@article{Castillo_Figueroa_2024,
title = {Litter mixture effects on decomposition change with forest succession and are influenced by time and soil fauna in tropical mountain Andes},
author = {Dennis Castillo-Figueroa},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0001.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0001},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {1–17},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {In highly transformed regions, such as the tropical Andes, identifying the influence of forest succession and soil fauna on non-additive effects of litter decomposition is crucial for gaining a more realistic understanding of carbon dynamics and nutrient cycles. The objective of this paper was to analyze the changes of litter mixture effects on decomposition between different soil fauna treatments (macrofauna inclusion vs macrofauna exclusion) and successional stages (mature forests vs secondary forests) in upper Andean tropical forests along time by using a reciprocal translocation experiment of 1,344 litterbags that ran for 18 months with six common native Andean species. Thought t-tests, linear regressions, and linear mixed models, I found that litter mixture effects vary among sites and increase with time in secondary forests until the year of decomposition in litterbags with macrofauna exclusion. Mature forests exhibited strong antagonistic effects, while pronounced synergistic effects were observed in secondary forests. Although soil macrofauna did not increase significantly litter decomposition and synergistic effects in the mixtures at any of the stages of decay, it is likely that soil macrofauna may impact litter mixtures through top-down effects within soil food webs, rather than exerting a direct effect in the litter consumption as has been reported in tropical lowland ecosystems. Overall, this study supports the idea that litter mixtures exhibit significant variability across sites, can change with successional stage, and are influenced by soil fauna depending on the stage of decay in tropical Andean montane forests.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Jauschov__2024,
title = {Ladybird (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) communities on nonnative blue spruce in central Europe},
author = {Terézia Jauschová and Lenka Sarvašová and Miroslav Saniga and Vladimír Langraf and Milada Holecová and Alois Honěk and Zdenka Martinková and Jiří Skuhrovec and Ján Kulfan and Peter Zach},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0002.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0002},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {18–28},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {Blue spruce (Picea pungens) has been planted in urban greenery as an ornamental tree in central Europe for more than 150 years. We investigated whether this nonnative spruce is a convenient habitat for ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). In 2021 and 2022, adults and larvae were sampled in four towns in Slovakia at monthly intervals throughout the growing season, from April to October. We recorded adults of 27 species and larvae of 11 ladybird species. Conifer specialist ladybird species predominated both in adult and larval communities (adults – 9 species, 85.2% of all individuals; larvae – 7 species, 92.1% of all individuals). Exochomus quadripustulatus and Aphidecta obliterata were the most common in adult (31.8% and 33.5% of all individuals, respectively) and larval (57.5% and 25.1% of all individuals, respectively) communities. The most abundant generalist species was nonnative invasive Harmonia axyridis (adults – 5.6%, larvae – 6.8% of all individuals). Adults and larvae of ladybirds were more abundant on solitary trees than on trees growing in groups. Our results confirmed that blue spruce hosts rich ladybird communities and provides them shelter and food resources.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Mwakalukwa_2024,
title = {Structure, regeneration and carbon stocks of woody plants in the Litwang’ata village land forest reserve, Southwest Tanzania},
author = {Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa and Samora Macrice Andrew},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0003.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0003},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {29–38},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {The plant biodiversity status of many village land forest reserves is little known to support meaningful implementation of sustainable forest management objectives in Tanzania. This study was conducted to assess the status of Litwang’ata village land forest reserve in Ludewa district, Southwest Tanzania through 20 square sample plots of 10 × 10 m. A total of 20 woody plant species belonging to 12 families and 19 genera with DBH ≥ 5 cm were identified in the study forest. The most important species with their importance value index were Brachystegia spiciformis (78.02), Brachystegia boehmii (22.05), Faurea saligna (15.18), Uapaca kirkiana (14), Acacia amythethophylla (13.07), Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (12.76) and Gardenia ternifolia (10.36). The forest had a Shannon diversity index (H´) of 2.27, indicating medium diversity. Stand structure comprised 1,330 ± 523 stems ha–1, basal area of 18.97 ± 6.81 m2 ha–1 and stand volume of 142.36 ± 52.17 m3 ha–1. The mean above- and belowground carbon stocks were 46.97 ± 17.23 Mg ha–1 and 23.90 ± 8.58 Mg ha–1 respectively. The higher tree densities, basal area, stand volume and carbon stocks recorded in this study compared to other Miombo woodlands indicate that Litwang’ata forest is still in good condition, and managment efforts should be strengthened to bolster biodiversity conservation for present and future generations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Baek_2024,
