In this paper, we consider the InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA), which is based on the index matrices and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. We demonstrate the application of ICrA using the software ICrAData. ICrAData implements five different algorithms for InterCriteria relations calculation, namely: µ-biased, Unbiased, ν-biased, Balanced and Weighted. The software ICrAData displays results in two panels-matrix and graphical view, and the results can also be exported in various formats: matrices, vectors, and graphics. In the matrix view, the column data can be sorted in ascending or descending order. The graphic view has options for resizing the intuitionistic fuzzy triangle, showing a grid and assigning different colours to the points. Moreover, a selected point in the graphic is outlined in the matrix view, and vice-versa. In the present paper some of the ICrAData software functionalities are illustrated by an example.
In the context of climatic change, more severe and long-lasting droughts will modify the fitness of plants, with potentially worse consequences on the relict trees. We have investigated the leaf phenotypic (anatomical, physiological and biochemical) plasticity in well-watered, drought-stressed and re-watered plants of two populations of Platanus orientalis, an endangered species in the west of the Mediterranean area. The two populations originated in contrasting climate (drier and warmer, Italy (IT) population; more humid and colder, Bulgaria (BG) population). The IT control plants had thicker leaves, enabling them to maintain higher leaf water content in the dry environment, and more spongy parenchyma, which could improve water conductivity of these plants and may result in easier CO2 diffusion than in BG plants. Control BG plants were also characterized by higher photorespiration and leaf antioxidants compared to IT plants. BG plants responded to drought with greater leaf thickness shrinkage. Drought also caused substantial reduction in photosynthetic parameters of both IT and BG plants. After re-watering, photosynthesis did not fully recover in either of the two populations. However, IT leaves became thicker, while photorespiration in BG plants further increased, perhaps indicating sustained activation of defensive mechanisms. Overall, our hypothesis, that plants with a fragmented habitat (i.e., the IT population) lose phenotypic plasticity but acquire traits allowing better resistance to the climate where they became adapted, remains confirmed.
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