Chorology

In this presentation I discuss how the Greek concept of chōra inspired two major philosophers of East and West in the early twentieth century: Nishida Kitarō in his development of the concept of place (basho) and Martin Heidegger in his thinking concerning “region” (Gegend).  Not only was Plato’s concept of chōra in the Timaeus an important source for both, we can also draw connections to the pre-Platonic everyday understanding of the term as well.  I argue that chōra in general entails concretion-cum-indetermination, a space that implaces human existence into its environment and clears room for the presencing-absencing of beings.

Keywords: Nishida, Heidegger, place, region, chōra

Paper presented at the annual SPEP conference of 2014 held in New Orleans, LA.

The study was accomplished in pure and mixed stands of Quercus castaneifolia and Quercus macranthera in northern Iran. collection of the sample and study of the ecological factors including the seasons, spring, summer and autumn of the years 2009 and 2010 was conducted and the scientific name of the species, life forms and Chorology were recorded using the available resources. 186 species have been identified of 6 Pteridophytes families, 2 families from Gymnosperms and 52 families of Angiosperms (8 families from a Dicotyledone and 44 families of Monocotyledon). The maximum number of species was related to the flowing family: Asteraceae, Papilionaceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae and Poaceae. Raunkiaer’s classification of Hemicryptophytes 49%, Cryptophytes 20%, Phanerophytes 19%, and 8% Therophytes, Chamaephytes 3 percent and 1 percent of Epiphytic species are allocated to the region. Chorology study area showed the highest value in zone of Europe-Siberia (the Caspian), with 41% belonging. The study of the list of endangered species showed one endangered species, 5 vulnerable species. 20 species were identified as lower risk. Lilium ledebourii was identified as a rare species with relatively wide distribution in different parts of the region.

In this article (published in STUDIA PHÆNOMENOLOGICA XVI (2016) 489–518) I discuss how the Greek concept of chōra inspired both Martin Heidegger and Nishida Kitarō. Not only was Plato’s concept an important source, but we can also draw connections to the pre-Platonic understanding of the term as well. I argue that chōra in general entails concretion-cum-indetermination, a space that implaces human existence into its environment and clears room for the presencing-absencing of beings. One aim is to convince Nishida scholars of the signicance of chōra in Nishida’s thought vis-à-vis the other Greek concept of place, topos. Another is to convince Heidegger scholars who accuse him of neglecting chōra that, to the contrary, there is evidence of Heidegger’s appropriation of this concept.  The point is to show that chōra is signicant to the thinking of both while correcting certain misreadings and to show its relevance to us today.

298 endemic taxa at the species and subspecies rank have been found in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Each taxon has been classified into its corresponding chorological group, subgroup and floristic element. The basic chorological structure of endemic Balkan flora in B&H is composed of five main groups: South-European Mountainous (SEM) with 112 taxa, 38% of the total endemic Balkan flora in B&H; Mediterranean - Submediterranean (MED-SUBMED), 77 taxa (26%); Central-European Mountainous (CEM) with 69 taxa (23%); Central-European (CE) with 34 taxa (11%); and Pontic (PONT) with six taxa (2%). Within SEM and CEM groups, the most abundant were Dinaric and Dinaric-Balkan elements, in the MED-SUBMED group it was Adriatic Submediterranean, while in the CE group there were Illyrian and Illyrian-Balkan floristic elements. The distribution of each taxon in B&H was mapped in the network of MGRS squares, with a precision level of 10 km. The richness of Balkan endemic flora in B&H was presented as the number of taxa, at the species and subspecies ranks in each MGRS square 10 x10 km. In the same way, the distribution of endemic taxa of each basic chorological groups was represented. It has been confirmed that high mountains of northern Herzegovina (Prenj, Čvrsnica, Čabulja) are richest in endemics (125 taxa), followed by mountains Bjelašnica, Treskavica, Ivan, together with the canyon of the Rakitnica river (109 taxa), and mountains at the border with Montenegro, Maglić and Volujak with the Sutjeska river canyon (99 taxa). The richest endemic flora was recorded on the following particular mountains: Prenj (99), Čvrsnica (78), Orjen (74), Velež (70), Treskavica (63), Maglić (58), Dinara (52), etc.

