The number of tree species on Earth Cazzolla Gatti, Roberto; Reich, Peter B; Gamarra, Javier G P ...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS,
02/2022, Volume:
119, Issue:
6
Journal Article, Web Resource
Peer reviewed
Open access
One of the most fundamental questions in ecology is how many species inhabit the Earth. However, due to massive logistical and financial challenges and taxonomic difficulties connected to the species ...concept definition, the global numbers of species, including those of important and well-studied life forms such as trees, still remain largely unknown. Here, based on global ground-sourced data, we estimate the total tree species richness at global, continental, and biome levels. Our results indicate that there are ∼73,000 tree species globally, among which ∼9,000 tree species are yet to be discovered. Roughly 40% of undiscovered tree species are in South America. Moreover, almost one-third of all tree species to be discovered may be rare, with very low populations and limited spatial distribution (likely in remote tropical lowlands and mountains). These findings highlight the vulnerability of global forest biodiversity to anthropogenic changes in land use and climate, which disproportionately threaten rare species and thus, global tree richness.
The main purpose of this research is examining the compatibility of the spatial arrangement of two of the most important renewable resources: the forests and the water potential of small ...watercourses, based on the statistically processed data of the observed fires, territorial modeling of Fire Weather Index, the analysis and quantifying the waters needed to extinguish fires, as well as based on researching the favorability of locations to build small hydropower plants (SHPP). The research period is spanned from 2004 to 2012 and it refers to the Republic of Serbia. The results and the conclusions are valid even beyond this territory. The transactional analysis proved a firm spatial and functional correlation connection between the layout of SHPP and the pertaining small accumulations with forest surfaces in the context of decreasing fire risks, which can be used in further research as an additional benefit in defining the justification for SHPP.
With the construction of SHPP and small reservoirs and by putting them in function, less time is needed for extinguishing the fire. Also, consequential or incidental damages are diminished in the destroyed and damaged wood volume. It is reflected in the loss of protective and other functions of forests, appearance of Eolian and water erosion, degradation of forest land, roads endangerment, filling up the water reservoirs, and especially in the environmental damages that are immeasurable.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Trace metals in the environment are important pollutants affecting human health, particularly in urban areas worldwide. Phytoremediation as a nature-based solution (NBS) and environmentally friendly ...technology may decrease high concentrations of trace metals in urban soils, protecting public health (especially children) and contributing to urban sustainability. This study examined trace metal contamination of urban soils and trees in six cities in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and investigated the potential of selected tree species for phytoremediation as a NBS for metal-polluted urban soils. Contamination of urban soils was assessed by quantifying the concentrations of 11 trace metals (B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn). To estimate phytoremediation potential of urban tree species, concentration and bioconcentration factor of the 11 metals were quantified in leaves of three common and abundant tree species:
Aesculus hippocastanum
L. (horse chestnut),
Platanus acerifolia
Willd. (plane), and
Tilia
sp. (lime). The results showed that trace metal concentrations in leaf samples did not exceed toxicity threshold guideline values. Further assessments are needed to establish the true potential of the three species as NBS for urban soils.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
This study aimed to analyze the N storage capacity of litterfall and its impact on C mineralization in beech forests. The research was conducted at 15 sample plots under European beech stands located ...in different ecological conditions on the territory of Serbia. More than half (53%) of the sample plots are characterized by low and very low litterfall N content (<8 g·kg −1 ; 9–12 g·kg −1 ), and a wide C/N ratio, which indicates a slow decomposition of the organic soil layer. These results could be useful indicators of the capacity and dynamics of litterfall N storage and its impact on C mineralization in the context of preserving biodiversity, stability, and longevity of beech forests in Serbia.
This paper presents research results on forest decline in Serbia. The results were obtained through monitoring defoliation of 34 tree species at 130 sample plots during the period from 2004 to 2018. ...This research aimed to determine whether the occurrence of defoliation and tree mortality were caused by drought. Defoliation was assessed in 5% steps according to the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) methodology. All the trees recorded as dead were singled out, and annual mortality rates were calculated. To determine changes in air temperature and precipitation regimes during the study period, we processed and analysed climatic data related to air temperature and precipitation throughout the year and in the growing season at 28 main weather stations in Serbia. Tree mortality patterns were established by classifying trees into three groups. The first group of trees exhibited a gradual increase in defoliation during the last few years of monitoring, with dying as the final outcome. The second group was characterised by sudden death of trees. The third group of trees reached a higher degree of defoliation immediately after the first monitoring year, and the trees died after several years. Tree mortality rates were compared between years using the Standardised Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPI) and the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the most common methods used to monitor drought. The most intensive forest decline was recorded during the period from 2013 to 2016, when the largest percentage of the total number of all trees died. According to the annual mortality rates calculated for the three observation periods (2004-2008, 2009-2013, and 2014-2018) the highest forest decline rate was recorded in the period from 2014 to 2018, with no statistically significant difference between broadleaved and coniferous tree species. As the sample of coniferous species was small, the number of sample plots should be increased in order to achieve better systematic forest condition monitoring in Serbia. The analysis of the relationship between defoliation and climatic parameters proved the correlation between them. It was noted that the forest decline in Serbia was preceded by an extremely dry period with high temperatures from 2011 to 2013, supporting the hypothesis that it was caused by drought. We therefore conclude that these unfavourable climatic conditions had serious and long-term consequences on forest ecosystems in Serbia.
