An ecogeographic analysis of the Vicia narbonensis complex

An ecogeographical analysis of the V. narbonensis complex and V. bithynica was conducted using herbarium specimens and genebank accessions. 956 specimens were included in the study from 26 herbaria, with geographical and ecological data recorded for each specimen. A distribution map of each taxa was produced, and the geographical and ecological preferences of each taxa were analysed and discussed. The taxa with the widest distribution were found to be V. narbonensis, V. bithynica and V. johannis, and the rarest taxa were V. galilaea var. galilaea and V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca. The complex includes three endemic species; V. hyaeniscyamus, V. kalakhensis and V. eristalioides. The complex as a whole, was most frequently collected from grasslands, as a weed in cultivated fields and in wasteland. It showed a strong preference for calcareous soils. It was found that the quality of the passport data varied widely, but that in general the specimens from more recent collections included more detailed passport data. Herbarium specimens are invaluable in ecogeographic studies as the information obtained can be used as a guide for future collecting missions and in determining areas of importance when collecting material for conservation. Finally as the whole plant is available, the identification of each specimen can be checked.     

The ecogeography and collection of grain, forage and pasture legumes in south-west Turkey

A collecting mission took place in June and July 1996 to collect legume species from south-west Turkey and western Anatolia. Sites were chosen to maximise the diversity of legumes collected and detailed passport data were recorded at each site. A total of 96 sites were visited, and 1307 accessions collected. In total 23 genera were collected, of which the most frequently seen were Trifolium, Medicago and Vicia. Sites were found to be almost exclusively calcareous with a pH range of 7 to 10, and varied from sea level to 1750m. Many of the Trifolium species are of economic importance for southern Australia and have been shown to display characters such as a high productivity (T. michelianum) and waterlogging tolerance (T. resupinatum and T. tomentosum). The Medicago species were found to prefer well-drained habitats in open areas. Many of these species can tolerate heavy grazing. The two main forage legume genera collected were Lathyrus and Vicia. Both of these occurred on the higher pH soils and were most frequently collected from the lower altitudes. Four species of grain legume were found, Cicer arietinum, Lens culinaris, Pisum sativum and Vicia faba. The material collected during this mission is important in the drive to preserve the legume genetic diversity of Turkey, the species' centre of diversity, for utilisation both within and outside of Turkey.     

盆东平行岭谷蝶类生态地理

调查表明：盆东平行岭谷已知分布蝴蝶240种,隶属11科117属。优势种和常见种占50％,少见种和罕见种占50％,主要分布在阔叶林、灌丛植被型内。此植被带分布的主要海拔高度是1000～1500m,分布的面积很小,并且被分割成岛状,这样的环境蝴蝶种类相对较少,但在本区域内,是最适宜其生存的地带。