Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research... more Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research on the distribution of alien species and their pathways of introduction is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. A comprehensive overview on invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Romania is lacking. With this paper, we aim to contribute to filling this gap and to provide a visualization of national patterns regarding plant species invasions, geographical origins and pathways of introductions. Based on plant species occurrence records in the published literature and herbaria we compiled a national database of 102 invasive and potentially invasive alien plant species. We georeferenced 42776 IAP species occurrences and performed an analysis of their spatial patterns. The spatial analyses revealed a biased sampling, with clear hotspots of increased sampling efforts around urban areas. We used chord diagrams to visualize the pathway of introduction and geographical o...
Botanic gardens are important centres for the conservation of plant diversity, but at the same ti... more Botanic gardens are important centres for the conservation of plant diversity, but at the same time they can be responsible for plant invasions. As such it is paramount that botanic gardens evaluate their collections of exotic plants, monitor them and seek to minimise the risk of some species becoming invasive. In this context an evaluation of the collection of woody plants in the „Dimitrie Brandza” Botanic Garden, Bucharest, Romania was carried out, and it was established that although there are over 70 species with invasive potential, these do not represent a source of dispersal as the botanic garden is surrounded by artificial habitats undergoing regular maintenance. Nevertheless, indirectly, the Botanic Garden might have contributed to the process of invasion of some species as over the years it has offered vegetal material of plants known as invasive in international exchanges with other botanic gardens and even to the general public for private gardens.
The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-M... more The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Achillea setacea essential oil was evaluated, as well as its biocompatibility (LDH and MTT methods). DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods were applied for antioxidant activity evaluation, while qualitative and quantitative assays (inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration), NO release (by nitrite concentration determination), and microbial adhesion capacity to the inert substrate (the biofilm microtiter method) were used to investigate the antimicrobial potential. A total of 52 compounds were identified by GC-MS in A. setacea essential oil, representing 97.43% of the total area. The major constituents were borneol (32.97%), 1,8-cineole (14.94%), camphor (10.13%), artemisia ketone (4.70%), α-terpineol (3.23%), and γ-eudesmol (3.23%). With MICs ranging from 0.78 to 30 μg/mL, the A. setacea ess...
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing prop... more Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing properties. The present study aimed to establish the chemical composition of the lyophilized ethanolic extract from Romanian Ziziphus jujuba leaves and to evaluate the healing and anti-inflammatory properties of a newly developed lipophilic ointment containing 10% dried jujube leaves extract. The ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry method was used, and 47 compounds were detected, among them the novel epicatechin and caffeic acid. The extract contains significant amounts of rutin (29.836 mg/g), quercetin (15.180 mg/g) and chlorogenic acid (350.96 µg/g). The lipophilic ointment has a slightly tolerable pH, between 5.41–5.42, and proved to be non-toxic in acute dermal irritation tests on New Zealand albino rabbits and after repeated administration on Wistar rats. The ointment also has a healing activity comparable to Cicatrizin (a pharma...
Given the rapid spread of invasive alien plant species in Europe and limited information regardin... more Given the rapid spread of invasive alien plant species in Europe and limited information regarding their distribution and dispersion patterns, we analyzed the invasive risk of Humulus scandens, a species with an increased invasive potential. We collected occurrence records from Romania within an EU funded project and literature data, in order to perform an ensemble distribution model. Environmental variables varied from downscaled topoclimatic continuous entries to categorical ones, such as soil class, texture, or land use. Results showed potential core areas of the species within the study region. By inverting the probability output of the models, we have created a resistance surface which helped us model its dispersion patterns. Further, we assessed the probability of invasion for each resulted corridor using the species dispersion ecology and created an invasion risk map. H. scandens is highly influenced by milder climates and areas with constant flooding events, thus we found th...
This paper presents red algae collection of the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden "D. Brandza&... more This paper presents red algae collection of the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden "D. Brandza" of the University of Bucharest (BUC), which contains 2,374 specimens collected from very diverse areas of the world by a number of 193 collectors, between 1802 and 1981. The collection could be made public following a process for inventory and introduction of cryptogamic collections into electronic database, which was initiated in 2016.
