Application of aluminium toxicity indices to soils under various forest species

Several aluminium toxicity indices were applied to acid soils developed from various parent materials (granodiorite, slate and limestone) and sustaining various tree species (Quercus robur, Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus nitens), in Galicia, NW Spain. Some indices are based on the composition of the soil solid or liquid phases and some on the composition of the leaf or root tissues. The base cation saturation of the exchange complex was used as an index based on the composition of the soil solid phase. The indices based on the soil solution composition were various cation species concentrations, including phytotoxic aluminium species, or concentration ratios. The concentrations of Al and Ca and the Ca/Al molar ratio were used as indices based on the leaf and root tissue compositions. The application of various indices led to different results. According to indices based on the soil solution or plant tissue compositions, the greatest problems are expected in soils developed from limestone or granodiorite and sustaining P. radiata; fewer problems are expected in soils developed from slate and sustaining Q. robur. On the contrary, the saturation of the exchange complex predicts the highest aluminium toxicity risk in soils developed from slate and sustaining Q. robur, and the lowest risk in soils sustaining E. nitens.     

Diversity of non-timber forest products in Cachar District,Assam, India

We identified 67 and 21 NTFP-yielding plant and animal species, respectively, in a reserve forest in Cachar district of Assam. We recorded globally threatened species listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered （plant species Dipterocarpus turbinatus）, Vulnerable （plant species Aquillaria malaccensis）, Endangered （animal species Hoolock hoolock, Indotestudo elongata and Manis pentadactyla）, and Vulnerable （animal species Nilssonia hurum and Rusa unicolor）. The whole plant or animal and/or their various parts were used as food or medicine, in house construction, magico-religious activities and others. While some NTFPs were harvested throughout the year, others were harvested seasonally. A comprehensive NTFP policy, along with scientific measures for regen- eration, restoration and augmentation of NTFP-yielding plants and animals, would help in addressing the conflicting demands of conservation and livelihood in the forests of this area.     

Advances in domestication of indigenous fruit trees in the West African Sahel

Fruit trees play an important nutritional role for livelihoods of rural people in the West African Sahel through provision of energy and nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Research on the domestication of local fruit trees has started recently through projects concentrating on some of the most important indigenous species of dry West Africa, i.e. Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa, Tamarindus indica, Vitellaria paradoxa and Ziziphus mauritiana. We present a status of finalised and ongoing domestication research with the aim of defining research gaps that would need to be covered by future research activities to obtain higher yields and better quality fruits. Germplasm collection in central West Africa has been intense compared to elsewhere in the species?? distribution areas, but conservation status of the material is poor since it is only planted in few trials. Knowledge of genetic parameters, especially for fruit traits, is almost absent, but characterisation of genotypes is underway for some of the species. Mating systems and patterns are still unknown for many species. Efficient vegetative propagation based on simple techniques was shown to be possible for all species except P. biglobosa. In order to secure immediate as well as long term gains, we recommend combining clonal propagation of selected plus individuals with recombination and breeding of selected genotypes. We discuss whether local institutions in the Sahel have the financial capacity to carry out long term breeding programmes, and suggest that efforts should be made to find new ways of disseminating improved germplasm.     

Edge effects on plant diversity in tropical forest ecosystems at Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats of India

Forest resource conservation has been widely accepted as a key to sustain the local and regional economic development. The forest edges are affected by anthropogenic activities including deforestation, forest fragmentation, selective logging, extraction of non-timber forest products, collection of medicinal plants, recreations, hydroelectric projects and its associated developmental activities, which alter the biodiversity. The present study intends to evaluate the edge effect on vegetation structure and species compositions in the tropical forest ecosystems at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats. High species richness (number of species) and Shannon’s diversity indices were observed in the site III (completely undisturbed forest) compared to site I (adjacent to the village/ edge of the forest, which is next to the teak plantation, severely disturbed forest) and site II (in between the undisturbed forest and moderately disturbed forest) while density of tree species showed greater value in site II. Single species such as Tectona grandis (IVI of 80) and Terminalia paniculata (IVI of 112) were the dominant tree species in site I and site II, respectively, whereas, in site III Terminalia bellirica, Bishofia javanica and Syzgium gardneri shared the dominance. Perturbation leads to alien plant invasion particularly Lantana camara, Eupatorium odoratum and Ageratum conizoides. Site II is at forest transition level because the site is dominated by both natural species as well as plantation species such as Tectona grandis. This site seems to be a buffer zone on natural forest and plantations. Further studies are required to analyse the real patterns of regeneration and dynamic change due to human impact by long term monitoring with the establishment of permanent plots.     

