Abstract What would current ecosystems be like without the impact of mankind? This question, which is critical for ecosystem management, has long remained unanswered due to a lack present-day data from truly undisturbed ecosystems. Using mountaineering techniques, we accessed pristine relict in Peruvian Andes provide this baseline and compared it with surrounding accessible disturbed landscape. We show that natural human high are radically different preconceived ideas. Vegetation these ‘lost...

Abstract Questions Have millennia of human land use fundamentally altered the vegetation a large proportion high Andean puna biome, with natural now restricted to inaccessible areas? Can ledges be used as surrogates infer potential ( PNV ) in heavily impacted areas ecosystem Andes? Is there difference plant community composition and diversity between vegetation, represented by grazing burning, anthropogenically disturbed found on nearby, but accessible, slopes? Location Abra Málaga Private...

Human activity affects properties and development of ecosystems across the globe, to such a degree that it is now challenging get baseline values for undisturbed ecosystems. This especially true soil development, which potentially affected by land-use history holds legacy past human interventions. Therefore, still largely unknown most ecozones how would have developed ‘naturally’. Here, we show i.e. processes weathering accumulation organic matter (SOM), comparing pristine with grazed sites...

We provide an updated checklist and key to the 30 Poa species with open panicles from Peru which includes previously circumscribed Dissanthelium Aphanelytrum species, new taxon records, three undescribed species. compressa, grisebachii, leioclada are recorded for first time. A number of placed in synonymy: carazensis, ferreyrae tovarii synonymized under name fibrifera; adusta (tentatively) pilgeri candamoana; superata is grisebachii; paramoensis huancavelicae. Included within this treatment...

Gentianella viridiflora (Gentianaceae, Gentianeae, Swertiinae), here described and illustrated, is a new species from the Cordillera Vilcabamba, southern Peru. Its yellowish-green corolla distinguishes it other South American of genus that share similar set morphological features. The known only type locality where occurs in grazed areas next to Polylepis woodland.

Taxonomic delimitation within the Andean Festuca setifolia complex s.l. has been fraught with difficulty due to large range of morphoanatomical and epidermal variation among species coupled varying opinions on what diagnostic characters should be used distinguish species.We shed light this through using multivariate analysis (PCA, PCoA cluster analysis), based 20 variables (morphoanatomical characteristics), elucidate patterns group test validity current delimitations.The 89 OTU's recognized...

Abstract Soils contain significantly more carbon than the atmosphere, hence we should understand how best to stabilize it. Unfortunately, role of human interventions on soil organic (SOC) persistence in Anthropocene remains vague, lacking adequate sites that allow unbiased direct comparisons pristine and influenced soils. Here present data from a unique study system High Andes guarantees pristineness reference by physical inaccessibility through vertical cliffs. By comparing isotopic...

We present taxonomic notes on the Festuca caprina complex from southern Africa that includes description and illustration of new species F. drakensbergensis Drakensberg Mountain Centre Floristic Endemism South Lesotho. can be differentiated s.l. by forming lax short tufts with extravaginally-branching tillers lateral-tending cataphyllous shoots or rhizomes present, basal foliage reaching < ½ length culms, generally shorter leaves anthers, 0.8−1.6(−1.8) mm long. The also differs...

Four species of Poa L. are newly reported for sub-Saharan Africa and southern Africa, compressa L., P. iconia Azn., infirma Kunth nemoralis This is the first report from Africa. Vouchers at PRE bulbosa all belong to var. vivipara Koeler, those one trivialis belongs trivialis. Two subspecies recognised in pratensis L.: subsp. irrigata (Lindm.) H.Lindb. pratensis. We also designate a lectotype second-step leptoclada Hochst. ex A.Rich. recording diclinous breeding system binata Nees. Our...

Background: The grasses (Poaceae) of the Flora Southern Africa (FSA) region (i.e. Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) are relatively well documented, for both native non-native species. Visiting taxonomic expertise nevertheless reveals new FSA in-country records, particularly Such records provide an opportunity improving biosecurity relating to potentially invasive but hitherto undetected Poaceae in region.Objectives: To improve floristic data occurring theFSA...

We present 4 new and 5 overlooked records of vascular plant species for Peru from high elevation puna grasslands in the Urubamba Vilcabamba Cordilleras, southern Peru.The are: Lasiocephalus lingulatus (Asteraceae); Cardamine vulgaris (Brassicaceae); Lupinus herzogii, soratensis (Fabaceae).Other records, i.e., Calamagrostis sclerantha, Festuca soukupii (Poaceae); Aphanes parvula, Lachemilla tanacetifolia (Rosaceae), Valeriana mandonii (Valerianaceae), that are mentioned literature but have...

Valeriana vilcabambensis Sylvester & Barrie (Valerianaceae), here described and illustrated, is found as a common constituent of the herbaceous layer in humid, high-elevation montane forests Cordilleras Urubamba Vilcabamba, Peru, which are inaccessible to grazing livestock spread human-induced ground fires. The species unique its combination erect, simple, woody stems 80 cm tall; pinnate-pinnatisect leaves with elliptic obovate entire leaflets usually gradually pinnatipartite apex; cymose...

The grass Agrostis meyenii Trin. (Poaceae, Agrostidinae) is newly recorded from Peru and found in high-Andean puna grasslands of the departments Ancash, Ayacucho, Huánuco, marking northernmost known limit this species. A revised species description, images, taxonomic notes, a key are also presented to differentiate A. similar with congested, spike-like panicles absent or reduced (measuring less than ½ length lemma) paleas (i.e., breviculmis Hitchc., foliata Hook.f.,...

The grass Agrostis meyenii Trin. (Poaceae, Agrostidinae) is newly recorded from Peru and found in high-Andean puna grasslands of the departments Ancash, Ayacucho, Huánuco, marking northernmost known limit this species. A revised species description, images, taxonomic notes, a key are also presented to differentiate A. similar with congested, spike-like panicles absent or reduced (measuring less than ½ length lemma) paleas (i.e., breviculmis Hitchc., foliata Hook.f.,...

Abstract High-elevation Afroalpine ecosystems of the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (DMC) Lesotho and South Africa, renowned for their high endemism key ecosystem services, are socio-ecological systems that have seen human activity millennia. However, responses to land management practices understudied. Controversy over natural state has also led conflicting policies emphases. Focusing on crucial ecosystem-modulating component, grasses (Poaceae), we evaluate response DMC vegetation impact...