Some aspects of the chemical composition were studied in extracts of unexplored Phemeranthus conf... more Some aspects of the chemical composition were studied in extracts of unexplored Phemeranthus confertiflorus L, an alien plant collected from Bucharest delta. 16 polyphenols and 10 short-chain organic acids were analysed and quantified by capillary electrophoresis in Phemeranthus extracts and antioxidant activity was investigated. The results obtained could promote Phemeranthus as an eligible plant with potential in food industry and for human health, because of the high antioxidant activity, high content of flavonoids (naringenin, rutin, daidzin) and lactic acid.
The floristic research carried out at “Balta Văcăreşti”, Bucharest, provided the scientific found... more The floristic research carried out at “Balta Văcăreşti”, Bucharest, provided the scientific foundation for the establishment of the Văcăreşti Nature Park in 2016. Between 2012 and 2016 a total of 331 species and subspecies were identified in the researched area. Around 80% of the plants are native (including archaeophytes), while 20% are aliens, some of them being recognised as invasive species (Elodea nuttallii, Azolla filiculoides, Ailanthus altissima, Acer negundo, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Parthenocissus inserta, Elaeagnus angustifolia, etc.). A large number of plants with Least Concern and Data Deficient status in the IUCN Red List was noted, most of which are aquatic and paluster species currently threatened due to the reduction or even loss of their habitat (Cyperus fuscus, Cyperus glomeratus, Lemna trisulca, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Persicaria amphibia, Sparganium erectum, Typha laxmannii, Utricularia vulgaris). As regards species threatened at nation...
Phemeranthus confertiflorus (Montiaceae) is reported as a new alien species to Europe. It is nati... more Phemeranthus confertiflorus (Montiaceae) is reported as a new alien species to Europe. It is native to North America and used as decorative in rock gardens. The specimens of this plant were collected in Bucharest (Romania) and deposited in BUC. The mode of introduction of the plant is unknown, most likely escaped from cultivation. Data about habitat and population of the taxon are presented. One of the plants that accompany Phemeranthus confertiflorus is also an alien to Europe – Portulaca pilosa and this is the first record of this plant for Romania. Kew words: alien species, Europe, invasive plants, Phemeranthus, Portulaca, Romania.
Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research... more Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research on the distribution of alien species and their pathways of introduction is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. A comprehensive overview on invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Romania is lacking. With this paper, we aim to contribute to filling this gap and to provide a visualization of national patterns regarding plant species invasions, geographical origins and pathways of introductions. Based on plant species occurrence records in the published literature and herbaria we compiled a national database of 102 invasive and potentially invasive alien plant species. We georeferenced 42776 IAP species occurrences and performed an analysis of their spatial patterns. The spatial analyses revealed a biased sampling, with clear hotspots of increased sampling efforts around urban areas. We used chord diagrams to visualize the pathway of introduction and geographical o...
Botanic gardens are important centres for the conservation of plant diversity, but at the same ti... more Botanic gardens are important centres for the conservation of plant diversity, but at the same time they can be responsible for plant invasions. As such it is paramount that botanic gardens evaluate their collections of exotic plants, monitor them and seek to minimise the risk of some species becoming invasive. In this context an evaluation of the collection of woody plants in the „Dimitrie Brandza” Botanic Garden, Bucharest, Romania was carried out, and it was established that although there are over 70 species with invasive potential, these do not represent a source of dispersal as the botanic garden is surrounded by artificial habitats undergoing regular maintenance. Nevertheless, indirectly, the Botanic Garden might have contributed to the process of invasion of some species as over the years it has offered vegetal material of plants known as invasive in international exchanges with other botanic gardens and even to the general public for private gardens.
The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-M... more The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Achillea setacea essential oil was evaluated, as well as its biocompatibility (LDH and MTT methods). DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods were applied for antioxidant activity evaluation, while qualitative and quantitative assays (inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration), NO release (by nitrite concentration determination), and microbial adhesion capacity to the inert substrate (the biofilm microtiter method) were used to investigate the antimicrobial potential. A total of 52 compounds were identified by GC-MS in A. setacea essential oil, representing 97.43% of the total area. The major constituents were borneol (32.97%), 1,8-cineole (14.94%), camphor (10.13%), artemisia ketone (4.70%), α-terpineol (3.23%), and γ-eudesmol (3.23%). With MICs ranging from 0.78 to 30 μg/mL, the A. setacea ess...