title = {Litterfall, litter decomposition, and carbon storage of \textit{Pinus densiflora} and \textit{Quercus variabilis} stands in South Korea},
author = {Gyeongwon Baek and Choonsig Kim},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0004.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0004},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {39–46},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {The quantification of carbon (C) storage of different stand types is a key component for understanding forest C cycles and potential climate change. This study evaluated the effects of stand types on litterfall, litter decomposition, and forest C storage in Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and Quercus variabilis Blume stands in southern Korea. The aboveground C storage by tree biomass was not affected (P > 0.05) by stand types (P. densiflora: 79.49 Mg C ha–1; Q. variabilis: 96.37 Mg C ha–1). However, total C inputs by litterfall were significantly higher for the P. densiflora (4,473 kg C ha–1 year–1) than for the Q. variabilis (2,633 kg C ha–1 year–1) stands. Organic C over litter decomposition processes was more rapidly mineralized in the leaf litter of Q. variabilis than in needle litter of P. densiflora, but C storage on the forest floor was not affected by different stand types. Total soil C storage was not significantly different between the Q. variabilis (55.71 Mg C ha–1) and P. densiflora (80.49 Mg C ha–1), whereas the C concentrations at each soil depth were significantly higher in the P. densiflora than in the Q. variabilis stands, except for the subsurface depth (30–50 cm). These results indicate that the distribution of C storage in P. densiflora and Q. variabilis stands is less susceptible to interspecific differences, such as litterfall inputs and decomposition rates.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Ambas_2024,
title = {\textit{Falcataria moluccana} (Miq.) root distribution seedlings in response to nitrogen concentrations and tillage},
author = {Asfarinawati D Ambas and Aida Nabihah M Khatta and Julius Kodoh and Assis Kamu and Liew Kang Chiang and Razak Terhem and Normah Awang Besar and Affendy Hassan},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0005.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0005},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {47–55},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barnaby & Grimes is an important species for forest plantation programmes in Malaysia and is widely used in the wood industry. However, its root interactions have not been widely investigated due to the limited methodologies and information about the root distribution of trees and crops in forest plantation and agroforestry systems. This study was conducted to determine the rhizotron-scale root interactions of F. moluccana at different tillage and nitrogen concentrations under four different treatments: control, tillage, fertiliser, and tillage with fertiliser. The rhizotron-scale experiment was conducted at a greenhouse where F. moluccana (Batai) seedlings were transplanted in transparent rhizotron tubes (onemetre-high transparent polycarbonate solid sheet) using topsoil and river sand to simulate natural growing conditions. Root Intensity (RI), Root Length Density (RLD), Specific Root Length (SRL), dried shoot bio-mass and root biomass were recorded. Root biomass and SRL were notably higher (25–50 cm depth) at 6 WAT (Weeks After Transplanting), and the shoot biomass (tillage + fertiliser) was significantly higher at 14 WAT. However, plants treated with different tillage and nitrogen concentrations showed no significant impact on the RI and RLD. Fertiliser treatment only, and tillage with fertiliser treatment, showed greater root distribution at the rhizotron scale. These findings contribute to forest plantation and natural forest rehabilitation efforts by helping optimise the soil resources within ecosystems for sustainable forest management.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Al_Asadi_2024,
title = {Effects of dicamba and casein hydrolysate on \textit{in vitro} growthand shoot regeneration of date palm (\textit{Phoenix dactylifera} L.) cv. Barhee},
