Free volatile compounds were isolated from 21 Croatian
species studied by hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave extraction (ME) and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. ...Principal Component Analysis (PCA) distinguished some clusters based on the relative proportion of major compounds, such as hexadecanoic acid, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, phytol,
-caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide, which were identified in all species studied by both isolation methods. In addition to these compounds, germacrene D, δ-selinene, and eicosane were also identified in five samples from dry habitats isolated using ME.
-aromadendrene and β-ionone are particularly abundant in five species from wet habitats isolated by both methods. The peculiarities of
species from moderate habitats isolated with HD are benzene acetaldehyde,
-nonanal, and the identification of significant compounds from the hydrocarbon class, while the peculiarity of ME is (
)-β-damascenone. In this article, we present new results on the phytochemical characterization of
species from different habitats. The biological potential of these compounds should be further investigated for a better understanding and utilization of the specialized plant metabolites.
Some wild, morphologically diverse taxa of the genus Iris in the broad Alpine-Dinaric area have never been explored molecularly, and/or have ambiguous systematic status. The main aims of our research ...were to perform a molecular study of critical Iris taxa from that area (especially a narrow endemic accepted species I. adriatica, for which we also analysed genome size) and to explore the contribution of eight microsatellites and highly variable chloroplast DNA (ndhJ, rpoC1) markers to the understanding of the Iris taxa taxonomy and phylogeny. Both the microsatellite-based UPGMA and plastid markers-based maximum likelihood analysis discriminated three main clusters in the set of 32 analysed samples, which correspond well to the lower taxonomic categories of the genus, and support separate status of ambiguous regional taxa (e.g., I. sibirica subsp. erirrhiza, I. x croatica and I. x rotschildii). The first molecular data on I. adriatica revealed its genome size (2C = 12.639 ± 0.202 pg) and indicated the existence of ecotypes. For future molecular characterisation of the genus we recommend the utilisation of microsatellite markers supplemented with a combination of plastid markers.
Qualitative phytochemical analyses of eight species from the genus Galium (G. corrudifolium, G. cruciata, G. divaricatum, G. lucidum, G. mollugo, G. palustre, G. parisiense, and G. verum), followed ...by spectrophotometric evaluation of their total phenolic, flavonoid and iridoid content, as well as antiradical capacity, were conducted. G. cruciata contained the greatest amount of total phenolics (111.00 mg gallic acid equivalents g.sup.-1 dry extract), while G. verum had the greatest amount of flavonoids (23.11 mg quercetin equivalents g.sup.-1 dry extract) and iridoids (461.30 mg aucubin equivalents g.sup.-1 dry extract). The best antioxidant (antiradical) activity was shown by G. cruciata (IC.sub.50 (ABTS) = 30.30 microg mL.sup.-1; IC.sub.50 (DPPH) = 27.62 microg mL.sup.-1), followed by G. divaricatum, G. verum and G. palustre.The same species were rich in various bioactive constituents and would be appropriate for inclusion in further investigations considering their biomedical potential. Keywords: Galium, phytochemical screening, secondary metabolites, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity.
Walls represent globally distributed, locally extensive, artificial ecosystems. Wall vegetation is still poorly known in the Mediterranean and Temperate regions of southeastern Europe. The aim of ...this study is to classify and describe chasmophytic vegetation of walls, covering southeastern Europe from Slovenia to North Macedonia. From a total 463 phytosociological relevés, we identify and describe 12 distinct species - poor to moderately rich vegetation units using TWINSPAN evaluated by NMDS, and indicator values. The vegetation units are included within three alliances from two macroclimate regions: (1) vegetation of cool-temperate Europe of the Cymbalario-Asplenion alliance, and (2) Mediterranean vegetation of the Galio valantiae-Parietarion judaicae and Artemisio arborescentis-Capparidion spinosae alliances. The southernmost limit of the Cymbalario-Asplenion was determined in Central Bosnia. The presence of the Artemisio arborescentis-Capparidion spinosae in the eastern Adriatic is highlighted.