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing prop... more Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing properties. The present study aimed to establish the chemical composition of the lyophilized ethanolic extract from Romanian Ziziphus jujuba leaves and to evaluate the healing and anti-inflammatory properties of a newly developed lipophilic ointment containing 10% dried jujube leaves extract. The ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry method was used, and 47 compounds were detected, among them the novel epicatechin and caffeic acid. The extract contains significant amounts of rutin (29.836 mg/g), quercetin (15.180 mg/g) and chlorogenic acid (350.96 µg/g). The lipophilic ointment has a slightly tolerable pH, between 5.41–5.42, and proved to be non-toxic in acute dermal irritation tests on New Zealand albino rabbits and after repeated administration on Wistar rats. The ointment also has a healing activity comparable to Cicatrizin (a pharma...
Given the rapid spread of invasive alien plant species in Europe and limited information regardin... more Given the rapid spread of invasive alien plant species in Europe and limited information regarding their distribution and dispersion patterns, we analyzed the invasive risk of Humulus scandens, a species with an increased invasive potential. We collected occurrence records from Romania within an EU funded project and literature data, in order to perform an ensemble distribution model. Environmental variables varied from downscaled topoclimatic continuous entries to categorical ones, such as soil class, texture, or land use. Results showed potential core areas of the species within the study region. By inverting the probability output of the models, we have created a resistance surface which helped us model its dispersion patterns. Further, we assessed the probability of invasion for each resulted corridor using the species dispersion ecology and created an invasion risk map. H. scandens is highly influenced by milder climates and areas with constant flooding events, thus we found th...
This paper presents red algae collection of the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden "D. Brandza&... more This paper presents red algae collection of the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden "D. Brandza" of the University of Bucharest (BUC), which contains 2,374 specimens collected from very diverse areas of the world by a number of 193 collectors, between 1802 and 1981. The collection could be made public following a process for inventory and introduction of cryptogamic collections into electronic database, which was initiated in 2016.
Some aspects of the chemical composition were studied in extracts of unexplored Phemeranthus conf... more Some aspects of the chemical composition were studied in extracts of unexplored Phemeranthus confertiflorus L, an alien plant collected from Bucharest delta. 16 polyphenols and 10 short-chain organic acids were analysed and quantified by capillary electrophoresis in Phemeranthus extracts and antioxidant activity was investigated. The results obtained could promote Phemeranthus as an eligible plant with potential in food industry and for human health, because of the high antioxidant activity, high content of flavonoids (naringenin, rutin, daidzin) and lactic acid.
The floristic research carried out at “Balta Văcăreşti”, Bucharest, provided the scientific found... more The floristic research carried out at “Balta Văcăreşti”, Bucharest, provided the scientific foundation for the establishment of the Văcăreşti Nature Park in 2016. Between 2012 and 2016 a total of 331 species and subspecies were identified in the researched area. Around 80% of the plants are native (including archaeophytes), while 20% are aliens, some of them being recognised as invasive species (Elodea nuttallii, Azolla filiculoides, Ailanthus altissima, Acer negundo, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Parthenocissus inserta, Elaeagnus angustifolia, etc.). A large number of plants with Least Concern and Data Deficient status in the IUCN Red List was noted, most of which are aquatic and paluster species currently threatened due to the reduction or even loss of their habitat (Cyperus fuscus, Cyperus glomeratus, Lemna trisulca, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Persicaria amphibia, Sparganium erectum, Typha laxmannii, Utricularia vulgaris). As regards species threatened at nation...
Phemeranthus confertiflorus (Montiaceae) is reported as a new alien species to Europe. It is nati... more Phemeranthus confertiflorus (Montiaceae) is reported as a new alien species to Europe. It is native to North America and used as decorative in rock gardens. The specimens of this plant were collected in Bucharest (Romania) and deposited in BUC. The mode of introduction of the plant is unknown, most likely escaped from cultivation. Data about habitat and population of the taxon are presented. One of the plants that accompany Phemeranthus confertiflorus is also an alien to Europe – Portulaca pilosa and this is the first record of this plant for Romania. Kew words: alien species, Europe, invasive plants, Phemeranthus, Portulaca, Romania.
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Papers by Eugenia Nagoda