*2 Drapelului St, RO-400475 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, 23 Gh. Marinescu St, RO-400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: bgeorgeta@umfcluj.ro

Abstract: This review presents basic information on the two different categories of red vegetal pigments: anthocyanins and betacyanins. To avoid possible confusion between them, we emphasize their biosynthesis, chemical structure, distribution within and among plants and economic aspects, as well as their important pharmacological activities. The betalain derivatives, betacyanins, are found only in one group of Angiosperms, the core Caryophyllales, while anthocyanins are widely distributed among Dicotyledons as well as Monocotyledons. There has been no report so far of anthocyanins and betacyanins existing together within the same plant. The chemical structure of betacyanins is different from that of anthocyanins and their synthesis is derived from amino acids. During evolution, the betalain lineages seem to have been abandoned in favour of the anthocyanin lineages.

Key words: vegetal pigments, antocyanins, betacyanins, betalains, antioxidant activity, Caryophyllales

*Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 4 Kozelnytska St, 79026 Lviv, Ukraine
**Botanical Garden of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 44 Cheremshyny Str., 79014 Lviv, Ukraine
e-mail: ykobiv@gmail.com

Abstract: In this paper we present the flora of Bili Skeli (White Cliffs) Massif. This site is the southernmost group of limestone cliffs in the Ukrainian Carpathians, situated in the montane forest belt in the headwaters of the Bilyi Cheremosh River (Verkhovynskyi National Nature Park, the Chyvchyny Mts.). These cliffs harbour rare calcareous saxicolous species, e.g. Arabis hornungiana, Carduus defloratus subsp. glaucus, Cystopteris alpina, Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, Goodyera repens, Saussurea discolor, Saxifraga luteoviridis and Thymus pulcherrimus, many of them included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009). Their occurrence was analysed in their ecological and conservation context. A map of the site is provided as well as geographical coordinates of the major cliffs. The occurrence of obligatory calcicole rare species is determined by the limestone bedrock, which is infrequent in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The rarity of the habitat type makes the site one of the few disjunct environmental islands of calcareous flora in the region. Some of the listed species are narrow-range and occur at the edge of their geographical distribution. Moreover, Saussurea discolor is confined to the lowermost limit of its altitudinal range. Such marginality makes the area remarkable in biogeographical and conservation terms. It was revealed that a population of another rare species, Saxifraga aizoides, has possibly become extinct at this site. However, the confirmed occurrence of Saussurea discolor makes the Bili Skeli cliffs the second (in addition to Chonyi Dil Mt.) known locality of that species in the Ukrainian Carpathians.

Key words: rare species, distribution, calcareous species, endemic plants

*National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj, 48 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: tudor.ursu@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: This paper presents, on the basis of floristic and phytocoenotic data from field studies and the literature, the real vegetation map of Molhasul Mare from Izbuc peat bog, in the Apuseni Muntains. This oligotrophic bog is the most representative from this area and the least impacted by human activities, being therefore declared a Botanical Reserve. On its surface of about 8 ha, there have been identified, described on floristic and ecological grounds and mapped at 1:1000 scale, 9 plant community types that correspond to 4 Natura 2000 habitat types: 7110*, 7149, 7150 and 91D0*. The vegetation map will be useful for monitoring the conservation status of the plant communities and habitats and will facilitate the establishment of suitable conservation measures for the protection of the peat bog.

Key words: vegetation map, peat bog, oligotrophic, Apuseni Mountains

*Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, 44 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**Babes-Bolyai University, Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden, 42 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: irina.goia@ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: The paper presents a vegetation survey of a peat bog - Taul Obcioarei, located in the north of Romania, in Moisei (Maramures county), on the Obcioara Hill, at about 1050 m.a.s.l., in an inhabited area. The research was conducted during the period 2011-2012. The studied area is dominated by Eriophoro vaginati-Sphagnetum recurvi Hueck 1925 and Sphagnetum magellanici (Malcuit 1929) Kaestner et Floessner 1933, covering about 70% of the peat bog. The Molinietum caeruleae W. Koch 1926 and Scirpetum sylvatici (Ralski 1931) Maloch 1935 em. Schwick 1944 phytocoenoses develop at the eastern, southern and western limit of the peat bog. Eriophoro vaginati-Sphagnetum recurvi hosts the critically endangered species Cephaloziella spinigera and Sphagnum papillosum, both recorded for the second time from Romania. All the associations presented in the paper are documented by phytosociological tables, being accompanied by coenotaxonomic, phytogeographical, ecological analyses, with a view to evaluating their conservation status as the principal instrument in management decision making. According to the Habitats Directive, habitat 7110* – Active raised bogs – is well developed, surrounded by habitat 6410 – Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae), and habitat 6430 – Hydrophylous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine level. The conservation status is unfavorable-inadequate for habitat 7110* and unfavorable to bad for the other two habitats, but changes in temperature and the precipitation amount and distribution, as well as occasional throwing of household waste into the water contribute to damaging these habitats.

Key words: Taul Obcioarei, peat bog vegetation, red listed species, habitats, conservation status

*Agronomy Program, Sebelas Maret University in Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia
e-mail: andini.dessi@gmail.com

Abstract: Indonesia has become one of the centres of genetic diversity of durian, but studies about superior local durian are still limited, so a study of morphological analysis is required to obtain potentially superior durians. This research aims: 1) To understand the morphological diversity of some local Criwik durians; 2) To obtain information about local durian that has potential characters as a superior local durian of Criwik Region. This research used descriptive explorative research method with sampling taken by purposive random sampling. The morphological character observations were made on both vegetative and reproductive organs and then analyzed using NTSYS 2.02. Based on this research, vegetative analysis revealed 10 accessions of durian that have morphological differences. In reproductive organ analysis we found local durians with distinctive superior properties.