Polyphenols from the stems of Morus alba and their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia

Neuroinflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders. Microglial cells, the main immune cells of the central nervous system, represent a target of interest to search for naturally occurring anti-inflammatory products. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols obtained from the stems of Morus alba. This edible species, known as white mulberry, is frequently studied because of its traditional use in Asian medicine and its richness in different types of polyphenols, some of which are known to be phytoalexins. One new coumarin glycoside, isoscopoletin 6-(6-O-β-apiofuranosyl-β-glucopyranoside) (1) was mainly isolated by CPC (centrifugal partition chromatography) from this plant, together with seven known polyphenols (2–8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including extensive 2D NMR studies. The eight isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells. The absence of cell toxicity is checked by a MTT assay.     

Recent advances in herbal medicines treating Parkinson's disease

Herbal medicines have attracted considerable attention in recent years, which are used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) in China based on traditional Chinese medicine or modern pharmacological theories. We summarized and analyzed the anti-Parkinsonian activities of herbal medicines and herbal formulations investigated in PD models and provide future references for basic and clinical investigations. All the herbal medicines and herbal formulations were tested on PD models in vitro and in vivo. The relevant compounds and herbal extracts with anti-Parkinsonian activities were included and analyzed according to their genera or pharmacological activities. A total of 38 herbal medicines and 11 herbal formulations were analyzed. The relevant compounds, herbal extracts and formulations were reported to be effective on PD models by modulating multiple key events or signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. The plant species of these herbal medicines belong to 24 genera and 18 families, such as Acanthopanax, Alpinia and Astragalus, etc. These herbal medicines can be an alternative and valuable source for anti-Parkinsonian drug discovery. The plant species in these genera and families may be the most promising candidates for further investigation and deserve further consideration in clinical trials. Active components in some of the herbal extracts and the compatibility law of herbal formulations remain to be further investigated.     

A review on indole alkaloids isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla and their pharmacological studies

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks, Rubiaceae, is one of the original plants of the important Chinese crude drug, Gou-teng, mainly used for the treatment of convulsion, hypertension, epilepsy, eclampsia, and cerebral diseases. The pharmacological activities of this plant are related to the presence of active compounds predominantly indole alkaloids. In this article, we have reviewed some reports about the pharmacological activities of the main indole alkaloids isolated from U. rhynchophylla. This review paper will contribute to the studies on the chemistry, safety and quality control of medicinal preparations containing Uncaria species.     

Effect of Neem extract on Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

High antifeedancy and low toxicity of the plant preparation Neem (azadirachtin), on the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. larvae were proved under laboratory conditions. A high index of Neem antifeedancy was confirmed in all tested concentrations. Under laboratory conditions the Neem had satisfying antifeedancy on Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say third instar larvae too. Field experiments also proved that the foliage protective effect of Neem was very significant. Experiments showed that some antifeedants or repellents, such as Neem, should control olygophagous (L. decemlineata, Coleoptera) insects as well as very polyphagous insects such as L. dispar (Lepidoptera). As a biological, plant-derived preparation, Neem could be suitable for integrated pest management (IPM) programs, especially in small orchards, parks, and tree rows in urban environments and on small private gardens.     