According to these authors, these are mountain beech-fir forests, which occur at lower altitudes (descending to about 700 m). According to the annual reports of the ICP of the Republic of Croatia, ...fir is the most damaged species of forest trees in this country, with a very high percentage of significant damage (Seletković, I. and Potočić, N., 2004). Onesided interpretation of these very complex phenomena and support for the decisive role of only one factor does not answer many questions. ...the aim of this paper is to describe in detail the conditions that prevailed during the research period at the selected site in order to provide answers to the forest decline in this area, which was also found in the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia. According to the ICP Forests methodology (ICP Forests Manual and Criteria), during sampling of tress for monitor their condition in 2004, 24 trees were sampled, of which 15 beech trees and 9 fir trees, which were without mechanical or any other damage that could affect their vitality in the coming period.
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Forest ecosystems within national parks are threatened by various biotic and abiotic factors. To determine the causes of the desiccation and death of trees in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests ...of Tara National Park (TNP), Serbia, we monitored defoliation and mortality of individual trees in permanent experimental plots. Data on the desiccation of a large number of trees were gathered by determining the total volume of dry trees and areas of forests under drying stress. The two sets of data were combined to determine the impact of climatic events, primarily drought periods, on the desiccation of forests. Combining data from the International Co-operative Program on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) with TNP data helped relate forest desiccation to climate events. Key climate signals were identified by monitoring tree defoliation changes in two permanent experimental plots, and then assessed for their influence on tree desiccation in the entire national park. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was used for a more detailed analysis of the drought period. Despite the lack of climate data for a certain period, the SPEI index revealed a link between climate variables and the defoliation and desiccation of forests. Furthermore, the desiccation of trees was preceded by a long drought period. Although mixed coniferous-deciduous forests are often considered less vulnerable to natural influences, this study suggests that forest ecosystems can become vulnerable regardless of tree species composition due to multi-year droughts. These findings contribute to a better understanding of important clues for predicting possible future desiccation of forests. Continuous monitoring of the state of forests and of more permanent experimental plots in national parks could provide better quality data and timely responses to stressful situations.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A lack of databases was identified for most PA managers, except the public enterprise Vojvodinašume, and the problems related to reintroduction of species are mostly financial. ...in the next period, ...it is necessary to improve this aspect of PA management by providing additional financial resources and better organizing the monitoring of protected species in Serbia. According to Law on nature protection (2009) this activity is defined as „...planned, systematic and continues monitoring of nature condition i.e. its biological, geological and landscape diversity". Subject of the monitoring represents biological diversity (Curovic et al., 2011; Milosevic et al., 2019), changes in landscape, historical and cultural changes, land use and human activities, external factors and the impact of management policies and programs (Martinic, 2010). Reasons for monitoring can be scientific and managerial, scientific focus is solely on ". learning, developing and understanding of the behavior and dynamics of the monitoring system. ", while managerial character is based on "... providing information related to management decisions" (Yoccoz et al., 2001).
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Background and Purpose: Bruchidius villosus feeding in seed of Laburnum anagyroides, and Bruchidius terrenus seed pest of Albizia julibrissin are first recorded and completely new seed-beetle to ...Serbian Bruchinae fauna. This Chrysomelids which were found in Republic of Serbia during intensive studies from 2012 to 2014 are likely related to a mostly Paleotropical group, including also members of genera Bruchidius, Megabruchidius and Acanthoscellides. These seed-beetles develop in pods of these two woody legumes, widely grown ornamental trees and shrubs. Several recent reports reveal that this species are well established in France, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
Materials and Methods: Bruchine and their legume hosts were observed by extensive field sampling throughout Serbia over three years and by rearing the beetles from the samples in the laboratory. Bruchines and the parasitoids were mass-reared in climate controled rooms under conditions close to those of their area of origin: 12:12 L:D, 3-23 °C and ≤80 % RH (depends of host plant ongoing phenology or experimental needs-proof of weevil monophagous feeding preferences). For the purpose of analyzing the observed phenomena (its intensity and relevance), some of the standard methods of statistical analysis and conclusion have been used.
Results: Levels of seeds infestation still in the pods were high and comparable to other studies. Bruchine beetle infestation in the dehiscent fruits of host plants may be greater after the seeds and pods drop to the ground, as bivoltine generation occurs, but this has yet to be tested. Hypotheses on the geographic origin of this new species are also discussed. The effect of native parasitoids occurrence could potentially be interesting, given that their appearance suggest their specialization on the Bruchidius beetle species which is a common seed-predator on the leguminous seeds.
Conclusions: The establishment of this new species is investigated using both morphological data and idioecological analyses. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to assess weevil field densities in a natural environment. However, this needs to be more carefully tested with a larger sample size and experiments. Significant levels of infested seed, leads to the conclusion that these seed parasites could be an important reducing factor of generative reproducing host plant potential.
The results of phytocoenological research in the community of beech and Bosnian maple (
Aceri obtusati-Fagetum
Fab., Fuk. & Stef. 1963) on the territory of Manjača Mountain in the southwestern part ...of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) are presented in this paper. The spectrum of range of distribution types, and the spectrum of life forms and ecological conditions were determined for the community. Regarding the spectrum of floral elements, this community has Central European-Pontic-Central Asian-Sub-Mediterranean character, meaning that thermoxerophilic plant species participate in its composition, in addition to mesophilic species. In terms of the spectrum of life forms, the community has phanerophytic-hemicryptophytic character. According to the quantity of nitrogen in the soil, the community is predominantly mesotrophic, in terms of light it is semi-sciophilous, in terms of temperature it is mesothermal, in terms of soil reaction it is neutrophilic, and regarding soil moisture it has xeromesophilic character.
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