Vegetation diversity and ecology of grassland communities with Salvia officinalis were assessed in the natural range of the species in the Western Balkans, using the Braun-Blanquet approach. With the ...aim of defining the differences among the communities and identifying the main environmental gradients, cluster analysis (Flexible Beta method) and non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination were applied. From a total of 346 phytosociological relevés (259 relevés were used from the literature, and 87 new relevés were collected recently in Montenegro and the Middle Dalmatian Islands of Croatia), seventeen associations were identified. Three associations (Brachypodio retusi-Salvietum officinalis, Salvietum brachyodonti-officinalis and Salvio officinalis-Phlomidetum fruticosae) and one subassociation (Stipo-Salvietum officinalis campanuletosum lingulatae) were described for the first time. Most of the associations belong to the alliances Saturejion subspicatae and Chrysopogono grylli-Koelerion splendentis, separated along an altitudinal and thermal gradient. They were classified in the order Koelerietalia splendentis and in the class Helianthemo cani-Seslerietea nitidae, whose presence in the western Balkans is a syntaxonomic novelty. Three associations belong to three other vegetation classes, Festuco-Brometea erecti, Lygeo sparti-Stipetea tenacissimae and Ononido-Rosmarinetea.
This paper is based on the main results of an analysis of spontaneous flora and vegetation on the small islet of Vrnik (0.281 km
), on which there are some abandoned limestone quarries, on the ...eastern Adriatic coast. The investigations were carried out from 2014 to 2016. Altogether, 251 vascular plant taxa (species and infraspecific units) were recorded on the islet. A total of 11 plant associations, one subassocation and two stands within 10 vegetation classes were identified. Due to high anthropogenic influences during the last centuries, quarrying in particular, the islet investigated showed a relatively low variety of vascular plant taxa. In addition, clear signs of fragmentation of the forest vegetation were observed.
Svilaja (1508 m n. v.) je planina u Dalmatinskoj Zagori, u središnjem dijelu unutrašnje Dalmacije. Flora i vegetacija planine Svilaje do sada nije sustavno istraživana. Od 2013. obavljaju se opsežna ...terenska istraživanja s ciljem inventarizacije ukupne flore. U ovom radu su, na temelju dostupnih podataka iz literature, prikazana obilježja reljefa, klime i fitogeografski položaj s općim pregledom vegetacije. U glavnom dijelu rada prikazan je detaljni pregled dosadašnjih istraživanja flore i vegetacije Svilaje. Analizirani su samo oni literaturni podaci o nalazima biljnih svojti i zajednica čija su nalazišta (lokaliteti) unutar granica istraživanog područja. Prema analiziranim literaturnim podacima, do sada je za područje Svilaje zabilježeno približno 700 svojti vaskularne flore, među kojima je značajan broj endemičnih, ugroženih i zaštićenih svojti kao npr.: Arenaria orbicularis, Astragalus monspessulanus ssp. illyricus, Crocus biflorus ssp. weldenii, Dianthus sylvestris ssp. tergestinus, Edraianthus tenuifolius, Hyacinthella dalmatica, Pulsatilla grandis, Thymus bracteosus, itd. Prema dosadašnjim saznanjima Svilaja se odlikuje iznimno bogatom florom orhideja (Orchidaceae): Coeloglossum viride, Dactylorhiza maculata, Gymnadenia conopsea, Listera ovata, Ophrys apifera, O. dinarica, O. tetraloniae, Orchis militaris, O. morio, O. tridentata, Platanthera chlorantha, itd. Točan broj prethodno zabilježenih svojti i biljnih zajednica nije moguće preciznije utvrditi zbog razlika u shvaćanju granica Svilaje i nepreciznom navođenju lokaliteta u prethodno objavljenim radovima. Podaci o dosadašnjim istraživanjima neophodno su polazište za sustavna istraživanja flore Svilaje koja su u tijeku. Na neophodnost sustavnih istraživanja flore Svilaje ukazuje starost većine zabilježenih nalaza i značajne promjene u biljnom pokrovu uzrokovane snažnom depopulacijom i smanjivanjem intenziteta tradicionalnog stočarstva i poljodjelstva te brojnim požarima.
