Rudolf Kamelin

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGentiana is the largest genus within the Gentianaceae family, comprising around 400 species that are widely distributed in temperate alpine regions worldwide, including the Mongolian Plateau. Despite their broad distribution, no comprehensive review on the distribution, ethnobotany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Gentiana species in the Mongolian plateau.AimThis paper aims to provide the first detailed summary of Gentiana species distributed in the Mongolian Plateau, including those in Mongolia. It comprehensively addresses their botanical characteristics, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity, of Gentiana, providing a scientific basis for further research and identifying gaps in knowledge.Materials and methodsData were collected through a comprehensive survey of journal articles, books, and dissertations from databases such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, CNKI, VIP, and Wan Fang Data. Additionally, online resources like Flora of China and Plants of the World Online were consulted for species distribution and scientific name verification. Phytochemical compounds were visualized using Chem Draw 14.0 software.ResultsThis review identifies twenty-nine Gentiana species distributed in the Mongolian Plateau, with nine species having documented folkloric uses for the treating digestive, skin, joint diseases, and sore throat, etc. Phytochemical studies have led to the isolation and identification of 602 compounds, including iridoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, xanthones, alkaloids, fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Notably, gentiopicroside (75) and swertiamarin (118) are the most studied monomeric compounds. Crude extracts of Gentiana show a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, and joint and bone protective activities, etc. These extracts exhibit no apparent toxicity in vivo and in vitro studies. However, clinical research on the therapeutic applications of Gentiana remains limited.ConclusionsThis review provides the first comprehensive summary of Gentiana species from the Mongolian Plateau, covering their distribution, morphology, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacological activities. Compared to existing literature, it offers a more thorough taxa, emphasizing key bioactive compounds such as gentiopicroside and swertiamarin, which are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. The review also reveals the correlation between pharmacological activities and traditional applications. Furthermore, many Gentiana species remain underexplored, highlighting significant potential for future research and the development of therapeutic applications.

Without appropriate and ongoing management interventions, weeds will continue to economically and environmentally disadvantage agricultural and natural ecosystems. For these management strategies to have long‐term sustained success, they need to carefully consider the biological aspects of the targeted weed. These strategies will also need to consider potential adaptations evolved by the targeted weed in response to a range of selection pressures imposed by anthropogenetic factors, climate change, changing environmental conditions, and inappropriate or unsuccessful management regimes. One group of weeds that has been observed to readily adapt to a wide range of conditions and has shown considerable challenges in their management is invasive grasses. Adding to these challenges is that several invasive grasses have also developed resistance to a range of herbicide modes of action, which, to date, has been one of the most commonly used methods of control. To address these challenges, this review explores the biology and ecology of the globally invasive annuals Echinochloa crus‐galli (Barnyard grass) and Panicum capillare (Witchgrass), and the perennial Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass) to identify (i) the most suitable management options for their control and (ii) potential research gaps that may assist in the future management direction of these species. Based on the findings of this review, it is clear that an integrated management approach that targets different aspects of the plant's biology, in combination with early detection and treatment and ongoing surveillance, is necessary for the long‐term control of these species. Although a combination of methods appears promising, further investigation still is required to evaluate their efficiency and long‐term success in a changing environment, all of which are further discussed within this review.

To understand how and where biodiversity is threatened, it is imperative to build historical baselines that accurately characterize the present and past states of biodiversity across environments. Botanical collections provide important ecological, evolutionary, and biogeographic information on the diversity and distributions of plant taxa, yet biases in collection efforts across spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales are well known. Here, we characterize and quantify trends in botanical collections made from across different abiotic, biotic, and sociopolitical boundaries within the present‐day state of New Mexico. Using a biodiversity informatics approach applied toward a regional case study, we identify opportunities for efficiently improving natural history collection coverage and analyses of botanical diversity. Accurate representation of botanical biodiversity, preserved for future generations through vouchered plant specimens deposited in herbaria, depends on collection decisions made now. This work aims to provide a useful workflow for synthesizing digitized regional botanical collections as researchers prioritize current and future resources in the face of global change.