The coastal and hilly sectors in the province of Messina Province and the Aeolian Archipelago have been explored, in order to obtain up-to-date information on the distribution of the populations of Chamaerops humilis in NE Sicily and on their site conditions. In addition to the field surveys, any local toponym possibly related to the Sicilian vernacular names of the dwarf palm was checked and verified throughout the investigated area. The total absence of the species along the coasts of Nebrodi Massif is confirmed. Of the 9 extant populations, 4 are located on Aeolian Islands, 2 along the Ionian coast and 3 along the Tyrrhenian coast of Peloritani Mountains: among them, the one of Capo Calavà represents a new record. The co-occurrence of centuries-long human disturbance and several forms of environmental stresses (e.g. prevalence of incoherent substrates) could be the reason for the relict connotation of most of the considered populations, which also are very discontinuous and consisting of small patches formed by a few individuals, in simplified and species-poor assemblages, mostly found on sea-facing rocky cliffs. On the other hand, the recent spread of Chamaerops humilis in Lipari could be related to the abandonment agricultural practices. Finally, the naturalisation cases recorded in Milazzo, Tindari, Panarea, Scaletta Zanclea and Taormina, where the dwarf palm escaped from public and private gardens, point out the urgent need of regulating its introduction, in order to avoid the genetic pollution of the autochthonous populations.

"GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS OF WESTERN LA ALCARRIA AND `MESA´ OF OCAÑA (I). FLORISTIC ANALYSIS IN FIVE REPRESENTATIVE SPACE TRACTS".
It carries out a systematic and exhaustive floristic inventory in order to know the composition of vascular plants of the natural region of Western La Alcarria and “Mesa” of Ocaña (Central Iberian Peninsula). The survey method was applied in the NNE-SSW transect forming for five 1 × 1-km U.T.M. grid squares (ED50) during one agricultural year (2002-2003). It allows consider almost the total richness notion of the floristic data and makes possible a geographical comparison of biodiversity in absolute terms. The Jaccard’s index is used to determine the floristic similarity between all grid cells and the taxonomic spectra is analyzed. The results show high levels of richness at all spatial levels (1634 native species at regional level; 690, in all five grid cells, and an average higher than 400 by grid cell). From highest to lowest, the regional typical spectrum presents a dominance of the daisy family, followed by grasses, legume family, crucifers and pink family; although the cells spectra have slight variations to this model.
Key words: Similarity Analyse. Biodiversity. Phytogeography. Taxonomic Spectrum. Natural region of Western La Alcarria and “Mesa” de Ocaña.

"Géographie des plantes de La Alcarria de l’Ouest et “Mesa” d’Ocaña (I). Analyse floristique de cinq localités représentatives"
On a fait des relevés systématiques et exhaustives de la flore á cinq carrés UTM de 1 km × 1 km (ED50), formant un transect NNE-SSW dans la région naturelle de La Alcarria de l’Ouest et “Mesa” d’Ocaña (Centre de la Péninsule Ibérique), avec le but de connaître la composition en plantes vasculaires. La méthode, appliquée dans l’année agrologique 2002-03, permet d'envisager l’ensemble vasculair déterminé comme relativement proche à la richesse totale, ce qui fait possible la comparaison géographique de la diversité floristique en termes absolus. En même temps, on a effectué une analyse de similarité de la flore entre les cinq unités régulières et une analyse comparative des spectres taxonomiques. Les résultats montrent des niveaux élevés de la richesse à tous les espaces étudiés (1634 espèces, au niveau régional, 690 dans l´ensemble des cinq carrés UTM, et une moyenne supérieure à 400 par carré). Du plus haut au plus bas, le spectre typique de la région est domainé par les composées, suivies par les graminées, légumineuses, crucifères et caryophyllacées, bien que les unités de 1 km² ont de légères variations de ce modèle.
Mots-clefs: Analyse de similarité. Biodiversité. Phytogéographie. Spectre taxonomique. Region naturelle de La Alcarria de l’Ouest et “Mesa” d’Ocaña.

The Teno range of mountains, located in the northwest Tenerife, Canary Islands, is still a refuge for the flora and fauna of the island. Until now, at least four native species of reptiles, 232 of birds (both breeding and migrant), and six mammals have been recorded for that site. For some of these animals, such as Canarian Spotted Lizard (Gallotia intermedia), Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia) and Northern Raven (Corvus corax), these cliffs, gorges, tablelands or forests hold a good part or all of their insular populations. This illustrated and annotated checklist synthesizes and updates the available information on terrestrial vertebrates for the entire northwestern area of Tenerife. A current and comprehensive list of extant species supports effective management strategies and conservation projects as well as the efficient dissemination of information regarding this Natural Heritage.