Svilaja Mt (1508 m a.s.l.) is a mountain located in the central part of the hinterland of Dalmatia, i.e. in Dalmatian Zagora. Until now, the flora and vegetation of the Svilaja Mt. have not been systematically investigated. Based on the analysis of the literature, in this paper the
general characteristics of the relief, climate and phytogeographic position of the Svilaja Mt, with general overview of vegetation, are presented. The paper also provides a detailed overview of the data on previous research of the flora and vegetation of the mountain. These analyses were necessary as a starting point for planning and conducting extensive field research in order to inventory the total flora underway since 2013. Here, we analysed only literature data on findings of the plant taxa and communities recorded on the localities within the boundaries of the study area. Based on our study on existing literature,
about 700 vascular plant taxa have been reported so far in the Svilaja Mt, including a significant number of endemic, endangered and protected taxa, such as: Arenaria orbicularis, Astragalus monspessulanus ssp. illyricus, Crocus biflorus ssp. weldenii, Dianthus sylvestris ssp. tergestinus, Edraianthus tenuifolius, gentiana dinarica, Hyacinthella dalmatica, Pulsatilla grandis, Thymus bracteosus, etc. To the present knowledge Svilaja Mt is characterized by an extremely rich and diverse orchid flora (Orchidaceae): Coeloglossum viride, Dactylorhiza maculata, Gymnadenia conopsea, Listera ovata, Ophrys apifera, O. dinarica, O. tetraloniae, Orchis militaris, O. morio, O. tridentata, Platanthera chlorantha, etc. Due to differences in the understanding of the mountain
ranges and inconsistencies in localities indication the exact number of
plant taxa and communities previuosly recorded in literature has not been determined more precisely. Most of the information are old and there have been no systematic updating. In addition, significant changes
in the vegetation cover caused by the strong depopulation, reduction of
the intensity of traditional livestock and agriculture, and numerous fires. Due to these facts, more in-depth studies are required to determine mountain flora and vegetation.
The present phytosociological study of the eastern Adriatic coastal salt-marsh at Blato, Croatia, is based on the Braun-Blanquet approach. Five plant associations were recorded in the area: Juncetum ...maritimo-acuti, Puccinellio festuciformis-Sarcocornietum fruticosae, Scirpetum maritimi, Enteromorpho intestinalidis-Ruppietum maritimae and Cressetum creticae. The association Cressetum creticae was found for the first time in Croatia as well as on the eastern Adriatic coast. This therophytic and halo-nitrophilous association shows a monospecific or paucispecific character and occupies the most haline and the driest parts of the salt-marsh. The association develops during the summer on silty clay substrates with organic matter derived from the decay of plants of the neighboring communities. According to key soil factor analysis no differences of grain size of the soils among the associations were found, while regarding electrical conductivity, Cl
and Na
concentrations were higher in the Cressetum creticae than in any of the others associations. The particular original features of the site regarding its flora and vegetation would justify some measures of protection and management.
Predstavljamo fitocenološko raziskavo obalnega slanega mokrišča Blato (Hrvaška) v vzhodnem Jadranu, ki smo jo naredili po Braun-Blanquetovi metodi. V raziskovanem območju smo zabeležili pet asociacij: Juncetum maritimo-acuti, Puccinellio festuciformis-Sarcocornietum fruticosae, Scirpetum maritimi, Enteromorpho intestinalidis- -Ruppietum maritimae in Cressetum creticae. Asociacija Cressetum cretice je na ozemlju Hrvaške in tudi na vzhodni obali Jadranskega morja opisana prvič. Terofitska in halo-nitrofilna asociacija je monospecifična ima siromašno vrstno sestavo in se pojavlja na najbolj slanih in suhih delih slanišča. Sestoji se razvijajo poleti na glineni podlagi z organsko snovjo, ki jo sestavljajo odmrli rastlinski deli s sosednjih združb. Analiza tal je pokazala, da med asociacijami ni bilo razlik v velikosti talnih delcev, električni konduktivnosti, koncentraciji Cl- in Na+ ionov pa sta bili v asociaciji Cressetum creticae višji kot ostalih asociacijah. Zaradi posebnosti v flori in vegetaciji bi bilo potrebno na preučevanem območju zagotoviti določene mere zaščite in ustrezen način upravljanja.
The results of a phytosociological investigation of the
L. stands occurring along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts in south Albania are given. The surveyed stands are localized in the ...Thermo-Mediterranean and Meso-Mediterranean belts. On the basis of literature and unpublished data,
stands extend from the shoreline up to 680 m of altitude, within the
vegetation zone. According to numerical analysis,
stands in south Albania can be divided into two broad groups forming macchia of 3–4 m height and low shrublands 0.5–1.5(-2) m) defined primarily by degree of human pressure and altitudes. In addition, relevés from
stands in Albania were differentiated from Croatian and Montenegrin the
associations. Conversely,
stands in south Albania share several biological and ecological similarities with those of the eastern Adriatic coast: hemicryptophytes prevailed and the chorological spectrum highlights a clear dominance of the steno-Mediterraneans. With respect to indicator values, an important differentiation from the eastern Adriatic associations was shown only in higher light intensity of the stands in Albania.
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