author = {Ahmed Z R Al-Asadi and Ahmed M W Al-Mayahi and Khairullah M Awad},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0006.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0006},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {56–65},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {The investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of the dicamba (3,6-Dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) (DIC) and casein hydrolysate (CH) on the callus growth, shoot multiplication, and some biochemical constituents of date palm cv. Barhee cultured in vitro. Both DIC and CH were required for callus growth and shoots regeneration. The medium supplemented with 4.0 mg l−1 DIC in combination with 1.0 g l−1 CH gave the highest callus weight (287 mg), while the maximum response rate and the number of shoots per jar (86.67% and 15.07 shoots/jar) were found in MS media equipped with 4 mg l−1 DIC and 0.5 mg l−1 CH combination. The total amount of phenolic compounds was significantly reduced to 0.82 and 0.79 mg GAE g–1 in shoots cultured in the medium equipped with 4.0 mg l−1 DIC with 0.5 and 1.0 g l−1 CH, which is reflected in the rate of browning. The results showed that the highest shoots content of endogenous IAA (3.71 and 3.50 μg g−1), were obtained in response to 4 mg l−1 DIC + 1.0 g l−1 CH and 4.0 mg l−1 DIC + 0.5 g l−1 CH, respectively. The macronutrient K, P, Ca, and free amino acids content significantly increased in the in vitro shoots regenerated on the media supplemented with 4.0 mg l−1 DIC + 1.0 g l−1 CH. The genetic stability of this study was confirmed by the DNA-based fingerprinting method RAPD. The RAPD binding patterns indicated no variation among tissue culture-derived plants. The in vitro propagation protocol described herein can be introduced to the production of genetically stable date palm plants.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Giovacchini_2024,
title = {Applying threat analysis approach in a small forest urban park (Northern Italy): local expert-based assessment to prioritize the management actions},
author = {Pietro Giovacchini and Lorenzo Borghi and Davide Tartari and Francesca Cucci and Andrea Caldarelli and Massimo Tassinari and Pietro Melandri and Marco Dinetti and Corrado Battisti and Letizia Marsili},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0007.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0007},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {66–74},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {To overcome the human-induced threats impacting on ecosystems, managers should focus on priorities. Here, we applied the expert-based Threat Analysis (TAN) in a forest urban park (Northern Italy), involving experts which ranked local threats, from the more to less impacting and following the IUCN classification. We also evaluated the level of knowledge of operators about these threats. Experts identified five priority target-specific threats: Roads and Railroads; Invasive-Non Native/Alien species; Other Ecosystem modifications; Recreational Activities, and Storms and Flooding. Storms and Flooding and Invasive-Non Native/Alien species appeared the threats with significant highest magnitude. Knowledge of threats is comparable without significant difference among them. However, Storms and Flooding and Roads and Railroads are the threats having both the highest level of knowledge by experts and the highest magnitude. At the opposite, Mowing was the less known threat regarding its regime and showed the lowest magnitude. TAN approach should be routinely used to build conceptual frameworks, ranking threats from the more to less impacting, therefore optimizing the management effort and developing local projects.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Amadi_2024,
title = {Nesting trees used by a pest bird (Village Weaver, \textit{Ploceus cucullatus}): a large field survey suggests further human conflicts with local stakeholders in Southern Nigeria},
author = {Nioking Amadi and Fidelia Tasie and Luca Luiselli and Julia E Fa and Nyimale G Alawa and Chidinma Amuzie and Fabio Petrozzi and Albert Owoh and Chimela Wala and Peace S Wodi and Corrado Battisti and Godfrey C Akani and Mercy G Ajuru},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0008.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0008},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {75–82},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) is a common colonial nesting bird widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It is known to weave its nests from leaf strips from a variety of tree species (mainly coconuts trees, oil palm trees) associated with human settlement areas, grasses, and other available plants. In this regard, this bird was considered a pest for its impact on different economic activities. Although extensive literature is already available on the parasitic role of village weavers, there is still a lack of analytical data that outlines which tree species are used for nesting and in what proportion, as well as the related implications in terms of economic impacts. Here, we carried out the first comprehensive arrangement of trees used by this species for nesting in Southern Nigeria (West Africa), checking for possible different impacts on stakeholders. In April 2021, we searched for village weaver nesting in 95 sites in 77 communities from 24 local government areas in Southern Nigeria, during 14 field surveys. Within each site, we collected GPS coordinates and counted the number of active nests, nesting birds and occupied trees. We recorded a total of 5,776 nests and 2,140 birds in 94 plants belonging to 23 tree species selected for nesting. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis; n = 45) was the most used tree species, as 2,990 (51.77%) nests and 873 (40.79%) birds were recorded. Our results indicate the preference for nesting on trees used by stakeholders belonging to agricultural (palm farmers), touristic (operators) and energy (gas flare stations) sectors with economic implications about the conflict with this pest species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{esfahani_2024,
