Pteridophytes as ecological indicators: an overview

Abstract

Pteridophytes as ecological indicators: an overview). The pteridophytes present a great but poorly explored potential as ecological indicators (EIs), shown only in some sparse studies. Therefore, to analyze this potential, we reviewed published articles, websites, or books with pteridophytes as EIs, searching on five scholar databases and also on Google. We selected 134 studies, conducted in all continents (118 in mainland areas and 16 in islands). Brazil is the country with the highest number of studies (N = 33). In general, several species were considered as EIs in a given study, not only a single. The use of Pteridophytes in these works was classified in seven different types: a) classification of vegetation, soils, environments, and ecosystems (N = 65), b) environmental integrity (or quality) (N = 21), c) disturbance (N = 17), d) regeneration/restoration of habitats and/or ecosystems (N = 10), e) climate changes (N = 10), f) contamination of air, soil, or water (N = 14), and g) association with other groups of organisms (N = 12). The vast majority of these studies merely hypothesized the potential use of the Pteridophytes as EIs, with few presenting helpful criteria for the selection of EIs. Although there is an increasing recognition of the potential use of Pteridophytes as EIs, a more in-depth discussion about the criteria for selecting Pteridophytes as indicators and the real uses of such plants is needed.

Samambaias e licófitas do Rancho Souza, município de Abaetetuba, estado do Pará, Brasil

“…(Hymenophyllaceae), com três espécies cada (Tabela 1). Cyathea está entre os táxons de samambaias mais citados como indicadores ambientais (Della & Falkenberg, 2019), uma vez que as espécies do gênero apresentam taxa de crescimento muito lenta e podem ser relacionadas ao estágio sucessional das florestas (Schmitt & Windisch, 2012). Castello et al (2017) demonstraram que samambaias arborescentes com caules desenvolvidos (acima 4,1 m de altura) podem ser usadas como indicadoras de vegetação bem conservada, já que tal característica é positivamente influenciada por fatores ambientais encontrados em estágios sucessionais avançados, como cobertura do dossel mais densa, maior umidade e menor exposição à luz.…”

The diversity of pteridophytes in Siberut National Park, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…Abiotic conditions such as humidity, texture, pH and soil nutrition, air humidity, light intensity, precipitation, altitude, topography, and temperature in the atmosphere are directly correlated with the presence, abundance, frequency, and diversity of Pteridophytes. A well-maintained habitat will have a wealth of species and an abundance of pteridophytes (Della and Falkenberg 2019).…”

“…The diversity of Pteridophytes is also related to the role of these plants as pioneer plants. In addition, Pteridophytes also act as providers of oxygen, water absorbers, small animal habitats, environmental indicators, and maintain the humidity and balance of the forest ecosystem, such as preventing erosion, regulating water content, and helping the weathering process of forest litter (Della and Falkenberg 2019).…”

Diversity, structure and composition of pteridophyte in varying habitats in Karimun Besar Island, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia

“…Generally, the type of stele in pteridophyte member is protostele, in which the xylem is located in the center and surrounded by phloem (Sofiyanti et al 2019). So far, about 12.000 species of pteridophyte have been identified (Della and Falkenberg 2019) and spread across many different habitats, from coastal regions (Medina et al 1990) to mountains (Nettesheim et al 2014).…”