the cooling of the Earth’s climate and the appearance of the subtropical aridity areas, in combination with the separation of North America from Eurasia, this continuous area split into the three mainly existing now: Eastern North America, Western Eurasia and Eastern Asia. The tree flora reveals the common origin of the three current areas and the events causing more or less severe extinctions during the cold periods of the Pleistocene, in combination with the mountain uplift did happen since the Miocene affected differently to them. The basic features of the deciduous trait and its likely origin are discussed, as well as the ecologic implications of such a trait. For further research, the current possibilities provided by available vegetation datasets (EVA, sPlot) opens the possibility of using a large mass of vegetation plots data involving most of the vascular flora of these forests in order to find out insights about their origin and evolution over time as well as their links with current or past environmental conditions.

Due to the ongoing effects of climate change in the Mediterranean (increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall), conditions for Submediterranean species are disappearing as their habitats are dwindling. We have focused on Euonymus latifolius (L.) Mill., a nemoral-Submediterranean species, at its southernmost populations of Europe. The aim was to evaluate the population structure and regeneration niche of the species at microhabitat scale. We selected five larger populations among the 13 existing ones, marking 25-30 individuals per population. We measured twice: height, width, vegetation cover, survival, soil moisture and temperature. As result, we provided data of the 13 existing populations, containing 93 adults and 350 juveniles. Moreover, we have obtained a very skew population structure with a low number of recruits for five selected populations, especially at smaller populations. Most E. latifolius juveniles were encountered under dense tree canopy (more than 80 % in cover) formed by a mixture of Submediterranean and Mediterranean species. Biovolume per population showed significant differences among the main populations CP and CV, presenting this last a higher recruitment, while recruitment was very low in general. For soil parameters, we found a critical role of canopy, which showed a positive effect on juvenile microhabitat (higher moisture and lower soil temperature). The results showed us the critical situation of the species, with very fragmented populations, low number of individuals, and scattered spatial patterns of individuals within the populations. Also, survival problems, a non-balance demographic structure, and regeneration problems were detected. Finally, we propose a sere of conservation measures, from monitoring to active measures (key tree species plantation, reintroduction, reinforcements), combined with threat control (herbivory, pests, and impact from outdoor activities). All combined may help to preserve this species at its southernmost populations.

The present paper is an overview of state of the art in plant conservation in Mediterranean-type Ecosystems (MTEs), highlighting current studies and neglected topics. A review of the literature dealing with this issue and a general analysis of the results was performed, delving into relevant plant conservation biology topics. The main topics considered were: 1) reproductive biology and genetic conservation, 2) threat factors and effects of global change, and 3) evaluation of conservation status and protected areas selection. This study illustrates differences in the number of documents published in northern countries of the Mediterranean Basin concerning southern and eastern countries and compared with other MTEs. It also highlights the paramount importance of public organizations as funding entities. Additionally, it points to a decrease in traditional subject categories related to plant conservation and increased multidisciplinary conservation research and novel methodologies (e.g., phylogenomics, SDM). To overcome existing biases among the different MTE regions, integrating actions at a transnational level would be necessary, with standard conservation policies and strategies. Moreover, research should be supported with more important participation and funding from private entities, with a clear focus on specific conservation proposals. In contrast, certain weaknesses were detected, some related to the limited information available about threatened plant species and the scarce use of the available data from genetic conservation research in management plans. Consequently, the authors consider that future conservation efforts should be addressed to improve the knowledge of threatened MTEs’ flora and implement a manual of good practices, which would make use of the available research information to put forward more direct proposals for management and conservation.

We describe four new vegetation units and propose 17 new typifications and 24 altered names of syntaxa belonging to Isoeto-Nanojuncetea. Information is also provided on the publication dates of the alliances Isoetion and Preslion.

No Abstract

A revision of the alien Erigeron L. species formerly included in Conyza Less. found in the central-northern Iberian Peninsula is presented. A close examination of numerous specimens collected by the authors as well as voucher specimens preserved at several herbaria has helped clarify several aspects regarding this group. Four species have been recognised in the study area: Erigeron canadensis (=Conyza canadensis), E. bonariensis (=C. bonariensis), E. sumatrensis (=C. sumatrensis) and E. floribundus (=C. floribunda, including C. bilbaoana). They occupy anthropogenic habitats, such as road edges, abandoned fields, crops and waste ground, as well as natural and semi-natural communities, such as nitrophilous river bar communities and ruderal communities on coastal dunes subjected to substantial levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Erigeron sumatrensis and E. floribundus emerge as the two most frequent taxa. Erigeron canadensis, regarded in the past as the most widespread species of the group, is almost absent from the study area, especially from the Atlantic watershed. Furthermore, an important number of specimens previously identified as E. bonariensis do actually correspond to E. sumatrensis. No hybrids have been found. A detailed identification key highlighting the main features that help to separate the four Erigeron species is presented. Finally, as E. floribundus is the most controversial species in the group and the last to arrive, a study of its expansion across western Europe in the last century is included, where it has become a frequent alien especially along the Atlantic regions.

Mapping plant communities, which is essential to assess the conservation status of natural habitats, is currently based mainly on time-consuming field surveys without the use of satellite data. However, free image time-series with high spatial and temporal resolution have been available since 2015. This study assessed the contribution of Sentinel-2 time-series images to mapping the spatial distribution of 18 plant communities within a Natura 2000 site (1978 ha) located on the Mediterranean biogeographical region (Corsica, France). The method was based on random forest modeling of six Sentinel-2 images acquired from 26 February to 24 October 2017, which were calibrated and validated using a field vegetation map. The results showed that the 18 plant communities were modeled correctly, with 72% overall accuracy. The uncertainty map associated with the model indicated areas that required additional field observations.

This study aims to know the natural heritage of the Tamentout forest through a floristic inventory made in several cantons and to evaluate the uses of traditional medicine in the Sétifian Tell, by conducting an ethnobotanical study at the level of several localities in the region. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the listed flora identified 101 plant species, which are divided into 38 families and 97 genera. An important representation of the Asteraceae (19%), Fabaceae and Lamiaceae families (11%) are noted. The floristic study emphasizes the presence of several biological types, with a codominance of hemicryptophytes (with 42%) and therophytes (31%). The Mediterranean floristic element constitutes the most important chorological ensemble (52%). The ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 82 informants, with a total of 290 questionnaire cards. All the results were processed by statistical processing software: Excel 2007 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 23. These results showed that the leaves are the most used part (43%) and that the methods of use are prepared in the form of infusion (25%), poultices (18%), and decoction (11%). The most common forms of use are herbal tea (46%), powder (25%), and essential oil (19%). The oral route is the most widely used route of administration (51%). The most common pathologies are those of the digestive system (20%) and the respiratory system (18%). This study made it possible to identify the diversity of the flora of the Tamentout South Slope forest and list its traditional care and consequently to contribute to the conservation of the Mediterranean pharmacopeia that is being lost.