Does future climate change facilitate expansion of evergreen broad-leaved tree species in the human-disturbed landscape of the Korean Peninsula? Implication for monitoring design of the impact assessment

To quantitatively assess future change of evergreen broad-leaved tree species’ distributions in human-disturbed landscapes of the Korean Peninsula under climate change, potential habitats (PHs) were projected for four important evergreen broad-leaved tree species (Quercus acuta, Castanopsis sieboldii, Machilus thunbergii, and Neolitsea sericea) by species distribution models (SDMs). The distribution data (presence/absence) of the target species in Korea and Japan were used as response variables for SDMs, and climatic data were used as explanatory variables. Three general circulation models under A2 emission scenarios were used as future climate scenarios for the years 2070–2099. Potential habitats masked by land-use data (PHLUs) were projected to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities. Highly accurate SDMs were obtained for all the target species. The current PHs were decreased to 21–35 % by the anthropogenic activities. Future PHLUs for all the target species were projected to increase by 2.0–18.5 times of current PHLUs. These results suggest that all the target species are applicable as indicator species for monitoring in the Korean Peninsula, even if anthropogenic effects are incorporated. Variation of the increasing rate was caused by the differences in the response to temperature changes. M. thunbergii responded sensitively to the increase of minimum temperature of coldest month and had a largest increase in PHLUs under future climate. Therefore, M. thunbergii is considered to be most appropriate species for monitoring the changes of horizontal distributions above all focal evergreen broad-leaved tree species.     

Antioxidant and prooxidant properties of flavonoids

The interest in possible health benefits of flavonoids has increased owing to their potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities observed in vitro. Nevertheless, the antioxidant efficacy of flavonoids in vivo is less documented and their prooxidant properties have been actually described in vivo. Due to their prooxidant properties, they are able to cause oxidative damage by reacting with various biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Hence, the aim of this review is to discuss both the antioxidant and prooxidant effects of flavonoids.     

三年桐、千年桐感染枯萎病病原菌后的生理反应

枯萎病是油桐毁灭性病害。中国广泛种植的油桐有三年桐和千年桐,三年桐易感枯萎病,千年桐抗枯萎病。为探讨三年桐与千年桐在枯萎病应答过程中的差异,在对油桐枯萎病灾区调研的基础上,进行枯萎病病原菌的分离、鉴定,并进一步探讨三年桐、千年桐接种枯萎病病原菌后超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果表明:油桐枯萎病病原菌为尖孢镰刀菌,接种试验显示千年桐在接种尖孢镰刀菌后SOD、POD、CAT较三年桐均呈现较高活性,在接种后SOD、POD活性先升高后降低,CAT活性升高并维持高活性,MDA含量变化不明显;三年桐SOD活性和MDA含量均先升高后降低,POD活性先降低再升高,CAT活性先降低后升高又降低。千年桐作为抗病种,其抗病性可能与其本身具有较高的SOD、POD、CAT活性有关,并且和病原菌感染后酶活上升有关;三年桐为易感病种,接种后SOD、POD、CAT活性有变化,但仍不能抵御病原菌的危害。     

Impact of deer on temperate forest vegetation and woody debris as protection of forest regeneration against browsing

A 3-year field experiment with paired exclosure (fenced areas, excluding deer) and control plots (unfenced areas, free access to deer), with two treatments with and without woody debris, was carried out at two sites in a temperate forest in eastern France. The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of browsing by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the diversity and richness of plant species and to test the effectiveness of using woody debris to protect seedlings and saplings from deer browsing. In presence of deer, both plant species richness and diversity were reduced the first year of the study, but this negative impact of deer then disappeared after 3 years. Deer browsing mostly affected species composition of plant communities. We observed a decrease in the abundance of preferred species such as Carpinus betulus, Rubus fructicosus, Rubus idaeus, Anemone nemorosa and Epilobium angustifolium, and palatable species such as Acer spp., Carex spp., Festuca spp. and Mycelis muralis, whereas unpalatable species such as Lamium spp., or species particularly resilient to browsing such as grasses (Brachypodium spp. and Luzula spp.) increased in abundance. The use of woody debris as protection against browsing by deer did not limit damage to seedlings and saplings of the main commercially valuable species, Abies alba and Quercus spp. Instead of limiting deer impact, use of woody debris seemed to increase the negative effect of deer browsing on regeneration in control plots relatively to those without protection.     