title = {Stomatal variations and their position relative to leaf epidermal cells in ten Maple species},
author = {Farzaneh Moghbel esfahani and Vahide Payamnoor and Ali Sattarian},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0009.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0009},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {83–92},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {In the present study, we investigated the structure of stomata in seven native species of Hyrcanian forests (Acer hyrcanum, A. velutinum Boiss., A. campestre, A. platanoides L., A. cappadocicum, A. monspessulanum, A. amazandaranicum), as well as non-native species that have fully adapted (A. negundo, A. negundo variegatum, and A. palmatum). We used light and electron microscopy to determine the form and position of the stomata in relation to the leaf epidermal cells. The length, width, shape, area, perimeter, and stomatal density were all measured. Our findings revealed that the stomata type of A. negundo varengiayum, A. campestre, A. hyrcanum, A. mazandaranicum and A. monsspesulanum is anomocytic, A. platanoides and A. cappadocicum have anomocytic stomata with wavy subsidiary cells, while A. palmatum has anisocytic stomata and A. velutinum has parasitic stomata. A. negundo has actinocytic stomata. Regarding the location of stomata relative to adjacent epidermal cells, we identified three types. In the first type, the stomata were flush with adjacent epidermal cells (A. cappadocicum, A. negundo, A. platanoides). In the second type, the stomata were higher (A. negundo variegatum), and in the third type, the stomata were lower (A. velutinum, A. monspesulanom, A. campestre, A. mazandaranicum, A. hyrcanum). The principal component analysis was used to determine the essential stomatal traits in differentiating between species. We also investigated the distribution of trees in the coordinate axis space based on two main components and performed cluster analysis based on stomatal characteristics. A. platanoides, A. negundo, A. negundo variegatum were in one cluster, while the other species were in separate clusters. The calculation of dissimilarity among the studied species revealed the lowest similarity between A. negundo and A. hyrcanum and the highest similarity between A. campestre and A. mazandaranicum. The results of the discriminant analysis identified stomatal density as the essential factor in differentiation between the studied species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Goncharenko_2024,
title = {Giant hogweeds (\textit{Heracleum mantegazzianum} and \textit{H. sosnowskyi}) in Ukraine: distribution, ecological and coenotical features},
author = {Igor Goncharenko and Serhii Koniakin and Olena Leshcheniuk},
url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.2478_foecol-2024-0010.pdf},
doi = {10.2478/foecol-2024-0010},
issn = {1338-7014},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Folia Oecologica},
volume = {51},
number = {1},
pages = {93–107},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {The paper aims to study the distribution and communities of two giant hogweed species Heracleum mantegazzianum and H. sosnowskyi in Ukraine. This research was motivated by strong invasive trends, risks for native vegetation and a lack of data on giant hogweeds in Ukraine. We presented phytosociological tables of giant hogweeds communities, maps of their modern distribution in Ukraine, a dendrogram of similarity of the communities, phytoindicative evaluation, and proportions of diagnostic species in the syntaxa. According to our survey and literature data, there are 102 locations of H. mantegazzianum and 405 locations of H. sosnowskyi throughout most of Ukraine, except for the steppe zone, where the limiting factor is the arid climate. The amplitudes of both studied Heracleum species have a significant overlap in the factors of humidity, nitrogen, and salt regime. There are differences between the species in the factors of light, temperature and continentality. The amplitudes of the studied species are the widest for moisture and the narrowest range for soil acidity. Both species favour soils enriched in nitrogen. Based on the phytosociological survey, the species forms two distinct associations Urtico dioicae-Heracleetum sosnowskyi and Urtico dioicae-Heracleetum mantegazzianii and also occurs with lower abundance in communities belonging to 8 vegetation classes. The obtained data can be used to carry out preventive measures against the further spread of giant hogweeds in new habitats with varying degrees of anthropogenic transformation.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}