Le Sénégal oriental est une région très riche de par sa flore, sa faune mais également de par son sous-sol qui renferme d'intéressants indices ou gisements d'or, d'uranium, de fer, de cuivre, de nickel, de lithium, de marbre, de molybdène et de chrome. Cette exploitation n'est toutefois pas sans conséquences car les activités extractives causent d'énormes préjudices notamment à l'environnement. La présente étude se fixe comme objectif d'établir la situation de référence de la flore ligneuse de la zone. Ainsi à partir d'un échantillonnage de type aléatoire stratifié et d'un maillage systématique, l'étude de la flore du site a été faite en utilisant la méthode de l'inventaire itinérant. La flore de la zone d'exploitation minière de la commune de Sabodala et ses environs est riche de 103 espèces distribuées dans 75 genres et 32 familles. Les Fabaceae, Combretaceae et Malvaceae sont les familles majoritaires de cette flore. Le genre Combretum est le plus riche avec 7 espèces. Le spectre biologique montre une prédominance des microphanérophytes et des mésophanérophytes. Les espèces de l'élément-base soudanien sont majoritaires avec 35,3 %, indiquant le caractère soudanien de la zone. Ces résultats sont très importants dans les processus de reconstitution de la flore de la zone.

Resumen. Se confirma la presencia de Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. & Mauri en la provincia de Sevilla, donde no se había citado desde 1861. Se trata de un geófito de distribución circunmediterránea, versátil en la ocupación del hábitat y ampliamente extendido en la Península Ibérica. Actualmente se consideraba ausente del territorio hispalense, donde continúa siendo una especie muy rara. Convive con Romulea ramiflora Ten. susbp. ramiflora. Palabras clave: Romulea bulbocodium; corología; pinares de Aznalcázar; bosque-isla; SO ibérico. Rediscovery of Romulea bulbocodium in the province of Seville.

Abstract. The presence of Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. & Mauri is confirmed in the province of Seville, where it had not been reported since 1861. Geophyte of circunmediterranean distribution, it is versatile in habitat occupancy and widespread in the Iberian Peninsula. It was considered absent of the territory of Seville, where it still considered as a very rare species. It coexists with Romulea ramiflora Ten. subsp. ramiflora.

“GEOGRAPHICAL PHYTODIVERSITY OF MIRALRÍO COMPARED WITH FLORA OF WESTERN `LA ALCARRIA´OF GUADALAJARA PROVINCE. TAXONOMIC AND VASCULAR RICHNESS ANALYSIS”.
It carries out a systematic and exhaustive vascular plant inventory in order to know the floristic richness in nine contiguous 1×1-km, four 2×2-km and one 3×3-km U.T.M. grid cells (Datum ED50), around to Miralrio village. The survey method was applied in three distinct moments of 2007 to diminish phenological drawbacks. In his turn, these levels of floristic diversity were compared with the flora of The Western “La Alcarria” of Guadalajara, regional subsector to which belongs. The Jaccard’s index is used to determine the floristic similarity between all grid cells. Overall taxonomic spectra are analyzed.
KEY WORDS: Similarity Analysis. Biodiversity. Taxonomic Spectrum. Floristic richness. The Western “La Alcarria” of the Guadalajara province (Central Spain). Miralrío.

& L 11 avenue du Loup, 64000 PAU-[p_weill@yahoo.fr] Résumé-Polydius bellieri (Coleoptera Curculionidae) est connu depuis 1868 par la série typique qui a été collectée dans les environs de Barèges (Hautes-Pyrénées) par M. Bellier de la Chavignerie à qui l'espèce a été dédiée par C. Brisout de Barneville en 1869. Il est aussi cité d'Espagne. Depuis cette date, les captures font défaut et la redécouverte de ce joli charançon en 2006 a permis de confirmer la plante hôte et l'actuelle présence en France de cette espèce. Des photos de l'insecte "in natura" ainsi que celles de l'habitus mâle et de l'édéage sont proposées. Abstract-Polydius bellieri (Coleoptera Curculionidae) has been known since 1868 thanks to the typical series that was collected near Barèges (Hautes-Pyrénées) by M. Bellier de la Chavignerie to whom the species was dedicated by C. Brisout de Barneville in 1869. It is also mentioned from Spain. Since that date, it has not been caught and the rediscovery of this nice weevil in 2006 has made it possible to confirm the host plant and the presence nowadays of the species in France. Some photos of the insect in natura and the male habitus and sexual organs are proposed.