9种壳斗科树种坚果3种矿质元素及Vc含量分析

壳斗科(Fagaceae)主要分布在亚洲东南部,全球约900种。我国大多数地区通常把壳斗科植物的坚果都称为橡实,有些省区仅将栎属(Qucercus L.)树种的坚果称之为橡实,而李世华等认为橡实又叫橡子;显然,橡实或橡子均指壳斗科植物的坚果。     

Effect of endomycorrhizae (VAM) on bamboo seedling growth and biomass productivity

The role of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi symbiosis with bamboo seedling was investigated. VAM species Glomus aggregatum, G. fasciculatum and G. mosseae were inoculated individually and in combinations with the bamboo seedlings. The percentage of infection and various growth parameters such as the number of shoots, number of rhizome, internodal distance, leaf length and breadth and total biomass production were studied in myocorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal infected plants. The above findings indicated a significant increase in the growth rate and biomass productivity.     

Physiological regulation of poplar species to experimental warming differs between species with contrasting elevation ranges

Climate warming has resulted in rapid range shifts of plant species, but it is not well known how species with different natural distribution ranges adapt to increase in temperature through physiological adjustment. We experimentally imposed a 1.8 °C increase of air temperature to the cuttings of two common poplar species Populus yunnanensis and Populus szechuanica naturally growing in southwest China using open-top chambers. Populus yunnanensis is distributed along a narrower elevation range compared with P. szechuanica. We determined some key physiological parameters and plant growth regulator activities during the growing season without soil water limitation. Our results showed that a 1.8 °C increase in air temperature increased shoot growth of P. szechuanica through an extension of its growth period but did not affect the growth of P. yunnanensis. Malondialdehyde content, guaiacol peroxidase activities and abscisic acid content increased while indoleacetic acid content decreased in P. yunnanensis. Our results suggest that the two common poplar species in southwest China should be able to adapt to the moderate increase in temperature projected for future climate. The growth of P. szechuanica may benefit through phenological adjustment but a further increase in temperature may inhibit the growth of P. yunnanensis. For poplar plantation management, selecting species with a wide natural distribution range could provide an adaptive alternative for buffering anthropogenic induced increase in temperature and help in sustaining productivity for the long term.     

Positive association between understory species richness and a dominant shrub species (Corylus avellana) in a boreonemoral spruce forest

Old growth stands of boreonemoral spruce (Picea abies) forests frequently have a shrub layer dominated by hazel (Corylus avellana) – a species which is generally excluded in intensively managed forests due to clearcutting activities. We sampled understory species composition, richness and biomass, as well as environmental variables beneath these two species and also within forest ‘gaps’ in order to determine the effect of overstory species on understory vegetation. Species richness and biomass of herbaceous plants was significantly greater under Corylus compared with plots under Picea and in forest gaps. Indicator species analysis found that many species were significantly associated with Corylus. We found 45% of the total species found under woody plants occurred exclusively under Corylus. Light availability in spring and summer was higher in gaps than under forest cover but no difference was found between plots under Corylus and Picea. Hence, reductions in light availability cannot explain the differences in species composition. However, Ellenberg indicator values showed that more light demanding species were found under Corylus compared to Picea, but most light demanding species were found in gaps. The litter layer under Picea was three times thicker than under Corylus and this may be an important mechanism determining differences in understory composition and richness between the woody species. The presence of Corylus is an important factor enhancing local diversity and small-scale species variation within coniferous stands. Hence, management should maintain areas of Corylus shrubs to maintain understory species diversity in boreal forests.     