Abstract Lentil wild relatives are an important source of desirable traits that can be used for improving the productivity and resilience of cultivated lentil. Yet, our understanding of their habitat suitability and associated environmental factors remains limited. This study aimed to (i) assess climate change's impact on the potential distribution of six wild lentil species (Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis, L. culinaris subsp. tomentosus, L. culinaris subsp. odemensis, Lens ervoides, Lens lamotte and Lens nigricans) under various climate scenarios and (ii) assess their risk of extinction and determine their in‐situ and ex‐situ conservation status. We used a species distribution modelling approach with MaxEnt to assess the present and future potential distribution of wild lentil species. Extinction risk was evaluated based on International Union of Conservation of Nature criterion B, and the conservation status was assessed using the GapAnalysis method. The precipitation of the coldest quarter (bio19) and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6) were found as the most important variables influencing the distribution of wild lentil species. Final Conservation Score (FCS) ranged from 17.85 and 37.55, highlighting three wild lentil species (L. ervoides, L. nigricans, and L. culinaris subsp. tomentosus) with high priority for conservation and medium priority for the remaining species. L. culinaris subsp. tomentosus is categorized as a vulnerable species, while the other five species are of least concern or near threatened. Synthesis and applications: This study underscores the urgent need for policy development to safeguard the diversity of lentil wild relatives in the face of climate change. The identified vulnerability of Lens culinaris subsp. tomentosus, among others, needs prompt and proactive conservation actions. Key management practices include the establishment and expansion of protected areas, habitat restoration, and the promotion of sustainable land use practices. The integration of effective in‐situ and ex‐situ conservation strategies, along with ecological management practices, is essential. These measures, not only, enhance biodiversity conservation but also improve the resilience of agricultural ecosystems. Such an approach is pivotal in shaping effective conservation management practices for lentil wild relatives, promoting a sustainable agricultural system and ensuring food security in an evolving climate scenario.

This study examines the invasion dynamics of ash-leaved maple (box elder, Acer negundo L.) in the ribbon forests of Altai Krai, Russia, where it has become one of the dominant invasive species over the past thirty years. Originally introduced as an ornamental plant in the early 20th century, A. negundo has rapidly proliferated in lowland, steppe, and forest-steppe regions, significantly impacting local ecosystems. Our research analyzes the ecological and phytocoenotic conditions that facilitate A. negundo's invasion, focusing on its distribution across various ribbon pine forests in the region. Through geobotanical surveys and forest management record analysis, we reveal the species' prevalence in diverse forest types and its effects on biodiversity, tree growth, and community dynamics. Key findings indicate that A. negundo flourishes in disturbed habitats, where it aggressively competes with native flora, suppressing their growth and altering successional pathways. This leads to low-diversity communities increasingly dominated by the invasive species and highlights the exacerbating role of logging and land-use changes. Using predictive modeling techniques, we assessed habitat suitability for A. negundo across Eurasia, identifying temperature as the primary limiting factor for its distribution. The model achieved a high AUC value of 0.97, indicating strong reliability. These findings suggest a significant potential for A. negundo's range expansion throughout Altai Krai, especially in areas with reduced competition from native species. This research underscores the urgent need for effective management strategies to mitigate the effects of A. negundo in Altai Krai and similar regions.

Abstract After many decades of effective control of stem rust caused by the Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, (hereafter Pgt) the reported emergence of race TTKSK/Ug99 of Pgt in Uganda reignited concerns about epidemics worldwide because ∼90% of world wheat cultivars had no resistance to the new race. Since it was initially detected in Uganda in 1998, Ug99 variants have now been identified in thirteen countries in Africa and the Middle East. Stem rust has been a major problem in the past, and concern is increasing about the risk of return to Central and East Asia. Whilst control programs in North America and Europe relied on the use of resistant cultivars in combination with eradication of barberry (Berberis spp.), the alternate host required for the stem rust pathogen to complete its full lifecycle, the focus in East Asia was principally on the use of resistant wheat cultivars. Here, we investigate potential airborne transmission pathways for stem rust outbreaks in the Middle East to reach East Asia using an integrated modelling framework combining estimates of fungal spore deposition from an atmospheric dispersion model, environmental suitability for spore germination, and crop calendar information. We consider the role of mountain ranges in restricting transmission pathways, and we incorporate a representation of a generic barberry species into the lifecycle. We find viable transmission pathways to East Asia from the Middle East to the north via Central Asia and to the south via South Asia and that an initial infection in the Middle East could persist in East Asia for up to three years due to the presence of the alternate host. Our results indicate the need for further assessment of barberry species distributions in East Asia and appropriate methods for targeted surveillance and mitigation strategies should stem rust incidence increase in the Middle East region.