Key words: genetic diversity, superior durian, Indonesian durian, morphological analysis, plant breeding, plant germplasm.

* Babes-Bolyai University, Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Republicii St., 42, RO-400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**Nature Monuments Commission, Romanian Academy, Calea Victoriei, 125, RO-010071, Bucharest, Romania
***Biology Institute, Romanian Academy, Spl. Independentei, 296, RO-060031, Bucharest, Romania
****Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Environmental Science, 30 Fantanele St., RO-400294, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: vasile.cristea@ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: Romania's natural resources are currently subjected to aggressive and barely controlled exploitation. These resources include medicinal plants from the spontaneous flora, which are much more in demand and appreciated on the foreign market than those derived from cultivation. Having information available regarding commercial societies (S.C.) and physical persons (P.P.) whose sphere of activity also comprises this resource, we wish to argue, taking Mures county and the year 2017 as an example, the need for moderation in using all renewable as well as non-renewable resources. The requested quantities involved 109 spp. of spontaneous medicinal plants and amounted to 7,706 t (of which only 8 t required by P.P.), while the institutions authorized to perform adequate evaluation (AE) studies proposed 4,529 t and the NMC approved only 3,926 t. Certainly, S.C.s in particular are dissatisfied with the approved quantities and have recourse to a wide range of "strategies". Even if in Mures county pressure is not as high as in other counties in Transylvania, we believe that all organizations concerned with environmental conservation and protection should fight for the sustainable use (uti sed non abuti) of this important resource, which in most cases is subjected to other pressures in addition to those related to harvesting and export as raw material.

Key words: medicinal plants, Mures county, sustainable conservation

* National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj, 48 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, 1 Kogalniceanu St., RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: tudor.ursu@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: The paper contributes to the knowledge of forest history during the Dacian Civilization, focusing on the mountainous region where the Dacian fortresses of the Orastie Mountains were located. Some historical and archaeological evidence has been reviewed regarding the use of trees by the Dacians. Emphasis was laid on the analysis of the papers that present indirect evidence in this respect, namely the palynological sequences from the region, belonging to the period of interest, the Subatlantic. On the basis of these, it was possible to reconstruct the natural environment and especially the forest dynamics in the studied region. The palynological analyses performed demonstrate the millennial age of the forests in the area, and aim at further comparisons with the current situation of forests in the region.

Key words: Dacian Civilization, Dacian Fortresses, Trajan's Column, Pollen analysis, Vegetation dynamics, Subatlantic period

*Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Institute of Biological Research, 48 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: adrian.stoica@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our century. As many climate models exist for the Romanian territory, each simulating a number of possible future scenarios for the emission of greenhouse gases, it is difficult to summarize the predicted impacts. This paper analyzes the output of a part of the Worldclim dataset, namely the 19 bioclim variables for 11 General Circulation Models, 4 RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) scenarios and 2 years (2050, 2070) at 5 arc minutes (about 10 km). These 19 variables were conceived to be relevant for species physiology across phyla, and are extensively used in current literature for species distribution modelling. In order to make informed choices in the fitting of models (simulations of future niche changes), an interpretation is needed for the future variation of each bioclim variable and each combination of GCM, year and greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP). While GCM rankings are different for each variable and each year-RCP combination, some general characteristics can be derived for each GCM. For the Romanian territory, the hd model (HadGEM2-AO) can be considered overall as a pessimistic model in relation to temperature and precipitation variables (high temperature increase, high precipitation decrease). The mg GCM (MRI-CGCM3) can be regarded as an optimistic model in relation to predicted temperature increase (less warming), but also in relation to precipitation (higher rainfall). The mi (MIROC-ESM-CHEM) also usually predicts a more humid future in Romania, but with higher temperature increase. The ip GCM (IPSL-CM5A-LR) predicts the highest increase in temperatures during cold months in Romania, as well as drier winters and less temperature variability (monthly and yearly). A moderate model for our country is cc (CCSM4), which can be used as a balanced model (it is optimistic only for cold season temperatures, predicting the lowest increase). Overall, for temperature variables there is a general consensus (increase of temperatures for all combinations of GCM, RCP and year). Regarding precipitations the trends are not very clear. An exception is probably the RCP85 scenario, which causes most GCMs to predict a decrease in precipitation variables, but even for this scenario there are models indicating an increase.

Key words: climate change, general circulation models comparison, worldclim, bioclim, climate of Romania, variables for species distribution modelling

*Babes-Bolyai University, Al. Borza Botanical Garden, 42 Republicii St., RO-40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: angela.pui@ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: This paper presents a brief analysis of the evolution of the collections of decorative flower species within the Ornamental Sector of Al. Borza Botanical Garden, in the period 2014–2018. The collections are grouped into two principal categories: I. Bulbous and biennial species planted in the autumn (Tulipa, Narcissus, Hyacinthus, Allium, Crocus, Viola, Bellis, Myosotis), and II. Species of bulbs and annual plants planted in the spring (Dahlia, Canna, Lilium, Hemerocallis, Gladiolus). With this information, as well as making a true 'inventory' of all horticultural species and varieties (absolutely necessary in an ornamental sector), are also recorded aspects regarding the technology of culture, the behaviour of plants under different climatic and soil conditions, and the possibilities of multiplication and preservation of the 'perenniality' of some species.

Key words: Ornamental sector, tulips, daffodils, Allium spp., dahlias, horticultural species