Association of the pine-infesting Pissodes species with ophiostomatoid fungi in Poland

Bark weevils are consistently associated with various fungi. They act as effective vectors for root-rot fungi, the rust pathogen and the ophiostomatoid fungi. In comparison with bark beetles, the interaction between ophiostomatoid fungi and bark weevils has been poorly studied in Europe. This study aims to clarify the ties among ophiostomatoid fungi and their weevil vectors in Pinus sylvestris. Samples associated with three bark weevils, including Pissodes castaneus, P. piniphilus and P. pini were collected from seven pine stands in Poland. Fungi were isolated from laboratory-reared and field-collected beetles, larvae and galleries of weevils. Isolates were identified based on morphology, DNA sequence comparison for two gene regions (ITS, ß-tubulin) and phylogenetic analyses. Fourteen morphological and phylogenetic ophiostomatoid species were identified among the 1,219 isolates. These 14 species included 11 novel associations between fungi and bark weevils. The most commonly encountered fungal associates of bark Pissodes species were Leptographium procerum, Ophiostoma quercus and O. minus. The spectrum of fungal associates was similar in three bark weevil species, despite some differences between species. Except for P. castaneus, all species of bark weevil were frequently associated with ophiostomatoid fungi. Pissodes castaneus does appear to be a consistent vector of L. procerum and Sporothrix inflata while O. minus, O. quercus and O. cf. rectangulosporium were often found in association with P. piniphilus and P. pini.     

Spatial associations among tree species in a temperate forest community in North-western Spain

Analyzing spatial patterns in plant communities may provide insights in the importance of different processes for community assembly and dynamics. We applied techniques of spatial point pattern analysis to data from a fully mapped plot of a temperate forest community (Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fagus sylvatica, Ilex aquifolium and Taxus baccata) in North-western Spain to conduct a community wide assessment of the type and frequency of intra and interspecific spatial association patterns. We first explored the overall intra and interspecific patterning, and then classified the types of association patterns at various neighbourhoods. By conditioning on the larger scale pattern we then explored small-scale (0–15 m) intraspecific and interspecific patterns. Association patterns varied from strong positive association at small scales to, as a by-product, repulsion at intermediate scales. Surprisingly, there were no negative associations at small scales, but trees were arranged in multi-species clumps, up to 2.5 m in diameter and comprising a few individuals. Ilex and Corylus, the understorey species, were frequently involved in the clumps, showing positive small-scale association with the other tree species. Our analyses highlighted that animal mediated seed dispersal, interspecific facilitation and perturbation processes may operate successively to shape tree distributional patterns, although their relative importance vary among species. Given the complexity of the patterns described and the current threats to some of the species studied, directed experiments in the field are needed to further elucidate some of the hypotheses derived.     

Global proteomic analysis of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cava (Papaveraceae) extracts revealed similar defense-related protein compositions

Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cava are phylogenetically closely related (Papaveraceae family). The medicinal and pharmaceutical interest in these plants is based on their synthesis of pharmaceutically important compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and proteins. C. majus shoot and C. cava tuber extracts have been used in traditional folk medicine to treat many diseases, such as fungal, bacterial and viral infections, liver disorders, fever, post-traumatic, colic, abdominal and menstrual pains and even cancer. This study attempts to perform a global comparative proteomic analysis of pharmacologically important extracts from these two closely related unsequenced plant species to gain insights into the protein basis of these plant organs and to compare their common and specific proteomic compositions.We used a shotgun proteomic approach combined with label-free protein quantitation according to the exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). In total, a mean number of 228 protein identification results were recorded in C. cava tuber extracts and about 1240 in C. majus shoot extracts. Comparative analysis revealed a similar stress and defense-related protein composition of pharmacologically active plant species and showed the presence of different pathogenesis-related and low molecular inducible antimicrobial peptides. These findings could form the basis for further elucidation of the mechanism of the strong pharmacological activities of these medicinal plant extracts.     

Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre). A review of traditional use based on current research

Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja (previously: Ledum palustre) is a fragrant evergreen shrub found in peaty soils in northern Europe, Asia and North America, commonly referred to as wild rosemary, marsh tea, marsh rosemary or northern Labrador tea. At least since the eighteenth century it has been used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various ailments, such as rheumatism, cough, cold and insect bites, as well as a repellent. The essential oil of wild rosemary with the rich polyphenolic fraction possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal potential, demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro studies. In addition, recent scientific research reported the promising antidiabetic, antioxidant and anticancer properties. This review summarizes the information concerning taxonomy, botany, ecology, chemical composition, biological activities, toxicology and traditional and contemporary application of Rhododendron tomentosum plants.