Saussurea is one of the largest and most rapidly evolving genera within the Asteraceae, comprising approximately 520 species from the Northern Hemisphere. A comprehensive infrageneric classification, supported by robust phylogenetic trees and corroborated by morphological and other data, has not yet been published. For the first time, we recovered a well-resolved nuclear phylogeny of Saussurea consisting of four main clades, which was also supported by morphological data. Our analyses show that ancient hybridization is the most likely source of deep cytoplasmic-nuclear conflict in Saussurea, and a phylogeny based on nuclear data is more suitable than one based on chloroplast data for exploring the infrageneric classification of Saussurea. Based on the nuclear phylogeny obtained and morphological characters, we proposed a revised infrageneric taxonomy of Saussurea, which includes four subgenera and 13 sections. Specifically, 1) S. sect. Cincta, S. sect. Gymnocline, S. sect. Lagurostemon, and S. sect. Strictae were moved from S. subg. Saussurea to S. subg. Amphilaena, 2) S. sect. Pseudoeriocoryne was moved from S. subg. Eriocoryne to S. subg. Amphilaena, and 3) S. sect. Laguranthera was moved from S. subg. Saussurea to S. subg. Theodorea.

Plant species with small habitat ranges and specific edaphic requirements are highly vulnerable to extinction and thus require enhanced attention in biodiversity conservation. This study was designed to explore the challenges of protecting such plant species by evaluating the in situ and ex situ conservation capacities available for Thailand's species of the mega‐diverse plant genus Begonia L. A comprehensive assessment of occurrence records across the country was conducted to evaluate the spatial distribution of Begonia diversity in Thailand, identify biodiversity hotspots, assess the extinction threats faced by the 60 Begonia species known in the country, and identify existing conservation capacities and potential gaps. The results show that 78% of Begonia species in Thailand are vulnerable to extinction, with the Northern floristic region identified as both a Begonia species hotspot and a region with major conservation gaps. While in situ conservation efforts have been successful in covering over 88% of the species, they have failed to provide the protection required to achieve zero extinction. Ex situ conservation capacities are poorly developed, with only 13% of species present in botanical gardens, and no seed banking or other related activities have been initiated. This evaluation presents a sharply contrasting message: on one hand, Thailand has assembled substantial capacities to protect these plants through established national parks and other protected areas, but on the other hand, essential capacities are still lacking to render the zero extinction target achievable. We advocate for the implementation of a multi‐component conservation strategy to enable Thailand to move towards zero species extinction, even for plant species with narrow habitat ranges and high edaphic specialisation.

The Khanka Lowland forest-steppe is the most eastern outpost of the Eurasian steppe biome. It includes unique grassland plant communities with rare steppe species. These coenosis have changed under the influence of anthropogenic activity, especially during the last 100 years and included both typical steppe species and nemoral mesophytic species. To distinguish these ecological groups of plants the random forest method with three datasets of environmental variables was applied. Specifically, a model of classification with the most important bioindices to predict a mesophytic ecological group of plants with a sensitivity greater than 80% was constructed. The data demonstrated the presence of steppe species that arrived at different times in the Primorye Territory. Most of these species are associated with the Mongolian-Daurian relict steppe complex and habit in the Khanka Lowland. Other species occur only in mountains in Primorye Territory and do not persist in the Khanka Lowland. These findings emphasize the presence of relict steppe communities with a complex of true steppe species in the Khanka Lowland. Steppe communities exhibit features of anthropogenic influence definitely through the long land use period but are not anthropogenic in origin. The most steppe species are located at the eastern border of distribution in the Khanka Lowlands and are valuable in terms of conservation and sources of information about steppe species origin and the emergence of the steppe biome as a whole.

It would be advantageous to grow legume forage crops in order to increase the productivity and sustainability of sloped croplands in Hamkyongbukdo. In particular, the identification of potential cultivation areas for alfalfa in the given region could aid decision-making on policies and management related to forage crop production in the future. This study aimed to analyze the climate suitability of alfalfa in Hamkyongbukdo under current and future climate conditions using the Fuzzy Union model. The climate suitability predicted by the Fuzzy Union model was compared with the actual alfalfa cultivation area in the northern United States. Climate data obtained from 11 global climate models were used as input data for calculation of climate suitability in the study region to examine the uncertainty of projections under future climate conditions. The area where the climate suitability index was greater than a threshold value (22.6) explained about 44% of the variation in actual alfalfa cultivation areas by state in the northern United States. The climatic suitability of alfalfa was projected to decrease in most areas of Hamkyongbukdo under future climate scenarios. The climatic suitability in Onseong and Gyeongwon County was analyzed to be over 88 in the current climate conditions. However, it was projected to decrease by about 66% in the given areas by the 2090s. Our study illustrated that the impact of climate change on suitable cultivation areas was highly variable when different climate data were used as inputs to the Fuzzy Union model. Still, the ensemble of the climate suitability projections for alfalfa was projected to decrease considerably due to summer depression in Hamkyongbukdo. It would be advantageous to predict suitable cultivation areas by adding soil conditions or to predict the climate suitability of other leguminous crops such as hairy vetch, which merits further studies.