RESUMEN
Climate change significantly impacts the distribution of woody plants, indirectly influencing the dynamics of entire ecosystems. Understanding species' varied responses to the environment and their reliance on biotic interactions is crucial for predicting the global changes' impact on woodland biodiversity. Our study focusses on Dicranum viride, a moss of conservation priority, and its dependence on specific phorophytes (host trees). Using species distribution modelling (SDM) techniques, we initially modelled its distribution using climate-only variables. As a novel approach, we also modelled the distribution of the main phorophyte species and incorporated them into D. viride SDM alongside climate data. Finally, we analysed the overlap of climatic and geographic niches between the epiphyte and the phorophytes. Inclusion of biotic interactions significantly improved model performance, with phorophyte availability emerging as the primary predictor. This underscores the significance of epiphyte-phorophyte interactions, supported by substantial niche overlap. Predictions indicate a potential decline in the suitability of most of the current areas for D. viride, with noticeable shifts towards the northern regions of Europe. Our study underscores the importance of incorporating biotic interactions into SDMs, especially for dependent organisms. Understanding such connections is essential to implement successful conservation strategies and adapt forest management practices to environmental changes.
Asunto(s)
Briófitas , Cambio Climático , Ecosistema , Árboles , Briófitas/fisiología , Biodiversidad , Bosques , Europa (Continente)RESUMEN
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The only known copy of Sejfer derech ejc ha-chajim, an anonymous old print, is stored in the Austrian National Library in Vienna. It was written in the Yiddish Ashkenazi language and printed in 1613. The author, a Jewish physician, resided or lived in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This rare book, although it was printed over 400 years ago, has not yet been systematically assessed in the ethnomedical context of those times. AIM OF THE STUDY: A quantitative assessment of the botanical drugs and kinds of healthy diets described in The Guide is presented to recognise the medicinal, diachronic, and botanical outlines of this peculiar rarum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate various recipes describing the use of medicinal plants of Jewish culture in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the content of The Guide was analysed. All therapeutic uses of herbal medicines and nutritional recommendations for health were obtained by reviewing the Polish translation of the rare medical handbook. For each plant usage revealed in the text, we noted: Scientific, Common and Yiddish name of the taxon, Plant family, Part of the plant or substance used, Administration, Preparation, Primary pathology, Broad use, and Inferred pathology (ICD-11 and ICPC-3). RESULTS: Among the 161 recipes, 58 plant taxa and 361 use records were recorded. Additionally, 127 mixtures with 68 plant taxa and 183 use mixture records were noted. 22 diet recipes with 19 plant taxa were also found. These data constitute three separate analyses, according to the intention of the author of The Guide. Formulations using Apiaceae were recommended primarily for gastroenterology and gynecology, while those using Rosaceae for gastroenterology, urology, and neurology. For mixtures, Lamiaceae plants are also represented and used for gastroenterology, respiratory system treatment, and gynecology. CONCLUSION: The medicinal knowledge described in Sejfer derech ejc ha-chajim fills a gap in contemporary knowledge regarding phyto-medical writing of the Renaissance. The Guide has a form of home first aid kit, used both for medicinal purposes and on the daily menu. In response to current challenges in healthcare, there is a growing interest among researchers in ethnomedicinal sources for the discovery of novel therapeutic compounds. This includes the re-evaluation of formulations and therapeutic indications that have been recognised for centuries. The remedies analysed and detailed in The Guide can provide valuable insights for researchers focused on identifying biologically active therapeutic raw materials of plant origin, thus contributing to advances in modern healthcare.
Asunto(s)
Fitoterapia , Plantas Medicinales , Humanos , Plantas Medicinales/química , Fitoterapia/historia , Fitoterapia/métodos , Medicina Tradicional/historia , Medicina Tradicional/métodos , Polonia , Judíos/historia , Judaísmo/historia , Medicina de Hierbas/historia , Medicina de Hierbas/métodos , Lituania , Historia del Siglo XVII , Obras Médicas de ReferenciaRESUMEN
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, coniferous monocultures were introduced, replacing natural broadleaved forests in Central Europe, mainly for economic benefits. In the mountains, Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst] was introduced in large areas previously covered with beech forests and also in natural riverside habitat corridors such as river valleys, despite its negative impact on the soil environment by e.g. organic matter accumulation, decrease of soil pH and changes in C/N ratio. We aimed to check how long-term Norway spruce plantations affect species richness and diversity of soil mites along a mountain river in former mixed and broadleaved forests. The study, based on 342 samples, was carried out in Stolowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland). Understory species biomass, soil pH and soil organic layer thickness significantly affected soil mite communities. Although coniferous forests did not differ from either broadleaved or mixed forests in mite density (number of individuals m-2) and species diversity (H'), they were characterized by low species richness and proportional abundance of Uropodina mites typical for broadleaved forests. In total, 4849 mites classified into 57 species were recorded from all forest types and no unique species were found in the sampled forests. Although the mite communities were dominated by the same common species (Veigaia nemorensis, Paragamasus runcatellus, Leptogamasus obesus and Trachytes aegrota), they still maintain the rare species of broadleaved forests and their high recovery potential may be used in forest conversion.
Asunto(s)
Biodiversidad , Agricultura Forestal , Bosques , Ácaros/fisiología , Picea , Altitud , Animales , Picea/crecimiento & desarrollo , Polonia , SueloRESUMEN
Riparian forests are among the most threatened ecosystem types worldwide. Their exploitation and replacement by coniferous plantations affects species pools and contributes to loss of biodiversity. We aimed to investigate bryophyte species pools within different habitat types in a transformed mountain river valley. We especially focused on the contribution of habitat types (relative to their proportional cover) to the species pool of the whole area. The study was conducted along the Czerwona Woda river - a model stream in the Stolowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland, study area: 91.2â¯ha) - and an example of coniferous plantations replacing natural broadleaved forest vegetation. Our study revealed the presence of 147 bryophyte species. The most valuable habitats in terms of diversity of bryophyte assemblages were remnants of the natural vegetation - broadleaved forests and streams. These habitats, constituting <5% of the study area, hosted ca 40% of the total species pool (61 and 62 species, respectively), while the species pool of Picea abies forests (92 species) was proportional to cover of this habitat type (ca 60%). Remnants of natural vegetation were hotspots of bryophyte diversity within the heavily altered landscape, and may play a future role as sources of recolonization by forest specialists. Our study also confirmed the important role of riparian areas in maintaining bryophyte species diversity at the landscape scale. The river valley studied contributes >20-fold more to the bryophyte species pool of the whole national park than indicated by its size. Thus, river valleys require special treatment - conservation based on natural restoration, and should remain reserved from wood production, as areas providing a wide range of ecosystem services.