Recent Results in the Research of Cryptogamic Organisms – Symbiosis, Ecophysiology, Conservation, Application

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The phrase “cryptogamic organisms” (having “hidden reproduction”) cover the otherwise very different algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, and ferns, which are only combined by a common feature that they do not produce flowers or seeds, a form of sexual reproduction in flowering plants. Although the modes of their asexual and vegetative reproduction are very different, their life strategies are similar in a series of other fields requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Thanks to molecular genetic methods, the phylogeny of these groups has been clarified in several points, and thus their taxonomy has been faced with revolutionary changes. Symbiosis is the best studied in lichens, and thus it is now treated at a further level, not only considering the two main partners— photobionts and mycobionts—but also non-photosynthetic bacteria, as well as the multiplied fungal and photosynthetic partners co-existing with them. Symbiotic partners in other groups of cryptogamic organisms are less known, and the roles of these partners require further studies. Among recent methodological advances, DNA-based microbiome studies offer unprecedented insights into the taxonomic and functional composition of microorganisms associated with all groups of cryptogamic organisms. The poikilohydric nature of many cryptogamic organisms, combined with often extreme levels of desiccation tolerance, places them in the focus of ecophysiological studies. In addition, the understanding of mechanisms related to the secondary metabolites unique to lichens produced as protecting agents against high solar and UV radiation need more information. Even though most cryptogamic organisms are tiny, they live in the form of various-sized thalli, colonies, crusts, mats, or clumps, and they represent the foundation of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as colonizers of soil and rock surfaces and make up a large proportion of the planet’s photosynthesizing biomass. They are hyperdiverse, and many of them are ubiquitous, while some are restricted to habitats that are often endangered and in need of conservation. Additionally, their application and utilization in human life have so far been underexplored.

Prof. Dr. Edit Farkas
Dr. József Geml
Dr. Michal Goga
Dr. Katalin Veres
Topic Editors

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Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Diversity diversity	2.1	3.4	2009	15.4 Days	CHF 2100
Ecologies ecologies	1.7	1.8	2020	25.6 Days	CHF 1000
Journal of Fungi jof	4.2	6.7	2015	17.1 Days	CHF 2600
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.1	7.4	2013	13.4 Days	CHF 2700
Plants plants	4.0	6.5	2012	18.2 Days	CHF 2700

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Diversity Ecologies JoF Microorganisms Plants

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25 pages, 2856 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use

by Rebeka Aszalósné Balogh, Edit Farkas, Júlia Tüdősné Budai, László Lőkös and Gábor Matus

Plants 2023, 12(16), 2972; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162972 - 17 Aug 2023

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Abstract

Cryptogams, often neglected in vegetation dynamics studies, compose a large part of biomass and contribute to the biodiversity of sandy grasslands. Since the work of Verseghy (1970s), their productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We studied the lichen and bryophyte dynamics (hereinafter [...] Read more.

Cryptogams, often neglected in vegetation dynamics studies, compose a large part of biomass and contribute to the biodiversity of sandy grasslands. Since the work of Verseghy (1970s), their productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We studied the lichen and bryophyte dynamics (hereinafter called cryptogams) at two Eastern Hungarian dry sandy grassland sites. The sites of Corynephorus canescens and of Festuca vaginata dominance, respectively, belonging to the community Festuco vaginatae–Corynephoretum have been monitored. We aimed at (1) quantifying the diversity and biomass of the cryptogamic communities; (2) exploring the cryptogamic response to management changes; and (3) studying the effect of experimental management (fencing) on the cryptogamic assemblages. The sites have been compared in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Forty microplots per site per management have been analyzed in both years. Samples of lichens and bryophytes were hand-sorted, dried and then measured. Fencing has led to increased biomass of cryptogams within a few years. Lichens in general benefited comparatively more from exclosure than bryophytes. The increase in lichen biomass (especially that of Cladonia rangiformis) is clearly due to the over 10-year absence of grazing. The only lichen favored by moderate grazing is the legally protected C. magyarica. Short spells of low-intensity grazing can promote the species richness of cryptogams in the community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Results in the Research of Cryptogamic Organisms – Symbiosis, Ecophysiology, Conservation, Application)

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Open AccessArticle

Effects of Simulated Nitrogen Deposition and Micro-Environment on the Functional Traits of Two Rare and Endangered Fern Species in a Subtropical Forest

by Lingbo Ji, Liping Wei, Lingling Zhang, Yuanqiu Li, Yang Tian, Ke Liu and Hai Ren

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3320; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233320 - 1 Dec 2022

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Abstract

Although the effects of N deposition on forest plants have been widely reported, few studies have focused on rare and endangered fern species (REFs). Information is also lacking on the effects of micro-environments on REFs. We investigated the effects of N addition (canopy [...] Read more.

Although the effects of N deposition on forest plants have been widely reported, few studies have focused on rare and endangered fern species (REFs). Information is also lacking on the effects of micro-environments on REFs. We investigated the effects of N addition (canopy and understory N addition, CAN, and UAN) and micro-environments (soil and canopy conditions) on the functional traits (growth, defense, and reproduction; 19 traits in total) of two REFs—Alsophila podophylla and Cibotium baromet—in a subtropical forest in South China. We found that, compared to controls, CAN or UAN decreased the growth traits (e.g., plant height, H) of C. baromet, increased its defense traits (e.g., leaf organic acid concentrations, OA), delayed its reproductive event (all-spore release date), and prolonged its reproductive duration. In contrast, A. podophylla showed increased growth traits (e.g., H), decreased defense traits (e.g., OA), and advanced reproductive events (e.g., the all-spore emergence date) under CAN or UAN. Meanwhile, the negative effects on the C. baromet growth traits and A. podophylla defense traits were stronger for CAN than for UAN. In addition, the soil chemical properties always explained more of the variations in the growth and reproductive traits of the two REFs than the N addition. Our study indicates that, under simulated N deposition, C. baromet increases its investment in defense, whereas A. podophylla increases its investment in growth and reproduction; this may cause an increasing A. podophylla population and decreasing C. baromet population in subtropical forests. Our study also highlights the importance of considering micro-environments and the N-addition approach when predicting N deposition impact on subtropical forest REFs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Results in the Research of Cryptogamic Organisms – Symbiosis, Ecophysiology, Conservation, Application)

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