1. A pan-European citizen science study shows population size, climate and land use are related to biased morph ratios in the heterostylous plant Primula verisTsipe Aavik, Triin Reitalu, Marianne Kivastik, Iris Reinula, Sabrina Träger, Evelyn Uuemaa, Marta Barberis, Arjen Biere, Sílvia Castro, Sara A. O. Cousins, Živa Fišer, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The distylous plant Primula veris has long served as a model species for studying heterostyly, that is the occurrence of multiple floral morphs within a population to ensure outcrossing. Habitat loss, reduced plant population sizes, and climate change have raised concerns about the impact of these factors on morph ratios and the related consequences on fitness of heterostylous species. We studied the deviation of floral morphs of P. veris from isoplethy (i.e. equal frequency) in response to plant population size, landscape context and climatic factors, based on a pan-European citizen science campaign involving observations from 28 countries. In addition, we examined the relative frequency of morphs to determine whether landscape and climatic factors disrupt morph frequencies or whether a specific morph has an advantage over the other. Theory predicts equal frequencies of short-styled S-morphs and long-styled L-morphs in populations at equilibrium. However, data from >3000 populations showed a substantial morph deviation from isoplethy and a significant excess of S-morphs (9% higher compared to L-morphs). Deviation of morph frequency from equilibrium was substantially stronger in smaller populations and was not affected by morph identity. Higher summer precipitation and land use intensity were associated with an increased prevalence of S-morphs. Five populations containing individuals exhibiting short homostyle phenotypes (with the style and anthers in low positions) were found. Genotyping of the individuals at CYP734A50 gene of the S locus, which determines the length of the style and the position of anthers of P. veris, revealed no mutations in this region. Our results based on an unprecedented geographic sampling suggest that changes in land use and climate may be responsible for non-equilibrium morph frequencies. This large-scale citizen science initiative sets foundations for future studies to clarify whether the unexpected excess of S-morphs is due to partial intra-morph compatibility, disruption of heterostyly or survival advantage of S-morphs. Synthesis. Human-induced environmental change may affect biodiversity indirectly through altering reproductive traits, which can also lead to reduced fitness and genetic diversity. Further research should consider the possible role of pollinators in mediating the ecological and evolutionary consequences of recent landscape and climatic shifts on plant reproductive traits.
Keywords: citizen science, flower, heterostily
Published in RUP: 16.01.2026; Views: 161; Downloads: 3
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2. Plants in danger : floral and other plant traits as drivers of vulnerability in Mediterranean countriesAmparo Lázaro, Anastasia Stefanaki, Martha Charitonidou, Joana Cursach, Maria Panitsa, Ioannis Bazos, Rosa Ranalli, Mauro Fois, Marta Galloni, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Živa Fišer, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Plants with complex floral morphologies are adapted to be pollinated by restricted pollinator assemblages and may suffer pollinator limitation. Understanding how floral traits and other variables relate to plant vulnerability can provide a powerful tool for predicting the conservation status and prioritizing the assessment of plants with scarce field data. Using circa 3000 records of rare and threatened (sensu IUCN) entomophilous plant taxa from seven Mediterranean countries, we evaluated how six floral traits and other eight intrinsic and extrinsic variables were related to plant vulnerability (less vs. more threatened plants). Besides, we analyzed 29 experts' opinions regarding the floral traits most related to floral complexity. Floral shape, reproductive unit, and flowering duration were good vulnerability indicators. Taxa with lip- and flag-shaped flowers were the most threatened, which agrees with the opinion of experts who considered lip- and flag-shaped flowers to have more complex morphologies. Also, plants with cylindrical inflorescences or solitary flowers were more threatened than those with flat-spherical inflorescences; and longer flowering durations reduced the probability of being threatened. Regarding extrinsic variables, coastal and freshwater habitats, i.e. habitats heavily impacted by human activities, had the highest percentage of highly threatened taxa. Yet, plant vulnerability decreased with maximum elevation and total distribution range. These results may serve as a basis for managers and practitioners when field data are scarce or unavailable, so that, depending on their traits, species could be provisionally listed in Red Lists as deserving priority for assessment to ascertain conservation status and actions.
Keywords: floral complexity, floral shape, flowering duration, functional reproductive unit, plant conservation, red data books, threatened Mediterranean vascular flora
Published in RUP: 02.12.2025; Views: 285; Downloads: 3
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4. Stewardship underpins sustainable foragingIrene Teixidor-Toneu, Giulia Mattalia, Sophie Caillon, Abdullah Abdullah, Živa Fišer, Pål Karlsen, Shujaul Mulk Khan, Anneleen Kool, Gabriela Loayza, Anna Porcuna-Ferrer, Ismael Vaccaro, Christoph Schunko, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Foraging wild plants and mushrooms can be both beneficial and detrimental to biodiversity. We examine the role of stewardship practices, which are grounded in care, knowledge, and agency, in fostering sustainable use of wild species. These practices are pervasive among foragers across social–ecological systems yet neglected in research and policymaking.
Keywords: foraging, sustainability, nature conservation
Published in RUP: 12.09.2025; Views: 439; Downloads: 2
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6. Protokoli za vaje pri predmetih Splošna botanika in Biologija rastlinŽiva Fišer, Katarina Šoln, 2025, other educational material Keywords: rastline, morfologija, anatomija, rastlinska celica, tkiva, organi, mikroskopiranje
Published in RUP: 13.03.2025; Views: 951; Downloads: 10
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8. Mikroskop, mikroskopiranje in osnove biološkega risanjaMartina Lužnik, Živa Fišer, 2025, other educational material Keywords: mikroskopija, zoologija, botanika, biološko risanje, biološke skice, svetlobni mikroskop
Published in RUP: 11.03.2025; Views: 1140; Downloads: 15
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